Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones bluetooth wireless, unlike earbuds are a complete encapsulation of your ears and allow for bigger drivers to produce deeper bass and wider soundstages. Many also include active noise cancellation and Bluetooth technology.

The Master & Dynamic MW65 has been updated with superior audio, multiple ANC modes and a huge battery life.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has improved on an already excellent pair of headphones with the WH-1000XM4 Wireless. They're lighter, feel better built, feature more balanced sound profiles (though still bass heavy), and come with an app that allows some audio-related customization. They've improved their active noise cancellation, removing more background noises and extending the battery life.

These headphones use Bluetooth 5.0 and support SBC, AAC, and Sony's own LDAC codec. This codec can transfer high-resolution audio, however, you'll need compatible devices and a streaming service. Additionally, the WH-1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and switch between them as needed. This feature is enabled through the Sony Headphones Connect App and works well.

One subtle improvement over the XM3 is the sensitiveness of their touch panels. They respond more quickly to the touch of the panel, which makes them easier to control during a phone call or listen to media. Sony has added a feature to make voice calls more precise and clear during calls. This is a noticeable and nice touch.

The WH-1000XM4s may not be perfect, but they are among the best wireless headphones that we have ever test. They are comfortable, well-made, and have an energy-efficient battery that can last for more than 30 continuous hours. They can be used as a passive device with an TRS cable. This is perfect for travel or preserving power.

The WH1000XM4s are a better alternative to the Bowers & Wilkins Wireless Over-Ears Px7 S2. The Sonys are more comfortable, and their ANC can block out more ambient noise. They also have a companion application that lets you adjust their audio performance and EQ settings are more flexible than B&W's. However, the B&Ws have more robust design and they're able to pair with two Bluetooth devices at once. In addition, they support aptX HD, and they have an AI-driven engine that attempts to boost compressed music to high-resolution. This is known as DSEE Extreme and it does an excellent 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. Instead of reinventing the wheel the new model follows the same formula that made its predecessor so popular, adding USB-C, improved noise cancellation and a longer battery lifespan.

These over-ear Bose headsets have a premium feel and look, much like the QC 35 II headphones that were before them. The headband is made of plastic, and has a sturdy feel with metal hinges at the pivot points, and the familiar ratcheting action that you experience when you open or retract the ear cups. The cups are soft cushions that are securely positioned over your ears and do not apply pressure to your head. When folded they weigh 238g. They can be paired with a sweater or coat since they can be worn even when not on the head.

Despite their reputation for comfort, the QC45s can't offer the most impressive sound quality for this price range. The frequencies are dull and lack the detail that higher-end headphones might be able to bring out. The upper registers tend to be more boosted and is suitable for most music genres but could be a problem for delicate or intricate music genres. The bass is good but lacks power.

One feature that's missing is the ability to pause playback whenever you take the headset off. This is a standard feature in this price range and is something Bose's competitors have been offering for years. Another issue is the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose provides preset EQ settings in the app, but it would be nice to have a manual control.

You can connect to your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth 5.0 with multipoint support as well as more advanced codecs such as aptX Adaptive. Download the Bose Audio App to adjust your headsets audio and voice settings.

The QC45s also come with four in-built microphones to pick up your voice during calls. The quality of calls is generally very good however, the headphones don't come with the handy capability to turn off your voice while playing back which is something that other wireless headphones have. Update: A firmware upgrade for the QC45s was released in February 2022 included 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 that provide long-Lasting sony wireless bluetooth headphones – 50 hours+ comfort and a design that makes listeners feel like they're listening to something truly special. Their first foray into wireless noise cancelling headphones the Bathys, are a stunning set of headphones that sound and look amazing. They also come with an inbuilt high-performance USB DAC which means you can use them for both wired and wireless listening.

Focal claims that the Bathys can play Bluetooth music for up to 30 hours. We actually got a bit more, with over 40 hours on average out of a single charge. If you do need to recharge, there's an indicator light on the right ear cup that turns red when the headphone has to be charged.

They have a decent amount of features for headphones of this price, including support for multiple devices at once and automatic pairing (though you'll have to manually select your source device each time you need to listen). The headphones have an inbuilt microphone that can be used with voice assistants such as Siri or Alexa. The headphones also have an easy-to-use interface that makes it simple to manage your music and make calls.

Bathys over-ear headphones do well in our noise cancellation test, reducing ambient sound by an average of 9 decibels. It's not as effective as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless however it is still effective.

The Bathys headphones did well in our headphone sound tests. Their frequency response was mostly similar to the headphone curve of SoundGuys, with only minor deviations in the mids and bass. The Bathys have a bassy sound that can make vocals, instruments and cymbals appear obscure.

Wear them wherever you want and not worry about whether others hear your music. Their microphone is of 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 version of the company's top-of-the-line Bluetooth headphones. The Momentum 3 was a solid but not an outstanding entry in this class. The latest pair is a significant improvement over the previous model, featuring a sleeker look, improved gesture control and a massive battery life.

The improvements here are subtle but they create a pair of over-ears that appear to be an upgrade from the old one. The Momentum 4s are flat and do not fold. They come with an outer case that protects them when on the move. They also follow the style of many other recent Bluetooth headphones, including the ones from Sony and Bowers & Wilkins, to be incredibly device-agnostic. This means they work well with both Android phones and Apple iPhones, however they do not come with the extra features (like Find My support and head-tracked spatial audio) that you'll find on AirPods.

The most significant improvement is the battery that can last for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation on. This is nearly twice as much as most of the competition and enough to allow you to travel for a longer period of time without having to search for an outlet.

Engadget senior editor Billy Steele gave the headphones an 82-point score and cited their sound quality and ANC as their main strengths. The only issue he has is that they lack a sense gravitas in the mids and the treble, which means that orchestral tracks tend to sound flat, not grand. The bass is well-rounded however it can be too loud, which can cause to fatigue in songs with heavy bass lines, like the drum beats of As I Lay Dying’s Forever. The cymbals sound a bit bubbly, but not full. There's no real depth to the lows.

The Momentum 4s are comfortable and shouldn't put too much pressure on your ears or neck. They can be a bit fidgety when you wear them at home or for Long-lasting Sony Wireless Bluetooth Headphones – 50 Hours+ long listening sessions. They will move around on your head and make intense head movements. This could cause them to suddenly wake up and can cause distraction during music or calls. They stop automatically after 15 minutes and can be shut off manually by pressing the power button.