Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones totally encase your ears, allowing you to be immersed in the sound. They are usually made for audiophiles and have features like active noise cancelling and control apps.

The Focal Bathys is a wireless pair that includes ANC as well as 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 WH-1000XM5 headphones are Sony's latest upgrade to their best-in-class noise cancellation range. They sport a new design, improved ANC and a host of the same features as their predecessors but with higher-end materials and a slightly more premium sound quality.

They're light for over-ear ANC headphones, weighing 250 grams. This makes them very comfortable to wear for long periods of time, even when you're listening to a podcast or 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.

The WH-1000XM5 comes with a distinct sound signature that has been created to please casual music lovers as well as serious audiophiles. It is tuned with a slight focus in bass, however it is not harsh or overpowering. The earphones feature a wide and spacious soundstage, with excellent instrument separation. This lets you be able to hear the finer details of your music. The earcups have touch controls that are intuitive and responsive. Swipe forward to play the next track, back to hear the previous track and then up and down to regulate the volume. The headphones can be used for connecting to two devices simultaneously 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 palm on the right-ear cup. This lets you 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 For Sleeping hi-res audio (via LDAC). They come with a sturdy carrying case made of top quality fabric, as well as a USB-C cable to charge. The headphones work with the majority of Android and iOS smartphones and computers operating Windows and macOS. The battery longevity of the WH1000XM5 is excellent. In our test of the standard battery we had 31 hours and 53 minute with the ANC on, which was better than Sony's advertised 30 hour battery life.

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

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a major upgrade from its predecessor, delivering top-quality performance and features. It includes wireless streaming at 24 bits, optimized active noise cancellation, as well as clear voice call quality on any compatible tablet or mobile phone. The 40mm drivers, which are designed specifically and angled inside each earcup, provide a more immersive and focused listening experience. Six strategically placed microphones provide exceptional call clarity, even in noisy environments. A built-in remote and microphone lets you control music and calls from any device compatible with it.

These headphones have a similar elegant and sleek design to the original PX7. They feature accent rings around the earcups and a silver sheen on 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 doesn't press hard on my own skull.

They are 2 ounces lighter (or 307g) and a bit thinner than the Sony WH1000XM5. The headphones are light enough to be carried in a bag or backpack and stay in place comfortably for long listening sessions. The headband can be folded by using a sturdy hinge on the back.

The headphones are powered by Bluetooth 5.2, with the aptX Adaptive. This is ideal for high-resolution audio aswell for a tight video sync. You can play them wired too, using the included 3.5mm cable that connects to an USB-C port 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 signal Bluetooth pairing.

The B&W app provides similar controls to the onboard buttons in the hardware including bass and treble adjustment, for sleeping action button assignment wear detection, a cycle through ANC modes, and more. When you play music on your iPhone the app displays album covers and track titles. The most popular extras like music presets, soundscapes and 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. Its technical construction has been optimized to achieve an impressive detail resolution that encompasses all frequencies dynamic range, as well as stereo panorama. It's the most realistic sound you can get from open-back headphones.

The headphone is 300 ohms in impedance, so a good headphone amplifier is needed to ensure it is operating at the desired levels without distortion. It is recommended to make use of a balanced connection which will increase the output and enhance the quality of sound.

These headphones are made for professional use. They feature a metal frame, and a mix of leather and plastic padding. The design is simple and they're not fancy, but the quality of the headphones for running and their construction are excellent. They come with a carrying case, an additional audio cable and a 1/4" to 1-/8" adapter.

With a neutral sound profile, the HD 800 S reproduces natural instruments and vocals, even though they are somewhat light on bass. This is because the open-back design provides a wide and out-of-head, passive soundstage. The treble performance is outstanding with only minor peaks and dips. The treble region is extremely linear, which means you won't have issues with piercing sibilants and the upper bite of the drum snare.

Even with the absence of loud bass, they can still produce a punch and dynamism when it is needed. They are still a great choice for those who love rock music with a punchy bass, but may not be as impressive as other models on this list.

In the mids they are Sennheiser headphones are difficult to beat. They are linear with an incline on the upper mids that won't be noticed by most listeners. They are also able to reproduce fine time gradations in vocals which is a huge benefit.

The HD 800 S are a pair of outstanding headphones, ideal For Sleeping audiophiles and professionals. Their impressive sonic performance and comfortable fitting make them a great choice. They are expensive however, you're getting headphones that will last for years to be used and perform at their best in any setting.

Anker Soundcore Life q20

The Anker Soundcore Q20 is a decent pair of headphones for those looking to kill time or simply want a pair of affordable headphones that block out noise. They come with a basic bag that will give them some protection when you toss them in a bag and their battery is capable of lasting several long haul flights. The ANC can effectively block out noisy seatmates and engine rumbles, but their audio profile is a bit heavy and warm.

The Life Q20's controls are simple to navigate and well-marked. On the left earcup, you'll see buttons for pairing and powering up the headphones, as well as turning on or off the active noise cancellation. On the right earcup there are controls for playing back media, including a multi-function button that allows you to activate the voice assistant of your phone and enable 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 headphones provide an immersive and deep listening experience thanks to the custom 40 mm dynamic drivers that are certified Hi-Res Audio. The headphones feature the treble range to go up to 40 kHz. Their active noise cancellation is designed to filter out a wide range of mid- and low-frequency sound.

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

The Life Q20's headband and memory foam earcups are comfortable enough to wear for extended periods of time without discomfort. The ear cups also rotate to adapt to your unique head shape. The included 3.5mm audio cable lets you to listen to music while charging the battery.