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 bigger soundstage. Many of them also feature active noise cancellation and Bluetooth technology.

The most recent Master & Dynamic MW65 update offers excellent audio, a variety of ANC modes, and an impressive battery life, all in a sleek and distinctive design.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has improved on an already great pair of headphones with the WH-1000XM4 Wireless. They're lighter, feel better constructed, and have an improved sound profile that is more balanced (though still bass-heavy) and come with an app that allows some audio customization. They've improved their active noise cancellation, which eliminates more background noises and extending the battery life.

These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible and Sony LDAC is also compatible with. This codec can transfer high-resolution audio, however you'll need to use compatible devices and streaming services. Additionally, the WH-1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and automatically switch between them as needed. This feature can be enabled through the Sony Headphones Connect app and it is extremely effective.

One subtle improvement 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 a call or listening to music. Sony has also added a feature to make voices sound more precise and clear during calls. This is an obvious and nice touch.

The WH-1000XM4s may not be perfect, but they are among the best wireless headphones we've ever examined. They're comfortable, good to the touch, and have an outstanding battery that can last more than 30 hours continuously. They can be used passively by using an TRS cable. This is great to travel with or for storing energy.

The WH-1000XM4s are a better choice over the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 Wireless over-ears. The Sonys are more comfortable and their ANC can block out more ambient noise. They also have a companion app that lets you tweak their audio performance and EQ settings are more flexible than B&W's. The B&Ws are built better and can connect to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. They also support aptX HD and have a unique AI-driven engine that tries to upscale compressed music 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

The $329 Bose QuietComfort45 noise-canceling headset is the most recent version of a headset that has become a popular choice for commuters and passengers all over the world. The new model doesn't reinvent the wheel. It retains the same formula that was the basis of its predecessor's success with the addition of USB-C and better noise cancellation.

Similar to the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones feature a luxurious look and feel that exudes quality. The headband, which is made of plastic, has a firm feel thanks to the hinges made of steel at pivot points. It also features the ratcheting mechanism that is familiar when you expand or retract your ear cups. The cups are cushioned and feature soft pads that are comfortable to wear over your ears without placing 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 can't provide the best sound quality in this price range. The frequencies are fairly flat and lack details that more expensive headphones might be capable of bringing out. The upper 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 it lacks power.

One feature that's not present is the ability to pause playback whenever you take off the headset. This is standard in this price range and is something Bose's competitors have been offering for years. Another omission is the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose has preset EQs available in the app, but it would be nice to have an option to manually control.

Bluetooth 5.0 is supported, including multipoint and 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 also include four built-in microphones that listen to your voice during calls. The quality of calls is generally excellent, but the headsets don't have the nifty capability to turn off your voice while playing back which is something that other wireless Headphones bluetooth Headphones headphones do. Update: A firmware update for the QC45s came out in February 2022 introduced manual adjustments to the audio app. This is a very welcome change.

3. Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal is a French audio company known for high-performance headphones with long lasting comfort and a design that lets listeners know they're listening to something special. Their first attempt at wireless noise cancelling headphones the Bathys are a stunning set of headphones that sound and look great. They also have a built-in high-performance USB DAC which means you can use them for wireless and wired listening.

Focal claims that the Bathys where can i buy wireless bluetooth headphones play Bluetooth music for up to 30 hours. We actually got more with more than 40 hours of playtime on average of a single charge. If you are required to charge the headphones, the indicator light on the right earcup will change red.

They offer a good amount of features for headphones of this price point that include support for multiple devices simultaneously and automatic pairing (though you'll need to manually select your source device every time you need to listen). They also have a built-in mic that supports voice assistants like Siri or Alexa. The headphones have an easy-to navigate interface that makes it easy to control music and make calls.

For wireless headphones that are over-ear for over-ear wireless headphones, the Bathys perform very well in our tests of noise cancellation. They cut down the sound of the surrounding environment by about 9 decibels on average. It's not as effective as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 and Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless but it is still effective.

The Bathys headphones did well in our headphone sound tests. Their frequency response was generally similar to the SoundGuys headphone curve, with only minor deviations on the bass and mids. The Bathys are bassy sound profile which can make instruments, vocals and cymbals seem veiled.

They also have excellent leakage resistance, meaning you can wear them out in public without worrying about other people listening to your music. Their mic has passable recording quality via Bluetooth with only a slight distortion in the mid to the treble range.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless is a new version of the company's most popular Bluetooth headsets. The Momentum 3 was a solid, but not spectacular entry in this class. The latest model is improved over the previous model by having modern design, better gesture controls and Wireless Headphones bluetooth Headphones massive battery life.

The improvements aren't that obvious, but they add up to create a pair of over-ears that appear to be an upgrade from the previous model. The Momentum 4s are flat and do not fold. They come with an outer case that protects them when traveling. They also follow the pattern of several other recent Bluetooth headphones, including the ones from Sony and Bowers & Wilkins, to be completely device-independent. They work with both Apple iPhones and Android phones, but do not have the AirPods additional 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 on. This is more than double the amount of the competitors and sufficient to take a multi-day journey without having to search for an outlet.

Engadget senior editor Billy Steele gave the headphones an 82 score, citing their audio quality and ANC as two of their strengths. The only issue he has is: they lack a sense gravitas in the mids and the treble. This means that orchestral music sounds flat instead of grand. The bass is well-rounded, but it can be overemphasised, which can lead to fatigue in songs with strong bass lines such as the drums in As I Lay Dying's Forever. The cymbals sound sizzled, not full. There's no real depth to the lows.

The Momentum 4s should not cause pressure on your neck or ear. However, they can be fidgety when wearing them in the house or during longer listening sessions. They will move about on your head with intense head movements. This can cause them wake up in a sudden manner, which could be distracting when listening to music or making calls. Fortunately they stop working after 15 minutes of sleep by default, and can be turned off manually off with the power button.