Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones completely surround your ears, allowing you to be immersed in the sound. They are generally designed for audiophiles and include features such as active noise cancelling and control apps.

The Focal Bathys are a wireless pair with ANC and a mobile application to adjust the EQ and presets. They also support high-res audio through USB-C for wired listening.

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 many of the same features that their predecessors had but with higher-end materials and a slightly higher quality sound.

At only 250g, they are lightweight for over-ear ANC headsets. They're extremely comfortable to wear, even if you're reading or listening to a book. The headband is soft, and it features a friction rod design like the Grado Labs SR60x that prevents your ears from becoming too cold.

With an audio quality that will please people who listen to music for no reason and serious audiophiles, WH-1000XM5's signature is tuned to have a slight focus on bass but is not excessively loud or harsh. The earphones feature a wide and spacious soundstage, with excellent instrument separation. This lets you listen to the subtleties of your music. The earcups come with 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 track, reverse to hear the previous track. The headphones can be connected to two devices simultaneously, and will automatically stop playback when you remove them from your head, thanks to the built-in sensor. You can turn on ambient mode by placing your hand on the right-ear cup. This allows you to hear the sounds around you without removing the headphones bose.

They can also be paired with your voice assistant. Bluetooth low-energy is also supported, as is high-resolution audio (via LDAC). The headphones come with a carry case made of premium fabric, and an USB-C charging cable. The headphones work with most Android and iOS smartphones and computers running Windows and macOS. The battery life of the WH-1000XM5 is exceptional. In our most basic test we were able to get 31 hours and 53 minutes with ANC turned on which is more than Sony's advertised battery duration of 30 hours.

The WH1000XM5 comes with a fantastic microphone that can be used for voice calls. There is no muffled or static audio in the background. The noise cancellation performance is excellent and they're a perfect option for public transport as well as 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 PX7 S2 offers premium performance and features, including 24-bit wireless streaming and active noise cancellation optimized and headphones clear voice calls on any compatible mobile or tablet. The 40mm drivers, which are custom-designed and angled to fit in each earcup, give you a more complete and focused listening experience. Six strategically placed microphones ensure excellent call clarity, even in noisy environments. A built-in remote and microphone lets you control calls and music on any device compatible with it.

The headphones have a sleek and refined look to the original PX7. They feature accent rings around the earcups and a silver-colored headband. The earcups are cushioned by memory foam and sit comfortably on the cranium, yet they never feel tight. The new design and shape took a long time to perfect, delivering a comfortable clamping force that doesn't press too hard on my own rotund cranium.

They're 2 ounces lighter (or 307g) and are a little smaller than the Sony WH1000XM5. The headphones are lightweight enough to fit in a backpack or bag and are comfortable to wear for long listening sessions. The headband is foldable by using a sturdy hinge on the back.

They're powered by Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX Adaptive support, which is good for high-resolution audio and fast video sync. You can also play them wired too, using the included 3.5mm cable that connects to the USB-C port 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 signal Bluetooth pairing.

The B&W app has the same features as the hardware onboard buttons including bass and treble adjustment as well as action button assignment wear detection, the ability to cycle through ANC modes and much more. The app also shows an album cover and track title when you play music from your iPhone. The most popular extras like music presets and soundscapes mode are missing, however.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is a successor to the legendary Sennheiser headphones and is designed to meet the highest expectations. Its technical construction has been optimized to achieve the highest resolution in detail that covers all the spectrum of frequencies dynamic range, as well as stereo panorama. It delivers the most realistic audio you'll hear on headphones with open backs.

The headphone has 300 ohms of impedance, so a good headphone amplifier is needed to drive it at desired levels without distortion. A balanced connection is recommended because it will increase the power output and increase the overall sound quality.

These headphones are designed for professional use. They have a metal frame and a mix of plastic and leather padding. The design is minimalist and doesn't look extravagant, but the quality of the headphones and their build are superb. They come with a carry pouch and an additional audio cable as well as an 1/4" to 1/8" adapter.

With an unison sound profile, the HD 800 S reproduces natural vocals and instruments, although they are a bit light on bass. This is because the open-back design creates a spacious and out-of-head soundstage. The treble is excellent, with minor peaks and drops. The region of the treble has a linearity, so you will not have any issues with piercingsibilants or even the upper bite of a drum snare.

Even with the absence of high-pitched bass, they still produce a punch and dynamism when it is needed. These headphones are still enjoyable for those who like rock music with a punchy bass however they might not sound as great as some of the other models on this list.

These Sennheiser headphones have a fantastic mid-range. They are extremely linear and have a slight scoop in the upper mids that shouldn't be noticeable to most listeners. They are also able to reproduce precise time gradations in vocals, which is a big plus.

The HD 800 S is a pair of premium headphones that are ideal for professionals and audiophiles. They're a top choice due to their exceptional audio quality and comfortable fit. They are expensive however you're buying headphones that will last for many years to be used and perform at their best in any environment.

Anker Soundcore Life q20

The Anker Soundcore Q20 is a good set of headphones for anyone looking to kill time or just want an affordable set of headphones that block out noise. The headphones come with a basic case which protects them when you throw them into bags. The battery will last multiple long-haul flights. Their ANC is capable of blocking out chatty seatmates and engine rumbles when on a plane, though their audio profile is heavy and warm.

The controls on the Life Q20 are well-marked and easy to use. On the left earcup, you'll see buttons for pairing and powering up the headphones, as well as turning on or off the active noise cancellation. On the right ear cup there are controls for playing back media which include a multi-function button which lets you turn on the voice assistant of your phone and enable Anker's BassUp feature (more on that later). The built-in microphone can be used to make calls using hands-free technology.

Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphones provides a full, immersive listening experience thanks to its custom 40 mm dynamic driver that offers certified Hi-Res audio. These headphones have a treble range that reaches up to 40 kHz. Their hybrid active noise cancellation is designed to filter out a wide range of low- and mid-frequency sound.

Anker Soundcore Q20 doesn't support aptX. This is a disappointment. This means that you won't be able to take advantage of the superior codec's low latency when playing games on your PC.

In terms of comfort In terms of comfort, the Life Q20's memory foam ear cups and headbands are comfortable enough to wear for extended periods of time without creating discomfort. The earcups are capable of turning and adjust to the specific shape of your head so you can have a comfortable fit. The included 3.5mm audio cable lets you to listen to music while charging the battery.