Best Over-Ear Headphones
Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds can completely surround the ears. They also allow for larger drivers that deliver deeper bass and a larger soundstage. Many also include active noise cancellation and Bluetooth technology.
The Master & Dynamic MW65 is updated with better audio, multiple ANC modes and a huge battery life.
1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless
Sony has upgraded an already excellent pair of headphones by introducing the WH1000XM4 wireless. They're lighter, feel more built, blutooth Headphones have a more balanced sound profile (though still bass-heavy), and come with an app that allows for some audio-related customization. Their active noise cancelling works even better than before, removing any background noise. Additionally, they have a longer continuous battery life than other models.
These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible, and Sony LDAC is also supported. This codec can transfer high-resolution audio, however, you'll need compatible equipment and streaming services. The WH-1000XM4s also allows you to connect two Bluetooth devices at the same time and automatically switch between the two when required. This feature can be enabled through the Sony Headphones Connect app and it works flawlessly.
The touch panels are more sensitive than the XM3. They respond more quickly to a tap on a panel, and this makes them easier to control during a call or to listen to media. Sony has also added a feature that makes voice sound clearer and more precise when calling which is noticeable and a nice touch.
While the WH1000XM4s aren't perfect, they're one of the most comfortable wireless headphones we've ever tried. They're comfortable, feel well made, and have an outstanding battery that lasts for more than 30 hours continuously. They can also be used using a TRS cable which is perfect when you're on the road or need to conserve power.
The WH1000XM4s provide a superior alternative to the Bowers & Wilkins Wireless Over-Ears Px7 S2. The Sonys are more comfortable and their ANC can block out more background noise. The B&Ws have an EQ that is more flexible and an app that allows you to tweak the audio performance. But the B&Ws have a better-built design, and they're able to pair with two Bluetooth devices at once. They also support aptX HD and have a unique AI-driven engine that is attempting to boost compressed music to high-resolution. This is called DSEE Extreme, and it improves the clarity of music when listening to lossless audio files.
2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 buy wireless headphones
The $329 Bose QuietComfort 45 noise-canceling headphones are the most recent version of a headphone that became an essential for commuters and travelers around the globe. The new model doesn't reinvent the wheel. It retains the same formula that has made its predecessor so successful but it also includes the USB-C technology and improved noise cancellation.
These over-ear Bose headsets come with a premium feel and look, much like the QC 35 II headphones that preceded them. The headband is constructed of plastic, but has a sturdy feel with hinges made of metal at the pivot points, and the familiar ratcheting action when you open or retract the ear cups. The cups are cushioned, and have soft pads that are comfortable to wear over your ears without pressing your head. When folded, they weigh 238 grams. You can use them while wearing a sweater or coat as the noise-canceling works even when you aren't on your head phone wireless.
Despite their reputation for comfort, the QC45s don't offer the most impressive sound quality for this price range. The frequencies are relatively flat and lack the details that headphones with higher prices might be able to bring out. The higher registers tend to be amplified which is great for most music, but could be a problem for delicate or intricate music genres. The bass is great, but lacks punch.
The ability to pause playback when removing the headset is a feature that's not available. This is a standard in this price bracket and is something that Bose's rivals have long offered. Another oversight is the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose offers preset EQ settings in the app however it would be nice to have a manual control.
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 come with four microphones built into the headset to pick up your voice during calls. The bluethooth headphones have good call quality, however they don't let you muffle the sound during playback like other wireless headphones. Update: A firmware update for the QC45s was released in February 2022 introduced manual EQ options to the audio app. This is a welcome upgrade.
3. Focal Bathys Wireless
Focal is a French audio company known for high-performance headphones that last for a long time, comfort and a style that let listeners know they're listening to something unique. 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 both wireless and wired listening.
The Bathys are very efficient in terms of battery performance, with Focal claiming 30 hours of continuous Bluetooth playtime. We actually got a bit more from them, with over 40 hours of playtime on average of just one charge. If you do need to recharge, there's an indicator light on the right ear cup that will turn red when the earphone needs to be charged.
They offer a good amount of features for headphones of this price that include support for multiple devices at the same time and automatic pairing (though you'll need to select the source device every time you want to listen). They come with a built-in microphone that supports voice assistants like Siri or Alexa. The headphones also feature an intuitive interface that makes it simple to control your music and take calls.
For wireless headphones that are over-ear The Bathys excel in our tests of noise cancellation. They cut down the background sound by around 9 decibels per hour 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 blutooth headphones did well in our headphone sound tests. Their frequency response was largely similar to the SoundGuys headphone curve with minor differences on the bass and mids. They have a bass-rich sound profile that adds a lot of boom to the mix, but can sometimes make instruments and vocals like cymbals sound dull.
You can wear them anywhere and not worry about whether others hear your music. Their microphone is of decent quality of recording 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 top Bluetooth headsets. The Momentum 3 was a solid but not an outstanding entry in this class. The latest pair improves on the previous model by having more sleek design, better gesture controls and massive battery life.
The changes are subtle but can make for an over-ear pair of headphones that feel like an upgrade. The Momentum 4s are flat and do not fold. They come with a hardshell case to protect them while traveling. They also follow the pattern of many other recent Bluetooth headphones, such as the ones from Sony and Bowers & Wilkins, Blutooth Headphones to be incredibly device-agnostic. This means they work with both Android phones and Apple iPhones, but don't have the extra features (like Find My support and head-tracked Spatial Audio) that are available on the AirPods.
The most notable difference is the massive battery that can play for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation on. This is more than the majority of the competitors offer and is enough for a multi-day trip without worrying about finding an outlet to charge them up.
Engadget senior editor Billy Steele gave the headphones an 82 rating and cited their sound quality and ANC as two of their strengths. He only has one complaint: they lack a sense of gravitas in the mids and treble. This means that orchestral tracks sound flat instead of grand. The bass is well-rounded, but it can be overemphasised and cause fatigue in songs with heavy bass lines, like the drums that are pounding in As I Lay Dying's Forever. The cymbals also sound sizzled rather than full and there's not a real sense of depth in the lows.
The Momentum 4s are not designed to put pressure on your neck or ears. They can be a bit fidgety when you wear them at home or during long listening sessions. They will move around on your head and make intense head movements. This could cause them to suddenly wake up, which can be distracting during music or calls. Fortunately they stop working after 15 minutes of slumber by default, and can be manually switched off using the power button.
Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds can completely surround the ears. They also allow for larger drivers that deliver deeper bass and a larger soundstage. Many also include active noise cancellation and Bluetooth technology.
The Master & Dynamic MW65 is updated with better audio, multiple ANC modes and a huge battery life.
1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless
Sony has upgraded an already excellent pair of headphones by introducing the WH1000XM4 wireless. They're lighter, feel more built, blutooth Headphones have a more balanced sound profile (though still bass-heavy), and come with an app that allows for some audio-related customization. Their active noise cancelling works even better than before, removing any background noise. Additionally, they have a longer continuous battery life than other models.
These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible, and Sony LDAC is also supported. This codec can transfer high-resolution audio, however, you'll need compatible equipment and streaming services. The WH-1000XM4s also allows you to connect two Bluetooth devices at the same time and automatically switch between the two when required. This feature can be enabled through the Sony Headphones Connect app and it works flawlessly.
The touch panels are more sensitive than the XM3. They respond more quickly to a tap on a panel, and this makes them easier to control during a call or to listen to media. Sony has also added a feature that makes voice sound clearer and more precise when calling which is noticeable and a nice touch.
While the WH1000XM4s aren't perfect, they're one of the most comfortable wireless headphones we've ever tried. They're comfortable, feel well made, and have an outstanding battery that lasts for more than 30 hours continuously. They can also be used using a TRS cable which is perfect when you're on the road or need to conserve power.
The WH1000XM4s provide a superior alternative to the Bowers & Wilkins Wireless Over-Ears Px7 S2. The Sonys are more comfortable and their ANC can block out more background noise. The B&Ws have an EQ that is more flexible and an app that allows you to tweak the audio performance. But the B&Ws have a better-built design, and they're able to pair with two Bluetooth devices at once. They also support aptX HD and have a unique AI-driven engine that is attempting to boost compressed music to high-resolution. This is called DSEE Extreme, and it improves the clarity of music when listening to lossless audio files.
2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 buy wireless headphones
The $329 Bose QuietComfort 45 noise-canceling headphones are the most recent version of a headphone that became an essential for commuters and travelers around the globe. The new model doesn't reinvent the wheel. It retains the same formula that has made its predecessor so successful but it also includes the USB-C technology and improved noise cancellation.
These over-ear Bose headsets come with a premium feel and look, much like the QC 35 II headphones that preceded them. The headband is constructed of plastic, but has a sturdy feel with hinges made of metal at the pivot points, and the familiar ratcheting action when you open or retract the ear cups. The cups are cushioned, and have soft pads that are comfortable to wear over your ears without pressing your head. When folded, they weigh 238 grams. You can use them while wearing a sweater or coat as the noise-canceling works even when you aren't on your head phone wireless.
Despite their reputation for comfort, the QC45s don't offer the most impressive sound quality for this price range. The frequencies are relatively flat and lack the details that headphones with higher prices might be able to bring out. The higher registers tend to be amplified which is great for most music, but could be a problem for delicate or intricate music genres. The bass is great, but lacks punch.
The ability to pause playback when removing the headset is a feature that's not available. This is a standard in this price bracket and is something that Bose's rivals have long offered. Another oversight is the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose offers preset EQ settings in the app however it would be nice to have a manual control.
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 come with four microphones built into the headset to pick up your voice during calls. The bluethooth headphones have good call quality, however they don't let you muffle the sound during playback like other wireless headphones. Update: A firmware update for the QC45s was released in February 2022 introduced manual EQ options to the audio app. This is a welcome upgrade.
3. Focal Bathys Wireless
Focal is a French audio company known for high-performance headphones that last for a long time, comfort and a style that let listeners know they're listening to something unique. 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 both wireless and wired listening.
The Bathys are very efficient in terms of battery performance, with Focal claiming 30 hours of continuous Bluetooth playtime. We actually got a bit more from them, with over 40 hours of playtime on average of just one charge. If you do need to recharge, there's an indicator light on the right ear cup that will turn red when the earphone needs to be charged.
They offer a good amount of features for headphones of this price that include support for multiple devices at the same time and automatic pairing (though you'll need to select the source device every time you want to listen). They come with a built-in microphone that supports voice assistants like Siri or Alexa. The headphones also feature an intuitive interface that makes it simple to control your music and take calls.
For wireless headphones that are over-ear The Bathys excel in our tests of noise cancellation. They cut down the background sound by around 9 decibels per hour 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 blutooth headphones did well in our headphone sound tests. Their frequency response was largely similar to the SoundGuys headphone curve with minor differences on the bass and mids. They have a bass-rich sound profile that adds a lot of boom to the mix, but can sometimes make instruments and vocals like cymbals sound dull.
You can wear them anywhere and not worry about whether others hear your music. Their microphone is of decent quality of recording via Bluetooth with only a slight distortion in the mid - to the treble range.
4. Sennheiser Momentum 4The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless is a new update of the company's top Bluetooth headsets. The Momentum 3 was a solid but not an outstanding entry in this class. The latest pair improves on the previous model by having more sleek design, better gesture controls and massive battery life.
The changes are subtle but can make for an over-ear pair of headphones that feel like an upgrade. The Momentum 4s are flat and do not fold. They come with a hardshell case to protect them while traveling. They also follow the pattern of many other recent Bluetooth headphones, such as the ones from Sony and Bowers & Wilkins, Blutooth Headphones to be incredibly device-agnostic. This means they work with both Android phones and Apple iPhones, but don't have the extra features (like Find My support and head-tracked Spatial Audio) that are available on the AirPods.
The most notable difference is the massive battery that can play for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation on. This is more than the majority of the competitors offer and is enough for a multi-day trip without worrying about finding an outlet to charge them up.
Engadget senior editor Billy Steele gave the headphones an 82 rating and cited their sound quality and ANC as two of their strengths. He only has one complaint: they lack a sense of gravitas in the mids and treble. This means that orchestral tracks sound flat instead of grand. The bass is well-rounded, but it can be overemphasised and cause fatigue in songs with heavy bass lines, like the drums that are pounding in As I Lay Dying's Forever. The cymbals also sound sizzled rather than full and there's not a real sense of depth in the lows.The Momentum 4s are not designed to put pressure on your neck or ears. They can be a bit fidgety when you wear them at home or during long listening sessions. They will move around on your head and make intense head movements. This could cause them to suddenly wake up, which can be distracting during music or calls. Fortunately they stop working after 15 minutes of slumber by default, and can be manually switched off using the power button.