Best Over-Ear Headphones

In contrast to earbuds, headphones over-ear cover your ears completely and allow larger drivers to provide deeper bass and wider soundstages. Many also include active noise cancellation and Bluetooth technology.

The Master & Dynamic MW65 has been updated with superior audio and multiple ANC modes, and a long battery life.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has upgraded an already great pair of headphones by introducing the WH1000XM4 wireless. They're less heavy, feel better built, have more balanced sound profiles (though still bass-heavy) and come with an app that lets you do some audio-related customization. Their active noise cancelling works better than ever before, removing more ambient sound, and they have a longer continuous battery life than a lot of competitors.

These headphones utilize Bluetooth 5.0 which supports SBC, AAC, and Sony's own LDAC codec. The latter can transmit high-resolution audio, however, you'll need compatible equipment and a streaming service. In addition, the WH-1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth devices at the same time and switch between them when required. This feature is accessible through the Sony Headphones Connect App and works flawlessly.

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

Although the WH-1000XM4s may not be perfect, they're some of the top Bt Wireless Headphones headphones we've tested. They're comfortable, good to the touch, and have an excellent battery that can last longer than 30 hours continuously. They can be used passively with a TRS cable. This is ideal to travel with or for storing energy.

The WH1000XM4s offer a better alternative to the Bowers & Wilkins Wireless Over-Ears Px7 S2. The Sonys are more comfortable and their ANC can block out more ambient sound. The B&Ws have an EQ that is more flexible and an app companion to adjust the audio quality. The B&Ws are built better and can connect to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. They also support aptX HD and have a unique AI-driven engine that attempts to boost compressed music to high-resolution. This is referred to as DSEE Extreme and it does a good job of improving the clarity of music, Bt wireless headphones particularly when listening to lossless music.

2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 wireless blutooth headphones

The $329 Bose QuietComfort45 Noise-Canceling headset is the most recent version of a headset that has become a popular choice for commuters and passengers all over the world. Rather than reinventing the wheel the new model follows the same formula that made its predecessor so popular, and adds the USB-C port, which is better at cancelling noise and longer battery life.

Similar to the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones have an elegant design and feel that exudes quality. The headband is made from plastic, yet it is a solid feel, with hinges made of metal at pivot points and the ratcheting mechanism that is familiar when you retract or extend the earcups. The cups have soft cushions that fit comfortably over the ears and don't put pressure on your head. They weigh 238 grams and are compact when folded. You can wear them when you're wearing an overcoat or sweater since the noise cancellation function is functional even when you aren't on your head.

Despite their reputation as comfortable headphones however, the QC45s don't provide the best sound at this price point. The frequencies are tinny and lack the detail that headphones with higher prices might be able to bring out. The higher registers tend to be boosted and is suitable for most music genres but could be a problem for delicate or intricate music genres. The bass is decent, but lacks power.

The ability to pause the playback when you remove the headset is a feature not available. This is a standard in this price range and something that Bose's rivals have offered for a long time. Another oversight was the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose has preset EQs available in the app, but it would be nice if there was an option to control the EQ manually.

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 sound and voice assistant settings.

The QC45s have four microphones that are built-in to pick up your voice when on the phone. They have excellent call quality, but they don't let you silence the voice when playing back as other wireless headphones. Update: A firmware upgrade for the QC45s was released in February 2022 added manual EQ options to the audio app. This is a welcome upgrade.

3. Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal is a French audio company that makes high-performance headphones. They are well-known for their style and comfort that let listeners know that they're listening to something special. The Bathys are their first wireless noise-cancelling headphones. They are stunning in appearance and sound. They come with a top-quality USB DAC built in, making them suitable both for wired and wireless listening.

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

For headphones for this price, they offer many features. They can connect to multiple devices simultaneously and have automatic pairing. (You must select the device you want to pair with manually every time you listen.) They come with a built-in microphone that works with voice assistants such as Siri or Alexa. The headphones come with an easy-to navigate interface that makes it simple to control music and make calls.

Bathys over-ear headphones perform well in our noise cancellation test, reducing ambient noise by 9 decibels on average. It's not as good as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 and Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 JBL Tune510BT: Wireless On-Ear Headphones in White! but it's still very effective.

In our tests of headphone sound quality The Bathys were a good overall performer with a frequency response that mostly corresponds to the SoundGuys preference curve, with just minor deviations in the bass and mids. The Bathys have a bassy sound profile that can make vocals, instruments and cymbals seem obscure.

Wear them wherever you want and not worry about whether others listen to your music. The microphone has a decent recording quality through Bluetooth with only a slight distortion in the mid to high treble frequency range.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless are a new update to the company's flagship Bluetooth headphones. The last pair, the Momentum 3, was a decent but not a standout in the category. The latest pair improves on the previous model with a sleeker design, improved gesture controls, and a huge battery life.

Many of the improvements here are subtle, but they add up to create a pair of over-ears that seem like a step up from the old one. The Momentum 4s are flat and do not fold, but they do come with a nice hardshell case that protects them on the go. The Momentum 4s are non-device-specific, similar to other Bluetooth headphones of recent years, such as the ones from Bowers & Wilkins and Sony. They are compatible 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 change in this model is the huge battery that promises up to 60 hours of playback when noise cancellation turned on. This is nearly twice as much as most of the competition and enough to take a multi-day journey without worrying about finding an outlet.

Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget, gave the headphones an 82 percent score. He cited their audio quality and ANC features as strengths. He only has one complaint they lack gravitas in mids and treble. This makes orchestral tracks sound dull instead of grand. The bass is well-rounded, however, it can be overemphasized, which can lead to fatigue in songs with heavy bass lines such as the drums in As I Lay Dying's Forever. The cymbals sound sizzled, not full. There's also no real depth to the lows.

The Momentum 4s are comfortable and shouldn't put too much pressure on your neck or ears. However they can be uncomfortable when worn in the house or during longer listening sessions. They can move around on your head with intense head movements. This can cause them unexpectedly wake up which can be distracting during calls or music. They stop automatically after 15 minutes and can be switched off manually by pressing the power button.