Over Ear Headphones Wireless Best: 11 Thing You're Not Doing

Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds can completely surround the ears. They also have larger drivers, which deliver greater bass and a bigger soundstage. Many also include active noise cancellation and Bluetooth technology.

The latest Master and Dynamic MW65 update features high-quality audio, numerous ANC modes and impressive battery life in an elegant and distinct design.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has redesigned an already-great pair of headphones with the WH-1000XM4 Wireless. They're less heavy, feel better built, feature more balanced sound profiles (though still bass heavy), and include an app that allows for some audio customization. Their active noise cancelling performs better than ever before, eliminating more ambient sound, and they have a longer battery life than other models.

These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible and Sony LDAC is also supported. The latter can transmit high-resolution audio, however, you'll need compatible equipment and streaming service. Additionally, the WH-1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth devices at once and switch between them if needed. You can enable this feature via the Sony Headphones Connect app and it is extremely effective.

The touch panels are more sensitive than the XM3. They respond faster to a tap on the panel, which makes them easier to control during calls or listen to media. Sony has also added a feature that can make voice calls more precise and clear during calls. This is a noticeable and nice touch.

Although the WH-1000XM4s may not be perfect, they are some of the best wireless headphones we've tested. 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 passively using the TRS cable which is great for those who travel or want to conserve 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 noise. They also come with a companion application that lets you adjust their audio performance and EQ settings are more flexible than B&W's. The B&Ws are more robust and can be paired with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. They also support aptXHD and feature an AI-driven engine which tries to increase the size of compressed music to high-resolution.  over-ear headphones wireless  is referred to as DSEE Extreme and it does a good job of improving the clarity of music, especially when listening to lossless music.

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 travelers all over the world. The new model doesn't reinvent the wheel. It is based on the same formula which has made its predecessor so successful with the addition of the USB-C port and improved noise cancellation.

Like the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones sport a luxurious look and feel that exudes quality. The headband, which is made of plastic, offers a firm feel thanks to the metal hinges at pivot points. It also has the familiar ratcheting mechanism whenever you extend or retract the ear cups. The cups are cushioned and have soft pads that are comfortable to wear over your ears without putting pressure on your head. When folded they weigh 238g. They can be worn with a sweater or coat since they can be worn even when not on the head.

Despite their reputation as comfortable headphones, the QC45s do not offer the best sound at this price point. The frequencies are fairly flat and lack the depth that higher-end headphones may be capable of bringing out. The upper registers are boosted which is acceptable for the majority of music but can be problematic for more delicate and intricate genres. The bass is great, but lacks punch.

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

Bluetooth 5.0 is supported, with multipoint as well as more advanced codecs such as aptX Adaptive. Download the Bose Audio App to adjust your headset's audio and voice settings.

The QC45s also include four microphones built into the headset to hear your voice when you make calls. The call quality is generally good but the headphones don't have the nifty capability to muffle your voice during playback which is something other wireless headphones have. Update: A firmware update for the QC45s in February 2022 introduced manual adjustments to the audio app. This is a great upgrade.

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 lets listeners know they're listening to something unique. The Bathys are their first wireless noise cancelling headphones. They look and sound stunning. They come with a top-quality 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 up to 30 hours. We had more than 40 hours of playback on average from just one charge. If you need to charge the headphones in the future, the indicator light on the right earcup will turn red.

They have a decent amount of features for a pair of headphones of this price with support for multiple devices at once and automatic pairing (though you'll need to select your source device every time you need to listen). The headphones come with built-in microphones that works with voice assistants, such as Siri or Alexa. The headphones also have an easy-to-use interface, making it easy to manage your music and make calls.

For over-ear wireless headphones The Bathys excel in our test of noise cancellation, which reduces the sound of the surrounding environment by about 9 decibels in average. It's not as good as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 and Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless but it's still effective.

The Bathys headphones did well in our headphone sound tests. Their frequency response was mostly similar to the SoundGuys headphone curve with minor differences in the mids and bass. They have a bass-rich sound profile which adds plenty of boom to mixes, however, they can make vocals and instruments like cymbals sound dull.

They also have very good leakage resistance, which means you can wear them in public without worrying about other people listening to your music. The microphone is able to be used for recording via Bluetooth with only a slight distortion between the mid-treble as well as the treble.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless is a new update of the company's most popular Bluetooth headsets. The Momentum 3 was a solid but not an outstanding entry in this category. The new model improves on the previous model by having a sleeker design, improved gesture controls and massive battery life.

The changes are subtle but add up to an over-ear set of headphones that feels like an upgrade. The Momentum 4s are flat and don't fold. They come with a hardshell case that protects them when moving. They also follow the style of many other recent Bluetooth headphones, like the ones from Sony and Bowers & Wilkins, to be incredibly 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 are available on the AirPods.

The most obvious difference here is the massive battery, which claims up to 60 hours of playback with the noise cancellation feature turned on. This is more than the majority of the competitors can provide and is enough for a trip of a lifetime without worrying about finding a power outlet to charge it.

Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget, gave the headphones a score of 82. He highlighted their audio quality and ANC features as their strengths. He has only one complaint: they lack a sense gravitas in mids and treble. This means that orchestral pieces sound flat, not grand. The bass is smooth and well-rounded however, it can be overemphasized and can cause fatigue in songs with strong bass lines such as the drums that are pounding in As I Lay Dying's Forever. The cymbals sound bubbly, but not full. There's also not much depth to the lows.

The Momentum 4s are a comfortable fit and should not put too much pressure on your neck or ears. 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 a lot of head movements. This can cause them to wake up unexpectedly, which can be distracting while listening to music or making calls. They shut down automatically after 15 minutes and can be switched off manually with the power button.