Best Over-Ear Headphones
Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds cover your ears completely and allow larger drivers to deliver greater bass and larger soundstages. Many come with Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.
The Master & Dynamic MMW65 has been updated with superior audio and multiple ANC mode and an impressive battery life.
1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless
Sony has redesigned an already-great pair of headphones with the WH-1000XM4 Wireless. They are lighter, better built, and have a more balanced audio profile (though bass heavy). They also include an app for audio customization. Their active noise cancellation works even better than before, removing any background noise. Additionally, beats studio three wireless headphones have a longer battery life than a lot of competitors.
These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 and support SBC, AAC, and Sony's own LDAC codec. These headphones can transfer high-resolution audio, however, you'll need compatible devices and a streaming service. The WH-1000XM4s can also allow you to connect two Bluetooth devices at the same time and automatically switch between the two when required. This feature is accessible through the Sony Headphones Connect App and is very effective.
One subtle improvement over the XM3 is the sensitiveness of their touch panels. They respond faster to tapping on panels and are simpler to control when making calls or listening to media. Sony has added a feature to make voices sound more precise and clear during calls. This is a noticeable and pleasant addition.
While the WH1000XM4s aren't perfect, they're one of the most comfortable wireless headphones we've tested. They're comfortable, good to the touch, and have an impressive battery that lasts longer than 30 hours continuously. They can be used passively with the TRS cable. This is ideal for traveling or conserving energy.
The WH-1000XM4s are better than the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 Wireless over-ears. The Sonys are more comfortable, and their ANC can block out more ambient noise. The B&Ws feature an EQ that is more flexible, as well as an app companion to adjust the audio performance. The B&Ws are built better and can be paired with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. In addition, they support aptX HD, and they have an AI-driven engine that attempts to boost 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 QuietComfort45 Noise-Canceling headset is the latest version of a headset which has become a popular choice for commuters and passengers across the world. The new model doesn't reinvent the wheel. It retains the same formula that has made its predecessor so successful with the addition of USB-C and better noise cancellation.
Similar to the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones sport an elegant design and feel that exudes quality. The headband is made from plastic, but is sturdy and comfortable with metal hinges at pivot points and the ratcheting mechanism that is familiar when you retract or extend the earcups. The cups are soft cushions that fit securely over the ears and don't apply pressure to your head. They weigh 238 grams and are compact when folded. You can wear them 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 for comfort, the QC45s do not offer the best sound in this price range. The frequencies are flat and lack the details that higher-end headphones might be able to bring out. The upper registers tend to be more boosted, which is fine for most music, but could be a problem for delicate or intricate music genres. The bass is decent, but lacks the punch.
One thing that's not included is the possibility of paused playback when you take the headset off. This is a feature Bose's competitors have offered for years. Another thing that was missing was the lack of an in-app EQ. Bose offers preset EQ settings within the app however it would be nice to have 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 sound and voice assistant settings.
The QC45s have four microphones that are built-in to hear your voice when you are on the phone. They have excellent call quality, but they don't allow you to muffle the sound during playback like other wireless headphones. Update as of February 2022, a firmware update to the QC45s offered manual EQ options within the audio app, which is a welcome improvement.
3. Focal Bathys Wireless
Focal is a French audio brand known for its high-performance headphones that last for a long time, comfort and a style that makes listeners feel like they're listening to something truly special. The Bathys are their first wireless noise-cancelling headphones. They look and sound stunning. They also have an inbuilt high-performance USB DAC which means you can use them for both wired and wireless listening.
The Bathys are very efficient in terms of battery performance with Focal claiming 30 hours of continuous Bluetooth playtime. We got more than 40 hours of playback on average on a single charge. If you need to recharge, there's an indicator light on the right ear cup that will change to red when the headphone has to be charged.
They offer a good amount of features for headphones at this price that include support for multiple devices at the same time and automatic pairing (though you'll need to select your source device every time you would like to listen). The headphones come with a built in microphone that works with voice assistants such as Siri or Alexa. The headphones also have an easy-to-use interface that makes it easy to control your music as well as make calls.
Bathys over-ear headphones are able to perform in our noise cancellation test, reducing ambient noise by an average of 9 decibels. This isn't as impressive as the ANC in the Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless but it's still fairly effective.
In our tests of the quality of sound from headphones, the Bathys did well overall, with a an overall frequency response that matches the SoundGuys headphone preference curve, with just minor deviations in the bass and mids. They have a deep, bass-filled sound profile that adds a lot of boom to mixes but can sometimes make instruments and vocals like cymbals sound dull.
You can wear them wherever and not worry about whether others hear your music. Their microphone is suitable for recording via Bluetooth with only a slight distortion between the mid-treble as well as the treble.
4. Sennheiser Momentum 4
The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless is a new update of the company's top Bluetooth headsets. The Momentum 3 was a solid but not an outstanding entry in this class. The latest pair improves on the previous model by having a sleeker design, improved gesture controls, and a huge battery life.
The improvements are subtle, but can make for an over-ear set of headphones that feels like an upgrade. The Momentum 4s are flat and do not fold. They come with an outer case that protects them while on the move. The Momentum 4s are also device-agnostic, like many other Bluetooth headphones of 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 AirPods.
The biggest improvement is the battery that can run for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation on. This is more than the majority of the competition can offer and enough for a multi-day trip without worrying about finding an outlet to charge them up.
Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget The headphones were rated by Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget a score of 82. He highlighted their audio quality and ANC features as their strengths. The only issue he has is that they lack a sense weight in the mids and treble, meaning that orchestral music tends to sound flat, not grand. The bass is well rounded, but can be too loud, which can cause fatigue in songs that have high-pitched bass lines, like the drum hits of As I Lay Dying’s Forever. The cymbals sound a bit hot, but not a lot. There's no real depth to the lows.
The Momentum 4s are comfy and aren't likely to put too much pressure on your ears or neck. They can be a bit fidgety when 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 wake up at random, which can be distracting during music or calls. Fortunately they shut down after 15 minutes of rest by default, and can be switched off by pressing the power button.