Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds, are able to completely encapsulate your ears. They also allow for bigger drivers that provide deeper bass and a wider soundstage. Many also include active noise cancellation and Bluetooth technology.

The latest Master & Dynamic MW65 update offers superior audio, multiple ANC modes and impressive battery life, all in a sleek and distinct design.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has made improvements to an already-great pair of headphones with the WH-1000XM4 Wireless. They're lighter, feel better constructed, and have a more balanced sound profile (though still bass heavy), and include an app that allows for some audio adjustments. Their active noise cancelling works better than it did before, eliminating the background noise, and they have a longer battery life than other models.

These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible, and Sony LDAC is also compatible with. This codec can transfer high-resolution music, but you'll need to use compatible devices and streaming services. The WH-1000XM4s can also allow you to connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and automatically switch between them as needed. This feature is accessible through the Sony Headphones Connect App and works well.

The touch panels are more sensitive than the XM3. They respond faster to a tap on a panel and are easier to manage when making a phone call or listening to music. Sony has added a feature to make voice calls clearer and more precise during calls. This is a noticeable and pleasant addition.

The WH-1000XM4s aren't perfect, but they're among the best wireless headphones that we have ever examined. They're comfortable and well-constructed, and come with a a battery that can last for more than 30 continuous hours. They can be used as a passive device with the TRS cable. This is perfect for Experience Immersive Sound with INFURTURE Wireless ANC Headphones travel or preserving energy.

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. They also have a companion application that lets you adjust their audio performance and EQ settings are more flexible than B&W's. The B&Ws are better built, and can pair with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. They also support aptXHD and have an AI-driven engine which tries to scale compressed music up 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 most recent version of a headset that became an essential for commuters and travelers around the globe. The new model doesn't reinvent the wheel. It uses the same formula that has made its predecessor so successful with the addition of USB-C and better noise cancellation.

These over-ear Bose headsets have a premium feel and appearance, similar to the QC 35 II headphones that were before them. The headband, constructed of plastic, has a firm feel thanks to the metal hinges at pivot points. It also has the familiar ratcheting mechanism when you expand or retract your earcups. The cups have soft, cushioned pads that fit securely over the ears and don't apply pressure to your head. They weigh 238 grams and are compact when folded. You can wear them while wearing an overcoat or sweater since 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. The frequencies are dull and lack the depth that higher-end headphones might be able to bring out. The upper registers tend to be amplified which is great for most music genres but could cause problems for more delicate or intricate music genres. The bass is decent, but lacks punch.

The ability to pause the playback after removing the headset is a feature absent. This is standard in this price range and something that Bose's rivals have been offering for years. Another omission is the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose provides preset EQ settings within the app however it would be nice to have manual control.

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 the volume and voice assistant settings.

The QC45s come with four microphones built-in to hear your voice when on the phone. The quality of calls is generally very good, but the headsets don't have the nifty capability to turn off your voice while playing back which is a feature that other wireless headphones do. Update In February 2022, a firmware upgrade to the QC45s provided manual EQ options within the audio app which is a welcomed improvement.

3. Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal is a French audio brand that produces high-performance headphones. They are well-known for their style and comfort, which let listeners know that they're listening to something special. Their first attempt at wireless noise cancelling headphones, the Bathys, are a stunning set of headphones that experience immersive sound with infurture wireless anc Headphones (headphonesshop.uk) and look great. They come with a high-performance USB DAC built in, so you can use them both for wireless and wired listening.

Focal claims that the Bathys can play Bluetooth music for 30 hours. We actually got a bit more from them and got over 40 hours on average of a single charge. If you are required to charge the headphones in the future, the indicator light on the right earcup will change red.

For a pair of headphones at this price, they come with many features. They can be used with multiple devices simultaneously and have automatic pairing. (You will need to select the device you want to pair with by hand each time you listen.) The headphones come with an inbuilt microphone that works with voice assistants, such as Siri or Alexa. The headphones feature an easy to navigate interface that makes it easy to control music and make calls.

Bathys over-ear headphones perform well in our noise cancellation test, reducing ambient noise by an average of 9 decibels. It's not as effective as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 and Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless, but it's still effective.

The Bathys headphones did well in our headphone sound tests. Their frequency response was generally similar to the SoundGuys headphone curve with minor variations on the bass and mids. The Bathys have a booming sound that can make vocals, instruments and cymbals appear obscure.

Wear them wherever you want without fearing that other people will hear your music. Their mic is passable for recording 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 update to the company's flagship Bluetooth headphones. The previous model, the Momentum 3, was a solid but unspectacular entry in the category. The latest model is improved over the previous model with more sleek design, better gesture controls, and a huge battery life.

Many of the improvements here are subtle but they add up to 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 a hardshell case to protect them while moving. They also follow the pattern of a number of other recent Bluetooth headphones, including those from Sony and Bowers & Wilkins, to be beautifully device agnostic. This means they work with both Android phones and Apple iPhones, but do not have the additional features (like Find My support and head-tracked spatial audio) that you'll find on AirPods.

The most notable change is the huge battery that can play for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation on. This is more than the majority of the competitors offer and enough for a multi-day trip without having to worry about finding a power outlet to charge it.

Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget, gave the headphones an 82-point score. He noted their sound quality and ANC features as the top strengths. The only issue he has is that they lack gravitas in the mids and the treble. This means that orchestral tracks sound flat instead of 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 sound smoky rather than full, and there's no real feeling of depth in the bass.

The Momentum 4s are not designed to put pressure on your neck or ear. 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. Fortunately they shut down after 15 minutes of rest by default, and can be switched off by pressing the power button.