Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds, are able to completely encapsulate your ears. They also allow for larger drivers, which deliver greater bass and a larger soundstage. They also have active noise cancellation and Bluetooth technology.

The Master & Dynamic MW65 is upgraded with improved audio and features, including numerous ANC modes and a huge battery life.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has made improvements to an already-great pair of headphones with the WH-1000XM4 Wireless. They're lighter, feel more built, have an improved sound profile that is more balanced (though still bass-heavy), and include an app that allows for some audio adjustments. They've improved their active noise cancellation, which eliminates the background noise and have a longer battery life.

These headphones utilize Bluetooth 5.0, with support for SBC, AAC, and Sony's own LDAC codec. The latter can transfer high-resolution audio however, you'll need compatible equipment and streaming service. The WH-1000XM4s is also able to connect two Bluetooth devices at the same time and automatically switch between them when required. This feature is enabled through the Sony Headphones Connect App and works well.

One subtle improvement over the XM3 is the sensibility of their touch panels. They respond quicker to a tap on panels and are simpler to control when making calls or listening to music. 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 one of the most comfortable wireless headphones we've ever tested. They're comfortable, good to the touch, and Headphones Blutooth have an outstanding battery that lasts for more than 30 hours continuously. They can be used in a passive manner using an TRS cable. This is great for traveling or conserving energy.

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 have an app that lets you alter their audio performance, and their EQ settings are more flexible than B&W's. The B&Ws are more robust and can connect to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. In addition, they support aptX HD and have an AI-driven engine that is attempting to boost compressed music to high-resolution. This is known as DSEE Extreme, and it improves 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 headphone that became an essential for commuters and passengers around the world. The new model does not reinvent the wheel. It uses the same formula that was the basis of its predecessor's success, while adding the USB-C technology and improved noise cancellation.

Similar to the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones feature an elegant design and feel that exudes quality. The headband is constructed of plastic, and is sturdy and comfortable with hinges made of metal at pivot points and the familiar ratcheting action that you experience when you retract or extend the ear cups. The cups are soft cushions that fit securely over the ears and do not apply pressure to your head. They weigh 238 grams and are compact when folded. You can wear them while wearing an overcoat or sweater since the noise cancelling function works even when you aren't on your head.

Despite their reputation as comfortable headphones however, the QC45s don't provide the best sound quality at this price. The frequencies are tinny and lack the depth that more expensive headphones may be able to bring out. The upper registers tend to be more boosted and is suitable for most music but can become a problem for more delicate or intricate music genres. The bass is good, but is lacking the punch.

One feature that's missing is the ability to pause playback when you take off the headset. This is a standard feature in this price bracket and is something Bose's competitors have long offered. Another oversight is the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose provides preset EQ settings in the app, but it would be nice to have a manual control.

Bluetooth 5.0 is supported, including multipoint and 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 also include four built-in microphones that pick up your voice during calls. The call quality is generally excellent, but the headsets don't have the nifty capability to muffle your voice while playing back which is a feature that other wireless headphones do. Update: A firmware upgrade for the QC45s came out in February 2022 added manual settings for EQ to the audio app. This is a great upgrade.

3. Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal is a French audio brand that is known for high-performance headphones that provide long-lasting comfort and a style that lets listeners know they're listening to something special. 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 wired and wireless headphones with bluetooth listening.

The Bathys have a very good battery performance, with Focal promising 30 hours of continuous Bluetooth playtime. We had 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.

They have a decent amount of features for a pair of Headphones blutooth of this price point, including 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 have an easy-to navigate interface that makes it easy to control music and make calls.

Bathys over-ear headphones do well in our noise cancellation test, reducing ambient sound by an average of 9 decibels. It's not as good as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 and Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless, but it is still effective.

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

They also have excellent leakage resistance, so you can wear them out in public without worrying about others listening to your music. The microphone has a decent quality of recording via Bluetooth with only a slight distortion in the mid - to the treble range.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

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

A lot of the improvements aren't that obvious, but they add up to make a pair that appear to be an upgrade from the old one. The Momentum 4s are flat and don't fold. They come with an outer case that protects them when traveling. They also follow the pattern of many other recent Bluetooth headphones, including the ones from Sony and Bowers & Wilkins, to be completely device-independent. This means they can work 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 notable improvement is the battery that can run for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation on. This is nearly twice as much as most of the competition and enough to allow you to travel for a longer period of time without having to search for an outlet.

Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget The headphones were rated by Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget a score of 82. He noted their sound quality and ANC features as their strengths. The only issue he has is: headphones blutooth they lack a sense of gravitas in the mids and the treble. This means that orchestral music sounds flat instead of grand. The bass is well rounded however it can be too loud, which can cause to fatigue in songs with strong bass lines, such as the drum beats of 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 should not place 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 a lot of head movements. This could cause them to unexpectedly wake up and can cause distraction when you are listening to music or calls. They stop automatically after 15 minutes, and can be shut off manually with the power button.