Best Over-Ear Headphones
Unlike earbuds, over-ear headphones are a complete encapsulation of your ears and allow for larger drivers to provide deeper bass and wider soundstages. A majority of them feature Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.
The Master & Dynamic MW65 has been upgraded with improved audio and various ANC modes, and a long battery life.
1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless
Sony has made improvements to an already excellent pair of headphones with the WH-1000XM4 Wireless. They're lighter, feel better built, have an improved sound profile that is more balanced (though still bass heavy) and come with an app that allows for some audio adjustments. They've upgraded their active noise cancellation, eliminating 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 can transfer high-resolution music, but you'll need to use compatible devices and streaming services. The WH-1000XM4s is also able to connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and then automatically switch between them when required. You can enable this feature via the Sony Headphones Connect app and it works very well.
The touch panels are more sensitive than the XM3. They respond more quickly to the touch of the panel, and this makes them easier to control during calls or to listen to music. Sony also included a feature that makes voice sound more clear and precise during calls, which is noticeable and a nice touch.
The WH-1000XM4s aren't perfect, but they are among the best wireless headphones we've ever tested. They're comfortable, well made, and have an impressive battery that lasts for more than 30 hours continuously. They can also be used using an TRS cable, which is ideal if you're traveling or need to save 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 sounds. The B&Ws feature an EQ that is more flexible, as well as a companion app to tweak the audio performance. The B&Ws are more robust, and can pair with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. In addition, they support aptX HD, and they have an AI-driven engine which attempts to boost compressed music to high-resolution. over ear wireless headphones is called DSEE Extreme and it does an excellent job of improving the clarity of music, especially when listening to lossless files.
2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless
The $329 Bose QuietComfort 45 noise-canceling headphones are the most recent version of a headphone that became a standard for commuters as well as travelers from all over the world. The new model doesn't reinvent the wheel. It is based on the same formula which was the basis of its predecessor's success, while adding USB-C and better noise cancellation.
These over-ear Bose headsets have a premium feeling and look, just like the QC 35 II headphones that came before them. The headband is made of plastic, and is a solid feel, with hinges made of metal at pivot points and the familiar ratcheting action that you experience when you retract or extend the ear cups. The cups have soft, cushioned pads that are securely positioned over your ears and don't apply pressure on your head. They weigh 238 grams and are compact when folded. They can be worn with a sweater or coat because they function even when not on your head.
Despite their reputation for comfort, the QC45s can't offer the best sound in this price range. The frequencies are dull and lack the details that higher-end headphones might be able bring out. The upper registers are boosted which is great for most music genres but can be a problem for more delicate and complex genres. The bass is good, but is lacking the punch.
One feature that's missing is the ability to pause playback when you take the headset off. This is a standard in this price bracket and is something that Bose's rivals have offered for a long time. Another thing that was missing was the lack of an in-app EQ. Bose offers preset EQ settings within the app, but it would be nice to have manual control.
Bluetooth 5.0 is supported, including multipoint and 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 also come with four microphones built into the headset to listen to your voice during calls. The call quality is generally very good but the headphones do not have the capability to muffle your voice during playback, which is a feature that other wireless headphones have. Update: A firmware upgrade for the QC45s came out in February 2022 introduced manual EQ options to the audio app. This is a welcome upgrade.
3. Focal Bathys Wireless
Focal is a French audio brand that is known for high-performance headphones that last for a long time, comfort and a design that lets listeners know they're listening to something unique. Their first attempt at wireless headphones that block noise, the Bathys are stunning headphones that sound and look amazing. They have a high-performance USB DAC built in, which means you can use them both for wired and wireless listening.
Focal claims that the Bathys can play Bluetooth music for 30 hours. We actually got more out of them, with over 40 hours of playtime on average of a single charge. If you need to charge your headphones then the indicator light on the right earcup will go red.
For a pair of headphones at this price, they come with lots of features. They support multiple devices simultaneously and have automatic pairing. (You must select your source device by hand each time you listen.) They come with a built-in microphone that works with voice assistants such as Siri or Alexa. The headphones also have an easy-to-use interface, making it simple to control your music and take calls.
For headphones with over-ear connectivity, the Bathys excel in our tests of noise cancellation, which reduces the sound of the surrounding environment by about 9 decibels per hour on average. This isn't as impressive a result as the ANC in the Sony WH-1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless, however it's still pretty effective.
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 slight differences in the bass and mids. They have a bass-rich sound pattern that adds plenty of boom to mixes however, they can make instruments and vocals like cymbals sound dull.
You can wear them wherever without worrying that others will hear your music. Their mic is passable for recording via Bluetooth with only a slight distortion between the mid-treble and the treble.
4. Sennheiser Momentum 4
The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless is a new version of the company's most popular Bluetooth headsets. The previous model, the Momentum 3, was a decent but not a standout in the class. The latest pair improves on the previous model with modern design, better gesture controls and massive battery life.
Many of the improvements aren't that obvious, but they create a pair of over-ears that seem like a step up from the old one. The Momentum 4s are flat and don't fold. They come with an outer case that protects them when traveling. The Momentum 4s are compatible with all devices, just like other Bluetooth headphones of recent times, like those 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, such as Find My Support and head-tracked spatial audio.
The most significant difference is the massive battery that can run for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation turned on. This is more than the majority of the competitors offer and is enough for a trip of a lifetime without having to worry about finding an outlet to charge them.
Engadget senior editor Billy Steele gave the headphones an 82 score and cited their sound quality and ANC as their main strengths. The only issue he has is that they lack of gravitas in the mids and treble. This means that orchestral music sounds flat instead of grand. The bass is well rounded but it can sound overemphasized, which can cause to fatigue in songs with high-pitched bass lines, like the drum hits of As I Lay Dying’s Forever. The cymbals sound a bit sizzled, 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 around the home or for long listening sessions. They will move around on your head, and make rapid head movements. This can cause them to wake up at random times, which can be distracting when listening to music or making calls. Fortunately, they stop working after 15 minutes of slumber by default, and can be manually switched off using the power button.