Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds, can completely surround the ears. They also allow for larger drivers that deliver deeper bass and a larger soundstage. They also have active noise cancellation and bluetooth headphones wireless headphones technology.

The Master & Dynamic MW65 is updated with superior audio and features, including multiple ANC modes and a huge battery life.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has upgraded an already great pair of headphones by introducing the WH1000XM4 wireless. They are more lightweight, better constructed and have a more balanced audio profile (though bass heavy). They also come with an app for audio customization. Their active noise cancelling performs better than it did before, removing the background noise, and they have a longer continuous battery life than many competitors.

These headphones utilize bluetooth headphone Wireless 5.0 and support SBC, AAC, and Sony's own LDAC codec. This codec can transmit high-resolution audio, however, you'll need compatible devices and a streaming service. In addition, the WH1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth devices at the same time and automatically switch between them as needed. You can enable this feature via the Sony Headphones Connect app and it is extremely effective.

One subtle improvement over the XM3 is the sensitiveness of their touch panels. They respond quicker to tapping on a panel and are easier to manage when making a phone call or listening to media. Sony also included a feature that helps voices sound more clear and precise when calling, which is evident and a nice feature.

While the WH-1000XM4s aren't perfect, they're one of the best wireless headphones we've ever tried. They're comfortable, well made, and have an impressive battery that can last longer than 30 hours continuously. They can also be used using an TRS cable which is perfect when you're on the road or need to conserve 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 background noise. The B&Ws feature an EQ that is more flexible, as well as an app companion to adjust the audio quality. The B&Ws are better built, and can pair with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. In addition, they support aptX HD and have an AI-driven engine that is attempting to boost compressed music to high-resolution. This is referred to as DSEE Extreme and it does an excellent job of improving the clarity of music, especially when listening to lossless music.

2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless

The $329 Bose QuietComfort 45 noise-canceling headphones are the latest iteration of a headset that has become an essential for commuters and travelers from all over the world. Rather than reinventing the wheel the new model follows the same formula that made its predecessor so popular, but adds USB-C, improved noise cancellation and a longer battery life.

These over-ear Bose headsets have a premium feeling and look, just like the QC 35 II headphones that came before them. The headband is made from plastic, and is sturdy and comfortable with metal hinges at the pivot points and the familiar ratcheting action that you experience when you extend or retract the ear cups. The cups are cushioned, and have soft pads that fit over your ears without pressing your head. When folded they weigh 238g. You can wear them while wearing a sweater or coat as the noise-canceling works even when they're not on your head.

Despite their reputation as comfortable headphones they do not offer the best sound at this price point. The frequencies are relatively flat and lack details that higher-end headphones may be able to bring out. The upper registers are amplified which is fine for the majority of music but can be a problem for more delicate and complex genres. The bass is decent, but is lacking punch.

The possibility of pauseing the playback when you remove the headset is a feature that's not available. This is standard in this price bracket and is something that Bose's competitors have long offered. Another oversight was the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose provides preset EQ settings within the app, but it would be nice to have manual control.

You can connect to your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth 5.0 with support for multipoint and the more advanced codecs like aptX Adaptive. Download the Bose Audio App to adjust the sound and voice settings.

The QC45s come with four microphones that are built-in to pick up your voice when you are on the phone. The quality of calls is generally good but the headphones don't come with the handy 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 welcomed 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 style that makes listeners feel like they're listening to something unique. Their first venture into wireless rechargeable headphones that cancel out noise the Bathys are stunning headphones that look and sound great. They come with a top-quality USB DAC built in, so you can use them both for wired and wireless listening.

The Bathys come with a great battery performance, with Focal promising 30 hours of continuous Bluetooth playtime. We had more than 40 hours of playback time on average from just one charge. If you need to recharge, there's an indicator light on the right earcup that will turn red when the earphone needs to be charged.

They come with a wide range of features for a pair of headphones of this price, bluetooth headphone Wireless including support for multiple devices simultaneously and automatic pairing (though you'll need to select the source device every time you want to listen). They have a built-in microphone that can be used to control voice assistants such as Siri or Alexa. The headphones come with an easy-to navigate interface that makes it easy to control music and make calls.

Bathys over-ear headphones do well in our noise cancellation test, reducing ambient noise by an average of 9 decibels. This isn't as impressive as the ANC in the Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless, but it's still fairly effective.

The Bathys headphones did well in our headphone sound tests. Their frequency response was largely similar to the headphone curve of SoundGuys, with only minor deviations on the bass and mids. The Bathys are bassy sound profile that can make vocals, Bluetooth Headphone Wireless instruments and cymbals look a bit 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 microphone is of decent recording quality through Bluetooth with just a little distortion in the mid - to the treble range.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless is a new update of the company's flagship Bluetooth headsets. The previous model, called the Momentum 3, was a solid but unspectacular entry in the category. The latest pair is an improvement on the previous model, sporting a a sleeker look, improved gesture control and an enormous battery life.

Many of the improvements here are subtle, but they make 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 traveling. They also follow the style of many other recent Bluetooth headphones, including the ones from Sony and Bowers & Wilkins, to be completely device-independent. This means they can 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 are available on the AirPods.

The most significant change is the huge battery that can last for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation turned on. This is more than double the amount of the competition and enough to take a multi-day journey without worrying about finding an outlet.

Engadget senior editor Billy Steele gave the headphones an 82 score with a focus on their audio quality and ANC as their main strengths. The only thing he dislikes is that they lack a sense gravitas in the mids as well as the treble, which means that orchestral pieces tend to sound flat, not grand. The bass is well-rounded, but can be overemphasized, which can lead fatigue in songs that have strong bass lines, such as the drum beats of As I Lay Dying’s Forever. The cymbals sound a bit hot, but not a lot. There's also not much depth to the lows.

The Momentum 4s are comfortable and shouldn't put too much pressure on your neck or ears. They can be fidgety if you wear them around the home or during long listening sessions. They can move on your head, and make rapid head movements. This could cause them to wake up at random which can be distracting during music or calls. They will shut down automatically after 15 minutes and can be turned off manually using the power button.