Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones totally encase your ears, allowing you to be immersed in the sound. They are usually made for audiophiles, and come with features like active noise cancellation and control apps.

The Focal Bathys are a wireless pair 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 are Sony's latest upgrade to their best-in-class noise cancellation lineup. They feature a new design, improved ANC and a lot of the same features as their predecessors, but with better materials and slightly higher quality sound.

With only 250g, they're a light weight for over-ear ANC headsets. They're very comfortable to wear, even when you're listening to or reading a book. The headband is soft, and it features the same design of a friction rod as 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, the WH1000XM5's sound signature is tuned to have a slight focus on bass, but not too loud or harsh. They have a wide and open soundstage with good instrument separation that allows you to hear the details in your music. The earcups are also equipped with control buttons that are easy and responsive to use. Swipe up or down to adjust the volume. You can also swipe forward to listen to the next track and backwards to hear the prior track. The headphones can be connected to two devices at once and will automatically stop playback whenever you remove them from your head, thanks to the built-in sensor. You can turn on the ambient mode by placing your hand on the right earcup. This lets you listen to the sounds around you without having to take off the headphones.

Other useful features include the ability to pair them with your voice assistant, headphones for swimming Bluetooth low-energy, and support for high-resolution audio (via LDAC). They come with a sturdy carrying case made of premium fabric and an USB-C cable for charging. The headphones work with Android and iOS smartphones as well as computers operating Windows or macOS. The battery longevity of the WH-1000XM5 is impressive. In our standard test we were able achieve 31 hours and 53 minutes with ANC activated, which is better than Sony's advertised battery life of 30 hours.

The WH-1000XM5's mic performance on calls is exceptional and there's no distorted or static-y sound in the background. Noise cancelling is also excellent and these headphones are great for public transportation or in the office.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a major improvement over its predecessor, offering premium performance and features. It features wireless streaming with 24-bit and optimized active noise cancellation, and crystal clear voice call quality on any compatible mobile phone or tablet. The 40mm drivers that are custom-designed for the device are carefully angled inside each earcup to provide a more focused, immersive listening experience. Six strategically placed microphones ensure excellent call clarity, even in noisy environments. A remote inline and microphone lets you control your calls and music on any compatible device.

Like the original PX7 The headphones sport elegant and refined, with accent rings around each earcup as well as a silver sheen on the headband. The memory foam earcups fit snugly but not too tight on the cranium. The redesigned shape and form required a lot of time to perfect, providing an easy clamping force that isn't too hard on my own rotund cranium.

At 10.8 grams (or 307g) They weigh 2 ounces lighter than Sony WH-1000XM5, as well as a touch smaller. They're light enough for carrying in your bag or backpack without any discomfort, and they'll stay comfortable in your hand during long listening sessions. A sturdy hinge on the back of the headband allows you to fold them up for easy transportation in an enclosed case.

The headphones are powered by Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX Adaptive. This is great for high-resolution audio as well for a tight video sync. The 3.5mm cord connects to the USB-C port that is located on the right earcup. The headphone's status indicator is a helpful gesture, flashing green to indicate rapid charging and solid blue when Bluetooth pairing is in progress.

The B&W app has similar controls to the buttons on the hardware including bass and treble adjustment and assigning action buttons wear detection, a cycle through ANC modes, and more. When you listen to music on your iPhone, the app displays album covers and track titles. The most popular extras like music presets, soundscapes and music mode aren't available, however.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is a successor to the famous Sennheiser headphones, and is designed to meet the highest expectations. Its construction technology has been optimized to achieve the highest resolution in detail that covers all of the frequency spectrum as well as dynamic range and stereo panorama. It also offers the most realistic sound you'll ever experience with an open-back pair of headphones.

The headphone has an impedance of 300 ohms so it requires a high-quality headphone amplifier that can drive it to the levels you want without distortion. It is recommended to make use of a balanced connection which can increase the output and boost the sound quality.

These headphones are made to be used by professionals and feature a sturdy metal frame that is adorned with leather and plastic. The design is rather minimalist and doesn't appear like the most expensive pair of headphones, however they feel luxurious in the hands and are built well. They come with a carry pouch as well as an additional audio cable, as well as an 1/4" to 1/8" adapter.

With a neutral sound profile the HD 800 S reproduces natural vocals and instruments, although they are somewhat light on bass. This is due to the open-back design creates a spacious and out-of-head, passive soundstage. The treble is excellent with minor drops and peaks. The treble region also is linear which means you won't have any issues with piercingsibilants or even the upper bite of the drum snare.

They still have the ability to deliver as well as dynamism and impact when required, despite the absence of a powerful low-end. They'll still be enjoyable for those who love listening to rock music with strong basslines, however they may not be as fun as some of the competing models on this list such as the HiFiMan Arya.

The Sennheiser headphones have a fantastic midrange. They are straight and have a slight scoop on the upper mids, which shouldn't be noticed by most listeners. They also have the ability to reproduce precise time gradations of vocals which is a huge plus.

The HD 800 S are a pair exceptional headphones, perfect for audiophiles and professionals. Their impressive sonic performance and comfortable fit make them an excellent option. They're expensive however you're buying headphones for swimming that will last for years to be able to perform at their best in any environment.

Anker Soundcore Life Q20

The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 are a great pair of headphones that will provide the perfect solution for anyone who wants to pass the time or simply needs a cheap pair of noise-cancelling headphones running. They come with a simple pouch that provides protection when you toss them into your bag, and their battery can last for multiple long haul flights. Their ANC is capable of blocking out chattering seatmates and engine rumbles on an airplane, although their audio profile is a bit warm and bass-heavy.

The Life Q20's controls are simple to use and clearly marked. On the left ear cup you'll find buttons for powering up and pairing the headphones, as well as for turning off or on active noise cancellation. On the right ear cup there are controls for playback of media which include a multi-function button that lets you activate the voice assistant of your phone and switch on Anker's BassUp feature (more on this later). You can also make use of the built-in microphone to make calls hands-free with your phone.

Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphones deliver an immersive and deep listening experience thanks to the custom 40 mm dynamic drivers that are certified Hi-Res Audio. These headphones have a treble range that reaches up to 40 kHz. Their hybrid active noise cancelling is specifically designed to block out a broad range of mid- and low-frequency sound.

Anker Soundcore Q20 doesn't support aptX. This is a pity. This means that you won't not be able to benefit of the higher codes' lower latency while playing games on your computer.

The Life Q20's headband as well as memory foam earcups are comfortable enough to wear for long periods of time without discomfort. The ear cups are able to rotate and adjust to the specific shape of your head, so you can have a comfortable fit. You can also listen to your music with a 3.5mm cable and a microUSB cable is included to charge the battery.