Best Over-Ear Headphones Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds can completely surround the ears. They also permit larger drivers, which deliver greater bass and a wider soundstage. Many come with Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation. The Master & Dynamic MMW65 has been updated with better audio, various ANC mode and an impressive battery life. 1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Sony has improved an already excellent pair of headphones with the introduction of the WH1000XM4 wireless. They're lighter, feel better built, feature a more balanced sound profile (though still bass heavy), and include an app that lets you do some audio customization. They have improved their active noise cancellation, removing the background noise, and have a longer battery life. These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible, and Sony LDAC is also supported. The latter can transfer high-resolution audio, but you'll need compatible devices and streaming service. In addition, the WH-1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and automatically switch between them as needed. You can enable this feature via the Sony Headphones Connect app and it is extremely effective. One subtle improvement over the XM3 is the sensibility of their touch panels. They respond more quickly to the tap of a panel, and this makes them easier to control during calls or listen to media. Sony has also added a feature that helps voices sound more clear and precise during calls which is evident and a nice feature. While the WH-1000XM4s aren't perfect, they're some of the most comfortable wireless headphones we've tested. They're comfortable and well-made. They also have an energy-efficient battery that can last for more than 30 continuous hours. They can also be used in a passive manner with an 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 is able to block out more ambient sounds. The B&Ws come with an EQ that is more flexible and an app that allows you to tweak the audio performance. However, the B&Ws have more robust design and they're able to pair with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. They also support aptXHD and have an AI-driven engine that attempts to increase the size of compressed music to high-resolution. This is known as DSEE Extreme, and it improves 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 from all over the world. The new model doesn't reinvent the wheel. It is based on the same formula which has made its predecessor so successful but it also includes the USB-C technology and improved noise cancellation. These over-ear Bose headsets have a premium feeling and look, much like the QC 35 II headphones that were before them. The headband is constructed of plastic, yet it is sturdy and comfortable with metal hinges at the pivot points and the familiar ratcheting action that you experience when you extend or retract the ear cups. The cups are soft cushions that fit securely over the ears and don't apply pressure to your head. They weigh 238 grams and are fairly compact when folded. You can use them with an overcoat or sweater since the noise cancellation function is functional even when you aren't on your head. Despite their reputation as comfortable headphones however, the QC45s don't offer the best sound at this price. The frequencies are dull and lack the detail that more expensive headphones may be able bring 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 decent but lacks the punch. The possibility of pauseing the playback when removing the headset is a feature not available. This is a feature that Bose's rivals have offered for many years. Another thing that was missing 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, with multipoint 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 have four microphones that are built-in to pick up your voice while on the phone. The call quality is generally good, but the headsets don't come with the handy capability to turn off your voice during playback which is a feature that other wireless headphones have. Update: A firmware upgrade for the QC45s was released in February 2022 added manual adjustments to the audio app. This is a welcome upgrade. 3. Focal Bathys Wireless Focal is a French audio brand that is known for high-performance headphones that last for a long time, comfort and a design that makes listeners feel like they're listening to something truly special. Their first foray into wireless noise cancelling headphones the Bathys, are stunning headphones that sound and look fantastic. They also come with a built in high performance USB DAC which means you can use them for both wireless and wired listening. The Bathys come with a great battery performance with Focal promising 30 hours of continuous Bluetooth playtime. We got more than 40 hours of playback time on average from a single charge. If you require a recharge, there's a light on the right ear cup that will change to red when the headphone has to be charged. For headphones at this price, they offer lots of features. They support multiple devices simultaneously and have automatic pairing. (You will need to select the device you want to pair with by hand each time you listen.) The headphones have an inbuilt microphone that works with voice assistants such as Siri or Alexa. The headphones have an easy-to use interface that makes it simple to control music and make calls. For beats studio3 wireless over ear headphones matte black with over-ear connectivity, the Bathys excel in our tests of noise cancellation, which reduces the ambient sound by about 9 decibels on average. They aren't as good as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless, but it is still effective. The Bathys headphones did well in our headphone tests. Their frequency response was largely similar to the SoundGuys headphone curve, with only minor deviations in the mids and bass. The Bathys are bassy sound profile that can make instruments, vocals and cymbals look a bit obscure. You can wear them wherever without worrying that others will hear your music. Their mic has passable recording quality via Bluetooth with only a slight distortion in the mid - to the treble range. 4. Sennheiser Momentum 4 The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless is a new update of the company's most popular Bluetooth headsets. The previous model, the Momentum 3, was a solid but unspectacular entry into the category. The latest model is improved over the previous model by having more sleek design, better gesture controls, and an enormous battery life. A lot of the improvements here are subtle, but they create a pair of over-ears that feel like an upgrade to the old one. The Momentum 4s are flat and do not fold. They come with a hardshell case to protect them while on the move. They also follow the style of many other recent Bluetooth headphones, including the ones from Sony and Bowers & Wilkins, to be incredibly device-agnostic. This means they work with both Android phones and Apple iPhones, however they do not come with the extra features (like Find My support and head-tracked spatial audio) that you'll find on AirPods. The most obvious change here is the massive battery, which promises up to 60 hours of playback time with the noise cancellation option turned on. This is more than double the amount of the other brands and enough to go on a long-distance trip without worrying about finding an outlet. Engadget senior editor Billy Steele gave the headphones an 82 score with a focus on their audio quality and ANC as their main strengths. He has only one complaint they lack gravitas in the mids and treble. This makes orchestral pieces sound flat instead of grand. The bass is well-rounded however it can be too loud, which can cause to fatigue in songs with high-pitched bass lines, like the drum hits of As I Lay Dying’s Forever. The cymbals sound hot, but not a lot. There's no real depth to 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 a bit uncomfortable when worn around the house or for longer listening sessions, and will move about on your head, causing intense head movements. This could cause them to wake up at random which can be distracting during calls or music. Fortunately, they will shut down after 15 minutes of rest by default and can be turned off manually off by pressing the power button.
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