Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones completely surround your ears and allow you to fully immerse in sound. They are usually 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 application for tweaking the EQ and presets. They also support high-res audio for wired listening via USB-C.

Sony WH-1000XM5

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

They're lightweight for over-ear ANC headphones, with 250g. They're very comfortable to wear for long periods of time, even if you're listening to a podcast or a book. The headband has a friction-rod design that is similar to the Grado Labs SR60x, which prevents your ears getting too cold.

With a sound quality that will please people who listen to music for no reason and serious audiophiles, the WH1000XM5's sound signature is tuned to have a slight emphasis on bass, but not excessively loud or harsh. They feature a wide and spacious soundstage that has excellent instrument separation that allows you to hear details in your music. The earcups are also equipped with touch controls, which are responsive and intuitive to use. Swipe up or down to change the volume. You can also swipe forward to listen to the next track or headphones wireless Sony reverse to hear the previous track. The headphones are capable of connecting to two devices at once and due to an inbuilt sensor, they automatically stop the playback when removed from your head. You can activate the ambient mode by placing your palm on the right-ear cup. This allows you to hear the sounds around you without having to remove the headphones.

Other useful features include the possibility of pairing them with your voice assistant, Bluetooth low-energy, and support for hi-res audio (via LDAC). They come with a sturdy carrying case made of premium fabric and a USB-C cable for charging. The headphones are compatible with Android and iOS smartphones as well as computers operating Windows or macOS. The WH-1000XM5's life expectancy is superb. In our most basic test we were able to achieve 31 hours and 53 minutes with the ANC activated which is much better than Sony's advertised battery time of 30 hours.

The WH1000XM5 is a great mic for voice calls. There is no muffled or static sound in the background. The noise cancellation is excellent, and they're a good option for public transport as well as the office.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 provides a significant improvement over its predecessor. It features a range of new features and performance. It features wireless streaming with 24-bit enhanced active noise cancellation, and clear voice call quality on any compatible tablet or mobile phone. Its custom-designed 40mm drivers are precisely positioned inside each earcup to create a more focused, deep listening experience. Six carefully placed microphones offer exceptional call clarity even in noisy environments. A remote inline and microphone lets you manage your calls and music using any compatible device.

Like the PX7's original design These headphones have a sleekly refined look with accent rings on each earcup as well as an elegant silver sheen on the headband. The memory foam earcups fit well, but not too tightly on the cranium. The redesigned shape and form required a lot of time to perfect, and provides an incredibly comfortable clamping force that doesn't push too hard, even on my own rotund cranium.

They weigh 2 ounces less (or 307g) and a little thinner than the Sony WH1000XM5. They're light enough to fit in your backpack or bag without much discomfort, and they'll stay comfortably in place during long listens. The headband can be folded by using a sturdy hinge on the back.

The headphones are powered by Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX Adaptive. This is ideal for high-resolution audio as well for a tight video sync. You can also play the headphones wired, too, with the included 3.5mm cable that connects to the USB-C port on the right earcup. The status indicator on the earphone is a nice addition. It flashes green to show rapid charging, Headphones wireless Sony and solid blue to signal Bluetooth pairing.

The B&W app provides similar controls to the onboard buttons in the hardware such as bass and treble adjustments and assigning action buttons wear detection, a cycle through ANC modes, and more. The app also shows an album cover and track's name when you play music from your iPhone. The most popular extras like music presets and a soundscapes mode are missing, however.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is the successor of the iconic headphones from Sennheiser and is designed to meet most demanding requirements. Its construction technology has been optimized to provide the highest resolution in detail that covers all of the frequency spectrum dynamic range, as well as stereo panorama. It also offers the most realistic spatial sound you'll hear in a pair of open-back headphones.

The headphone has 300 ohms of impedance, so a good headphone amplifier will be needed to operate it at the right levels without distortion. A balanced connection is recommended as this will double the power output and increase the overall sound quality.

These headphones are designed for professional use. They have a metal frame, and a mix of plastic and leather padding. The design is minimalistic and they're not fancy, but the quality of the headphones and their construction are excellent. They come with a carry pouch and an additional audio cable and an 1/4" to 1/8" adapter.

The HD 800 S has a neutral sound that reproduces instruments and vocals in a natural way, even although they are a bit lighter on bass. The open-back design produces an expansive, out-of-head soundstage. The treble sound quality is superb with only minor peaks and dips. The Treble region also is linear which means you won't be able to deal with piercingsibilants, or the upper bite of the drum snare.

Despite not having a booming bass, they can still provide dynamism and impact when needed. These headphones wireless are still enjoyable for those who enjoy rock music that has punchy bass, but may not sound as good as other models on this list.

In the mids they are Sennheiser headphones are difficult to beat. They are a linear pair with a slight incline in the upper mids, which shouldn't be noticed by the majority of listeners. They also can reproduce fine time gradations, which is an added benefit.

The HD 800 S is a pair of Headphones Wireless Sony that are ideal for audiophiles and professionals. They are a top pick due to their exceptional audio quality and comfortable fit. The headphones are costly, but they'll last for a long time and will perform in any situation.

Anker Soundcore Life Q20

The Anker Soundcore Q20 is a great pair of earphones headphones for those who wants to relax or simply want a pair of affordable headphones that cancel out noise. They come with a basic pouch that provides protection when you put them into your bag, and their battery is capable of lasting many long-haul flights. Their ANC does a good job of blocking out chattering passengers and engine rumbles on an airplane, although their audio profile is a bit 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 and off the active noise cancellation. On the right earcup there are controls for playing back media which include a multi-function button that lets you activate your phone's voice assistant and turn on the 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 offer an immersive and deep listening experience thanks to the custom 40mm dynamic drivers that are certified Hi-Res Audio. With a treble that stretches up to 40 kHz they are able to provide exceptional clarity and clarity, while their active noise cancellation technology is designed to block out an extended range of mid- and low-frequency sounds.

Anker Soundcore Q20 doesn't support aptX. This is a disappointment. This means you won't be in a position to benefit from the superior codec's low latency when playing on your computer.

The Life Q20's headband and memory foam earcups are soft enough to wear for long periods of time without discomfort. The earcups are capable of turning and adjust to the particular shape of your head so that you can have a comfortable fit. The included 3.5mm audio cable allows you to listen to music while charging the battery.