Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds cover your ears completely and allow for bigger drivers to deliver more bass and a wider soundstage. Many of them also feature active noise cancellation and Bluetooth technology.

The Master & Dynamic MMW65 has been upgraded with improved audio, numerous ANC mode and an impressive battery life.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has enhanced an already fantastic pair of headphones with the introduction of the WH1000XM4 wireless Headphone bluetooth. They are less heavy, more durable and have an audio profile that is more balanced (though bass heavy). They also come with an app for audio customization. Their active noise cancelling works even better than before, eliminating more ambient sound, and they have a longer battery life than other models.

These headphones utilize Bluetooth 5.0, with support for SBC, AAC, and Sony's own LDAC codec. The latter can transfer high-resolution music, but you'll need to use compatible devices and streaming services. The WH-1000XM4s can also allow you to connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and then automatically switch between the two when needed. This feature is accessible through the Sony Headphones Connect App and works flawlessly.

A subtle improvement over the XM3 is the sensibility of their touch panels. They respond faster to the tap of a panel, and this makes them easier to control during a phone call or to listen to media. Sony has also added a feature that can make voice calls clearer and more precise during calls. This is a distinct and pleasant addition.

The WH-1000XM4s might not be perfect, but they're among the best wireless headphones we've ever examined. They're comfortable, well-made, and come with an impressive battery that lasts for more than 30 hours continuously. They can also be used using a TRS cable, which is ideal when you're on the road or need to conserve power.

The WH1000XM4s are a better alternative to the Bowers & Wilkins Wireless Over-Ears PX7 S2. The Sonys are more comfy, and their ANC is able to block out more background noise. They also have a companion app that lets you alter their audio performance and EQ settings are more flexible than the B&W's. The B&Ws are better built, and can pair with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. They also support aptXHD and have an AI-driven engine that attempts to scale compressed music up to high-resolution. This is referred to as DSEE Extreme and it does well in improving the clarity of music, particularly when listening to lossless files.

2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless

The $329 Bose QuietComfort 45 noise-canceling headphones are the latest iteration of a headphone that became a standard for commuters as well as travelers around the globe. Rather than reinventing the wheel the new model uses the same formula that made the predecessor so popular, but adds USB-C, improved noise cancellation and a longer battery life.

Like the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones sport a premium look and feel that oozes quality. The headband is constructed of plastic, but is a solid feel, with hinges made of metal at the pivot points and the ratcheting mechanism that is familiar when you extend or retract the ear cups. The cups are cushioned and have soft pads that fit over your ears without pressing your head. They weigh 238 grams and are compact when folded. They can be paired with a sweater or coat since they can be worn even when they are not on the head.

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

One thing that's not included is the ability to pause playback whenever you take off the headset. This is a standard in this price range and something that Bose's rivals have been offering for years. Another oversight was the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose has preset EQs in the app, but it would be nice to have an option to control the EQ manually.

You can connect to your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth 5.0 with multipoint support and Wireless headphone bluetooth more advanced codecs such as aptX Adaptive. Download the Bose Audio App to adjust your headset's sound and voice settings.

The QC45s come with four microphones built into the headset to listen to your voice during calls. The quality of calls is generally excellent however, the headphones don't come with the handy capability to muffle your voice during playback which is a feature that other DOQAUS Wireless Over Ear Headphones: Enhanced Bluetooth 5.3 headphones do. Update: A firmware update for the QC45s was released in February 2022 added manual settings for EQ to the audio app. This is a very welcome change.

3. Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal is a French audio brand that produces high-performance headphones. They are known for their style and comfort which tell listeners that they're listening to something special. The Bathys are their first wireless noise-cancelling headphones. They look and sound stunning. They also have a built-in high-performance USB DAC which means you can use them for both wireless and wired listening.

Focal claims that the Bathys can play Bluetooth music for 30 hours. We got more than 40 hours of playback on average from a single charge. If you need to charge the headphones then the indicator light on the right earcup will turn red.

They have a decent amount of features for a pair of headphones of this price point with support for multiple devices at the same time and automatic pairing (though you'll need to manually select your source device each time you want to listen). They also have a built-in mic that works with voice assistants such as Siri or Alexa. The headphones also have an easy-to-use interface, making it simple to control your music and take calls.

Bathys over-ear headphones do well in our noise cancellation test, reducing ambient sound by 9 decibels on average. It's not as impressive as the ANC in the Sony WH-1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless, but it's still pretty effective.

In our tests of the quality of sound from headphones, the Bathys performed well overall with an overall frequency response that is in line with the SoundGuys headphone preference curve with only slight differences in the mids and bass. The Bathys have a booming sound profile which can make vocals, instruments and cymbals seem obscure.

You can wear them wherever and not worry about whether others listen to your music. The microphone is able to be used for recording via Bluetooth, with only slight distortion between the mid-treble as well as the treble.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless is a new update of the company's most popular Bluetooth headsets. The Momentum 3 was a solid, but not spectacular entry in this category. The latest model is improved over 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 add up to make a pair of over-ears that appear to be an upgrade from the previous model. The Momentum 4s are flat and do not fold. They come with an outer case that protects them when moving. 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 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 improvement here is the massive battery that promises up to 60 hours of playback when the noise cancellation feature activated. That's easily double what most of the competition can offer and enough for a multi-day trip without having to worry about finding an outlet to charge it.

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

The Momentum 4s should not cause pressure on your neck or ear. They can be fidgety if you wear them at home or for long listening sessions. They can move on your head, and make rapid head movements. This can cause them to wake up unexpectedly, which can be distracting while listening to music or making calls. Fortunately, they will shut down after 15 minutes of sleep by default and can be turned off manually off with the power button.