Best Over-Ear Headphones

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

The Master & Dynamic MMW65 has been updated with superior audio and features, including multiple ANC modes, and a long battery life.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has improved on an already-great pair of headphones with the WH-1000XM4 Wireless. They are more lightweight, better constructed and have a more balanced audio profile (though bass-heavy). They also include an app for audio customization. Their active noise cancelling works better than it did before, removing the background noise, and they have a longer battery life than other models.

These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible and Sony LDAC is also supported. This codec can transfer high-resolution audio but you'll need compatible devices and a streaming service. In addition, the WH-1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously 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 panels and are simpler to control when making calls or listening to media. Sony has also added a feature to make voices more precise and clear during calls. This is a distinct and nice touch.

The WH-1000XM4s aren't perfect, but they are among the top wireless headphones we've ever tested. They're comfortable, good to the touch, and have an excellent battery that can last longer than 30 hours continuously. They can be used in a passive manner by using an 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 background noise. The B&Ws feature an EQ that is more flexible, as well as an app companion to adjust the audio quality. But the B&Ws have a better-built 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 up-scale compressed music to high resolution. This is known as DSEE Extreme and it does an excellent job of improving the clarity of music, particularly when listening to lossless audio files.

2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless

The $329 Bose QuietComfort45 noise-canceling headset is the most current version of a headset that has become a favorite among commuters and passengers across the world. 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 the USB-C technology and improved noise cancellation.

Similar to the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones sport a luxurious look and feel that oozes quality. The headband, constructed of plastic, offers an incredibly solid feel due to the hinges made of steel at pivot points. It also features the familiar ratcheting mechanism whenever you extend or retract your ear cups. The cups have soft, cushioned pads that are securely positioned over your ears and don't put pressure on your head. When folded, they weigh 238 grams. They can be used with a sweater or coat as the noise cancelling function works even when they're not on your head.

Despite their reputation as comfortable headphones however, the QC45s don't offer the best sound at this price. The frequencies are fairly flat and lack details that headphones with higher prices might be capable of bringing 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 lacks punch.

One feature that's not present is the possibility of paused playback when you remove the headset. This is standard in this price bracket and is something Bose's competitors have offered for a long time. Another omission was the lack of an in-app EQ. Bose provides preset EQ settings within the app however it would be nice to have a manual control.

You can connect to your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth 5.0 with support for multipoint and the more advanced codecs such as aptX Adaptive. You can download the Bose Audio app to adjust your headset's sound and voice assistant settings.

The QC45s have four microphones built-in to hear your voice while on the phone. The headphones have good call quality, however they don't allow you to silence the voice when playing back like other wireless cordless Headphones. Update: As of February 2022, a firmware update to the QC45s gave you manual EQ options within the audio app which is a welcome improvement.

3. Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal is a French audio brand that produces high-performance headphones. They are well-known for their comfort and style, which let listeners know that they're hearing something unique. The Bathys are their first wireless noise cancelling headphones. They are stunning in appearance and sound. They come with a top-quality USB DAC built in, so you can use them both for wireless and wired listening.

Focal claims that the Bathys can play Bluetooth music for 30 hours. We actually got a bit more with more than 40 hours of playtime on average of one charge. If you require a recharge, there's an indicator light on the right ear cup that will turn red when the headphone has to be charged.

They come with a wide range of features for a pair of headphones at this price that include support for multiple devices simultaneously and automatic pairing (though you'll need to manually select your source device every time you want to listen). They come with a built-in microphone that works with voice assistants such as Siri or Alexa. The headphones come with an easy-to navigate interface that makes it simple to control music and make calls.

For wireless headphones that are over-ear, the Bathys excel in our test of noise cancellation, which reduces the sound of the surrounding environment by about 9 decibels per hour on average. It's not as good as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless, but it's still very effective.

In our tests of headphone sound quality in our tests of headphone sound quality, the Bathys performed well overall with an overall frequency response that corresponds to the SoundGuys preference curve with only slight differences in the mids and bass. The Bathys have a booming sound profile that can make instruments, vocals and cymbals look a bit veiled.

They also have very good leakage resistance, meaning you can wear them in public without worrying about others hearing your music. The microphone has a decent recording quality via Bluetooth with only slight distortion in the mid - to high treble frequency range.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless are a new version of the company's top-of-the-line Bluetooth headphones. The previous model, called the Momentum 3, was a decent, but not the most impressive entry in the category. The new pair is a significant improvement over the previous generation, with a sleeker look, improved gesture control and cordless Headphones an enormous battery life.

The changes are subtle but add up to an over-ear pair of headphones that feel like an upgrade. The Momentum 4s are flat and don't fold however they come with a nice hardshell case that protects them while on the go. The Momentum 4s are device-agnostic, like many 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, but don't have the extra features (like Find My support and head-tracked spatial audio) that you'll find on AirPods.

The most obvious improvement here is the massive battery, which claims up to 60 hours of playback when the noise cancellation option turned on. This is more than what the majority of the competition can offer and enough for a long-distance trip without having to worry about finding an outlet to charge it.

Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget and Engadget, gave the headphones a score of 82. He highlighted their audio quality and ANC features as strengths. He has only one complaint: they lack a sense of gravitas in the mids and treble. This means that orchestral music sounds dull instead of grand. The bass is well rounded, but can be 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 also sound sizzled rather than full and there's not a real feeling of depth in the bass.

The Momentum 4s should not cause pressure on your neck or ear. However they can be a bit difficult to wear around the house or during longer listening sessions, and will move about on your head, causing intense head movements. This could cause them to wake up at random which can be distracting during music or calls. Fortunately they shut down after 15 minutes of slumber by default, and can be manually switched off with the power button.