Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds are a complete encapsulation of your ears and allow for bigger drivers to deliver greater bass and larger soundstages. Many include Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.

The most recent Master & Dynamic MW65 update features superior audio, multiple ANC modes, and an impressive battery life with a stylish and distinct design.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has redesigned an already great pair of headphones with the WH-1000XM4 Wireless. They are more lightweight, better constructed and feature an audio profile that is more balanced (though bass heavy). They also come with an app that lets you customize the audio. Their active noise cancelling works even better than before, eliminating any background noise. Additionally, they have a longer battery life than many competitors.

These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible and Sony LDAC is also supported. This codec can transfer high-resolution audio however, you'll need compatible equipment and streaming service. The WH-1000XM4s can also allow you to connect two Bluetooth devices at the same time and automatically switch between them when required. This feature is enabled through the Sony Headphones Connect App and is very effective.

The touch panels are more sensitive than the XM3. They respond faster to the touch of a panel and are easier to manage when making a phone call or listening to media. Sony has also added a feature that helps voices sound more clear and precise on calls, which is noticeable and a nice touch.

While the WH-1000XM4s aren't perfect, they're one of the most comfortable wireless headphones we've ever tried. They're comfortable and well-made. They also have a battery that can last for more than 30 continuous hours. They can also be used passively with a TRS cable, which is ideal if you're traveling or need to save power.

The WH-1000XM4s are better over the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 Wireless over-ears. The Sonys are more comfortable and their ANC can block out more ambient noise. The B&Ws feature an EQ that is more flexible, as well as an app that allows you to tweak 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 aptX HD, and they have a unique AI-driven engine that tries to upscale 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 QuietComfort45 Noise-Canceling headset is the most current version of a headset which has become a favorite among commuters and travelers all over the world. Instead of reinventing the wheel, the new model retains the same formula that made its predecessor so popular, adding the USB-C port, which is better at cancelling noise and a longer battery life.

These over-ear Bose headsets have a premium feel and look, much like the QC 35 II headphones that came before them. The headband, noise cancelling constructed of plastic, provides a firm feel thanks to the hinges made of steel at pivot points. It also has the familiar ratcheting mechanism when you retract or extend the ear cups. The cups are soft cushioned pads that fit comfortably over the ears and don't apply pressure to your head. They weigh 238 grams and are fairly compact when folded. You can wear them while wearing a sweater or coat as the noise cancelling function works even when they are not on your head.

Despite their reputation as comfortable headphones however, the QC45s don't provide the best sound quality at this price. The frequencies are relatively flat and lack details that higher-end headphones may be able to bring out. The upper registers tend to be boosted which is great for most music, but could become a problem for more delicate or intricate music genres. The bass is decent, but lacks power.

One feature that's missing is the ability to pause playback when you take the headset off. This is a feature Bose's competitors have offered for many years. Another thing that was missing was the lack of an in-app EQ. Bose has preset EQs in the app, but it would be nice if there was a manual control.

You can connect to your tablet or smartphone via Bluetooth 5.0 with multipoint support and more advanced codecs like aptX Adaptive. Download the Bose Audio App to adjust your headset's sound and voice settings.

The QC45s have four microphones built-in to pick up your voice while on the phone. The quality of calls is generally good but the headphones don't come with the handy capability to muffle your voice while playing back which is a feature that other wireless headphones do. Update as of February 2022, the firmware update to the QC45s provided 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 that let listeners know that they're listening something special. The Bathys are their first wireless noise cancelling headphones. They look and sound stunning. They also have an inbuilt high-performance USB DAC which means you can use them for wired and wireless listening.

The Bathys come with a great battery performance, with Focal claiming 30 hours of continuous Bluetooth playtime. We were able to get more than 40 hours of playback time on average on a single charge. If you have to charge the headphones then the indicator light on the right earcup will go red.

They have a decent amount of features for headphones of this price point that include support for multiple devices at the same time and automatic pairing (though you'll have to select your source device each time you need to listen). They have a built-in microphone that can be used to control 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.

Bathys over-ear headphones are able to perform in our noise cancellation test, reducing ambient noise by 9 decibels on average. It's not as impressive as the ANC in the Sony WH-1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless, however it's still fairly effective.

In our tests of headphone sound quality, the Bathys performed well overall with a frequency response that mostly corresponds to the SoundGuys preference curve, with only slight differences in the bass and mids. They have a bass-rich sound pattern which adds plenty of boom to mixes however, they can make vocals and instruments like cymbals sound dull.

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

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless are a new update to the company's flagship Bluetooth headphones. The previous model, called the Momentum 3, was a solid but unspectacular entry in the class. The new pair is an improvement on the previous model, sporting a an elegant design, enhanced gesture control and an enormous battery life.

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 are flat and do not fold however they come with a sturdy hardshell case to protect them while on the go. The Momentum 4s are also compatible with all devices, just like other Bluetooth headphones of recent times, like the ones from Bowers & Wilkins and Sony. They work with both Apple iPhones as well as Android phones, but lack the AirPods additional features such as Find My Support and head-tracked spatial audio.

The most obvious improvement here is the massive battery, which claims up to 60 hours of playback with the noise cancellation option enabled. This is more than what the majority of the competitors offer and is enough for a trip of a lifetime without having to worry about finding a power outlet to charge them.

Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget, gave the headphones an 82 percent score. He cited their audio quality and ANC features as their strengths. His only complaint is that they lack a sense of gravitas in the mids and treble, meaning that orchestral tracks tend to sound flat instead of grand. The bass is smooth and well-rounded but it can be overemphasised, which can lead to fatigue in songs with heavy bass lines, like the drums 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 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 during longer listening sessions. They can move around on your head with intense head movements. This could cause them to wake up at random times, which can be distracting when listening to music or making calls. They stop automatically after 15 minutes, and can be switched off manually using the power button.