Best Over-Ear Headphones
Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds are able to completely encapsulate your ears. They also permit larger drivers, which deliver greater bass and a bigger soundstage. Many include Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.
The latest Master and Dynamic MW65 update features high-quality audio, numerous ANC modes, and a long battery life with a stylish and distinct design.
1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless
Sony has enhanced an already great pair of headphones by introducing the WH1000XM4 wireless. They are lighter, better built and have an audio profile that is more balanced (though they are bass heavy). They also include an app for audio customization. Their active noise cancelling works even better than before, eliminating any background noise. Additionally, they have a longer battery life than many competitors.
These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible, and Sony LDAC is also compatible with. This codec can transfer high-resolution music, though you'll need 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. This feature can be enabled via the Sony Headphones Connect App and works well.
One of the major improvements over the XM3 is the sensitiveness of their touch panels. They respond quicker to the touch of a panel and are easier to control when making a call or listening to music. Sony has added a feature to make voices sound clearer and more precise during calls. This is an obvious and a nice addition.
While the WH-1000XM4s aren't perfect, they're some of the most comfortable wireless headphones we've ever tested. They are comfortable and well-constructed, and come with a batteries that last for more than 30 continuous hours. They can be used in a passive manner using a TRS cable. This is great for travel or preserving power.
The WH1000XM4s are a better alternative to the Bowers & Wilkins Wireless Over-Ears Px7 S2. The Sonys are more comfortable, and their ANC is able to block out more ambient sounds. The B&Ws come with an EQ that is more flexible, as well as an app that allows you to tweak the audio performance. However, the B&Ws have a better-built design, and they can connect with two Bluetooth devices at once. They also support aptXHD, and they have an AI-driven engine that tries to up-scale compressed music to high-resolution. This is known as DSEE Extreme and it does an excellent job of improving the clarity of music, particularly when listening to lossless music.
2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless
The $329 Bose QuietComfort 45 noise-canceling headphones are the latest iteration of a headset that has become a standard for commuters as well as travelers from all over the world. Instead of reinventing the wheel the new model uses the same formula that made the predecessor so popular, and adds the USB-C port, which is better at cancelling noise and longer battery life.
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 from plastic, but is a solid feel, with hinges made of metal at the pivot points and the ratcheting mechanism that is familiar when you retract or extend the earcups. The cups feature soft cushioned pads that fit comfortably over the ears and do not apply pressure on your head. They weigh 238 grams and are compact when folded. They can be used when you're wearing a sweater or coat as the noise cancellation function is functional even when you aren't on your head.
Despite their reputation for comfort, the QC45s don't offer the best sound in this price range. The frequencies are flat and lack the depth that headphones with higher prices might be able bring out. The upper registers tend to be more boosted which is great for most music genres but could be a problem for delicate or intricate music genres. The bass is good, but it lacks punch.
The ability to pause the playback when you remove the headset is a feature that is missing. This is a feature Bose's rivals have provided for many years. Another oversight was the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose has preset EQs available in the app, but it would be nice if there was a manual control.
Bluetooth 5.0 is supported, including multipoint and more advanced codecs, such as aptX Adaptive. Download the Bose Audio App to adjust the voice and sound settings.
The QC45s have four microphones built-in to pick up your voice while on the phone. The call quality is generally very good but the headphones don't have the nifty ability to mute your voice while playing back which is something that other wireless headphones do. Update: A firmware update for the QC45s came out 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 that produces high-performance headphones. They are known for their style and comfort which tell listeners that they're listening to something special. Their first venture into wireless headphones that block noise, the Bathys are a stunning set of cans that look and sound great. They also come with a built-in high-performance USB DAC which means you can use them for wired and wireless listening.
The Bathys are very efficient in terms of battery performance, 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 do need to recharge, there's a light on the right earcup that turns red when the earphone needs to be charged.
For headphones for this price, they have lots of features. They can connect to multiple devices at once and feature automatic pairing. (You have to select your source device each time you listen.) They come with a built-in microphone that can be used to control voice assistants such as Siri or Alexa. The headphones have an easy-to navigate interface that makes it easy to control music and make calls.
For over-ear wireless headphones The Bathys perform very well in our test of noise cancellation, reducing the sound of the surrounding environment by about 9 decibels in average. This isn't as impressive as the ANC in the Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless, but it's still wireless over ear headphones uk fairly effective.
In our tests of the quality of sound from headphones, the Bathys were a good overall performer with a frequency response that mostly corresponds to the SoundGuys preference curve, with only minor differences in the bass and mids. The Bathys have a booming sound profile which can make instruments, vocals and cymbals seem unreal.
You can wear them wherever and not worry about whether others listen to your music. Their microphone is suitable for recording using Bluetooth with only a slight distortion between the mid-treble and treble.
4. Sennheiser Momentum 4
The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless are a new update to the company's top-of-the-line Bluetooth headphones. The previous model, the Momentum 3, was a decent, but not the most impressive entry in the class. The new pair is a step up from the previous generation, with more sleek design, better gesture control and a massive battery life.
The changes are subtle but add up to an over-ear set of headphones that feels like an upgrade. The Momentum 4s are flat and do not fold however they do come with a nice hardshell case to protect them on the go. They also follow the style of several other recent Bluetooth headphones, including those from Sony and Bowers & Wilkins, to be incredibly device-agnostic. This means they can work with both Android phones and Apple iPhones, however they do not come with the extra features (like Find My support and head-tracked Spatial Audio) that are available on the AirPods.
The most notable difference is the massive battery that can last for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation on. This is more than the majority of the competitors can provide and enough for a long-distance trip without worrying about finding an outlet to charge it.
Engadget senior editor Billy Steele gave the headphones an 82 rating with a focus on their audio quality and ANC as particular strengths. He only has one complaint they lack of gravitas in the mids and treble. This means that orchestral pieces sound flat, not grand. The bass is well rounded, but can be overemphasized, which can cause to fatigue in songs with heavy bass lines, like the drum hits of As I Lay Dying’s Forever. The cymbals sound bubbly, but not full. There's also no real depth to the lows.
The Momentum 4s are not designed to cause pressure on your neck or ear. They can be a bit fidgety when you wear them at home or for long listening sessions. They can move on your head and make intense head movements. This can cause them wake up unexpectedly, which can be distracting while listening to music or making calls. They shut down automatically after 15 minutes and can be turned off manually with the power button.