Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones completely encapsulate your ears, allowing you to be immersed in sound. They are typically tuned for audiophiles and come with features like active noise cancellation and control apps.

The Focal Bathys is a wireless pair that comes with ANC as well as a mobile app to alter the EQ and presets. They also support high-res audio for wired listening via USB-C.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH-1000XM5 headphones are Sony's latest addition to their top-of-the-line noise cancellation range. They have a fresh new design, improved ANC, and many of the same features that their predecessors had but with higher-end materials and a slightly higher quality sound.

They're light for over-ear ANC headphones, with 250 grams. This makes them extremely comfortable to wear for long periods of time, whether you're listening to a podcast or book. The headband is a friction-rod design similar to the Grado Labs SR60x, which will keep your ears from becoming too cold.

With an audio quality that is able to please those who enjoy music casually and audiophiles, the WH1000XM5's sound signature is tuned to have a slight emphasis on bass but is not overpowering or harsh. They have a large and spacious soundstage that has good instrument separation, which lets you hear subtleties in your music. The earcups are also equipped with touch controls, which are easy to use. Swipe up or down to change the volume. You can also swipe forward to listen to the next song and backwards to hear the prior 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 enable the ambient mode by placing your palm on the right ear cup. This allows you to hear the sounds around you without removing the headphones.

Other useful features include the ability to pair them with your voice assistant, Bluetooth low-energy, Bluetooth Headphones Jbl and support for high-resolution audio (via LDAC). The headphones sennheiser come with a carrying case made of high-end fabric and an 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 awe-inspiring. In our battery test we recorded 31 hours and 53 minutes with the ANC on which was more than Sony's advertised 30-hour battery life.

The WH1000XM5 is a great microphone that can be used for voice calls. There is no static or muffled audio in the background. The noise cancellation is top-quality and they're a perfect fit for public transport or the office.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a major upgrade over its predecessor. It comes with a variety of new features and improved performance. It includes wireless streaming at 24 bits, optimized active noise cancellation, and crystal clear voice quality on any compatible tablet or mobile phone. The 40mm drivers, which are designed specifically and angled in each earcup, give you a more immersive and focused listening experience. Six strategically placed microphones provide exceptional call clarity even in noisy environments. A built-in remote and microphone allows you to control calls and music on any compatible device.

The headphones have a elegant and sleek design to the original PX7. They feature accent rings around the earcups and a silver-colored headband. The earcups are cushioned by memory foam and fit comfortably on the cranium but don't feel tight. The redesigned form and shape took a long time to perfect, delivering an incredibly comfortable clamping force that doesn't push too hard even on my own rotund cranium.

At 10.8 pounds (or 307g), they're 2 ounces lighter than Sony WH-1000XM5, and a touch thinner. They're light enough to fit in your bag or backpack without much discomfort, and will remain comfortably in place for long listening sessions. The headband can be folded up using a sturdy hinge at the back.

The headphones are powered by Bluetooth Headphones Jbl 5.2 and aptX Adaptive. This is ideal for high-quality audio as well as tight video sync. The included 3.5mm cord connects to the USB-C port on the right earcup. The headphone's status indicator is a helpful feature with a green flash to indicate rapid charge and solid blue when Bluetooth pairing is in progress.

The B&W app has the same controls as the buttons on the hardware such as bass and treble adjustments and assigning action buttons wear detection, a cycle through ANC modes and much more. The app also displays an album cover and track's title when you play music from your iPhone. The most popular extras like music presets and a soundscapes 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. The design and construction of the headphones is optimized to give the highest resolution in detail that covers all of the frequency spectrum dynamic range, as well as stereo panorama. It also provides the most realistic spatial sound you'll hear with an open-back pair of headphones.

The headphone has an impedance of 300 ohms, which means it requires a top-quality headphone amplifier to drive it at the right levels, without distortion. It is recommended to make use of a balanced connection which will increase the output and enhance the quality of sound.

These headphones are made for professional use. They have a steel frame and a mixture of leather and plastic padding. The design is simple and doesn't look like an expensive pair of headphones, but they feel luxurious in the hand and are well-built. They come with a carry case, an additional audio cable, and an adapter from 1/4" to 1-/8" adapter.

The HD 800 S has a neutral sound that reproduces instruments and vocals with naturality, though they are a little less bass-y. This is because the open-back design creates a large and out-of-head, passive soundstage. Their treble performance is excellent, with only minor dips and peaks. The Treble region also is linear, so you will not have any issues with piercingsibilants or even the upper bite of the drum snare.

Even with the absence of booming bass, they can still deliver impact and dynamism when required. These headphones are still great for those who enjoy rock music with a punchy bass, but may not be as impressive as other models on this list.

The Sennheiser headphones have a fantastic midrange. They are straight and have an incline on the upper mids, which won't be noticed by the majority of listeners. They also have the ability to reproduce precise time gradations in vocals which is a major benefit.

The HD 800 S are a pair of outstanding headphones, ideal for audiophiles and professionals. Their outstanding sonic performance and comfortable fit make them an excellent choice. The headphones are costly, however they will last for a long time and will perform in any situation.

Anker Soundcore Life Q20

The Anker Soundcore Q20 is a decent pair of headphones for those looking to pass the time or just want a pair of affordable headphones that cancel out noise. They come with a basic bag which will provide protection when you toss them into a bag, and their battery can last for several long haul flights. The ANC can effectively block out noisy passengers and engine rumbles, but their audio profile is a little warm and bass-heavy.

The Life Q20's controls are easy to use and clearly marked. On the left ear cup you'll find buttons to power up and pair the headphones and to turn off or on active noise cancellation. On the right ear cup there are controls for playing back media that include a multi-function switch that allows you to activate the voice assistant on your phone and switch on Anker's BassUp feature (more on this later). You can also use the built-in microphone to make hands-free calls with your phone.

Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphones deliver an immersive and deep listening experience, thanks to the custom 40mm dynamic drivers that offer certified Hi-Res Audio. With a treble range that extends up to 40 kHz, these headphones can provide outstanding clarity and clarity, while their active noise cancellation technology is designed to block out a wide range of low and mid-frequency sounds.

Anker Soundcore Q20 does not support aptX. This is disappointing. This means you won't in a position to benefit from the superior codec's lower latency when you're playing games on your PC.

In terms of comfort In terms of comfort, the Life Q20's memory foam earcups and headband are comfortable enough to wear for long periods of time without creating discomfort. The earcups can rotate to adapt to your unique head shape. The included 3.5mm audio cable lets you to listen to music while charging the battery.