Best Over-Ear Headphones
Unlike earbuds, over-ear headphones encapsulate your ears completely and allow for bigger drivers to produce more bass and a wider soundstage. Many come with Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.
The latest Master & Dynamic MW65 update provides high-quality audio, numerous ANC modes and impressive battery life in an elegant and distinctive design.
1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless
Sony has improved on an already-great pair of headphones with the WH-1000XM4 Wireless. They're lighter, feel more built, have more balanced sound profiles (though still bass-heavy) and include an app that lets you do some audio customization. Their active noise cancellation works better than ever before, eliminating more ambient sound, and 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. 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 switch between them when required. This feature is accessible through the Sony Headphones Connect App and works well.
The touch panels are more sensitive than the XM3. They respond faster to the touch of a panel and are easier to control when making calls or listening to music. Sony has added a feature to make voice calls more clear and precise during calls. This is an obvious and a nice addition.
While best affordable over ear wireless headphones -1000XM4s aren't perfect, they're some of the top wireless headphones we've ever tested. They're comfortable, well-made, and come with an outstanding battery that lasts for more than 30 hours continuously. They can also be used with a TRS cable, which is ideal if you're traveling 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 have an 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're able to pair with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. They also support aptX HD and feature a unique AI-driven engine that is attempting to boost compressed music to high-resolution. This is known as DSEE Extreme and it does well in improving the clarity of music, particularly when listening to lossless audio files.
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 all over the world. Instead of reinventing the wheel the new model follows the same formula that made its predecessor so popular, adding USB-C, improved noise cancellation and longer battery life.
Like the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones have an elegant design and feel that oozes quality. The headband is made of plastic, and is a solid feel, with metal hinges at the pivot points and the familiar ratcheting action when you extend or retract the earcups. The cups have soft cushioned pads that fit comfortably over the ears and don't apply pressure to your head. They weigh 238 grams and are compact when folded. 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 however, the QC45s don't provide the best sound quality at this price point. The frequencies are fairly flat and lack details that higher-end headphones may be able to bring out. The upper registers tend to be more boosted which is great for most music but can cause problems for more delicate or intricate genres of music. The bass is good but it lacks the punch.
The ability to pause playback when removing the headset is a feature that's absent. This is a standard in this price range and something Bose's competitors have been offering for years. Another omission is the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose offers preset EQs within the app, but it would be nice if there was a manual control.
You can connect to your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth 5.0 with multipoint support as well as more advanced codecs like aptX Adaptive. Download the Bose Audio App to adjust your headsets voice and sound settings.
The QC45s have four microphones inbuilt to pick up your voice when on the phone. The quality of calls is generally excellent, but the headsets don't have the nifty capability to turn off your voice while playing back which is something other wireless headphones do. Update: A firmware upgrade for the QC45s came out in February 2022 introduced manual adjustments to the audio app. This is a welcome upgrade.
3. Focal Bathys Wireless
Focal is a French audio company known for high-performance headphones with long lasting comfort and a style that makes listeners feel like they're listening to something special. The Bathys are their first wireless noise-cancelling headphones. They are stunning in appearance and sound. They also have 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 a bit more, with over 40 hours on average out of just one charge. If you need to recharge, there's a light on the right earcup that will change to red when the headphone needs to be charged.
They come with a wide range of features for a pair of headphones of this price, including support for multiple devices simultaneously and automatic pairing (though you'll need to select the source device every time you want to listen). They have 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, making it easy to control your music and take calls.
Bathys over-ear headphones perform 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, however it's still pretty effective.
In our tests of the quality of sound from headphones, the Bathys did well overall, with a an overall frequency response that is in line with the SoundGuys headphone preference curve with only minor deviations in the bass and mids. The Bathys are bassy sound that can make vocals, instruments and cymbals seem veiled.
You can wear them anywhere without fearing that other people will listen to your music. The microphone is able to be used for recording using Bluetooth, with only slight distortion between the mid-treble and the treble.
4. Sennheiser Momentum 4
The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless are a new version of the company's top-of-the-line Bluetooth headphones. The last pair, the Momentum 3, was a decent, but not the most impressive entry in the class. The latest pair improves on the previous model by having modern design, better gesture controls and massive battery life.
The improvements here are subtle but they add up to make a pair that appear to be an upgrade from the previous model. The Momentum 4s lie flat and aren't foldable however they do come with a sturdy hardshell case that protects them when on the move. They also follow the trend of several other recent Bluetooth headphones, including those from Sony and Bowers & Wilkins, to be completely device-independent. They can be used with Apple iPhones and Android phones, but they do not have the AirPods' extra features like Find My Support and head-tracked spatial audio.
The most significant change is the huge battery that can last for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation turned on. This is more than the majority of the competition can offer and is enough for a multi-day trip without worrying about finding an outlet to charge them.
Engadget senior editor Billy Steele gave the headphones an 82-point score with a focus on their audio quality and ANC as particular strengths. The only issue he has is that they lack a sense gravitas in the mids as well as the treble, which means that orchestral music tends to sound flat instead of grand. The bass is well rounded however it can be too loud, which can cause fatigue in songs that have strong bass lines, such as the drum beats of 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 not designed to put pressure on your neck or ears. They can be a bit fidgety if you wear them at home or for long listening sessions. They can move on your head and make intense head movements. This could cause them to wake up at random which can be distracting when you are listening to music or calls. They shut down automatically after 15 minutes and can be turned off manually using the power button.