Best Over-Ear Headphones
Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds, are able to completely encapsulate your ears. They also have bigger drivers that provide deeper bass and a bigger soundstage. Many of them also feature active noise cancellation and Bluetooth technology.
The latest Master and Dynamic MW65 update provides superior audio, multiple ANC modes, and an impressive battery life in an elegant and distinctive design.
1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless
Sony has made improvements to an already great pair of headphones with the WH-1000XM4 Wireless. They are more lightweight, better constructed and feature an audio profile that is more balanced (though bass heavy). They also have an app that lets you customize the audio. They've improved their active noise cancellation, removing more background noises, and have a longer battery life.
These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible and Sony LDAC is also supported. These headphones can transfer high-resolution audio but you'll need compatible devices and streaming service. The WH-1000XM4s is also able to connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and automatically switch between the two when required. You enable this feature through the Sony Headphones Connect app and it works flawlessly.
One subtle improvement over the XM3 is the sensibility of their touch panels. They respond faster to a tap on a panel and are easier to control when making a call or listening to music. Sony also included an option that makes voices sound clearer and more precise on calls which is noticeable and a nice touch.
The WH-1000XM4s might not be perfect, but they're among the top wireless headphones that we have ever 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 be used as a passive device using a TRS cable. This is perfect for travel or preserving energy.
The WH1000XM4s provide a superior 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 sound. The B&Ws have an EQ that is more flexible, as well as an app companion to adjust the audio quality. But the B&Ws have a better-built design, and they can connect with two Bluetooth devices at once. Additionally, they support aptX HD, and they have an AI-driven engine that tries to upscale compressed music to high-resolution. This is referred to as DSEE Extreme and it does an excellent job of improving the clarity of music, especially when listening to lossless music.
2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless
The $329 Bose QuietComfort 45 noise-canceling headphones are the most recent version of a headset that became an essential for commuters and travelers from all over the world. Rather than reinventing the wheel, the new model retains the same formula that made its predecessor so popular, adding USB-C, improved noise cancellation and a longer battery lifespan.
These over-ear Bose headsets come with a premium feel and look, just like the QC 35 II headphones that were before them. The headband is made from plastic, but is sturdy and comfortable with metal hinges at pivot points and the familiar ratcheting action when you extend or retract the earcups. The cups feature soft, cushioned pads that fit comfortably over the ears and do not apply pressure on your head. They weigh 238 grams and are fairly compact when folded. 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 can't provide the best sound quality in this price range. The frequencies are dull and lack the details that higher-end headphones might be able bring out. The upper registers are boosted which is great for most music genres but could be a problem for more delicate and intricate genres. The bass is decent but lacks the punch.
The ability to pause the playback when you remove the headset is a feature that is not available. This is a standard in this price range and is something Bose's competitors have long offered. Another thing that was missing was the lack of an in-app EQ. Bose provides preset EQ settings in the app, but it would be nice to have manual control.
Bluetooth 5.0 is supported, with multipoint as well as more advanced codecs, such as aptX Adaptive. You can download the Bose Audio app to adjust the volume and voice assistant settings.
The QC45s also come with four built-in microphones that listen to your voice during calls. The call quality is generally very good, but the headsets do not have the capability to turn off your voice during playback which is something other wireless headphones have. Update In February 2022, a firmware update to the QC45s gave you an option to adjust the volume manually in the audio app, which is a welcome improvement.
3. Focal Bathys Wireless
Focal is a French audio company that makes high-performance headphones. They are well-known for their comfort and style which tell listeners that they're listening something special. Their first attempt at wireless headphones that cancel out noise, the Bathys are a stunning set of cans that look and sound fantastic. They come with a high-performance USB DAC built in, making them suitable both for wired and wireless listening.
Focal claims that the Bathys can play Bluetooth music for 30 hours. We were able to get more than 40 hours of playback time on average from just one charge. If you have to charge the headphones then the indicator light on the right earcup will go red.
For headphones for this price, they come with many features. They can be used with multiple devices at once and feature automatic pairing. (You must select your source device each time you listen.) The headphones come with an inbuilt microphone that can be used with voice assistants, such as Siri or Alexa. The headphones also have an easy-to-use interface that makes it easy to control your music and take calls.
Bathys over-ear headphones do well in our noise cancellation test, reducing ambient noise by an average of 9 decibels. They aren't as good as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless however it's still very effective.
In our tests of headphone sound quality, the Bathys performed well overall with the frequency response which generally is in line with the SoundGuys headphone preference curve, with just slight differences in the bass and mids. They have a deep, bass-filled sound profile that adds a lot of boom to mixes, however, it can make vocals and instruments like cymbals sound dull.
You can wear them wherever and not worry about whether others listen to your music. The microphone has a decent quality of recording via Bluetooth with only a slight distortion in the mid - to high treble frequency range.
4. Sennheiser Momentum 4
The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless are a new version of the company's top-of-the-line Bluetooth headphones. The previous model, called the Momentum 3, was a solid but unspectacular entry in the category. The latest model is improved over the previous model by having a sleeker design, improved gesture controls, and an enormous battery life.
The improvements are subtle but 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 when on the move. The Momentum 4s are device-agnostic, like many other Bluetooth headphones of recent years, such as those from Bowers & Wilkins and Sony. This means they work well with both Android phones and Apple iPhones, however they do not have the additional features (like Find My support and head-tracked Spatial Audio) that you'll find on the AirPods.
The most obvious difference in this black beats wireless headphones model is the huge battery that promises up to 60 hours of playback with the noise cancellation option activated. This is easily twice the amount of the competition and enough to allow you to travel for a longer period of time without worrying about finding an outlet.
Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget and Engadget, gave the headphones an 82 percent score. He highlighted their audio quality and ANC features as their strengths. His only complaint is that they lack a sense of gravitas in the mids and treble, meaning that orchestral pieces tend to sound flat rather than grand. The bass is well rounded but it can sound too loud, which can cause to fatigue when songs have strong bass lines, such as the drum hits in As I Lay Dying’s Forever. The cymbals also sound sizzled rather than full and there's not a real feeling of depth in the lows.
The Momentum 4s are a comfortable fit and shouldn't put too much pressure on your ears or neck. However they can be fidgety when wearing them around the house or during longer listening sessions. They will move about on your head in a flurry of head movements. This can cause them wake up in a sudden manner, which could be distracting when listening to music or making calls. Fortunately they will shut down after 15 minutes of sleep by default, and can be switched off using the power button.