Best Over-Ear Headphones
Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds encapsulate your ears completely and allow for bigger drivers to produce more bass and a wider soundstage. Many of them also feature active noise cancellation and Bluetooth technology.
The latest Master and Dynamic MW65 update offers excellent audio, a variety of ANC modes, and a long battery life, all in a sleek and distinct design.
1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless
Sony has made improvements to an already great pair of headphones with the WH-1000XM4 Wireless. They're lighter, feel more built, have a more balanced sound profile (though still bass heavy) and come with an app that lets you do some audio adjustments. They've improved their active noise cancellation, which eliminates more ambient sounds and have a longer battery life.
These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 which supports SBC, AAC, and Sony's own LDAC codec. The latter can transfer high-resolution audio however, you'll need compatible equipment and a streaming service. The WH-1000XM4s is also able to connect two Bluetooth devices at the same time and automatically switch between them as needed. This feature is accessible through the Sony Headphones Connect App and works flawlessly.
The touch panels are more sensitive than the XM3. They respond more quickly to the tap of the panel, and this makes them easier to control during calls or to listen to media. Sony has also added a feature that makes voice sound clearer and more precise on calls which is evident and a nice feature.
While the WH1000XM4s aren't perfect, they're one of the most comfortable wireless headphones we've ever tried. They are comfortable and well-made. They also have a battery that can last for more than 30 continuous hours. They can be used in a passive manner using a TRS cable. This is great for traveling or conserving energy.
The WH1000XM4s offer a better alternative to the Bowers & Wilkins Wireless Over-Ears PX7 S2. The Sonys are more comfy, and their ANC can block out more ambient sounds. They also come with a companion application that lets you adjust their audio performance and EQ settings are more flexible than B&W's. But the B&Ws have more robust design and they're able to pair with two Bluetooth devices at once. They also support aptXHD and have an AI-driven engine which tries 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 most recent version of a headset that became a standard for commuters as well as travelers from all over the world. The new model does not reinvent the wheel. It uses the same formula which has made its predecessor so successful, while adding USB-C and better noise cancellation.
Like the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones have an elegant design and feel that oozes quality. The headband is made of plastic, and is sturdy and comfortable with metal hinges at the pivot points, and the familiar ratcheting action when you open or retract the earcups. The cups feature soft cushioned pads that fit comfortably over the ears and do not apply pressure to your head. When folded, they weigh 238 grams. They can be worn with a sweater or coat since they can be worn even when not on your head.
Despite their reputation for comfort, the QC45s do not provide the best sound quality in this price range. The frequencies are comparatively flat and lack the details that higher-end headphones may be able to bring out. The upper registers are amplified which is fine for most music genres but can be a problem for more delicate and intricate genres. The bass is decent but it lacks the punch.
One feature that's missing is the ability to pause playback when you take off the headset. This is a standard feature in this price bracket and is something that Bose's competitors have offered for a long time. 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 if there was an option to manually control.
You can connect to your tablet or smartphone via Bluetooth 5.0 with support for multipoint and the 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 pick up your voice when on the phone. The quality of calls is generally very good, but the headsets don't come with the handy ability to mute your voice during playback which is a feature that other wireless headphones have. Update In February 2022, a firmware upgrade to the QC45s provided manual EQ options in the audio app which is a welcomed improvement.
3. Focal Bathys Wireless
Focal is a French audio brand that produces high-performance headphones. They are known for their style and comfort that let listeners know that they're listening something special. The Bathys are their first wireless noise cancelling headphones. They look and sound stunning. They come with a high-performance USB DAC built in, making them suitable both for wireless and wired listening.
The Bathys have a very good battery life, with Focal claiming 30 hours of continuous Bluetooth playtime. We actually got more out of them, with over 40 hours of playtime on average of one charge. If you are required to charge your headphones in the future, the indicator light on the right earcup will change red.
For a pair of headphones at this price, they have a lot of features. They support multiple devices at once and feature automatic pairing. (You must select your source device by hand each time you listen.) The headphones come with a built in microphone that works with voice assistants such as Siri or Alexa. The headphones also have an easy-to-use interface, making it easy to control your music as well as 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 good as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless, but it's still effective.
The Bathys headphones performed well in our headphone tests. Their frequency response was generally similar to the headphone curve of SoundGuys, with only minor deviations on the bass and mids. They have a deep, bass-filled sound profile which adds plenty of boom to mixes, however, they can make instruments and vocals like cymbals seem a bit veiled.
They also have excellent leakage resistance, which means you can wear them in public without worrying about people hearing your music. The microphone is able to be used for recording using Bluetooth with best budget over ear headphones wireless just a little distortion between the mid-treble and treble.
4. Sennheiser Momentum 4
The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless are a new update to the company's top-of-the-line Bluetooth headphones. The Momentum 3 was a solid but not an outstanding entry in this class. The new model is an improvement on the previous model, sporting a an elegant design, enhanced gesture control, and a huge battery life.
The improvements are subtle, but make for an over-ear set of headphones that feel like an upgrade. The Momentum 4s are flat and do not fold. They come with a hardshell case that protects them when moving. They also follow the pattern of a number of other recent Bluetooth headphones, like the ones from Sony and Bowers & Wilkins, to be beautifully device agnostic. This means they can work with both Android phones and Apple iPhones, but do not have the additional features (like Find My support and head-tracked Spatial Audio) that are available on the AirPods.
The most significant improvement is the battery that can last for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation on. This is easily double the amount of the other brands and enough to take a multi-day journey without having to search for an outlet.
Engadget senior editor Billy Steele gave the headphones an 82 score and cited their sound quality and ANC as particular strengths. The only issue he has is that they lack a sense gravitas in the mids and the treble. This means that orchestral tracks tend to sound flat rather than grand. The bass is rounded, however, it can be overemphasized and cause fatigue in songs with strong bass lines, like the drum hits in As I Lay Dying's Forever. The cymbals also sound sizzled rather than full and there's no sense of depth in the bass.
The Momentum 4s are comfy and aren't likely to put too much pressure on your ears or neck. They can be fidgety if you wear them around the home or during long listening sessions. They can move on your head and make intense head movements. This could cause them to unexpectedly wake up and can cause distraction during calls or music. They shut down automatically after 15 minutes, and can be turned off manually with the power button.