Best Over-Ear Headphones
Over-ear
blue tooth headphones, unlike earbuds are able to completely encapsulate your ears. They also have bigger drivers that provide deeper bass and a larger soundstage. Many come with Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.
The latest Master and Dynamic MW65 update features high-quality audio, numerous ANC modes, and a long battery life with a stylish 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 lighter, better built, and have an audio profile that is more balanced (though they are bass heavy). They also have an app to adjust the sound. They've upgraded their active noise cancellation, eliminating more background noises, and have a longer battery life.
These headphones utilize 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 once and switch between them if needed. This feature is accessible through the Sony Headphones Connect App and works flawlessly.
The touch panels are more sensitive than the XM3. They respond faster to the tap of a panel, and
wireless headphone this makes them easier to control during a phone call or to listen to media. Sony has also added a feature to make voices sound clearer and more precise during calls. This is a distinct and nice touch.
The WH-1000XM4s might not be perfect, but they are among the top wireless headphones we've ever test. They are comfortable and well-constructed, and come with a a battery that can last for more than 30 continuous hours. They can be used passively with the TRS cable. This is ideal to travel with or for storing power.
The WH1000XM4s offer a better alternative to the Bowers & Wilkins Wireless Over-Ears Px7 S2. The Sonys are more comfortable and their ANC can block out more background noise. They also have a companion app that lets you alter their audio performance, and their EQ settings are more flexible than the B&W's. But the B&Ws have an improved design, and they're able to pair with two
buy bluetooth headphones online devices simultaneously. They also support aptX HD, and they have a unique AI-driven engine that tries to upscale 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 QuietComfort45 noise-canceling headset is the most recent version of a headset that is a popular choice among commuters and passengers across the world. Instead of 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 have a premium feel and look, much like the QC 35 II headphones that were before them. The headband is made from plastic, yet it is sturdy and comfortable with metal hinges at the pivot points and the familiar ratcheting action that you experience when you open or retract the ear cups. The cups are soft cushions that fit comfortably over the ears and don't put pressure to your head. When folded they weigh 238 grams. You can wear them with a sweater or coat as the noise cancellation function is functional even when they're not on your head.
Despite their reputation as comfortable headphones however, the QC45s don't provide the best sound quality at this price. The frequencies are relatively flat and lack the details that more expensive headphones might be able to bring out. The higher registers tend to be boosted which is great for most music, but could become a problem for more delicate or intricate genres of music. The bass is great, but lacks the punch.
One feature that's missing is the ability to pause playback whenever you remove the headset. This is a feature Bose's rivals have offered for years. Another oversight was 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 control the EQ manually.
You can connect to your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth 5.0 with multipoint support and more advanced codecs such as aptX Adaptive. You can download the Bose Audio app to adjust your headset's audio and voice assistant settings.
The QC45s also include four in-built microphones to hear your voice when you make calls. The headsets have a good call quality, but they don't permit you to mute the voice during playback like other wireless headphones. Update as of February 2022, a firmware update to the QC45s provided manual EQ options within 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 style and comfort which tell listeners that they're hearing something unique. The Bathys are their first wireless noise-cancelling headphones. They are stunning in appearance and sound. They have a high-performance USB DAC built in, which means you can use them both for wireless and wired listening.
Focal claims that the Bathys can play Bluetooth music for 30 hours. We actually got a bit more out of them and got over 40 hours on average of just one charge. If you need to charge your headphones, the indicator light on the right earcup will change red.
They have a decent amount of features for a pair of headphones of this price point, including 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 can be used with voice assistants like Siri or Alexa. The headphones also feature an easy-to-use interface, making it easy to control your music and take calls.
Bathys over-ear headphones are able to perform in our noise cancellation test, reducing ambient sound by an average of 9 decibels. This isn't as impressive as the ANC in the Sony WH-1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless, but it's still pretty effective.
The Bathys headphones performed well in our headphone sound tests. Their frequency response was mostly similar to the SoundGuys headphone curve with minor variations on the bass and mids. The Bathys have a booming sound profile which can make instruments, vocals and cymbals seem obscure.
They also have very good leakage resistance, so you can wear them in public without worrying about other people listening to your music. The microphone has a decent recording quality through Bluetooth with only a slight distortion in the mid - to high treble frequency range.
4. Sennheiser Momentum 4
The Sennheiser Momentum
Wireless headphone is a new version of the company's flagship Bluetooth headsets. The previous model, called the Momentum 3, was a solid but unspectacular entry in the category. The new pair is a step up from the previous generation, with more sleek design, better gesture control and an enormous battery life.
The improvements aren't that obvious, but they add up to make a pair 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 on the move. The Momentum 4s are compatible with all devices, just like other Bluetooth headphones of recent times, like those from Bowers & Wilkins and Sony. This means they work well with both Android phones and Apple iPhones, but do not come with the extra features (like Find My support and head-tracked spatial audio) that are available on the AirPods.
The most obvious improvement in this model is the huge battery, which promises up to 60 hours of playback when noise cancellation turned on.