Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds are a complete encapsulation of your ears and allow for bigger drivers to deliver deeper bass and wider soundstages. Many of them also feature active noise cancellation and Bluetooth technology.

The latest Master & Dynamic MW65 update features high-quality audio, numerous ANC modes, and an impressive battery life with a stylish and distinctive design.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has improved an already excellent pair of headphones with the introduction of the WH1000XM4 wireless. They're less heavy, feel better constructed, and have a more balanced sound profile (though still bass-heavy), and come with an app that allows for some audio customization. They've improved their active noise cancellation, removing more ambient sounds and have a longer battery life.

These headphones utilize Bluetooth 5.0, with support for SBC, AAC, and Sony's own LDAC codec. These headphones can transmit high-resolution audio, but you'll need compatible devices and streaming services. In addition, the WH-1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth devices at the same time and automatically switch between them as needed. This feature is enabled through the Sony Headphones Connect App and is very effective.

The touch panels are more sensitive than the XM3. They respond faster to a tap on the panel and are much easier to control when making calls or listening to music. Sony also added an option that makes voices sound more clear and precise on calls, which is noticeable and a nice touch.

Although the WH-1000XM4s may not be perfect, they're one of the top wireless headphones we've ever tested. They're comfortable, well made, and Blue Tooth Headphones have an excellent battery that can last more than 30 hours continuously. They can be used in a passive manner with the TRS cable. This is ideal to travel with or for storing energy.

The WH-1000XM4s make a better choice than the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 wireless bluetooth over-ears. The Sonys are more comfy, and their ANC can block out more ambient sounds. The B&Ws feature an EQ that is more flexible, as well as an app companion to adjust the audio quality. The B&Ws are built better, and can pair with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. They also support aptX HD and feature an AI-driven engine which attempts to boost compressed music to high-resolution. This is known as DSEE Extreme and it does a good job of improving the clarity of music, particularly when listening to lossless music.

2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 blue tooth wireless headphones

The $329 Bose QuietComfort 45 noise-canceling headphones are the latest iteration of a headset that became a standard for blue tooth headphones commuters as well as passengers around the world. The new model does not reinvent the wheel. It is based on the same formula which was the basis of its predecessor's success with the addition of the USB-C port and improved noise cancellation.

Like the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones sport a premium look and feel that oozes quality. The headband, constructed of plastic, has an incredibly solid feel due to the metal hinges at pivot points. It also has the familiar ratcheting mechanism whenever you retract or extend your ear cups. The cups are cushioned, and have soft pads that can be worn over your ears without putting pressure on your head. When folded they weigh 238g. You can wear them with an overcoat or sweater since the noise cancellation function is functional even when you aren't on your head.

Despite their reputation for comfort, the QC45s can't provide the best sound quality in this price range. The frequencies are fairly flat and lack the depth that more expensive headphones might be capable of bringing out. The higher registers tend to be amplified and is suitable for most music but can become a problem for more delicate or intricate genres of music. The bass is decent, but it lacks power.

The possibility of pauseing the playback after removing the headset is a feature that's missing. This is a feature Bose's rivals have provided for several years. Another oversight is the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose has preset EQs available in the app, but it would be nice to have a manual control.

You can connect to your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth 5.0 with support for multipoint and the more advanced codecs such as aptX Adaptive. Download the Bose Audio App to adjust the voice and sound settings.

The QC45s have four microphones that are built-in to hear your voice when you are on the phone. The call quality is generally good but the Blue tooth headphones don't come with the handy capability to muffle your voice during playback, which is something other wireless headphones do. Update In February 2022, the firmware update to the QC45s provided manual EQ options in the audio app which is a welcome improvement.

3. Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal is a French audio brand that is known for high-performance headphones with long lasting comfort and a style that lets listeners know they're listening to something truly special. The Bathys are their first wireless noise cancelling headphones. They are stunning in appearance and sound. They also have a built-in high-performance USB DAC which means you can use them for wired and wireless listening.

The Bathys come with a great battery performance with Focal claiming 30 hours of continuous Bluetooth playtime. We got more than 40 hours of playback on average from a single charge. If you need to charge the headphones, the indicator light on the right earcup will turn red.

They have a decent amount of features for a pair of headphones of this price point with support for multiple devices at the same time and automatic pairing (though you'll have to manually select your source device every time you want to listen). The headphones come with an inbuilt microphone that can be used with voice assistants such as Siri or Alexa. The headphones also feature an easy-to-use interface that makes it simple to manage your music and make calls.

Bathys over-ear headphones perform well in our noise cancellation test, reducing ambient noise by 9 decibels on average. This isn't as impressive as the ANC in the Sony WH-1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless but it's still fairly effective.

The Bathys headphones did well in our headphone tests. Their frequency response was mostly similar to the SoundGuys headphone curve with minor variations on the bass and mids. The Bathys have a booming sound that can make instruments, vocals and cymbals appear veiled.

You can wear them wherever without worrying that others will listen to your music. The microphone is able to be used for recording using Bluetooth, with only slight distortion between the mid-treble as well as the treble.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless are a new version of the company's flagship Bluetooth headphones. The previous model, called the Momentum 3, was a decent but not a standout into the category. The new model is an improvement on the previous generation, with an elegant design, enhanced gesture control and a massive battery life.

The changes are subtle but make for a pair of over ear headphones that feels like an upgrade. The Momentum 4s lay flat and don't fold however they do come with a sturdy hardshell case that protects them while on the go. The Momentum 4s are also non-device-specific, similar to other Bluetooth headphones from recent years, including the ones from Bowers & Wilkins and Sony. They are compatible with Apple iPhones and Android phones, but lack the AirPods' extra features like Find My Support and head-tracked spatial audio.

The most obvious difference in this model is the huge battery that promises up to 60 hours of playback with noise cancellation activated. This is easily twice the amount of the competitors and sufficient to allow you to travel for a longer period of time without having to search for an outlet.

Engadget senior editor Billy Steele gave the headphones an 82 rating with a focus on their audio quality and ANC as their main strengths. He has only one complaint that they lack gravitas in mids and the treble. This makes orchestral tracks sound dull instead of grand. The bass is well-rounded, but it can be overemphasised, which can lead to fatigue in songs with heavy bass lines like the drums in As I Lay Dying's Forever. The cymbals can sound smoky rather than full and there's no feeling of depth in the lows.

The Momentum 4s are comfortable and aren't likely to put too much pressure on your neck or ears. They can be fidgety if you wear them around the home or for long listening sessions. They will move around on your head and make a lot of head movements. This can cause them to wake up unexpectedly, which can be distracting while listening to music or making calls. Fortunately they will shut down after 15 minutes of slumber by default, and can be switched off with the power button.