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Over Ear Headphones Wireless Best: 11 Thing That You're Failing To Do
Best Over-Ear Headphones

In contrast to earbuds, headphones over-ear are a complete encapsulation of your ears and allow for larger drivers to deliver more bass and a wider soundstage. A majority of them feature Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.

The latest Master & Dynamic MW65 update provides superior audio, multiple ANC modes and impressive battery life with a stylish and distinctive design.


1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has improved on an already-great pair of headphones with the WH-1000XM4 Wireless. They're lighter, feel better built, have a more balanced sound profile (though still bass heavy) and include an app that lets you do some audio adjustments. They've improved their active noise cancellation, removing more ambient sounds and extending the battery life.

These headphones are 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. In addition, the WH-1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth devices at once and automatically switch between them if 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 tapping on the panel and are much easier to manage when making a phone call or listening to media. Sony has also added a feature that can make voices more precise and clear during calls. This is an obvious and pleasant addition.

Although the WH-1000XM4s may not be perfect, they're some of the top wireless headphones we've tested. They're comfortable, feel well-made, and come with an outstanding battery that can last longer than 30 hours continuously. They can also be used with an TRS cable, which is ideal when you're on the road or need to conserve power.

The WH-1000XM4s make a better choice over the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 Wireless over-ears. The Sonys are more comfortable and their ANC can block out more background noise. The B&Ws feature a more flexible EQ and a companion app to tweak the audio performance. However, the B&Ws have more robust design and they're able to connect with two Bluetooth devices at once. They also support aptXHD and feature an AI-driven engine that tries to increase the size of compressed music to high-resolution. This is known as DSEE Extreme and it does a good job of improving the clarity of music, especially when listening to lossless audio files.

2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless

The $329 Bose QuietComfort45 sound cancelling headset is the most current version of a headset which has become a favorite among commuters and passengers across the world. Rather than reinventing the wheel, the new model retains the same formula that made the predecessor so popular, adding USB-C, improved noise cancellation and a longer battery life.

These over-ear Bose headsets come with a premium feel and appearance, similar to the QC 35 II headphones that preceded them. The headband, constructed of plastic, has an incredibly solid feel due to the hinges made of steel at pivot points. It also features the familiar ratcheting mechanism whenever you retract or extend the ear cups. The cups are cushioned, and have soft pads that can be worn over your ears without placing pressure on your head. When folded they weigh 238 grams. They can be worn with a coat or sweater as they work even when not on the head.

Despite their reputation for comfort, the QC45s can't offer the best sound in this price range. The frequencies are comparatively flat and lack details that headphones with higher prices might be able to bring out. The upper registers tend to be amplified which is great for most music but can be a problem for delicate or intricate music genres. The bass is decent but lacks punch.

One feature that's missing is the possibility of paused playback when you remove the headset. This is a standard in this price bracket and is something that Bose's rivals have been offering for years. Another omission was the lack 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, including multipoint and more advanced codecs, such as aptX Adaptive. Download the Bose Audio App to adjust your headsets voice and sound settings.

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

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 let listeners know that they're hearing something unique. 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 both wireless and wired listening.

Focal claims that the Bathys can play Bluetooth music for up to 30 hours. We were able to get more than 40 hours of playback time on average from a single charge. If you need to recharge, there's an indicator light on the right earcup that turns red when the headphone needs to be charged.

For headphones at this price, they offer lots of features. They support multiple devices at once and feature automatic pairing. (You will need to select your source device each time you listen.) The headphones have a built in microphone that can be used with voice assistants, such as Siri or Alexa. The headphones also feature an easy-to-use interface, making it easy to control your music as well as make calls.

Bathys over-ear headphones perform well in our noise cancellation test, reducing ambient noise by 9 decibels on average. It's not as good as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless however it is still effective.

The Bathys headphones did well in our headphone sound tests. Their frequency response was largely similar to the headphone curve of SoundGuys with minor variations in the mids and bass. The Bathys are bassy sound that can make instruments, vocals and cymbals appear veiled.

You can wear them wherever and not worry about whether others hear your music. Their mic has passable quality of recording via Bluetooth with only a slight distortion in the mid to the treble range.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless is a new version of the company's most popular Bluetooth headsets. The Momentum 3 was a solid but not an outstanding entry in this class. The new pair is an improvement on the previous generation, with a sleeker look, improved gesture control and an enormous battery life.

A lot of the improvements here are subtle but they add up to create a pair of over-ears that appear to be an upgrade from the old one. The Momentum 4s are flat and do not fold. They come with a hardshell case to protect them when moving. They also follow the trend of a number of other recent Bluetooth headphones, like the ones from Sony and Bowers & Wilkins, to be incredibly device-agnostic. This means they work well with both Android phones and Apple iPhones, however they do not come with the extra features (like Find My support and head-tracked spatial audio) that you'll find on the AirPods.

The biggest improvement is the battery that can last for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation turned on. This is more than twice the amount of the competition 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 they lack of gravitas in the mids and the treble. This makes orchestral tracks sound flat, not grand. The bass is well rounded but it can sound overemphasized, which can cause to fatigue in songs with 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 are comfortable and should not put too much pressure on your neck or ears. However, best budget over ear headphones wireless 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 wake up at random which can be distracting during music or calls. Fortunately, they shut down after 15 minutes of sleep by default, and can be switched off by pressing the power button.

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