Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds cover your ears completely and allow for larger drivers to deliver deeper bass and wider soundstages. They also have active noise cancellation and Bluetooth technology.

The latest Master and Dynamic MW65 update provides high-quality audio, numerous ANC modes, and a long battery life in an elegant and distinct design.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 wireless bluethooth headphone

Sony has redesigned an already great pair of headphones with the WH-1000XM4 Wireless. They're lighter, feel more built, feature a more balanced sound profile (though still bass heavy), and include an app that allows some audio adjustments. They've improved their active noise cancellation, removing more background noises and have a longer battery life.

These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 which supports SBC, AAC, and borderpeaceschool.or.kr Sony's own LDAC codec. This codec can transfer high-resolution audio, however, you'll need compatible devices and streaming services. In addition, the WH1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and switch between them when required. You enable this feature through the Sony Headphones Connect app and it works flawlessly.

The touch panels are more sensitive than the XM3. They respond more quickly to the tap of a panel, and this makes them easier to control during a call or to listen to music. Sony has also added a feature to make voice calls clearer and more precise during calls. This is a noticeable and a nice addition.

The WH-1000XM4s might not be perfect, but they are among the top wireless headphones we've ever test. They're comfortable, well made, and have an impressive battery that can last longer than 30 hours continuously. They can also be used with a TRS cable, which is ideal if you're traveling or need to conserve power.

The WH1000XM4s provide a superior alternative to the Bowers & Wilkins Wireless Over-Ears Px7 S2. The Sonys are more comfy, and their ANC can block out more ambient sound. They also have a companion app that lets you alter their audio performance and EQ settings are more flexible than B&W's. However, the B&Ws have more robust design and they can connect with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. They also support aptXHD and have an AI-driven engine that tries to scale compressed music up to high-resolution. This is known as DSEE Extreme, and it improves the clarity of music when listening to lossless audio files.

2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 wireless blutooth headphones

The $329 Bose QuietComfort45 noise-canceling headset is the most recent version of a headset that has become a popular choice for commuters and travelers all over the world. Rather than reinventing the wheel the new model uses the same formula that made the predecessor so popular, adding the USB-C port, which is better at cancelling noise and a longer battery life.

These over-ear Bose headsets come with a premium feel and appearance, similar to the QC 35 II headphones that came before them. The headband, constructed of plastic, offers a solid feel thanks to the hinges made of steel at pivot points. It also features the familiar ratcheting mechanism when you expand or retract your ear cups. The cups are cushioned and have soft pads that can be worn over your ears without placing 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 they're not on your head.

Despite their reputation for comfort, the QC45s don't offer the best sound in this price range. The frequencies are relatively flat and lack the details that headphones with higher prices might be capable of bringing out. The upper registers are amplified which is acceptable for the majority of music but could be a problem for more delicate and intricate genres. The bass is decent, but lacks punch.

One feature that's missing is the possibility of paused playback when you remove the headset. This is a standard in this price bracket and is something Bose's competitors have long offered. Another thing that was missing was the lack of an in-app EQ. Bose offers preset EQ settings within the app however it would be nice to have a 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 that are built-in to hear your voice when you are on the phone. The headsets have a good call quality, however they don't let you mute the voice 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 welcome improvement.

3. Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal is a French audio company that makes high-performance headphones. They are known for their comfort and style which tell listeners that they're hearing something unique. Their first foray into wireless noise cancelling headphones The Bathys, are stunning cans that look and sound fantastic. They have a high-performance USB DAC built in, which means you can use them both for wireless and wired listening.

Focal claims that the Bathys can play Bluetooth music for 30 hours. We actually got a bit more out of them with more than 40 hours of playtime on average of just one charge. If you have to charge your headphones then the indicator light on the right earcup will change red.

For headphones for this price, they come with lots of features. They support multiple devices at once and feature automatic pairing. (You will need to select your device source by hand each time you listen.) They have a built-in microphone that works with voice assistants such as Siri or Alexa. The headphones also feature an easy-to-use interface, making it simple 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. They aren't as good as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless but it's still very effective.

In our tests of the quality of sound from headphones The Bathys were a good overall performer with an overall frequency response that is in line with the SoundGuys headphone preference curve, with only minor differences in the mids and bass. They have a bass-rich sound profile that adds a lot of boom to mixes, however, it 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 others listening to your music. Their microphone is of 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 update to the company's flagship Bluetooth headphones. The last pair, the Momentum 3, was a solid but unspectacular entry into the category. The new pair is a step up from the previous generation, with more sleek design, better gesture control, and a huge battery life.

The improvements are subtle but add up to an over-ear set of headphones that feel like an upgrade. The Momentum 4s are flat and don't fold, but they do come with a nice hardshell case that protects them on the go. The Momentum 4s are also non-device-specific, similar to other Bluetooth headphones from recent times, like the ones from Bowers & Wilkins and Sony. They work with both Apple iPhones and Android phones, but lack the AirPods extra features, such as Find My Support and head-tracked spatial audio.

The most significant improvement is the battery that can run for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation turned on. This is easily double the amount of the other brands and enough to take a multi-day journey without having to search for an outlet.

Engadget senior editor Billy Steele gave the headphones an 82-point score and gohammer.co.kr cited their sound quality and ANC as particular strengths. The only issue he has is: they lack a sense of gravitas in the mids and treble. This makes orchestral music sounds flat, not grand. The bass is well-rounded however it can be overemphasized, which can cause fatigue in songs that have strong bass lines, such as the drum beats of As I Lay Dying’s Forever. The cymbals also sound sizzled rather than full and there's no sense of depth in the lows.

The Momentum 4s should not place pressure on your neck or ear. However they can be a bit fidgety when wearing them around the house or during longer listening sessions, and can move around on your head, causing intense head movements. This could cause them to wake up in a sudden manner, which could be distracting while listening to music or making calls. They shut down automatically after 15 minutes and can be turned off manually with the power button.