Best Over-Ear Headphones

Unlike earbuds, over-ear headphones encapsulate your ears completely and allow larger drivers to provide greater bass and larger soundstages. Many of them also feature active noise cancellation and Bluetooth technology.

The latest Master and Dynamic MW65 update offers excellent audio, a variety of ANC modes, and an impressive battery life, all in a sleek and distinct design.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has upgraded an already great pair of headphones with the introduction of the WH1000XM4 wireless. They are more lightweight, better constructed and Bluetooth Head Phones have an audio profile that is more balanced (though bass heavy). They also have an app for audio customization. Their active noise cancelling performs better than it did before, removing the background noise, and they have a longer continuous battery life than other models.

These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 which supports SBC, AAC, and Sony's own LDAC codec. The latter can transfer high-resolution audio, but you'll need compatible devices and streaming service. In addition, the WH1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth devices at once and automatically switch between them as needed. You can enable this feature via the Sony Headphones Connect app and it works flawlessly.

A subtle improvement over the XM3 is the sensibility of their touch panels. They respond faster to the tap of the panel, and this makes them easier to control during a phone call or to listen to music. Sony has also added an option that makes voices sound more clear and precise when calling, which is noticeable and a nice addition.

The WH-1000XM4s might not be perfect, but they are among the best wireless headphones that we have ever examined. They are comfortable and well-constructed, and come with a batteries that last for more than 30 continuous hours. They can also be used using a TRS cable which is great if you're traveling or need to save power.

The WH1000XM4s are a better alternative to the Bowers & Wilkins Wireless Over-Ears Px7 S2. The Sonys are more comfortable and their ANC is able to block out more ambient sounds. The B&Ws have an EQ that is more flexible and an app companion to adjust the audio quality. But the B&Ws have an improved design, and they're able to connect with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. They also support aptXHD and have an AI-driven engine which tries to up-scale compressed music to high resolution. This is called DSEE Extreme and it does an excellent job of improving the clarity of music, especially when listening to lossless audio 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 an essential for commuters and travelers from all over the world. Rather than reinventing the wheel, the new model retains the same formula that made its predecessor so popular, adding USB-C, improved noise cancellation and a longer battery lifespan.

These over-ear Bose headsets have a premium feeling and look, much like the QC 35 II headphones that preceded them. The headband, which is made of plastic, has a solid feel thanks to the hinges made of metal at pivot points. It also has the familiar ratcheting mechanism whenever you retract or extend the ear cups. The cups are soft cushioned pads that fit comfortably over the ears and don't apply pressure on your head. They weigh 238 grams and are fairly compact when folded. They can be used when you're wearing a coat or sweater as the noise-canceling works even when they're not on your head.

Despite their reputation as comfortable headphones, the QC45s do not provide the best sound at this price. The frequencies are tinny and lack the depth that headphones with higher prices might be able bring out. The upper registers are boosted which is fine for the majority of music but could be a problem for more delicate and complex genres. The bass is good but lacks power.

The ability to pause the playback when removing the headset is a feature that is not available. This is a feature Bose's competitors have offered for many 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 an option to control the EQ manually.

You can connect to your tablet or smartphone 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 the volume and voice assistant settings.

The QC45s come with four in-built microphones to listen to your voice during calls. The call quality is generally good but the headphones do not have the capability to muffle your voice during playback which is something other wireless headphones have. Update: A firmware update for the QC45s was released in February 2022 included manual EQ options to the audio app. This is a great upgrade.

3. Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal is a French audio brand known for its high-performance headphones with long lasting comfort and a design that lets listeners know they're listening to something special. Their first foray into wireless headphones that cancel out noise the Bathys are stunning headphones that look and sound great. They also come with a built-in high-performance USB DAC which means you can use them for both wireless and wired listening.

Focal claims that the Bathys can play Bluetooth music for up to 30 hours. We got more than 40 hours of playback on average on a single charge. If you have to charge the headphones, the indicator light on the right earcup will turn red.

For a pair of headphones for this price, they have a lot of features. They can connect to multiple devices simultaneously and have automatic pairing. (You have to select your device source by hand each time you listen.) The headphones come with an inbuilt microphone that can be used with voice assistants such as Siri or Alexa. The headphones have an easy-to use interface that makes it simple to control music and make calls.

Bathys over-ear headphones perform well in our noise cancellation test, reducing ambient noise by an average of 9 decibels. It's not as impressive as the ANC in the Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless, but it's still fairly effective.

The Bathys headphones performed well in our headphone tests. Their frequency response was largely similar to the SoundGuys headphone curve with minor variations in the mids and bass. They have a bass-rich sound pattern that adds a lot of boom to the mix, however, it can make vocals and instruments such as cymbals sound veiled.

They also have very good leakage resistance, meaning you can wear them out in public without worrying about other people hearing your music. Their mic is passable for recording using Bluetooth with only a slight distortion between the mid-treble and the treble.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless is a new version of the company's most popular Bluetooth headsets. The last pair, the Momentum 3, was a solid but unspectacular entry into the category. The latest pair is a significant improvement over the previous generation, with a sleeker look, improved gesture control and an enormous battery life.

Many of the improvements here are subtle, but they add up to make a pair that feel like an upgrade to the old one. The Momentum 4s are flat and don't fold however they do come with a sturdy hardshell case that protects them while on the go. They also follow the trend of several other recent bluetooth Head Phones headphones, such as the ones from Sony and Bowers & Wilkins, to be beautifully device agnostic. They can be used with Apple iPhones and Android phones, but lack the AirPods extra features, such as Find My Support and head-tracked spatial audio.

The biggest improvement is the battery that can play for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation turned on. This is more than what the majority of the competitors can provide and is enough for a multi-day trip without having to worry about finding an outlet to charge them.

Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget and Engadget, gave the wireles headphones an 82-point score. He cited their audio quality and ANC features as strengths. He only has one complaint that they lack gravitas in mids and treble. This makes orchestral tracks sound dull instead of grand. The bass is smooth and well-rounded but it can be overemphasised and can cause fatigue in songs with heavy bass lines like the drum hits in As I Lay Dying's Forever. The cymbals sound a bit bubbly, but not full. There's also not much depth to the lows.

The Momentum 4s are not designed to put pressure on your neck or ears. However, they can be a bit uncomfortable when worn around the house or during longer listening sessions, and can move around on your head in a flurry of head movements. This could cause them to unexpectedly wake up which can be distracting during calls or music. They stop automatically after 15 minutes and can be shut off manually using the power button.