Best Over-Ear Headphones
Unlike earbuds, over-ear headphones cover your ears completely and allow for larger drivers to deliver deeper bass and wider soundstages. Many come with Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.
The latest Master & Dynamic MW65 update offers high-quality audio, numerous ANC modes, and a long battery life, all in a sleek and distinctive design.
1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless
Sony has redesigned an already-great pair of headphones with the WH-1000XM4 Wireless. They're lighter, feel more built, feature a more balanced sound profile (though still bass heavy) and include an app that lets you do some audio customization. They have improved their active noise cancellation, eliminating more ambient sounds, and have a longer battery life.
These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible, and Sony LDAC is also compatible with. The latter can transfer high-resolution audio, however you'll need to use compatible devices and streaming services. In addition, the WH1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and switch between them as needed. You can enable this feature via the Sony Headphones Connect app and it works very well.
The touch panels are more sensitive than the XM3. They respond faster to the touch of the panel, which makes them easier to control during calls or to listen to music. Sony also added a feature that helps voices sound clearer and more precise on calls, which is noticeable and a nice addition.
The WH-1000XM4s may not be perfect, but they are among the best wireless headphones that we have ever examined. They're comfortable, well-made, and have batteries that last for more than 30 continuous hours. They can be used in a passive manner by using the TRS cable. This is ideal for traveling or conserving power.
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. beats studio3 wireless over ear headphones matte black &Ws feature an EQ that is more flexible, as well as an app companion to adjust the audio quality. The B&Ws are better built, and can pair with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. They also support aptXHD and feature an AI-driven engine that tries to scale compressed music up to high resolution. This is known as DSEE Extreme and it does well in improving the clarity of music, especially when listening to lossless music.
2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless
The $329 Bose QuietComfort45 sound cancelling headset is the latest version of a headset that has become a favorite among commuters and passengers 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 longer battery life.
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, constructed of plastic, has a solid feel thanks to the hinges made of steel at pivot points. They also have the familiar ratcheting mechanism whenever you retract or extend your ear cups. The cups have soft cushioned pads that fit comfortably over the ears and do not apply pressure to your head. When folded they weigh 238g. They can be paired with a sweater or coat as they work even when not on the head.
Despite their reputation as comfortable headphones they do not provide the best sound quality at this price. The frequencies are tinny and lack the details that more expensive headphones may be able to bring out. The higher registers tend to be boosted and is suitable for most music but can cause problems for more delicate or intricate genres of music. The bass is great, but lacks the punch.
One thing that's not included is the ability to pause playback when you take off the headset. This is a feature that Bose's rivals have offered for several years. Another omission is the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose provides preset EQ settings within the app, but it would be nice to have manual control.
Bluetooth 5.0 is supported, with multipoint as well as more advanced codecs like aptX Adaptive. Download the Bose Audio App to adjust your headsets voice and sound settings.
The QC45s also include four microphones built into the headset to listen to your voice during calls. They have excellent call quality, but they don't permit you to mute the voice during playback like other wireless headphones. Update: A firmware update for the QC45s was released in February 2022 added manual adjustments to the audio app. This is a great upgrade.
3. Focal Bathys Wireless
Focal is a French audio brand that produces high-performance headphones. They are known for their comfort and style, which let listeners know that they're hearing something unique. The Bathys are their first wireless noise-cancelling headphones. They look and sound stunning. They come with a top-quality USB DAC built in, which means you can use them both for wireless and wired listening.
The Bathys are very efficient in terms of battery performance, with Focal claims of 30 hours of continuous Bluetooth playtime. We actually got a bit more with more than 40 hours of playtime on average of a single charge. If you need to charge your headphones, the indicator light on the right earcup will change red.
They have a decent amount of features for headphones of this price point that include support for multiple devices simultaneously and automatic pairing (though you'll have to manually select your source device every time you want to listen). The headphones have a built in microphone that can be used with voice assistants like Siri or Alexa. They also come with an intuitive interface that makes it simple to manage your music and make calls.
For over-ear wireless headphones, the Bathys excel in our test of noise cancellation, reducing the background sound by around 9 decibels in average. It's not as effective as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 and Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless however it's still very effective.
The Bathys headphones did well in our headphone tests. Their frequency response was mostly similar to the SoundGuys headphone curve, with only minor deviations on the bass and mids. They have a bass-rich sound pattern which adds plenty of boom to the mix, but can sometimes make instruments and vocals like cymbals seem a bit veiled.
They also have excellent leakage resistance, meaning you can wear them in public without worrying about other people listening to your music. The microphone has a decent quality of recording via Bluetooth with only slight distortion in the mid to high treble frequency range.
4. Sennheiser Momentum 4
The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless are a new update to the company's flagship Bluetooth headphones. The Momentum 3 was a solid, but not spectacular entry in this class. The new model improves on the previous model with a sleeker design, improved gesture controls, 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 keep them safe while on the go. They also follow the pattern of several other recent Bluetooth headphones, including those from Sony and Bowers & Wilkins, to be completely device-independent. This means they can work with both Android phones and Apple iPhones, however they 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 difference in this model is the huge battery that promises up to 60 hours of playback with noise cancellation enabled. This is more than what the majority of the competitors can provide and is enough for a multi-day trip without worrying about finding a power outlet to charge them up.
Engadget senior editor Billy Steele gave the headphones an 82-point score and cited their sound quality and ANC as particular strengths. He has only one complaint: they lack a sense gravitas in mids and the treble. This means that orchestral music sounds flat, not grand. The bass is well-rounded, but it's easy to over-emphasize and cause fatigue in songs that have heavy bass lines, like the drums in As I Lay Dying's Forever. The cymbals also sound sizzled rather than full and there's not a real feeling of depth in the lows.
The Momentum 4s should not place pressure on your neck or ears. They can be a bit fidgety if you wear them around the home or for long listening sessions. They will move around on your head, and make rapid head movements. This can cause them wake up in a sudden manner, which could be distracting when listening to music or making calls. Fortunately they stop working after 15 minutes of rest by default and can be turned off manually off with the power button.