Best Over-Ear Headphones

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

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

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has redesigned an already-great pair of headphones with the WH-1000XM4 Wireless. They are less heavy, more durable and feature an audio profile that is more balanced (though bass-heavy). They also come with an app to adjust the sound. They've improved their active noise cancellation, which eliminates the background noise and extending the battery life.

These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible, and Sony LDAC is also compatible with. The latter is able to transfer high-resolution music, but you'll need compatible devices and streaming services. Additionally, the WH-1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth Head phones devices at once and automatically switch between them if needed. This feature is enabled through the Sony Headphones Connect App and works well.

One subtle improvement over the XM3 is the sensitiveness of their touch panels. They respond faster to the touch of the panel, and this makes them easier to control during a phone call or listen to media. Sony has added a feature to make voices clearer and more precise during calls. This is an obvious and nice touch.

The WH-1000XM4s might not be perfect, but they're among the best wireless headphones we've ever tested. They're comfortable, well-made, and come with an excellent battery that can last more than 30 hours continuously. They can also be used in a passive manner with the TRS cable which is great if you're traveling or need to save power.

The WH1000XM4s offer a better alternative to the Bowers & Wilkins Wireless Over-Ears Px7 S2. The Sonys are more comfortable, and their ANC is able to block out more background noise. They also come with a companion app that lets you tweak their audio performance and EQ settings are more flexible than B&W's. However, the B&Ws have an improved design, and they're able to connect with two Bluetooth devices at once. They also support aptXHD, and they have an AI-driven engine that attempts 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 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 travelers around the globe. The new model doesn't 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.

Like the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones sport an elegant design and feel that exudes quality. The headband, which is made of plastic, provides a solid feel thanks to the hinges made of steel at pivot points. It also features the familiar ratcheting mechanism when you retract or extend your earcups. The cups are soft, cushioned pads that fit comfortably over the ears and don't apply pressure to your head. When folded they weigh 238 grams. You can wear them while wearing a sweater or coat as the noise cancellation function is functional even when you aren't on your head.

Despite their reputation for comfort, the QC45s do not provide the best sound quality in this price range. The frequencies are comparatively flat and lack details that headphones with higher prices might be able to bring out. The upper registers are boosted which is fine for most music genres but can be problematic for bluetooth head phones more delicate and complex genres. The bass is decent, but is lacking power.

The ability to pause the playback when you remove the headset is a feature that is absent. This is a feature Bose's rivals have provided for several years. Another omission was the lack of an in-app EQ. Bose provides preset EQ settings in the app, but it would be nice to have manual control.

Bluetooth 5.0 is supported, including multipoint and more advanced codecs, such as aptX Adaptive. You can download the Bose Audio app to adjust the volume and voice assistant settings.

The QC45s come with four microphones built-in to pick up your voice when you are on the phone. The headsets have a good call quality, however they don't permit you to silence the voice when playing back as other wireless headphones with bluetooth headphones. Update In February 2022, a firmware update to the QC45s offered manual EQ options in the audio app which is a welcome improvement.

3. Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal is a French audio company known for high-performance headphones with long lasting comfort and a style that makes listeners feel like they're listening to something unique. Their first foray into wireless headphones that block noise The Bathys, are stunning headphones that sound and look great. They also come with a built-in high-performance USB DAC which means you can use them for both wireless and wired listening.

The Bathys come with a great battery performance, with Focal promising 30 hours of continuous Bluetooth playtime. We actually got more with more than 40 hours of playtime on average of one charge. If you do need to recharge, there's a light on the right earcup that will change to red when the earphone needs to be charged.

For headphones for this price, they have a lot of features. They can connect to multiple devices simultaneously and offer automatic pairing. (You must select your device source manually every time you listen.) They also have a built-in mic that works with voice assistants such as Siri or Alexa. They also come with an intuitive interface that makes it easy to control your music as well as make calls.

For wireless headphones that are over-ear for Bluetooth Head Phones over-ear wireless headphones, the Bathys are very good in our test 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 or Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless however it's still effective.

In our tests of the quality of sound from headphones The Bathys were a good overall performer with the frequency response which generally is in line with the SoundGuys headphone preference curve, with only minor deviations in the mids and bass. The Bathys are bassy sound that can make instruments, vocals and cymbals appear obscure.

Wear them wherever you want without worrying that others will listen to your music. Their mic is passable for recording via Bluetooth, with only slight distortion between the mid-treble and the treble.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless is a new version of the company's most popular Bluetooth headsets. The previous model, called the Momentum 3, was a decent but not a standout into the category. The latest pair is a step up from the previous model, featuring more sleek design, better gesture control, and a huge battery life.

Many of the improvements here are subtle but they add up to make a pair of over-ears that seem like a step up from the previous model. The Momentum 4s lie flat and don't fold however they come with a sturdy hardshell case to keep them safe when on the move. They also follow the style of a number of other recent Bluetooth headphones, including the ones from Sony and Bowers & Wilkins, to be beautifully device agnostic. They can be used with Apple iPhones and Android phones, but do not have the AirPods extra features, such as Find My Support and head-tracked spatial audio.

The most obvious difference here is the massive battery that promises up to 60 hours of playback with the noise cancellation option activated. This is more than twice as much as most of the competition and enough to allow you to travel for a longer period of time without worrying about finding an outlet.

Engadget senior editor Billy Steele gave the headphones an 82 rating with a focus on their audio quality and ANC as their main strengths. He only has one complaint that they lack gravitas in the mids and treble. This makes orchestral pieces sound flat instead of grand. The bass is rounded, but it can be overemphasised, which can lead to fatigue in songs with strong bass lines like the drum hits in As I Lay Dying's Forever. The cymbals sound a bit bubbly, but not full. There's also no real depth to the lows.

The Momentum 4s should not place pressure on your neck or ears. They can be a bit fidgety if you wear them around the home or during long listening sessions. They will move around on your head, and make rapid head movements. This can cause them wake up in a sudden manner, which could be distracting while listening to music or making calls. They shut down automatically after 15 minutes, and can be turned off manually with the power button.