Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds encapsulate the ears completely. They also have larger drivers that deliver deeper bass and a bigger soundstage. Many also include active noise cancellation and Bluetooth technology.

The Master & Dynamic MW65 has been updated with better audio and multiple 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're less heavy, feel better constructed, and have a more balanced sound profile (though still bass heavy) and come with an app that lets you do some audio customization. Their active noise cancelling performs even better than before, eliminating more ambient sound, and they have a longer continuous battery life than many competitors.

These headphones use bluetooth headphones range 5.0 and support SBC, AAC, and Sony's own LDAC codec. The latter can transfer high-resolution audio, however you'll need to use compatible devices and streaming services. The WH-1000XM4s is also able to connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and then automatically switch between the two when needed. This feature is enabled through 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 a tap on the panel and are much easier to control when making a call or listening to music. Sony has also added a feature to make voice calls more precise and clear during calls. This is a distinct and pleasant addition.

The WH-1000XM4s aren't perfect, but they are among the top wireless headphones we've ever examined. They're comfortable, feel well-made, and come with an outstanding battery that can last more than 30 hours continuously. They can be used as a passive device by using the TRS cable. This is great to travel with or for storing power.

The WH-1000XM4s are a better choice over the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 Wireless and Bluetooth headphones over-ears. The Sonys are more comfortable, and their ANC can block out more background noise. They also come with a companion application that lets you adjust their audio performance and EQ settings are more flexible than the B&W's. But the B&Ws have an improved design, and they can connect with two bluetooth headphones range devices at once. They also support aptXHD and have an AI-driven engine which tries to increase the size of compressed music to high resolution. This is referred to as DSEE Extreme and it does a good job of improving the clarity of music, particularly when listening to lossless files.

2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless

The $329 Bose QuietComfort45 Noise-Canceling headset is the most recent version of a headset which is a popular choice among commuters and passengers across the world. Rather than reinventing the wheel, the new model retains the same formula that made the predecessor so popular, and adds USB-C, better noise cancellation and a longer battery lifespan.

Like the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones have an elegant design 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. It also features 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. They can be worn with a coat or sweater as they work even when not on your head.

Despite their reputation for comfort, the QC45s don't offer the best sound in this price range. The frequencies are tinny and lack the detail that headphones with higher prices might be able bring out. The higher registers tend to be boosted and is suitable for most music but can cause problems for more delicate or intricate genres of music. The bass is good but it lacks power.

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 offered for several years. Another oversight was the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose offers preset EQs within the app but it would be nice to have a manual control.

Bluetooth 5.0 is supported, including multipoint and more advanced codecs such as aptX Adaptive. Download the Bose Audio App to adjust your headset's audio and voice settings.

The QC45s come with four built-in microphones that listen to your voice during calls. The call quality is generally good but the headphones don't come with the handy ability to mute your voice during playback which is something that other wireless headphones have. Update In February 2022, a firmware update to the QC45s gave you manual EQ options in the audio app which is a welcomed improvement.

3. Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal is a French audio company known for high-performance headphones that last for a long time, comfort and a style that lets listeners know they're listening to something unique. The Bathys are their first wireless noise-cancelling headphones. They look and sound stunning. They also come with a built in high performance USB DAC which means you can use them for wireless and wired listening.

Focal claims that the Bathys can play Bluetooth music for up to 30 hours. We actually got more out of them with more than 40 hours on average out of a single charge. If you do require a recharge, there's an indicator wireless and bluetooth headphones light on the right ear cup that turns red when the earphone needs to be charged.

For a pair of headphones for this price, they have many features. They can connect to multiple devices simultaneously and have automatic pairing. (You have to select your device source each time you listen.) The headphones have a built in microphone that can be used with voice assistants such as Siri or Alexa. The headphones come with an easy-to navigate interface that makes it simple to control music and make calls.

For over-ear wireless headphones for over-ear wireless headphones, the Bathys perform very well in our test of noise cancellation. They cut down the ambient sound by about 9 decibels on average. This isn't as impressive a result as the ANC in the Sony WH-1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless but it's still fairly effective.

The Bathys headphones performed well in our headphone sound tests. Their frequency response was generally similar to the headphone curve of SoundGuys with minor differences on the bass and mids. The Bathys have a bassy sound profile that can make vocals, instruments and cymbals look a bit unreal.

You can wear them anywhere without fearing that other people will hear your music. The microphone has a decent quality of recording via Bluetooth with only a slight distortion in the mid - to the treble 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 an outstanding entry in this category. The latest pair improves on the previous model with more sleek design, better gesture controls and massive battery life.

The changes are subtle but make for an over-ear pair of headphones that feels like an upgrade. The Momentum 4s are flat and don't fold. They come with an outer case that protects them when traveling. They also follow the pattern of a number of other recent Bluetooth headphones, including those from Sony and Bowers & Wilkins, to be incredibly device-agnostic. They can be used with Apple iPhones and Android phones, but they do not have the AirPods extra features, such as Find My Support and head-tracked spatial audio.

The most notable improvement is the battery that can run for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation on. This is more than twice the amount of the other brands and enough to go on a long-distance trip without having to search for an outlet.

Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget The headphones were rated by Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget a score of 82. He cited their audio quality and ANC features as their strengths. He has only one complaint that they lack gravitas in mids and treble. This means that orchestral tracks sound flat, not grand. The bass is well rounded, but can be overemphasized, which can lead to fatigue in songs with heavy bass lines, like the drum beats of As I Lay Dying’s Forever. The cymbals sound a bit sizzled, not full. There's also not much depth to the lows.

The Momentum 4s should not cause 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 will move about on your head in a flurry of head movements. This can cause them wake up at random which can be distracting when you are listening to music or calls. They will shut down automatically after 15 minutes, and can be shut off manually by pressing the power button.