Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones completely surround 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 apps.

The Focal Bathys are a wireless speaker with ANC and a mobile app to adjust the EQ and presets. They also support high-res audio via USB-C for wired listening.

Sony WH-1000XM5

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

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

The WH-1000XM5 comes with a distinct sound signature that has been designed to satisfy both casual music lovers as also serious audiophiles. It is tuned with a slight emphasis in bass, yet it is not harsh or overpowering. The earphones feature a wide and open soundstage, with excellent instrument separation. This allows you to be able to hear the finer details of your music. The earcups feature touch controls that are simple and responsive. You can swipe forward to access the next track, back to hear the previous one, and up and down to adjust the volume. The headphones can be used for connecting to two devices at once and due to an inbuilt sensor, they will automatically stop the playback when removed from your head. You can enable the ambient mode by placing your hand on the right ear cup. This lets you listen to the sounds around you without removing the headphones.

They can also be linked with your voice assistant. Bluetooth low-energy is also supported, as is 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 work with Android and iOS smartphones as well as computers operating Windows or macOS. The battery longevity of the WH1000XM5 is exceptional. In our test of the standard battery, we got 31 hours and 53 minute with the ANC on which was higher than Sony's advertised 30 hour battery life.

The WH-1000XM5's microphone performance on calls is exceptional and there's no distorted or static-y audio in the background. The noise cancellation performance is top-notch, and they're a good 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, delivering high-end performance and features. This includes 24-bit TOZO T12 Wireless Earbuds: Premium Sound - Waterproof - Buy Now streaming, optimized active noise cancellation, as well as clear voice call quality on any compatible tablet or mobile phone. The 40mm drivers that are custom-designed for the device are carefully placed inside each earcup for an enhanced, more immersive listening experience. Six strategically placed microphones provide excellent call clarity even in noisy environments. An inline remote and microphone let you control your calls and music on any device compatible with it.

As with the PX7's original design, these headphones are elegant and refined with accent rings around each earcup, and a silver sheen on the headband. The memory foam earcups fit well but not too tight on the cranium. The new form and shape was perfected over many months and offers a comfortable clamping pressure that doesn't press into my skull.

At 10.8 grams (or 307g) They're 2 ounces lighter that the Sony WH-1000XM5, as well as just a little thinner. The headphones are lightweight enough to be carried in a backpack or bag and stay in place comfortably during long listening sessions. A sturdy hinge on the back of the headband enables you to fold them to make it easy to transport them in an enclosed case.

The headphones are powered by Bluetooth 5.2 with the aptX Adaptive. This is ideal for high-resolution audio aswell as tight video sync. You can play them wirelessly too, using the included 3.5mm cable that connects to an USB-C port located on the right earcup. The headphone's status indicator is a useful gesture with a green flash to indicate rapid charging and solid blue when Bluetooth pairing is in progress.

The B&W app has similar controls to the hardware onboard buttons - bass and treble adjustment as well as action button assignment wear detection, the ability to cycle through ANC modes, and more. The app also displays an album cover and track's name when you play music from your iPhone. However, the most popular features like music presets or a soundscapes feature aren't available.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is a successor to the iconic Sennheiser headphones and is designed to meet the highest expectations. Its construction technology has been optimized to provide a detail resolution that encompasses all of the frequency spectrum, dynamic range, and stereo panorama. It also offers the most realistic spatial sound you'll hear in a pair of open-back headphones.

The headphone has a 300 ohm impedance, so a good headphone amplifier is needed to operate it at the right levels without distortion. A balanced connection is recommended since this can double the power output and Enhance Your Audio Experience with Echo Buds the overall sound quality.

These headphones are designed for professional use. They have a steel frame and a mix of plastic and leather padding. The design is simple and doesn't resemble a fancy pair of headphones, but they feel premium in the palm and are built to last. They come with a carry case, an extra audio cable, and a 1/4" to 1-/8" adapter.

With an unison sound profile, the HD 800 S reproduces natural instruments and vocals, even though they are a bit light on bass. The open-back design creates a wide, out-of-head soundstage. The treble is excellent, with minor peaks and Headphones Shop drops. The treble region is extremely linear, which means you'll not have issues cutting sibilants, or the upper impact of a drum snare.

Despite not having a booming bass, they can still deliver impact and dynamism when it is needed. They will still be enjoyable for those who love listening to rock music with strong basslines, however they might not be like some of the competing models on this list such as the HiFiMan Arya.

In the mids in the mids, these Sennheiser headphones are difficult to beat. They're very straight and have a slight scoop in the upper mids which will not be noticed by most listeners. They can also reproduce fine time gradations which is a nice benefit.

The HD 800 S is a pair of premium headphones that are ideal for professionals and audiophiles. They're a top choice because of their excellent audio quality and comfortable fit. They are expensive, but they will last you for a long time and will perform in any environment.

Anker Soundcore Life q20

The Anker Soundcore Q20 is a great pair of Headphones shop for those looking to pass the time or simply need a pair of affordable noise cancelling headphones. The headphones come with a basic bag that will protect the headphones when you place them in the bag. The battery will last for a long time on long-haul flights. The ANC is a great way to block out noisy seatmates and engine rumbles. However, their audio profile is a little warm and bass-heavy.

The controls on the Life Q20 are well-marked and easy to use. On the left earcup, you'll see 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 controls for playing back media which include a multi-function button that allows you to activate the voice assistant of your phone and switch on Anker's BassUp feature (more on that 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 deliver a rich and immersive listening experience, due to the custom 40mm dynamic drivers that are certified Hi-Res Audio. These headphones have the treble range to Powerful JLab Go Air Pop Earbuds - Bluetooth up to 40 kHz. Their active noise cancellation is designed to filter out a broad range of mid- and low-frequency sound.

One thing to remember about the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is that they do not support the aptX codec, which is disappointing. This means that you will not be able to benefit of the higher codes' lower latency while playing games on your computer.

In terms of comfort, the Life Q20's memory-foam ear cups and headbands are comfortable enough to wear for long periods of time without causing any discomfort. The ear cups also be rotated to accommodate the shape of your head. You can also listen to your music wired with an included 3.5mm cable and a microUSB connector is included to charge the battery.