Best Over-Ear Headphones

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

The most recent Master & Dynamic MW65 update offers excellent audio, a variety of ANC modes and impressive battery life, all in a sleek and distinctive design.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has redesigned an already-great pair of headphones with the WH-1000XM4 Wireless. They are less heavy, more durable, and have a more balanced audio profile (though bass-heavy). They also come with an app that lets you customize the audio. 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. The latter 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 them as needed. This feature can be enabled through the Sony Headphones Connect app and it works flawlessly.

The touch panels are more sensitive than the XM3. They respond more quickly to a tap on a panel, and this makes them easier to control during a call or to listen to media. Sony has added a feature to make voice calls more precise and clear during calls. This is an obvious and pleasant addition.

The WH-1000XM4s may not be perfect, but they're among the top wireless headphones that we have ever examined. They are comfortable, well-made, and have an energy-efficient battery that can last for more than 30 continuous hours. They can also be used in a passive manner using the TRS cable which is great if you're traveling or need to save 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 background noise. The B&Ws have an EQ that is more flexible, as well as an app companion to adjust the audio performance. However, the B&Ws come with an improved design, and they're able to pair with two Bluetooth devices at once. They also support aptXHD, and they have an AI-driven engine that tries to scale compressed music up to high resolution. This is referred to as 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 blutooth headphones

The $329 Bose QuietComfort 45 noise-canceling headphones are the most recent version of a headphone that became an essential for commuters and travelers from all over the world. Rather than reinventing the wheel, the new model retains the same formula that made its predecessor so popular, adding USB-C, better noise cancellation and longer battery life.

Like the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones have an elegant design and feel that exudes quality. The headband is made from plastic, yet it has a sturdy feel with metal hinges at pivot points and the familiar ratcheting action that you experience when you retract or extend the ear cups. The cups feature soft cushioned pads that fit securely over the ears and do not apply pressure on your head. They weigh 238 grams and are compact when folded. You can use them while wearing an overcoat or sweater since the noise cancellation function is functional even when they're not on your head.

Despite their reputation for comfort, the QC45s do not offer the most impressive sound quality for this price range. The frequencies are comparatively flat and lack details that more expensive headphones might be able to bring out. The upper registers are boosted which is acceptable for most music genres but can be a problem for more delicate and intricate genres. The bass is decent, but is lacking punch.

The possibility of pauseing the playback when removing the headset is a feature that's missing. This is a feature Bose's rivals have provided for many years. Another omission was the lack of an in-app EQ. Bose has preset EQs available in the app but it would be nice if there was 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 audio and voice assistant settings.

The QC45s also come with four in-built microphones to listen to your voice during calls. The call quality is generally very good however, the headphones don't have the nifty capability to turn off your voice during playback, which is something other wireless headphones do. Update: A firmware upgrade for the QC45s 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 brand known for its high-performance headphones with long lasting comfort and a design that makes listeners feel like they're listening to something special. The Bathys are their first wireless noise cancelling headphones. They look and sound stunning. They also have 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 30 hours. We got more than 40 hours of playback on average on a single charge. If you require a recharge, there's an indicator light on the right earcup that turns red when the headphone has to be charged.

They offer a good amount of features for Cordless Headphones a pair of headphones of this price that include support for multiple devices at once and automatic pairing (though you'll need to select the source device every time you need to listen). They come with a built-in microphone that can be used to control voice assistants such as Siri or Alexa. The headphones also feature an intuitive interface that makes it easy to control your music and take calls.

Bathys over-ear headphones are able to perform in our noise cancellation test, reducing ambient noise by 9 decibels on average. They aren't as good as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 or 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 SoundGuys headphone curve with minor variations in the mids and bass. The Bathys are bassy sound that can make vocals, instruments and cymbals appear obscure.

You can wear them anywhere without worrying that others will listen to your music. The microphone is able to be used 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 is a new version of the company's top Bluetooth headsets. The previous model, called the Momentum 3, was a solid but unspectacular entry into the category. The latest pair improves on the previous model by having a sleeker design, improved gesture controls, and a huge battery life.

The improvements aren't that obvious, but they make a pair that seem like a step up from the old one. The Momentum 4s are flat and don't fold. They come with a hardshell case to protect them while on the move. The Momentum 4s are device-agnostic, like many other Bluetooth headphones of recent years, including the ones from Bowers & Wilkins and Sony. This means they can 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 AirPods.

The most obvious difference here is the massive battery, which promises up to 60 hours of playback with the noise cancellation feature enabled. That's easily double what most of the competition can offer and enough for a multi-day trip without worrying about finding a power outlet to charge them.

Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget, gave the Cordless Headphones an 82-point score. He noted their sound quality and ANC features as strengths. The only issue he has is that they lack a sense gravitas in the mids and treble, meaning that orchestral tracks tend to sound flat instead of grand. The bass is well-rounded, but it's easy to over-emphasize and can cause fatigue in songs with strong bass lines such as 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. They can be fidgety if you wear them at home or for long listening sessions. They can move on your head and make intense head movements. This could cause them to wake up in a sudden manner, which could be distracting when listening to music or making calls. Fortunately, they stop working after 15 minutes of sleep by default and can be switched off by pressing the power button.