Best Over-Ear Headphones

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

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

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH-1000XM5 headphones from Sony are the most recent upgrade to their top-of-the-line noise cancellation lineup. The headphones have a new design and have improved ANC. They also have many of the same features, but with higher-end sound quality and superior materials.

With only 250g, they are lightweight for over-ear ANC headsets. They're very comfortable to wear for long periods of time, even when you're listening to a podcast or reading a book. The headband is a friction-rod design, similar to the Grado Labs SR60x, which keeps your ears from getting too cold.

The WH-1000XM5 comes with a distinct sonic signature that is designed to please casual music listeners as and serious audiophiles. It is tuned with a slight focus in bass, but it's not abrasive or overpowering. They have a wide and open soundstage with excellent instrument separation that allows you to hear the subtleties in your music. The earcups are also equipped with control buttons that are easy to use. You can swipe forward to access the next track, then back to listen to the previous one as well as up and down to regulate the volume. The headphones can be used for connecting to two devices at the same time 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 resting your palm on the right ear cup that lets you listen to what's happening 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 high-resolution audio (via LDAC). The headphones come with a carry case made of premium fabric, and an USB-C charging cable. The headphones work with Android and iOS smartphones, as well as computers operating Windows or macOS. The WH-1000XM5's battery capacity is awe-inspiring. In our battery test we had 31 hours and 53 minute with the ANC on which was higher than Sony's advertised 30-hour battery life.

The WH-1000XM5's microphone performance on calls is superb and there's not any muffled or static-y audio in the background. Noise cancelling is also excellent and these headphones are ideal for public transportation or the office.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

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

Like the original PX7, these headphones are elegant and refined, with accent rings around each earcup and an elegant silver sheen on the headband. The memory foam earcups fit comfortably, but not too tightly on the cranium. The redesigned shape and form took many months to perfect, and provides an incredibly comfortable clamping force that isn't too hard on my own rotund cranium.

At 10.8 grams (or 307g), they're 2 ounces lighter than the Sony WH-1000XM5, as well as a touch thinner. They're light enough for carrying in your bag or backpack without much discomfort, and will stay comfortably in place for long listens. The headband Headphones Running can be folded using a sturdy hinge at 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 also play the headphones wired, too, with the included 3.5mm cable that connects to a USB-C port on the right earcup. The headphone's status indicator is an excellent feature, flashing green to indicate rapid charging and solid blue when Bluetooth pairing is in use.

The B&W app has the same controls as the onboard buttons in the hardware including bass and treble adjustment as well as action button assignment, wear detection, cycle through ANC modes and much more. When you play music on your iPhone the app displays album cover and track titles. Some popular features like music presets and soundscapes mode aren't available, however.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is a successor to the legendary Sennheiser headphones Running and is designed to meet the highest expectations. Its technical construction is optimized to give a detail resolution that encompasses all frequencies as well as dynamic range and stereo panorama. It delivers the most realistic sound you can get from open-back headphones.

The headphone is 300 ohms in impedance, so a good headphone amplifier will be needed to ensure it is operating at the desired levels without distortion. A balanced connection is recommended since this can double the power output and enhance the overall sound quality.

These headphones are designed for professional use. They have a steel frame and a mixture of plastic and leather padding. The design is minimalist and doesn't resemble an expensive pair of headphones with best noise cancelling, however they feel premium in the hands and are built well. They come with a carrying case, an additional audio cable and an adapter from 1/4" to 1-/8" adapter.

The HD 800 S has a neutral sound that reproduces vocals and instruments with naturality, though they are a little light on bass. The open-back design creates an expansive, out-of-head soundstage. The treble is excellent, with minor drops and peaks. The region of the treble has a linearity, so you will not be able to deal with piercingsibilants or the upper bite of a drum snare.

Even with the absence of loud bass, they can still deliver impact and dynamism when required. These headphones are still great for those who love rock music with a punchy bass however they might not sound as good as other models on this list.

These Sennheiser headphones have a wonderful mid-range. They're very straight and have a slight scoop in the upper mids, which shouldn't be noticeable to most listeners. They also reproduce precise time gradations in vocals which is a major plus.

The HD 800 S is a pair of exceptional headphones that are perfect for audiophiles and professionals. Their outstanding sonic performance and comfortable fitting make them a great option. They're costly however, you're getting a pair of headphones that will last for years to be able to perform at their best in any setting.

Anker Soundcore Life q20

The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 are a decent pair of headphones that can provide the perfect solution for anyone looking to pass the time or simply needs a cheap set of noise cancelling headphones. The headphones come with a basic case that protects the headphones with best noise cancelling when you place them in a bag. Their battery can last for a long time on long-haul flights. Their ANC does a great job of blocking out chatty seatmates and engine rumbles from a plane, though their audio profile is warmer and bass-heavy.

The controls on the Life Q20 are well-marked and easy to use. On the left earcup, there are buttons to pair and power up the headphones as well as turning on or off the active noise cancellation. On the right earcup you'll find controls for playback of media that include a multi-function switch that allows you to activate the voice assistant of your phone and enable Anker's BassUp feature (more on that later). You can also utilize the built-in microphone in order to make calls without hands your phone.

Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphones provide an immersive and rich listening experience, thanks to the custom 40 mm dynamic drivers that are certified Hi-Res Audio. These headphones have an amplitude range of up to 40 kHz. Their active noise cancellation is specifically designed to block out a wide range of low- and mid-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 you won't be 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 ear cups are comfortable enough to be worn for extended periods of time without discomfort. The ear cups are capable of rotating, allowing them to adapt to the particular shape of your head so you can get a snug fit. The included 3.5mm audio cable allows you to listen to music while charging the battery.