Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds are a complete encapsulation of your ears and allow for larger drivers to produce greater bass and larger soundstages. A majority of them feature Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.

The latest Master & Dynamic MW65 update offers high-quality audio, numerous ANC modes, and a long battery life, all in a sleek and distinctive design.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has improved an already excellent pair of headphones by introducing the WH1000XM4 wireless. They are lighter, better built and headphones feature an audio profile that is more balanced (though bass-heavy). They also include an app to adjust the sound. Their active noise cancellation works better than it did before, eliminating any background noise. Additionally, they have a longer continuous battery life than other models.

These headphones use Bluetooth 5.0 which supports SBC, AAC, and Sony's own LDAC codec. This codec can transfer high-resolution audio however, you'll need compatible devices and streaming service. The WH-1000XM4s also allows you to connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and automatically switch between them when required. You can enable this feature via the Sony Headphones Connect app and it works very well.

A subtle improvement over the XM3 is the sensitivity of their touch panels. They respond faster to the tap of the panel, which makes them easier to control during calls or to listen to music. Sony has also added a feature to make voices clearer and more precise during calls. This is an obvious and nice touch.

Although the WH-1000XM4s may not be perfect, they're one of the top wireless headphones we've ever tried. They are comfortable and well-made. They also have batteries that last for more than 30 continuous hours. They can be used as a passive device by using the TRS cable. This is perfect to travel with or for storing energy.

The WH-1000XM4s are better over the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 Wireless over-ears. The Sonys are more comfy, and their ANC is able to block out more background noise. The B&Ws feature a more flexible EQ and an app companion to adjust the audio quality. 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 feature an AI-driven engine which tries to increase the size of compressed music to high-resolution. This is called 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 has become a staple for commuters and passengers around the world. The new model doesn't reinvent the wheel. It retains the same formula which was the basis of its predecessor's success but it also includes USB-C and better noise cancellation.

These over-ear Bose headsets have a premium feeling and appearance, similar to the QC 35 II headphones that were before them. The headband is made from plastic, but is a solid feel, with hinges made of metal at pivot points and the familiar ratcheting action that you experience when you retract or extend the earcups. The cups feature soft, cushioned pads that are securely positioned over your ears and don't put pressure to your head. They weigh 238 grams and are compact when folded. They can be used with a coat or sweater as the noise cancelling function works even when they're not on your head.

Despite their reputation for comfort, the QC45s can't offer the best sound in this price range. The frequencies are relatively flat and lack the depth that headphones with higher prices might be capable of bringing out. The upper registers tend to be boosted, which is fine for most music genres but could become a problem for more delicate or intricate genres of music. The bass is decent, but is lacking the punch.

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

You can connect to your tablet or smartphone via Bluetooth 5.0 with multipoint support as well as 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 also include four built-in microphones that hear your voice when you make calls. The headsets have a good call quality, but they don't let you muffle the sound during playback like other wireless headphones. Update In February 2022, a firmware update to the QC45s provided manual EQ options within the audio app, which is a welcome improvement.

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 listening to something special. Their first venture into wireless headphones that block noise, the Bathys, are a stunning set of 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 and wired listening.

Focal claims that the Bathys can play Bluetooth music for 30 hours. We actually got a bit more from them, with over 40 hours on average out of a single charge. If you do require a recharge, there's a light on the right earcup that turns red when the headphone has to be charged.

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

For wireless headphone headphones that are over-ear, the Bathys are very good in our test of noise cancellation. They cut down the ambient sound by about 9 decibels in average. It's not as impressive as the ANC in the Sony WH-1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless but it's still quite effective.

The Bathys headphones performed well in our headphone tests. Their frequency response was largely similar to the SoundGuys headphone curve with minor variations in the mids and bass. The Bathys have a bassy sound that can make instruments, vocals and cymbals appear unreal.

They also have very good leakage resistance, meaning you can wear them out in public without worrying about people hearing your music. Their microphone is of decent recording quality via Bluetooth with only slight distortion in the mid to the treble 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 spectacular entry in this category. The latest pair improves on the previous generation with more sleek design, better gesture controls, and a huge battery life.

A lot of the improvements here are subtle but they make a pair of over-ears that feel like an upgrade to the previous model. The Momentum 4s are flat and aren't foldable however they come with a nice hardshell case that protects them while on the go. They also follow the trend of many other recent Bluetooth headphones, like the ones from Sony and Bowers & Wilkins, to be completely device-independent. This means they work well 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 obvious change here is the massive battery, which claims up to 60 hours of playback time with the noise cancellation feature enabled. This is more than what the majority of the competition can offer and enough for a long-distance trip without having to worry about finding an outlet to charge it.

Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget, gave the headphones an 82 percent score. He noted their sound quality and ANC features as the top strengths. He has only one complaint they lack gravitas in the mids and the treble. This makes orchestral tracks sound dull instead of grand. The bass is well-rounded however it can be overemphasized, which can cause to fatigue in songs with high-pitched bass lines, like the drum beats of As I Lay Dying’s Forever. The cymbals sound smoky rather than full and there's not a real feeling of depth in the lows.

The Momentum 4s are a comfortable fit and shouldn't put too much pressure on your ears or neck. However, they can be fidgety when wearing them in the house or during longer listening sessions. They will move about on your head, causing intense head movements. This can cause them to wake up unexpectedly, which can be distracting while listening to music or making calls. They stop automatically after 15 minutes and can be shut off manually using the power button.