Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones totally encase your ears and allow you to fully immerse in sound. They are typically made for audiophiles, and come with features like active noise cancellation and control applications.

The Focal Bathys are a wireless pair 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 WH1000XM5 headphones from Sony are the latest upgrade in their noise cancellation line-up. They have a fresh new design, enhanced ANC and a host of the same features as their predecessors but with better materials and slightly higher quality sound.

They're extremely light for over-ear ANC headphones at 250 grams. They are very comfortable to wear, even when you're listening to or reading a book. 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.

With a sound quality that can satisfy those who enjoy music casually and audiophiles, WH-1000XM5's signature is tuned to have a slight emphasis on bass, but it isn't overpowering or harsh. The earphones have a large and spacious soundstage, with good separation of instruments. This lets you be able to hear the finer details of your music. The earcups have control buttons that are easy to use and responsive. Swipe up or down to change the volume. You can also swipe forward to listen to the next song and backwards to hear the prior track. The headphones can connect to two devices at once and will automatically pause playback when you remove them from your head, thanks to the built-in sensor. You can also activate ambient mode by placing your palm on the right earcup that lets you listen to what's happening around you without taking 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). They come with a sturdy carrying case made of premium fabric and a USB-C cable for Audiophile charging. The headphones are compatible with most Android and iOS smartphones, as well as with computers that run Windows and macOS. The WH-1000XM5's battery capacity is exceptional. In our standard test, we were able to achieve 31 hours and 53 minutes with ANC activated which is much better than Sony's advertised battery duration of 30 hours.

The WH-1000XM5's microphone quality for calls is superb, and there's no muffled or static-y audio in the background. The noise cancellation is top-notch and they're a perfect choice for public transport or the office.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a significant upgrade from its predecessor, offering premium performance and features. It includes wireless streaming at 24 bits enhanced active noise cancellation, and clear voice call quality on any compatible tablet or mobile phone. The 40mm drivers that are custom-designed for the device are precisely positioned inside each earcup for a more focused, immersive listening experience. Six carefully placed microphones offer outstanding clarity for calls even in noisy surroundings. And an inline remote and microphone let you control your calls and music on any device compatible with it.

Similar to the PX7's original design, these headphones are a sleekly refined look, with accent rings around each earcup as well as a silver-colored headband. The earcups are cushioned using memory foam and sit comfortably on the cranium but don't feel tight. The new form and shape was developed over the course of several months and provides a comfortable clamping pressure that isn't hard on my own skull, which is a rotund one.

At 10.8 pounds (or 307g) They're 2 ounces lighter than Sony WH-1000XM5, and are just a little smaller. The headphones are lightweight enough to be carried in a backpack or bag and are comfortable to wear for long listening sessions. A strong hinge on the back of the headband enables you to fold them to make it easy to transport them in the protective case.

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. The 3.5mm cord connects to the USB-C port located on the right earcup. The headphone's status indicator is a helpful gesture, flashing green to indicate rapid charge and solid blue when Bluetooth pairing is in progress.

The B&W app has similar controls to the onboard buttons in the hardware such as bass and treble adjustments as well as action button assignment, wear detection, cycle through ANC modes and more. The app also displays an album cover and track title when you play music on your iPhone. Some popular features like music presets and soundscapes mode aren't available, audiophile however.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is the successor of the iconic headphones by Sennheiser, and it is designed to meet the most demanding requirements. Its technical construction was designed to provide stunning detail resolution that encompasses the entire frequency spectrum, dynamic range and stereo panorama. It delivers the most realistic sound you'll hear on headphones with open backs.

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. It is recommended to make use of a balanced connection which will double the output and improve the quality of sound.

These headphones are made for professional use. They have a steel frame, and a mix of leather and plastic padding. The design is minimalist and doesn't resemble an expensive pair of headphones, but they feel premium in the hands and are built well. They come with a carry pouch and an extra 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 however they are less bass-y. The open-back design creates a wide out-of-head soundstage. The treble sound quality is superb with only minor peaks and dips. The treble area is very linear, so you'll not have issues hitting sibilants or the upper sound of a snare drum.

Even with the absence of high-pitched bass, they still deliver impact and dynamism when required. These headphones are still enjoyable for those who love rock music with punchy basses however, audiophile they may not be as impressive as some of the other models on this list.

The Sennheiser headphones have a fantastic mid-range. They're very straight and have a slight slop in the upper mids, which should not be noticeable to the majority of listeners. They also reproduce precise time gradations in vocals which is a major benefit.

The HD 800 S is a pair of headphones that are perfect for professionals and audiophiles. They are a top pick because of their outstanding audio quality and comfortable fit. They're expensive however, you're getting headphones that will last for years to come and perform well in any setting.

Anker Soundcore Life q20

The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 are a great pair of headphones that will do the trick for anyone looking to pass the time or just wants an affordable pair of noise-cancelling headphones. The headphones come with a basic bag that protects them when you throw them in a bag. The battery will last for a long time on long-haul flights. Their ANC is capable of blocking out chatty seatmates and engine rumbles from a plane, though their audio profile is a bit warm and bass-heavy.

The Life Q20's controls are simple to use and clearly marked. On the left earcup, there are buttons for pairing and powering up the headphones sony as well as turning on or off the active noise cancellation. On the right earcup, you'll find controls for playing back media. This includes a multi-function key that activates your phone's voice assistant and switches on Anker BassUp (more about that later). The built-in microphone can be used to make phone calls hands-free.

Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphones offers a deep, immersive listening experience thanks to its custom 40 mm dynamic driver that offers certified Hi-Res audio. The headphones feature the treble range to go up to 40 kHz. Their active noise cancelling technology is designed to filter out a broad range of mid- and low-frequency sound.

Anker Soundcore Q20 doesn't support aptX. This is disappointing. This means that you won't not be able take advantage of the better codes' lower latency when gaming on your computer.

The Life Q20's headband and memory foam ear cups are comfortable enough to wear for extended periods of time without discomfort. The ear cups can also rotate to adapt to your individual head shape. You can also listen to music via a 3.5mm cable and a microUSB connector is provided for charging the battery.