Best Over-Ear Headphones

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

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

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has redesigned an already excellent pair of headphones with the WH-1000XM4 Wireless. They're lighter, feel better constructed, and have more balanced sound profiles (though still bass heavy), and come with an app that lets you do some audio adjustments. Their active noise cancelling performs better than ever before, removing more ambient sound, and they have a longer continuous battery life than a lot of competitors.

These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible and Sony LDAC is also supported. The latter can transfer high-resolution music, but you'll need compatible devices and streaming services. Additionally, the WH-1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth devices at the same time and switch between them when required. You can enable this feature via the Sony Headphones Connect app and it works very well.

One subtle improvement over the XM3 is the sensitivity of their touch panels. They respond faster to a tap on a panel and are easier to manage when making a phone call or listening to media. Sony also included a feature that makes voice sound more clear and precise on calls, which is noticeable and a nice touch.

While the WH1000XM4s aren't perfect, they are some of the best wireless headphones we've ever tested. 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 great for travel or preserving 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 ambient noise. They also come with a companion app that lets you tweak their audio performance, and their EQ settings are more flexible than the B&W's. The B&Ws are better built, and can pair with two bluetooth headphones wireless headphones devices simultaneously. They also support aptXHD and feature an AI-driven engine which tries to scale compressed music up 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 became an essential for commuters and travelers from all over the world. The new model doesn't reinvent the wheel. It retains the same formula which made its predecessor so successful, while adding the USB-C port and improved noise cancellation.

These over-ear Bose headsets have a premium feeling and look, much like the QC 35 II headphones that were before them. The headband is constructed of plastic, but is a solid feel, with metal hinges at the pivot points, and the familiar ratcheting action when you open or retract the ear cups. The cups have soft cushioned pads that fit comfortably over the ears and don't put pressure to your head. When folded, they weigh 238 grams. They can be worn with a coat or sweater since they can be worn even when not on your head.

Despite their reputation as comfortable headphones, the QC45s do not provide the best sound quality at this price point. The frequencies are relatively flat and lack details that more expensive headphones might be capable of bringing out. The higher registers tend to be more boosted, which is fine for most music but where can i buy wireless bluetooth headphones be a problem for delicate or intricate genres of music. The bass is decent but lacks power.

One feature that's not present is the ability to pause playback whenever you take off the headset. This is a feature that Bose's competitors have offered for several years. Another issue is the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose has preset EQs available in the app but it would be nice to have an option to manually control.

Bluetooth 5.0 is supported, with multipoint as well as 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 inbuilt to hear your voice when you are on the phone. The quality of calls is generally good however, the headphones do not have the capability to turn off your voice during playback which is something that other wireless headphones do. Update: A firmware update for the QC45s in February 2022 included manual adjustments 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, which let listeners know that they're listening to something special. Their first venture into wireless headphones with bluetooth headphones that cancel out noise The Bathys are a stunning set of headphones that look and sound amazing. They come with a high-performance USB DAC built in, which means you can use them both for wired and wireless listening.

Focal claims that the Bathys can play Bluetooth music for up to 30 hours. We got more than 40 hours of playback time on average on a single charge. If you are required to charge your headphones in the future, the indicator light on the right earcup will turn red.

For headphones for this price, they come with lots of features. They support multiple devices simultaneously and offer automatic pairing. (You have to select your device source by hand each time you listen.) The headphones have an inbuilt microphone that works with voice assistants like Siri or Alexa. The headphones have an easy-to use interface that makes it easy to control music and make calls.

Bathys over-ear headphones are able to perform 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 or Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless but it's still very effective.

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

They also have very good leakage resistance, meaning you can wear them in public without worrying about people hearing your music. The microphone is able to be used for recording via Bluetooth, with only slight distortion between the mid-treble and treble.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless are a new update to the company's top-of-the-line Bluetooth headphones. The Momentum 3 was a solid, but not spectacular entry in this category. The latest pair is an improvement on the previous generation, with an elegant design, enhanced gesture control and an enormous battery life.

Many of the improvements aren't that obvious, but they create a pair of over-ears that appear to be an upgrade from the previous model. The Momentum 4s lie flat and aren't foldable however they do come with a sturdy hardshell case that protects them when on the move. The Momentum 4s are also non-device-specific, similar to other Bluetooth headphones from recent times, like the ones from Bowers & Wilkins and Sony. This means they work well 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 you'll find on the AirPods.

The most obvious difference in this model is the huge battery, which promises up to 60 hours of playback time with the noise cancellation option enabled. This is more than twice the amount of the other brands and enough to take a multi-day journey without having to search for an outlet.

Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget and Engadget, gave the headphones a score of 82. He noted their sound quality and ANC features as strengths. The only thing he dislikes is that they lack a sense of gravitas in the mids and treble, meaning that orchestral tracks tend to sound flat, bluetooth headphones wireless headphones not grand. The bass is rounded, but it's easy to over-emphasize, which can lead to fatigue in songs with heavy bass lines such as the drum hits in As I Lay Dying's Forever. The cymbals sound smoky rather than full and there's no sense of depth in the bass.

The Momentum 4s are comfortable and aren't likely to put too much pressure on your ears or neck. They can be a bit fidgety if 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 will shut down automatically after 15 minutes and can be shut off manually with the power button.