Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds, can completely surround the ears. They also permit bigger drivers that provide deeper bass and a bigger soundstage. Many also include active noise cancellation and Bluetooth technology.

The latest Master and Dynamic MW65 update provides high-quality audio, numerous ANC modes, and an impressive battery life with a stylish and distinct design.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 wireless and bluetooth Headphones

Sony has made improvements to an already great pair of headphones with the WH-1000XM4 Wireless. They're less heavy, feel better constructed, and have more balanced sound profiles (though still bass heavy) and come with an app that allows for some audio customization. They have improved their active noise cancellation, which eliminates more ambient sounds, and have a longer battery life.

These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0, with support for SBC, AAC, and Sony's own LDAC codec. The latter is able to transfer high-resolution music, though you'll need to use compatible devices and streaming services. The WH-1000XM4s also allows you to connect two Bluetooth devices at the same time and automatically switch between them as required. This feature is accessible through the Sony Headphones Connect App and is very effective.

The touch panels are more sensitive than the XM3. They respond quicker to a tap on panels and are simpler to control when making calls or listening to media. Sony has also added a feature that can make voice calls more precise and clear during calls. This is an obvious and nice touch.

The WH-1000XM4s aren't perfect, but they are among the top wireless headphones we've ever tested. They're comfortable and well-made. They also have an energy-efficient battery that can last for more than 30 continuous hours. 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 make a better choice over the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 Wireless over-ears. The Sonys are more comfortable, and their ANC can block out more ambient noise. They also have a companion app that lets you alter their audio performance, and their EQ settings are more flexible than b uetooth headphones&W's. The B&Ws are better built and can be paired with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. They also support aptXHD, and they have an AI-driven engine that attempts to scale compressed music up to high-resolution. This is known as DSEE Extreme, and it improves the clarity of music when listening to lossless audio files.

2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 wireless headphones with bluetooth

The $329 Bose QuietComfort45 Noise-Canceling headset is the most current version of a headset that has become a popular choice for commuters and passengers across the world. Rather than reinventing the wheel the new model uses the same formula that made the predecessor so popular, but adds USB-C, better noise cancellation and a longer battery lifespan.

These over-ear Bose headsets come with a premium feel and look, much like the QC 35 II headphones that were before them. The headband is made of plastic, yet it has a sturdy feel with metal hinges at the pivot points and the familiar ratcheting action that you experience when you retract or extend the ear cups. The cups have soft cushioned pads that fit securely over the ears and don't apply pressure to your head. When folded they weigh 238g. They can be worn with a coat or sweater as they work even when not on the head.

Despite their reputation for comfort, the QC45s can't offer the most impressive sound quality for this price range. The frequencies are fairly 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 genres but could be a problem for delicate or intricate genres of music. The bass is decent, but it lacks punch.

The ability to pause playback when removing the headset is a feature not available. This is a standard in this price bracket and is something that Bose's competitors have long offered. 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 manually control.

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

The QC45s come with four microphones inbuilt to pick up your voice when on the phone. The headsets have a good call quality, but they don't let you mute the voice during playback like other wireless headphones. Update: A firmware upgrade for the QC45s was released in February 2022 introduced manual adjustments to the audio app. This is a very welcome change.

3. Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal is a French audio company that makes high-performance headphones. They are renowned for their comfort and style, which let listeners know that they're listening to something special. The Bathys are their first wireless noise-cancelling headphones. They are stunning in appearance and sound. They have a high-performance USB DAC built in, wireless and Bluetooth headphones so 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 actually got more out of them and got over 40 hours of playtime on average of just one charge. If you have to charge your headphones then the indicator light on the right earcup will change red.

For a pair of headphones at this price, they come with a lot of features. They can be used with 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 have a built in microphone that works with voice assistants such as Siri or Alexa. The headphones come with an easy-to use interface that makes it simple to control music and make calls.

For over-ear wireless headphones, the Bathys are very good in our test of noise cancellation, reducing the ambient sound by about 9 decibels on average. They aren't as good as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 and Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless but it's still very effective.

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

Wear them wherever you want without worrying that others will listen to your music. Their microphone is suitable to record via Bluetooth with only a slight distortion between the mid-treble and treble.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless are a new version of the company's top-of-the-line Bluetooth headphones. The Momentum 3 was a solid but not a great entry in this category. The new pair is an improvement on the previous model, featuring a sleeker look, improved gesture control and a massive battery life.

Many of the improvements here are subtle, but they add up to make a pair of over-ears that seem like a step up from the old one. The Momentum 4s are flat and aren't foldable however they come with a sturdy hardshell case to protect them on the go. They also follow the style of several other recent Bluetooth headphones, including those from Sony and Bowers & Wilkins, to be completely device-independent. This means they work well with both Android phones and Apple iPhones, but do not have the additional features (like Find My support and head-tracked Spatial Audio) that you'll find on the AirPods.

The most obvious change here is the massive battery, Wireless And Bluetooth Headphones which claims up to 60 hours of playback with the noise cancellation feature activated. This is easily twice the amount of the competitors and sufficient to go on a long-distance trip without worrying about finding an outlet.

Engadget senior editor Billy Steele gave the headphones an 82-point score, citing their audio quality and ANC as their main strengths. His only complaint is that they lack a sense of weight in the mids and treble, meaning that orchestral tracks tend to sound flat rather than grand. The bass is smooth and well-rounded but it can be overemphasised, which can lead to fatigue in songs with strong bass lines such as the drums in As I Lay Dying's Forever. The cymbals can sound smoky rather than full and there's no feeling of depth in the lows.

The Momentum 4s are not designed to put pressure on your neck or ear. However, they can be uncomfortable when worn around the house or during longer listening sessions. They will move about on your head, causing 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 will shut down after 15 minutes of slumber by default and can be manually switched off with the power button.