Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones completely encapsulate your ears and allow you to fully immerse in the sound. They are usually tuned for audiophiles and come with features like active noise cancellation and control applications.

The Focal Bathys is a Wireless Over-Ear Headphones with Mic - White - PHILIPS speaker that includes ANC as well as a mobile app to adjust the EQ, and presets. They also support high-res audio through USB-C for wired listening.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH1000XM5 headphones by Sony are the most recent upgrade in their noise cancellation line-up. The headphones feature a brand new design and have improved ANC. They also have many of the same features, but with higher-end sound quality and superior materials.

At only 250g, they're a light weight for over-ear ANC headsets. They are very comfortable to wear, even when you're listening to or reading a book. The headband is soft, and it features 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 can satisfy those who enjoy music casually and audiophiles, the WH-1000XM5's sonic signature is tuned to have a slight emphasis on bass, but it isn't too loud or harsh. The earphones have a large and spacious soundstage, with good instrument separation. This allows you to listen to the subtleties of your music. The earcups are also equipped with touch controls that are easy and responsive to use. Swipe up or down to alter the volume. You can also swipe forward to listen to the next song or backwards to hear the prior 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 if removed from your head. You can enable ambient mode by placing your hand on the right earcup. This lets you hear the sounds around you without having to remove the headphones.

Other useful features include the possibility of pairing them with your voice assistant, Bluetooth low-energy, and support for Kimwood Hi-Res Wired: Powerful Bass Earbuds with Mic audio (via LDAC). They come with a durable carrying case made of Premium Wired Earbuds with Microphone – Ultimate Sound Experience fabric and a USB-C cable to charge. The Ultimate Wireless Waterproof Sport Headphones - Deep Bass are compatible with the majority of Android and iOS smartphones and computers that run Windows and macOS. The battery longevity of the WH-1000XM5 is exceptional. In our most basic test we were able get 31 hours and 53 minutes when the ANC activated which is much better than Sony's advertised battery time of 30 hours.

The WH1000XM5 comes with a fantastic mic for voice calls. There is no muffled or static audio in the background. Noise-canceling is also excellent and these headphones are ideal for public transportation or in the office.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 provides a significant improvement over its predecessor. It features a range of new features and improved performance. The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 offers premium performance and features, including 24-bit jvc wireless bluetooth Headphones - 35-hour battery (black) streaming with active noise cancellation that is optimized and clear voice calls on any compatible mobile or tablet. The 40mm drivers that are custom-designed for the device are carefully angled inside each earcup to create a more focused, deep listening experience. Six carefully placed microphones offer outstanding clarity for calls even in noisy surroundings. A built-in microphone and remote lets you control calls and music on any device compatible with it.

Similar to the PX7's original design, these headphones are a sleekly refined look with accent rings around each earcup as well as a silver-colored headband. The earcups are cushioned with memory foam and fit comfortably on the cranium but don't feel tight. The redesigned shape and form required a lot of time to perfect, delivering an easy clamping force that doesn't press too hard on my own rotund cranium.

At 10.8 pounds (or 307g), they're 2 ounces lighter that the Sony WH-1000XM5, and a touch thinner. They're light enough to fit in your bag or backpack without much discomfort, and will stay comfortably in place for long listening sessions. The headband can be folded using a sturdy hinge at the back.

The headphones are powered by Bluetooth 5.2, with aptX Adaptive. This is great for high-resolution audio aswell as tight video sync. The included 3.5mm cord connects to the USB-C port that is located on the right earcup. The status indicator on the headphone is a nice feature. It flashes green to show rapid charging, and solid blue to indicate Bluetooth pairing.

The B&W App has the same features that the onboard buttons in the hardware offer - bass and upgrade Your workouts with Jlab go air sport earbuds treble adjustments as well as action button assignments wear detection, cycling through ANC modes and more. The app also shows an album cover and track's name when you play music using your iPhone. Some popular features like music presets and a soundscapes mode are not available, however.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is the successor of the iconic headphones from Sennheiser, and it is designed to meet highest expectations. The technical design was designed to provide an incredible detail resolution that covers the entire frequency spectrum, dynamic range, and stereo panorama. It also delivers the most realistic sound you'll ever hear with an open-back pair of headphones.

The headphone has an impedance of 300 Ohms, so it requires a high-quality headphone amplifier to drive it at the desired levels without distortion. It is recommended to utilize a balanced connection, which will double the output and improve the sound quality.

These headphones are made for professional use. They feature a metal frame and a mixture of leather and plastic padding. The design is minimalist and doesn't look extravagant, but the quality of the headphones and their construction are superb. They come with a carry pouch and an additional audio cable and an 1/4" to 1/8" adapter.

With an unison sound profile, the HD 800 S reproduces natural instruments and vocals, even though they are light in bass. This is because the open-back design creates a large and out-of-head, passive soundstage. The treble is very good with minor peaks and drops. The treble area is very linear, so you shouldn't have any issues cutting sibilants, or the upper impact of a drum snare.

They still have the ability to deliver and dynamism in the event of need, 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 fun as some of the models on this list such as the HiFiMan Arya.

In the mids in the mids, these Sennheiser headphones are difficult to beat. They are extremely linear and have a slight scoop in the upper mids that shouldn't be noticeable to most listeners. They also can reproduce precise time gradations, which is a benefit.

The HD 800 S is a pair of exceptional headphones that are perfect for professionals and audiophiles. They're a top choice because of their outstanding sound quality and a comfortable fit. They are expensive, however they will last for years and perform well in any setting.

Anker Soundcore Life Q20

The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 are a great pair of headphones that can provide the perfect solution for anyone who needs to relax or simply wants a low-cost pair of noise-cancelling headphones. The headphones come with a basic case which protects them when you put them in bags. The battery will last multiple long-haul flights. The ANC works well to block out loud passengers and engine rumbles, but their audio profile is a little warmer and bass-heavy.

The controls on the Life Q20 are well-marked and easy to use. On the left earcup, you'll find buttons to pair and power up the headphones as well as turning on or off the active noise cancellation. On the right earcup you'll find media playback controls which include a multi-function button which lets you turn on the voice assistant on your phone and switch on Anker's BassUp feature (more on this later). The built-in microphone can be used to make phone calls hands-free.

Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphone offers a deep, immersive listening experience thanks to its custom 40 mm dynamic driver that offers certified Kimwood Hi-Res Wired: Powerful Bass Earbuds with Mic audio. The headphones feature an amplitude range of up to 40 kHz. Their hybrid active noise cancelling is specifically designed to block out a broad range of low- and mid-frequency sound.

Anker Soundcore Q20 does not support aptX. This is a disappointment. This means that you won't not be able to take advantage of the higher codes' lower latency while playing games on your computer.

In terms of comfort, the Life Q20's memory foam earcups and headbands are comfortable enough to wear for long periods of time without creating discomfort. The ear cups are also able to rotate and adjust to the specific 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.