Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones completely encapsulate your ears, allowing you to be immersed in sound. They are usually made for audiophiles and include features such as active noise cancellation and control apps.

The Focal Bathys are a wireless device that comes with ANC and a mobile app for tweaking the EQ and presets. They also support hi-res audio for wired listening via USB-C.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH-1000XM5 is Sony's latest upgrade to their best-in-class noise cancellation lineup. They have a fresh new design, upgraded ANC and a lot of the same features that their predecessors had but with premium materials and slightly higher quality sound.

They're lightweight for over-ear ANC headphones at just 250g. They're very comfortable to wear for long periods of time, whether you're listening to a podcast or book. The headband is supple, and it features a friction rod design like the Grado Labs SR60x that prevents your ears from getting too cold.

With an audio quality that will please people who listen to music for no reason and serious audiophiles, WH-1000XM5's signature is tuned to have a slight emphasis on bass, but not too loud or harsh. They have a large and wide soundstage, with excellent instrument separation that allows you to hear specifics in your music. The earcups are also equipped with touch controls that are easy to use. Swipe up or down to adjust the volume. You can also swipe forward to listen to the next track or reverse to hear the previous track. The headphones are capable of connecting to two devices at the same time and due to an inbuilt sensor, they automatically pause the playback if removed from your head. You can enable the ambient mode by placing your hand on the right ear cup. This allows you to listen to the sounds around you without having to take off the headphones.

Other useful features include the ability to pair them with your voice assistant, Bluetooth low-energy, and support for high-resolution audio (via LDAC). The headphones come with a carrying case made of high-end fabric and an USB-C charging cable. The headphones are compatible with the majority of Android and iOS smartphones, as well as with computers that run Windows and macOS. The battery life of the WH-1000XM5 is excellent. In our standard test we were able to get 31 hours and 53 minutes with ANC activated which is more than Sony's advertised battery duration of 30 hours.

The WH1000XM5 has a great microphone for making calls. There is no muffled or static audio in the background. The noise cancellation performance is excellent and they're a perfect option for public transport as well as the office.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a major upgrade over its predecessor. It features a range of new features and improved performance. The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 comes with premium performance and features like 24-bit wireless streaming, active noise cancellation optimized and clear voice calls on any compatible mobile or tablet. The 40mm drivers, which are custom-designed and angled to fit in each earcup, offer more complete and focused listening experience. Six carefully placed microphones offer outstanding clarity for calls, even in noisy environments. A built-in remote and microphone lets you control calls and music from any device that is compatible.

The headphones have a elegant and Earphones shop 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 comfortably but not too tight on the cranium. The new design and shape was refined over a period of time, and delivers a soft clamping pressure that doesn't press too hard on my skull, which is a rotund one.

At 10.8 pounds (or 307g) They weigh 2 ounces lighter that the Sony WH-1000XM5, as well as slightly smaller. The headphones are light enough to be carried in a bag or backpack and remain in place during long listening sessions. A sturdy hinge on the back of the headband enables you to fold them up for easy transportation in a protective 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. The 3.5mm cord connects to the USB-C port on the right earcup. The status indicator on the headphone is a nice addition. It flashes green to indicate rapid charging and solid blue to indicate Bluetooth pairing.

The B&W app has the same features as the buttons on the hardware such as bass and treble adjustments and assigning action buttons wear detection, a cycle through ANC modes and much more. The app also shows an album cover and track title when you play music on your iPhone. However, popular extras like music presets or a soundscapes feature are missing.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is a successor to the legendary Sennheiser headphones and was made to meet the highest expectations. Its technical construction was designed to provide a breath-taking detail resolution that encompasses the entire frequency spectrum, dynamic range and stereo panorama. It's the most realistic sound you'll experience on open-back headphones.

The headphone has 300 ohms of impedance, therefore a high-quality headphone amplifier is required to ensure it is operating at the desired levels without distortion. It is recommended to use a balanced connection, which can double the output and improve the quality of sound.

These headphones are made for professional use. They have a metal frame and a mixture of leather and headphones prices plastic padding. The design is simple and they don't look fancy however the quality of the headphones prices (writes in the official 0553721256 Ussoft blog) and their construction are excellent. They come with a carry pouch and an additional audio cable as well as a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter.

The HD 800 S has a neutral sound that reproduces instruments and vocals in a natural way, even although they are a bit light on bass. The open-back design results in a spacious, out-of-head soundstage. Their treble performance is excellent with only minor peaks and dips. The treble area is very linear, so you'll not have issues cutting sibilants, or the upper impact of the snare drum.

Despite not having a loud bass, they can still deliver impact and dynamism when needed. These headphones are still enjoyable for those who enjoy rock music with a punchy bass however, headphones prices they may not sound as good headphones on sale as the other models on this list.

These Sennheiser headphones have a great mid-range. They are linear with a slight scoop on the upper mids, which won't be noticed by most listeners. They can also reproduce fine time gradations which is an added benefit.

The HD 800 S are a pair exceptional headphones, perfect for audiophiles and professionals. They are a top pick due to their exceptional sound quality and comfortable fit. They're costly, but you're paying for headphones that will last for years to come and perform to their best in any situation.

Anker Soundcore Life Q20

The Anker Soundcore Q20 is a great set of headphones for anyone looking to kill time or just want an affordable set of headphones that block out noise. They come with a basic pouch that will give them some protection when you toss them in a bag and their battery is capable of lasting many long-haul flights. Their ANC is capable of blocking out chattering seatmates and engine rumbles on the plane, but their audio profile is a bit heavy and warm.

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 and off the active noise cancellation. On the right earcup, you'll find media playback controls. This includes a multi-function key that activates your phone's voice assistant and switches on Anker BassUp (more about this later). The built-in mic can be used to make calls using hands-free technology.

Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphones deliver an immersive and deep listening experience, thanks to the custom 40 mm dynamic drivers that offer certified Hi-Res Audio. The headphones feature a treble range that reaches up to 40 kHz. Their hybrid active noise cancellation is specifically designed to block out a wide range of mid- and low-frequency sound.

One thing to keep in mind about the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is that it doesn't support aptX, which is disappointing. This means that you won't be in a position to benefit from the superior codec's low latency when gaming on your PC.

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 also be rotated to accommodate your unique head shape. You can also listen to music wired with an included 3.5mm cable, and a microUSB cable is provided for charging the battery.