Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds are a complete encapsulation of your ears and allow for bigger drivers to produce more bass and a wider soundstage. Many include Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.

The Master & Dynamic MW65 has been upgraded with improved audio, various ANC modes and a huge battery life.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has improved an already excellent pair of headphones with the introduction of the WH1000XM4 wireless. They're lighter, feel better built, have a more balanced sound profile (though still bass heavy), and include an app that lets you do some audio customization. Their active noise cancellation works better than ever before, eliminating the background noise, and they have a longer continuous battery life than many competitors.

These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 and support SBC, AAC, and Sony's own LDAC codec. This codec can transmit high-resolution audio, however, you'll need compatible devices and a streaming service. Additionally, the WH-1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth devices at once and automatically switch between them if needed. This feature can be enabled through the Sony Headphones Connect app and it works flawlessly.

The touch panels are more sensitive than the XM3. They respond faster to the tap of the panel, music headphones Wireless and this makes them easier to control during a call or listen to media. Sony has also added a feature to make voice calls more precise and clear during calls. This is an obvious and nice touch.

Although the WH-1000XM4s may not be perfect, they're one of the most comfortable wireless headphones we've ever tested. They're comfortable, feel good to the touch, and have an impressive battery that can last longer than 30 hours continuously. They can also be used with a TRS cable which is perfect for those who travel or want to conserve power.

The WH1000XM4s offer a better alternative to the Bowers & Wilkins Wireless Over-Ears PX7 S2. The Sonys are more comfortable and their ANC can block out more ambient noise. The B&Ws have an EQ that is more flexible and a companion app to tweak the audio performance. The B&Ws are better built and can be paired with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. In addition, they support aptX HD and have an AI-driven engine that tries to upscale compressed music to high-resolution. This is referred to as DSEE Extreme and it does well in improving the clarity of music Headphones wireless, especially when listening to lossless files.

2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless

The $329 Bose QuietComfort45 Noise-Canceling headset is the most current version of a headset that has become a favorite among commuters and passengers across the world. The new model doesn't reinvent the wheel. It uses the same formula that made its predecessor so successful, while adding USB-C and better noise cancellation.

Similar to the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones feature a premium look and feel that oozes quality. The headband is constructed of plastic, yet it is a solid feel, with metal hinges at the pivot points, and the ratcheting mechanism that is familiar when you open or retract the ear cups. The cups feature soft cushioned pads that fit comfortably over the ears and do not apply pressure to your head. When folded they weigh 238g. You can wear them while wearing a sweater or coat as the noise cancelling function works even when you aren't on your head.

Despite their reputation for comfort, the QC45s can't offer the best sound in this price range. The frequencies are flat and lack the depth that headphones with higher prices might be able bring out. The higher registers tend to be more boosted, which is fine for most music but can become a problem for more delicate or intricate genres of music. The bass is good, but lacks punch.

One feature that's missing is the ability to pause playback whenever you remove the headset. This is a feature that Bose's rivals have provided for several years. Another oversight was the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose offers preset EQ settings within the app however it would be nice to have manual control.

Bluetooth 5.0 is supported, with multipoint as well as more advanced codecs such as aptX Adaptive. You can download the Bose Audio app to adjust your headset's sound and voice assistant settings.

The QC45s come with four microphones inbuilt to pick up your voice when you are on the phone. The headsets have a good call quality, however they don't permit you to muffle the sound during playback like other wireless headphones. Update: As of February 2022, the firmware update to the QC45s provided manual EQ options in the audio app which is a welcomed improvement.

3. Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal is a French audio brand that produces high-performance bluethooth headphones. They are renowned for their comfort and style which tell listeners that they're listening to something special. Their first venture into wireless headphones that block noise the Bathys are a stunning set of headphones that look and sound amazing. They also come with a built in high performance USB DAC which means you can use them for both wired and wireless listening.

The Bathys have a very good battery performance with Focal claiming 30 hours of continuous Bluetooth playtime. We actually got a bit more, with over 40 hours on average of just one charge. If you do need to recharge, there's a light on the right ear cup that will change to red when the headphone needs to be charged.

For headphones for this price, they offer many features. They can be used with multiple devices simultaneously and have automatic pairing. (You will need to select your device source manually every time you listen.) The headphones have built-in microphones that can be used with voice assistants like Siri or Alexa. The headphones also have an intuitive interface that makes it easy to control your music as well as make calls.

Bathys over-ear headphones do well in our noise cancellation test, reducing ambient sound by 9 decibels on average. It's not as impressive as the ANC in the Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless, but it's still pretty effective.

In our tests of the quality of sound from headphones The Bathys performed well overall with an overall frequency response that matches the SoundGuys headphone preference curve with only minor deviations in the bass and mids. The Bathys have a booming sound that can make vocals, instruments and cymbals appear obscure.

You can wear them anywhere without worrying that others will hear your music. The microphone has a decent quality of recording via Bluetooth with only a slight distortion in the mid - to treble range.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless are a new version of the company's flagship bluetooth head phones headphones. The Momentum 3 was a solid, but not spectacular entry in this category. The new pair is a step up from the previous model, featuring a sleeker look, improved gesture control and a massive battery life.

A lot of the improvements aren't that obvious, but they make a pair of over-ears that seem like a step up from the old one. The Momentum 4s are flat and don't fold. They come with a hardshell case to protect them while moving. They also follow the pattern of many other recent Bluetooth headphones, such as the ones from Sony and Bowers & Wilkins, to be beautifully device agnostic. They can be used with Apple iPhones as well as Android phones, but they do not have the AirPods additional features such as Find My Support and head-tracked spatial audio.

The biggest difference is the massive battery that can last for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation on. This is more than twice as much as most of the other brands and enough to take a multi-day journey without worrying about finding an outlet.

Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget and Engadget, gave the headphones an 82-point score. He cited their audio quality and ANC features as strengths. He has only one complaint that they lack gravitas in mids and treble. This makes orchestral pieces sound flat instead of grand. The bass is well rounded but it can sound overemphasized, which can lead fatigue in songs that have heavy bass lines, like the drum hits of As I Lay Dying’s Forever. The cymbals sound a bit sizzled, not full. There's also no real depth to the lows.

The Momentum 4s are comfy and shouldn't put too much pressure on your neck or ears. However they can be uncomfortable when worn in the house or during longer listening sessions, and will move about on your head, causing intense head movements. This can cause them unexpectedly wake up, which can be distracting when you are listening to music or calls. Fortunately, they stop working after 15 minutes of rest by default, and can be manually switched off using the power button.