Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds are able to completely encapsulate your 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 latest Master and Dynamic MW65 update provides superior audio, multiple ANC modes and impressive battery life in an elegant and distinct design.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has redesigned an already-great pair of headphones with the WH-1000XM4 Wireless. They are more lightweight, better constructed, and have an audio profile that is more balanced (though bass-heavy). They also include an app to adjust the sound. They've improved their active noise cancellation, which eliminates the background noise and extending the battery life.

These headphones utilize Bluetooth 5.0, with support for SBC, AAC, and Sony's own LDAC codec. This codec can transfer high-resolution audio however, you'll need compatible equipment and streaming services. In addition, the WH1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and automatically switch between them when required. This feature can be enabled via the Sony Headphones Connect App and works well.

A subtle improvement over the XM3 is the sensitivity of their touch panels. They respond faster to the tap of the panel, which makes them easier to control during a call or to listen to media. Sony has added a feature to make voice calls clearer and Iphone more precise during calls. This is a noticeable and pleasant addition.

The WH-1000XM4s might not be perfect, but they are among the best wireless headphones that we have ever tested. They are comfortable and well-constructed, and come with a a battery that can last for more than 30 continuous hours. They can be used as a passive device using the TRS cable. This is great for travel or preserving energy.

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 sound. They also come with a companion application that lets you adjust their audio performance and EQ settings are more flexible than B&W's. The B&Ws are better built and can connect to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. They also support aptX HD, and they have an AI-driven engine that is attempting 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 QuietComfort45 Noise-Canceling headset is the most recent version of a headset which has become a favorite among commuters and travelers all over the world. The new model doesn't reinvent the wheel. It is based on the same formula which made its predecessor iphone so successful with the addition of USB-C and better noise cancellation.

Similar to the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones have a premium look and feel that oozes quality. The headband, constructed of plastic, provides an incredibly solid feel due to the hinges made of metal at pivot points. It also features the familiar ratcheting mechanism when you expand or retract your ear cups. The cups feature soft, cushioned pads that fit securely over the ears and do not apply pressure to your head. When folded, they weigh 238 grams. You can use them with a sweater or coat as the noise cancelling function works even when they're not on your head.

Despite their reputation for comfort, the QC45s don't offer the most impressive sound quality for this price range. The frequencies are dull and lack the depth that headphones with higher prices might be able bring out. The upper registers are amplified which is fine for the majority of music but could be a problem for more delicate and intricate genres. The bass is good, but is lacking punch.

One feature that's missing is the ability to pause playback when you take off the headset. This is a standard in this price range and is something that Bose's rivals have long offered. Another oversight was the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose offers preset EQs within the app, but it would be nice if there was an option to control the EQ manually.

You can connect to your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth 5.0 with multipoint support as well as more advanced codecs like aptX Adaptive. You can download the Bose Audio app to adjust your headset's audio and voice assistant settings.

The QC45s also come with four in-built microphones to pick up your voice during calls. The call quality is generally very good however, the headphones do not have the capability to muffle your voice while playing back which is a feature that other wireless headphones wireless bluetooth price have. Update: A firmware upgrade for the QC45s came out in February 2022 included manual settings for EQ to the audio app. This is a very welcome change.

3. Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal is a French audio brand that is known for high-performance headphones with long lasting comfort and a style that lets listeners know they're listening to something truly special. Their first attempt at wireless noise cancelling headphones The Bathys, are a stunning set of headphones that sound and look fantastic. They also have a built-in high-performance USB DAC which means you can use them for wireless and wired listening.

Focal claims that the Bathys can play Bluetooth music for 30 hours. We actually got a bit more out of them and got over 40 hours on average of one charge. If you have to charge your headphones then the indicator light on the right earcup will turn red.

For headphones at this price, they have a lot of features. They can connect to multiple devices simultaneously and have automatic pairing. (You have to select the device you want to pair with by hand 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 easy to control music and make calls.

Bathys over-ear headphones perform well in our noise cancellation test, reducing ambient noise by 9 decibels on average. They aren't as good as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 and Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless however it's still effective.

The Bathys headphones performed well in our headphone tests. Their frequency response was mostly similar to the SoundGuys headphone curve with minor variations on the bass and mids. They have a deep, bass-filled sound profile which adds plenty of boom to mixes but can sometimes make vocals and instruments like cymbals seem a bit veiled.

They also have excellent leakage resistance, so you can wear them out in public without worrying about other people hearing your music. The microphone has a decent recording quality via Bluetooth with only a slight distortion in the mid - to treble range.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless is a new update of the company's most popular Bluetooth headsets. The Momentum 3 was a solid but not a great entry in this class. The new model is a step up from the previous model, featuring an elegant design, enhanced gesture control and a massive battery life.

A lot of the improvements here are subtle, but they add up to make a pair that appear to be an upgrade from the previous model. The Momentum 4s are flat and do not fold. They come with a hardshell case that protects them when traveling. They also follow the trend of many other recent Bluetooth headphones, like the ones from Sony and Bowers & Wilkins, to be beautifully device agnostic. This means they work well with both Android phones and Apple iPhones, but don't have the extra features (like Find My support and head-tracked Spatial Audio) that you'll find on AirPods.

The most obvious difference in this model is the huge battery that promises up to 60 hours of playback when the noise cancellation option activated. That's easily double what most of the competitors can provide and enough for a long-distance trip without worrying about finding an outlet to charge them.

Billy Steele, iphone senior editor at Engadget and Engadget, gave the headphones an 82 percent score. He cited their audio quality and ANC features as their strengths. He only has one complaint that they lack gravitas in mids and treble. This means that orchestral pieces sound flat, not grand. The bass is smooth and well-rounded but it's easy to over-emphasize and cause fatigue in songs with strong bass lines, like the drums in As I Lay Dying's Forever. The cymbals sound a bit sizzled, not full. There's also no real depth to the lows.

The Momentum 4s shouldn't place pressure on your neck or ear. They can be fidgety if you wear them around the home or for long listening sessions. They can move on your head and make intense head movements. This could cause them to wake up at random times, which can be distracting when listening to music or making calls. Fortunately, they shut down after 15 minutes of sleep by default, and can be manually switched off with the power button.