Best Over-Ear Headphones

In contrast to earbuds, headphones over-ear cover your ears completely and allow larger drivers to provide greater bass and larger soundstages. A majority of them feature Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.

The Master & Dynamic MMW65 has been upgraded with improved 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're lighter, feel better 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 improved their active noise cancellation, eliminating the background noise and have a longer battery life.

These headphones utilize Bluetooth 5.0 and support SBC, AAC, and Sony's own LDAC codec. This codec can transfer high-resolution audio however, you'll need compatible equipment and a streaming service. The WH-1000XM4s can also allow you to connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and automatically switch between the two when required. This feature is enabled through the Sony Headphones Connect App and works flawlessly.

One of the major improvements over the XM3 is the sensibility of their touch panels. They respond faster to tapping on panels and are simpler to control when making a call or listening to media. Sony also included a feature that makes voice sound clearer and more precise during calls, which is noticeable and a nice addition.

While the WH1000XM4s aren't perfect, they're one of the top wireless headphones we've tested. They're comfortable and well-made. They also have an energy-efficient battery that can last for more than 30 continuous hours. They can also be used in a passive manner using an TRS cable which is great when you're on the road or need to save power.

The WH1000XM4s offer a better alternative to the Bowers & Wilkins Wireless Over-Ears Px7 S2. The Sonys are more comfy and their ANC is able to block out more ambient sounds. The B&Ws feature a more flexible EQ and an app companion to adjust the audio quality. However, the B&Ws have more robust design and they can connect with two Bluetooth devices at once. They also support aptXHD and feature an AI-driven engine which tries to scale compressed music up to high resolution. This is called DSEE Extreme and it does well in improving the clarity of music, particularly 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 travelers around the globe. The new model does not reinvent the wheel. It uses the same formula which made its predecessor so successful with the addition of the USB-C technology and improved noise cancellation.

These over-ear Bose headsets have a Premium Foldable Bluetooth Headphones with Mic - Type1 Black feeling and look, just like the QC 35 II headphones that preceded them. The headband, constructed of plastic, offers a firm feel thanks to the metal hinges at pivot points. It also features the familiar ratcheting mechanism when you extend or retract the ear cups. The cups are soft cushions that fit securely over the ears and don't apply pressure to your Blue Tooth Head Phones (Https://Www.Headphonesshop.Uk/Products/Wireless-Over-Ear-Headphones-With-Active-Noise-Cancelling). They weigh 238 grams and are compact when folded. You can wear them while wearing an overcoat or sweater since the noise cancelling function works even when they are not on your head.

Despite their reputation for comfort, blue Tooth head Phones the QC45s can't provide the best sound quality in this price range. The frequencies are comparatively flat and lack details that higher-end headphones may be able to bring out. The higher registers tend to be boosted, which is fine for most music, but could cause problems for more delicate or intricate genres of music. The bass is good but lacks the punch.

The possibility of pauseing the playback after removing the headset is a feature that is not available. This is a feature Bose's rivals have offered for several years. Another issue is the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose offers preset EQ settings in the app, but 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 the voice and sound settings.

The QC45s come with four microphones built into the headset to hear your voice when you make calls. The headsets have a good call quality, however they don't permit you to silence the voice when playing back like other wireless headphones. Update In February 2022, a firmware update to the QC45s provided manual EQ options in the audio app which is a welcome improvement.

3. Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal is a French audio brand known for its high-performance headphones that provide long-lasting comfort and a style that let listeners know they're listening to something unique. The Bathys are their first wireless noise-cancelling headphones. They look and sound stunning. They also come with an inbuilt high-performance USB DAC which means you can use them 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 just one charge. If you do require a recharge, there's a light on the right ear cup that will change to red when the headphone needs to be charged.

For headphones at this price, they come with many features. They support multiple devices simultaneously and offer automatic pairing. (You must select your source device by hand each time you listen.) They have a built-in microphone that supports voice assistants like Siri or Alexa. The headphones have an easy-to use interface that makes it simple to control music and make calls.

For over-ear wireless headphones, the Bathys perform very well in our tests of noise cancellation, reducing the ambient sound by about 9 decibels 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.

The Bathys headphones did well in our headphone sound tests. Their frequency response was generally 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.

Wear them wherever you want without worrying that others will listen to your music. Their mic has passable quality of recording via Bluetooth with only slight distortion in the mid to the treble range.

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 an outstanding entry in this category. The latest pair improves on the previous generation with a sleeker design, improved gesture controls and massive battery life.

The changes are subtle but can make for an over-ear set of headphones that feel like an upgrade. The Momentum 4s lie flat and don't fold however they come with a nice hardshell case to keep them safe on the go. They also follow the pattern of several other recent Bluetooth headphones, like the ones from Sony and Bowers & Wilkins, to be completely device-independent. They are compatible with Apple iPhones and Android phones, but lack the AirPods additional features such as Find My Support and head-tracked spatial audio.

The most significant change is the huge battery that can last for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation turned on. That's easily double what most of the competitors can provide and is enough for a long-distance 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 with a focus on their audio quality and ANC as two of their strengths. He only has one complaint that they lack of gravitas in the mids and the treble. This means that orchestral music sounds flat, not grand. The bass is well-rounded but it can sound overemphasized, which can cause fatigue in songs that have heavy bass lines, like the drum beats of As I Lay Dying’s Forever. The cymbals also sound sizzled rather than full and there's not a real sense of depth in the lows.

The Momentum 4s shouldn't cause pressure on your neck or ears. They can be a bit fidgety when you wear them around the home or during long listening sessions. They will move around on your head and make a lot of head movements. This can cause them to wake up at random and can cause distraction during calls or blue tooth Head phones music. They shut down automatically after 15 minutes, and can be switched off manually using the power button.