Best Over-Ear Headphones
In contrast to earbuds, headphones over-ear cover your ears completely and allow for bigger drivers to deliver greater bass and larger soundstages. They also have active noise cancellation and Bluetooth technology.
The latest Master and Dynamic MW65 update offers excellent audio, a variety of ANC modes, and a long battery life with a stylish and distinct design.
1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless
Sony has redesigned an already-great pair of headphones with the WH-1000XM4 Wireless. They are lighter, better built and have an audio profile that is more balanced (though bass heavy). They also come with an app that lets you customize the audio. Their active noise cancelling works even better than before, removing the background noise, and they have a longer continuous battery life than a lot of competitors.
These headphones use Bluetooth 5.0, with support for SBC, AAC, and Sony's own LDAC codec. The latter is able to 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 simultaneously and automatically switch between them if needed. This feature is accessible through the Sony Headphones Connect App and is very effective.
One subtle improvement over the XM3 is the sensibility of their touch panels. They respond faster to the touch of a panel and are easier to control when making a call or listening to media. Sony has also added a feature that can make voices sound clearer and more precise during calls. This is a noticeable and nice touch.
Although the WH-1000XM4s may not be perfect, they're one of the most comfortable wireless headphones we've tested. They're comfortable, good to the touch, and have an impressive battery that can last longer than 30 hours continuously. They can also be used in a passive manner with a TRS cable which is great for those who travel or want to conserve power.
The WH1000XM4s provide a superior 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 come with a companion app that lets you alter their audio performance, and their EQ settings are more flexible than B&W's. However, the B&Ws have more robust design and they can connect with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. They also support aptXHD and feature an AI-driven engine that tries to increase the size of compressed music to high resolution. This is called DSEE Extreme and it does a good job of improving the clarity of music, especially 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 that is a popular choice among commuters and passengers across the world. Instead of reinventing the wheel, the new model retains the same formula that made the predecessor so popular, but adds USB-C, improved noise cancellation and longer battery life.
Like the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones sport an elegant design and feel that oozes quality. The headband is made of plastic, and is sturdy and comfortable with hinges made of metal at the pivot points, and the familiar ratcheting action that you experience when you retract or extend the earcups. The cups feature soft cushioned pads that fit comfortably over the ears and don't apply pressure to your head. When folded they weigh 238 grams. You can wear them while wearing an overcoat or sweater since the noise-canceling works even when they are not on your head.
Despite their reputation for comfort, the QC45s can't offer the most impressive sound quality for this price range. The frequencies are flat and lack the details that higher-end headphones might be able to bring out. The upper registers tend to be amplified which is great for most music but can become a problem for more delicate or intricate music genres. The bass is good but it lacks punch.
The ability to pause the playback when removing the headset is a feature that's missing. This is a feature that Bose's rivals have provided for several years. Another issue is the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose has preset EQs available in the app, but it would be nice to have an option to control the EQ manually.
You can connect to your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth 5.0 with multipoint support as well as more advanced codecs like aptX Adaptive. You can download the Bose Audio app to adjust your headset's audio and voice assistant settings.
The QC45s come with four microphones built-in to hear your voice when you are on the phone. The headsets have a good call quality, however they don't permit you to mute the voice during playback like other wireless headphones. Update: A firmware update for the QC45s was released in February 2022 added manual adjustments to the audio app. This is a great upgrade.
3. Focal Bathys Wireless
Focal is a French audio brand known for its high-performance headphones with long lasting comfort and a design that let listeners know they're listening to something truly special. Their first attempt at wireless headphones that cancel out noise the Bathys, are stunning headphones that look and sound fantastic. They also come with a built-in high-performance USB DAC which means you can use them for wired and wireless listening.
The Bathys have a very good battery performance with Focal claiming 30 hours of continuous Bluetooth playtime. We had more than 40 hours of playback time on average from just one charge. If you need to charge the headphones then the indicator light on the right earcup will go red.
For headphones for this price, they come with a lot of features. They can be used with multiple devices simultaneously and have automatic pairing. (You must select your device source by hand each time you listen.) The headphones have built-in microphones that works with voice assistants such as Siri or Alexa. They also come with an intuitive interface that makes it simple to control your music and take calls.
Bathys over-ear headphones do well in our noise cancellation test, reducing ambient sound by an average of 9 decibels. 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 headphone sound quality The Bathys did well overall, with a a frequency response that mostly corresponds to the SoundGuys preference curve, with only minor differences in the mids and bass. The Bathys have a booming sound profile which can make vocals, instruments and cymbals appear obscure.
They also have excellent leakage resistance, which means you can wear them in public without worrying about others hearing your music. Their mic has passable quality of recording via Bluetooth with only slight distortion in the mid to high treble frequency range.
4. Sennheiser Momentum 4
The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless are a new update to the company's flagship Bluetooth headphones. The Momentum 3 was a solid but not an outstanding entry in this category. The new model improves on the previous generation with more sleek design, better gesture controls, and a huge battery life.
The improvements here are subtle but they make a pair that feel like an upgrade to the previous model. The Momentum 4s lay flat and don't fold however they come with a nice hardshell case to keep them safe when on the move. The Momentum 4s are also compatible with all devices, just like other Bluetooth headphones from recent years, such as the ones from Bowers & Wilkins and Sony. good wireless over ear headphones are compatible 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 improvement here is the massive battery, which promises up to 60 hours of playback when the noise cancellation feature turned on. This is easily twice the amount of the competition and enough to go on a long-distance trip without worrying about finding an outlet.
Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget, gave the headphones an 82 percent score. He cited their audio quality and ANC features as the top strengths. He only has one complaint they lack gravitas in the mids and the treble. This means that orchestral pieces sound flat instead of grand. The bass is smooth and well-rounded but it's easy to over-emphasize, which can lead to fatigue in songs with strong bass lines like the drums that are pounding in As I Lay Dying's Forever. The cymbals sound hot, but not a lot. There's also not much depth to the lows.
The Momentum 4s are comfortable and should not put too much pressure on your ears or neck. However they can be fidgety when wearing them around the house or during longer listening sessions. They can move around on your head, causing intense head movements. This could cause them to wake up in a sudden manner, which could be distracting when listening to music or making calls. They will shut down automatically after 15 minutes, and can be switched off manually using the power button.