Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds, are able to completely encapsulate your ears. They also permit larger drivers that deliver deeper bass and a wider soundstage. They also have active noise cancellation and Bluetooth technology.

The most recent Master & Dynamic MW65 update features excellent audio, a variety of ANC modes and impressive battery life with a stylish and distinctive design.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has enhanced an already excellent pair of headphones by introducing the WH1000XM4 wireless. They are less heavy, more durable and feature a more balanced audio profile (though bass heavy). They also include an app that lets you customize the audio. Their active noise cancellation works better than ever before, eliminating any background noise. Additionally, they have a longer battery life than other models.

These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible, and Sony LDAC is also supported. This codec can transfer high-resolution audio, but you'll need compatible devices and streaming service. The WH-1000XM4s also allows you to connect 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.

The touch panels are more sensitive than the XM3. They respond more quickly to a tap on a panel, and this makes them easier to control during a call or listen to media. Sony has also added a feature that can make voice calls more clear and precise during calls. This is a distinct and pleasant addition.

While the WH-1000XM4s aren't perfect, they're some of the most comfortable wireless bluethooth headphone headphones we've ever tested. They're comfortable, feel good to the touch, and have an impressive battery that lasts longer than 30 hours continuously. They can be used in a passive manner using the TRS cable. This is great to travel with or for storing energy.

The WH-1000XM4s make a better choice than the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 Wireless over-ears. The Sonys are more comfortable, and their ANC can block out more background noise. The B&Ws feature a more flexible EQ and a companion app to tweak the audio quality. The B&Ws are more robust and can connect to two Cordless bluetooth headphones devices simultaneously. They also support aptX HD and feature an AI-driven engine that attempts to boost compressed music to high-resolution. This is called DSEE Extreme and it does well in improving the clarity of music, particularly when listening to lossless audio files.

2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless

The $329 Bose QuietComfort45 sound cancelling headset is the latest version of a headset which has become a popular choice for commuters and travelers all over the world. The new model doesn't reinvent the wheel. It uses the same formula which made its predecessor so successful with the addition of USB-C and better noise cancellation.

These over-ear Bose headsets have a premium feeling and look, much like the QC 35 II headphones that were before them. The headband is constructed of plastic, yet it has a sturdy feel with metal hinges at pivot points and the familiar ratcheting action when you retract or extend the earcups. 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 compact when folded. They can be paired with a sweater or coat as they work even when they are not on the head.

Despite their reputation as comfortable headphones, the QC45s do not offer the best sound at this price. The frequencies are flat and lack the details that higher-end headphones might be able to bring out. The upper registers are amplified which is great for the majority of music but can be a problem for more delicate and intricate genres. The bass is good, but it lacks punch.

One feature that's not present is the possibility of paused playback when you remove the headset. This is a feature Bose's rivals have provided for many years. Another oversight was the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose has preset EQs available in the app but it would be nice if there was an option to control the EQ manually.

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 audio and voice assistant settings.

The QC45s also come with four built-in microphones that listen to your voice during calls. The call quality is generally very good but the headphones don't have the nifty capability to turn off your voice during playback, which is something other wireless headphones have. Update as of February 2022, the firmware update to the QC45s offered manual EQ options in the audio app, which is a welcome improvement.

3. Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal is a French audio brand that is known for high-performance headphones that provide long-lasting comfort and a design that makes listeners feel like they're listening to something truly special. The Bathys are their first wireless noise cancelling headphones. They are stunning in appearance and sound. They come with a top-quality USB DAC built in, so you can use them both for wired and wireless listening.

The Bathys are very efficient in terms of battery life, with Focal promising 30 hours of continuous Bluetooth playtime. We actually got a bit more from them and got over 40 hours of playtime on average of just one charge. If you are required to charge your headphones then the indicator light on the right earcup will change red.

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 need to select the source device every time you would like to listen). They come with a built-in microphone that supports voice assistants like Siri or Alexa. The headphones also feature an easy-to-use interface that makes it easy to control your music and take calls.

Bathys over-ear headphones perform well in our noise cancellation test, reducing ambient sound by 9 decibels on average. It's not as effective as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 and 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 a frequency response that mostly corresponds to the SoundGuys 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 seem obscure.

They also have very good leakage resistance, meaning you can wear them Immerse in Sound with JBL Tune510BT Wireless Headphones public without worrying about people listening to your music. Their mic has passable recording quality through Bluetooth with just a little distortion in the mid - to high treble frequency range.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless is a new version of the company's flagship Bluetooth headsets. The Momentum 3 was a solid but not an outstanding entry in this category. The latest pair improves on the previous generation with more sleek design, better gesture controls, and cordless Bluetooth headphones an enormous battery life.

The improvements here are subtle but they add up to make a pair of over-ears that seem like a step up from the old one. The Momentum 4s are flat and do not fold. They come with a hardshell case to protect them when traveling. They also follow the style of a number of other recent Bluetooth headphones, including those from Sony and Bowers & Wilkins, to be completely device-independent. This means they work with both Android phones and Apple iPhones, however they don't have the extra features (like Find My support and head-tracked spatial audio) that you'll find on the AirPods.

The most obvious difference in this model is the huge battery, which promises up to 60 hours of playback time with the noise cancellation option activated. This is easily double the amount of the other brands and enough to go on a long-distance trip 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 thing he dislikes 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 well-rounded, but can be too loud, which can cause to fatigue when songs have strong bass lines, such as the drum hits in As I Lay Dying’s Forever. The cymbals can sound smoky rather than full and there's not a real feeling of depth in the lows.

The Momentum 4s shouldn't put pressure on your neck or ear. They can be a bit fidgety if you wear them at home or for long listening sessions. They can move on your head and make a lot of head movements. This could cause them to wake up at random, which can be distracting during calls or music. Fortunately, they shut down after 15 minutes of rest by default, and can be switched off with the power button.