Best Over-Ear Headphones
Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds cover your ears completely and allow for bigger drivers to provide greater bass and larger soundstages. A majority of them feature Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.
The Master & Dynamic MW65 has been updated with superior audio and features, including numerous ANC mode and an impressive battery life.
1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless
Sony has upgraded an already fantastic pair of headphones with the introduction of the WH1000XM4 wireless. They're lighter, feel better built, have a more balanced sound profile (though still bass heavy) and come with an app that lets you do some audio-related customization. They've upgraded their active noise cancellation, which eliminates more ambient sounds and have a longer battery life.
These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible and Sony LDAC is also supported. These headphones can transfer high-resolution audio, however, you'll need compatible equipment and a streaming service. In addition, the WH1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth devices at the same time and switch between them as needed. This feature can be enabled via the Sony Headphones Connect App and works flawlessly.
One of the major improvements over the XM3 is the sensitivity of their touch panels. They respond faster to the touch of the panel and are much easier to control when making calls or listening to media. Sony has added a feature to make voices sound more clear and precise during calls. This is a distinct and pleasant addition.
The WH-1000XM4s may not be perfect, but they are among the top wireless headphones that we have ever test. They're comfortable, feel good to the touch, and have an excellent battery that can last more than 30 hours continuously. They can be used in a passive manner with a TRS cable. This is ideal to travel with or for storing energy.
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 background noise. The B&Ws feature an EQ that is more flexible and an app that allows you to tweak the audio quality. But the B&Ws have a better-built design, and they're able to connect with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. In addition, they support aptX HD, and they have a unique AI-driven engine that is attempting to boost 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 files.
2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless
The $329 Bose QuietComfort45 Noise-Canceling headset is the most recent version of a headset that has become a popular choice for commuters and passengers all over the world. Instead of reinventing the wheel the new model follows the same formula that made its predecessor so popular, adding USB-C, better noise cancellation and a longer battery life.
Like the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones feature a luxurious look and feel that oozes quality. The headband is made of plastic, but is sturdy and comfortable with hinges made of metal at the pivot points and the familiar ratcheting action when you open or retract the ear cups. The cups are soft, cushioned pads that fit comfortably over the ears and don't put pressure to your head. When folded they weigh 238g. They can be paired with a sweater or coat because they function even when they are not on the head.
Despite their reputation as comfortable headphones however, the QC45s don't provide the best sound at this price. The frequencies are flat and lack the details that higher-end headphones might be able bring out. The upper registers are amplified which is fine for the majority of music but can be problematic for more delicate and complex genres. The bass is good, but is lacking the punch.
The ability to pause playback when you remove the headset is a feature that's absent. This is a standard feature in this price range and is something that Bose's rivals have long offered. Another omission is the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose has preset EQs available in the app but it would be nice if there was a manual control.
Bluetooth 5.0 is supported, including multipoint and more advanced codecs, such as aptX Adaptive. You can download the Bose Audio app to adjust your headset's audio and voice assistant settings.
The QC45s also include four in-built microphones to pick up your voice during calls. The quality of calls is generally very good however, the headphones don't come with the handy ability to mute your voice during playback, which is something that other wireless headphones have. Update as of February 2022, a firmware update to the QC45s gave you manual EQ options in the audio app which is a welcomed improvement.
3. over the ear headphones wireless is a French audio brand that is known for high-performance headphones that provide long-lasting comfort and a design that let listeners know they're listening to something unique. The Bathys are their first wireless noise cancelling headphones. They are stunning in appearance and sound. They come with a high-performance USB DAC built in, making them suitable both for wired and wireless listening.
Focal claims that the Bathys can play Bluetooth music for 30 hours. We actually got a bit more from 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 headphones for this price, they offer many features. They can be used with multiple devices simultaneously and offer automatic pairing. (You will need to select your device source each time you listen.) They also have a built-in mic that supports voice assistants like Siri or Alexa. The headphones feature an easy to use interface that makes it simple to control music and make calls.
For wireless headphones that are over-ear, the Bathys excel in our test of noise cancellation, reducing the background sound by around 9 decibels in average. It's not as good 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 generally similar to the SoundGuys headphone curve with minor variations in the mids and bass. They have a bass-rich sound profile which adds plenty of boom to the mix, but can sometimes make vocals and instruments like cymbals sound dull.
Wear them wherever you want and not worry about whether others listen to your music. Their microphone is of decent recording quality via Bluetooth with only a slight distortion in the mid to the treble range.
4. Sennheiser Momentum 4
The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless are a new version of the company's top-of-the-line Bluetooth headphones. The last pair, the Momentum 3, was a solid but unspectacular entry into the category. The latest model is improved over the previous model by having modern design, better gesture controls, and an enormous battery life.
A lot of the improvements here are subtle but they add up to make a pair of over-ears that appear to be an upgrade from the old one. The Momentum 4s are flat and do not fold. They come with a hardshell case to protect them when moving. The Momentum 4s are non-device-specific, similar to other Bluetooth headphones from recent years, including those from Bowers & Wilkins and Sony. They can be used with Apple iPhones as well as Android phones, but lack the AirPods' extra features like Find My Support and head-tracked spatial audio.
The biggest difference is the massive battery that can run for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation on. This is more than the majority of the competitors offer and is enough for a multi-day trip without having to worry about finding an outlet to charge them up.
Engadget senior editor Billy Steele gave the headphones an 82 rating, citing their audio quality and ANC as their main strengths. The only thing he dislikes is that they lack a sense gravitas in the mids and treble, meaning that orchestral pieces tend to sound flat instead of grand. The bass is rounded, but it's easy to over-emphasize, which can lead to fatigue in songs with strong 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 no real depth to the lows.
The Momentum 4s are not designed to cause pressure on your neck or ears. They can be fidgety if you wear them at home or during long listening sessions. They can move on your head and make a lot of head movements. This could cause them to wake up at random times, which can be distracting when listening to music or making calls. They stop automatically after 15 minutes and can be shut off manually by pressing the power button.