Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds encapsulate your ears completely and allow larger drivers to deliver more bass and a wider soundstage. Many include Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.

The latest Master & Dynamic MW65 update offers superior audio, multiple ANC modes, and an impressive battery life in an elegant and distinct design.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has made improvements to an already-great pair of headphones with the WH-1000XM4 wireless blutooth headphones. They are less heavy, more durable and have an audio profile that is more balanced (though bass-heavy). They also have an app that lets you customize the audio. They have improved their active noise cancellation, which eliminates more background noises, and have a longer battery life.

These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible and Sony LDAC is also supported. The latter can transfer high-resolution audio, however, you'll need compatible equipment and streaming service. Additionally, the WH-1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth devices at the same time and switch between them if needed. 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 quicker to the touch of the panel and are much easier to manage when making a phone call or listening to music. Sony has also added a feature to make voice calls more clear and precise during calls. This is a distinct and pleasant addition.

The WH-1000XM4s might not be perfect, but they're among the top wireless headphones that we have ever test. They're comfortable and well-made. They also have an energy-efficient battery that can last for more than 30 continuous hours. They can be used in a passive manner with the TRS cable. This is perfect for travel or preserving energy.

The WH1000XM4s provide a superior alternative to the Bowers & Wilkins Wireless Over-Ears Px7 S2. The Sonys are more comfortable, and their ANC can block out more ambient noise. The B&Ws come with a more flexible EQ and an app companion to adjust the audio quality. The B&Ws are better built and can be paired with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. They also support aptX HD and have an AI-driven engine which 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 QuietComfort 45 noise-canceling headphones are the most recent version of a headset 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, but adds 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, just like the QC 35 II headphones that were before them. The headband is made of plastic, and is a solid feel, with hinges made of metal at the pivot points, and the familiar ratcheting action when you open or retract the earcups. The cups are cushioned and feature soft pads that can be worn over your ears without pressing your head. When folded, they weigh 238 grams. You can wear them when you're wearing a sweater or coat as the noise cancelling function works even when you aren't on your head.

Despite their reputation as comfortable headphones they do not offer the best sound at this price point. The frequencies are dull and lack the detail that higher-end headphones might be able to bring out. The upper registers are boosted which is great for the majority of music but can be a problem for more delicate and complex genres. The bass is decent, but is lacking power.

One thing that's not included is the ability to pause playback whenever you take the headset off. This is a feature that Bose's competitors have offered for several 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 to have a manual control.

bluetooth stereo headphones 5.0 is supported, with multipoint as well as more advanced codecs such as aptX Adaptive. Download the Bose Audio App to adjust your headsets voice and sound settings.

The QC45s have four microphones inbuilt to hear your voice when on the phone. The quality of calls is generally good, but the headsets do not have the ability to mute your voice during playback which is something that other wireless headphones have. Update as of February 2022, a firmware upgrade to the QC45s gave you manual EQ options in the audio app which is a welcome improvement.

3. Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal is a French audio company that makes high-performance headphones. They are well-known for their style and comfort that let listeners know that they're hearing something unique. The Bathys are their first wireless noise cancelling headphones. They are stunning in appearance and sound. They also have an inbuilt high-performance USB DAC which means you can use them for wireless and Headphones blutooth wired listening.

The Bathys have a very good battery life, with Focal promising 30 hours of continuous Bluetooth playtime. We actually got more out of them and got over 40 hours on average of a single charge. If you have to charge your headphones, the indicator light on the right earcup will turn red.

They have a decent amount of features for headphones of this price point, including support for multiple devices at the same time and automatic pairing (though you'll have to manually select your source device each time you would like to listen). The headphones come with a built in microphone that can be used with voice assistants such as Siri or headphones blutooth Alexa. The headphones come with an easy-to use interface that makes it easy to control music and make calls.

For headphones with over-ear connectivity, the Bathys perform very well in our tests of noise cancellation. They cut down the sound of the surrounding environment by about 9 decibels per hour on average. They aren't as good as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 and Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless but it's still effective.

In our tests of headphone sound quality The Bathys did well overall, with a a frequency response that mostly matches the SoundGuys headphone preference curve with only slight differences in the bass and mids. They have a deep, bass-filled sound profile that adds plenty of boom to mixes but can sometimes make vocals and instruments like cymbals sound dull.

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

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless are a new version of the company's flagship Bluetooth headphones. The previous model, called the Momentum 3, was a decent, but not the most impressive entry into the category. The latest pair is a step up from the previous model, sporting a a sleeker look, improved gesture control, and a huge battery life.

Many of 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 do not fold. They come with an outer case that protects them while on the move. The Momentum 4s are device-agnostic, like many other Bluetooth headphones from recent years, including those 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 you'll find on the AirPods.

The most notable improvement is the battery that can play 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 trip of a lifetime without worrying about finding a power outlet to charge them up.

Engadget senior editor Billy Steele gave the Headphones Blutooth an 82 score, citing their audio quality and ANC as their main strengths. His only complaint is that they lack a sense gravitas in the mids as well as the treble. This means that orchestral tracks tend to sound flat rather than grand. The bass is well-rounded, but it's easy to over-emphasize and cause fatigue in songs with heavy bass lines such as the drums that are pounding in As I Lay Dying's Forever. The cymbals sound smoky rather than full and there's not a real feeling of depth in the lows.

The Momentum 4s are not designed to cause pressure on your neck or ears. However, they can be difficult to wear in the house or during longer listening sessions. They will move about on your head with intense head movements. This could cause them to unexpectedly wake up and can cause distraction when you are listening to music or calls. They shut down automatically after 15 minutes and can be switched off manually by pressing the power button.