Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds can completely surround the ears. They also allow for larger drivers, which deliver greater bass and a wider soundstage. Many come with Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.

The Master & Dynamic MMW65 has been upgraded with improved audio and multiple ANC mode and an impressive battery life.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has enhanced an already excellent pair of headphones by introducing the WH1000XM4 wireless. They are less heavy, more durable and have an audio profile that is more balanced (though they are bass heavy). They also have an app that lets you customize the audio. They've upgraded their active noise cancellation, removing more background noises and extending the battery life.

These headphones utilize Bluetooth 5.0, with support for SBC, AAC, and Sony's own LDAC codec. The latter can transfer high-resolution music, but you'll need compatible devices and streaming services. The WH-1000XM4s is also able to connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and then automatically switch between them when needed. This feature can be enabled via the Sony Headphones Connect App and works well.

One of the major improvements over the XM3 is the sensitiveness of their touch panels. They respond faster to tapping on the panel and are much easier to control when making calls or listening to media. Sony has also added an option that makes voices sound more clear and precise when calling which is evident and a nice feature.

While the WH1000XM4s aren't perfect, they're some of the most comfortable wireless headphones we've ever tested. They're comfortable and Wireless headphones well-constructed, and come with a batteries that last for more than 30 continuous hours. They can also be used passively with a TRS cable, which is ideal when you're on the road or need to conserve power.

The WH-1000XM4s are better over the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 Wireless over-ears. The Sonys are more comfortable and their ANC can block out more ambient noise. The B&Ws feature a more flexible EQ and an app companion to adjust the audio quality. However, the B&Ws have more robust design and they're able to connect with two Bluetooth devices at once. They also support aptX HD and feature an AI-driven engine which attempts to boost compressed music to high-resolution. This is referred to as DSEE Extreme and it does an excellent job of improving the clarity of music, especially when listening to lossless files.

2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 wireless blutooth headphones

The $329 Bose QuietComfort45 noise-canceling headset is the latest version of a headset which is a popular choice among commuters and passengers across the world. Instead of reinventing the wheel, the new model retains the same formula that made the predecessor so popular, adding USB-C, improved noise cancellation and a longer battery life.

Similar to the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones have a premium look and feel that oozes quality. The headband is constructed of plastic, but is sturdy and comfortable with metal hinges at pivot points and the ratcheting mechanism that is familiar when you open or retract the ear cups. The cups are soft, cushioned pads that fit securely over the ears and do not apply pressure on your head. They weigh 238 grams and are fairly compact when folded. They can be worn with a sweater or coat because they function even when they are not on the head.

Despite their reputation for comfort, the QC45s do not offer the most impressive sound quality for this price range. The frequencies are fairly flat and lack the details that higher-end headphones may be capable of bringing out. The upper registers tend to be boosted and is suitable for most music but can become a problem for more delicate or intricate genres of music. The bass is good but lacks power.

One feature that's missing is the ability to pause playback whenever you take off the headset. This is a standard in this price range and is something that Bose's rivals have offered for a long time. Another issue is the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose has preset EQs in the app but it would be nice if there was an option to manually control.

You can connect to your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth 5.0 with multipoint support and more advanced codecs such as aptX Adaptive. You can download the Bose Audio app to adjust the volume and voice assistant settings.

The QC45s come with four built-in microphones that hear your voice when you make calls. The call quality is generally good but the headphones do not have the capability to muffle your voice during playback which is something other wireless headphones have. 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 is known for high-performance headphones with long lasting comfort and a design that makes listeners feel like they're listening to something truly special. The Bathys are their first wireless noise cancelling headphones. They are stunning in appearance and sound. They come with a top-quality USB DAC built in, so you can use them both for wireless and wired listening.

The Bathys come with a great battery performance with Focal claiming 30 hours of continuous Bluetooth playtime. We actually got a little more and got over 40 hours on average of just one charge. If you are required to charge your headphones then the indicator light on the right earcup will turn red.

For headphones at this price, they come with lots of features. They can connect to multiple devices simultaneously and offer automatic pairing. (You must select your source device manually every time you listen.) The headphones have a built in microphone that works 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 perform well in our noise cancellation test, reducing ambient sound by an average of 9 decibels. It's not as good as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless however it's still very effective.

The Bathys headphones performed well in our headphone sound tests. Their frequency response was generally similar to the headphone curve of SoundGuys, with only minor deviations in the mids and bass. They have a deep, bass-filled sound profile that adds plenty of boom to the mix, however, they can make vocals and instruments like cymbals sound dull.

They also have very good leakage resistance, which means you can wear them in public without worrying about people hearing your music. The microphone has a decent quality of recording via Bluetooth with just a little distortion in the mid - to high treble frequency range.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless are a new update to the company's top-of-the-line Bluetooth headphones. The Momentum 3 was a solid but not a great entry in this class. The latest model is improved over the previous model with more sleek design, better gesture controls and massive battery life.

A lot of the improvements here are subtle but they add up to make a pair that appear to be an upgrade from the old one. The Momentum 4s are flat and do not fold. They come with a hardshell case that protects them when on the move. The Momentum 4s are non-device-specific, similar to other Bluetooth headphones of recent years, including the ones from Bowers & Wilkins and Sony. This means they work with both Android phones and Apple iPhones, but do not come with the extra features (like Find My support and head-tracked spatial audio) that you'll find on AirPods.

The most notable difference is the massive battery that can last for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation turned on. This is more than the majority of the competitors offer and enough for a multi-day trip without having to worry about finding an outlet to charge them up.

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 only has one complaint that they lack of gravitas in the mids and treble. This means that orchestral pieces sound flat instead of grand. The bass is well rounded, but can be overemphasized, which can cause fatigue in songs that have high-pitched bass lines, like the drum hits of As I Lay Dying’s Forever. The cymbals also sound sizzled rather than full, and there's no real feeling of depth in the bass.

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 at home or during long listening sessions. They will move around on your head and make intense head movements. This can cause them to wake up at random which can be distracting during calls or music. Fortunately they will shut down after 15 minutes of sleep by default and can be manually switched off with the power button.