Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds are a complete encapsulation of your ears and allow for larger drivers to produce deeper bass and wider soundstages. Many come with Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.

The Master & Dynamic MW65 has been updated with superior audio and features, including multiple ANC modes and a huge battery life.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has improved on an already excellent pair of headphones with the WH-1000XM4 Wireless. They're lighter, feel better built, feature an improved sound profile that is more balanced (though still bass-heavy) and include an app that allows for some audio-related customization. Their active noise cancellation works better than it did before, removing any background noise. Additionally, they have a longer continuous battery life than many competitors.

These headphones use Bluetooth 5.0, with support for SBC, AAC, and Sony's own LDAC codec. The latter can transfer high-resolution music, but you'll need compatible devices and streaming services. The WH-1000XM4s also allows you to connect two Bluetooth devices at the same time and automatically switch between the two when required. This feature can be enabled through the Sony Headphones Connect app and it works very well.

The touch panels are more sensitive than the XM3. They respond more quickly to a tap on the panel, which makes them easier to control during a phone call or listen to media. Sony has also added a feature to make voices more clear and precise during calls. This is a distinct and nice touch.

While the WH-1000XM4s aren't perfect, they are some of the top wireless headphones we've ever tried. They're comfortable, feel good to the touch, and have an impressive battery that can last longer than 30 hours continuously. They can also be used passively with the TRS cable, which is ideal 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 comfortable and their ANC can block out more ambient noise. They also come with a companion application that lets you adjust their audio performance and EQ settings are more flexible than the B&W's. But the B&Ws have an improved design, and they can connect 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 a good job of improving the clarity of music, particularly when listening to lossless music.

2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless

The $329 Bose QuietComfort45 Noise-Canceling headset is the most recent version of a headset which is a popular choice among commuters and passengers all over the world. Instead of reinventing the wheel the new model follows the same formula that made the predecessor so popular, and adds USB-C, better noise cancellation and longer battery life.

These over-ear Bose headsets have a premium feel and appearance, similar to the QC 35 II blue tooth headphones that preceded them. The headband, for Sleeping constructed of plastic, has an incredibly solid feel due to the hinges made of steel at pivot points. It also features the familiar ratcheting mechanism whenever you expand or retract the ear cups. The cups are cushioned, and have soft pads that fit over your ears without putting pressure on your head. When folded, they weigh 238 grams. They can be paired with a sweater or coat as they work even when they are not on the head.

Despite their reputation for comfort, the QC45s do not offer the best sound in this price range. The frequencies are flat and lack the detail that higher-end headphones might be able to bring out. The higher registers tend to be more boosted and is suitable for most music, but could be a problem for delicate or intricate music genres. The bass is good but it lacks punch.

One feature that's missing is the possibility of paused playback when you remove the headset. This is a standard in this price range and something Bose's competitors have been offering for sleeping years. Another oversight is the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose has preset EQs 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. Download the Bose Audio App to adjust your headset's audio and voice settings.

The QC45s come with four built-in microphones that hear your voice when you make calls. The headphones have 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 upgrade to the QC45s provided an option to adjust the volume manually in the audio app, which is a welcome improvement.

3. Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal is a French audio brand that produces high-performance headphones. They are renowned for their comfort and style which tell listeners that they're listening something special. Their first foray into wireless headphones that cancel out noise The Bathys, are stunning headphones that sound and look fantastic. They come with a high-performance USB DAC built in, which means you can use them both for wired and wireless listening.

Focal claims that the Bathys can play Bluetooth music for up to 30 hours. We had more than 40 hours of playback time on average from just one charge. If you need to charge the headphones, the indicator light on the right earcup will change red.

For a pair of headphones at this price, they have lots of features. They can be used with multiple devices at once and feature automatic pairing. (You have to select your source device manually every time you listen.) The headphones come with built-in microphones that works with voice assistants like Siri or Alexa. The headphones come with an easy-to use interface that makes it easy to control music and make calls.

Bathys over-ear headphones do well in our noise cancellation test, reducing ambient noise by 9 decibels on average. This isn't as impressive a result as the ANC in the Sony WH-1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless, but it's still quite effective.

The Bathys headphones did well in our headphone sound tests. Their frequency response was mostly similar to the headphone curve of SoundGuys with minor variations in the mids and bass. The Bathys have a booming sound profile that can make vocals, instruments and cymbals seem obscure.

They also have excellent leakage resistance, meaning you can wear them out in public without worrying about people listening to your music. Their microphone is suitable for recording via Bluetooth, with only slight distortion between the mid-treble and 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 class. The new pair is an improvement on the previous model, featuring a sleeker look, improved gesture control, and a huge battery life.

Many of the improvements here are subtle, but they add up to make a pair that seem like a step up from the previous model. The Momentum 4s are flat and do not fold. They come with an outer case that protects them when moving. The Momentum 4s are compatible with all devices, just like other Bluetooth headphones of recent years, such as those from Bowers & Wilkins and Sony. They can be used with Apple iPhones as well as Android phones, but do not have the AirPods additional features such as Find My Support and head-tracked spatial audio.

The most notable difference is the massive battery that can last for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation turned on. This is nearly twice the amount of the competition and enough to take a multi-day journey without worrying about finding an outlet.

Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget The headphones were rated by Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget an 82 percent score. He cited their audio quality and ANC features as their strengths. He has only one complaint: they lack a sense of gravitas in the mids and treble. This makes orchestral tracks sound dull 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 drum hits 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 not designed to cause pressure on your neck or ear. However, For sleeping they can be a bit difficult to wear around the house or for longer listening sessions, and can move around on your head with intense head movements. This could cause them to wake up in a sudden manner, which could be distracting while listening to music or making calls. Fortunately they will shut down after 15 minutes of rest by default and can be turned off manually off by pressing the power button.