Best Over-Ear Headphones

Unlike earbuds, over-ear headphones encapsulate your ears completely and allow larger drivers to provide more bass and a wider soundstage. A majority of them feature Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.

The Master & Dynamic MMW65 has been updated with superior audio and various ANC modes and a huge battery life.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has enhanced an already excellent pair of headphones by introducing the WH1000XM4 wireless. They are more lightweight, better constructed and feature an audio profile that is more balanced (though bass-heavy). They also have an app that lets you customize the audio. They've upgraded their active noise cancellation, which eliminates more ambient sounds, and have a longer battery life.

These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0, with support for SBC, AAC, and Sony's own LDAC codec. The latter can transfer high-resolution music, though you'll need to use compatible devices and streaming services. The WH-1000XM4s is also able to connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and automatically switch between them when required. You can enable this feature via the Sony Headphones Connect app and it works very well.

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

The WH-1000XM4s aren't perfect, but they are among the best wireless headphones we've ever tested. They're comfortable and well-constructed, and come with a batteries that last for more than 30 continuous hours. They can be used passively using the TRS cable. This is perfect for travel or preserving 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 come with an EQ that is more flexible, as well as an app that allows you to tweak the audio performance. The B&Ws are built better, and can pair with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. They also support aptXHD and have an AI-driven engine that attempts to up-scale compressed music to high resolution. This is known as DSEE Extreme and it does well in improving the clarity of music, particularly when listening to lossless files.

2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless

The $329 Bose QuietComfort45 sound cancelling headset is the most recent version of a headset which has become a popular choice for commuters and passengers across the world. Instead of reinventing the wheel the new model uses the same formula that made its predecessor so popular, adding USB-C, better noise cancellation and a longer battery life.

Like the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones have a premium look and feel that exudes quality. The headband, made of plastic, provides an incredibly solid feel due to the hinges made of steel at pivot points. They also have the familiar ratcheting mechanism when you retract or extend your earcups. The cups are soft cushioned pads that fit comfortably over the ears and don't apply pressure to your head. When folded, they weigh 238 grams. You can use them while wearing a sweater or coat as the noise-canceling works even when they're not on your head phone wireless.

Despite their reputation as comfortable headphones, the QC45s do not provide the best sound at this price. The frequencies are relatively flat and lack the depth that higher-end headphones may be able to bring out. The higher registers tend to be boosted and is suitable for most music, but could cause problems for more delicate or intricate music genres. The bass is decent but it lacks power.

One feature that's missing is the ability to pause playback whenever you take the headset off. This is a feature that Bose's rivals have offered for many years. Another oversight is 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. Download the Bose Audio App to adjust your headset's sound and voice settings.

The QC45s come with four microphones built-in to pick up your voice when on the phone. The call quality is generally good but the headphones don't have the nifty capability to turn off your voice during playback which is a feature that other wireless headphones have. Update: A firmware upgrade for the QC45s came out in February 2022 added manual EQ options to the audio app. This is a very welcome change.

3. Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal is a French audio company that makes high-performance headphones. They are known for their style and comfort that let listeners know that they're listening to something special. The Bathys are their first wireless noise-cancelling headphones. They look and sound stunning. They have a high-performance USB DAC built in, so you can use them both for wired and wireless listening.

Focal claims that the Bathys can play Bluetooth music for 30 hours. We got more than 40 hours of playback time on average on a single charge. If you need to recharge, there's a light on the right ear cup that will turn red when the earphone needs to be charged.

They come with a wide range of features for a pair Introduction Of Bluetooth Technology headphones at this price, introduction of bluetooth technology including support for multiple devices at the same time and automatic pairing (though you'll need to select the source device every time you need to listen). The headphones come with a built in microphone that works with voice assistants, such as Siri or Alexa. The headphones feature an easy to navigate interface that makes it easy to control music and make calls.

Bathys over-ear headphones are able to perform in our noise cancellation test, reducing ambient sound by 9 decibels on average. This isn't as impressive as the ANC in the Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless, however it's still fairly effective.

In our tests of headphone sound quality The Bathys did well overall, with a an overall frequency response that matches the SoundGuys headphone preference curve, with just slight differences in the bass and mids. The Bathys have a booming sound profile that can make instruments, vocals and cymbals appear unreal.

Wear them wherever you want without fearing that other people will hear your music. The microphone is able to be used to record via Bluetooth with just a little distortion between the mid-treble as well as the treble.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless is a new update of the company's flagship Bluetooth headsets. The previous model, the Momentum 3, was a solid but unspectacular entry in the class. The latest model is improved over the previous model with more sleek design, better gesture controls and massive battery life.

The improvements are subtle but can make for a pair of over ear headphones that feel like an upgrade. The Momentum 4s lie flat and do not fold however they come with a sturdy hardshell case to keep them safe on the go. The Momentum 4s are also compatible with all devices, just like other Bluetooth headphones of recent years, including those 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 are available on the AirPods.

The most obvious improvement in this model is the huge battery, which promises up to 60 hours of playback time with the noise cancellation feature activated. This is more than the majority of the competitors offer and is enough for a multi-day trip without having to worry about finding an outlet to charge them up.

Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget, gave the headphones an 82 percent score. He highlighted their audio quality and ANC features as their strengths. The only issue he has is that they lack a sense weight in the mids and the treble, which means that orchestral pieces tend to sound flat, not grand. The bass is smooth and well-rounded but it can be overemphasised and cause fatigue in songs with strong bass lines such as the drums that are pounding in As I Lay Dying's Forever. The cymbals can sound smoky 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. However, they can be a bit fidgety when wearing them around the house or for longer listening sessions, and can move around on your head in a flurry of head movements. This could cause them to wake up at random which can be distracting when you are listening to music or calls. Fortunately they shut down after 15 minutes of sleep by default, and can be turned off manually off by pressing the power button.