Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds are a complete encapsulation of your ears and allow for larger drivers to produce greater bass and larger soundstages. Many come with buy bluetooth headphones Online technology and active noise cancellation.

The most recent Master & Dynamic MW65 update offers high-quality audio, numerous ANC modes, and an impressive battery life in an elegant and distinct design.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has enhanced an already great pair of headphones with the introduction of the WH1000XM4 wireless. They're lighter, feel better built, have more balanced sound profiles (though still bass heavy) and include an app that allows for some audio customization. They've improved their active noise cancellation, which eliminates more background noises and have a longer battery life.

These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible, and Sony LDAC is also supported. The latter can transfer high-resolution music, though you'll need compatible devices and streaming services. The WH-1000XM4s can also allow you to connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously 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 more quickly to a tap on the panel, and this makes them easier to control during a call or to listen to music. Sony also included a feature that helps voices sound clearer and more precise during calls which is noticeable and a nice addition.

While the WH-1000XM4s aren't perfect, they're some of the best wireless blutooth headphones headphones we've ever tested. They're comfortable, well-made, and come with an excellent battery that lasts for longer than 30 hours continuously. They can be used passively by using the TRS cable. This is great for travel or preserving power.

The WH-1000XM4s are a better choice than the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 Wireless over-ears. The Sonys are more comfortable, and their ANC can block out more ambient sounds. They also have a companion app that lets you tweak their audio performance, and their EQ settings are more flexible than the B&W's. However, the B&Ws have more robust design and they're able to connect with two Bluetooth devices at once. They also support aptXHD and feature an AI-driven engine that attempts to up-scale compressed music to high resolution. This is called DSEE Extreme, and it enhances 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 headset that has become a standard for commuters as well as passengers around the world. The new model does not reinvent the wheel. It retains the same formula which made its predecessor so successful, while adding the USB-C technology and improved noise cancellation.

These over-ear Bose headsets have a premium feel and look, just like the QC 35 II headphones that were before them. The headband, which is made of plastic, has a solid feel thanks to the hinges made of metal at pivot points. It also has the familiar ratcheting mechanism when you expand or retract your ear cups. The cups are cushioned, and have soft pads that can be worn over your ears without pressing your head. They weigh 238 grams and are fairly compact when folded. They can be used while wearing a coat or sweater as the noise cancellation function is functional even when they are not on your head.

Despite their reputation for comfort, the QC45s do not offer the best sound in this price range. The frequencies are flat and lack the depth that more expensive headphones may be able bring out. The upper registers are boosted which is great for the majority of music but can be problematic for more delicate and intricate genres. The bass is good, but is lacking the punch.

One feature that's missing is the possibility of paused playback when you take off the headset. This is a standard feature in this price range and something that Bose's competitors have been offering for years. Another thing that was missing was the lack of an in-app EQ. Bose offers preset EQ settings within the app however it would be nice to have manual control.

Bluetooth 5.0 is supported, including multipoint and more advanced codecs such as aptX Adaptive. Download the Bose Audio App to adjust your headsets sound and voice settings.

The QC45s also come with four microphones built into the headset to listen to your voice during calls. The headsets have a good call quality, however they don't allow you to muffle the sound during playback as other wireless headphones. Update: A firmware upgrade for the QC45s was released in February 2022 included manual EQ options to the audio app. This is a great upgrade.

3. Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal is a French audio company known for high-performance headphones with long lasting comfort and a style that let listeners know they're listening to something unique. Their first attempt at wireless headphones that cancel out noise the Bathys, are stunning cans that look and sound fantastic. They come with a high-performance USB DAC built in, making them suitable both for wired and wireless listening.

Focal claims that the Bathys can play Bluetooth music for up to 30 hours. We got more than 40 hours of playback on average from just one charge. If you are required to charge your headphones, 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 that include support for multiple devices simultaneously and automatic pairing (though you'll have to select your source device each time you want to listen). The headphones come with built-in microphones that can be used with voice assistants like Siri or Alexa. The headphones also have an easy-to-use interface, making it easy to manage your music and make calls.

Bathys over-ear headphones do well in our noise cancellation test, reducing ambient noise by an average of 9 decibels. This isn't as impressive a result as the ANC in the Sony WH-1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless but it's still fairly effective.

In our tests of headphone sound quality in our tests of headphone sound quality, the Bathys performed well overall with the frequency response which generally is in line with the SoundGuys headphone preference curve, with only minor differences in the bass and mids. The Bathys have a bassy sound that can make instruments, vocals and cymbals seem veiled.

They also have very good leakage resistance, meaning you can wear them out in public without worrying about others listening to your music. The microphone is able to be used for recording using Bluetooth with only a slight distortion between the mid-treble and treble.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless is a new version of the company's top Bluetooth headsets. The Momentum 3 was a solid, but not spectacular entry in this class. The latest pair improves on the previous model by having more sleek design, better gesture controls, 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 old one. The Momentum 4s are flat and don't fold however they come with a nice hardshell case to keep them safe when on the move. The Momentum 4s are also non-device-specific, similar to other Bluetooth headphones of recent years, such as the ones from Bowers & Wilkins and Sony. They can be used with Apple iPhones and Android phones, but do not have the AirPods additional features such as Find My Support and head-tracked spatial audio.

The most significant change is the huge battery that can run for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation turned on. This is nearly twice the amount of the other brands and enough to allow you to travel for a longer period of time without having to search for an outlet.

Billy Steele, senior buy bluetooth Headphones online editor at Engadget and Engadget, gave the headphones an 82 percent score. He highlighted their audio quality and ANC features as strengths. The only issue he has is that they lack a sense gravitas in the mids as well as treble, meaning that orchestral tracks tend to sound flat rather than grand. The bass is well-rounded, but it's easy to over-emphasize and cause fatigue in songs with heavy bass lines, like the drums in As I Lay Dying's Forever. The cymbals sound bubbly, but not full. There's no real depth to the lows.

The Momentum 4s shouldn't put pressure on your neck or ear. However, they can be a bit fidgety when wearing them in the house or during longer listening sessions, and will move about on your head with intense head movements. This can cause them to wake up unexpectedly, which can be distracting while listening to music or making calls. Fortunately they shut down after 15 minutes of rest by default, and can be manually switched off with the power button.