Best Over-Ear Headphones
Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds, are able to completely encapsulate your ears. They also permit bigger drivers that provide deeper 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 upgraded an already great pair of headphones with the introduction of the WH1000XM4 wireless. They're less heavy, feel better constructed, and have more balanced sound profiles (though still bass heavy) and come with an app that allows some audio customization. They've improved their active noise cancellation, which eliminates more background noises and have a longer battery life.
These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible, and Sony LDAC is also supported. This codec can transmit high-resolution audio, however, you'll need compatible equipment and streaming service. In addition, the WH-1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth devices at the same time and switch between them if needed. best overhead headphones wireless can enable this feature via the Sony Headphones Connect app and it is extremely effective.
One of the major improvements over the XM3 is the sensitiveness of their touch panels. They respond quicker to the touch of the panel and are much easier to control when making a call or listening to media. Sony also added a feature that helps voices sound more clear and precise when calling which is noticeable and a nice touch.
Although the WH-1000XM4s may not be perfect, they're some of the best wireless headphones we've tested. They're comfortable, well made, and have an outstanding battery that lasts more than 30 hours continuously. They can be used passively by using a TRS cable. This is great for traveling or conserving energy.
The WH-1000XM4s are better than the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 Wireless over-ears. The Sonys are more comfy and their ANC can block out more ambient sound. The B&Ws come with an EQ that is more flexible, as well as an app companion to adjust the audio performance. The B&Ws are more robust and can connect to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. They also support aptXHD and feature an AI-driven engine which tries to scale compressed music up 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 QuietComfort45 sound cancelling headset is the most recent version of a headset which has become a favorite among commuters and passengers across the world. The new model doesn't reinvent the wheel. It is based on the same formula that was the basis of its predecessor's success with the addition of the USB-C technology and improved noise cancellation.
These over-ear Bose headsets come with a premium feel and look, just like the QC 35 II headphones that came before them. The headband, made of plastic, offers a firm feel thanks to the hinges made of steel at pivot points. They also have the familiar ratcheting mechanism when you extend or retract the ear cups. The cups have soft cushions that fit comfortably over the ears and do not apply pressure to your head. They weigh 238 grams and are fairly compact when folded. You can use them with a coat or sweater as the noise cancellation function is functional even when they're not on your head.
Despite their reputation for comfort, the QC45s can't offer the most impressive sound quality for this price range. The frequencies are comparatively flat and lack details that higher-end headphones may be capable of bringing out. The higher registers tend to be more boosted which is great for most music but can become a problem for more delicate or intricate music genres. The bass is good but it lacks power.
The ability to pause playback when removing the headset is a feature absent. This is a feature Bose's competitors have offered for years. Another omission is the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose offers preset EQ settings in the app however it would be nice to have a manual control.
Bluetooth 5.0 is supported, including multipoint and more advanced codecs like aptX Adaptive. Download the Bose Audio App to adjust the audio and voice settings.
The QC45s come with four microphones inbuilt to hear your voice when on the phone. The quality of calls is generally good however, the headphones don't come with the handy ability to mute your voice during playback which is something that other wireless headphones have. Update: A firmware update for the QC45s was released in February 2022 introduced manual settings for EQ to the audio app. This is a very welcome change.
3. Focal Bathys Wireless
Focal is a French audio company known for high-performance headphones that last for a long time, comfort and a design that lets listeners know they're listening to something special. Their first attempt at wireless noise cancelling headphones the Bathys are a stunning set of headphones that look and sound amazing. 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 claiming 30 hours of continuous Bluetooth playtime. We got more than 40 hours of playback on average from just one charge. If you need to charge your headphones in the future, the indicator light on the right earcup will change red.
They offer a good amount of features for headphones at this price that include support for multiple devices simultaneously and automatic pairing (though you'll need to manually select your source device every time you want to listen). The headphones have built-in microphones that can be used with voice assistants such as Siri or Alexa. The headphones have an easy-to use interface that makes it simple to control music and make calls.
For over-ear wireless headphones, the Bathys are very good in our tests of noise cancellation. They cut down the background sound by around 9 decibels on average. This isn't as impressive a result as the ANC in the Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless but it's still fairly 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 differences on the bass and mids. The Bathys have a booming sound profile which can make vocals, instruments and cymbals seem obscure.
They also have very good leakage resistance, which means you can wear them out in public without worrying about others hearing your music. The microphone has a decent recording quality via Bluetooth with only slight distortion in the mid to treble range.
4. Sennheiser Momentum 4
The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless 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 class. The latest model is improved over the previous model with modern design, better gesture controls, and a huge battery life.
The improvements are subtle, but can make for an over-ear set of headphones that feel like an upgrade. The Momentum 4s are flat and do not fold. They come with a hardshell case to protect them when on the move. They also follow the trend of a number of other recent Bluetooth headphones, including those from Sony and Bowers & Wilkins, to be completely device-independent. They work with both Apple iPhones as well as Android phones, but lack the AirPods additional features such as Find My Support and head-tracked spatial audio.
The most obvious improvement in this model is the huge battery, which promises up to 60 hours of playback when the noise cancellation feature enabled. This is nearly double the amount of the other brands and enough to allow you to travel for a longer period of time without worrying about finding an outlet.
Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget, gave the headphones a score of 82. He highlighted their audio quality and ANC features as strengths. The only thing he dislikes is that they lack a sense gravitas in the mids and the treble, which means that orchestral tracks tend to sound flat instead of grand. The bass is well rounded but it can sound overemphasized, which can lead to fatigue in songs with strong bass lines, such as the drum hits of As I Lay Dying’s Forever. The cymbals sound sizzled, not full. There's also no real depth to the lows.
The Momentum 4s should not put pressure on your neck or ears. They can be a bit fidgety if you wear them at home or for long listening sessions. They will move around on your head and make intense head movements. This can cause them to suddenly wake up and can cause distraction during music or calls. They stop automatically after 15 minutes and can be turned off manually with the power button.