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

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has improved an already fantastic pair of headphones with the introduction of the WH1000XM4 wireless. They are lighter, better built, and have an audio profile that is more balanced (though bass-heavy). They also include an app that lets you customize the audio. They have improved their active noise cancellation, removing more background noises and extending the battery life.

These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible, and Sony LDAC is also supported. The latter is able to transfer high-resolution music, but you'll need to use compatible devices and streaming services. Additionally, the WH-1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and switch between them when required. This feature is enabled through the Sony Headphones Connect App and is very effective.

One subtle improvement over the XM3 is the sensitivity of their touch panels. They respond more quickly to the touch of a panel, and this makes them easier to control during a phone call or to listen to media. Sony also added a feature that makes voice sound more clear and precise when calling which is noticeable and a nice touch.

The WH-1000XM4s might not be perfect, but they are among the top wireless headphones we've ever tested. They are comfortable and well-constructed, and come with a a battery that can last for more than 30 continuous hours. They can also be used using an TRS cable, which is ideal if you're traveling or need to save power.

The WH1000XM4s are a better alternative to the Bowers & Wilkins Wireless Over-Ears Px7 S2. The Sonys are more comfortable and their ANC is able to block out more ambient sound. The B&Ws feature a more flexible EQ and an app that allows you to tweak the audio performance. However, the B&Ws come with a better-built design, and they're able to pair with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. They also support aptXHD and have an AI-driven engine which tries to up-scale 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 sound cancelling headset is the most current version of a headset that is a popular choice among commuters and travelers all over the world. The new model doesn't reinvent the wheel. It is based on the same formula which was the basis of its predecessor's success with the addition of the USB-C port and improved noise cancellation.

These over-ear Bose headsets come with a premium feel and look, much like the QC 35 II headphones that were before them. The headband is constructed of plastic, and is a solid feel, with metal hinges at the pivot points, and the ratcheting mechanism that is familiar when you open or retract the ear cups. The cups are cushioned and feature soft pads that are comfortable to wear over your ears without placing pressure on your head. When folded they weigh 238g. They can be worn with a coat or sweater because they function even when not on your head.

Despite their reputation as comfortable headphones however, the QC45s don't provide the best sound quality at this price. The frequencies are fairly flat and lack the details that headphones with higher prices might be capable of bringing out. The upper registers are boosted which is fine for most music genres but can be problematic for more delicate and intricate genres. The bass is decent but is lacking power.

One feature that's missing is the ability to pause playback whenever you take the headset off. This is a standard in this price range and something Bose's competitors have long offered. Another omission was the lack of an in-app EQ. Bose provides preset EQ settings within the app, but it would be nice to have a manual control.

Bluetooth 5.0 is supported, including multipoint and more advanced codecs like aptX Adaptive. You can download the Bose Audio app to adjust your headset's sound and voice assistant settings.

The QC45s come with four in-built microphones to pick up your voice during calls. The call quality is generally good however, the headphones do not have the capability to turn off your voice while playing back which is a feature that other doqaus wireless over ear Headphones: enhanced Bluetooth 5.3 headphones have. Update: As of February 2022, a firmware upgrade to the QC45s provided an option to adjust the volume manually in the audio app, which is a welcome improvement.

3. Focal Bathys Wireless Over Ear Headphones: ULIPTZ - 65 Hrs Playtime

Focal is a French audio brand that produces high-performance headphones. They are known for their style and comfort which tell listeners that they're hearing something unique. The Bathys are their first wireless noise-cancelling headphones. They look and sound stunning. They come with a high-performance USB DAC built in, making them suitable both for wireless and wired listening.

Focal claims that the Bathys can play Bluetooth music for up to 30 hours. We got more than 40 hours of playback on average on a single charge. If you are required to charge the headphones then the indicator light on the right earcup will change red.

For headphones at this price, they have many features. They can connect to multiple devices at once and feature automatic pairing. (You must select the device you want to pair with by hand each time you listen.) They come with a built-in microphone that supports voice assistants like Siri or Alexa. The headphones feature an easy to use interface that makes it easy to control music and make calls.

For wireless headphones that are over-ear, the Bathys excel in our tests of noise cancellation, reducing the background sound by around 9 decibels on average. It's not as effective as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless however it is still effective.

In our tests of the quality of sound from headphones in our tests of headphone sound quality, the Bathys did well overall, with a an overall frequency response that matches the SoundGuys headphone preference curve, with just slight differences in the bass and mids. They have a bass-rich sound pattern that adds a lot of boom to mixes however, they can make instruments and vocals such as cymbals sound veiled.

Wear them wherever you want and not worry about whether others listen to your music. Their mic has passable quality of recording via Bluetooth with only a slight distortion in the mid - to high treble frequency range.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless are a new version of the company's flagship Bluetooth headphones. The Momentum 3 was a solid but not a great entry in this class. The latest model is improved over the previous generation with more sleek design, better gesture controls, and an enormous battery life.

Many of the improvements aren't that obvious, but they make a pair of over-ears that feel like an upgrade to the old one. The Momentum 4s are flat and aren't foldable however they come with a nice hardshell case that protects them when on the move. The Momentum 4s are non-device-specific, similar to other Bluetooth headphones from recent times, like those from Bowers & Wilkins and DOQAUS Wireless Over Ear Headphones: Enhanced Bluetooth 5.3 Sony. 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 AirPods.

The most obvious improvement here is the massive battery that promises up to 60 hours of playback when the noise cancellation option enabled. This is more than double the amount of the other brands and enough to take a multi-day journey without worrying about finding an outlet.

Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget, gave the headphones an 82-point score. He noted their sound quality and ANC features as their strengths. His only complaint is that they lack a sense weight in the mids and treble, meaning that orchestral music tends to sound flat rather than grand. The bass is well-rounded, but can be too loud, which can cause to fatigue in songs with heavy bass lines, like the drum hits of As I Lay Dying’s Forever. The cymbals also sound sizzled rather than full, and there's no real sense of depth in the lows.

The Momentum 4s are a comfortable fit and aren't likely to put too much pressure on your ears or DOQAUS Wireless Over Ear Headphones: Enhanced Bluetooth 5.3 neck. They can be a bit fidgety if you wear them around the home or during long listening sessions. They will move around on your head and make intense head movements. This can cause them to wake up in a sudden manner, which could be distracting while listening to music or making calls. They will shut down automatically after 15 minutes, and can be turned off manually by pressing the power button.