Best Over-Ear Headphones
Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds, can completely surround the ears. They also permit bigger drivers that provide deeper bass and a bigger soundstage. Many come with Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.
The latest Master and Dynamic MW65 update offers superior audio, multiple ANC modes, and an impressive battery life with a stylish and distinct design.
1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless
Sony has made improvements to an already great pair of headphones with the WH-1000XM4 Wireless. They're lighter, feel more constructed, and have an improved sound profile that is more balanced (though still bass heavy) and come with an app that lets you do some audio adjustments. Their active noise cancelling performs even better than before, removing any background noise. Additionally, they have a longer battery life than a lot of competitors.
These headphones utilize Bluetooth 5.0 which supports SBC, AAC, and Sony's own LDAC codec. These headphones can transmit high-resolution audio, however, you'll need compatible equipment and streaming service. In addition, the WH1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth devices at the same time and switch between them as needed. You enable this feature through the Sony Headphones Connect app and it 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, and this makes them easier to control during a call or listen to media. Sony has also added a feature to make voices clearer and more precise during calls. This is a distinct and nice touch.
The WH-1000XM4s aren't perfect, but they're among the best wireless headphones we've ever test. They're comfortable, good to the touch, and have an outstanding battery that can last longer than 30 hours continuously. They can also be used in a passive manner using an TRS cable which is perfect when you're on the road or need to conserve power.
The WH-1000XM4s are a better choice over the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 Wireless over-ears. The Sonys are more comfortable, and their ANC can block out more ambient sound. 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 come with more robust design and they can connect with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. They also support aptXHD and have an AI-driven engine that tries to increase the size of compressed music to high-resolution. This is known as 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 a standard for commuters as well as travelers around the globe. The new model does not reinvent the wheel. It is based on the same formula which made its predecessor so successful, while adding the USB-C port and improved noise cancellation.
Similar to the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones sport an elegant design and feel that oozes quality. The headband, constructed of plastic, provides an incredibly solid feel due to the hinges made of steel at pivot points. It also features the ratcheting mechanism that is familiar when you extend or retract the ear cups. 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. They can be used with an overcoat or sweater since the noise cancellation function is functional even when they're not on your head.
Despite their reputation as comfortable headphones, the QC45s do not provide the best sound at this price. The frequencies are dull and lack the details that higher-end headphones might be able bring out. The upper registers are amplified which is fine for most music genres but can be a problem for more delicate and complex genres. The bass is good, but is lacking punch.
One feature that's not present is the possibility of paused playback when you take off the headset. This is a feature Bose's competitors have offered for years. Another thing that was missing was the lack of an in-app EQ. Bose provides preset EQ settings in the app however it would be nice to have a manual control.
You can connect to your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth 5.0 with multipoint support and more advanced codecs like aptX Adaptive. You can download the Bose Audio app to adjust your headset's sound and voice assistant settings.
The QC45s have four microphones built-in to hear your voice while on the phone. The quality of calls is generally good but the headphones don't come with the handy ability to mute your voice while playing back which is something other wireless headphones do. Update: A firmware upgrade for the QC45s was released 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 known for its high-performance headphones that last for a long time, comfort and a style that let listeners know they're listening to something unique. Their first foray into wireless headphones that cancel out noise The Bathys, are stunning headphones that look and sound amazing. They also come with a built in high performance USB DAC which means you can use them for wired and wireless listening.
The Bathys come with a great battery performance, with Focal claims of 30 hours of continuous Bluetooth playtime. We actually got a bit more out of them, with over 40 hours on average of a single charge. If you need to charge your headphones in the future, the indicator light on the right earcup will change red.
For headphones at this price, they come with many features. They can connect to multiple devices at once and feature automatic pairing. (You must select the device you want to pair with manually every time you listen.) The headphones come with a built in microphone that can be used with voice assistants, such as Siri or Alexa. The headphones also feature an easy-to-use interface that makes it easy to manage your music and make calls.
For wireless headphones that are over-ear The Bathys perform very well in our on ear wireless headphones test of noise cancellation. They cut down the ambient sound by about 9 decibels in average. It's not as impressive as the ANC in the Sony WH-1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless, however it's still fairly effective.
The Bathys headphones did well in our headphone tests. Their frequency response was mostly similar to the headphone curve of SoundGuys, with only minor deviations in the mids and bass. They have a deep, bass-filled sound profile which adds plenty of boom to mixes but can sometimes make instruments and vocals like cymbals sound dull.
They also have excellent leakage resistance, so you can wear them in public without worrying about people hearing your music. The microphone is able to be used for recording via Bluetooth with only a slight distortion between the mid-treble and treble.
4. Sennheiser Momentum 4
The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless is a new version of the company's flagship Bluetooth headsets. The Momentum 3 was a solid, but not spectacular entry in this category. The latest pair improves on the previous model with a sleeker design, improved gesture controls and massive battery life.
The improvements aren't that obvious, but they create 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 that protects them when moving. The Momentum 4s are also compatible with all devices, just like other Bluetooth headphones of recent years, such as those from Bowers & Wilkins and Sony. They can be used with Apple iPhones as well as Android phones, but they do not have the AirPods' extra features like Find My Support and head-tracked spatial audio.
The most obvious difference here is the massive battery that promises up to 60 hours of playback with the noise cancellation feature activated. This is more than twice the amount of the other brands and enough to go on a long-distance trip without having to search for an outlet.
Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget and Engadget, gave the headphones an 82-point score. He highlighted their audio quality and ANC features as the top strengths. He has only one complaint that they lack gravitas in the mids and treble. This makes orchestral pieces sound flat instead of grand. The bass is well-rounded, however, it can be overemphasized, which can lead to fatigue in songs that have heavy bass lines such as the drums that are pounding in As I Lay Dying's Forever. The cymbals sound a bit bubbly, but not full. There's no real depth to the lows.
The Momentum 4s are comfortable and should not put too much pressure on your ears or neck. They can be fidgety if you wear them around the home or for long listening sessions. They can move on your head and make intense head movements. This can cause them to wake up at random, which can be distracting when you are listening to music or calls. Fortunately they stop working after 15 minutes of slumber by default and can be manually switched off using the power button.