Best Over-Ear Headphones
Unlike earbuds, over-ear headphones encapsulate your ears completely and allow larger drivers to produce greater bass and larger soundstages. Many of them also feature active noise cancellation and Bluetooth technology.
The Master & Dynamic MW65 is updated with better audio and various ANC modes, and a long battery life.
1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless
Sony has enhanced an already excellent pair of headphones with the introduction of the WH1000XM4 wireless. They are less heavy, more durable and feature a more balanced audio profile (though bass heavy). They also come with an app that lets you customize the audio. Their active noise cancelling performs better than it did before, eliminating the background noise, and they have a longer battery life than a lot of competitors.
These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible and Sony LDAC is also compatible with. This codec can transfer high-resolution music, though you'll need compatible devices and streaming services. In addition, the WH1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth devices at once and switch between them when required. This feature is accessible through the Sony Headphones Connect App and works flawlessly.
One subtle improvement over the XM3 is the sensitivity of their touch panels. They respond quicker to a tap on panels and are simpler to control when making calls or listening to media. Sony has also added a feature to make voices clearer and more precise during calls. This is an obvious and a nice addition.
The WH-1000XM4s might not be perfect, but they're among the best 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 also be used using an TRS cable, which is ideal when you're on the road or need to conserve power.
The WH-1000XM4s are a better choice than the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 Wireless over-ears. The Sonys are more comfortable, and their ANC is able to block out more background noise. The B&Ws come with an EQ that is more flexible, as well as a companion app to tweak the audio performance. However, the B&Ws come with a better-built design, and they can connect with two Bluetooth devices at once. They also support aptX HD and feature an AI-driven engine which 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 QuietComfort 45 noise-canceling headphones are the most recent version of a headphone that became a staple for commuters and travelers around the globe. The new model does not reinvent the wheel. It uses the same formula that has made its predecessor so successful with the addition of USB-C and better noise cancellation.
Similar to the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones have a premium look and feel that exudes quality. The headband is constructed of plastic, and is a solid feel, with hinges made of metal at pivot points and the familiar ratcheting action that you experience when you retract or extend the earcups. The cups feature soft cushioned pads that fit securely over the ears and don't put pressure to your head. When folded they weigh 238g. They can be worn with a coat or sweater since they can be worn even when they are not on the head.
Despite their reputation for comfort, the QC45s don't provide the best sound quality in this price range. The frequencies are dull and lack the depth that higher-end headphones might be able bring out. The upper registers are amplified which is fine for the majority of music but can be problematic for more delicate and intricate genres. The bass is decent, but is lacking power.
One feature that's missing is the possibility of paused playback when you take off the headset. This is a feature that Bose's competitors have offered for many years. Another oversight is the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose offers preset EQs within the app but it would be nice to have an option to control the EQ manually.
Bluetooth 5.0 is supported, with multipoint as well as more advanced codecs like aptX Adaptive. Download the Bose Audio App to adjust the sound and voice settings.
The QC45s also include four microphones built into the headset to pick up your voice during calls. The call quality is generally excellent, but the headsets do not have the capability to turn off your voice during playback, which is a feature that other wireless headphones do. Update In February 2022, the firmware update to the QC45s gave you manual EQ options within the audio app which is a welcomed 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 venture into wireless headphones that block noise the Bathys, are stunning headphones that look and sound fantastic. They also have an inbuilt high-performance USB DAC which means you can use them for wireless and wired listening.
Focal claims that the Bathys can play Bluetooth music for up to 30 hours. We actually got more from them and got over 40 hours of playtime on average of a single charge. If you do require a recharge, there's a light on the right ear cup that will turn red when the headphone has to be charged.
They have a decent amount of features for a pair of headphones of this price that include support for multiple devices at the same time and automatic pairing (though you'll have to select the source device every time you need to listen). They have a built-in microphone that can be used to control voice assistants such as Siri or Alexa. They also come with an intuitive interface that makes it easy to control your music as well as make calls.
Bathys over-ear headphones perform well in our noise cancellation test, reducing ambient sound by 9 decibels on average. It's not as good as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless but it's still very effective.
The Bathys headphones did well in our headphone sound tests. Their frequency response was largely similar to the SoundGuys headphone curve with minor differences on the bass and mids. They have a bass-rich sound profile which adds plenty of boom to mixes however, it can make vocals and instruments like cymbals seem a bit veiled.
You can wear them anywhere without worrying that others will hear your music. Their mic has passable recording quality through Bluetooth with only a slight distortion in the mid to the treble range.
4. Sennheiser Momentum 4
The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless is a new update of the company's top Bluetooth headsets. The previous model, called the Momentum 3, was a decent but not a standout in the category. best gym headphones wireless improves on the previous generation with more sleek design, better gesture controls, and an enormous battery life.
The improvements are subtle but add up to an over-ear pair of headphones that feels like an upgrade. The Momentum 4s are flat and do not fold. They come with a hardshell case that protects them when traveling. They also follow the pattern of a number of other recent Bluetooth headphones, such as those from Sony and Bowers & Wilkins, to be beautifully 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 most obvious improvement in this model is the huge battery that promises up to 60 hours of playback time with the noise cancellation option activated. This is more than what the majority of the competitors can provide and enough for a multi-day trip without having to worry about finding a power outlet to charge them.
Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget and Engadget, gave the headphones an 82-point score. He cited their audio quality and ANC features as their strengths. The only issue he has is that they lack gravitas in the mids and treble. This means that orchestral music sounds flat, not grand. The bass is well-rounded however it can be too loud, which can cause fatigue in songs that have strong bass lines, such as the drum hits in As I Lay Dying’s Forever. The cymbals sound smoky 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 uncomfortable when worn around the house or during longer listening sessions, and will move about on your head with intense head movements. This can cause them to wake up at random which can be distracting when you are listening to music or calls. Fortunately they will shut down after 15 minutes of rest by default, and can be switched off with the power button.