Best Over-Ear Headphones

In contrast to earbuds, headphones over-ear encapsulate your ears completely and allow larger drivers to deliver greater bass and larger soundstages. Many include Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.

The latest Master and Dynamic MW65 update features excellent audio, a variety of ANC modes, and an impressive battery life with a stylish and distinctive design.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has made improvements to an already-great pair of headphones with the WH-1000XM4 Wireless. They are lighter, better built and feature a more balanced audio profile (though they are bass heavy). They also come with an app for audio customization. Their active noise cancelling works better than it did before, eliminating any background noise. Additionally, they have a longer continuous battery life than many competitors.

These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible and Sony LDAC is also supported. The latter is able to transfer high-resolution music, though you'll need compatible devices and streaming services. In addition, bluetooth headphones Wireless the WH1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and automatically switch between them when required. You can enable this feature via the Sony Headphones Connect app and it is extremely effective.

The touch panels are more sensitive than the XM3. They respond more quickly to the touch of a panel, and this makes them easier to control during calls or listen to media. Sony has also added a feature that can make voice calls more precise and clear during calls. This is a distinct and a nice addition.

Although the WH-1000XM4s may not be perfect, they're some of the best wireless headphones we've ever tried. They are comfortable and well-constructed, and come with a a battery that can last for more than 30 continuous hours. They can be used in a passive manner by using an TRS cable. This is great 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 background noise. They also have an application that lets you adjust their audio performance, and their EQ settings are more flexible than the B&W's. The B&Ws are better built and can connect to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. They also support aptXHD and have an AI-driven engine which tries to increase the size of compressed music 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 latest iteration of a headset that became an essential for commuters and travelers from all over the world. The new model doesn't reinvent the wheel. It is based on the same formula that has made its predecessor so successful, while adding the USB-C technology and improved noise cancellation.

Similar to the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones have a premium look and feel that exudes quality. The headband is made from plastic, but has a sturdy feel with hinges made of metal at the pivot points and the familiar ratcheting action that you experience when you open or retract the ear cups. The cups feature soft cushioned pads that fit comfortably over the ears and don't put pressure to your head. When folded they weigh 238 grams. You can use them with a sweater or coat as the noise cancelling function works even when you aren't on your head.

Despite their reputation as comfortable headphones, the QC45s do not provide the best sound quality at this price. The frequencies are comparatively flat and lack details that higher-end headphones may be capable of bringing out. The upper registers are amplified which is great for most music genres but could be a problem for more delicate and complex genres. The bass is good but it lacks power.

The ability to pause the playback when you remove the headset is a feature not available. This is standard in this price bracket and is something that Bose's competitors have been offering for years. Another oversight was the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose offers preset EQs within the app but it would be nice to have a manual control.

You can connect to your tablet or smartphone via Bluetooth 5.0 with multipoint support and more advanced codecs such as aptX Adaptive. Download the Bose Audio App to adjust the voice and sound 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 do not have the capability to turn off your voice during playback which is something that other wireless headphones have. Update In February 2022, the firmware update to the QC45s offered 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 well-known for their comfort and style that let listeners know that they're hearing something unique. The Bathys are their first wireless noise cancelling headphones. They are stunning in appearance and sound. They also have a built-in high-performance USB DAC which means you can use them for both wired and wireless listening.

The Bathys are very efficient in terms of battery performance, with Focal claims of 30 hours of continuous Bluetooth playtime. We were able to get more than 40 hours of playback on average from just one charge. If you have to charge your headphones then the indicator light on the right earcup will turn red.

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

For headphones with over-ear connectivity for over-ear wireless headphones, the Bathys perform very well in our tests of noise cancellation, reducing the ambient sound by about 9 decibels on average. They aren't as good as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless, but it is still 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 booming sound profile which can make vocals, instruments and cymbals seem unreal.

They also have very good leakage resistance, which means you can wear them out in public without worrying about people listening to your music. The microphone is able to be used to record via bluetooth headphones wireless with only a slight distortion between the mid-treble as well as the treble.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless is a new version of the company's flagship Bluetooth headsets. The last pair, the Momentum 3, was a decent, but not the most impressive entry in the class. The latest pair is a step up from the previous generation, with more sleek design, better gesture control and an enormous battery life.

A lot of the improvements here are subtle, but they add up to create a pair of over-ears that feel like an upgrade to the previous model. The Momentum 4s lie flat and don't fold however they come with a nice hardshell case that protects them when on the move. They also follow the pattern of several other recent Bluetooth headphones, such as those from Sony and Bowers & Wilkins, to be incredibly device-agnostic. They are compatible with Apple iPhones and Android phones, but do not have the AirPods' extra features like Find My Support and head-tracked spatial audio.

The most obvious change in this model is the huge battery, which promises up to 60 hours of playback with the noise cancellation option enabled. This is easily twice as much as most of the competition and enough to go on a long-distance trip without worrying about finding an outlet.

Engadget senior editor Billy Steele gave the headphones an 82 rating, citing their audio quality and ANC as their main strengths. He has only one complaint that they lack of gravitas in the mids and the treble. This makes orchestral pieces sound flat, not grand. The bass is well-rounded, but it can be overemphasised, 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 a bit hot, but not a lot. There's no real depth to the lows.

The Momentum 4s are comfy and should not put too much pressure on your neck or ears. They can be a bit fidgety when you wear them at home or during long listening sessions. They can move on your head and make a lot of head movements. This could cause them to unexpectedly wake up and can cause distraction during calls or music. They shut down automatically after 15 minutes, and can be switched off manually by pressing the power button.