Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones are designed to surround your ears and immerse you in audio. They tend to be tuned for audiophiles and come with features like active noise cancellation and control applications.

The Focal Bathys is a IP7 Waterproof Earbuds: Wireless Headphones for Audiophiles device that comes with ANC as well as a mobile app to alter the EQ and presets. They also support high-res audio for wired listening through USB-C.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH-1000XM5 headphones from Sony Headphones: Immersive Sound for Ultimate Audio Experience are the latest upgrade to their best-in-class noise cancellation lineup. The headphones are updated Run with Ease: Wireless Bluetooth Neckband Headphones a new design and enhanced ANC. They also have many of the same features, but with a superior sound quality and higher-end materials.

They're extremely light for over-ear ANC headphones at 250 grams. They are very comfortable to wear, even if you're listening to or reading a book. The headband is soft and has the same design of a friction rod as the Grado Labs SR60x that prevents your ears from becoming too cold.

With a sound quality that will please casual music listeners and serious audiophiles, the WH-1000XM5's sonic signature is tuned to have a slight focus on bass, but it isn't overpowering or harsh. The earphones feature a wide and spacious soundstage, with excellent instrument separation. This lets you hear the details in your music. The earcups have control buttons that are easy to use and responsive. You can swipe forward to access the next track, reverse to hear the previous track as well as up and down to control the volume. The headphones can connect to two devices at once and will automatically stop playback when you remove them from your head due to the built-in sensor. You can turn on ambient mode by placing your hand on the right-ear cup. This allows you to hear the sounds around you without removing the headphones.

Other features that are useful include the ability to pair them with your voice assistant, Bluetooth low-energy, and support for hi-res audio (via LDAC). They come with a durable carrying case made from top quality fabric, as well as an USB-C cable for charging. The headphones are compatible with Android and iOS smartphones, as well as computers running Windows or macOS. The WH-1000XM5's life expectancy is superb. In our most basic test we were able get 31 hours and 53 minutes with the ANC turned on, Revolutionary Noise Cancelling: Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Headphones which is better than Sony's advertised battery time of 30 hours.

The WH-1000XM5's microphone quality for voice calls is excellent and there's no distorted or static-y audio in the background. The Revolutionary Noise Cancelling: Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Headphones, new content from Headphonesshop, cancellation is top-quality, and they're a good fit for public transport or the office.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a major improvement over its predecessor, delivering high-end performance and features. This includes 24-bit wireless streaming, optimized active noise cancellation, and crystal clear voice quality on any compatible mobile phone or tablet. The 40mm drivers, which are designed specifically and angled in each earcup, offer more complete and focused listening experience. Six strategically placed microphones provide outstanding clarity for calls, even in noisy environments. A built-in microphone and remote allows you to control music and calls from any compatible device.

The headphones have a elegant and refined design as the original PX7. They have accent rings around the earcups as well as a silver-colored headband. The earcups are cushioned using memory foam and fit comfortably on the cranium but they never feel tight. The new form and shape was perfected over many months and offers a soft clamping pressure that doesn't force too hard on my rotund skull.

They weigh 2 ounces less (or 307g) and are a little smaller than the Sony WH1000XM5. They're light enough to fit in your bag or backpack without much discomfort, and will remain comfortably in place during long listening sessions. A strong hinge on the back of the headband allows you to fold them to make it easy to transport them in the protective case.

The headphones are powered by Bluetooth 5.2, with aptX Adaptive. This is ideal for high-resolution audio as well for a 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 a useful touch with a green flash to indicate a rapid charge, and solid blue when Bluetooth pairing is active.

The B&W App provides the same features that the buttons on the hardware provide including bass and treble adjustment, action button assignments wear detection, a cycle of ANC modes, etc. When you play music on your iPhone the app displays album cover and track titles. Some popular features like music presets and a soundscapes mode are not available, however.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is a successor to the famous Sennheiser headphones, and is designed to meet the highest expectations. The design and construction of the headphones is optimized to give a detail resolution that encompasses all frequencies dynamic range, as well as stereo panorama. It also delivers the most realistic sound you'll ever hear with an open-back pair of headphones.

The headphone has 300 ohms of impedance, therefore a high-quality headphone amplifier will be needed to ensure it is operating at the desired levels without distortion. It is recommended to use a balanced connection, which will increase the output and enhance the sound quality.

These headphones are designed for a professional use and have a sturdy steel frame, with a mixture of leather and plastic. The design is rather minimalist and doesn't resemble the most expensive pair of headphones, however they feel premium in the hand and are well-built. They come with a carry case, an additional audio cable, and an 1/4" to 1-/8" adapter.

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

They still have the ability to deliver, dynamism and impact when required, despite the absence of a loud low-end. They will still be enjoyable for those who love 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.

The Sennheiser headphones have a fantastic midrange. They're very straight, with a slight scoop in the upper mids which will not be noticed by most listeners. They also can reproduce precise time gradations, which is an added benefit.

The HD 800 S are a pair exceptional headphones, perfect for audiophiles and professionals. They are a top choice due to their exceptional sound quality and comfortable fit. The headphones are expensive however they will last for many years and perform in any environment.

Anker Soundcore Life q20

The Anker Soundcore Q20 is a decent pair of headphones for those looking to pass the time or simply want an affordable pair of noise cancelling headphones. They come with a basic bag which will provide protection when you put them into your bag, and their battery is capable of lasting several long haul flights. Their ANC does a great job of blocking out chattering passengers and engine rumbles from a plane, though their audio profile is heavy and warm.

The controls on the Life Q20 are well-marked and easy to use. On the left earcup, you'll find buttons for pairing and powering up the headphones, as well as turning on and off the active noise cancellation. On the right earcup, you'll see media playback controls. This includes a multi-function key that activates your phone's voice assistant and switches on Anker BassUp (more about that later). The built-in microphone can be used to make calls using hands-free technology.

Anker P3i ANC Earbuds: AI-Enhanced Calls - Powerful Sound's Soundcore Life Q20 headphone offers a deep, immersive listening experience thanks to its custom 40mm dynamic driver, which is certified Hi-Res audio. The headphones feature an amplitude range of up to 40 kHz. Their hybrid active noise cancellation is specifically designed to block out a wide range of low- and mid-frequency sound.

One thing to keep in mind about the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is that it doesn't support the aptX codec, which is disappointing. This means you won't be capable of taking advantage of the superior codec's lower latency while gaming on your PC.

The Life Q20's headband and memory foam earcups are comfortable enough to be worn for long periods without discomfort. The ear cups are also able to rotate so that they can adjust to the particular shape of your head, so you can achieve a perfect fit. You can also listen to music via a 3.5mm cable and a microUSB cable is included to charge the battery.