Best Over-Ear Headphones
Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds, can completely surround the ears. They also permit larger drivers that deliver deeper bass and a wider soundstage. A majority of them feature Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.
The latest Master & Dynamic MW65 update features high-quality audio, numerous ANC modes, and an impressive battery life with a stylish and distinctive design.
1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless
Sony has enhanced an already fantastic pair of headphones with the introduction of the WH1000XM4 wireless. They are lighter, better built, and have a more balanced audio profile (though bass heavy). They also include an app for audio customization. They have improved their active noise cancellation, which eliminates more background noises and have a longer battery life.
These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 which supports SBC, AAC, and Sony's own LDAC codec. The latter can transfer high-resolution audio, however you'll need to use compatible devices and streaming services. The WH-1000XM4s is also able to connect two Bluetooth devices at the same time 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 a panel, and this makes them easier to control during calls or to listen to media. Sony has also added a feature that can make voices sound more precise and clear during calls. This is an obvious and nice touch.
While the WH1000XM4s aren't perfect, they're some of the most comfortable wireless headphones we've ever tested. They're comfortable and well-constructed, and come with a an energy-efficient battery that can last for more than 30 continuous hours. They can also be used with the TRS cable which is great when you're on the road or need to conserve power.
The WH-1000XM4s are a better choice than 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 come with a more flexible EQ and an app that allows you to tweak the audio performance. But the B&Ws have an improved design, and they're able to pair with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. They also support aptXHD and have an AI-driven engine that tries to up-scale compressed music to high resolution. This is known as DSEE Extreme and it does a good 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 headphone that became a staple for commuters and travelers around the globe. The new model does not reinvent the wheel. It uses the same formula that has made its predecessor so successful with the addition of the USB-C port and improved noise cancellation.
best wireless over ear headphones over-ear Bose headsets come with a premium feel and look, just like the QC 35 II headphones that were before them. The headband, made of plastic, provides a firm feel thanks to the metal hinges at pivot points. It also has the familiar ratcheting mechanism whenever you expand or retract your earcups. The cups are cushioned, and have soft pads that are comfortable to wear over your ears without placing pressure on your head. When folded, they weigh 238 grams. They can be used with a sweater or coat as the noise cancellation function is functional even when they are not on your head.
Despite their reputation for comfort, the QC45s do not offer the best sound in this price range. The frequencies are dull and lack the detail that headphones with higher prices might be able to bring out. The upper registers are boosted which is fine for the majority of music but can be a problem for more delicate and intricate genres. The bass is decent but lacks punch.
The ability to pause the playback after removing the headset is a feature missing. This is standard in this price range and something that Bose's rivals have long offered. Another omission was the lack of an in-app EQ. Bose has preset EQs in the app, but it would be nice if there was an option to control the EQ manually.
Bluetooth 5.0 is supported, with multipoint as well as more advanced codecs, such as aptX Adaptive. Download the Bose Audio App to adjust your headsets audio and voice settings.
The QC45s also come with four built-in microphones that pick up your voice during calls. The call quality is generally good, but the headsets don't come with the handy capability to turn off your voice during playback, which is something that other wireless headphones have. Update: A firmware update for the QC45s was released in February 2022 introduced manual EQ options to the audio app. This is a great upgrade.
3. Focal Bathys Wireless
Focal is a French audio brand that is known for high-performance headphones that last for a long time, comfort and a design that lets listeners know they're listening to something truly special. The Bathys are their first wireless noise cancelling headphones. They are stunning in appearance and sound. They come with a top-quality USB DAC built in, so you can use them both for wireless and wired listening.
The Bathys come with a great battery performance with Focal promising 30 hours of continuous Bluetooth playtime. We actually got a bit more out of them and got over 40 hours of playtime on average of one charge. If you need to charge your headphones then the indicator light on the right earcup will go red.
They come with a wide range of features for headphones at this price that include support for multiple devices simultaneously and automatic pairing (though you'll need to manually select your source device each time you would like to 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 perform very well in our tests of noise cancellation. They cut down the ambient sound by about 9 decibels on average. It's not as effective as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless however it's still effective.
The Bathys headphones performed well in our headphone sound tests. Their frequency response was largely similar to the headphone curve of SoundGuys with minor differences on the bass and mids. They have a deep, bass-filled sound profile which adds plenty of boom to the mix, but can sometimes make vocals and instruments such as cymbals sound veiled.
They also have very good leakage resistance, so you can wear them out in public without worrying about others hearing your music. Their microphone is of decent recording quality via Bluetooth with only slight distortion in the mid - to the treble range.
4. Sennheiser Momentum 4
The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless is a new version of the company's most popular Bluetooth headsets. The Momentum 3 was a solid but not an outstanding entry in this category. The latest pair improves on the previous model with a sleeker design, improved gesture controls, and a huge battery life.
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 lie flat and aren't foldable, but they do come with a nice hardshell case to keep them safe while on the go. The Momentum 4s are also device-agnostic, like many other Bluetooth headphones from recent times, like those from Bowers & Wilkins and Sony. They can be used with Apple iPhones and Android phones, but they do not have the AirPods additional features such as Find My Support and head-tracked spatial audio.
The most notable change is the huge battery that can last for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation turned on. This is more than twice as much as most of the other brands and enough to allow you to travel for a longer period of time without having to search for an outlet.
Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget and Engadget, gave the headphones an 82 percent score. He noted their sound quality and ANC features as their strengths. The only issue he has is that they lack a sense of gravitas in the mids as well as the treble, which means that orchestral pieces tend to sound flat instead of grand. The bass is well-rounded but it can sound overemphasized, which can lead to fatigue when songs have strong bass lines, such as the drum hits of As I Lay Dying’s Forever. The cymbals sound smoky rather than full and there's no sense of depth in the lows.
The Momentum 4s shouldn't put pressure on your neck or ear. 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 a lot of head movements. This can cause them suddenly wake up, which can be distracting when you are listening to music or calls. They stop automatically after 15 minutes and can be switched off manually by pressing the power button.