Best Over-Ear Headphones
In contrast to earbuds, headphones over-ear are a complete encapsulation of your ears and allow larger drivers to produce more bass and a wider soundstage. Many come with Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.
The Master & Dynamic MW65 is updated with better audio and features, including numerous ANC modes and a huge battery life.
1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless
Sony has enhanced an already fantastic pair of headphones by introducing the WH1000XM4 wireless. They are more lightweight, better constructed and feature an audio profile that is more balanced (though bass heavy). They also have an app to adjust the sound. Their active noise cancelling performs better than it did before, eliminating more ambient sound, and they have a longer continuous battery life than many competitors.
These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible and Sony LDAC is also supported. The latter is able to transfer high-resolution audio, however you'll need to use compatible devices and streaming services. In addition, the WH-1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth devices at the same time and automatically switch between them as needed. This feature is enabled through the Sony Headphones Connect App and works flawlessly.
One of the major improvements over the XM3 is the sensitivity of their touch panels. They respond faster to tapping on panels and are simpler to manage when making a phone call or listening to media. Sony also included a feature that makes voice sound clearer and more precise when calling which is evident and a nice feature.
The WH-1000XM4s might not be perfect, but they're among the best wireless headphones we've ever examined. They're comfortable, feel good to the touch, and have an excellent battery that can last longer than 30 hours continuously. They can also be used using an TRS cable which is great if you're traveling or need 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 have an app that lets you tweak their audio performance, and their EQ settings are more flexible than B&W's. But the B&Ws have an improved design, and they can connect with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. They also support aptX HD and feature an AI-driven engine that attempts to boost compressed music to high-resolution. This is called 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 most recent version of a headset that has become a staple for commuters and travelers around the globe. The new model doesn't reinvent the wheel. It is based on the same formula that made its predecessor so successful with the addition of the USB-C technology and improved noise cancellation.
These over-ear Bose headsets have a premium feeling and appearance, similar to the QC 35 II headphones that came before them. The headband is constructed of plastic, and is sturdy and comfortable with hinges made of metal at the pivot points, and the familiar ratcheting action when you retract or extend the earcups. The cups are cushioned, and have soft pads that fit over your ears without putting pressure on your head. They weigh 238 grams and are compact when folded. They can be worn with a coat or sweater because they function even when not on your head.
Despite their reputation for comfort, the QC45s do not offer the best sound in this price range. The frequencies are dull and lack the depth that higher-end headphones might be able bring out. The upper registers are boosted which is acceptable for the majority of music but can be a problem for more delicate and complex genres. The bass is good, but it lacks power.
One feature that's not present is the ability to pause playback whenever you remove the headset. This is a feature that Bose's competitors have offered for years. Another oversight is the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose offers preset EQs within the app but it would be nice if there was an option to control the EQ manually.
You can connect to your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth 5.0 with multipoint support and more advanced codecs like aptX Adaptive. Download the Bose Audio App to adjust the sound and voice settings.
The QC45s have four microphones inbuilt to pick up 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 upgrade for the QC45s 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 known for its high-performance headphones that provide long-lasting comfort and a design that let listeners know they're listening to something special. Their first foray into 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 life, with Focal promising 30 hours of continuous Bluetooth playtime. We had more than 40 hours of playback time on average from a single charge. If you need to charge your headphones, the indicator light on the right earcup will turn red.
For headphones for this price, they have many features. They support multiple devices simultaneously and offer automatic pairing. (You have to select your device source manually every time you listen.) They also have a built-in mic that supports voice assistants like Siri or Alexa. The headphones come with an easy-to navigate interface that makes it simple to control music and make calls.
Bathys over-ear headphones do well in our noise cancellation test, reducing ambient noise 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 pretty effective.
In our tests of headphone sound quality The Bathys did well overall, with a the frequency response which generally corresponds to the SoundGuys preference curve, with only slight differences in the bass and mids. The Bathys have a booming sound profile that can make vocals, instruments and cymbals seem veiled.
Wear them wherever you want without worrying that others will listen to your music. Their microphone is of decent 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 is a new update of the company's top Bluetooth headsets. The last pair, the Momentum 3, was a solid but unspectacular entry in the class. The latest pair improves on the previous generation with a sleeker design, improved gesture controls, and a huge battery life.
Many of the improvements here are subtle, but they make a pair that appear to be an upgrade from the old one. The Momentum 4s are flat and do not fold however they come with a sturdy hardshell case to protect them on the go. The Momentum 4s are device-agnostic, like many other Bluetooth headphones of recent years, including those from Bowers & Wilkins and Sony. on ear wireless headphones work with both Apple iPhones and Android phones, but do not have the AirPods extra features, such as Find My Support and head-tracked spatial audio.
The most significant change is the huge battery that can run for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation on. That's easily double what most of the competition can offer and is enough for a long-distance trip without having to worry about finding a power outlet to charge them.
Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget, gave the headphones an 82-point score. He cited their audio quality and ANC features as the top strengths. The only thing he dislikes is that they lack a sense gravitas in the mids as well as the treble. This means that orchestral tracks tend to sound flat, not grand. The bass is well rounded, but can be too loud, which can cause to fatigue in songs with heavy bass lines, like the drum hits of As I Lay Dying’s Forever. The cymbals also sound sizzled rather than full and there's not a real sense of depth in the lows.
The Momentum 4s are not designed to place pressure on your neck or ear. They can be a bit fidgety when you wear them at home or for long listening sessions. They will move around on your head and make intense head movements. This could cause them to wake up at random times, which can be distracting when listening to music or making calls. They shut down automatically after 15 minutes and can be turned off manually using the power button.