Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds, can completely surround the ears. They also have larger drivers, which deliver greater bass and a bigger soundstage. They also have active noise cancellation and Bluetooth technology.

The Master & Dynamic MW65 has been upgraded with improved audio and features, including numerous ANC modes, and a long battery life.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has improved an already great pair of headphones with the introduction of the WH1000XM4 wireless. They're lighter, feel more constructed, and have more balanced sound profiles (though still bass heavy), and include an app that allows some audio customization. They've upgraded their active noise cancellation, which eliminates more ambient sounds, and have a longer battery life.

These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible, and Sony LDAC is also supported. These headphones can transmit high-resolution audio, however, you'll need compatible devices and a streaming service. The WH-1000XM4s also allows you to connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and automatically switch between the two when needed. This feature can be enabled through the Sony Headphones Connect app and it works very well.

The touch panels are more sensitive than the XM3. They respond faster to the touch of the panel, and this makes them easier to control during a phone call or listen to media. Sony also included a feature that makes voice sound clearer and more precise on calls, which is noticeable and a nice addition.

The WH-1000XM4s might not be perfect, but they are among the top wireless headphones that we have ever examined. They're 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 using the TRS cable. This is ideal to travel with or for storing power.

The WH-1000XM4s make a better choice over the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 Wireless over-ears. The Sonys are more comfy, and TECKNET Wireless Bluetooth Headphones - Unleash the Sound! their ANC can block out more ambient sound. The B&Ws feature an EQ that is more flexible and an app that allows you to tweak the audio quality. However, the B&Ws have an improved design, and they can connect with two Bluetooth devices at once. In addition, they support aptX HD and have a unique AI-driven engine that is attempting to boost compressed music to high-resolution. This is known as DSEE Extreme, and it enhances the clarity of music when listening to lossless audio files.

2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless

The $329 Bose QuietComfort 45 noise-canceling headphones are the latest iteration of a headset that became a staple for commuters and passengers around the world. The new model doesn't reinvent the wheel. It retains the same formula that was the basis of its predecessor's success but it also includes the USB-C port and improved noise cancellation.

Like the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones sport a luxurious look and feel that oozes quality. The headband is made from plastic, but is sturdy and comfortable with hinges made of metal at the pivot points and the ratcheting mechanism that is familiar when you extend or retract the ear cups. The cups are soft cushioned pads that fit securely over the ears and don't apply pressure on your head. When folded, they weigh 238 grams. You can use them with a coat or sweater as the noise cancellation function is functional even when they're not on your head.

Despite their reputation as comfortable headphones, the QC45s do not offer the best sound at this price point. The frequencies are tinny and lack the depth that more expensive headphones may be able to bring out. The upper registers are boosted which is fine for most music genres but can be a problem for more delicate and intricate genres. The bass is good but it lacks the punch.

One feature that's not present is the ability to pause playback when 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 thing that was missing was the lack of an in-app EQ. Bose has preset EQs in the app but it would be nice if there was an option to control the EQ manually.

Premium Foldable Bluetooth Headphones with Mic - Type1 Black 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 microphones built-in to pick up your voice while on the phone. The quality of calls is generally very good however, the headphones don't have the nifty capability to turn off your voice during playback which is something other wireless headphones do. Update as of February 2022, a firmware update to the QC45s provided manual EQ options within the audio app which is a welcome improvement.

3. Focal Bathys TECKNET Wireless Bluetooth Headphones - Unleash the Sound! (writes in the official Headphonesshop blog)

Focal is a French audio brand that is known for high-performance headphones that last for a long time, comfort and a style that lets listeners know they're listening to something special. The Bathys are their first wireless noise cancelling headphones. They look and sound stunning. They also have a built-in high-performance USB DAC which means you can use them for both wireless and wired listening.

The Bathys are very efficient in terms of battery performance with Focal claims of 30 hours of continuous Bluetooth playtime. We actually got a bit more from them and got over 40 hours of playtime on average of a single charge. If you need to recharge, there's an indicator light on the right ear cup that will change to red when the headphone needs to be charged.

For a pair of headphones for this price, they offer lots of features. They can be used with multiple devices simultaneously and have automatic pairing. (You have to select the device you want to pair with by hand each time you listen.) The headphones come with built-in microphones that works with voice assistants, such as Siri or Alexa. The headphones also feature an easy-to-use interface that makes it simple to manage your music and make calls.

For headphones with over-ear connectivity, the Bathys perform very well in our tests of noise cancellation, reducing the sound of the surrounding environment by about 9 decibels in average. It's not as good as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless however it is still effective.

The Bathys headphones performed well in our headphone tests. Their frequency response was largely similar to the SoundGuys headphone curve with minor differences on the bass and mids. The Bathys have a booming sound profile that can make instruments, vocals and cymbals seem veiled.

They also have very good leakage resistance, which means you can wear them out in public without worrying about other people listening to your music. Their mic has passable recording quality through Bluetooth with only 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 flagship Bluetooth headsets. The Momentum 3 was a solid, but not spectacular entry in this class. The latest pair improves on the previous generation with modern design, better gesture controls and massive battery life.

The changes are subtle but can make for an over-ear set of headphones that feel like an upgrade. The Momentum 4s are flat and do not fold however they come with a nice hardshell case to keep them safe when on the move. They also follow the style of a number of other recent Bluetooth headphones, including the ones from Sony and tecknet wireless bluetooth headphones - Unleash the sound! Bowers & Wilkins, to be incredibly device-agnostic. This means they can work with both Android phones and Apple iPhones, but do not come with the extra features (like Find My support and head-tracked spatial audio) that you'll find on the AirPods.

The most notable change is the huge battery that can run for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation on. This is more than the majority of the competitors offer and is enough for a long-distance trip without having to worry about finding an outlet to charge them up.

Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget and 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 pieces tend to sound flat, not grand. The bass is rounded, but it's easy to over-emphasize and can cause fatigue in songs that have heavy bass lines, like the drum hits in As I Lay Dying's Forever. The cymbals sound hot, but not a lot. There's also not much depth to the lows.

The Momentum 4s should not cause pressure on your neck or ears. They can be 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 unexpectedly wake up which can be distracting when you are listening to music or calls. They shut down automatically after 15 minutes, and can be switched off manually with the power button.