Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds, are able to completely encapsulate your ears. They also allow for bigger drivers that provide deeper bass and a bigger soundstage. Many come with Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.

The Master & Dynamic MW65 is updated with superior audio, multiple ANC modes and a huge battery life.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has made improvements to an already great pair of headphones with the WH-1000XM4 Wireless. They're less heavy, feel better built, have a more balanced sound profile (though still bass-heavy) and include an app that allows some audio adjustments. They have improved their active noise cancellation, which eliminates more ambient sounds and have a longer battery life.

These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible and Sony LDAC is also supported. The latter can transfer high-resolution audio, however you'll need to use compatible devices and streaming services. Additionally, the WH-1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth devices at the same time and automatically switch between them as needed. This feature can be enabled through the Sony Headphones Connect app and it works flawlessly.

A subtle improvement over the XM3 is the sensitiveness of their touch panels. They respond faster to a tap on panels and are simpler to control when making a call or listening to media. Sony also included a feature that helps voices sound clearer and more precise on calls 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, good to the touch, and have an excellent battery that lasts for more than 30 hours continuously. They can also be used in a passive manner with a TRS cable which is perfect when you're on the road or need to conserve power.

The WH-1000XM4s make a better choice over the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 Wireless over-ears. The Sonys are more comfortable and their ANC is able to block out more ambient sound. They also come with a companion app that lets you tweak their audio performance, and their EQ settings are more flexible than the B&W's. However, the B&Ws come with an improved design, and they're able to pair with two Bluetooth devices at once. In addition, they support aptX HD, and they have an AI-driven engine that attempts to boost 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 current version of a headset that is a popular choice among commuters and travelers all over the world. Instead of reinventing the wheel, the new model retains the same formula that made the predecessor so popular, and adds USB-C, better noise cancellation and a longer battery life.

These over-ear Bose headsets have a premium feel and appearance, similar to the QC 35 II headphones that came before them. The headband, constructed of plastic, provides a firm feel thanks to the metal hinges at pivot points. They also have the familiar ratcheting mechanism whenever you retract or extend the ear cups. The cups are soft, cushioned pads that fit securely over the ears and don't apply pressure on your head. When folded, they weigh 238 grams. They can be used when you're wearing a sweater or coat as the noise cancellation function is functional even when they are not on your head.

Despite their reputation as comfortable headphones, the QC45s do not provide the best sound at this price point. The frequencies are dull and lack the depth that higher-end headphones might be able to bring out. The upper registers are boosted which is acceptable for most music genres but can be problematic for more delicate and intricate 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 not available. This is a feature Bose's competitors have offered for several years. Another omission is the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose offers preset EQs within the app but it would be nice if there was an option to manually control.

You can connect to your tablet or smartphone via Bluetooth 5.0 with multipoint support as well as more advanced codecs such as aptX Adaptive. Download the Bose Audio App to adjust your headsets voice and sound settings.

The QC45s have four microphones built-in to hear your voice when on the phone. The headsets have a good call quality, but they don't allow you to muffle the sound during playback as other wireless headphones. Update: A firmware update for the QC45s in February 2022 introduced manual EQ options to the audio app. This is a very welcome change.

3. Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal is a French audio brand that produces high-performance headphones. They are well-known for their style and comfort, which let listeners know that they're listening to something special. The Bathys are their first wireless noise cancelling headphones. They are stunning in appearance and sound. They come with a high-performance USB DAC built in, making them suitable both for wireless and wired listening.

The Bathys are very efficient in terms of battery performance with Focal claims of 30 hours of continuous Bluetooth playtime. We actually got more from them, with over 40 hours on average out of just one charge. If you do require a recharge, there's an indicator light on the right ear cup that will turn red when the earphone needs to be charged.

They come with a wide range of features for headphones of this price, including support for multiple devices at the same time and automatic pairing (though you'll need to manually select your source device every time you need to listen). They also have a built-in mic that works with voice assistants such as Siri or Alexa. They also come with an easy-to-use interface, making it easy to manage your music and make calls.

For headphones with over-ear connectivity for over-ear wireless headphones, the Bathys perform very well in our tests of noise cancellation, reducing the sound of the surrounding environment by about 9 decibels per hour on average. It's not as effective as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless, but it is still effective.

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

They also have very good leakage resistance, meaning you can wear them out in public without worrying about other people listening to your music. The microphone is able to be used for recording via Bluetooth, with only slight distortion between the mid-treble and treble.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless are a new version of the company's flagship Bluetooth headphones. The Momentum 3 was a solid, but not spectacular entry in this class. The new model improves on the previous generation with modern design, better gesture controls, and an enormous battery life.

The improvements here are subtle but they make a pair that seem like a step up from the previous model. The Momentum 4s are flat and don't fold. They come with an outer case that protects them when moving. They also follow the style of many other recent Bluetooth headphones, like the ones from Sony and headphonesshop.uk Bowers & Wilkins, to be completely device-independent. They are compatible with Apple iPhones and Android phones, but lack the AirPods additional features such as Find My Support and head-tracked spatial audio.

The most obvious change here is the massive battery, cadplm.co.kr which claims up to 60 hours of playback time with the noise cancellation feature activated. That's easily double what most of the competitors can provide and is enough for a trip of a lifetime without worrying about finding an outlet to charge it.

Engadget senior editor Billy Steele gave the headphones an 82-point score, citing their audio quality and ANC as particular strengths. He has only one complaint they lack gravitas in mids and treble. This means that orchestral music sounds flat, not grand. The bass is smooth and well-rounded however, it can be overemphasized, which can lead to fatigue in songs that have heavy bass lines such as the drums 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 are not designed to put pressure on your neck or ear. However, they can be uncomfortable when worn in the house or during longer listening sessions, and will move about on your head in a flurry of head movements. This can cause them to wake up at random times, which can be distracting while listening to music or making calls. Fortunately they stop working after 15 minutes of sleep by default, and can be switched off using the power button.