Best Over-Ear Headphones
Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds cover your ears completely and allow for larger drivers to produce greater bass and larger soundstages. They also have active noise cancellation and Bluetooth technology.
The Master & Dynamic MW65 is updated with better audio, numerous ANC modes, and a long battery life.
1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless
Sony has enhanced an already excellent pair of headphones with the introduction of the WH1000XM4 wireless. They're less heavy, feel better constructed, and have an improved sound profile that is more balanced (though still bass-heavy) and include an app that allows some audio-related customization. Their active noise cancelling performs even better than before, removing more ambient sound, and they have a longer battery life than other models.
These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 which supports SBC, AAC, and Sony's own LDAC codec. The latter is able to transfer high-resolution music, but you'll need to use compatible devices and streaming services. In addition, the WH1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth devices at once and automatically switch between them when required. You enable this feature through the Sony Headphones Connect app and it is extremely effective.
The touch panels are more sensitive than the XM3. They respond quicker to tapping on panels and are simpler to control when making a call or listening to music. Sony has added a feature to make voices sound more clear and precise during calls. This is an obvious and pleasant addition.
While the WH1000XM4s aren't perfect, they're one of the best wireless headphones we've tested. They're comfortable, good to the touch, and have an impressive battery that can last more than 30 hours continuously. They can also be used with a TRS cable which is great for those who travel or want to conserve power.
The WH1000XM4s offer a better alternative to the Bowers & Wilkins Wireless Over-Ears PX7 S2. The Sonys are more comfortable and their ANC can block out more background noise. They also come with a companion application that lets you adjust their audio performance and EQ settings are more flexible than B&W's. The B&Ws are built better, and can pair with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. Additionally, they support aptX HD and have an AI-driven engine that tries to upscale compressed music to high-resolution. This is called DSEE Extreme, and it enhances the clarity of music 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 the predecessor so popular, but adds the USB-C port, which is better at cancelling noise and a longer battery life.
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 made from plastic, and is sturdy and comfortable with hinges made of metal at the pivot points and the ratcheting mechanism that is familiar when you extend or retract the earcups. The cups are cushioned and feature soft pads that are comfortable to wear over your ears without putting pressure on your head. When folded, they weigh 238 grams. They can be used with an overcoat or sweater since the noise cancellation function is functional even when you aren't on your head.
Despite their reputation for comfort, the QC45s do not offer the most impressive sound quality for this price range. The frequencies are relatively flat and lack the depth that higher-end headphones may be capable of bringing out. The upper registers are amplified which is acceptable for most music genres but can be problematic for more delicate and intricate genres. The bass is decent, but lacks punch.
One feature that's missing is the possibility of paused playback when you take the headset off. This is a feature that Bose's rivals have provided for several years. Another oversight was the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose provides preset EQ settings in the app however it would be nice to have manual control.
You can connect to your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth 5.0 with multipoint support 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 built-in to hear your voice when you are on the phone. They have excellent call quality, but they don't let you silence the voice when playing back as other wireless headphones. Update as of February 2022, a firmware upgrade to the QC45s offered manual EQ options in the audio app which is a welcome improvement.
3. Focal Bathys Wireless
Focal is a French audio company that makes high-performance headphones. They are renowned for their comfort and style, which let listeners know that they're listening something special. The Bathys are their first wireless noise-cancelling headphones. They are stunning in appearance and sound. They also come with a built in high performance USB DAC which means you can use them for wired and wireless listening.
Focal claims that the Bathys can play Bluetooth music for 30 hours. We actually got a bit more out of them, with over 40 hours of playtime on average of one charge. If you need to recharge, there's a light on the right earcup that will change to red when the headphone has to be charged.
For headphones for this price, they come with a lot of features. They can connect to multiple devices simultaneously and have automatic pairing. (You will need to select your device source by hand each time you listen.) jbl headphones wireless have a built in microphone that can be used with voice assistants like Siri or Alexa. The headphones also have an easy-to-use interface that makes it simple to manage your music and make calls.
Bathys over-ear headphones are able to perform in our noise cancellation test, reducing ambient sound by an average of 9 decibels. It's not as good as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless but it's still effective.
The Bathys headphones did well in our headphone tests. Their frequency response was mostly similar to the SoundGuys headphone curve, with only minor deviations in the mids and bass. The Bathys have a booming sound profile that can make instruments, vocals and cymbals appear obscure.
You can wear them wherever without fearing that other people will hear your music. Their microphone is suitable for recording via Bluetooth, with only slight distortion between the mid-treble and the treble.
4. Sennheiser Momentum 4
The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless are a new update to the company's top-of-the-line Bluetooth headphones. The Momentum 3 was a solid, but not spectacular entry in this category. The new pair is a step up from the previous generation, with a sleeker look, improved gesture control and a massive battery life.
The improvements are subtle, but can make for an over-ear set of headphones that feel like an upgrade. The Momentum 4s lie flat and aren't foldable however they do come with a nice hardshell case to protect them on the go. The Momentum 4s are also non-device-specific, similar to other Bluetooth headphones from recent times, like the ones from Bowers & Wilkins and Sony. They work with both Apple iPhones and Android phones, but do not have the AirPods additional features such as Find My Support and head-tracked spatial audio.
The most obvious improvement in this model is the huge battery, which claims up to 60 hours of playback with noise cancellation turned on. That's easily double what most of the competitors can provide 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 The headphones were rated by Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget an 82 percent score. He noted their sound quality and ANC features as strengths. He only has one complaint that they lack gravitas in mids and the treble. This makes orchestral music sounds flat, not grand. The bass is rounded, however, it can be overemphasized, which can lead to fatigue in songs with strong bass lines, like the drum hits in As I Lay Dying's Forever. The cymbals can sound smoky rather than full and there's not a real feeling of depth in the lows.
The Momentum 4s are a comfortable fit and should not put too much pressure on your neck or ears. However they can be fidgety when wearing them around the house or during longer listening sessions, and will move about on your head, causing intense head movements. This can cause them to suddenly wake up, which can be distracting when you are listening to music or calls. Fortunately, they shut down after 15 minutes of rest by default, and can be turned off manually off by pressing the power button.