Best Over-Ear Headphones
Unlike earbuds, over-ear headphones encapsulate your ears completely and allow larger drivers to provide greater bass and larger soundstages. Many also include active noise cancellation and Bluetooth technology.
The Master & Dynamic MMW65 has been updated with better audio and multiple ANC modes, and a long battery life.
1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless
Sony has improved on an already-great pair of headphones with the WH-1000XM4 Wireless. They're less heavy, feel better constructed, and have a more balanced sound profile (though still bass heavy) and include an app that allows some audio-related customization. They have improved their active noise cancellation, which eliminates more background noises and have a longer battery life.
These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible, and Sony LDAC is also compatible with. The latter is able to transfer high-resolution audio, however you'll need to use 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 as needed. This feature can be enabled through the Sony Headphones Connect app and it works very well.
The touch panels are more sensitive than the XM3. They respond faster to tapping on the panel and are much easier to manage when making a phone call or listening to media. Sony has added a feature to make voices sound more clear and precise during calls. This is an obvious and a nice addition.
The WH-1000XM4s might not be perfect, but they are among the best wireless headphones that we have ever test. They are comfortable, well-made, and have an energy-efficient battery that can last for more than 30 continuous hours. They can also be used in a passive manner using the TRS cable which is great when you're on the road or need to conserve power.
The WH-1000XM4s are a better choice than the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 Wireless over-ears. The Sonys are more comfy, and their ANC can block out more ambient sound. The B&Ws feature an EQ that is more flexible and an app that allows you to tweak the audio performance. But the B&Ws have an improved design, and they can connect with two Bluetooth devices at once. Additionally, they support aptX HD and have a unique AI-driven engine that attempts to boost compressed music to high-resolution. This is referred to 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 QuietComfort45 Noise-Canceling headset is the most current version of a headset that has become a favorite among commuters and passengers across the world. Rather than reinventing the wheel the new model follows the same formula that made the predecessor so popular, but adds USB-C, better noise cancellation and a longer battery life.
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 of plastic, yet it has a sturdy feel with hinges made of metal at pivot points and the ratcheting mechanism that is familiar when you extend or retract the earcups. The cups are soft cushions that fit comfortably over the ears and do not apply pressure to your head. When folded they weigh 238 grams. You can use them when you're wearing a sweater or coat as the noise-canceling works even when they're 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 fairly flat and lack the depth that higher-end headphones may be capable of bringing out. The higher registers tend to be more boosted and is suitable for most music genres but could cause problems for more delicate or intricate music genres. The bass is great, but lacks the punch.
One feature that's not present is the ability to pause playback whenever you remove the headset. This is a standard feature in this price range and something that Bose's competitors have been offering for years. Another oversight is the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose offers 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 the volume and voice assistant settings.
The QC45s also include four built-in microphones that listen to your voice during calls. The call quality is generally excellent, but the headsets don't have the nifty ability to mute your voice during playback, which is something that other wireless headphones do. Update: A firmware update for the QC45s came out 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 is known for high-performance headphones that provide long-lasting comfort and a design that lets listeners know they're listening to something truly special. The Bathys are their first wireless noise-cancelling headphones. They are stunning in appearance and sound. 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 up to 30 hours. We got more than 40 hours of playback time on average on a single charge. If you have to charge your headphones in the future, the indicator light on the right earcup will go red.
For a pair of headphones at this price, they offer lots of features. They can connect to multiple devices simultaneously and have automatic pairing. (You must select the device you want to pair with manually every time you listen.) They have a built-in microphone that can be used to control voice assistants such as Siri or Alexa. The headphones also feature an easy-to-use interface that makes it simple to control your music as well as make calls.
jbl headphones wireless 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 good as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 and Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless but it's still very effective.
In our tests of headphone sound quality in our tests of headphone sound quality, the Bathys were a good overall performer with the frequency response which generally is in line with the SoundGuys headphone preference curve, with only minor deviations in the bass and mids. They have a deep, bass-filled sound profile that adds a lot of boom to mixes, but can sometimes make instruments and vocals such as cymbals sound veiled.
You can wear them anywhere without fearing that other people will hear your music. The microphone has a decent quality of recording via Bluetooth with only a 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 last pair, the Momentum 3, was a solid but unspectacular entry in the class. The new pair is a step up from the previous model, featuring more sleek design, better gesture control, and a huge battery life.
The improvements are subtle but can make for a pair of over ear headphones that feel like an upgrade. The Momentum 4s are flat and do not fold. They come with a hardshell case to protect them while traveling. The Momentum 4s are compatible with all devices, just like other Bluetooth headphones from recent years, such as the ones from Bowers & Wilkins and Sony. They work with both 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 biggest improvement is the battery that can last for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation turned on. This is easily double the amount of the competitors and sufficient to allow you to travel for a longer period of time without having to search for an outlet.
Engadget senior editor Billy Steele gave the headphones an 82 score with a focus on their audio quality and ANC as particular strengths. The only issue he has is they lack gravitas in the mids and treble. This means that orchestral pieces sound flat instead of grand. The bass is well-rounded, but can be too loud, which can cause to fatigue when songs have high-pitched bass lines, like the drum hits in As I Lay Dying’s Forever. The cymbals also sound sizzled rather than full and there's no sense of depth in the bass.
The Momentum 4s are a comfortable fit and shouldn't put too much pressure on your ears or neck. However they can be difficult to wear in the house or during longer listening sessions, and will move about on your head, causing intense head movements. This can cause them wake up at random times, which can be distracting when listening to music or making calls. Fortunately, they will shut down after 15 minutes of slumber by default and can be switched off with the power button.