Best Over-Ear Headphones
Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds cover your ears completely and allow for larger drivers to deliver more bass and a wider soundstage. Many come with Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.
The Master & Dynamic MW65 has been updated with better audio, various ANC modes, and a long battery life.
1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless
Sony has improved an already fantastic pair of headphones with the introduction of the WH1000XM4 wireless. They are lighter, better built, and have a more balanced audio profile (though bass-heavy). They also include an app to adjust the sound. Their active noise cancellation works even better than before, eliminating any background noise. Additionally, they have a longer battery life than other models.
These headphones use Bluetooth 5.0 and support SBC, AAC, and Sony's own LDAC codec. This codec can transfer high-resolution audio, but you'll need compatible devices and streaming service. Additionally, the WH-1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and automatically switch between them if needed. You can enable this feature via the Sony Headphones Connect app and it works flawlessly.
A subtle improvement over the XM3 is the sensitiveness of their touch panels. They respond quicker to tapping on panels and are simpler to control when making a call or listening to music. Sony also included an option that makes voices sound clearer and more precise when calling which is noticeable and a nice addition.
The WH-1000XM4s aren't perfect, but they are among the top wireless headphones that we have ever examined. They are comfortable and well-constructed, and come with a a battery that can last for more than 30 continuous hours. They can also be used using an TRS cable which is great when you're on the road or need to conserve power.
The WH-1000XM4s are better 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 a companion app that lets you tweak their audio performance and EQ settings are more flexible than B&W's. The B&Ws are better built and can be paired with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. 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 enhances 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 latest iteration of a headset that has become a standard for commuters as well as travelers around the globe. Rather than reinventing the wheel, the new model retains the same formula that made its predecessor so popular, and adds USB-C, better noise cancellation and a longer battery lifespan.
Similar to the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones have a luxurious look and feel that exudes quality. The headband is made from plastic, and is a solid feel, with metal hinges at the pivot points, and the ratcheting mechanism that is familiar when you open or retract the ear cups. The cups are soft cushions that are securely positioned over your ears and don't put pressure on your head. They weigh 238 grams and are fairly compact when folded. They can be worn with a coat or sweater as they work even when not on your head.
Despite their reputation for comfort, the QC45s don't provide the best sound quality in this price range. The frequencies are dull and lack the depth that higher-end headphones might be able bring out. The higher registers tend to be amplified and is suitable for most music, but could cause problems for more delicate or intricate genres of music. The bass is decent but lacks the punch.
The possibility of pauseing the playback when you remove the headset is a feature that is missing. This is standard in this price range and is something Bose's competitors have offered for a long time. Another oversight was the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose provides preset EQ settings in the app, but it would be nice to have manual control.
Bluetooth 5.0 is supported, with multipoint as well as more advanced codecs, such as aptX Adaptive. Download the Bose Audio App to adjust the voice and sound settings.
The QC45s come with four microphones that are built-in to hear your voice while on the phone. The headphones have good call quality, but they don't let you muffle the sound during playback as other wireless headphones. Update: A firmware update for the QC45s came out in February 2022 included manual adjustments 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 well-known for their comfort and style, which let listeners know that they're hearing something unique. The Bathys are their first wireless noise-cancelling headphones. They look and sound stunning. They come with a high-performance USB DAC built in, making them suitable both for wired and wireless listening.
The Bathys are very efficient in terms of battery life, with Focal claims of 30 hours of continuous Bluetooth playtime. We were able to get more than 40 hours of playback time on average on a single charge. If you do require a recharge, there's a light on the right earcup that turns red when the headphone has to be charged.
They come with a wide range of features for a pair of headphones of this price point that include support for multiple devices simultaneously and automatic pairing (though you'll need to select your source device each time you want to listen). The headphones come with a built in microphone that works with voice assistants like Siri or Alexa. The headphones also have an easy-to-use interface, making it simple to control your music and take calls.
For wireless headphones that are over-ear for over-ear wireless headphones, the Bathys are very good in our test of noise cancellation, which reduces the background sound by around 9 decibels on average. It's not as impressive as the ANC in the Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless, but it's still pretty effective.
The Bathys headphones did well in our headphone tests. Their frequency response was largely similar to the headphone curve of SoundGuys with minor variations on the bass and mids. The Bathys have a booming sound profile which can make instruments, vocals and cymbals appear veiled.
You can wear them anywhere without worrying that others will hear your music. Their mic has passable recording quality through Bluetooth with just a little 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 most popular Bluetooth headsets. noise cancelling headphones wireless was a solid but not a great entry in this category. The latest pair is an improvement on the previous model, featuring a sleeker look, improved gesture control and an enormous battery life.
Many of the improvements aren't that obvious, but they add up to make a pair of over-ears that seem like a step up from the old one. The Momentum 4s lie flat and don't fold however they come with a nice hardshell case to keep them safe while on the go. The Momentum 4s are non-device-specific, similar to other Bluetooth headphones from recent years, such as those from Bowers & Wilkins and Sony. This means they work well with both Android phones and Apple iPhones, however they don't have the extra features (like Find My support and head-tracked spatial audio) that you'll find on the AirPods.
The most obvious change here is the massive battery that promises up to 60 hours of playback with the noise cancellation feature turned on. That's easily double what most of the competition can offer and enough for a trip of a lifetime without worrying about finding a power outlet to charge them up.
Engadget senior editor Billy Steele gave the headphones an 82 score and cited their sound quality and ANC as particular strengths. He only has one complaint they lack of gravitas in the mids and the treble. This makes orchestral pieces sound dull instead of grand. The bass is well-rounded however it can be too loud, which can cause to fatigue when songs have heavy bass lines, like the drum hits 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 should not put pressure on your neck or ears. However they can be fidgety when wearing them in the house or during longer listening sessions, and will move about on your head, causing intense head movements. This can cause them to wake up at random times, which can be distracting when listening to music or making calls. They stop automatically after 15 minutes and can be turned off manually using the power button.