Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones completely encapsulate your ears to immerse you in the sound. They are generally designed for audiophiles and come with 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 upgrade in their noise cancellation line-up. The headphones feature a brand new design and have improved ANC. They also come with many of the same features, but they have higher-end sound quality and better materials.

At only 250g, they're a light weight for over-ear ANC headsets. They are very comfortable to wear, even when you're listening to or reading a book. The headband is supple, and it has the same design of a friction rod as the Grado Labs SR60x that prevents your ears from getting too cold.

With an audio quality that can satisfy casual music listeners and serious audiophiles, the WH-1000XM5's sonic signature is tuned to have a slight emphasis on bass but is not too loud or harsh. They have a wide and spacious soundstage that has excellent instrument separation that allows you to hear the details 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 song or backwards to hear the prior track. The headphones can be used for 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 turn on ambient mode by placing your hand on the right earcup. This lets you listen to the sounds around you without having to remove the headphones.

Other features that are useful include the possibility of pairing them with your voice assistant, Bluetooth low-energy, and support for hi-res audio (via LDAC). The headphones come with a carrying case made of top quality fabric and the USB-C charging cable. The headphones work with Android and iOS smartphones, as well as computers operating Windows or macOS. The battery life of the WH-1000XM5 is excellent. In our test of the standard battery, we got 31 hours and 53 minutes with the ANC on, which was better than Sony's advertised 30 hours battery life.

The WH1000XM5 comes with a fantastic microphone for making calls. There is no muffled or static audio in the background. Noise cancellation is also great and these headphones are great for public transportation and the office.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a major improvement over its predecessor, offering top-quality performance and features. The Bowers & Wilkins S2 offers premium performance and features, including 24-bit wireless streaming, active noise cancellation optimized, and clear voice calls on any compatible mobile or tablet. Its custom-designed 40mm drivers are carefully placed inside each earcup for an enhanced, more deep listening experience. Six strategically placed microphones provide outstanding clarity for calls even in noisy environments. An inline remote and microphone lets you manage your music and calls on any device compatible with it.

Similar to the PX7's original design, Online Headphone Shopping these headphones are a sleekly refined look, with accent rings around each earcup and a silver sheen on the headband. The memory foam earcups fit snugly but not too tight on the cranium. The new design and shape took a long time to perfect, and provides an easy clamping force that isn't too hard even on my own cranium that is rotund.

At 10.8 pounds (or 307g), they're 2 ounces lighter than Sony WH-1000XM5, and are just a little thinner. They're light enough to carry in your backpack or bag without any discomfort, and will remain comfortably in place for long listens. The headband can be folded up by using a sturdy hinge on the back.

The headphones are powered by Bluetooth 5.2 and the aptX Adaptive. This is ideal for high-quality audio as well as tight 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 a useful touch with a green flash to indicate rapid charging and solid blue when Bluetooth pairing is in use.

The B&W App has the same features that the hardware onboard buttons offer such as bass and treble adjustments, action button assignments wear detection, a cycle of ANC modes and more. The app also shows an album cover and track's title when you play music on your iPhone. Popular extras such as music presets and soundscapes mode are not available, however.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is the successor of the iconic headphones by Sennheiser, and it is designed to meet highest expectations. Its construction technology has been optimized to achieve an impressive detail resolution that encompasses all of the frequency spectrum dynamic range, as well as stereo panorama. It also provides the most realistic sound you'll hear with an open-back pair of headphones.

The online headphone Shopping has 300 ohms of impedance, therefore a high-quality headphone amplifier is required to operate it at the right levels without distortion. A balanced connection is recommended, since this can double the output power and improve the overall sound quality.

These headphones are designed for professional use. They have a metal frame and a mix of leather and plastic padding. The design is rather minimalist and doesn't look like the most expensive pair of headphones, however they feel luxurious in the hands and are built well. 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 with naturality, although they are a bit light on bass. This is due to the open-back design creates a large and out-of-head passive soundstage. The treble sound quality is superb, with only minor peaks and dips. The treble region also has a linearity, so you will not have issues with piercingsibilants or the upper bite of the drum snare.

They can still provide impact and dynamism in the event of need, despite the absence of a booming low-end. These headphones are still great for those who enjoy rock music with punchy basses however they might not sound as good as some of the other models on this list.

In the mids in the mids, these Sennheiser merchandise headphones are difficult to beat. They are extremely linear, with a slight scoop in the upper mids, which shouldn't be noticeable to most listeners. They also can reproduce precise time gradations, which is a benefit.

The HD 800 S are a pair of exceptional headphones, ideal for audiophiles and professionals. They're a top choice due to their exceptional sound quality and comfortable fit. They are expensive, but you're paying for a pair of headphones that will last for years to be able to perform at their best in any environment.

Anker Soundcore Life Q20

The Anker Soundcore Q20 is a great set of headphones for online headphone shopping anyone looking to pass the time or just want a pair of affordable headphones that block out noise. The headphones come with a simple bag that protects them when you put them in the bag. Their battery can last for several long-haul flights. The ANC is a great way to block out loud passengers and engine rumbles. However, their audio profile is a bit warmer and bass-heavy.

The Life Q20's controls are simple to use and clearly marked. On the left earcup, there are buttons for pairing and powering up the headphones, as well as turning on or off the active noise cancellation. On the right earcup, you'll find media playback controls, including a multi-function button that allows you to activate your phone's voice assistant and enable Anker's BassUp feature (more on this later). The built-in mic can be used to make hands-free phone calls.

Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphones provide an immersive and deep listening experience, due to the custom 40 mm dynamic drivers that offer certified Hi-Res Audio. With a treble that stretches up to 40 kHz they offer exceptional clarity and detail, while their active noise cancelling technology is designed to filter out a wider range of mid- and low-frequency sounds.

One thing to remember about the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is that they do not support the aptX codec, which is disappointing. This means that you won't not be able to take advantage of the superior codes' lower latency while playing on your computer.

The Life Q20's headband and memory foam ear cups are comfortable enough to wear for long periods of time without discomfort. The ear cups also be rotated to accommodate your individual head shape. You can also listen to music with a 3.5mm cable and a microUSB cable is provided for charging the battery.