Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones completely encapsulate your ears and allow you to fully immerse in the sound. They are generally tuned for audiophiles, and have features like active noise cancellation and control apps.

The Focal Bathys are a wireless pair with ANC and a mobile application to adjust the EQ and headphones jbl wireless presets. They also support hi-res audio for wired listening through USB-C.

Sony WH-1000XM5

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

At only 250g, they're light for over-ear ANC headsets. They're very comfortable to wear for long periods of time, even when you're listening to a podcast or reading a book. The headband features a friction rod design that is similar to the Grado Labs SR60x, which keeps your ears from getting too cold.

With a sound quality that is able to please people who listen to music for no reason and serious audiophiles, WH-1000XM5's signature is tuned to put a little emphasis on bass, but not too loud or harsh. They have a large and wide soundstage, with good instrument separation, which allows you to hear specifics in your music. The earcups feature touch controls that are intuitive and responsive. Swipe up or down to adjust the volume. You can also swipe forward to listen to the next song or reverse to hear the previous track. The headphones can be used for connecting to two devices at once and due to an inbuilt sensor, they will automatically pause the playback when removed from your head. You can enable the ambient mode by placing your hand on the right earcup. This allows you to listen to 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 high-resolution audio (via LDAC). The headphones come with a carry case made of high-end fabric and a USB-C charging cable. The headphones work with Android and iOS smartphones as well as computers operating Windows or macOS. The WH-1000XM5's battery life is exceptional. In our test of the standard battery, we got 31 hours and 53 minutes with the ANC on which was higher than Sony's advertised 30-hour battery life.

The WH1000XM5 comes with a fantastic mic for voice calls. There's no muffled or static audio in the background. The noise cancellation is top-quality and they're a great option for public transport as well as the office.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a major upgrade from its predecessor, offering top-quality performance and features. It features wireless streaming with 24-bit enhanced active noise cancellation, and crystal clear voice quality on any compatible mobile phone or tablet. The 40mm drivers, which are custom-designed 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. And an inline remote and microphone lets you manage your music and calls using any compatible device.

The headphones have a elegant and refined design as the original PX7. They feature accent rings around the earcups and a silver sheen for the headband. The memory foam earcups fit well, but not too tightly on the cranium. The new form and shape was perfected over many months, and delivers a soft clamping pressure that isn't hard on my own rotund skull.

They are 2 ounces lighter (or 307g) and a little thinner than the Sony WH1000XM5. The headphones are light enough to be carried in a bag or backpack and stay in place comfortably throughout long listening sessions. The headband is foldable using a sturdy hinge at the back.

They're powered by Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX Adaptive support which is great for high-resolution audio as well as tight video sync. You can also play them wirelessly too, using the included 3.5mm cable that connects to a USB-C port on the right earcup. The status indicator on the headphone is a nice addition. It flashes green to signal rapid charging and solid blue to indicate Bluetooth pairing.

The B&W app provides the same controls as the hardware onboard buttons - bass and treble adjustment as well as action button assignment, wear detection, cycle through ANC modes and more. The app also shows an album cover and track title when you play music on your iPhone. Popular extras such as music presets, soundscapes and music mode are missing, however.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is the successor of the iconic headphones from Sennheiser, and it is meant to meet the highest expectations. Its technical construction has been optimized to achieve the highest resolution in detail that covers all frequencies as well as dynamic range and stereo panorama. It also provides the most realistic spatial sound you'll hear on a pair of open-back headphones.

The headphone has an impedance of 300 ohms therefore it requires a premium headphone amplifier to operate at the right levels, without distortion. It is recommended to make use of a balanced connection which will increase the output and boost the sound quality.

These headphones are designed for professional use. They have a metal frame, and a mix of plastic and leather padding. The design is minimalist and doesn't look extravagant, but the quality of the headphones and their build are excellent. They come with a carry pouch as well as an additional audio cable as well as an 1/4" to 1/8" adapter.

The HD 800 S has a neutral sound that reproduces instruments and vocals in a natural way, even however they are less bass-y. This is because the open-back design creates a large and out-of-head, passive soundstage. The treble sound quality is superb with only minor dips and peaks. The Treble region also has a linearity, so you will not have any issues with piercingsibilants, or the upper bite of a drum snare.

They can still deliver impact as well as dynamism and impact when needed despite the lack of a booming low-end. These headphones are still great for those who love rock music that has punchy bass however, they may not sound as good as other models on this list.

These Sennheiser headphones have a great mid-range. They're very straight and have a slight slop in the upper mids that shouldn't be noticeable to most listeners. They also reproduce precise time gradations of vocals, which is a big benefit.

The HD 800 S is a pair of headphones that are perfect for professionals and audiophiles. Their impressive sonic performance and comfortable fit make them an excellent option. They're expensive however, you're getting headphones that will last for years to come and perform to their best in any setting.

Anker Soundcore Life Q20

The Anker Soundcore Q20 is a great pair of headphones for those who wants to relax or just want a pair of affordable headphones that block out noise. The headphones come with a basic case that protects them when you put them in a bag. The battery will last for several long-haul flights. The ANC works well to block out noisy passengers and engine rumbles, but their audio quality is a bit heavy and warm.

The controls on the Life Q20 are well-marked and easy to use. On the left ear cup you'll find buttons for powering up and pairing the earphones headphones, as well as for turning off or on active noise cancellation. On the right earcup, you'll find controls for playback of media, including a multi-function button which lets you turn on the voice assistant on your phone and enable Anker's BassUp feature (more on this later). You can also make use of the built-in microphone to make calls hands-free with your phone.

Anker's Soundcore Q20 headphone provides a full, immersive listening experience thanks to its custom 40mm dynamic driver that provides certified Hi-Res audio. With a treble that extends up to 40 kHz the headphones can provide outstanding clarity and detail, while their hybrid active noise cancelling technology is designed to filter out a wider range of low and mid-frequency sounds.

Anker Soundcore Q20 doesn't support aptX. This is disappointing. This means that you will not be able to benefit of the higher codes' lower latency while playing games on your computer.

The Life Q20's headband and memory foam ear cups are comfortable enough to be worn for long periods of time without discomfort. The ear cups are capable of turning and adjust to the particular shape of your head, so you can have a comfortable fit. The included 3.5mm audio cable lets you to listen to music while charging the battery.