Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds are able to completely encapsulate your ears. They also allow for larger drivers, which deliver greater bass and a wider soundstage. Many come with Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.

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

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has improved an already fantastic pair of headphones by introducing the WH1000XM4 wireless. They are lighter, better built and have a more balanced audio profile (though they are bass heavy). They also have an app that lets you customize the audio. Their active noise cancellation works better than ever before, eliminating the background noise, and bt Headphones they have a longer continuous battery life than other models.

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. In addition, the WH-1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth devices at the same time and switch between them as needed. You can enable this feature via the Sony Headphones Connect app and it works flawlessly.

The touch panels are more sensitive than the XM3. They respond more quickly to the tap of 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 voices more clear and precise during calls. This is a distinct and nice touch.

While the WH-1000XM4s aren't perfect, they're some of the best wireless headphones we've tested. They're comfortable, well made, and have an outstanding battery that lasts for longer than 30 hours continuously. They can also be used passively with a TRS cable which is great if you're traveling or need to conserve power.

The WH-1000XM4s make a better choice over 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 an EQ that is more flexible and an app companion to adjust the audio performance. However, the B&Ws come with more robust design and they can connect with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. They also support aptXHD, and they have an AI-driven engine that tries to scale compressed music up to high resolution. This is called DSEE Extreme, and it improves 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 most recent version of a headset that became a staple for commuters and travelers from all over the world. Rather than reinventing the wheel, the new model retains the same formula that made the predecessor so popular, and adds the USB-C port, which is better at cancelling noise and a longer battery lifespan.

Similar to the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones feature an elegant design and feel that oozes quality. The headband, which is made of plastic, provides a solid feel thanks to the hinges made of metal at pivot points. It also features the familiar ratcheting mechanism whenever you expand or retract your earcups. The cups are cushioned, and have soft pads that fit 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 not on your head.

Despite their reputation as comfortable headphones however, the QC45s don't provide the best sound at this price. The frequencies are flat and lack the depth that headphones with higher prices might be able bring out. The upper registers are boosted which is great for most music genres but can be a problem for more delicate and complex genres. The bass is great, but lacks punch.

One feature that's missing is the possibility of paused playback when you take off the headset. This is a feature that Bose's rivals have offered for many years. Another thing that was missing was the lack of an in-app EQ. Bose offers preset EQ settings within the app, but it would be nice to have manual control.

Bluetooth 5.0 is supported, with multipoint as well as more advanced codecs like 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 in-built microphones to pick up your voice during calls. The headphones have good call quality, however they don't allow you to mute the voice during playback like other wireless headphones. Update: A firmware upgrade for the QC45s was released in February 2022 included manual EQ options to the audio app. This is a very welcome change.

3. Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal is a French audio brand that produces high-performance headphones. They are known for their style and comfort that let listeners know that they're hearing something unique. Their first attempt at wireless headphones that cancel out noise the Bathys, are stunning headphones that look and sound amazing. They come with a top-quality USB DAC built in, which means you can use them both for wireless bluetooth headphone and wired listening.

The Bathys come with a great battery life, with Focal promising 30 hours of continuous Bluetooth playtime. We actually got more, with over 40 hours on average out of just one charge. If you need to recharge, there's an indicator light on the right earcup that will turn red when the headphone has to be charged.

For headphones at this price, they come with lots of features. They support multiple devices at once and feature automatic pairing. (You have to select your device source manually every time you listen.) The headphones come with a built in microphone 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 wireless headphones that are over-ear, the Bathys are very good in our test of noise cancellation, reducing the sound of the surrounding environment by about 9 decibels on average. It's not as impressive as the ANC in the Sony WH-1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless, however it's still pretty effective.

In our tests of headphone sound quality in our tests of headphone sound quality, the Bathys were a good overall performer with the frequency response which generally matches the SoundGuys headphone preference curve with only slight differences in the bass and mids. The Bathys have a booming sound profile which can make instruments, vocals and cymbals look a bit obscure.

You can wear them wherever and not worry about whether others hear your music. The microphone is able to be used to record via Bluetooth with only a slight distortion between the mid-treble and the treble.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless are a new version of the company's flagship Bluetooth Bt Headphones. The Momentum 3 was a solid but not a great entry in this category. The latest pair is an improvement on the previous model, sporting a more sleek design, better gesture control, and a huge battery life.

The improvements are subtle but can make for a pair of over ear headphones that feels like an upgrade. The Momentum 4s lie flat and don't fold however they do come with a sturdy hardshell case that protects them on the go. They also follow the trend of a number of other recent Bluetooth headphones, such as the ones from Sony and Bowers & Wilkins, to be completely device-independent. They can be used with Apple iPhones as well as Android phones, but do not have the AirPods extra features, such as Find My Support and head-tracked spatial audio.

The most obvious difference in this model is the huge battery that promises up to 60 hours of playback when noise cancellation activated. This is more than the majority of the competitors can provide and enough for a long-distance trip without worrying about finding a power outlet to charge it.

Engadget senior editor Billy Steele gave the headphones an 82 score, citing their audio quality and ANC as two of their strengths. His only complaint is that they lack a sense gravitas in the mids and treble, meaning that orchestral pieces tend to sound flat, not 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 that are pounding in As I Lay Dying's Forever. The cymbals also sound sizzled rather than full and there's not a real feeling of depth in the lows.

The Momentum 4s are comfy and shouldn't put too much pressure on your neck or ears. However, they can be a bit difficult to wear around the house or during longer listening sessions. They will move about on your head in a flurry of head movements. This can cause them suddenly wake up, which can be distracting during music or calls. Fortunately, they will shut down after 15 minutes of rest by default and can be switched off using the power button.