Best Over-Ear Headphones
Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds can completely surround the ears. They also have larger drivers, which deliver greater bass and a wider soundstage. wireless bluetooth headphones of them feature Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.
The latest Master and Dynamic MW65 update features high-quality audio, numerous ANC modes, and an impressive battery life, all in a sleek and distinct design.
1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless
Sony has enhanced an already great pair of headphones by introducing the WH1000XM4 wireless. They're lighter, feel better constructed, and have an improved sound profile that is more balanced (though still bass heavy) and include an app that allows for some audio-related customization. Their active noise cancellation works even better than before, removing more ambient sound, and they have a longer battery life than many competitors.
These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible and Sony LDAC is also supported. The latter is able to 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 automatically switch between them when required. This feature can be enabled via the Sony Headphones Connect App and is very effective.
The touch panels are more sensitive than the XM3. They respond faster to a tap on a panel and are easier to manage when making a phone call or listening to media. Sony has added a feature to make voice calls more clear and precise during calls. This is an obvious and nice touch.
While the WH1000XM4s aren't perfect, they are some of the top wireless headphones we've tested. 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 with a TRS cable which is great when you're on the road or need to save power.
The WH-1000XM4s make a better choice than the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 Wireless over-ears. The Sonys are more comfortable, and their ANC can block out more ambient noise. They also have an app that lets you alter their audio performance, and their EQ settings are more flexible than B&W's. However, the B&Ws come with a better-built design, and they're able to pair with two Bluetooth devices at once. They also support aptXHD and have an AI-driven engine that attempts to increase the size of compressed music to high-resolution. This is called DSEE Extreme and it does well in improving the clarity of music, especially when listening to lossless files.
2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless
The $329 Bose QuietComfort 45 noise-canceling headphones are the latest iteration of a headset that became a staple for commuters and travelers from all over the world. Instead of reinventing the wheel the new model follows the same formula that made the predecessor so popular, adding USB-C, improved noise cancellation and longer battery life.
These over-ear Bose headsets come with a premium feel and appearance, similar to the QC 35 II headphones that were before them. The headband, made of plastic, has an incredibly solid feel due to the metal hinges at pivot points. It also has the familiar ratcheting mechanism when you extend or retract your ear cups. The cups are cushioned and feature soft pads that can be worn over your ears without pressing your head. When folded they weigh 238g. They can be worn with a coat or sweater because they function even when not on your head.
Despite their reputation for comfort, the QC45s can't provide the best sound quality in this price range. The frequencies are flat and lack the detail that headphones with higher prices might be able to bring out. The upper registers tend to be boosted and is suitable for most music genres but could become a problem for more delicate or intricate music genres. The bass is good, but is lacking power.
One thing that's not included is the possibility of paused playback when you take off the headset. This is a standard in this price range and something that Bose's rivals have long offered. Another omission was the lack of an in-app EQ. Bose has preset EQs in the app but it would be nice to have an option to control the EQ manually.
Bluetooth 5.0 is supported, including multipoint and more advanced codecs such as aptX Adaptive. Download the Bose Audio App to adjust your headsets voice and sound settings.
The QC45s also include four microphones built into the headset to listen to your voice during calls. The headphones have good 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 provided manual EQ options within the audio app, which is a welcome improvement.
3. Focal Bathys Wireless
Focal is a French audio brand known for its high-performance headphones that provide long-lasting comfort and a design that let listeners know they're listening to something truly special. The Bathys are their first wireless noise-cancelling headphones. They are stunning in appearance and sound. They also have a built in high performance USB DAC which means you can use them for both wired and wireless listening.
The Bathys are very efficient in terms of battery performance with Focal promising 30 hours of continuous Bluetooth playtime. We actually got a little more with more than 40 hours on average out of one charge. If you do require a recharge, there's an indicator light on the right earcup that will turn red when the earphone needs to be charged.
For headphones for this price, they have many features. They can be used with multiple devices simultaneously and have automatic pairing. (You must select your device source by hand each time you listen.) The headphones come with an inbuilt microphone that can be used with voice assistants such as Siri or Alexa. They also come with an easy-to-use interface that makes it easy to control your music and take calls.
For headphones with over-ear connectivity The Bathys are very good in our tests of noise cancellation, which reduces the ambient sound by about 9 decibels per hour on average. It's not as good as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless, but it's still effective.
In our tests of headphone sound quality in our tests of headphone sound quality, the Bathys performed well overall with the frequency response which generally matches the SoundGuys headphone preference curve, with just minor differences in the bass and mids. The Bathys have a booming sound profile that can make vocals, instruments and cymbals seem unreal.
They also have excellent leakage resistance, which means you can wear them out in public without worrying about other people hearing your music. The microphone is able to be used for recording using Bluetooth with just a little distortion between the mid-treble as well as the treble.
4. Sennheiser Momentum 4
The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless is a new version of the company's top Bluetooth headsets. The last pair, the Momentum 3, was a decent, but not the most impressive entry in the category. The latest pair improves on the previous model with more sleek design, better gesture controls and massive battery life.
The improvements aren't that obvious, but they add up to create a pair of over-ears that feel like an upgrade to the previous model. The Momentum 4s are flat and do not fold. They come with a hardshell case that protects them when traveling. The Momentum 4s are device-agnostic, like many other Bluetooth headphones of recent years, including the ones from Bowers & Wilkins and Sony. They work with both Apple iPhones as well as Android phones, but lack the AirPods additional features such as Find My Support and head-tracked spatial audio.
The most obvious change here is the massive battery that promises up to 60 hours of playback with the noise cancellation feature turned on. This is more than the majority of the competition can offer and enough for a trip of a lifetime without having to worry about finding a power outlet to charge them up.
Engadget senior editor Billy Steele gave the headphones an 82 rating and cited their sound quality and ANC as particular strengths. His only complaint is that they lack a sense of 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 but it can sound overemphasized, which can lead to fatigue when songs have strong bass lines, such as the drum hits in As I Lay Dying’s Forever. The cymbals also sound sizzled rather than full and there's no feeling of depth in the lows.
The Momentum 4s should not put pressure on your neck or ears. They can be a bit fidgety if you wear them around the home or during long listening sessions. They will move around on your head and make a lot of head movements. This could cause them to unexpectedly wake up, which can be distracting when you are listening to music or calls. They stop automatically after 15 minutes and can be turned off manually by pressing the power button.