Best Over-Ear Headphones
Unlike earbuds, over-ear headphones are a complete encapsulation of your ears and allow for bigger drivers to deliver more bass and a wider soundstage. A majority of them feature Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.
The most recent Master & Dynamic MW65 update offers superior audio, multiple ANC modes, and a long battery life in an elegant and distinct design.
1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless
Sony has improved an already fantastic pair of headphones by introducing the WH1000XM4 wireless. They're lighter, feel more constructed, and have a more balanced sound profile (though still bass-heavy), and include an app that lets you do some audio-related customization. Their active noise cancelling works better than it did before, eliminating any background noise. Additionally, they have a longer continuous battery life than other models.
These headphones utilize Bluetooth 5.0, with support for 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. Additionally, the WH-1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth devices at once and automatically switch between them if needed. You can enable this feature via the Sony Headphones Connect app and it works flawlessly.
The touch panels are more sensitive than the XM3. They respond faster to a tap on the panel, and this makes them easier to control during a call or to listen to music. Sony has also added a feature that can make voices more precise and clear during calls. This is a distinct and a nice addition.
While the WH1000XM4s aren't perfect, they are some of the most comfortable wireless headphones we've ever tested. They're comfortable and well-constructed, and come with a batteries that last for more than 30 continuous hours. good wireless over ear headphones can be used in a passive manner with the TRS cable. This is great to travel with or for storing 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 sound. They also have an app that lets you tweak their audio performance, and their EQ settings are more flexible than the B&W's. But the B&Ws have an improved design, and they're able to connect with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. They also support aptXHD and feature an AI-driven engine that attempts to scale compressed music up to high-resolution. This is known as DSEE Extreme and it does well in improving the clarity of music, particularly when listening to lossless music.
2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless
The $329 Bose QuietComfort45 noise-canceling headset is the most recent version of a headset which has become a popular choice for commuters and passengers all over the world. The new model does not reinvent the wheel. It is based on the same formula that has made its predecessor so successful, while adding USB-C and better noise cancellation.
Like the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones feature a premium look and feel that exudes quality. The headband, made of plastic, has a firm feel thanks to the metal hinges at pivot points. It also features the familiar ratcheting mechanism when you retract or extend your ear cups. The cups are cushioned and have soft pads that fit over your ears without pressing your head. When folded, they weigh 238 grams. They can be worn with a sweater or coat since they can be worn even when not on the head.
Despite their reputation as comfortable headphones, the QC45s do not provide the best sound quality at this price. The frequencies are relatively flat and lack details that headphones with higher prices might be able to bring out. The higher registers tend to be boosted and is suitable for most music but can be a problem for delicate or intricate genres of music. The bass is decent, but lacks punch.
The ability to pause the playback after removing the headset is a feature not available. This is a feature that Bose's competitors have offered for many years. Another omission is the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose provides preset EQ settings in the app, but 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. 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 pick up your voice while on the phone. The headsets have a good call quality, however they don't permit you to muffle the sound during playback as other wireless headphones. Update: A firmware update for the QC45s in February 2022 added 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 comfort and style, which let listeners know that they're hearing something unique. Their first venture into wireless headphones that cancel out noise the Bathys are stunning cans that look and sound fantastic. They also come with a built in high performance USB DAC which means you can use them for wireless and wired listening.
Focal claims that the Bathys can play Bluetooth music for 30 hours. We actually got more from them with more than 40 hours on average of a single charge. If you are required to charge your headphones, the indicator light on the right earcup will change red.
For headphones for this price, they offer a lot of features. They can connect to multiple devices simultaneously and offer automatic pairing. (You will need to select the device you want to pair with each time you listen.) They have a built-in microphone that supports voice assistants like Siri or Alexa. They also come with an easy-to-use interface, making it simple to control your music and take calls.
Bathys over-ear headphones perform well in our noise cancellation test, reducing ambient noise by an average of 9 decibels. It's not as impressive as the ANC in the Sony WH-1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless, however it's still pretty effective.
The Bathys headphones performed well in our headphone sound tests. Their frequency response was mostly similar to the SoundGuys headphone curve with minor variations in the mids and bass. They have a bass-rich sound profile which adds plenty of boom to the mix, but can sometimes make vocals and instruments like cymbals sound dull.
They also have excellent leakage resistance, which means you can wear them in public without worrying about other people listening to your music. Their microphone is suitable for recording using Bluetooth with only a slight distortion between the mid-treble and treble.
4. Sennheiser Momentum 4
The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless are a new version of the company's top-of-the-line Bluetooth headphones. The previous model, called the Momentum 3, was a decent, but not the most impressive entry into the category. The new model improves on the previous generation with a sleeker design, improved gesture controls, and a huge battery life.
The improvements are subtle, but add up to an over-ear pair of headphones that feels like an upgrade. The Momentum 4s are flat and do not fold, but they do come with a sturdy hardshell case to protect them when on the move. The Momentum 4s are also non-device-specific, similar to other Bluetooth headphones of recent years, including those from Bowers & Wilkins and Sony. They can be used with Apple iPhones as well as Android phones, but lack the AirPods additional features such as Find My Support and head-tracked spatial audio.
The most obvious difference here is the massive battery, which promises up to 60 hours of playback with noise cancellation activated. This is nearly twice as much as most of the other brands and enough to allow you to travel for a longer period of time without worrying about finding an outlet.
Engadget senior editor Billy Steele gave the headphones an 82 rating with a focus on their audio quality and ANC as two of their strengths. His only complaint is that they lack a sense gravitas in the mids as well as the treble, which means that orchestral pieces tend to sound flat, not grand. The bass is rounded, but it can be overemphasised and cause fatigue in songs with heavy bass lines such as the drums that are pounding in As I Lay Dying's Forever. The cymbals can sound smoky rather than full and there's no feeling of depth in the bass.
The Momentum 4s should not place pressure on your neck or ear. They can be fidgety if you wear them around the home or during long listening sessions. They will move around on your head and make a lot of head movements. This can cause them wake up unexpectedly, which can be distracting when listening to music or making calls. Fortunately, they stop working after 15 minutes of sleep by default and can be turned off manually off with the power button.