Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones are designed to surround your ears and immerse you into music. They are generally made for audiophiles and include features such as active noise cancellation and control apps.

The Focal Bathys are a wireless device that comes with ANC and a mobile app for tweaking 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 latest model in their noise cancelling lineup. They feature a new design, enhanced ANC and a lot of the same features that their predecessors had but with higher-end materials and a slightly more premium sound quality.

At just 250g, they are lightweight for over-ear ANC headsets. They're very comfortable to wear for long periods of time, even when you're listening to a podcast 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.

With a sound quality that can satisfy those who enjoy music casually and audiophiles, the WH-1000XM5's sonic signature is tuned to have a slight emphasis on bass but is not excessively loud or harsh. They have a large and spacious soundstage that has excellent instrument separation that allows you to hear the subtleties in your music. The earcups feature touch controls that are intuitive and responsive. Swipe forward to play the next track, then back to hear the previous one, and up and down to control the volume. The headphones can connect to two devices simultaneously and will automatically pause playback when you take them off your head due to the built-in sensor. You can also activate ambient mode by placing your palm on the right ear cup, which allows you to listen to what's happening around you, without taking off the headphones.

They can also be linked with your voice assistant. Bluetooth low-energy is also supported, as well as high-resolution audio (via LDAC). They come with a durable carrying case made of top quality fabric, as well as a USB-C cable for charging. The headphones are compatible with Android and iOS smartphones as well as computers running Windows or macOS. The WH-1000XM5's life expectancy is superb. In our most basic test we were able achieve 31 hours and 53 minutes when the ANC turned on which is more than Sony's advertised battery time of 30 hours.

The WH-1000XM5's microphone performance on calls is superb and there's no distorted or static-y sounding 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 offers a significant upgrade over its predecessor. It comes with a variety of new features and performance. The Bowers and Wilkins PX7 S2 is a premium model with a variety of features like 24-bit wireless streaming with active noise cancellation that is optimized, and clear voice calls on any compatible mobile device or tablet. The 40mm drivers that are custom-designed for the device are precisely positioned inside each earcup to create an even more focused and immersive listening experience. Six carefully placed microphones offer exceptional call clarity, even in noisy environments. A built-in microphone and remote allows you to control calls and music on any device that is compatible.

The headphones sport a similar elegant and sleek design to the original PX7. They have accent rings around the earcups, and a silver sheen for the headband. The memory foam earcups fit well, but not too tightly on the cranium. The redesigned form and shape required a lot of time to perfect, and provides an incredibly comfortable clamping force that isn't too hard even on my own cranium that is rotund.

At 10.8 ounces (or 307g) They weigh 2 ounces lighter that the Sony WH-1000XM5, and just a little smaller. They're light enough to fit in your backpack or bag without any discomfort, and will stay comfortably in place during long listening sessions. A strong hinge on the back of the headband lets you to fold them for easy transportation in a protective case.

The headphones are powered by Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX Adaptive. This is great for high-resolution audio as well as tight video sync. You can play them wired too, using the included 3.5mm cable that connects to a USB-C port on the right earcup. The status indicator on the earphone is a nice touch. It flashes green to indicate rapid charging and solid blue to indicate Bluetooth pairing.

The B&W App has the same features that the onboard buttons in the hardware offer such as bass and treble adjustments, action button assignments wear detection, the ability to cycle through ANC modes, etc. The app also displays an album cover and track's name when you play music on your iPhone. However, some popular features such as music presets or soundscapes feature are not available.

Sennheiser HD 800 S


The HD 800 S is the successor of the iconic headphones from Sennheiser, and it is designed to meet the most demanding requirements. Its engineering was designed to give stunning detail resolution that covers the entire frequency spectrum, dynamic range, and stereo panorama. It also offers the most realistic spatial sound you'll hear in a pair of open-back headphones.

The headphone is 300 ohms in impedance, so a good headphone amplifier is required to ensure it is operating at the desired levels without distortion. headphone online shop is recommended to use a balanced connection, which can increase the output and enhance the sound quality.

These headphones are designed for professional use. They have a steel frame, and a mix of plastic and leather padding. The design is rather minimalist and doesn't look like an expensive pair of headphones, however they feel luxurious in the hand and are built well. 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 vocals and instruments with a natural sound, even however they are light on bass. The open-back design results in an expansive out-of-head soundstage. The treble performance is outstanding, with only minor peaks and dips. The treble region is also extremely linear, which means you shouldn't have any issues piercing sibilants and the upper impact of a snare drum.

They can still provide impact and dynamism when required, despite the absence of a booming low-end. These headphones are still great for those who love rock music that has punchy bass, but may not sound as good as the other models on this list.

These Sennheiser headphones have a wonderful midrange. They are linear with a slight scoop on the upper mids, which shouldn't be noticed by the majority of listeners. They also can reproduce fine time gradations, which is a benefit.

The HD 800 S is a pair of exceptional headphones that are ideal for audiophiles and professionals. Their outstanding sonic performance and comfortable fitting make them a great option. They are expensive, but you're paying for headphones that will last for many years to be used and perform at their best in any situation.

Anker Soundcore Life Q20

The Anker Soundcore Q20 is a great set of headphones for anyone looking to pass the time or simply want a pair of affordable headphones that cancel out noise. The headphones come with a simple bag that will protect the headphones when you place them in bags. 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 a plane, though their audio profile is a bit heavy and warm.

The Life Q20's controls are simple to use and are well-marked. On the left ear cup, you'll find buttons for powering up and pairing the headphones, as well as to turn off or on active noise cancellation. On the right ear cup you'll find controls for playing back media that include a multi-function switch that allows you to activate your phone's voice assistant and turn on the Anker's BassUp feature (more on that later). You can also use the built-in microphone to make calls without hands your phone.

Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphones provide an immersive and rich listening experience, thanks to the custom 40 mm dynamic drivers that provide certified Hi-Res Audio. With a treble range that extends up to 40 kHz they are able to provide exceptional clarity and detail, while their hybrid active noise cancelling technology is designed to filter out a wider range of low and mid-frequency sounds.

One thing to remember about the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is that it doesn't support aptX, which is a disappointment. This means that you won't be in a position to benefit from the superior codec's lower latency while gaming on your PC.

In terms of comfort, the Life Q20's memory-foam ear cups and headband are soft enough to wear for long periods of time without causing any discomfort. The ear cups are able to rotate, allowing them to adapt to the unique shape of your head so that you can achieve a perfect fit. You can also listen to music wired with an included 3.5mm cable and a microUSB cable is included for charging the battery.