Best Over-Ear Headphones

In contrast to earbuds, headphones over-ear are a complete encapsulation of your ears and allow for larger drivers to deliver greater bass and larger soundstages. Many come with Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.

The Master & Dynamic MMW65 has been updated with superior audio and numerous ANC mode and an impressive battery life.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has upgraded an already great pair of headphones by introducing the WH1000XM4 wireless. They're lighter, feel more built, feature an improved sound profile that is more balanced (though still bass-heavy), and include an app that allows for some audio adjustments. They've improved their active noise cancellation, eliminating more background noises, and have a longer battery life.

These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible and Sony LDAC is also compatible with. This codec can transmit high-resolution audio, however, you'll need compatible devices and a streaming service. In addition, the WH1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth devices at the same time and automatically switch between them when required. This feature is accessible through the Sony Headphones Connect App and is very effective.

One of the major improvements over the XM3 is the sensitivity of their touch panels. They respond faster to tapping on a panel and are easier to control when making a call or listening to music. Sony also added an option that makes voices sound more clear and precise during calls, which is noticeable and a nice touch.

The WH-1000XM4s may not be perfect, but they're among the top wireless bluetooth headphones headphones that we have ever examined. They're comfortable, feel well-made, and come with an excellent battery that lasts for more than 30 hours continuously. They can also be used in a passive manner using a TRS cable, which is ideal when you're on the road or need to conserve power.

The WH-1000XM4s make a better choice than the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 wireless in headphones over-ears. The Sonys are more comfortable and their ANC can block out more background noise. The B&Ws feature a more flexible EQ and an app companion to adjust the audio performance. The B&Ws are built better and can connect to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. Additionally, they support aptX HD, and they have an AI-driven engine which is attempting to boost 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 is a popular choice among commuters and passengers all over the world. The new model doesn't reinvent the wheel. It retains the same formula which was the basis of its predecessor's success, while adding the USB-C port and improved noise cancellation.

Like the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones sport a premium look and feel that exudes quality. The headband is made of plastic, and is sturdy and comfortable with metal hinges at the pivot points, iphone and the ratcheting mechanism that is familiar when you open or retract the earcups. The cups feature soft cushions that are securely positioned over your ears and do not apply pressure to your head. They weigh 238 grams and are compact when folded. You can wear them with a sweater or coat as the noise cancelling function works even when they're not on your head.

Despite their reputation as comfortable headphones however, the QC45s don't provide the best sound at this price. The frequencies are dull and lack the depth that headphones with higher prices might be able to bring out. The upper registers are boosted which is great for most music genres but can be problematic for more delicate and complex genres. The bass is decent but is lacking the punch.

The ability to pause the playback when removing the headset is a feature missing. This is standard in this price bracket and is something Bose's competitors have long offered. Another oversight was the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose offers preset EQ settings within the app, but it would be nice to have manual control.

bluetooth wireless headphone 5.0 is supported, including multipoint and more advanced codecs like aptX Adaptive. You can download the Bose Audio app to adjust your headset's sound and voice assistant settings.

The QC45s also come with four built-in microphones that listen to your voice during calls. The call quality is generally very good, but the headsets don't come with the handy ability to mute your voice during playback, iphone which is something other wireless headphones do. Update In February 2022, the firmware update to the QC45s offered 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 makes listeners feel like they're listening to something unique. The Bathys are their first wireless noise-cancelling headphones. They are stunning in appearance and sound. They come with a high-performance USB DAC built in, which means you can use them both for 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 need to recharge, there's a light on the right ear cup that turns red when the headphone needs to be charged.

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

For over-ear wireless headphones for over-ear wireless headphones with bluetooth headphones, the Bathys excel in our test of noise cancellation, reducing the ambient sound by about 9 decibels in average. It's not as effective as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 and Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless however it's still very effective.

In our tests of the quality of sound from headphones in our tests of headphone sound quality, the Bathys did well overall, with a a frequency response that mostly corresponds to the SoundGuys preference curve, with only slight differences in the mids and bass. They have a bass-rich sound profile which adds plenty of boom to the mix, however, they can make vocals and instruments such as cymbals sound veiled.

You can wear them wherever without fearing that other people will listen to your music. Their mic is passable for recording using Bluetooth with only a slight distortion between the mid-treble and treble.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless is a new version of the company's flagship Bluetooth headsets. The Momentum 3 was a solid, but not spectacular entry in this class. The new model improves on the previous generation with modern design, better gesture controls, and an enormous battery life.

A lot of the improvements here are subtle, but they create a pair of over-ears that appear to be an upgrade from the old one. The Momentum 4s lay flat and don't fold, but they do come with a sturdy hardshell case that protects them while on the go. The Momentum 4s are also compatible with all devices, just like other Bluetooth headphones of recent years, including those from Bowers & Wilkins and Sony. This means they work well with both Android phones and Apple iPhones, however they don't have the extra features (like Find My support and head-tracked Spatial Audio) that you'll find on the AirPods.

The most notable difference is the massive battery that can run for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation turned on. This is more than what the majority of the competitors can provide and enough for a multi-day trip without having to worry about finding a power outlet to charge it.

Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget, gave the headphones an 82 percent score. He noted their sound quality and ANC features as the top strengths. He only has one complaint that they lack of gravitas in the mids and treble. This means that orchestral tracks sound flat instead of grand. The bass is well-rounded, but it's easy to over-emphasize and cause fatigue in songs that have heavy bass lines, like the drums in As I Lay Dying's Forever. The cymbals sound bubbly, but not full. There's no real depth to the lows.

The Momentum 4s are a comfortable fit and shouldn't put too much pressure on your ears or neck. However, they can be a bit difficult to wear in the house or during longer listening sessions, and can move around on your head, causing intense head movements. This could cause them to wake up unexpectedly, which can be distracting when listening to music or making calls. They stop automatically after 15 minutes and can be shut off manually using the power button.