Best Over-Ear Headphones
Unlike earbuds, over-ear headphones cover your ears completely and allow for larger drivers to produce more bass and a wider soundstage. Many come with Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.
The Master & Dynamic MW65 is updated with superior audio and various ANC modes, and a long 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 less heavy, feel better built, have an improved sound profile that is more balanced (though still bass-heavy) and include an app that lets you do some audio adjustments. Their active noise cancelling works better than it did before, removing more ambient sound, and they have a longer battery life than a lot of competitors.
These headphones utilize Bluetooth 5.0, with support for SBC, AAC, and Sony's own LDAC codec. This codec can transfer high-resolution audio, however, you'll need compatible equipment and streaming service. The WH-1000XM4s can also allow you to connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and automatically switch between the two when needed. You can enable this feature via the Sony Headphones Connect app and it works flawlessly.
The touch panels are more sensitive than the XM3. They respond faster to the tap of a panel, and this makes them easier to control during a call or to listen to media. Sony has also added a feature that can make voice calls more precise and clear during calls. This is a distinct and pleasant addition.
The WH-1000XM4s may not be perfect, but they are among the best wireless headphones we've ever examined. They're comfortable, feel well made, and have an outstanding battery that can last longer than 30 hours continuously. They can also be used passively with the TRS cable which is great for those who travel or want to save power.
The WH1000XM4s provide a superior alternative to the Bowers & Wilkins Wireless Over-Ears PX7 S2. The Sonys are more comfy and their ANC is able to block out more background noise. The B&Ws feature an EQ that is more flexible, as well as a companion app to tweak the audio quality. But the B&Ws have a better-built design, and they're able to connect with two Bluetooth devices at once. They also support aptXHD and feature an AI-driven engine that attempts to increase the size of compressed music to high-resolution. This is known as DSEE Extreme, and it improves 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 latest version of a headset that has become a popular choice for commuters and passengers across the world. The new model doesn't reinvent the wheel. It uses the same formula which has made its predecessor so successful with the addition of the USB-C technology and improved noise cancellation.
These over-ear Bose headsets have a premium feel and look, much like the QC 35 II headphones that preceded them. The headband is made from plastic, yet it is sturdy and comfortable with metal hinges at the pivot points, and the familiar ratcheting action that you experience when you retract or extend the ear cups. 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 when you're wearing a coat or sweater as the noise cancellation function is functional even when they are not on your head.
Despite their reputation as comfortable headphones they do not provide the best sound at this price point. The frequencies are dull and lack the detail that headphones with higher prices might be able to bring out. The higher registers tend to be amplified and is suitable for most music but can be a problem for delicate or intricate music genres. The bass is good but it lacks the punch.
The ability to pause the playback when removing the headset is a feature that is missing. This is a feature Bose's competitors have offered for many years. Another issue is the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose has preset EQs available in the app but it would be nice to have a manual control.
Bluetooth 5.0 is supported, including multipoint and more advanced codecs, such as aptX Adaptive. Download the Bose Audio App to adjust your headsets voice and sound settings.
The QC45s also include four built-in microphones that pick up your voice during calls. The headphones have good call quality, however they don't let you muffle the sound during playback like other wireless headphones. Update In February 2022, a firmware upgrade 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 produces high-performance headphones. They are renowned for their comfort and style that let listeners know that they're listening something special. Their first foray into wireless headphones that cancel out noise the Bathys, are stunning headphones that sound and look great. They also have an inbuilt high-performance USB DAC which means you can use them for wireless and wired listening.
Focal claims that the Bathys can play Bluetooth music for 30 hours. We actually got a little more out of them with more than 40 hours on average out of one charge. If you need to charge your headphones in over-ear headphones wireless the future, the indicator light on the right earcup will change red.
For a pair of headphones for this price, they have a lot of features. They can be used with multiple devices at once and feature automatic pairing. (You must select your source device manually every time you listen.) The headphones come with an inbuilt microphone that can be used with voice assistants such as Siri or Alexa. The headphones have an easy-to use interface that makes it simple to control music and make calls.
For over-ear wireless headphones, the Bathys are very good in our tests of noise cancellation, which reduces the ambient sound by about 9 decibels per hour on average. This isn't as impressive as the ANC in the Sony WH-1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless, however it's still pretty effective.
The Bathys headphones performed well in our headphone sound tests. Their frequency response was largely similar to the SoundGuys headphone curve, with only minor deviations on the bass and mids. The Bathys have a booming sound profile that can make instruments, vocals and cymbals seem unreal.
They also have excellent leakage resistance, so you can wear them out in public without worrying about people hearing your music. Their mic has passable recording quality through Bluetooth with only a 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 top-of-the-line Bluetooth headphones. The Momentum 3 was a solid, but not spectacular entry in this class. The new model is a step up from the previous model, featuring an elegant design, enhanced gesture control, and a huge battery life.
Many of the improvements here are subtle, but they make a pair of over-ears that appear to be an upgrade from the previous model. The Momentum 4s are flat and don't fold. They come with a hardshell case to protect them when moving. The Momentum 4s are also non-device-specific, similar to other Bluetooth headphones of recent years, including the ones from Bowers & Wilkins and Sony. This means they can work with both Android phones and Apple iPhones, but don't have the extra 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 when the noise cancellation feature activated. This is more than twice the amount of the competitors and sufficient to go on a long-distance trip without worrying about finding an outlet.
Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget, gave the headphones an 82-point score. He noted their sound quality and ANC features as their strengths. The only issue he has is that they lack a sense weight in the mids and the treble. This means that orchestral tracks tend to sound flat, not grand. The bass is well-rounded however it can be overemphasized, which can cause fatigue in songs that have high-pitched bass lines, like the drum hits in As I Lay Dying’s Forever. The cymbals can sound smoky rather than full and there's no sense of depth in the bass.
The Momentum 4s are comfy and should not put too much pressure on your ears or neck. They can be a bit fidgety when you wear them at home or during long listening sessions. They will move around on your head and make intense head movements. This can cause them wake up in a sudden manner, which could be distracting while listening to music or making calls. They stop automatically after 15 minutes and can be shut off manually by pressing the power button.