Best Over-Ear Headphones
Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds, can completely surround the ears. They also allow for larger drivers, which deliver greater bass and a bigger soundstage. A majority of them feature Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.
The Master & Dynamic MMW65 has been updated with better audio and various ANC modes and a huge battery life.
1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless
Sony has made improvements to an already excellent pair of headphones with the WH-1000XM4 Wireless. They're lighter, feel better built, have an improved sound profile that is more balanced (though still bass-heavy), and include an app that lets you do some audio adjustments. They've improved their active noise cancellation, eliminating more background noises, and have a longer battery life.
These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 and support SBC, AAC, and Sony's own LDAC codec. This codec can transmit high-resolution audio, however, you'll need compatible devices and streaming service. Additionally, the WH-1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth devices at the same time and switch between them when required. This feature can be enabled via the Sony Headphones Connect App and works well.
One of the major improvements over the XM3 is the sensibility of their touch panels. They respond faster to the tap of the panel, and this makes them easier to control during a call or to listen to music. Sony also included a feature that makes voice sound clearer and more precise on calls, which is evident and a nice feature.
While the WH-1000XM4s aren't perfect, they are some of the best wireless headphones we've tested. They're comfortable and well-made. They also have batteries that last for more than 30 continuous hours. They can be used in a passive manner using an TRS cable. This is ideal to travel with or for storing power.
The WH-1000XM4s make a better choice than 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 an EQ that is more flexible and an app that allows you to tweak the audio performance. The B&Ws are more robust and can be paired with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. They also support aptX HD and have a unique AI-driven engine that attempts to boost compressed music to high-resolution. This is known as DSEE Extreme, and it enhances 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 an essential for commuters and travelers from all over the world. The new model does not reinvent the wheel. It retains the same formula which has made its predecessor so successful, while adding USB-C and better noise cancellation.
These over-ear Bose headsets have a premium feeling and look, much like the QC 35 II headphones that came before them. The headband, constructed of plastic, has an incredibly solid feel due to the hinges made of metal at pivot points. It also features the ratcheting mechanism that is familiar when you retract or extend your ear cups. The cups have soft cushioned pads that fit securely over the ears and do not apply pressure to your head. When folded, they weigh 238 grams. They can be paired with a coat or sweater since they can be worn even when not on the head.
Despite their reputation for comfort, the QC45s can't provide the best sound quality in this price range. The frequencies are comparatively flat and lack details that more expensive headphones might be capable of bringing out. The upper registers are amplified which is acceptable for most music genres but could be a problem for more delicate and intricate genres. The bass is good, but is lacking the punch.
The ability to pause the playback after removing the headset is a feature absent. This is a feature Bose's rivals have provided for many years. Another issue is the absence 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 smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth 5.0 with multipoint support and more advanced codecs like aptX Adaptive. best on-ear headphones wireless 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 on the phone. They have excellent call quality, but they don't let you silence the voice when playing back like other wireless headphones. 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 welcomed improvement.
3. Focal Bathys Wireless
Focal is a French audio brand that is known for high-performance headphones that last for a long time, comfort and a design that makes listeners feel like they're listening to something unique. Their first foray into wireless noise cancelling headphones the Bathys are a stunning set of headphones that look and sound amazing. They come with a top-quality USB DAC built in, so you can use them both for wireless and wired listening.
The Bathys have a very good battery performance, with Focal promising 30 hours of continuous Bluetooth playtime. We actually got a bit more and got over 40 hours on average of just one 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.
They offer a good amount of features for headphones of this price with support for multiple devices simultaneously and automatic pairing (though you'll need to select the source device each time you would like to listen). The headphones come with built-in microphones that works with voice assistants such as Siri or Alexa. They also come with an intuitive interface that makes it simple to control your music and take calls.
For headphones with over-ear connectivity, the Bathys are very good in our test of noise cancellation, which reduces the background sound by around 9 decibels in average. It's not as good as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless however it is still effective.
In our tests of headphone sound quality, the Bathys were a good overall performer with the frequency response which generally corresponds to the SoundGuys preference curve with only slight differences in the mids and bass. They have a bass-rich sound pattern which adds plenty of boom to the mix, however, it can make instruments and vocals such as cymbals sound veiled.
They also have excellent leakage resistance, which means you can wear them in public without worrying about others listening to your music. The microphone has a decent recording quality through Bluetooth with only slight distortion in the mid to the 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 last pair, the Momentum 3, was a solid but unspectacular entry into the category. The new model is a significant improvement over the previous generation, with a sleeker look, improved gesture control, and a huge battery life.
The improvements here are subtle, but they make a pair of over-ears that feel like an upgrade to the previous model. The Momentum 4s are flat and don't fold. They come with an outer case that protects them while traveling. The Momentum 4s are also non-device-specific, similar to other Bluetooth headphones of recent years, such as those from Bowers & Wilkins and Sony. They are compatible with Apple iPhones and Android phones, but they do not have the AirPods additional features such as Find My Support and head-tracked spatial audio.
The most obvious difference here is the massive battery, which claims up to 60 hours of playback with noise cancellation activated. This is more than what the majority of the competitors can provide and is enough for a long-distance trip without worrying about finding an outlet to charge it.
Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget and Engadget, gave the headphones an 82 percent score. He cited their audio quality and ANC features as their strengths. The only issue he has is that they lack gravitas in mids and treble. This means that orchestral pieces sound flat instead of grand. The bass is well-rounded, however, it can be overemphasized, which can lead to fatigue in songs that have heavy bass lines like the drums in As I Lay Dying's Forever. The cymbals can sound smoky rather than full and there's not a real sense of depth in the bass.
The Momentum 4s are not designed to cause pressure on your neck or ear. They can be a bit fidgety when you wear them at home or for long listening sessions. They will move around on your head, and make rapid head movements. This can cause them wake up at random which can be distracting during calls or music. They shut down automatically after 15 minutes, and can be shut off manually by pressing the power button.