Best Over-Ear Headphones
Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds are able to completely encapsulate your ears. They also allow for larger drivers, which deliver greater bass and a larger soundstage. Many include Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.
The most recent Master & Dynamic MW65 update provides excellent audio, a variety of ANC modes, and an impressive battery life with a stylish and distinct design.
1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless
Sony has upgraded an already great pair of headphones by introducing the WH1000XM4 wireless. They are more lightweight, better constructed, and have a more balanced audio profile (though bass-heavy). They also have an app for audio customization. They've improved their active noise cancellation, eliminating more background noises, and have a longer battery life.
These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible and Sony LDAC is also supported. The latter can transmit high-resolution audio, however, you'll need compatible equipment and a streaming service. Additionally, over ear wireless headphones -1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and automatically switch between them as needed. This feature can be enabled via the Sony Headphones Connect App and works flawlessly.
The touch panels are more sensitive than the XM3. They respond faster to the touch of the panel and are much easier to control when making a call or listening to music. Sony has also added a feature to make voices clearer and more precise during calls. This is a distinct and a nice addition.
Although the WH-1000XM4s may not be perfect, they're one of the most comfortable wireless headphones we've tested. They're comfortable, well-made, and have batteries that last for more than 30 continuous hours. They can be used passively by using the TRS cable. This is perfect to travel with or for storing power.
The WH1000XM4s are a better alternative to the Bowers & Wilkins Wireless Over-Ears Px7 S2. The Sonys are more comfortable, and their ANC can block out more ambient noise. They also have a companion app that lets you alter their audio performance, and their EQ settings are more flexible than the B&W's. However, the B&Ws have a better-built design, and they're able to connect with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. They also support aptXHD, and they have an AI-driven engine that attempts to increase the size of 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 latest iteration of a headphone that became an essential for commuters and passengers around the world. The new model does not reinvent the wheel. It is based on the same formula that was the basis of its predecessor's success but it also includes USB-C and better noise cancellation.
These over-ear Bose headsets come with a premium feel and look, just like the QC 35 II headphones that preceded them. The headband, constructed of plastic, offers an incredibly solid feel due to the hinges made of metal at pivot points. It also features the familiar ratcheting mechanism whenever you retract or extend the ear cups. The cups are cushioned and have soft pads that fit over your ears without pressing your head. They weigh 238 grams and are fairly compact when folded. They can be paired with a sweater or coat as they work even when not on the head.
Despite their reputation for comfort, the QC45s don't provide the best sound quality in this price range. The frequencies are dull and lack the details that more expensive headphones may be able bring out. The upper registers tend to be boosted, which is fine for most music but can become a problem for more delicate or intricate music genres. The bass is good, but it lacks power.
One feature that's missing is the possibility of paused playback when you remove the headset. This is a feature that Bose's competitors have offered for years. Another thing that was missing was the lack of an in-app EQ. Bose offers preset EQs within the app, but it would be nice to have an option to manually control.
Bluetooth 5.0 is supported, with multipoint as well as more advanced codecs, such as aptX Adaptive. You can download the Bose Audio app to adjust the volume and voice assistant settings.
The QC45s have four microphones built-in to pick up your voice while on the phone. They have excellent call quality, but they don't let you silence the voice when playing back as other wireless headphones. Update In February 2022, the firmware update to the QC45s gave you manual EQ options in the audio app which is a welcomed improvement.
3. Focal Bathys Wireless
Focal is a French audio company known for high-performance headphones with long lasting comfort and a style that let listeners know they're listening to something truly special. The Bathys are their first wireless noise-cancelling headphones. They look and sound stunning. They also have a built in high performance USB DAC which means you can use them for both 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 from them and got over 40 hours on average of one charge. If you need to charge your headphones then the indicator light on the right earcup will go red.
For headphones for this price, they come with many features. They support multiple devices simultaneously and offer automatic pairing. (You must select your device source by hand each time you listen.) The headphones have built-in microphones that can be used with voice assistants such as Siri or Alexa. They also come with an easy-to-use interface, making it easy to control your music and take calls.
For wireless headphones that are over-ear The Bathys perform very well in our tests of noise cancellation. They cut down the sound of the surrounding environment by about 9 decibels per hour on average. This isn't as impressive a result 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 in our tests of headphone sound quality, the Bathys were a good overall performer with a frequency response that mostly is in line with the SoundGuys headphone preference curve, with just minor differences in the bass and mids. The Bathys have a bassy sound profile which can make instruments, vocals and cymbals seem veiled.
Wear them wherever you want and not worry about whether others hear your music. The microphone is able to be used for recording using Bluetooth, with only slight distortion between the mid-treble and the treble.
4. Sennheiser Momentum 4
The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless is a new version of the company's top Bluetooth headsets. The Momentum 3 was a solid but not an outstanding entry in this class. The latest model is improved over the previous model by having a sleeker design, improved gesture controls, and an enormous battery life.
Many of the improvements here are subtle, but they make a pair of over-ears that feel like an upgrade to the old one. The Momentum 4s are flat and do not fold. They come with a hardshell case to protect them when on the move. They also follow the style of many other recent Bluetooth headphones, such as the ones from Sony and Bowers & Wilkins, to be beautifully device agnostic. This means they work well 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 are available on the AirPods.
The most obvious improvement in this model is the huge battery, which promises up to 60 hours of playback with noise cancellation activated. This is easily double the amount of the competitors and sufficient to go on a long-distance trip without worrying about finding an outlet.
Engadget senior editor Billy Steele gave the headphones an 82 score with a focus on their audio quality and ANC as particular strengths. He only has one complaint that they lack of gravitas in the mids and treble. This means that orchestral music sounds flat, not grand. The bass is well-rounded, but it's easy to over-emphasize, which can lead to fatigue in songs with strong bass lines like the drum hits in As I Lay Dying's Forever. The cymbals sound sizzled, not full. There's also not much depth to the lows.
The Momentum 4s shouldn't cause pressure on your neck or ear. However they can be a bit uncomfortable when worn in the house or during longer listening sessions, and can move around on your head, causing intense head movements. This can cause them to wake up in a sudden manner, which could be distracting when listening to music or making calls. Fortunately, they shut down after 15 minutes of rest by default, and can be turned off manually off using the power button.