Best Over-Ear Headphones

Unlike earbuds, over-ear headphones encapsulate your ears completely and allow for bigger drivers to deliver greater bass and larger soundstages. Many include Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.

The latest Master & Dynamic MW65 update offers superior audio, multiple ANC modes and impressive battery life in an elegant and distinct design.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 wireless headphones uk

Sony has enhanced an already great pair of headphones with the introduction of the WH1000XM4 wireless. They are lighter, better built, and have an audio profile that is more balanced (though bass-heavy). They also come with an app to adjust the sound. They've upgraded their active noise cancellation, which eliminates the background noise, and have a longer battery life.

These headphones utilize Bluetooth 5.0 and support SBC, AAC, and Sony's own LDAC codec. This codec can transfer high-resolution music, but you'll need to use compatible devices and streaming services. The WH-1000XM4s can also allow you to connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and then automatically switch between them as needed. You can enable this feature via the Sony Headphones Connect app and it works flawlessly.

One subtle improvement over the XM3 is the sensitiveness 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 an option that makes voices sound clearer and more precise during calls which is noticeable and a nice touch.

The WH-1000XM4s might not be perfect, but they are among the top wireless headphones that we have ever test. They are comfortable, well-made, and have an energy-efficient battery that can last for more than 30 continuous hours. They can also be used with a TRS cable, which is ideal for those who travel or want to save 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 ambient sounds. The B&Ws have a more flexible EQ and an app that allows you to tweak the audio quality. 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 attempts to scale compressed music up to high-resolution. This is called 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 latest iteration of a headphone that became an essential for commuters and travelers around the globe. The new model does not reinvent the wheel. It is based on the same formula which made its predecessor so successful, while adding USB-C and better noise cancellation.

These over-ear Bose headsets come with a premium feel and look, Bluetooth headphones bluetooth much like the QC 35 II headphones that came before them. The headband, made of plastic, provides an incredibly solid feel due to the hinges made of metal at pivot points. It also has the familiar ratcheting mechanism whenever you expand or retract the ear cups. The cups are cushioned and have soft pads that fit over your ears without placing pressure on your head. They weigh 238 grams and are compact when folded. You can use them while wearing an overcoat or sweater since the noise-canceling works even when they're not on your head.

Despite their reputation as comfortable headphones however, the QC45s don't offer the best sound at this price. The frequencies are flat and lack the depth that headphones with higher prices might be able to bring out. The upper registers are amplified which is fine for most music genres but could be a problem for more delicate and complex genres. The bass is decent but is lacking punch.

One thing that's not included is the possibility of paused playback when you take off the headset. This is a feature Bose's rivals have offered for years. Another omission was the lack of an in-app EQ. Bose offers preset EQ settings in the app however it would be nice to have a manual control.

You can connect to your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth 5.0 with support for multipoint and the more advanced codecs like aptX Adaptive. Download the Bose Audio App to adjust the voice and sound settings.

The QC45s also come with four in-built microphones to pick up your voice during calls. The headsets have a good call quality, however they don't permit you to silence the voice when playing back as other wireless headphones. Update In February 2022, the firmware update to the QC45s offered manual EQ options in 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 known for their comfort and style which tell listeners that they're listening to something special. The Bathys are their first wireless noise cancelling headphones. They look and sound stunning. They have a high-performance USB DAC built in, making them suitable both for wireless and wired listening.

Focal claims that the Bathys can play Bluetooth music for 30 hours. We were able to get more than 40 hours of playback time on average from just one charge. If you need to recharge, there's a light on the right ear cup that will change to red when the headphone wireless has to be charged.

They offer a good amount of features for headphones at this price with support for multiple devices at once and automatic pairing (though you'll need to manually select your source device every time you would like to listen). They have a built-in microphone that supports voice assistants like Siri or Alexa. The headphones also feature an intuitive interface that makes it easy to manage your music and make calls.

Bathys over-ear headphones are able to perform in our noise cancellation test, reducing ambient noise by an average of 9 decibels. It's not as effective 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 headphone curve of SoundGuys with minor differences in the mids and bass. The Bathys have a booming sound profile that can make instruments, vocals and cymbals seem obscure.

They also have very good leakage resistance, meaning you can wear them in public without worrying about people hearing your music. Their microphone is suitable to record via Bluetooth with just a little distortion between the mid-treble and treble.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless is a new update of the company's top Bluetooth headsets. The Momentum 3 was a solid but not a great entry in this category. The new model is an improvement on the previous generation, with a sleeker look, improved gesture control and a massive battery life.

Many of the improvements aren't that obvious, but they add up to make a pair of over-ears that seem like a step up from the old one. The Momentum 4s lay flat and aren't foldable however they come with a sturdy hardshell case to keep them safe while on the go. They also follow the trend of several other recent Bluetooth headphones, such as the ones from Sony and Bowers & Wilkins, to be beautifully device agnostic. This means they work well with both Android phones and Apple iPhones, but don't have the extra features (like Find My support and head-tracked Spatial Audio) that you'll find on AirPods.

The most obvious difference here is the massive battery, which promises up to 60 hours of playback time with noise cancellation enabled. This is easily twice 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.

Engadget senior editor Billy Steele gave the headphones an 82 score with a focus on their audio quality and ANC as their main strengths. He has only one complaint they lack of gravitas in the mids and treble. This makes orchestral tracks sound dull instead of grand. The bass is smooth and well-rounded however, it can be overemphasized, which can lead to fatigue in songs with strong bass lines such as the drums in As I Lay Dying's Forever. The cymbals sound a bit hot, but not a lot. There's also not much depth to the lows.

The Momentum 4s should not cause pressure on your neck or ear. They can be a bit fidgety if you wear them at home or for long listening sessions. They can move on your blue tooth head Phones and make intense head movements. This could cause them to unexpectedly wake up and can cause distraction when you are listening to music or calls. They will shut down automatically after 15 minutes, and can be switched off manually using the power button.