Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones completely encapsulate your ears, allowing you to be immersed in sound. They are usually tuned for audiophiles and feature features like active noise cancellation and control applications.

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

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH-1000XM5 headphones from Sony are the latest addition 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 a superior sound quality and higher-end materials.

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

With a sound quality that is able to please casual music listeners and serious audiophiles, WH-1000XM5's signature is tuned to have a slight focus on bass, but not too loud or harsh. The earphones boast a huge and spacious soundstage, with excellent instrument separation. This lets you listen to the subtleties of your music. The earcups also feature touch controls, which are easy and responsive to use. Swipe forward to play the next track, then back to listen to the previous one and then up and Bluetooth Headphones Jbl down to control the volume. The headphones are capable of connecting to two devices at once and thanks to a built-in sensor, they automatically pause the playback when removed from your head. You can also activate the ambient mode by placing your palm on the right earcup 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 Headphones Jbl low-energy is also supported, as is high-resolution audio (via LDAC). They come with a durable carrying case made from premium fabric and a USB-C cable to charge. The headphones are compatible with most Android and iOS smartphones and computers operating Windows and macOS. The battery longevity 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 much better than Sony's advertised battery duration of 30 hours.

The WH-1000XM5's mic performance on voice calls is excellent and there's no distorted or static-y sound in the background. Noise-canceling 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. It includes wireless streaming at 24 bits, optimized active noise cancellation, and clear voice call quality on any compatible mobile phone or tablet. The 40mm drivers, which are designed specifically and angled to fit in each earcup, give you a more complete and focused listening experience. Six strategically placed microphones provide superior call clarity even in noisy environments. And an inline remote and microphone lets you control your calls and music on any device compatible with it.

The headphones have a sleek and refined look to the original PX7. They feature accent rings around the earcups as well as a silver sheen for the headband. The memory foam earcups fit well but not too tightly on the cranium. The redesigned form and shape took a long time to perfect, providing an easy clamping force that doesn't push too hard on my own rotund cranium.

They weigh 2 ounces less (or 307g) and a bit thinner than the Sony WH1000XM5. They're light enough for carrying in your backpack or bag without much discomfort, and will stay comfortably in place for long listens. A strong hinge on the back of the headband allows you to fold them up for easy transport in an enclosed case.

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

The B&W app has similar controls to the hardware onboard buttons - bass and treble adjustment as well as action button assignment wear detection, the ability to cycle through ANC modes and much more. The app also displays an album cover and track's name when you play music on your iPhone. Some popular features like music presets and soundscapes mode are missing, however.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is the successor of the iconic headphones made by Sennheiser, and it is meant to meet the most demanding requirements. The technical design was designed to provide a breath-taking detail resolution that covers the entire frequency spectrum, dynamic range, and stereo panorama. It's the most realistic audio you'll experience on open-back headphones for running.

The headphone has an impedance of 300 Ohms, which means it requires a top-quality headphone amplifier that can drive it at the desired levels without distortion. A balanced connection is recommended, as this will double the power output and bluetooth headphones Jbl 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 rather minimalist and doesn't resemble the most expensive pair of headphones, but they feel luxurious in the hand and are well-built. They come with a carry case, an additional audio cable and an 1/4" to 1-/8" adapter.

The HD 800 S has a neutral sound that reproduces vocals and instruments in a natural way, even though they are a little light on bass. This is because the open-back design creates a large and out-of-head soundstage. The treble quality is excellent, with minor drops and peaks. The region of the treble has a linear quality and you won't have issues with piercingsibilants or the upper bite of the drum snare.

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

These Sennheiser headphones have a fantastic midrange. They are linear with a slight incline in the upper mids that won't be noticed by most listeners. They also can reproduce precise time gradations, which is an added bonus.

The HD 800 S are a pair of exceptional headphones, ideal for audiophiles and professionals. Their impressive sonic performance and comfortable fitting make them a great option. They're expensive however, you're getting headphones that will last for years to be able to perform well in any situation.

Anker Soundcore Life q20

The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 are a great pair of headphones that will be a great choice for anyone looking to pass the time or simply needs a cheap pair of noise-cancelling headphones. They come with a basic bag that provides protection when you toss them into your bag, and their battery can last for multiple long haul flights. The ANC can effectively block out loud passengers and engine rumbles, however their audio profile is a little warmer and bass-heavy.

The controls on the Life Q20 are well-marked and easy to use. On the left ear cup there are buttons for powering up and pairing the headphones, as well as for turning on or off active noise cancellation. On the right earcup, you'll see media playback controls. This includes a multi-function key that activates your phone's voice assistant and also turns on Anker BassUp (more about this later). You can also use the built-in microphone to make hands-free calls with your phone.

Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphone delivers a rich, immersive listening experience thanks to its custom 40mm dynamic driver that provides certified Hi-Res audio. With a treble range that extends up to 40 kHz the headphones can provide outstanding clarity and detail, while their hybrid active noise cancelling technology is designed to filter out an extended range of low and mid-frequency sounds.

Anker Soundcore Q20 doesn't support aptX. This is disappointing. This means you won't be able to take advantage of the superior codec's low latency when playing on your computer.

In terms of comfort, the Life Q20's memory foam earcups and headband are comfortable enough to wear for long periods of time without causing discomfort. The ear cups are capable of turning so that they can adjust to the particular shape of your head so that you can have a comfortable fit. You can also enjoy your music via a 3.5mm cable and a microUSB connector is provided for charging the battery.