Best Over-Ear Headphones

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

The Master & Dynamic MW65 has been upgraded with improved audio and multiple ANC modes and a huge battery life.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has improved an already fantastic pair of headphones by introducing the WH1000XM4 wireless. They are lighter, better built and have a more balanced audio profile (though bass heavy). They also come with an app for audio customization. Their active noise cancelling works better than ever before, eliminating more ambient sound, and they have a longer battery life than other models.

These headphones use Bluetooth 5.0, with support for SBC, AAC, and Sony's own LDAC codec. The latter is able to transfer high-resolution audio, however you'll need compatible devices and streaming services. The WH-1000XM4s can also allow you to connect two Bluetooth devices at the same time and automatically switch between them when required. You enable this feature through the Sony Headphones Connect app and it works flawlessly.

A subtle improvement over the XM3 is the sensitivity of their touch panels. They respond faster to a tap on the panel and are much easier to manage when making a phone call or listening to music. Sony also included an option that makes voices sound more clear and precise during calls, which is noticeable and a nice addition.

The WH-1000XM4s aren't perfect, but they're among the best wireless headphones that we have ever test. They're comfortable, feel well-made, and come with an impressive battery that lasts for longer than 30 hours continuously. They can be used passively using the TRS cable. This is great for traveling or conserving power.

The WH-1000XM4s make 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 noise. They also have a companion app that lets you tweak their audio performance, and their EQ settings are more flexible than B&W's. The B&Ws are built better, and can pair with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. They also support aptXHD and have an AI-driven engine that attempts to increase the size of compressed music to high-resolution. This is called DSEE Extreme and it does an excellent job of improving the clarity of music, particularly when listening to lossless music.

2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless

The $329 Bose QuietComfort 45 noise-canceling headphones are the most recent version of a headphone that became a standard for commuters as well as passengers around the world. The new model doesn't reinvent the wheel. It is based on the same formula that has made its predecessor so successful, while adding the USB-C port 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 is made from plastic, and has a sturdy feel with metal hinges at the 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 comfortably over the ears and don't put pressure to your head. When folded, they weigh 238 grams. You can use them with an overcoat or sweater since the noise cancelling function works even when they're not on your head.

Despite their reputation as comfortable headphones they do not provide the best sound quality at this price point. The frequencies are dull and lack the detail that higher-end headphones might be able bring out. The upper registers tend to be amplified which is great for most music, but could cause problems 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 standard feature in this price bracket and is something that Bose's competitors have been offering for years. Another issue is the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose offers preset EQ settings within the app however it would be nice to have manual control.

You can connect to your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth 5.0 with multipoint support and more advanced codecs like 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 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 muffle the sound during playback as other wireless headphones. Update: As of February 2022, the firmware update to the QC45s gave you an option to adjust the volume manually in the audio app which is a welcomed improvement.

3. Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal is a French audio brand that is known for high-performance headphones that provide long-lasting comfort and a style that makes listeners feel like they're listening to something truly special. The Bathys are their first wireless noise cancelling headphones. They look and sound stunning. They come with a top-quality USB DAC built in, so you can use them both for wired and wireless listening.

Focal claims that the Bathys can play Bluetooth music for 30 hours. We actually got more and got over 40 hours of playtime on average of a single charge. If you do require a recharge, there's a light on the right ear cup that will turn red when the headphone has to be charged.

They come with a wide range of features for headphones of this price with support for multiple devices simultaneously and automatic pairing (though you'll need to select the source device each time you want to listen). The headphones come with a built in microphone that works with voice assistants like Siri or Alexa. The headphones also feature an easy-to-use interface, making it easy to manage your music and make calls.

For wireless headphones that are over-ear, the Bathys perform very well in our test of noise cancellation, which reduces the background sound by around 9 decibels on average. This isn't as impressive as the ANC in the Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless, however it's still quite effective.

In our tests of headphone sound quality in our tests of headphone sound quality, the Bathys performed well overall with a frequency response that mostly matches the SoundGuys headphone preference curve, with just minor differences in the bass and mids. The Bathys have a booming sound profile that can make instruments, vocals and cymbals seem obscure.

Wear them wherever you want without fearing that other people will hear your music. The microphone is able to be used for recording using Bluetooth with just a little distortion between the mid-treble as well as the treble.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless are a new update to the company's flagship Bluetooth headphones. The last pair, the Momentum 3, was a solid but unspectacular entry in the category. The new pair is an improvement on the previous model, featuring more sleek design, better gesture control and an enormous battery life.

A lot of the improvements aren't that obvious, Headphone but they make 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 that protects them on the go. The Momentum 4s are device-agnostic, like many other Bluetooth bt headphones from recent times, like the ones from Bowers & Wilkins and Sony. This means they can work with both Android phones and Apple iPhones, however they do not have the additional features (like Find My support and head-tracked spatial audio) that are available on the AirPods.

The most notable change is the huge battery that can last for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation on. This is nearly double the amount of the competition and enough to go on a long-distance trip without having to search for an outlet.

Engadget senior editor Billy Steele gave the headphones an 82 score with a focus on their audio quality and ANC as particular strengths. The only issue he has is they lack of gravitas in the mids and the treble. This means that orchestral music sounds flat, not grand. The bass is well-rounded, however, it can be overemphasized and can cause fatigue in songs with heavy bass lines like the drum hits in As I Lay Dying's Forever. The cymbals sound a bit hot, but not a lot. There's also no real depth to the lows.

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