Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones totally encase your ears and allow you to fully immerse in sound. They are typically tuned for audiophiles, and have features like active noise cancelling 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 through USB-C for wired listening.

Sony WH-1000XM5

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

They're extremely light for over-ear ANC headphones at just 250g. They're extremely comfortable to wear, even if you're reading or listening an audiobook. The headband is soft and has a friction rod design like the Grado Labs SR60x that prevents your ears from becoming too cold.

The WH-1000XM5 comes with a distinct sound signature designed to satisfy both casual music lovers as and serious audiophiles. It is tuned with a slight focus in bass, but it's not abrasive or imposing. The earphones feature a wide and spacious soundstage, with good instrument separation. This allows you to be able to hear the finer details of your music. The earcups are also equipped with control buttons that are easy to use. Swipe up or down to change the volume. You can also swipe forward to listen to the next track, backwards to hear the prior track. The headphones can be used for connecting to two devices at the same time and, thanks to a built-in sensor, they automatically stop the playback when removed from your head. You can also activate the ambient mode by placing your palm on the right ear cup and allowing you to hear what's going on around you without taking off the headphones.

Other helpful features include the ability to pair them with your voice assistant, Bluetooth low-energy, headphone online shop and support for high-resolution audio (via LDAC). They come with a sturdy carrying case made from high-end fabric as well as an USB-C cable for charging. The headphones work with Android and iOS smartphones, as well as computers running Windows or macOS. The battery longevity of the WH-1000XM5 is exceptional. In our battery test we had 31 hours and 53 minute with the ANC on, which was better than Sony's advertised 30 hour battery life.

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

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a significant upgrade from its predecessor, offering high-end performance and features. It includes wireless streaming at 24 bits, optimized active noise cancellation, and clear voice call quality on any compatible tablet or mobile phone. The 40mm drivers, which are designed specifically and angled to fit in each earcup, offer more deep and focused listening experience. Six strategically placed microphones guarantee excellent call clarity, even in noisy environments. An inline remote and microphone lets you control your calls and music using any compatible device.

The headphones have a sleek and refined look to the original PX7. They have accent rings around the earcups, as well as a 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, providing an incredibly comfortable clamping force that isn't too hard even on my own cranium that is rotund.

At 10.8 ounces (or 307g) They're 2 ounces lighter than Sony WH-1000XM5, and just a little thinner. They're light enough for carrying in your bag or backpack without much discomfort, and will stay comfortably in place during long listening sessions. The headband is foldable by using a sturdy hinge on the back.

The headphones are powered by Bluetooth 5.2 and aptX Adaptive. This is ideal for high-quality audio as well as a fast video sync. You can play them wired too, using the included 3.5mm cable that connects to an USB-C port located on the right earcup. The status indicator on the headphone online shop (click here for info) 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 as the onboard buttons in the hardware including bass and treble adjustment and assigning action buttons wear detection, the ability to cycle through ANC modes and much more. When you listen to music on your iPhone the app will display album covers and track titles. However, some popular features such as music presets or soundscapes feature are not available.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

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

The headphone has 300 ohms of impedance, so a good headphone amplifier will be needed to drive it at desired levels without distortion. It is recommended to utilize a balanced connection, which will increase the output and boost the quality of sound.

These headphones are made for professional use. They have a steel frame, and a mix of plastic and leather padding. The design is minimalistic and they don't look fancy, but the quality of the headphones and their build are superb. They come with a carrying case, an extra audio cable and a 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. The open-back design creates an expansive, out-of-head soundstage. The treble sound quality is superb with only minor dips and peaks. The treble region is extremely smooth, meaning you shouldn't have any issues hitting sibilants or the upper impact of a drum snare.

Despite the lack of a booming bass, they can still provide dynamism and impact when it is needed. They'll still be a great choice for those who like listening to rock music with powerful basslines, but they might not be as enjoyable as some of the other models on this list, such as the HiFiMan Arya.

In the mids they are Sennheiser headphones are hard to beat. They are extremely linear and have a slight slop in the upper mids that will not be noticed by most listeners. They also have the ability to reproduce fine time gradations in vocals which is a major plus.

The HD 800 S are a pair of exceptional headphones, ideal for audiophiles and professionals. Their exceptional sound quality and comfortable fit make them an excellent choice. The headphones are expensive but they will last you for years and perform well in any situation.

Anker Soundcore Life q20

The Anker Soundcore Q20 is a good set of headphones for anyone who wants to relax or simply need a pair of affordable headphones that block out noise. They come with a simple pouch that provides protection when you throw them in a bag and their battery can last for many long-haul flights. The ANC works well to block out noisy seatmates and engine rumbles, but 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 earcup, you'll see buttons to pair and power up the headphones, as well as turning on and off the active noise cancellation. On the right earcup, you'll find controls for playback of media. This includes a multi-function button that activates your phone's voice assistance and turns on Anker BassUp (more about that later). You can also use the built-in microphone to make calls hands-free with your phone.

Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphone shops provides a full immersive listening experience thanks to its custom 40 mm dynamic driver that offers certified Hi-Res audio. The headphones have the treble range to go up to 40 kHz. Their hybrid active noise cancelling is designed to block out a variety 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 a disappointment. This means that you won't be capable of taking advantage of the superior codec's low latency when gaming on your PC.

The Life Q20's headband and headphone online shop memory foam earcups are soft enough to be worn for long periods of time without discomfort. The ear cups can also rotate to adapt to your unique head shape. You can also listen to music via a 3.5mm cable and a microUSB connector is included to charge the battery.