Best Over-Ear Headphones

Unlike earbuds, over-ear headphones are a complete encapsulation of your ears and allow for larger drivers to deliver greater bass and larger soundstages. A majority of them feature Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.

The latest Master and Dynamic MW65 update features high-quality audio, numerous ANC modes and impressive battery life in an elegant and distinctive design.

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 come with an app that lets you do some audio customization. They have improved their active noise cancellation, eliminating more ambient sounds and extending the battery life.

These headphones use Bluetooth 5.0 which supports SBC, AAC, and Sony's own LDAC codec. These headphones can transfer high-resolution audio, but you'll need compatible devices and streaming service. In addition, the WH-1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and automatically switch between them as needed. You enable this feature through the Sony Headphones Connect app and it is extremely effective.

One 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 calls or to listen to music. Sony also added an option that makes voices sound more clear and precise during calls, which is noticeable and a nice touch.

While the WH1000XM4s aren't perfect, they are some of the most comfortable wireless headphones we've ever tested. They're comfortable, feel well-made, and come with an excellent battery that lasts more than 30 hours continuously. They can be used in a passive manner with the TRS cable. This is great to travel with or for storing energy.

The WH1000XM4s offer a better alternative to the Bowers & Wilkins Wireless Over-Ears PX7 S2. The Sonys are more comfy and their ANC can block out more background noise. They also have a companion app that lets you tweak their audio performance and EQ settings are more flexible than the B&W's. But the B&Ws have an improved design, and they can connect with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. They also support aptXHD, and they have an AI-driven engine that attempts to scale compressed music up 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 QuietComfort45 Noise-Canceling headset is the latest version of a headset that has become a popular choice for commuters and passengers across the world. Rather than reinventing the wheel the new model follows the same formula that made its predecessor so popular, but adds the USB-C port, which is better at cancelling noise and a longer battery life.

These over-ear Bose headsets have a Premium TFUFR Wireless Bluetooth Over Ear Headphones feeling and look, much like the QC 35 II headphones that were before them. The headband is made of plastic, and is a solid feel, with metal hinges at the pivot points, and the familiar ratcheting action that you experience when you retract or extend the ear cups. The cups have soft cushioned pads that fit securely over the ears and do not apply pressure to your head. They weigh 238 grams and are fairly compact when folded. They can be used with a sweater or coat as the noise-canceling works 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 tinny and lack the details that higher-end headphones might be able to bring out. The higher registers tend to be more boosted, which is fine for most music but can cause problems for more delicate or intricate music genres. The bass is good, but is lacking power.

One feature that's not present is the ability to pause playback whenever you take the headset off. This is a feature that Bose's rivals have offered for many years. Another omission was the lack of an in-app EQ. Bose offers preset EQs within 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 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 come with four microphones inbuilt to hear your voice while on the phone. The call quality is generally good however, the Headphones shop don't have the nifty ability to mute your voice while playing back which is a feature that other wireless headphones have. Update as of February 2022, the firmware update to the QC45s offered manual EQ options in the audio app which is a welcomed improvement.

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 let listeners know they're listening to something truly special. 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, making them suitable both for wired and wireless listening.

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

For a pair of headphones for this price, they offer many features. They can be used with multiple devices at once and feature automatic pairing. (You will need to select your source device by hand each time you listen.) The headphones have an inbuilt microphone that can be used with voice assistants like Siri or Alexa. The headphones also feature an easy-to-use interface that makes it easy to control your music as well as make calls.

Bathys over-ear headphones perform well in our noise cancellation test, reducing ambient noise by an average of 9 decibels. It's not as impressive as the ANC in the Sony WH-1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless, however 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 just minor differences in the bass and mids. The Bathys are bassy sound that can make vocals, instruments and cymbals appear veiled.

They also have very good leakage resistance, which means you can wear them out in public without worrying about others listening to your music. Their mic is passable for recording via Bluetooth with only a slight distortion between the mid-treble as well as the treble.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless are a new version of the company's flagship Bluetooth headphones. The previous model, called the Momentum 3, was a solid but unspectacular entry into the category. The new model improves on the previous model with a sleeker design, improved gesture controls, and Headphones Shop an enormous battery life.

Many of the improvements aren't that obvious, but they make a pair of over-ears that appear to be an upgrade from the old one. The Momentum 4s lay flat and aren't foldable however they do come with a nice hardshell case that protects them while on the go. They also follow the pattern of several other recent Bluetooth headphones, such as the ones from Sony and Bowers & Wilkins, to be completely device-independent. They work with both Apple iPhones as well as Android phones, but lack the AirPods extra features, such as Find My Support and head-tracked spatial audio.

The biggest change is the huge battery that can play for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation on. That's easily double what most of the competition can offer and enough for a multi-day trip without having to worry about finding a power outlet to charge them up.

Engadget senior editor Billy Steele gave the headphones an 82 score and cited their sound quality and ANC as particular strengths. The only issue he has is that they lack a sense of weight in the mids and the treble, which means that orchestral pieces tend to sound flat rather than grand. The bass is well rounded but it can sound too loud, which can cause to fatigue in songs with strong bass lines, such as the drum hits in As I Lay Dying’s Forever. The cymbals sound hot, but not a lot. There's also not much depth to the lows.

The Momentum 4s are comfortable and should not put too much pressure on your neck or ears. However they can be a bit difficult to wear around the house or for longer listening sessions. They can move around on your head in a flurry of head movements. This could cause them to unexpectedly wake up and can cause distraction when you are listening to music or calls. They shut down automatically after 15 minutes, and can be turned off manually using the power button.