Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones surround your ears and immerse you into sound. They are generally made for audiophiles and come with features such as active noise cancellation and control apps.

The Focal Bathys is a wireless speaker that includes ANC, a mobile app to tweak the EQ, and presets. They also support high-res audio through USB-C for wired listening.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH1000XM5 headphones from Sony are the latest upgrade in their noise cancellation lineup. The headphones have a new design and have improved ANC. They also come with many of the same features, but with higher-end sound quality and superior materials.

They're lightweight for over-ear ANC headphones, weighing 250 grams. They're very comfortable to wear for long periods of time, even if you're listening to a podcast or a book. The headband has a friction-rod design similar to the Grado Labs SR60x, which keeps your ears from getting too cold.

The WH-1000XM5 comes with a distinct sonic signature that is created to please people who listen to music for pleasure as also serious audiophiles. It is tuned with a slight emphasis in bass, yet it is not harsh or imposing. The earphones boast a huge and open soundstage, with good separation of instruments. This lets you listen to the subtleties of your music. The earcups come with touch controls that are intuitive and responsive. Swipe up or down to change the volume. You can also swipe forward to listen to the next track and reverse to hear the previous track. The headphones can connect to two devices simultaneously, and will automatically stop playback when you take them off your head due to the built-in sensor. You can also activate ambient mode by resting your palm on the right earcup and allowing you to listen to what's happening around you, without taking off the headphones.

Other features that are useful include the ability to pair them with your voice assistant, Bluetooth low-energy, and noise cancelling headphones support for high-resolution audio (via LDAC). The headphones come with a carrying case made of high-end fabric and a USB-C charging cable. The headphones are compatible with Android and iOS smartphones, as well as computers running Windows or macOS. The WH-1000XM5's battery capacity is awe-inspiring. In our standard test, we were able to get 31 hours and 53 minutes with ANC activated, which is better than Sony's advertised battery life of 30 hours.

The WH-1000XM5's mic performance on calls is exceptional, and there's no muffled or static-y audio in the background. The noise-canceling performance is also excellent and they're a perfect option for public transport as well as the office.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a significant upgrade from its predecessor, providing top-quality performance and features. This includes 24-bit wireless streaming and optimized active noise cancellation, as well as clear voice quality on any compatible mobile phone or tablet. The 40mm drivers, which are designed specifically and angled in each earcup, give you a more complete and focused listening experience. Six strategically placed microphones provide exceptional call clarity even in noisy surroundings. A remote inline and microphone let you control your music and calls on any device compatible with it.

These headphones have a similar elegant and refined design as the original PX7. They feature accent rings around the earcups, as well as a silver-colored headband. The memory foam earcups fit well, but not too tightly on the cranium. The new design and shape took many months to perfect, delivering an incredibly comfortable clamping force that doesn't push too hard, even on my own cranium that is rotund.

At 10.8 pounds (or 307g) They're 2 ounces lighter that the Sony WH-1000XM5, and are slightly thinner. They're light enough for carrying in your bag or backpack without any discomfort, and will remain comfortable in your hand during long listens. A sturdy hinge on the back of the headband enables you to fold them up to make it easy to transport them in the protective case.

The headphones are powered by Bluetooth 5.2 and the aptX Adaptive. This is ideal for high-quality audio as well as tight video sync. The 3.5mm cord connects to the USB-C port that is located on the right earcup. The headphone's status indicator is an excellent feature, flashing green to indicate a rapid charge, and solid blue when Bluetooth pairing is in use.

The B&W app has similar controls to the hardware onboard buttons such as bass and treble adjustments, action button assignment wear detection, a cycle through ANC modes and much more. The app also shows an album cover and track's title when you play music on your iPhone. However, popular extras like music presets or soundscapes feature are missing.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is the successor to the legendary headphones from Sennheiser, and it is meant to meet the most demanding requirements. Its technical construction was designed to provide an incredible detail resolution that encompasses the entire frequency spectrum, dynamic range and stereo panorama. It also delivers the most realistic spatial sound you'll ever hear with an open-back pair of headphones.

The headphone has a 300 ohm impedance, which means a quality headphone amplifier is needed to ensure it is operating at the desired levels without distortion. It is recommended to make use of a balanced connection which can double the output and improve the sound quality.

These headphones are made for professional use. They have a metal frame, and a mix of plastic and leather padding. The design is minimalistic and doesn't look extravagant, but the quality of the headphones and their build are excellent. They come with a carrying case, an extra audio cable, and an 1/4" to 1-/8" adapter.

With a neutral sound profile, the HD 800 S reproduces natural instruments and vocals, even though they are a bit light on bass. The open-back design results in an expansive, out-of-head soundstage. The treble performance is outstanding, with only minor peaks and dips. The treble region also has a linearity which means you won't have any issues with piercingsibilants or even the upper bite of a drum snare.

They can still deliver impact and dynamism in the event of need, despite the absence of a loud low-end. They will still be enjoyable for those who like listening to rock music that has powerful basslines, but they may not sound as enjoyable as some of the competing models on this list, such as the HiFiMan Arya.

In the mids, these Sennheiser headphones are difficult to beat. They are very linear and have a slight slop in the upper mids, which will not be noticed by most listeners. They are also able to reproduce fine time gradations in vocals, which is a big benefit.

The HD 800 S are a pair of exceptional headphones, ideal for audiophiles and professionals. They are a top pick due to their exceptional sound quality and a comfortable fit. They're costly, but you're paying for headphones that will last for many years to be able to perform at their best in any situation.

Anker Soundcore Life Q20

The Anker Soundcore Q20 is a good pair of headphones for those looking to pass the time or simply want a pair of affordable noise cancelling headphones. They come with a simple pouch that provides protection when you throw them into your bag, and their battery can last for multiple long haul flights. Their ANC is capable of blocking out chatty seatmates and engine rumbles from an airplane, although their audio profile is warmer and bass-heavy.

The Life Q20's controls can be easy to use and are well-marked. On the left earcup, there are buttons for pairing and powering up the headphones, as well as turning on or off the active noise cancellation. On the right earcup, you'll see controls for playing back media. This includes a multi-function control that activates your phone's voice assistance and also turns on Anker BassUp (more about this later). You can also utilize the built-in microphone in order to make calls hands-free with your phone.

Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphones bluetooth offers a deep immersive listening experience thanks to its custom 40 mm dynamic driver that offers certified Hi-Res audio. The headphones have an amplitude range of up to 40 kHz. Their hybrid active noise cancelling is specifically designed to block out a wide range of low- and mid-frequency sound.

Anker Soundcore Q20 doesn't support aptX. This is a pity. This means you will not be able take advantage of the superior codes' lower latency while playing games on your computer.

The Life Q20's headband and memory foam earcups are soft enough to be worn for long periods of time without discomfort. The ear cups can also be rotated to accommodate your unique head shape. The included 3.5mm audio cable lets you to listen to music while charging the battery.