Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones totally encase your ears, allowing you to be immersed in sound. They tend to be tuned for audiophiles and include features such as active noise cancellation and control apps.

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

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH1000XM5 headphones by Sony are the latest model in their noise cancellation line-up. They have a fresh new design, enhanced ANC and a lot of the same features as their predecessors but with premium materials and slightly more premium sound quality.

They're light for over-ear ANC headphones at 250 grams. This makes them very comfortable to wear for long periods of time, whether you're listening to a podcast or reading a book. The headband is soft, 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 casual music listeners and serious audiophiles, the WH1000XM5's sound signature is tuned to have a slight focus on bass, but not too loud or harsh. They have a wide and spacious soundstage that has excellent instrument separation that allows you to hear the subtleties in your music. The earcups have control buttons that are easy to use and responsive. Swipe up or down to adjust the volume. You can also swipe forward to listen to the next track and backwards to hear the prior track. The headphones are capable of 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 switch on ambient mode by resting your palm on the right ear cup that lets you hear what's going on around you, without taking off the headphones.

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

The WH1000XM5 is a great microphone that can be used for voice calls. There's no static or muffled audio in the background. The noise-canceling performance is also top-notch and they're a perfect fit for public transport or the office.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a significant upgrade from its predecessor, Headphone On sale delivering top-quality performance and features. It features wireless streaming with 24-bit and optimized active noise cancellation, as well as clear voice quality on any compatible mobile phone or tablet. Its custom-designed 40mm drivers are precisely positioned inside each earcup for a more focused, deep listening experience. Six strategically placed microphones provide exceptional call clarity even in noisy surroundings. A remote inline and microphone let you control your music and calls on any device compatible with it.

The headphones sport a similar sleek and refined look to the original PX7. They feature accent rings around the earcups and a silver sheen for the headband. The earcups are cushioned by memory foam and fit snugly on the cranium but never feel tight. The new shape and form was developed over the course of several months and provides a soft clamping pressure that doesn't press too hard on my rotund skull.

They're 2 ounces lighter (or 307g) and a little thinner than the Sony WH1000XM5. They're light enough to carry in your backpack or bag without much discomfort, and they'll stay comfortable in your hand during long listening sessions. A strong hinge on the back of the headband lets you to fold them up for easy transport in the protective case.

They're powered by Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX Adaptive support which is great for high-resolution audio as well as tight video sync. You can play the headphones wired, too, with the included 3.5mm cable that connects to a USB-C port on the right earcup. The status indicator on the earphone is a nice touch. It flashes green to signal rapid charging and solid blue to indicate Bluetooth pairing.

The B&W App has the same features that the hardware onboard buttons offer including bass and treble adjustment as well as action button assignments, wear detection, the ability to cycle through ANC modes and more. When you listen to music on your iPhone, the app displays album cover and track titles. However, popular extras like music presets or soundscapes feature are missing.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is a successor to the famous Sennheiser headphones and is designed to meet the most demanding expectations. Its construction technology has been optimized to provide an impressive detail resolution that encompasses all the spectrum of frequencies dynamic range, as well as stereo panorama. It also delivers the most realistic spatial sound you'll hear in a pair of open-back headphones.

The headphone has a 300 ohm impedance, therefore a high-quality headphone amplifier is needed to drive it at desired levels without distortion. It is recommended to make use of a balanced connection which will increase the output and boost the quality of sound.

These headphones are designed for a professional use and feature a sturdy metal frame, with a mixture of leather and plastic. The design is simple and they're not fancy however the quality of the headphones online and their construction are superb. They come with a carry pouch and an additional audio cable as well as a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter.

With an unison sound profile, the HD 800 S reproduces natural vocals and instruments, although they are somewhat light on bass. This is because the open-back design creates a large and out-of-head soundstage. The treble is excellent, with minor drops and peaks. The treble region is extremely smooth, meaning you shouldn't have any issues piercing sibilants and Headphone On Sale the upper impact of the snare drum.

Even with the absence of loud bass, they can still provide dynamism and impact when required. These headphones are still great for those who love rock music that has punchy bass however, they may not be as impressive as the other models on this list.

In the mids in the mids, these Sennheiser headphones are hard to beat. They are linear with an incline on the upper mids that won't be noticed by most listeners. They can also reproduce fine time gradations which is an added benefit.

The HD 800 S is a pair of headphones that are ideal for audiophiles and professionals. They are a top pick because of their excellent audio quality and comfortable fit. They are expensive, but you're paying for a pair of headphones that will last for many years to come and perform to their best in any situation.

Anker Soundcore Life Q20

The Anker Soundcore Q20 is a decent set of headphones for anyone looking to pass the time or just want an affordable set of noise cancelling headphones. They come with a basic bag that will give them some protection when you throw them into a bag, and their battery can last many long-haul flights. Their ANC does a good job of blocking out chatty seatmates and engine rumbles on an airplane, although their audio profile is a little warmer and bass-heavy.

The Life Q20's controls are easy to navigate and well-marked. On the left ear cup, you'll find buttons to power up and pair the headphones, as well as to turn off or on active noise cancellation. On the right ear cup, you'll find controls for playing back media which include a multi-function button that lets you activate your phone's voice assistant and enable Anker's BassUp feature (more on this later). The built-in microphone can be used to make calls using hands-free technology.

Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 Headphone on sale delivers a rich, immersive listening experience thanks to its custom 40 mm dynamic driver that offers certified Hi-Res audio. The headphones have an amplitude range of up to 40 kHz. Their active noise cancelling is designed to filter out a variety of mid- and low-frequency sound.

Anker Soundcore Q20 doesn't support aptX. This is disappointing. This means you will not be able to take advantage of the higher codes' lower latency when playing on your computer.

The Life Q20's headband and memory foam ear cups are comfortable enough to be worn for extended periods of time without discomfort. The ear cups also be rotated to accommodate your individual head shape. The included 3.5mm audio cable allows you to listen to music while charging the battery.