Best Over-Ear Headphones
Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds cover your ears completely and allow for bigger drivers to produce deeper bass and wider soundstages. Many include Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.
The most recent Master & Dynamic MW65 update offers superior audio, multiple ANC modes, and an impressive battery life, all in a sleek and distinctive design.
1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless
Sony has upgraded an already fantastic pair of headphones with the introduction of the WH1000XM4 wireless. They're lighter, feel more built, feature more balanced sound profiles (though still bass heavy), and include an app that allows for some audio adjustments. Their active noise cancellation works better than ever before, removing the background noise, and they have a longer continuous battery life than other models.
These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible, and Sony LDAC is also supported. The latter is able to transfer high-resolution music, though you'll need compatible devices and streaming services. The WH-1000XM4s is also able to connect two Bluetooth devices at the same time and automatically switch between them when required. This feature is accessible through the Sony Headphones Connect App and works flawlessly.
One of the major improvements over the XM3 is the sensitiveness of their touch panels. They respond faster to the tap of the panel, which makes them easier to control during a call or to listen to music. Sony has also added an option that makes voices sound clearer and more precise on calls which is noticeable and a nice addition.
The WH-1000XM4s aren't perfect, but they are among the best wireless headphones we've ever tested. They're comfortable, feel well made, and have an excellent battery that lasts for longer than 30 hours continuously. They can be used as a passive device by using the TRS cable. This is ideal for travel or preserving power.
The WH-1000XM4s are better over the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 Wireless over-ears. The Sonys are more comfy, and their ANC can block out more background noise. They also have a companion application that lets you adjust their audio performance, and their EQ settings are more flexible than B&W's. But the B&Ws have a better-built design, and they're able to connect with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. Additionally, they support aptX HD and feature an AI-driven engine that attempts to boost compressed music to high-resolution. This is known as DSEE Extreme and it does a good job of improving the clarity of music, particularly when listening to lossless 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 a standard for commuters as well as travelers around the globe. Rather than 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 lifespan.
Similar to the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones have a premium look and feel that exudes quality. The headband is made from plastic, and has a sturdy feel with metal hinges at the pivot points, and the ratcheting mechanism that is familiar when you open or retract the earcups. The cups are cushioned and feature soft pads that are comfortable to wear over your ears without placing pressure on your head. They weigh 238 grams and are compact when folded. You can use them with 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, the QC45s do not offer the best sound at this price point. The frequencies are comparatively flat and lack details that higher-end headphones may be capable of bringing out. The upper registers are amplified which is acceptable for the majority of music but can be a problem for more delicate and intricate genres. The bass is decent, but it lacks the punch.
The possibility of pauseing the playback when you remove the headset is a feature that is absent. This is a standard feature in this price range and something that Bose's rivals have been offering for years. Another thing that was missing was the lack of an in-app EQ. Bose has preset EQs in the app but it would be nice to have an option to control the EQ manually.
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 your headset's sound and voice assistant settings.
The QC45s also come with four microphones built into the headset to pick up your voice during calls. The quality of calls is generally excellent but the headphones don't come with the handy capability to turn off your voice while playing back which is something that other wireless headphones have. Update: A firmware upgrade for the QC45s in February 2022 introduced manual settings for EQ to the audio app. This is a welcome upgrade.
3. Focal Bathys Wireless
Focal is a French audio company that makes high-performance headphones. They are well-known for their style and comfort that let listeners know that they're hearing something unique. Their first foray into wireless headphones that block noise the Bathys are stunning headphones that look and sound fantastic. They have a high-performance USB DAC built in, so you can use them both for wired and wireless listening.
jbl headphones wireless have a very good battery performance, with Focal claiming 30 hours of continuous Bluetooth playtime. We were able to get more than 40 hours of playback time on average on a single charge. If you have to charge the headphones in the future, the indicator light on the right earcup will go red.
For a pair of headphones at this price, they have lots of features. They can connect to multiple devices simultaneously and offer automatic pairing. (You have to select the device you want to pair with each time you listen.) They come with a built-in microphone that can be used to control 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 sound by an average of 9 decibels. It's not as effective as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless but it is still effective.
In our tests of the quality of sound from headphones The Bathys were a good overall performer with the frequency response which generally is in line with the SoundGuys headphone preference curve, with just minor deviations in the bass and mids. They have a bass-rich sound profile which adds plenty of boom to mixes, however, they can make instruments and vocals such as cymbals sound veiled.
Wear them wherever you want without fearing that other people will hear your music. Their microphone is suitable to record via Bluetooth, with only slight distortion between the mid-treble and treble.
4. Sennheiser Momentum 4
The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless is a new update of the company's flagship Bluetooth headsets. The previous model, the Momentum 3, was a decent, but not the most impressive entry in the class. The latest pair improves on the previous generation with modern design, better gesture controls, and an enormous battery life.
A lot of the improvements aren't that obvious, but they create a pair of over-ears that seem like a step up from the old one. The Momentum 4s are flat and don't fold. They come with an outer case that protects them when on the move. The Momentum 4s are compatible with all devices, just like other Bluetooth headphones from recent years, including those from Bowers & Wilkins and Sony. This means they can work with both Android phones and Apple iPhones, however they don't have the extra features (like Find My support and head-tracked Spatial Audio) that you'll find on the AirPods.
The most significant change is the huge battery that can play for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation turned on. This is more than what the majority of the competition can offer and is enough for a trip of a lifetime without having to worry about finding an outlet to charge it.
Engadget senior editor Billy Steele gave the headphones an 82 score and cited their sound quality and ANC as two of their strengths. His only complaint is that they lack a sense of weight in the mids and treble, meaning that orchestral pieces tend to sound flat rather than grand. The bass is well rounded however it can be too loud, which can cause to fatigue in songs with high-pitched bass lines, like the drum beats of As I Lay Dying’s Forever. The cymbals sound hot, but not a lot. There's no real depth to the lows.
The Momentum 4s shouldn't cause pressure on your neck or ear. They can be a bit fidgety if 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 to wake up at random times, which can be distracting while listening to music or making calls. They will shut down automatically after 15 minutes and can be turned off manually by pressing the power button.