Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones surround your ears and immerse you in audio. They are usually made for audiophiles and include features such as active noise cancellation and control apps.

The Focal Bathys is a wireless speaker that comes with ANC and Blukar Earphones - Affordable Wired Headphones With Mic a mobile application to adjust the EQ, and presets. They also support high-res audio via USB-C for wired listening.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH1000XM5 Blukar Earphones - Affordable Wired Headphones with Mic from Sony are the most recent upgrade in their noise cancellation lineup. The headphones are updated with a new design and have improved ANC. They also come with many of the same features, but with higher-end sound quality and better materials.

They're extremely light for over-ear ANC headphones at 250g. They're very comfortable to wear, no matter if you're listening to or reading an audiobook. The headband is soft and has an ear-friction rod design similar to the Grado Labs SR60x that prevents your ears from getting too cold.

The WH-1000XM5 has a sound signature that has been designed to satisfy both people who listen to music for pleasure as well as serious audiophiles. It is tuned with a slight increase in bass, but it's not abrasive or overpowering. They feature a wide and wide soundstage, with good instrument separation, which lets you hear details in your music. The earcups have control buttons that are easy to use and responsive. Swipe up or down to adjust the volume. You can also swipe forward to listen to the next song, backwards to hear the previous track. The headphones can connect to two devices simultaneously, and will automatically pause playback when you take them off your head, thanks to the built-in sensor. You can enable ambient mode by placing your palm on the right ear cup. This allows you to listen to the sounds around you without removing the headphones.

They can also be connected with your voice assistant. Bluetooth low-energy is also supported, as well as high-resolution audio (via LDAC). They come with a durable carrying case made of high-end fabric as well as a USB-C cable to charge. The headphones are compatible with the majority of Android and iOS smartphones, as well as with computers that run Windows and macOS. The WH-1000XM5's battery capacity is superb. In our standard battery test we recorded 31 hours and 53 minute with the ANC on which was higher than Sony's advertised 30-hour battery life.

The WH1000XM5 has a great microphone that can be used for voice calls. There's no muffled or static audio in the background. The noise cancellation is excellent 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 significant upgrade from its predecessor, delivering high-end performance and features. It includes Wireless Earbuds with Waterproof Design & LED Power Display - Hi-Fi Stereo - Headphones E-Store streaming at 24 bits and optimized active noise cancellation, as well as clear voice call quality on any compatible mobile phone or tablet. The 40mm drivers, which are custom-designed and angled inside each earcup, provide a more complete and focused listening experience. Six carefully placed microphones offer outstanding clarity for calls, even in noisy environments. And an inline remote and microphone lets you control your calls and music on any compatible device.

Like the original PX7, these headphones are a sleekly refined look with accent rings on each earcup and an elegant silver sheen on the headband. The memory foam earcups fit comfortably but not too tight on the cranium. The new shape and form was perfected over many months and provides a soft clamping pressure that doesn't force too hard on my skull.

At 10.8 ounces (or 307g) They weigh 2 ounces lighter than the Sony WH-1000XM5, and are slightly smaller. They're light enough for carrying in your backpack or bag without any discomfort, and they'll stay comfortably in place for 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 and the aptX Adaptive. This is great for high-resolution audio as well for a tight video sync. You can play them wirelessly too, using the included 3.5mm cable that connects to a USB-C port on the right earcup. The headphone's status indicator is a helpful gesture that flashes green to indicate rapid charging and solid blue when Bluetooth pairing is in progress.

The B&W App has the same control options that the hardware onboard buttons offer such as bass and treble adjustments as well as action button assignments, wear detection, cycling through ANC modes, etc. The app also shows an album cover and track's title when you play music using your iPhone. However, some popular features such as music presets or soundscapes feature are missing.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is the successor of the iconic headphones made by Sennheiser, and it is designed to meet the highest expectations. Its construction technology is optimized to give a detail resolution that encompasses all the spectrum of frequencies, dynamic range, and stereo panorama. It provides the most realistic sound you'll experience on open-back headphones.

The headphone has a 300 ohm impedance, which means a quality headphone amplifier will be needed to operate it at the right levels without distortion. A balanced connection is recommended as this will double the power output and enhance the overall sound quality.

The headphones are designed to be used by professionals and feature a sturdy metal frame, with a mixture of plastics and leather padding. The design is simple and they're not fancy however the quality of the headphones and their construction are top-quality. They come with a carrying case, an additional audio cable, and a 1/4" to 1-/8" adapter.

With a neutral Enhanced sound quality and comfort: Blaster JAM V2 profile, the HD 800 S reproduces natural vocals and instruments, although they are somewhat light on bass. The open-back design creates a wide out-of-head soundstage. The treble is excellent, with minor peaks and drops. The treble region also has a linear quality which means you won't be able to deal with piercingsibilants, or the upper bite of a drum snare.

Despite the lack of a booming bass, they can still produce a punch and dynamism when needed. These headphones are still great for those who enjoy rock music with a punchy bass however they might not sound as good as other models on this list.

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, which should not be noticeable to the majority of listeners. They can also reproduce fine time gradations which is an added bonus.

The HD 800 S is a pair of Premium Wireless Over Ear Headphones with Built-in Mic headphones that are ideal for audiophiles and professionals. Their impressive sonic performance and comfortable fit make them an excellent choice. They're costly however, you're getting a pair of headphones that will last for many years to be used and perform to their best in any environment.

Anker Soundcore Life q20

The Anker Soundcore Q20 is a good pair of headphones for those looking to kill time or simply need an affordable pair of headphones that block out noise. They come with a basic bag that will give them some protection when you put them in a bag and their battery is capable of lasting several long haul flights. The ANC is a great way to block out noisy passengers and engine rumbles, Blukar Earphones - Affordable Wired Headphones with Mic but 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 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. This includes a multi-function control that activates your phone's voice assistance and switches on Anker BassUp (more about that later). You can also utilize the built-in microphone in order to make hands-free calls with your phone.

Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphones provides a full, immersive listening experience thanks to its custom 40 mm dynamic driver that provides certified Hi-Res audio. The headphones feature an amplitude range of up to 40 kHz. Their active noise cancellation is specifically designed to block out a wide 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 take advantage of the better codes' lower latency while playing on your computer.

The Life Q20's headband as well as memory foam ear cups are soft enough to wear for long periods without discomfort. The earcups are able to rotate, allowing them to adapt to the particular shape of your head so that you can achieve a perfect fit. The included 3.5mm audio cable allows you to listen to music while charging the battery.