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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 wider soundstage. Many also include active noise cancellation and Bluetooth technology.


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

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has enhanced an already great pair of headphones with the introduction of the WH1000XM4 wireless. They're less heavy, feel better built, have more balanced sound profiles (though still bass heavy), and come with an app that allows for some audio adjustments. They have improved their active noise cancellation, which eliminates the background noise and extending the battery life.

These headphones use Bluetooth 5.0 and support SBC, AAC, and Sony's own LDAC codec. The latter is able to transfer high-resolution audio, however you'll need to use compatible devices and streaming services. Additionally, the WH-1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth devices at the same time and automatically switch between them as needed. This feature can be enabled via the Sony Headphones Connect App and works flawlessly.

One of the major improvements over the XM3 is the sensibility of their touch panels. They respond faster to the touch of a panel, and this makes them easier to control during calls or listen to media. Sony also included a feature that makes voice sound more clear and precise on calls, which is evident and a nice feature.

The WH-1000XM4s aren't perfect, but they are among the best wireless headphones that we have ever examined. They're comfortable, good to the touch, and have an outstanding battery that lasts longer than 30 hours continuously. They can also be used using an TRS cable which is perfect if you're traveling or need to conserve power.

The WH1000XM4s are a better alternative to the Bowers & Wilkins Wireless Over-Ears Px7 S2. The Sonys are more comfy and their ANC is able to block out more background noise. They also come with a companion app that lets you alter their audio performance, and their EQ settings are more flexible than B&W's. But the B&Ws have more robust design and they're able to connect 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 called 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 headphone that became a staple for commuters and travelers around the globe. Rather than reinventing the wheel the new model follows the same formula that made the predecessor so popular, adding USB-C, better noise cancellation and a longer battery lifespan.

Like the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones sport a luxurious look and feel that exudes quality. The headband is constructed of plastic, yet it is a solid feel, with hinges made of metal at pivot points and the familiar ratcheting action when you retract or extend the ear cups. The cups are soft, cushioned pads that fit securely over the ears and do not apply pressure on your head. When folded they weigh 238 grams. You can wear them when you're wearing a coat or sweater as the noise cancelling function works even when they're not on your head.

Despite their reputation for comfort, the QC45s do not offer the most impressive sound quality for this price range. The frequencies are relatively flat and lack details that headphones with higher prices might be capable of bringing out. The upper registers tend to be amplified which is great for most music, but could be a problem for delicate or intricate genres of music. The bass is decent but it lacks power.

The ability to pause playback when you remove the headset is a feature that is absent. This is standard in this price range and is something that Bose's rivals have long offered. 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.

Bluetooth 5.0 is supported, including multipoint and more advanced codecs, such as aptX Adaptive. You can download the Bose Audio app to adjust the volume and voice assistant settings.

The QC45s have four microphones built-in to pick up your voice when you are on the phone. The headsets have a good call quality, however they don't let you silence the voice when playing back like other wireless headphones. Update: A firmware update for the QC45s was released in February 2022 introduced manual adjustments to the audio app. This is a very welcome change.

3. Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal is a French audio brand known for its high-performance headphones that provide long-lasting comfort and a design that let listeners know they're listening to something unique. best affordable over ear wireless headphones at wireless noise cancelling headphones the Bathys, are stunning headphones that look and sound fantastic. 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 have a very good battery performance, with Focal claims of 30 hours of continuous Bluetooth playtime. We actually got a bit more from them and got over 40 hours on average out of just one charge. If you 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 of this price, including support for multiple devices simultaneously and automatic pairing (though you'll have to select your source device each time you would like to listen). The headphones come with an inbuilt microphone that works with voice assistants such as Siri or Alexa. The headphones also feature an easy-to-use interface that makes it easy 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 ambient sound by about 9 decibels per hour on average. This isn't as impressive a result as the ANC in the Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless, but it's still pretty 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 minor deviations in the mids and bass. They have a deep, bass-filled sound profile that adds a lot of boom to mixes, but can sometimes make vocals and instruments like cymbals sound dull.

You can wear them wherever without fearing that other people will listen to your music. Their mic has passable recording quality through Bluetooth with just a little distortion in the mid - to treble range.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless are a new version of the company's top-of-the-line Bluetooth headphones. The Momentum 3 was a solid but not an outstanding entry in this category. The latest pair improves on the previous generation with modern design, better gesture controls and massive battery life.

The improvements are subtle but make for an over-ear set of headphones that feel like an upgrade. The Momentum 4s lie flat and aren't foldable however they come with a sturdy hardshell case that protects them on the go. They also follow the pattern of many other recent Bluetooth headphones, including those from Sony and Bowers & Wilkins, to be beautifully device agnostic. They work with both Apple iPhones as well as Android phones, but do not have the AirPods' extra features like Find My Support and head-tracked spatial audio.

The most obvious improvement in this model is the huge battery that promises up to 60 hours of playback time with noise cancellation activated. This is nearly double the amount of the other brands and enough to go on a long-distance trip without having to search for an outlet.

Engadget senior editor Billy Steele gave the headphones an 82 rating with a focus on their audio quality and ANC as two of their strengths. His only complaint is that they lack a sense of gravitas in the mids and treble, meaning that orchestral tracks tend to sound flat rather than grand. The bass is well-rounded but it can sound too loud, which can cause fatigue in songs that have strong bass lines, such as the drum beats of 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 should not place pressure on your neck or ears. However, they can be a bit uncomfortable when worn around the house or for longer listening sessions. They will move about on your head with intense head movements. This can cause them to wake up at random, which can be distracting during music or calls. Fortunately they stop working after 15 minutes of sleep by default and can be switched off with the power button.

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