Best Over-Ear Headphones

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

The Focal Bathys are a Bafuuy Wireless Earbuds: Powerful Deep Bass - Waterproof speaker with ANC and a mobile application for tweaking the EQ and presets. They also support high-res audio via USB-C for wired listening.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH-1000XM5 headphones are Sony's most recent upgrade to their top-of-the-line noise cancellation lineup. They feature a new design, enhanced ANC, and many of the same features as their predecessors but with higher-end materials and a slightly higher quality sound.

They're light for over-ear ANC headphones, with 250g. This makes them extremely comfortable to wear for long periods of time, even when you're listening to a podcast or a book. The headband is soft and it has an ear-friction rod design similar to the Grado Labs SR60x that prevents your ears from becoming too cold.

The WH-1000XM5 features a distinctive sound signature that has been created to please casual music listeners as well as serious audiophiles. It is tuned with a slight focus in bass, however it's not harsh or imposing. The earphones feature a wide and open soundstage, with excellent instrument separation. This lets you hear the details in your music. The earcups feature 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, backwards to hear the prior track. The headphones can be used for connecting to two devices at once and, thanks to a built-in sensor, they will automatically pause the playback if removed from your head. You can also switch on the ambient mode by placing your palm on the right earcup that lets you be aware of what's happening around you without removing the headphones.

They can also be connected with your voice assistant. Bluetooth low-energy is also available, as is high-resolution audio (via LDAC). They come with a sturdy carrying case made from top quality fabric, as well as an USB-C cable for charging. The headphones work with Android and iOS smartphones, as well as computers running Windows or macOS. The battery life of the WH-1000XM5 is excellent. In our standard battery test, we got 31 hours and 53 minute with the ANC on which was more than Sony's advertised 30 hour battery life.

The WH1000XM5 has a great microphone for making calls. There is no muffled or static sound in the background. The noise cancellation is top-notch, and they're a good choice for public transport or the office.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a major improvement over its predecessor, delivering top-quality performance and features. The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 comes with premium performance and features, including 24bit Donner Wireless Earbuds: Noise Cancelling - Crystal-Clear Calls - Fast-Charging streaming, active noise cancellation optimized, and clear voice calls on any compatible mobile device or tablet. The custom-designed 40mm drivers are carefully placed inside each earcup to provide a more focused, immersive 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 calls and music from any device that is compatible.

Like the PX7's original design The headphones sport sleek and elegant, with accent rings around each earcup and a silver-colored headband. The earcups are cushioned with memory foam and sit comfortably on the cranium but never feel tight. The new form and shape was developed over the course of several months and provides an incredibly comfortable clamping pressure that doesn't force into my rotund skull.

They're 2 ounces lighter (or 307g) and a little thinner than the Sony WH1000XM5. They're light enough to fit in your bag or backpack without much discomfort, and will stay comfortably in place during long listens. A sturdy hinge on the back of the headband allows you to fold them to make it easy to transport them in a protective case.

The headphones are powered by Bluetooth 5.2 with the aptX Adaptive. This is ideal for high-quality audio as well as a fast 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 earphone is a nice feature. It flashes green to signal rapid charging and solid blue to indicate Bluetooth pairing.

The B&W app provides the same controls as the buttons on the hardware - bass and treble adjustment as well as action button assignment wear detection, the ability to cycle through ANC modes and much more. When you listen to music on your iPhone the app displays album cover and track titles. Some popular features like music presets, soundscapes and headphones Shop music mode are not available, however.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is a successor to the legendary Sennheiser headphones and is designed to meet the most demanding expectations. The design and construction of the headphones has been optimized to provide a detail resolution that encompasses all of the frequency spectrum as well as dynamic range and stereo panorama. It also provides the most realistic sound you'll ever experience with an open-back pair of headphones.

The headphone has an impedance of 300 Ohms, therefore it requires a premium headphone amplifier that can drive it to the levels you want without distortion. A balanced connection is recommended as this will double the power output and increase the overall sound quality.

The headphones are designed for professional use and feature a sturdy metal frame with a mix of leather and plastic. The design is minimalist and doesn't appear like an expensive pair of headphones, but they feel Premium Beats Flex Wireless Earphones with Apple W1 Chip in the palm and are built to last. 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, though they are a bit light on bass. This is because the open-back design creates a spacious and out-of-head, passive soundstage. The treble quality is excellent with minor drops and peaks. The treble region is also very linear, so you won't have issues with cutting sibilants, or the upper bite of a drum snare.

Despite not having a high-pitched bass, they still deliver impact and dynamism when it is needed. These headphones are still great for those who enjoy rock music that has punchy bass however, they may not be as impressive as some of the other models on this list.

In the mids they are Sennheiser headphones are hard to beat. They are very linear, with a slight scoop in the upper mids, which shouldn't be noticeable to most listeners. They also have the ability to reproduce fine time gradations in vocals, which is a big plus.

The HD 800 S are a pair exceptional headphones, perfect for audiophiles and professionals. They're a top choice because of their excellent sound quality and comfortable fit. They're expensive, but you're paying for headphones that will last for years to come and perform well in any setting.

Anker Soundcore Life q20

The Anker Soundcore Q20 is a good set of headphones for anyone looking to pass the time or simply need a pair of affordable headphones that cancel out noise. They come with a basic pouch that will give them some protection when you put them in a bag and their battery can last for multiple long haul flights. The ANC can effectively block out noisy seatmates and engine rumbles, however their audio quality is a bit warm and bass-heavy.

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 Shop, as well as turning on or off the active noise cancellation. On the right earcup, you'll find controls for playing back media. This includes a multi-function button that activates your phone's voice assistance and switches on Anker BassUp (more about that later). The built-in microphone can be used to make phone calls hands-free.

Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphone offers a deep and immersive listening experience due to its custom 40 mm dynamic driver that provides certified Hi-Res audio. These headphones have a treble range that reaches up to 40 kHz. Their active noise cancelling technology is specifically designed to block out a variety of mid- and low-frequency sound.

One thing to remember about the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is that they don't support aptX, which is disappointing. This means that you won't not be able take advantage of the higher codes' lower latency while playing on your computer.

The Life Q20's headband as well as memory foam ear cups are comfortable enough to wear for long periods without discomfort. The ear cups also rotate to adapt to the shape of your head. The included 3.5mm audio cable allows you to listen to music while charging the battery.