Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones are designed to surround your ears and immerse you in sound. They are typically tuned for audiophiles, and include features such as active noise cancellation 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 for wired listening via USB-C.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH-1000XM5 headphones from Sony are the most recent upgrade to their top-of-the-line noise cancellation range. They sport a new design, enhanced ANC and a lot of the same features that their predecessors had but with premium materials and slightly more premium sound quality.

At only 250g, they're a light weight for over-ear ANC headsets. They're very comfortable to wear, even if you're listening to or reading a book. The headband features a friction rod design that is similar to the Grado Labs SR60x, which prevents your ears getting too cold.

The WH-1000XM5 comes with a distinct sonic signature that is designed to please people who listen to music for pleasure as and serious audiophiles. It is tuned with a slight focus in bass, but it is not harsh or overpowering. They have a wide and wide soundstage, with good instrument separation that allows you to hear specifics in your music. The earcups feature 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 song and reverse to hear the previous track. The headphones can be used for connecting to two devices at once and due to an inbuilt sensor, they will automatically pause the playback if removed from your head. You can turn on ambient mode by placing your palm on the right-ear cup. This lets you listen to the sounds around you without having to remove 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 premium fabric, and the USB-C charging cable. The headphones are compatible with Android and iOS smartphones as well as computers operating Windows or macOS. The WH-1000XM5's battery life is superb. In our battery test we recorded 31 hours and 53 minute with the ANC on which was more than Sony's advertised 30 hours battery life.

The WH1000XM5 is a great mic for voice calls. There's no static or muffled audio in the background. Noise-canceling 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 major improvement over its predecessor, delivering premium performance and features. The Bowers and Wilkins PX7 S2 comes with premium performance and features like 24-bit wireless streaming, active noise cancellation optimized, and clear voice calls on any compatible mobile or tablet. The 40mm drivers, which are designed specifically and angled to fit in each earcup, give you a more complete and focused listening experience. Six strategically placed microphones provide excellent call clarity, buy earphones even in noisy environments. A built-in remote and microphone lets you control music and calls from any compatible device.

The headphones sport a similar elegant and buy earphones sleek design to the original PX7. They feature accent rings around the earcups, as well as a silver-colored headband. The earcups are cushioned using memory foam and fit snugly on the cranium, yet don't feel tight. The new design and shape was developed over the course of several months and provides a soft clamping pressure that isn't into my rotund skull.

They weigh 2 ounces less (or 307g) and a little thinner than the Sony WH1000XM5. The headphones are lightweight enough to fit in a bag or backpack and stay in place comfortably throughout long listening sessions. A strong hinge on the back of the headband lets you to fold them where to buy earphones make it easy to transport them in the protective case.

They're powered by Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX Adaptive support, which is good for both high-resolution audio and tight 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 headphone's status indicator is a helpful gesture, flashing green to indicate rapid charge and solid blue when Bluetooth pairing is active.

The B&W App offers the same features that the buttons on the hardware provide including bass and treble adjustment, action button assignments, wear detection, a cycle of ANC modes as well as other features. When you play music on your iPhone, the app displays album covers and track titles. However, the most popular features like music presets and soundscapes feature are not available.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is a successor to the legendary Sennheiser headphones and was designed to meet the highest expectations. Its technical construction was optimized to achieve a breath-taking detail resolution that covers the entire frequency spectrum, dynamic range and stereo panorama. It also delivers the most realistic sound you'll ever hear with an open-back pair of 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 use a balanced connection, which can increase the output and enhance 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 rather minimalist and doesn't resemble the most expensive pair of headphones, but they feel premium in the hand and are built to last. They come with a carrying pouch as well as an additional audio cable as well as a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter.

With a neutral sound profile, Wireless headphones online the HD 800 S reproduces natural vocals and instruments, although they are somewhat light on bass. The open-back design produces an expansive, out-of-head soundstage. The treble is very good, with minor drops and peaks. The treble region is also extremely smooth, meaning you won't have issues with cutting sibilants, or the upper sound of the snare drum.

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

In the mids, these Sennheiser headphones are difficult to beat. They are a linear pair with an incline on the upper mids, which shouldn't be noticed by the majority of listeners. They also reproduce precise time gradations in vocals which is a huge benefit.

The HD 800 S are a pair of exceptional headphones, ideal for audiophiles and professionals. Their impressive sonic performance and comfortable fit make them a top option. The headphones are costly, but they'll last for a long time and will perform in any situation.

Anker Soundcore Life Q20

The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 are a decent pair of headphones that will be a great choice for anyone looking to kill some time or just wants an affordable pair of noise-cancelling headphones. The headphones come with a basic bag that will protect them when you put them in a bag. Their battery can last for a long time on long-haul flights. Their ANC does a great job of blocking out chattering passengers and engine rumbles on the plane, but their audio profile is a little heavy and warm.

The Life Q20's controls can be easy to use and are well-marked. On the left ear cup you'll find buttons to power up and pair the headphones and 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 assistant and also turns on Anker BassUp (more about that later). The built-in microphone can be used to make hands-free phone calls.

Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphones provides a full, immersive listening experience thanks to its custom 40 mm dynamic driver that provides certified Hi-Res audio. With a treble that extends up to 40 kHz, these headphones offer exceptional clarity and clarity, while their active noise cancelling technology is designed to filter out a wider range of low and mid-frequency sounds.

One thing to keep in mind about the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is that they don't support aptX, which is disappointing. This means that you will not be able take advantage of the higher codes' lower latency when gaming on your computer.

The Life Q20's headband as well as memory foam ear cups are comfortable enough to be worn for extended periods of time without discomfort. The ear cups also rotate to adjust to the shape of your head. The included 3.5mm audio cable allows you to listen to music while charging the battery.