Best Over-Ear Headphones

Unlike earbuds, over-ear headphones are a complete encapsulation of your ears and allow for larger drivers to provide deeper bass and wider soundstages. Many of them also feature active noise cancellation and Bluetooth technology.

The Master & Dynamic MW65 has been updated with better audio and features, including numerous ANC modes, and a long battery life.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has upgraded an already excellent pair of headphones by introducing the WH1000XM4 wireless. They're lighter, feel better constructed, and have more balanced sound profiles (though still bass-heavy) and come with an app that allows some audio-related customization. They've upgraded their active noise cancellation, removing more background noises and extending the battery life.

These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible, and Sony LDAC is also compatible with. These headphones can transmit high-resolution audio, bt Headphone however, you'll need compatible devices and streaming services. In addition, the WH1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth devices at once and automatically switch between them when required. This feature can be enabled via the Sony Headphones Connect App and works well.

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

The WH-1000XM4s might not be perfect, but they're among the best wireless headphones we've ever examined. They are comfortable and well-constructed, and come with a batteries that last for more than 30 continuous hours. They can be used passively with the TRS cable. This is perfect to travel with or for storing power.

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 noise. The B&Ws come with an EQ that is more flexible, as well as an app that allows you to tweak the audio performance. But the B&Ws have a better-built design, and they're able to pair with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. They also support aptXHD, and they have an AI-driven engine which tries to increase the size of compressed music to high resolution. This is called DSEE Extreme and it does a good job of improving the clarity of music, particularly when listening to lossless music.

2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless

The $329 Bose QuietComfort45 Noise-Canceling headset is the most recent version of a headset that is a popular choice among commuters and travelers all over the world. The new model does not reinvent the wheel. It is based on the same formula that 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 look, just like the QC 35 II headphones that preceded them. The headband is made of plastic, but is sturdy and comfortable with metal hinges at pivot points and the familiar ratcheting action when you open or retract the earcups. The cups are cushioned, and have soft pads that are comfortable to wear over your ears without placing pressure on your head. When folded they weigh 238g. They can be used while wearing a sweater or coat as the noise cancelling function works even when they are not on your head.

Despite their reputation for comfort, the QC45s do not offer the best sound in this price range. The frequencies are dull and lack the detail that higher-end headphones might be able bring out. The upper registers tend to be boosted and is suitable for most music but can become a problem for more delicate or intricate genres of music. The bass is great, but it lacks the punch.

One feature that's not present is the ability to pause playback whenever you take the headset off. This is a standard feature 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 in the app however it would be nice to have manual control.

Bluetooth 5.0 is supported, including multipoint and more advanced codecs, such as aptX Adaptive. Download the Bose Audio App to adjust the voice and sound settings.

The QC45s also come with four in-built microphones to hear your voice when you make calls. The headsets have a good call quality, but they don't let you silence the voice when playing back like other wireless headphones. Update: A firmware update for the QC45s came out in February 2022 introduced manual EQ options to the audio app. This is a welcome upgrade.

3. Focal Bathys wireless bt headphones

Focal is a French audio company that makes high-performance headphones. They are renowned for their comfort and style which tell listeners that they're hearing something unique. Their first attempt at wireless bt headphones headphones that block noise The Bathys, are stunning cans that look and sound amazing. They have a high-performance USB DAC built in, so you can use them both for wired and wireless listening.

The Bathys have a very good battery life, with Focal claiming 30 hours of continuous Bluetooth playtime. We actually got a little more out of them with more than 40 hours on average out of a single charge. If you require a recharge, there's an indicator light on the right ear cup that will turn red when the headphone needs to be charged.

They offer a good amount of features for a pair of headphones of this price that include support for multiple devices at the same time and automatic pairing (though you'll need to select the source device every time you would like to listen). The headphones have an inbuilt microphone that can be used with voice assistants such as Siri or Alexa. The headphones come with an easy-to use interface that makes it easy to control music and Bt headphone make calls.

For wireless headphones that are over-ear, the Bathys perform very well in our tests of noise cancellation, which reduces the background sound by around 9 decibels in average. 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 performed well in our headphone tests. Their frequency response was largely similar to the Bt headphone curve of SoundGuys, with only minor deviations on the bass and mids. The Bathys have a bassy sound profile that can make instruments, vocals and cymbals look a bit unreal.

They also have excellent leakage resistance, meaning you can wear them in public without worrying about other people listening to your music. Their microphone is of decent recording quality via Bluetooth with just a little distortion in the mid to the treble range.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless is a new update of the company's most popular Bluetooth headsets. The last pair, the Momentum 3, was a decent but not a standout in the category. The latest pair is a significant improvement over the previous model, sporting a an elegant design, enhanced gesture control and a massive battery life.

Many of the improvements here are subtle, but they add up to create 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 an outer case that protects them while moving. The Momentum 4s are non-device-specific, similar to other Bluetooth headphones from recent years, including those from Bowers & Wilkins and Sony. 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 difference here is the massive battery, which claims up to 60 hours of playback with the noise cancellation option activated. This is easily twice the amount of the competitors and sufficient to go on a long-distance trip without having to search for an outlet.

Engadget senior editor Billy Steele gave the headphones an 82 score and cited their sound quality and ANC as particular strengths. He has only one complaint: they lack a sense gravitas in the mids and treble. This means that orchestral music sounds flat instead of grand. The bass is well-rounded but it can sound overemphasized, which can lead to fatigue when songs have strong bass lines, such as the drum hits in As I Lay Dying’s Forever. The cymbals sound a bit sizzled, not full. There's no real depth to the lows.

The Momentum 4s should not cause pressure on your neck or ear. However, they can be fidgety when wearing them around the house or during longer listening sessions. They can move around on your head in a flurry of 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 switched off manually by pressing the power button.