Best Over-Ear Headphones
Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds are a complete encapsulation of your ears and allow for larger drivers to provide deeper bass and wider soundstages. Many include Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.
The latest Master and Dynamic MW65 update provides superior audio, multiple ANC modes, and an impressive battery life, all in a sleek and distinctive design.
1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless
Sony has upgraded an already fantastic pair of headphones by introducing the WH1000XM4 wireless. They're lighter, feel more built, have more balanced sound profiles (though still bass heavy) and come with an app that allows for some audio customization. Their active noise cancelling works even better than before, eliminating any background noise. Additionally, they have a longer battery life than other models.
These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 which supports SBC, AAC, and Sony's own LDAC codec. The latter can transfer high-resolution audio, but you'll need compatible devices and a streaming service. The WH-1000XM4s can also allow you to connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and automatically switch between them as needed. This feature is accessible through 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 the panel and are much easier to control when making calls or listening to music. Sony has also added a feature to make voices sound clearer and more precise during calls. This is a noticeable and pleasant addition.
The WH-1000XM4s may not be perfect, but they are among the best wireless headphones we've ever tested. They are comfortable and well-made. They also have batteries that last for more than 30 continuous hours. They can also be used using the TRS cable, which is ideal when you're on the road or need to conserve power.
The WH1000XM4s are a better alternative to the Bowers & Wilkins Wireless Over-Ears PX7 S2. The Sonys are more comfortable, and their ANC can block out more background noise. They also have an application that lets you adjust their audio performance and EQ settings are more flexible than B&W's. The B&Ws are built better and can be paired with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. Additionally, they support aptX HD, and they have an AI-driven engine which tries to upscale compressed music to high-resolution. This is known as DSEE Extreme and it does well in improving the clarity of music, particularly when listening to lossless audio files.
2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless
The $329 Bose QuietComfort45 sound cancelling headset is the latest version of a headset which has become a favorite among commuters and passengers all over the world. The new model does not reinvent the wheel. It retains the same formula which has made its predecessor so successful but it also includes USB-C and better noise cancellation.
Like the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones feature a premium look and feel that exudes quality. The headband, made of plastic, has an incredibly solid feel due to the hinges made of metal at pivot points. It also features the familiar ratcheting mechanism whenever you extend or retract your ear cups. The cups are cushioned, and have soft pads that can be worn over your ears without putting pressure on your head. They weigh 238 grams and are fairly compact when folded. They can be used while wearing a sweater or coat as the noise cancellation function is functional even when you aren't on your head.
Despite their reputation for comfort, the QC45s don't offer the best sound in this price range. The frequencies are dull and lack the depth that higher-end headphones might be able to bring out. The higher registers tend to be more boosted which is great for most music, but could be a problem for delicate or intricate music genres. The bass is great, but lacks power.
One thing that's not included is the ability to pause playback when you remove the headset. This is standard in this price range and is something that Bose's rivals have offered for a long time. Another omission was the lack 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.
Bluetooth 5.0 is supported, with multipoint as well as more advanced codecs over-ear headphones wireless such as aptX Adaptive. Download the Bose Audio App to adjust the sound and voice settings.
The QC45s come with four built-in microphones that pick up your voice during calls. The quality of calls is generally very good but the headphones don't have the nifty ability to mute your voice during playback, which is something that other wireless headphones do. Update: As of February 2022, a firmware upgrade to the QC45s offered manual EQ options in the audio app which is a welcomed improvement.
3. Focal Bathys Wireless
Focal is a French audio brand known for its high-performance headphones with long lasting comfort and a design that makes listeners feel like they're listening to something special. The Bathys are their first wireless noise cancelling headphones. They are stunning in appearance and sound. They also have an inbuilt high-performance USB DAC which means you can use them for wired and wireless listening.
The Bathys have a very good battery performance with Focal promising 30 hours of continuous Bluetooth playtime. We got more than 40 hours of playback time on average on a single charge. If you do require a recharge, there's a light on the right ear cup that will change to red when the headphone has to be charged.
They offer a good amount of features for headphones at this price that include support for multiple devices at the same time and automatic pairing (though you'll need to select the source device each time you would like to listen). The headphones have a built in microphone that can be used 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.
Bathys over-ear headphones are able to perform in our noise cancellation test, reducing ambient noise by an average of 9 decibels. It's not as effective as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 and Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless but it's still effective.
In our tests of headphone sound quality The Bathys performed well overall with a frequency response that mostly matches the SoundGuys headphone preference curve, with just minor deviations in the bass and mids. The Bathys have a bassy sound profile which can make instruments, vocals and cymbals appear obscure.
They also have excellent leakage resistance, meaning you can wear them in public without worrying about people listening to your music. Their mic is passable to record via Bluetooth with just a little distortion between the mid-treble and treble.
4. Sennheiser Momentum 4
The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless are a new version of the company's flagship Bluetooth headphones. The last pair, the Momentum 3, was a decent but not a standout into the category. The new pair is a step up from the previous model, featuring more sleek design, better gesture control and a massive battery life.
The changes are subtle but add up to an over-ear set of headphones that feel like an upgrade. The Momentum 4s are flat and do not fold. They come with an outer case that protects them when traveling. The Momentum 4s are non-device-specific, similar to other Bluetooth headphones of recent years, including the ones from Bowers & Wilkins and Sony. They can be used with 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 difference here is the massive battery, which promises up to 60 hours of playback when noise cancellation turned on. This is easily twice as much as most of the competitors and sufficient to take a multi-day journey without having to search for an outlet.
Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget, gave the headphones an 82 percent score. He highlighted their audio quality and ANC features as the top strengths. His only complaint is that they lack a sense of gravitas in the mids and the treble. This means that orchestral music tends to sound flat instead of grand. The bass is rounded, however, it can be overemphasized and can cause fatigue in songs with strong bass lines, like the drums that are pounding in As I Lay Dying's Forever. The cymbals sound a bit sizzled, not full. There's also not much depth to the lows.
The Momentum 4s are comfy and shouldn't put too much pressure on your ears or neck. They can be a bit fidgety if you wear them at 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 and can cause distraction during music or calls. Fortunately, they stop working after 15 minutes of rest by default, and can be turned off manually off with the power button.