Don't Buy Into These "Trends" About Over Ear Headphones Wire…

Best Over-Ear Headphones

In contrast to earbuds, headphones over-ear encapsulate your ears completely and allow larger drivers to provide more bass and a wider soundstage. Many come with Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.

The Master & Dynamic MW65 has been updated with better audio, various ANC modes and a huge battery life.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has improved on an already great pair of headphones with the WH-1000XM4 Wireless. They are lighter, better built and feature a more balanced audio profile (though they are bass heavy). They also include an app to adjust the sound. They have improved their active noise cancellation, removing more background noises and extending the battery life.

These headphones utilize Bluetooth 5.0 which supports SBC, AAC, and Sony's own LDAC codec. This codec can transfer high-resolution music, though you'll need compatible devices and streaming services. Additionally, the WH-1000XM4s can connect to two bluetooth wireless headphone devices at once and automatically switch between them if needed. This feature is enabled through the Sony Headphones Connect App and works well.

A subtle improvement over the XM3 is the sensitiveness of their touch panels. They respond quicker to the touch of panels and are simpler to control when making calls or listening to media. Sony has also added an option that makes voices sound clearer and more precise on calls, which is noticeable and a nice addition.

While the WH-1000XM4s aren't perfect, they're some of the best wireless headphones we've ever tested. They're comfortable, feel well-made, and come with an impressive battery that can last more than 30 hours continuously. They can be used as a passive device with an TRS cable. This is ideal for travel or preserving 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 ambient noise. The B&Ws come with an EQ that is more flexible and an app companion to adjust the audio quality. The B&Ws are better built, and can pair with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. They also support aptXHD and feature an AI-driven engine that tries to up-scale compressed music to high-resolution. This is referred to as DSEE Extreme and it does an excellent job of improving the clarity of music, particularly when listening to lossless music.

2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless

The $329 Bose QuietComfort45 Noise-Canceling headset is the most current version of a headset which has become a favorite among commuters and passengers all over the world. The new model doesn't reinvent the wheel. It is based on the same formula which has made its predecessor head phones so successful, while adding USB-C and better noise cancellation.

Similar to the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones feature an elegant design and feel that exudes quality. The headband is made of plastic, and is sturdy and comfortable with hinges made of metal at the pivot points and the ratcheting mechanism that is familiar when you open or retract the earcups. The cups are cushioned, and have soft pads that fit over your ears without pressing your head. They weigh 238 grams and are compact when folded. They can be worn with a coat or sweater because they function even when they are not on the head.

Despite their reputation as comfortable headphones however, the QC45s don't provide the best sound quality at this price point. The frequencies are flat and lack the details that higher-end headphones might be able bring out. The higher registers tend to be amplified which is great for most music but can become a problem for more delicate or intricate music genres. The bass is good, but it lacks power.

The ability to pause the playback after removing the headset is a feature that's missing. This is a standard feature in this price range and is something Bose's competitors have been offering for years. Another omission is the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose offers preset EQ settings within 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 such as aptX Adaptive. Download the Bose Audio App to adjust your headset's voice and sound settings.

The QC45s come with four microphones that are built-in to hear your voice when you are on the phone. The headphones have good call quality, but they don't allow you to muffle the sound during playback as other wireless headphones. Update: A firmware upgrade for the QC45s in February 2022 introduced manual settings for EQ to the audio app. This is a great upgrade.

3. Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal is a French audio brand known for its high-performance headphones with long lasting comfort and a style that makes listeners feel like they're listening to something unique. The Bathys are their first wireless noise-cancelling headphones. They are stunning in appearance and sound. They come with a top-quality USB DAC built in, which means you can use them both for wired and wireless listening.

Focal claims that the Bathys can play bluetooth headfones music for 30 hours. We had more than 40 hours of playback on average from just one charge. If you need to recharge, there's a 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 once and automatic pairing (though you'll have to select the source device each time you need to listen). They come with a built-in microphone that can be used to control voice assistants such as Siri or Alexa. The headphones also feature an easy-to-use interface that makes it simple to control your music as well as make calls.

Bathys over-ear headphones do well in our noise cancellation test, reducing ambient noise by an average of 9 decibels. This isn't as impressive a result as the ANC in the Sony WH-1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless but it's still pretty effective.

In our tests of headphone sound quality The Bathys did well overall, with a an overall frequency response that corresponds to the SoundGuys preference curve, with only minor deviations in the mids and bass. They have a bass-rich sound pattern which adds plenty of boom to mixes however, it can make instruments and vocals like cymbals seem a bit veiled.

They also have excellent leakage resistance, so you can wear them out in public without worrying about people hearing your music. Their microphone is of decent recording quality via Bluetooth with only slight distortion in the mid - to treble range.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless are a new update to the company's flagship Bluetooth headphones. The Momentum 3 was a solid but not a great entry in this category. The latest model is improved over the previous generation with more sleek design, better gesture controls, and a huge battery life.

The improvements are subtle, but can make for an over-ear pair of headphones that feels like an upgrade. The Momentum 4s are flat and do not fold. They come with a hardshell case that protects them when on the move. They also follow the style of many other recent Bluetooth headphones, such as those from Sony and Bowers & Wilkins, to be incredibly device-agnostic. This means they work with both Android phones and Apple iPhones, however they 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 run for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation on. This is more than double the amount of the competitors and sufficient to allow you to travel for a longer period of time without having to search for an outlet.

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 that they lack gravitas in the mids and the treble. This means that orchestral tracks sound flat, not grand. The bass is smooth and well-rounded however, it can be overemphasized, which can lead to fatigue in songs with heavy bass lines, like the drums in As I Lay Dying's Forever. The cymbals can sound smoky rather than full and there's no sense of depth in the bass.

The Momentum 4s are comfortable and should not put too much pressure on your neck or ears. They can be a bit fidgety if you wear them at home or for long listening sessions. They will move around on your head and make intense Head Phones movements. This could cause them to unexpectedly wake up, which can be distracting during music or calls. They stop automatically after 15 minutes and can be turned off manually with the power button.