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 Master & Dynamic MW65 is updated with better audio, multiple ANC mode and an impressive battery life.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has upgraded an already excellent pair of headphones with the introduction of the WH1000XM4 wireless. They're lighter, feel more built, feature more balanced sound profiles (though still bass-heavy) and include an app that allows some audio-related customization. They've upgraded their active noise cancellation, which eliminates more background noises and extending the battery life.

These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible and Sony LDAC is also compatible with. The latter can transfer high-resolution music, but you'll need compatible devices and streaming services. The WH-1000XM4s is also able to connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and then automatically switch between the two when required. You enable this feature through the Sony Headphones Connect app and it works flawlessly.

One subtle improvement over the XM3 is the sensitivity of their touch panels. They respond quicker to tapping on panels and are simpler to control when making a call or listening to music. Sony has added a feature to make voice calls clearer and more precise during calls. This is an obvious and pleasant addition.

The WH-1000XM4s may not be perfect, but they're among the best wireless and bluetooth headphones headphones that we have ever examined. They're comfortable, feel well made, and have an impressive battery that can last longer than 30 hours continuously. They can also be used passively using an TRS cable, which is ideal for those who travel or want to conserve power.

The WH-1000XM4s make a better choice over the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 Wireless over-ears. The Sonys are more comfy, and their ANC can block out more background noise. The B&Ws have an EQ that is more flexible, as well as an app that allows you to tweak the audio quality. The B&Ws are more robust, and can 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 called DSEE Extreme, and it improves the clarity of music when listening to lossless audio files.

2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless

The $329 Bose QuietComfort 45 noise-canceling headphones are the most recent version of a headphone that became a staple for commuters and travelers around the globe. Instead of reinventing the wheel, the new model retains the same formula that made its predecessor so popular, but adds the USB-C port, which is better at cancelling noise and longer battery life.

These over-ear Bose headsets come with a premium feel 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. They also have the familiar ratcheting mechanism whenever you extend or retract your ear cups. The cups feature soft cushions that fit comfortably over the ears and do not apply pressure to your head. When folded they weigh 238 grams. They can be worn with a coat or sweater because they function even when not on your head.

Despite their reputation for wireless and Bluetooth headphones comfort, the QC45s do not offer the best sound in this price range. The frequencies are flat and lack the depth that more expensive headphones may be able 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 power.

The possibility of pauseing the playback after removing the headset is a feature that is absent. This is a feature that Bose's rivals have provided for several years. Another omission was the lack 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 support for multipoint and the more advanced codecs like aptX Adaptive. Download the Bose Audio App to adjust your headset's sound and voice settings.

The QC45s also include four in-built microphones to pick up your voice during calls. They have excellent call quality, however they don't let you muffle the sound during playback as other wireless headphones. Update In February 2022, the firmware update to the QC45s provided an option to adjust the volume manually in the audio app, which is a welcome improvement.

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 style that lets listeners know they're listening to something truly special. The Bathys are their first wireless and bluetooth headphones 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 wired and wireless listening.

The Bathys are very efficient in terms of battery performance, with Focal claims of 30 hours of continuous Bluetooth playtime. We got more than 40 hours of playback time on average from a single charge. If you do need to recharge, there's a light on the right earcup that will turn red when the headphone needs to be charged.

For a pair of headphones at this price, they offer lots of features. They can connect to multiple devices at once and feature automatic pairing. (You must select your device source manually every time you listen.) They have a built-in microphone that works with voice assistants such as Siri or Alexa. The headphones have an easy-to navigate interface that makes it simple to control music and make calls.

Bathys over-ear headphones do well in our noise cancellation test, reducing ambient noise by an average of 9 decibels. 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 performed well in our headphone sound tests. Their frequency response was generally similar to the headphone curve of SoundGuys, with only minor deviations in the mids and bass. The Bathys have a bassy sound profile that can make vocals, instruments and cymbals look a bit obscure.

They also have excellent leakage resistance, meaning you can wear them in public without worrying about others hearing your music. Their microphone is of decent recording quality through Bluetooth with just a little distortion in the mid to treble 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 category. The latest model is improved over the previous model by having a sleeker design, improved gesture controls, and an enormous battery life.

The changes are subtle but add up to an over-ear set of headphones that feel like an upgrade. The Momentum 4s lie flat and do not fold, but they do come with a nice hardshell case that protects them when on the move. The Momentum 4s are also non-device-specific, similar to other Bluetooth headphones from recent years, including the ones from Bowers & Wilkins and Sony. This means they work 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 significant difference is the massive battery that can run for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation turned on. This is more than twice as much as most of the competitors and sufficient to allow you to travel for a longer period of time without worrying about finding an outlet.

Engadget senior editor Billy Steele gave the headphones an 82 rating, citing their audio quality and ANC as their main strengths. His only complaint is that they lack a sense gravitas in the mids and the treble. This means that orchestral pieces tend to sound flat, not grand. The bass is well-rounded however it can be overemphasized, which can cause to fatigue when songs have strong bass lines, such as the drum beats of As I Lay Dying’s Forever. The cymbals sound a bit sizzled, not full. There's also not much depth to the lows.

The Momentum 4s shouldn't put pressure on your neck or ear. However they can be fidgety when wearing them in the house or during longer listening sessions. They can move around on your head with intense head movements. This could cause them to suddenly wake up, which can be distracting during calls or music. Fortunately, they shut down after 15 minutes of sleep by default, and can be switched off by pressing the power button.