Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones over-the-ear usually have more battery life than earbuds. They also offer superior quality sound cancellation.

Sony's WH-1000XM5s lead the pack for akg over ear headphones-ear wireless beats overhead headphones. They sound great thanks to their rich, bass-heavy sound profile that still allows vocals and instruments to shine. They last for over 40 hours on a single charge, with active noise cancellation (ANC) activated.

Focal Bathys Wireless

The Focal Bathys Wireless are an audiophile-grade entry point into the growing premium travel-focused Bluetooth headphone market, a category long dominating by Bose and Sony offerings. But with a reputation for creating the highest quality, high-fidelity speakers, Focal couldn't simply scale down to compete in this highly competitive market. Therefore, it decided to create its own earbuds, which have built-in ANC, using the same amplifiers and transducers that are used in its flagship products.

The result is a pair of headphones that not only provide top-of-the-line performance, but also feel sturdy and luxurious. Focal trimmed the size and weight of its more upmarket headphones to make these lightweight headphones more suitable for travel, but still uses magnesium for the yokes to keep them lightweight. The design is sleek and stylish, with a an elongated, "skeletonised", design similar to Focal's high-end Focal celestee headphones. LED backlit Focal logos are located on the back of the headphones and actually glow.

The ear cups fold flat for convenient storage, and the cable can be removed to use with other devices that do not have Bluetooth, such as many cell phones. The ear cups can be folded flat for convenient storage. The cable can also be dismantled to be used with devices that do not have Bluetooth like many cell phones.

The headphones can also be used in DAC-mode which omits internal processing to provide higher quality sound than Bluetooth headphones that have DACs built-in. Focal declined to reveal the specific DAC they used, but when tested with a high-quality portable DAC/headphone amp, the Bathys delivered great results--including better-than-CD-quality resolution, tight bass, and an open, airy midrange.

The Focal Bathys were created to be used on planes, in noisy environments, and many other locations. However the DAC mode makes them perfect for more critical listening. The Bathys are a great alternative to the closed-back headphones that are tuned to bass. A pair of these headphones would be a wonderful present for the audiophile on your list.

JBL Tune 760NC

The JBL Tune 760NC are a lightweight and comfortable pair of headphones with active noise cancellation. They feature a rich bass profile that enhances your music, and they have a long battery life for listening sessions. The headphones are also built to last, which makes them ideal for use on commutes and trips. However their snug fit could make them uncomfortable for long listening sessions.

The headphones come with a set of buttons that you can use to control the sound and your call settings. They include buttons for volume up, down, power, and ANC on/off. The buttons are surrounded with a small section of LED and you can tap them to alter the light display. The headphones are comfortable to fit and are well-padded however they do not sit well on your head and could be uncomfortable for people who wear glasses.

JBL's Active Noise Cancellation Technology reduces ambient sound by analyzing and interpreting noises coming from outside the headphone. It then reverses those sounds and blocks them out, creating a more tranquil listening experience. This allows you to listen at lower volume and avoid fatigued ears. The headphones also have a microphone that lets you make calls hands-free and also activate voice assistants.

These headphones are compatible with most Bluetooth devices such as your computer and most mobile phones. These headphones are compatible with the majority of PS4 and Xbox One Controllers for receiving audio however they are not able to communicate with teammates. They also come with an USB port for charging and streaming audio from your computer.

The JBL 760NCs are designed to be lightweight with a compact design that folds down, making them easy to carry on the on the go. They have a built-in battery that can last up to 40 hours of continuous use and are equipped with noise cancellation technology to block out distracting sounds. They can also connect to two Bluetooth devices at the same time, so you can switch between watching a video on your tablet to making calls on your phone without a pause.

Skullcandy Riff Wireless

Skullcandy Riff Wireless 2 is a pair of headphones on-ear that provide the features people expect from on-ear Bluetooth headphones. They come at a reasonable price, feature an extremely long-lasting battery, an accessory cable backup, and offer peace of mind thanks to the technology of finding tiles. It comes with a simple control set on the earcup and is able to connect wireless and wired devices. The Riff Wireless headphones come with a great companion app that lets you modify your listening experience to reduce the delay of video and audio when paired with a smart tv or computer and setup multi-device pairing.

The headphones are extremely comfortable and have a cushioned headband. They are made for travel and commute. They fold up to fit easily in backpacks or bags. The plasticky material is sturdy and they click when you flex or move them. Noise cancelling may be a problem for some people, however they block some of the low rumbles from busses and chatter of passengers.

The headphones are of decent audio quality, especially considering their price. The midranges aren't as rich as the more expensive headphones, but they do have decent detail at most volume levels. The bass is very powerful and has plenty of punch and the highs are a little soft, but not a lot. They are excellent for rock and pop but they may not be the ideal choice for genres that feature full, deep bass.

Compared to the older version of these headphones the Riff Wireless 2 come with more features. They have a neutral sound profile that may be appealing to some people and a superior mic performance and support multi-device pairing. They also have a longer battery life, and they can support a higher volume.

The headphones are great but they don't provide the same level comfort as other Skullcandy products such as the Hesh 3 Wireless. They're still a great choice for most people however they're not the best choice for active use and may be a bit shaky during intense training.

Razer Opus

The Opus is the first attempt by Razer at a set of headphones for the lifestyle market and it's a great one. Its target market is likely to be larger than gamers, and it offers quality that rivals top-of-the-line models from Sony and Bose at a price that is affordable.

The design is restrained by Razer standards: no RGB lighting or signature green accents, and the Tri-Snake logo is nowhere to be visible. The headset is similar to any other Bluetooth headset, with semicircle hinges that fold flat and slide on top of the earcups, forming a comfortable, adjustable headband. They're also more lightweight and portable than the majority of gaming headsets, and weigh only 265g when folded.

On the right earcup are onboard controls. Controls for track and power buttons are next to a multi-function button which is recessed into it and Headphones Over-The-Ear doubles as a noise-cancellation switch. The controls were responsive and easy to use. They functioned as advertised during my testing.

The Opus' bass is punchy and well-rounded, with depth and clarity you won't find in many budget headphones. It's not as full as Bose's Extra Bass headphones, but it's still a step above expectations for headphones in the $200 price point. Vocals and the lead instruments can be heard with a good clarity. The mids are solid. I did notice a little veiledness in the highs but switching the EQ to Vocal fixed the problem.

In the carrying case you'll also include the 3.5mm audio cable as well as a USB C-to-A converter and an airplane-style audio plug for those who haven't yet made the switch yet. It's a tiny, but a welcome addition to make it easier to use headphones when traveling.

The Opus performed admirably and was just like other THX certified products. I was able to walk through the city without having to raise the volume to block out the background noise, and I never felt as if I needed to turn the volume of my music up to hear it. This is the type of quality which will help you prevent hearing loss from excessive exposure to high-frequency frequency.