Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones typically have a longer battery life than earbuds. They also offer superior noise cancellation.

Sony's WH1000XM5s are the best over ear apple headphones-ear headphones that feature wireless technology. They sound great thanks to their rich, bass-heavy audio profile that allows vocals as well as instruments to shine. They last for over ear noise cancelling headphones 40 hours on a single battery with active noise cancelling (ANC) turned on.

Focal Bathys Wireless

The Focal Bathys Wireless are an audiophile-grade entry in the booming travel-focused, premium Bluetooth headphone market, which has been dominated by Bose and Sony products. Focal's reputation for producing the best high-fidelity speakers meant that it couldn't just scale down in order to be competitive. It decided to create its own earbuds with built-in ANC made of the same amplifiers, transducers, and other components as its flagship products.

The result is a pair that not only is top-of-the-line in performance but also feels luxurious and sturdy. Focal reduced the size and weight of its more expensive headphones to make them more portable, while still using magnesium for the yokes. The design is sleek and stylish with the circular "skeletonised" design that is similar to the company's high-end, full-sized Focal Celestee as well as LED backlit Focal "flame" logos on the side of each headphone that actually glow (you can switch this feature within the accompanying app).

When connected to your device, they operate on the most recent Bluetooth v5.1 technology that supports for SBC, AAC, aptX and aptX Adaptive, and an integrated DAC that supports up to 24-bit/192kHz playback. The ear cups fold flat for easy storage, and the cable can be detachable to use with other devices that don't have Bluetooth as well as many cell phones.

The headphones can also be used in DAC mode, which disables internal processing to produce superior Gaming sound quality than Bluetooth headphones with built-in DACs. 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 specifically designed to be used in planes and other noisy environments, but the DAC mode also allows for attentive listening. The Bathys are an excellent alternative to closed-back headphones that are tuned to bass. These would make an excellent gift for any audiophiles on your list.

JBL Tune 760NC

The JBL Tune 760NC is a lightweight and comfortable pair of headphones that have active noise cancellation. They feature a bass profile that gives your audio depth and an extended battery life. They also have a sturdy construction that is ideal for travel and commutes however they can be uncomfortable during long listening sessions due to their tight fit.

The headphones come with a set control that you can use to control the music and your call settings. They include buttons for volume levels up down, power, and ANC off and on. The buttons are surrounded by a small section of LED and you can tap it to alter the light display. The headphones offer a comfortable fit and are well-padded but they clamp quite tightly on your head and might be uncomfortable for listeners who wear glasses.

JBL's Active Noise Cancellation Technology reduces ambient sound by analyzing and understanding the sounds coming from outside the headphone. It then inverts these sounds and blocks them out, creating a quieter listening space. This lets you listen at a lower volume and prevents ear fatigue. The headphones are equipped with a microphone, which lets you make calls hands-free and gaming also activate voice assistants.

These headphones are compatible with the majority of Bluetooth devices, including your computer and mobile phones. These headphones work with the majority of PS4 and Xbox One Controllers for receiving audio but not for communication with your teammates. They also come with an USB port for charging and streaming audio from your computer.

The JBL 760NCs were designed to be lightweight, with a compact design that folds down, making them easy to carry on the go. They're equipped with built-in batteries that can last for up to 40 hours of continuous usage and are equipped with noise cancellation technology that blocks out distracting sounds. They can connect to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously, so you don't have to wait for a second when switching from watching a film on your tablet to making a phone call.

Skullcandy Riff Wireless 2

Skullcandy Riff Wireless 2 are a pair of on-ear Bluetooth headphones that offer what people expect from Bluetooth headphones. They come at a reasonable cost, come with an extremely long-lasting battery, an additional cable backup, and provide peace of mind thanks to Tile-finding technology. It also has an easy set of controls on the earcups and connects to both wired and wireless devices. The Riff Wireless headphones come with an excellent companion application that lets you tweak your listening experience, decrease the delay in video and audio when paired with a smart television or computer and create multi-device pairing.

These headphones are very comfortable and come with a cushioned headband. These headphones are made 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 cancelling may be an issue for some users, but they do block some of the low rumbles that come from buses and passengers chatter.

The headphones are of decent audio quality, especially considering their price. The midranges are not as rich as the more expensive headphones, but they do have decent detail at most volume levels. The bass is very powerful and has plenty of punch, and the highs are slightly dispersed, but not overly so. They're great for rock and pop but they may not be the best option for genres with full, deep bass.

Compared to the older version of these headphones, the Riff Wireless 2 have more features. They have a neutral sound profile that may appeal to some users as well as a more efficient microphone and support multi-device pairing. They also support an increased volume and have longer battery life.

They're good headphones, but they don't offer the same level of comfort as other Skullcandy products, such as the Hesh 3 Wireless. These headphones are an excellent choice for the majority of users, but they're not necessarily the best for active use. They can be prone to falling off during intense exercises.

Razer Opus

The Opus is the first effort by Razer at creating a lifestyle headphone. It's a fantastic product. Its target market is likely to be much broader than gamers and it comes with a premium sound that is comparable to top of the line models from Sony and Bose at a price that is affordable.

The design is a bit more restrained than Razer standards: there's no RGB lighting or signature green accents and the Tri-Snake logo is not to be visible. Instead, the headset appears similar to other Bluetooth headphones, with semicircle hinges which swivel and fold flat on the top of the earcups, creating an incredibly comfortable headband. They're also lighter and portable than most gaming headsets, weighing just 265g when folded.

On the right earcup is the onboard controls. Controls for track and power buttons are located next to a multi-function button which is recessed into it and doubles as a noise-cancellation button. The controls were easy to use. They worked as they were advertised during my testing.

The Opus bass has an energizing, well-rounded sound with depth and clarity that you can't get from many budget headphones. It's not as full as Bose's Extra Bass headphones, but it still exceeds expectations for headphones in the $200 price point. Vocals and lead instruments are heard with good clarity. The mids are also solid. I did notice a little low-end slackness, however switching the EQ to Vocal resolved the issue.

As a bonus as a bonus, you'll find an 3.5mm analog cable and USB-C-to-A adapter inside the case, along with an audio jack for airplanes that is standard for those who haven't yet switched to all-cable audio. It's a tiny, but a welcome addition to make it easier to use headphones when traveling.

The Opus performed flawlessly, just like other THX certified products. I was able to walk around town with the ANC turned on without the need to increase volume to drown out ambient noise and I never felt the need to increase the volume of my music to hear it. This is the kind of quality that can help you avoid hearing loss due to excessive exposure to high-frequency frequencies.