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Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds, can completely surround the ears. They also have larger drivers, which deliver greater bass and a bigger soundstage. A majority of them feature Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.

The most recent Master & Dynamic MW65 update offers superior audio, multiple ANC modes, and a long battery life, all in a sleek and distinctive design.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has made improvements to an already-great pair of headphones with the WH-1000XM4 Wireless. They're less heavy, feel better built, have an improved sound profile that is more balanced (though still bass-heavy), and include an app that lets you do some audio adjustments. Their active noise cancellation works better than ever before, eliminating more ambient sound, and they have a longer battery life than many competitors.

These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible, and Sony LDAC is also compatible with. This codec can transfer high-resolution audio, but you'll need compatible devices and a streaming service. In addition, the WH1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth devices at the same time and switch between them as needed. This feature is enabled through the Sony Headphones Connect App and works flawlessly.

One subtle improvement over the XM3 is the sensitivity of their touch panels. 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 also added a feature that helps voices sound clearer and more precise when calling, which is noticeable and a nice touch.

Although the WH-1000XM4s may not be perfect, they are some of the most comfortable wireless headphones we've ever tested. They're comfortable, feel good to the touch, and have an excellent battery that lasts for longer than 30 hours continuously. They can also be used in a passive manner using the TRS cable, which is ideal for those who travel or want to save power.

The WH-1000XM4s are a better choice over the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 Wireless over-ears. The Sonys are more comfy and their ANC can block out more ambient sounds. They also have an app that lets you alter their audio performance, and their EQ settings are more flexible than the B&W's. However, the b uetooth headphones&Ws have a better-built 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 attempts to increase the size of compressed music to high-resolution. This is known as 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 has become a standard for commuters as well as travelers around the globe. The new model doesn't reinvent the wheel. It uses the same formula which was the basis of its predecessor's success but it also includes the USB-C port and improved noise cancellation.

These over-ear Bose headsets have a premium feeling and look, just like the QC 35 II headphones that preceded them. The headband, made of plastic, offers an incredibly solid feel due to the metal hinges at pivot points. It also has the familiar ratcheting mechanism whenever you expand or retract the ear cups. The cups have soft cushioned pads that are securely positioned over your ears and don't apply pressure to your head. They weigh 238 grams and are fairly compact when folded. They can be paired with a sweater or coat as they work even when they are not on the head.

Despite their reputation as comfortable headphones however, the QC45s don't offer the best sound at this price point. The frequencies are flat and lack the detail that headphones with higher prices might be able to bring out. The upper registers tend to be more boosted, which is fine for most music genres but could be a problem for delicate or intricate music genres. The bass is decent but is lacking the punch.

One feature that's missing is the possibility of paused playback when you take off the headset. This is standard in this price bracket and is something that Bose's competitors have been offering for years. Another oversight was the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose has preset EQs available in the app, but it would be nice to have an option to control the EQ manually.

You can connect to your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth 5.0 with multipoint support and 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 come with four microphones built into the headset to pick up your voice during calls. The headphones have good call quality, however they don't allow you to silence the voice when playing back like other wireless headphones. Update as of February 2022, a firmware upgrade to the QC45s offered manual EQ options within the audio app which is a welcomed improvement.

3. Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal is a French audio company known for high-performance headphones with long lasting comfort and a design that makes listeners feel like they're listening to something truly special. Their first venture into wireless headphones that block noise, the Bathys are stunning headphones that look and sound great. They have a high-performance USB DAC built in, jbl 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 actually got more from them, with over 40 hours on average out of just one charge. If you do need to recharge, there's an indicator light on the right ear cup that will change to red when the earphone needs to be charged.

For a pair of headphones for this price, they offer many features. They support multiple devices simultaneously and offer automatic pairing. (You must select your source device each time you listen.) The headphones come with a built in microphone that can be used with voice assistants, such as Siri or Alexa. The headphones also have an easy-to-use interface, making it simple to manage your music and make calls.

Bathys over-ear headphones are able to perform 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 Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 wireless bluethooth headphone, but it's still fairly effective.

The Bathys headphones performed well in our headphone sound tests. Their frequency response was largely similar to the headphone curve of SoundGuys with minor differences on the bass and mids. They have a bass-rich sound pattern which adds plenty of boom to mixes, but can sometimes make instruments and vocals like cymbals sound dull.

Wear them wherever you want and not worry about whether others hear your music. Their mic has passable recording quality via bluetooth wireless headphones with only slight distortion in the mid to the treble range.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless is a new update of the company's top Bluetooth headsets. The previous model, the Momentum 3, was a solid but unspectacular entry in the class. The new model is an improvement on the previous model, sporting a more sleek design, better gesture control and an enormous battery life.

The improvements are subtle, but add up to an over-ear set of headphones that feel like an upgrade. The Momentum 4s are flat and do not fold however they do come with a sturdy hardshell case to protect them when on the move. The Momentum 4s are non-device-specific, similar to other Bluetooth headphones from recent years, such as those from Bowers & Wilkins and Sony. They are compatible 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 improvement is the battery that can play for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation on. That's easily double what most of the competition can offer and enough for a long-distance trip without having to worry about finding an outlet to charge them.

Engadget senior editor Billy Steele gave the headphones an 82-point score, citing their audio quality and ANC as their main strengths. He only has one complaint that they lack gravitas in the mids and the treble. This means that orchestral tracks sound dull instead of grand. The bass is well rounded, but can be overemphasized, which can cause to fatigue in songs with strong bass lines, such as the drum hits of As I Lay Dying’s Forever. The cymbals sound smoky rather than full and there's not a real feeling of depth in the bass.

The Momentum 4s are comfy and aren't likely to put too much pressure on your neck or ears. They can be fidgety if you wear them around the home or for long listening sessions. They will move around on your head and make a lot of head movements. This can cause them suddenly wake up, which can be distracting when you are listening to music or calls. Fortunately, they shut down after 15 minutes of rest by default, and can be turned off manually off using the power button.