Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones are designed to surround your ears and immerse you in music. They are usually designed for audiophiles and feature features like active noise cancellation and control applications.

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

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH1000XM5 headphones from Sony are the latest upgrade in their noise cancellation lineup. They have a fresh new design, enhanced ANC and a host of the same features that their predecessors had but with better materials and slightly higher quality sound.

At only 250g, they are lightweight for over-ear ANC headsets. This makes them extremely comfortable to wear for long periods of time, whether you're listening to a podcast or reading a book. The headband has a friction-rod design similar to the Grado Labs SR60x, which prevents your ears getting too cold.

The WH-1000XM5 has a sonic signature that is designed to please casual music lovers as well as serious audiophiles. It is tuned with a slight emphasis in bass, yet it's not harsh or blazing. They feature a wide and wide soundstage, with good instrument separation that allows you to hear the specifics in your music. The earcups are also equipped with control buttons that are responsive and intuitive to use. Swipe forward to go to the next track, reverse to hear the previous track, and up and down to regulate the volume. 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 when removed from your head. You can also turn on ambient mode by placing your palm on the right ear cup and allowing you to be aware of what's happening around you, without taking off the headphones.

Other helpful features include the possibility of pairing them with your voice assistant, Bluetooth low-energy, and support for hi-res audio (via LDAC). The headphones come with a carry case made of top quality fabric and an USB-C charging cable. The Headphones For swimming are compatible with the majority of Android and iOS smartphones, as well as with computers that run Windows and macOS. The WH-1000XM5's life expectancy is awe-inspiring. In our standard battery test, we got 31 hours and 53 minutes with the ANC on, which was better than Sony's advertised 30 hours battery life.

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

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 provides a significant improvement over its predecessor. It comes with a variety of new features and performance. It features wireless streaming with 24-bit and optimized active noise cancellation, headphones for Swimming and crystal clear voice quality on any compatible tablet or mobile phone. The 40mm drivers, which are designed specifically and angled in each earcup, give you a more complete and focused listening experience. Six strategically placed microphones provide outstanding clarity for calls even in noisy surroundings. An inline remote and microphone let you control your calls and music using any compatible device.

The headphones have a elegant and refined design as the original PX7. They have accent rings around the earcups 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 delivers a soft clamping pressure that doesn't press too hard on my rotund skull.

They are 2 ounces lighter (or 307g) and are a little smaller than the Sony WH1000XM5. They're light enough for carrying in your backpack or bag without much discomfort, and will remain comfortable in your hand during long listening sessions. A sturdy hinge on the back of the headband allows you to fold them to make it easy to transport them in an enclosed case.

They're powered by Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX Adaptive support which is great for both high-resolution audio and precise video sync. The 3.5mm cord connects to the USB-C port located on the right earcup. The status indicator on the earphone is a nice addition. It flashes green to signal rapid charging and solid blue to signal Bluetooth pairing.

The B&W App has the same controls that the buttons on the hardware provide including bass and treble adjustment, action button assignments, wear detection, a cycle of ANC modes as well as other features. When you play music on your iPhone, the app displays album cover and Headphones For Swimming track titles. The most popular extras like music presets, soundscapes and music mode aren't available, however.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is a successor to the famous Sennheiser headphones and is made to meet the highest expectations. Its engineering was optimized to achieve stunning detail resolution that encompasses the entire frequency spectrum, dynamic range and stereo panorama. It also offers the most realistic spatial sound you'll ever experience on a pair of open-back headphones.

The headphone has 300 ohms of impedance, therefore a high-quality headphone amplifier will be needed to operate it at the right levels without distortion. A balanced connection is recommended since this can double the output power and improve the overall sound quality.

The headphones are designed for professional use and have a sturdy metal frame with a mix of leather and plastic. The design is minimalist and they don't look fancy however the quality of the headphones and their construction are excellent. 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 vocals and instruments, although they are light in bass. This is due to the open-back design creates a spacious and out-of-head passive soundstage. Their treble performance is excellent, with only minor dips and peaks. The treble area is very linear, so you won't have issues with cutting sibilants, or the upper bite of the snare drum.

Even with the absence of loud bass, they can still produce a punch and dynamism when required. They'll still be a great choice for those who love listening to rock music with strong basslines, however they may not be as enjoyable as some of the other models on this list such as the HiFiMan Arya.

The Sennheiser headphones have a fantastic mid-range. They're very straight, with a slight scoop in the upper mids which will not be noticed by most listeners. They also can reproduce fine time gradations, which is a nice benefit.

The HD 800 S are a pair exceptional headphones, perfect for audiophiles and professionals. They are a top choice because of their outstanding audio quality and comfortable fit. They're expensive however you're buying headphones that will last for years to be able to perform well in any situation.

Anker Soundcore Life q20

The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 are a good pair of headphones wireless that can do the trick for anyone who needs to kill some time or simply wants a low-cost set of noise cancelling headphones. They come with a basic pouch that provides protection when you toss them in a bag and their battery is capable of lasting many long-haul flights. The ANC can effectively block out loud passengers and engine rumbles, however their audio quality is a bit warm and bass-heavy.

The Life Q20's controls are simple to navigate and well-marked. On the left ear cup, you'll find buttons to power up and pair the headphones and to turn off or on active noise cancellation. On the right earcup, there are media playback controls. This includes a multi-function button that activates your phone's voice assistant and turns on Anker BassUp (more about that later). The built-in microphone can be used to make calls using hands-free technology.

Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphones for iphone delivers a rich, immersive listening experience thanks to its custom 40 mm dynamic driver that provides certified Hi-Res audio. With a treble range that extends up to 40 kHz the headphones are able to provide exceptional clarity and detail, while their active noise cancelling technology is designed to filter out a wider range of mid- and low-frequency sounds.

One thing to remember about the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is that they do not support the aptX codec, which is disappointing. This means you won't in a position to benefit from the superior codec's lower latency while playing games on your PC.

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