Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones completely encapsulate your ears and allow you to fully immerse in sound. They are usually made for audiophiles and include features such as active noise cancelling and control apps.

The Focal Bathys are a wireless pair with ANC and a mobile application for tweaking the EQ and presets. They also support high-res audio for wired listening via USB-C.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH1000XM5 headphones by Sony are the most recent upgrade in their noise cancellation lineup. They feature a new design, upgraded ANC, and many of the same features as their predecessors, but with premium materials and slightly higher quality sound.

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

The WH-1000XM5 comes with a distinct sound signature created to please casual music lovers as and headphones for sleeping serious audiophiles. It is tuned with a slight increase in bass, yet it's not harsh or blazing. They feature a wide and wide soundstage, with good instrument separation, which allows you to hear details in your music. The earcups are also equipped with touch controls that are responsive and intuitive to use. You can swipe forward to access the next track, back to hear the previous one as well as up and down to adjust the volume. The headphones can be connected to two devices simultaneously and will automatically stop playback when you take them off your head, thanks to the built-in sensor. You can turn on the ambient mode by placing your palm on the right earcup. This lets you listen to the sounds around you without having to remove the headphones.

They can also be connected with your voice assistant. Bluetooth low-energy is also supported, as is high-resolution audio (via LDAC). They come with a durable carrying case made from premium fabric and an USB-C cable for charging. The headphones work with Android and iOS smartphones, as well as computers running Windows or macOS. The battery life of the WH-1000XM5 is impressive. In our most basic test we were able get 31 hours and 53 minutes with ANC turned on, which is better than Sony's advertised battery duration of 30 hours.

The WH1000XM5 has a great microphone that can be used for voice calls. There is no static or muffled audio in the background. Noise cancelling is also excellent, and these headphones are perfect for public transportation and the office.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a major upgrade over its predecessor. It has a host of new features and performance. The Bowers & Wilkins S2 is a premium model with a variety of features, including 24bit wireless streaming and active noise cancellation optimized, and clear voice calls on any compatible mobile or tablet. The 40mm drivers that are custom-designed for the device are carefully angled inside each earcup to create an enhanced, more deep listening experience. Six strategically placed microphones provide exceptional call clarity, even in noisy environments. And an inline remote and microphone let you control your calls and music on any device compatible with it.

The headphones sport a similar elegant and sleek design to the original PX7. They feature accent rings around the earcups, as well as a silver-colored headband. The earcups are cushioned with memory foam and sit comfortably on the cranium, yet never feel tight. The redesigned shape and form took a long time to perfect, delivering a comfortable clamping force that doesn't press too hard even on my own rotund cranium.

At 10.8 pounds (or 307g), they're 2 ounces lighter that the Sony WH-1000XM5, and slightly thinner. The headphones are lightweight enough to be carried in a backpack or bag and stay in place comfortably during long listening sessions. The headband can be folded by using a sturdy hinge on the back.

They're powered by Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX Adaptive support which is ideal for high-resolution audio as well as precise video sync. The 3.5mm cord connects to the USB-C port that is located on the right earcup. The headphone's status indicator is a helpful touch, flashing green to indicate rapid charging and solid blue when Bluetooth pairing is in use.

The B&W App provides the same controls that the onboard buttons in the hardware offer including bass and treble adjustment as well as action button assignments wear detection, cycling through ANC modes and more. The app also displays an album cover and track's title when you play music from your iPhone. However, popular extras like music presets and soundscapes feature aren't available.

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. The design and construction of the headphones for sleeping has been optimized to achieve the highest resolution in detail that covers all of the frequency spectrum as well as dynamic range and stereo panorama. It also offers the most realistic spatial sound you'll hear on a pair of open-back headphones.

The headphone has an impedance of 300 Ohms, so it requires a high-quality headphone amplifier to operate at the desired levels without distortion. A balanced connection is recommended because it will increase the power output and enhance the overall sound quality.

These headphones are made for a professional use and have a sturdy steel frame, with a mixture of plastics and leather padding. The design is minimalist and doesn't resemble a fancy pair of headphones, but they feel premium in the hand and are well-built. They come with a carrying pouch as well as an additional audio cable and a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter.

With a neutral 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 large and out-of-head passive soundstage. The treble quality is excellent, with minor peaks and drops. The region of the treble has a linear quality, so you will not have any issues with piercingsibilants, or the upper bite of a drum snare.

Despite not having a booming bass, they can still provide dynamism and impact when required. They are still a great choice for those who enjoy rock music with punchy basses however, they may not sound as great as some of the other models on this list.

These Sennheiser headphones have a wonderful midrange. They're very straight and have a slight scoop in the upper mids, which shouldn't be noticeable to most listeners. They also have the ability to reproduce fine time gradations in vocals which is a huge plus.

The HD 800 S are a pair of outstanding Headphones for sleeping, ideal for audiophiles and professionals. They're a top choice because of their excellent audio quality and comfortable fit. They're costly however, you're getting headphones that will last for years to come and perform to their best in any situation.

Anker Soundcore Life Q20

The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 are a good pair of headphones that will provide the perfect solution for anyone looking to kill some time or simply needs a cheap set of noise cancelling headphones. They come with a simple pouch that provides 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 passengers and engine rumbles from a plane, though their audio profile is a little 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 power up and pair the headphones and for headphones for sleeping turning off or on active noise cancellation. On the right earcup, you'll find controls for playback of media. This includes a multi-function key that activates your phone's voice assistance and also turns on Anker BassUp (more about this later). The built-in mic can be used to make hands-free phone calls.

Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphones offer a rich and immersive listening experience, due to the custom 40mm dynamic drivers that provide certified Hi-Res Audio. With a treble range that extends up to 40 kHz, these headphones offer exceptional clarity and detail, while their active noise cancellation technology is designed to filter out a wide range of mid- and low-frequency sounds.

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 won't not be able to take advantage of the superior codes' lower latency when gaming on your computer.

In terms of comfort, the Life Q20's memory foam earcups and headbands are comfortable enough to wear for extended periods of time without causing discomfort. The ear cups also rotate to adapt to your individual head shape. You can also listen to your music wired with an included 3.5mm cable and a microUSB connector is included for charging the battery.