Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones totally encase your ears and allow you to fully immerse in the sound. They are usually tuned for audiophiles and feature features like active noise cancellation and control applications.

The Focal Bathys is a wireless speaker that includes ANC and a mobile application to tweak the EQ and presets. They also support high-res audio for wired listening through USB-C.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH1000XM5 headphones from Sony are the most recent upgrade in their noise cancellation line-up. They sport a new design, upgraded ANC and a lot of the same features that their predecessors had but with better materials and slightly more premium sound quality.

They're light for over-ear ANC headphones, with just 250g. This makes them very comfortable to wear for long periods of time, even when you're listening to a podcast or a book. The headband is soft and it has a friction rod design like the Grado Labs SR60x that prevents your ears from getting too cold.

The WH-1000XM5 has a sound signature designed to please casual music lovers as well as serious audiophiles. It is tuned with a slight increase in bass, however it is not harsh or imposing. They feature a wide and open soundstage with good instrument separation that lets you hear details in your music. The earcups come with touch controls that are intuitive and responsive. Swipe up or down to adjust the volume. You can also swipe forward to listen to the next track, backwards to hear the previous track. The headphones can connect to two devices simultaneously and will automatically pause playback when you remove them from your head, thanks to the built-in sensor. You can activate ambient mode by placing your hand on the right ear cup. This allows you to listen to the sounds around you without removing the headphones.

They can also be linked with your voice assistant. Bluetooth low-energy is also available, as is high-resolution audio (via LDAC). The headphones come with a carrying case made of high-end fabric and an USB-C charging cable. The headphones are compatible with the majority of Android and iOS smartphones, as well as with computers that run Windows and macOS. The WH-1000XM5's battery capacity is exceptional. In our test of the standard battery we had 31 hours and 53 minute with the ANC on which was higher than Sony's advertised 30-hour battery life.

The WH1000XM5 has a great mic for voice calls. There is no muffled or static audio in the background. Noise cancelling is also excellent and these headphones are ideal for public transportation or the office.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a significant upgrade from its predecessor, providing premium performance and features. The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 offers premium performance and features, including 24bit wireless streaming, active noise cancellation optimized, and clear voice calls on any compatible mobile device or tablet. The custom-designed 40mm drivers are precisely positioned inside each earcup for an even more focused and deep listening experience. Six strategically placed microphones ensure excellent call clarity, even in noisy environments. A built-in remote and microphone allows you to control calls and music on any device that is compatible.

Similar to the original PX7 These headphones have a sleekly refined look with accent rings around each earcup, and a silver sheen on the headband. The memory foam earcups fit well, but not too tightly on the cranium. The redesigned form and shape took a long time to perfect, delivering a comfortable clamping force that isn't too hard, even on my own rotund cranium.

They are 2 ounces lighter (or 307g) and are a little smaller than the Sony WH1000XM5. The headphones are light enough to be carried in a backpack or bag and are comfortable to wear throughout long listening sessions. The headband is foldable using a sturdy hinge at the back.

The headphones are powered by Bluetooth 5.2 with the aptX Adaptive. This is ideal for high-quality audio as well for a tight video sync. The included 3.5mm cord connects to the USB-C port located on the right earcup. The status indicator on the headphone is a nice touch. It flashes green to signal rapid charging, and solid blue to indicate Bluetooth pairing.

The B&W app offers similar controls to the hardware onboard buttons such as bass and treble adjustments as well as action button assignment wear detection, a cycle through ANC modes and much more. The app also shows an album cover and track's title when you play music on your iPhone. However, popular extras like music presets or soundscapes feature aren't available.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

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

The headphone is 300 ohms in impedance, therefore a high-quality headphone amplifier will be needed to operate it at the right levels without distortion. It is recommended to make use of a balanced connection which can increase the output and boost the quality of sound.

These headphones are made for professional use. They feature a metal frame and a mix of leather and plastic padding. The design is minimalist and they don't look fancy, but the quality of the headphones and noise cancelling their construction are superb. They come with a carrying pouch and an extra audio cable as well as a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter.

With a neutral sound profile, the HD 800 S reproduces natural instruments and vocals, though 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 very good, with minor drops and peaks. The Treble region also has a linear quality, so you will not be able to deal with piercingsibilants, or the upper bite of a drum snare.

They can still provide impact, dynamism and impact in the event of need, despite the absence of a powerful low-end. These headphones are still enjoyable for those who love rock music with punchy basses, but may not sound as good as the other models on this list.

These Sennheiser headphones have a great midrange. They are a linear pair with a slight incline in the upper mids that won't 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 is a pair of headphones that are perfect for audiophiles and professionals. Their exceptional sound quality and comfortable fitting make them a great option. They're expensive however, you're getting headphones that will last for many years to be used and perform to their best in any setting.

Anker Soundcore Life q20

The Anker Soundcore Q20 is a great pair of headphones for those looking to kill time or simply want a pair of affordable headphones sale that block out noise. They come with a basic pouch that will give them some protection when you throw them in a bag and their battery is capable of lasting several long haul flights. Their ANC is capable of blocking out chattering passengers and engine rumbles when on the plane, but their audio profile is warmer and bass-heavy.

The Life Q20's controls are simple to navigate and well-marked. On the left ear cup, you'll find buttons for powering up and pairing the headphones, as well as for turning on or off active noise cancellation. On the right earcup, you'll find controls for playback of media. This includes a multi-function key that activates your phone's voice assistance and switches on Anker BassUp (more about that later). You can also utilize the built-in microphone in order to make hands-free calls with your phone.

Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphones provide an immersive and rich listening experience, due to the custom 40 mm dynamic drivers that are certified Hi-Res Audio. With a treble range that extends up to 40 kHz, these headphones can provide outstanding clarity and detail, as their active noise cancelling technology is designed to filter out an extended range of low and mid-frequency sounds.

One thing to remember about the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is that it doesn't support the aptX codec, which is disappointing. This means you will not be able take advantage of the better codes' lower latency when playing games on your computer.

In terms of comfort The Life Q20's memory foam ear cups and headbands are comfortable enough to wear for long periods of time without creating discomfort. The earcups can be rotated to accommodate the shape of your head. The included 3.5mm audio cable lets you to listen to music while charging the battery.