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Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds are a complete encapsulation of your ears and allow larger drivers to produce more bass and a wider soundstage. Many include Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.

The most recent Master & Dynamic MW65 update features high-quality audio, numerous ANC modes and impressive battery life with a stylish and distinct design.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has improved on an already-great pair of headphones with the WH-1000XM4 Wireless. They're lighter, feel better built, have a more balanced sound profile (though still bass-heavy) and include an app that allows for some audio adjustments. Their active noise cancellation works even better than before, removing the background noise, and they have a longer battery life than many competitors.

These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible, and Sony LDAC is also compatible with. 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 simultaneously and automatically switch between them when required. You can enable this feature via the Sony Headphones Connect app and it works very well.

The touch panels are more sensitive than the XM3. They respond quicker to tapping on a panel and are easier to control when making a call or listening to media. Sony has also added a feature that makes voice sound more clear and precise when calling, which is noticeable and a nice addition.

While the WH-1000XM4s aren't perfect, they're one of the top wireless headphones we've ever tried. They're comfortable, feel good to the touch, Premium Tfufr Wireless Bluetooth Over Ear Headphones and have an impressive battery that can last longer than 30 hours continuously. They can also be used passively with the TRS cable which is perfect if you're traveling or need to conserve power.

The WH-1000XM4s make 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 feature an EQ that is more flexible, as well as a companion app to tweak the audio quality. The B&Ws are built better, and can pair with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. They also support aptXHD and feature an AI-driven engine which tries to up-scale 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 QuietComfort 45 noise-canceling headphones are the most recent version of a headset that has become an essential for commuters and passengers around the world. The new model doesn't reinvent the wheel. It uses the same formula which 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 have a Premium TFUFR Wireless Bluetooth Over Ear Headphones look and feel that exudes quality. The headband, which is made of plastic, offers an incredibly solid feel due to the hinges made of metal at pivot points. It also has the familiar ratcheting mechanism when you expand or retract your earcups. The cups are cushioned and feature soft pads that can be worn over your ears without putting pressure on your head. When folded they weigh 238g. They can be paired with a sweater or coat because they function even when not on the head.

Despite their reputation as comfortable headphones however, the QC45s don't offer the best sound at this price. The frequencies are dull and lack the depth that headphones with higher prices might be able to bring out. The higher registers tend to be boosted, which is fine for most music, but could become a problem for more delicate or intricate music genres. The bass is decent but lacks punch.

The ability to pause playback when you remove the headset is a feature that is not available. This is a standard in this price range and something Bose's competitors have been offering for years. Another thing that was missing was the lack of an in-app EQ. Bose provides preset EQ settings within the app however it would be nice to have a manual control.

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 headset's audio and voice settings.

The QC45s have four microphones that are built-in to pick up your voice when you are on the phone. The call quality is generally good, but the headsets do not have the capability to turn off your voice during playback, which is something that other wireless headphones have. Update: A firmware upgrade for the QC45s was released in February 2022 included manual adjustments to the audio app. This is a welcome upgrade.

3. Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal is a French audio brand that is known for high-performance headphones with long lasting comfort and a style that makes listeners feel like they're listening to something special. Their first foray into wireless noise cancelling headphones The Bathys are stunning cans that look and sound great. They also come with a built-in high-performance USB DAC which means you can use them for both wired and wireless listening.

The Bathys have a very good battery performance with Focal claiming 30 hours of continuous Bluetooth playtime. We actually got more from them with more than 40 hours on average of a single charge. If you need to charge the headphones, the indicator light on the right earcup will change red.

They come with a wide range of features for headphones of this price point that include support for multiple devices at the same time and automatic pairing (though you'll have to select the source device each time you need to listen). The headphones have a built in microphone that can be used with voice assistants like Siri or Alexa. They also come with an easy-to-use interface, making it easy to control your music as well as make calls.

Bathys over-ear headphones do well in our noise cancellation test, reducing ambient sound by 9 decibels on average. They aren't as good as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless but it's still effective.

The Bathys headphones performed well in our headphone Experience Immersive Sound with INFURTURE Wireless ANC Headphones tests. Their frequency response was mostly similar to the headphone curve of SoundGuys, with only minor deviations in the mids and bass. They have a bass-rich sound profile that adds a lot of boom to mixes, however, it can make instruments and Premium Tfufr Wireless Bluetooth Over Ear Headphones vocals like cymbals sound dull.

You can wear them anywhere without worrying that others will hear your music. Their microphone is suitable for recording via Bluetooth, with only slight distortion between the mid-treble and the treble.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless is a new update of the company's top Bluetooth headsets. The previous model, the Momentum 3, was a decent but not a standout in the category. The latest pair is an improvement on the previous model, sporting a a sleeker look, improved gesture control and an enormous battery life.

A lot of the improvements here are subtle, but they make a pair that feel like an upgrade to the previous model. The Momentum 4s are flat and don't fold. They come with a hardshell case that protects them when moving. They also follow the trend of several other recent Bluetooth headphones, like those from Sony and Bowers & Wilkins, to be completely device-independent. This means they can work with both Android phones and Apple iPhones, however they do not come with the extra features (like Find My support and head-tracked spatial audio) that you'll find on AirPods.

The biggest improvement is the battery that can last for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation turned on. This is more than what the majority of the competition can offer and enough for a long-distance trip without having to worry about finding a power outlet to charge them.

Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget The headphones were rated by Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget an 82 percent score. He noted their sound quality and ANC features as the top strengths. He has only one complaint: they lack a sense of gravitas in the mids and treble. This makes orchestral pieces sound flat, not grand. The bass is well rounded but it can sound too loud, which can cause fatigue in songs that have heavy bass lines, like the drum hits in As I Lay Dying’s Forever. The cymbals sound smoky rather than full and there's no feeling of depth in the bass.

The Momentum 4s are not designed to cause pressure on your neck or ears. They can be a bit fidgety when you wear them around the home or during long listening sessions. They will move around on your head, and make rapid head movements. This can cause them wake up unexpectedly, which can be distracting while listening to music or making calls. They will shut down automatically after 15 minutes and can be switched off manually with the power button.