Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds, are able to completely encapsulate your ears. They also permit larger drivers that deliver deeper bass and a wider soundstage. Many come with Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.

The Master & Dynamic MW65 has been updated with better audio and multiple 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 more balanced sound profiles (though still bass heavy) and come with an app that lets you do some audio-related customization. They've upgraded their active noise cancellation, which eliminates the background noise, wireless bt Headphones and have a longer battery life.

These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible and Sony LDAC is also supported. This codec can transmit high-resolution audio, however, you'll need compatible devices and streaming service. The WH-1000XM4s is also able to connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and automatically switch between the two when required. You can enable this feature via the Sony Headphones Connect app and it is extremely effective.

The touch panels are more sensitive than the XM3. They respond faster to a tap on a panel, and this makes them easier to control during a phone call or listen to media. Sony has also added a feature to make voices more clear and precise during calls. This is a distinct and nice touch.

While the WH1000XM4s aren't perfect, they're one of the top wireless headphones we've ever tried. They're comfortable and well-constructed, and come with a a battery that can last for more than 30 continuous hours. They can also be used passively using an TRS cable which is perfect if you're traveling or need to conserve power.

The WH-1000XM4s are better than the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 wireless Bt Headphones [https://www.headphonesshop.Uk] over-ears. The Sonys are more comfortable, and their ANC can block out more ambient noise. They also come with a companion app that lets you tweak their audio performance and EQ settings are more flexible than the B&W's. However, the B&Ws have an improved design, and they can connect with two Bluetooth devices at once. In addition, they support aptX HD, and they have an AI-driven engine that tries to upscale compressed music to high-resolution. This is known as 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 latest iteration of a headphone that became a staple for commuters and passengers around the world. Rather than reinventing the wheel, the new model retains the same formula that made its predecessor so popular, and adds the USB-C port, which is better at cancelling noise and longer battery life.

These over-ear Bose headsets come with a premium feel and look, much like the QC 35 II headphones that preceded them. The headband, which is made of plastic, offers a solid feel thanks to the hinges made of steel at pivot points. It also has the ratcheting mechanism that is familiar when you expand or retract your earcups. The cups are soft cushions that fit comfortably over the ears and don't put pressure to your head. When folded, they weigh 238 grams. You can use them while wearing a coat or sweater as the noise cancelling function works even when they're not on your head.

Despite their reputation as comfortable headphones they do not offer the best sound at this price. The frequencies are tinny and lack the details that higher-end headphones might be able to bring out. The upper registers are amplified which is acceptable for the majority of music but can be a problem for more delicate and complex genres. The bass is decent, but lacks the punch.

One thing that's not included is the possibility of paused playback when you remove the headset. This is a feature Bose's rivals have offered for years. Another omission was the lack of an in-app EQ. Bose offers preset EQ settings in the app however it would be nice to have a manual control.

Bluetooth 5.0 is supported, with multipoint as well as 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 built-in microphones that listen to your voice during calls. The quality of calls is generally excellent but the headphones do not have the ability to mute your voice while playing back which is something that other wireless headphones do. Update: A firmware update for the QC45s was released in February 2022 included manual settings for EQ to the audio app. This is a very welcome change.

3. Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal is a French audio company that makes high-performance headphones. They are well-known for their style and comfort which tell listeners that they're listening to something special. The Bathys are their first wireless noise cancelling headphones. They are stunning in appearance and sound. They also come with a built in high performance USB DAC which means you can use them for both wireless and wired listening.

Focal claims that the Bathys can play Bluetooth music for up to 30 hours. We actually got a bit more with more than 40 hours on average out of one charge. If you need to recharge, there's a light on the right earcup that will turn red when the earphone needs to be charged.

They offer a good amount of features for a pair of headphones of this price point, including support for multiple devices at once and automatic pairing (though you'll need to manually select your source device each time you need to listen). The headphones have a built in microphone that works with voice assistants such as Siri or Alexa. The headphones also have an easy-to-use interface that makes it simple to control your music and take calls.

For over-ear wireless headphones for over-ear wireless headphones, the Bathys excel in our test of noise cancellation, reducing the background sound by around 9 decibels in average. It's not as good as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 and Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless but it's still effective.

The Bathys headphones did well in our headphone sound tests. Their frequency response was largely similar to the headphone curve of SoundGuys with minor variations in the mids and bass. The Bathys have a bassy sound profile which can make instruments, vocals and cymbals look a bit veiled.

You can wear them anywhere without worrying that others will listen to your music. Their mic is passable for recording via cordless bluetooth headphones with only a 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 top Bluetooth headsets. The last pair, the Momentum 3, was a solid but unspectacular entry in the category. The new pair is a step up from the previous model, sporting a an elegant design, enhanced gesture control and an enormous battery life.

The improvements here are subtle but they add up to create a pair of over-ears that feel like an upgrade to the old one. The Momentum 4s lay flat and don't fold however they come with a sturdy hardshell case to keep them safe while on the go. The Momentum 4s are also device-agnostic, like many other Bluetooth headphones from recent times, like those from Bowers & Wilkins and Sony. This means they work with both Android phones and Apple iPhones, but do not have the additional features (like Find My support and head-tracked spatial audio) that you'll find on the AirPods.

The most significant difference is the massive battery that can run for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation turned on. This is more than double the amount of the competitors and sufficient to allow you to travel for a longer period of time without having to search for an outlet.

Engadget senior editor Billy Steele gave the headphones an 82-point score and cited their sound quality and ANC as their main strengths. The only thing he dislikes is that they lack a sense of 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 can be overemphasised and can cause fatigue in songs with heavy bass lines like the drums in As I Lay Dying's Forever. The cymbals sound hot, but not a lot. There's no real depth to the lows.

The Momentum 4s are comfy and aren't likely to put too much pressure on your ears or neck. However, they can be a bit difficult to wear around the house or for longer listening sessions. They can move around on your head, causing intense head movements. This can cause them wake up at random which can be distracting during music or calls. They will shut down automatically after 15 minutes and can be turned off manually with the power button.