Best Over-Ear Headphones

Unlike earbuds, over-ear headphones cover your ears completely and allow for bigger drivers to produce more bass and a wider soundstage. They also have active noise cancellation and Bluetooth technology.

The Master & Dynamic MW65 has been updated with better audio and features, including numerous ANC mode and an impressive battery life.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has made improvements to an already great pair of headphones with the WH-1000XM4 Wireless. They are less heavy, more durable and have a more balanced audio profile (though bass-heavy). They also include an app to adjust the sound. Their active noise cancelling works better than it did before, eliminating any background noise. Additionally, they have a longer battery life than many competitors.

These headphones are bluetooth headphones uk 5.0 compatible, and Sony LDAC is also supported. These headphones can transfer high-resolution audio, but you'll need compatible devices and streaming service. The WH-1000XM4s is also able to connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and automatically switch between them when required. This feature is enabled through the Sony Headphones Connect App and works well.

The touch panels are more sensitive than the XM3. They respond quicker to tapping on the panel and are much easier to control when making a call or listening to media. Sony has also added a feature to make voices clearer and more precise during calls. This is an obvious and nice touch.

While the WH-1000XM4s aren't perfect, they're some of the top wireless headphones we've ever tested. They are comfortable and well-constructed, and come with a an energy-efficient battery that can last for more than 30 continuous hours. They can be used passively using the TRS cable. This is ideal to travel with or for storing energy.

The WH1000XM4s are 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 have a companion app that lets you tweak their audio performance, and their EQ settings are more flexible than the B&W's. However, the B&Ws come with more robust design and they're able to connect with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. They also support aptX HD, and they have a unique AI-driven engine that attempts to boost compressed music to high-resolution. This is referred to as DSEE Extreme and it does a good job of improving the clarity of music, especially when listening to lossless files.

2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless

The $329 Bose QuietComfort 45 noise-canceling headphones are the latest iteration of a headset that has become a standard for commuters as well as travelers around the globe. Rather than reinventing the wheel, the new model retains the same formula that made its predecessor so popular, and adds USB-C, better noise cancellation and a longer battery lifespan.

Like the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones sport an elegant design and feel that exudes quality. The headband is constructed of plastic, but is sturdy and comfortable with metal hinges at the pivot points and the ratcheting mechanism that is familiar when you extend or retract the ear cups. The cups are cushioned, and have soft pads that are comfortable to wear over your ears without putting pressure on your head. They weigh 238 grams and are fairly compact when folded. They can be worn with a sweater or coat since they can be worn even when they are not on the head.

Despite their reputation as comfortable headphones, the QC45s do not provide the best sound at this price. The frequencies are relatively flat and lack the depth that more expensive headphones might be capable of bringing out. The higher registers tend to be boosted and is suitable for most music, but could cause problems for more delicate or intricate genres of music. The bass is good, but it lacks the punch.

The possibility of pauseing the playback after removing the headset is a feature absent. This is a feature that Bose's rivals have offered for several years. Another omission is the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose has preset EQs available in the app, but it would be nice to have a manual control.

You can connect to your tablet or smartphone via Bluetooth 5.0 with support for multipoint and the more advanced codecs such as aptX Adaptive. Download the Bose Audio App to adjust the sound and voice settings.

The QC45s have four microphones inbuilt to hear your voice when you are on the phone. The call quality is generally excellent however, the headphones don't come with the handy capability to muffle your voice while playing back which is something other wireless headphones have. Update: A firmware upgrade for the QC45s came out in February 2022 included manual EQ options to the audio app. This is a welcome upgrade.

3. Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal is a French audio brand known for its high-performance headphones that provide long-lasting comfort and a design that makes listeners feel like they're listening to something unique. Their first venture into wireless headphones that cancel out noise the Bathys are stunning headphones that sound and look amazing. They come with a top-quality 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 had more than 40 hours of playback on average from just one charge. If you are required to charge the headphones, the indicator light on the right earcup will turn red.

For a pair of headphones at this price, they offer a lot of features. They support multiple devices simultaneously and offer automatic pairing. (You must select your device source 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 feature an easy to navigate interface that makes it simple to control music and make calls.

Bathys over-ear headphones perform well in our noise cancellation test, reducing ambient sound by 9 decibels on average. It's not as effective as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless however it is still effective.

The Bathys headphones performed well in our headphone sound tests. Their frequency response was generally similar to the SoundGuys bt headphone curve with minor differences on the bass and mids. The Bathys have a bassy sound that can make instruments, vocals and cymbals look a bit unreal.

You can wear them anywhere without worrying that others will listen to your music. The microphone has a decent recording quality via Bluetooth with just a little distortion in the mid - to treble range.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless is a new version of the company's most popular Bluetooth Headphone Wireless headsets. The previous model, called the Momentum 3, was a solid but unspectacular entry into the category. The new model is a step up from the previous model, featuring a sleeker look, improved gesture control and an enormous battery life.

A lot of the improvements here are subtle, but they make a pair of over-ears that seem like a step up from the previous model. The Momentum 4s are flat and do not fold. They come with a hardshell case that protects them while on the move. They also follow the trend of several other recent Bluetooth headphones, like the ones from Sony and Bowers & Wilkins, to be completely device-independent. This means they work well with both Android phones and Bluetooth Headphone Wireless Apple iPhones, however they do not come with the extra features (like Find My support and head-tracked spatial audio) that you'll find on AirPods.

The most significant improvement is the battery that can play for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation on. This is more than what the majority of the competition can offer and enough for a long-distance trip without having to worry about finding an outlet to charge it.

Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget, gave the headphones an 82 percent score. He cited their audio quality and ANC features as their strengths. The only issue he has is that they lack a sense of weight in the mids and treble, meaning that orchestral music tends to sound flat, not grand. The bass is well rounded but it can sound too loud, which can cause to fatigue when songs have heavy bass lines, like the drum hits in As I Lay Dying’s Forever. The cymbals sound bubbly, but not full. There's also no real depth to the lows.

The Momentum 4s are a comfortable fit 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. They can move around on your head with intense head movements. This could cause them to wake up unexpectedly, which can be distracting while listening to music or making calls. Fortunately, they will shut down after 15 minutes of sleep by default, and can be manually switched off by pressing the power button.