best over ear anc headphones Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones typically provide better battery life than earbuds. They also offer superior quality sound cancellation.

Sony's WH1000XM5s lead the pack for wireless headphones that fit over the ear. They sound great with a rich, bass-heavy audio profile that allows vocals and instruments to shine. They last for more than 40 hours on a single battery with active noise cancellation (ANC) activated.

Focal Bathys Wireless

The Focal Bathys Wireless are an audiophile-grade entry into the booming travel-focused, premium Bluetooth headphone market, a segment that has been dominating by Bose and Sony offerings. Focal's reputation as a maker of the highest quality high-fidelity speakers meant that it couldn't just cut back to compete. It decided to design its own earbuds that had built-in ANC with the same transducers, amplifiers and other components that are in its flagship products.

The result is an earbud that not only offers top-notch performance but also feels luxurious and sturdy. Focal reduced the size and weight of its premium headphones to make them more portable but still utilizing magnesium for the yokes. The design is sleek and stylish, with the circular "skeletonised" design similar to the company's high-end, full-sized Focal Celestee and Noise cancelling over ear Headphones LED backlit Focal "flame" logos on the side of each headphone that actually glow (you can turn off this feature in the app that comes with it).

When paired with your device, they run with the latest Bluetooth v5.1 technology that supports for SBC, AAC, aptX and aptX Adaptive, and an integrated DAC that supports up to 24 bits/192kHz playback. The earcups can be folded flat for easy storage. The cable can also be detached to use with devices without Bluetooth like many cell phones.

For audio enthusiasts who really know their stuff the headphones can be used in DAC mode, which bypasses the internal processing and delivers superior sound quality than the majority of Bluetooth headphones that have a built-in DAC. Focal declined to reveal the specific DAC they used, but when tested with a high-quality portable DAC/headphone amp, the Bathys delivered great results--including better-than-CD-quality resolution, tight bass, and an open, airy midrange.

The Focal Bathys are designed to be utilized on planes as well as in other noisy environments, but the DAC mode makes them suitable for more critical listening. The Bathys are an excellent alternative to closed-back headphones that are tuned for bass. They'd make a great gift for anyone who is an audiophile on your list.

JBL Tune 760NC

The JBL Tune 760NC is a lightweight comfortable pair of headphones that feature active noise cancellation. They feature a bass profile that gives your audio depth and a long battery life. They also have a durable build that is ideal for travel and commutes however, they may feel uncomfortable for long listening sessions because of their tight fit.

The headphones have a decent set of controls on the ear cups which allow you to manage your music and call settings. The headphones have buttons that adjust the volume up and down and power, ANC, and the similar. The buttons are enclosed by a small section with an LED, and you can tap on it to switch the headphone's lighting display. The headphones are comfortable and have a good fit, but they can be uncomfortable for people who wear glasses.

JBL's Active Noise Cancellation technology reduces ambient noise by analysing and interpret the sounds coming from outside of the headphone. Then, it inverts the sounds and cancels them out, resulting in an experience that is more peaceful. This lets you listen to music at lower volumes and reduce ear fatigue. The headphones have a built-in microphone, which lets you make hands-free phone calls and also activate voice assistants.

These headphones work with the majority of Bluetooth devices, including your computer and mobile phones. They're also compatible with many PS4 and Xbox One controllers to receive audio, but you won't be able to use them to connect with your co-workers. The USB port allows you to charge the devices and listen to audio through your computer.

The JBL 760NCs are made to be compact, with a compact design that folds down, making them easy to carry with you on the go. They're equipped with built-in batteries that can last up to 40 hours of continuous use, and they're equipped with noise cancelling over ear Headphones cancellation technology to block out any distractions. They can connect to two Bluetooth devices at the same time and you won't have to be unable to keep track of time when switching from watching a movie on your tablet to making a phone call.

Skullcandy Riff Wireless

Skullcandy Riff Wireless 2 are a pair on-ear Bluetooth headphones that provide the features people would expect from Bluetooth headphones. They offer an affordable price point, all-day battery life and an additional aux cable for backup, and peace of mind due to Tile finding technology. It has a simple control set on the earcup, and is able to connect wireless and wired devices. The Riff Wireless headphones come with an excellent companion application that lets you tweak your listening experience, reduce audio and video delay when connected to computers or a smart TV and create multi-device pairing.

The headphones are extremely comfortable and come with a cushioned headband. These headphones are designed for travel and commute. They can be folded up to fit easily in bags or backpacks. The tough plastic material is durable and they click when you flex or move them. Noise cancellation may be an issue for some users but they block a lot of the low rumbles from buses and the chatter of passengers.

The sound quality of these headphones is pretty good, especially considering their budget price. They don't have luscious midranges like the more expensive models but they do have decent overall detail at most volumes. The bass is powerful and punchy, whereas the highs are a bit soft, but not loud and stout. They are excellent for pop and rock but they may not be the ideal choice for genres that have full, deep bass.

Comparing to the previous version of these headphones, the Riff Wireless 2 have more features. They have an unison sound profile, which may appeal to some users. They also have better microphone performance and support multiple devices. They also support an increased volume and have a longer battery life.

These headphones are good but they don't provide the same level comfort like other Skullcandy products, such as the Hesh 3 Wireless. These headphones are still a good option for most users but they're not the most suitable for use in a gym or on a run. They can fall off when doing high-intensity exercises.

Razer Opus

The Opus is the first effort by Razer at making a high-quality, lifestyle headphone. It's a fantastic product. Its target audience is likely to be a lot larger than gamers and offers quality that rivals top-of-the-line models from Sony and Bose at a price that is affordable.

The design is somewhat restrained, even by Razer's standards. There is no RGB lighting, and there are no signature green accents. And the Tri-Snake is not visible. The headset is similar to any other Bluetooth headset, with semicircle hinges that fold flat and pivot over the earcups, forming an adjustable and comfortable headband. The headsets are also lighter and more portable than other gaming headphones, with a weight of only 265g when folded.

Onboard controls are located on the right earcup with track and power buttons, as well as a recessed multi-function button which doubles as an active noise-cancellation cycle button. The controls are simple to press and responsive and they worked as advertised in my tests.

The Opus bass is an energizing, well-rounded sound with depth and clarity that you can't get from many budget headphones. The sound is not as full-bodied as Bose's Extra Bass, but it's still above expectations for a $200 price tag. The mids are a solid sound, and vocals and the lead instruments be heard clearly with good clarity. I did notice a small veiledness to highs however changing the EQ to the Vocal setting fixed the issue.

As an added bonus as a bonus, you'll find a 3.5mm analog cable and USB-C-to-A adapter inside the case, as well as an ordinary airplane audio jack for those who haven't yet made the switch to all-cable audio. It's a small, but appreciated addition that makes it easier to use headphones when traveling.

The Opus performed admirably as did other THX certified products. I was able to walk around town with the ANC turned on without having to increase the volume to drown out ambient noise and I never felt the need to play my music at a higher volume to hear it. This is the type of sound quality that can help you avoid hearing loss due to excessive exposure to high-frequency frequencies.