Best Over-Ear Headphones

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

The Master & Dynamic MW65 has been upgraded with improved audio and features, including various ANC modes and a huge battery life.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has enhanced an already excellent pair of headphones by introducing the WH1000XM4 wireless. They are more lightweight, better constructed, and have an audio profile that is more balanced (though bass-heavy). They also come with an app that lets you customize the audio. They've improved their active noise cancellation, eliminating more background noises, and have a longer battery life.

These headphones use 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. In addition, the WH1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and automatically switch between them as needed. This feature is enabled through the Sony Headphones Connect App and works well.

One of the major improvements over the XM3 is the sensitiveness of their touch panels. They respond faster to tapping on a panel and are easier to control when making calls or listening to music. Sony has also added a feature that helps voices sound clearer and more precise during calls which is noticeable and a nice touch.

The WH-1000XM4s may not be perfect, but they're among the top wireless headphones that we have ever examined. They're comfortable, well-made, and have a battery that can last for more than 30 continuous hours. They can be used passively using the TRS cable. This is perfect for travel or preserving energy.

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. They also have an application that lets you adjust their audio performance and EQ settings are more flexible than the B&W's. The B&Ws are better built, and can pair with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. They also support aptXHD and have an AI-driven engine that attempts to up-scale compressed music to high-resolution. This is known as DSEE Extreme, and it enhances the clarity of music when listening to lossless audio files.

2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless

The $329 Bose QuietComfort45 noise-canceling headset is the most recent version of a headset which has become a popular choice for commuters and passengers all over the world. The new model doesn't reinvent the wheel. It is based on the same formula that has made its predecessor so successful with the addition of the USB-C port and improved noise cancellation.

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, made of plastic, provides a solid feel thanks to the metal hinges at pivot points. It also features the ratcheting mechanism that is familiar when you expand or retract your earcups. The cups are cushioned and have soft pads that fit over your ears without putting pressure on your head. They weigh 238 grams and are fairly compact when folded. They can be used with a coat or sweater as the noise cancellation function is functional even when they're not on your head.

Despite their reputation as comfortable headphones, the QC45s do not offer the best sound at this price point. The frequencies are tinny and lack the details that headphones with higher prices might be able to bring out. The higher registers tend to be boosted and is suitable for most music but can be a problem for delicate or intricate music genres. The bass is decent but is lacking punch.

One feature that's not present is the possibility of paused playback when you take the headset off. This is standard in this price range and something Bose's competitors have offered for a long time. Another omission was the lack of an in-app EQ. Bose provides preset EQ settings in the app however it would be nice to have 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 the volume and voice assistant settings.

The QC45s come with four built-in microphones that listen to your voice during calls. The quality of calls is generally excellent but the headphones don't have the nifty ability to mute your voice while playing back which is something other wireless headphones do. Update as of February 2022, a firmware update to the QC45s provided manual EQ options 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 design that lets listeners know they're listening to something truly special. The Bathys are their first wireless noise cancelling headphones. They look and sound stunning. They come with a high-performance USB DAC built in, so you can use them both for wireless and wired listening.

The Bathys are very efficient in terms of battery performance with Focal claiming 30 hours of continuous Bluetooth playtime. We actually got a little more with more than 40 hours on average of just one charge. If you do need to recharge, there's a light on the right earcup that will change to red when the headphone has to be charged.

They have a decent amount of features for headphones at this price that include support for multiple devices at once and automatic pairing (though you'll have to select your source device each time you want to listen). They have a built-in microphone that can be used to control voice assistants such as Siri or Alexa. The headphones have an easy-to navigate interface that makes it easy 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. It's not as good as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless however it is still effective.

The Bathys headphones performed well in our headphone tests. Their frequency response was generally similar to the headphone curve of SoundGuys with minor differences on the bass and mids. They have a bass-rich sound pattern which adds plenty of boom to the mix, however, it can make vocals and instruments like cymbals sound dull.

They also have very good leakage resistance, so you can wear them in public without worrying about people listening to your music. Their microphone is suitable for bluetooth headphones uk recording via Bluetooth with just a little distortion between the mid-treble and treble.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless are a new update to the company's top-of-the-line Bluetooth Headphones Uk headphones. The Momentum 3 was a solid, but not spectacular entry in this category. The latest pair is a significant improvement over the previous model, sporting a a sleeker look, improved gesture control and a massive battery life.

The changes are subtle but can make for a pair of over ear headphones that feel like an upgrade. The Momentum 4s are flat and don't fold. They come with an outer case that protects them while traveling. The Momentum 4s are also compatible with all devices, just like other bluetooth headphones wireless headphones of recent years, including the ones from Bowers & Wilkins and Sony. They work with both Apple iPhones as well as Android phones, but they do not have the AirPods extra features, such as Find My Support and head-tracked spatial audio.

The most obvious difference in this model is the huge battery that promises up to 60 hours of playback time with the noise cancellation option turned on. This is more than double the amount of the other brands and enough to go on a long-distance trip without having to search for an outlet.