Best Over-Ear Headphones
Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds are able to completely encapsulate your ears. They also permit bigger drivers that provide deeper bass and a bigger soundstage. Many include Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.
The Master & Dynamic MMW65 has been updated with superior audio, various ANC modes and a huge battery life.
1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless
Sony has made improvements to an already-great pair of headphones with the WH-1000XM4 Wireless. They are lighter, better built and have an audio profile that is more balanced (though they are bass heavy). They also come with an app to adjust the sound. They've upgraded their active noise cancellation, removing more background noises and extending the battery life.
These headphones utilize Bluetooth 5.0 and support SBC, AAC, and Sony's own LDAC codec. The latter is able to transfer high-resolution audio, however 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 the two when required. You can enable this feature via the Sony Headphones Connect app and it is extremely effective.
A subtle improvement over the XM3 is the sensitiveness of their touch panels. They respond more quickly to the tap of the panel, and this makes them easier to control during calls or listen to media. Sony also added an option that makes voices sound more clear and precise when calling which is noticeable and a nice addition.
While the WH1000XM4s aren't perfect, they're some of the best wireless headphones we've ever tried. They're comfortable, well-made, and come with an impressive battery that can last more than 30 hours continuously. They can be used as a passive device by using the TRS cable. This is great to travel with or for storing energy.
The WH-1000XM4s are better than the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 Wireless over-ears. The Sonys are more comfortable, and their ANC can block out more background noise. The B&Ws come with an EQ that is more flexible, as well as an app companion to adjust the audio quality. The B&Ws are more robust, and can pair with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. They also support aptXHD and have an AI-driven engine that attempts to up-scale 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 latest version of a headset which has become a favorite among commuters and travelers all over the world. Rather than reinventing the wheel, the new model retains the same formula that made the predecessor so popular, and adds USB-C, improved noise cancellation and a longer battery lifespan.
Like the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones have a luxurious look and feel that oozes quality. The headband is made of plastic, but has a sturdy feel with hinges made of metal at the pivot points and the familiar ratcheting action when you retract or extend the ear cups. The cups are soft cushions that fit comfortably over the ears and don't put pressure on your head. When folded they weigh 238 grams. You can wear them when you're wearing an overcoat or sweater since the noise-canceling works even when you aren't on your head.
Despite their reputation for comfort, the QC45s can't provide the best sound quality in this price range. The frequencies are tinny and lack the detail that more expensive headphones may be able to bring out. The upper registers are amplified which is great for the majority of music but could be a problem for more delicate and complex genres. The bass is decent, but it lacks punch.
One feature that's missing is the ability to pause playback whenever you remove the headset. This is a standard feature in this price bracket and is something that Bose's competitors have offered for a long time. Another issue is the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose offers preset EQs within the app, but it would be nice to have an option to control the EQ manually.
You can connect to your tablet or smartphone via Bluetooth 5.0 with multipoint support as well as more advanced codecs like aptX Adaptive. You can download the Bose Audio app to adjust the volume and voice assistant settings.
The QC45s also include four in-built microphones to pick up your voice during calls. The headphones have good call quality, however they don't allow you to muffle the sound during playback as other wireless headphones. Update: As of February 2022, the firmware update 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 known for their style and comfort that let listeners know that they're hearing something unique. The Bathys are their first wireless noise-cancelling headphones. They are stunning in appearance and sound. They also come with an inbuilt high-performance USB DAC which means you can use them for wireless and wired listening.
The Bathys come with a great battery performance, with Focal promising 30 hours of continuous Bluetooth playtime. We actually got a little more from them and got over 40 hours on average out of a single charge. If you have to charge the headphones in the future, the indicator light on the right earcup will change red.
They come with a wide range of features for a pair of headphones of this price, including support for multiple devices at once and automatic pairing (though you'll need to select the source device each time you would like to listen). They come with a built-in microphone that supports voice assistants like Siri or Alexa. The headphones come with an easy-to navigate interface that makes it easy to control music and make calls.
For over-ear wireless headphones The Bathys are very good in our tests of noise cancellation. They cut down the ambient sound by about 9 decibels on average. It's not as impressive as the ANC in the Sony WH-1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless, however it's still pretty effective.
The Bathys good wireless over ear headphones headphones performed well in our headphone sound tests. Their frequency response was mostly similar to the headphone curve of SoundGuys with minor variations in the mids and bass. The Bathys have a bassy sound profile that can make instruments, vocals and cymbals seem obscure.
You can wear them wherever without fearing that other people will listen to your music. Their microphone is of decent quality of recording via Bluetooth with just a little distortion in the mid to treble range.
4. Sennheiser Momentum 4
The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless are a new version of the company's flagship Bluetooth headphones. The Momentum 3 was a solid but not a great entry in this class. The new model is a significant improvement over the previous generation, with a sleeker look, improved gesture control and an enormous battery life.
A lot of the improvements here are subtle but they make a pair that feel like an upgrade to the old one. The Momentum 4s are flat and do not fold. They come with an outer case that protects them when on the move. The Momentum 4s are also device-agnostic, like many other Bluetooth headphones from recent times, like the ones from Bowers & Wilkins and Sony. They are compatible with Apple iPhones and Android phones, but lack the AirPods' extra features like Find My Support and head-tracked spatial audio.
The biggest difference is the massive battery that can last 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 worrying about finding a power outlet to charge it.
Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget The headphones were rated by Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget a score of 82. He cited their audio quality and ANC features as their strengths. The only issue he has is that they lack a sense gravitas in the mids as well as the treble. This means that orchestral music tends to sound flat, not grand. The bass is well-rounded however it can be overemphasized, which can lead fatigue in songs that have high-pitched bass lines, like the drum hits in 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 are not designed to cause pressure on your neck or ear. However, they can be fidgety when wearing them around the house or during longer listening sessions. They can move around on your head in a flurry of head movements. This could cause them to wake up at random, which can be distracting during music or calls. Fortunately they will shut down after 15 minutes of sleep by default and can be switched off using the power button.