Best Over-Ear Headphones
Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds can completely surround the ears. They also permit bigger drivers that provide deeper bass and a larger soundstage. A majority of them feature Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.
The latest Master & Dynamic MW65 update provides excellent audio, a variety of ANC modes, and a long battery life, all in a sleek and distinctive design.
1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless
Sony has improved an already great pair of headphones by introducing the WH1000XM4 wireless. They are lighter, better built, and have a more balanced audio profile (though bass heavy). They also have an app that lets you customize the audio. They've improved their active noise cancellation, eliminating the background noise and have a longer battery life.
These headphones utilize Bluetooth 5.0 which supports SBC, AAC, and Sony's own LDAC codec. This codec can transfer high-resolution audio, however you'll need to use compatible devices and streaming services. In addition, the WH1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth devices at once and switch between them when required. You enable this feature through the Sony Headphones Connect app and it works very well.
The touch panels are more sensitive than the XM3. They respond faster to a tap on the panel and are much easier to control when making calls or listening to music. Sony has also added a feature that can make voices more clear and precise during calls. This is a distinct and pleasant addition.
The WH-1000XM4s may not be perfect, but they're among the best wireless headphones that we have ever test. They're comfortable and well-constructed, and come with a a battery that can last for more than 30 continuous hours. They can be used in a passive manner by using an TRS cable. This is great for travel or preserving energy.
The WH-1000XM4s are a better choice than the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 Wireless over-ears. The Sonys are more comfy and their ANC can block out more background noise. The B&Ws feature an EQ that is more flexible, as well as an app companion to adjust the audio quality. The B&Ws are better built, and can pair with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. They also support aptXHD and feature an AI-driven engine which tries to scale compressed music up to high-resolution. This is referred to as DSEE Extreme and it does well in improving the clarity of music, especially 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 is a popular choice among commuters and passengers all over the world. The new model does not reinvent the wheel. It is based on the same formula that was the basis of its predecessor's success with the addition of USB-C and better noise cancellation.
Like the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones sport a luxurious look and feel that exudes quality. The headband is made of plastic, yet it is sturdy and comfortable with hinges made of metal at the pivot points, and the ratcheting mechanism that is familiar when you open or retract the earcups. The cups have soft cushioned pads that fit comfortably over the ears and don't put pressure to your head. They weigh 238 grams and are compact when folded. They can be paired with a sweater or coat as they work even when they are not on the head.
Despite their reputation for comfort, the QC45s don't offer the best sound in this price range. The frequencies are comparatively flat and lack the details that higher-end headphones may be capable of bringing out. The upper registers are amplified which is great for most music genres but could be a problem for more delicate and complex genres. The bass is great, but lacks punch.
One feature that's not present is the ability to pause playback whenever you remove the headset. This is standard in this price range and is something that Bose's rivals have been offering for years. Another omission was the lack of an in-app EQ. Bose has preset EQs in the app, but it would be nice to have a manual control.
You can connect to your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth 5.0 with multipoint support as well as more advanced codecs like 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 headsets have a good call quality, however they don't permit you to mute the voice during playback as other wireless headphones. Update: A firmware upgrade for the QC45s came out in February 2022 added manual settings for EQ to the audio app. This is a welcome upgrade.
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 foray into wireless headphones that block noise The Bathys are a stunning set of cans that look and sound fantastic. They come with a high-performance USB DAC built in, which means you can use them both for wired and wireless listening.
The Bathys are very efficient in terms of battery life, with Focal promising 30 hours of continuous Bluetooth playtime. We actually got a little more out of them with more than 40 hours on average out of just one charge. If you do require a recharge, there's an indicator light on the right ear cup that turns red when the earphone needs to be charged.
They offer a good amount of features for a pair of headphones of this price point that include support for multiple devices at the same time and automatic pairing (though you'll have to select the source device every time you would like to listen). They come with a built-in microphone that can be used to control voice assistants such as Siri or Alexa. The headphones also have an easy-to-use interface that makes it simple to control your music and take calls.
For over-ear wireless headphones for over-ear wireless headphones, the Bathys perform very well in our tests of noise cancellation. They cut down the sound of the surrounding environment by about 9 decibels per hour on average. It's not as impressive as the ANC in the Sony WH-1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless, but it's still fairly effective.
The Bathys headphones performed well in our headphone sound tests. Their frequency response was largely similar to the SoundGuys headphone curve with minor variations on the bass and mids. They have a bass-rich sound pattern that adds a lot of boom to mixes, but can sometimes make vocals and instruments like cymbals sound dull.
Wear them wherever you want without worrying that others will listen to your music. Their mic is passable to record via Bluetooth, with only slight distortion between the mid-treble and treble.
4. Sennheiser Momentum 4
The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless is a new update of the company's top Bluetooth headsets. The Momentum 3 was a solid, but not spectacular entry in this category. The latest pair improves on the previous model with a sleeker design, improved gesture controls, 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 lay flat and don't fold, but they do come with a nice hardshell case to protect them when on the move. They also follow the style of several other recent Bluetooth headphones, such as those from Sony and Bowers & Wilkins, to be incredibly device-agnostic. 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 change here is the massive battery, which claims up to 60 hours of playback with noise cancellation enabled. That's easily double what most of the competition can offer and enough for a multi-day trip without worrying about finding an outlet to charge them.
Engadget senior editor Billy Steele gave the headphones an 82 score with a focus on their audio quality and ANC as particular strengths. His only complaint is that they lack a sense weight in the mids and the treble, which means that orchestral tracks tend to sound flat rather than grand. The bass is well rounded, but can be too loud, which can cause fatigue in songs that have high-pitched 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 shouldn't place pressure on your neck or ear. They can be a bit fidgety when you wear them around the home or during long listening sessions. They will move around on your head, and make rapid head movements. This can cause them suddenly wake up, which can be distracting when you are listening to music or calls. best gym headphones wireless stop automatically after 15 minutes, and can be turned off manually with the power button.