Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones totally encase your ears and allow you to fully immerse in the sound. They tend to be tuned for audiophiles and include features such as active noise cancellation and control apps.

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

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH-1000XM5 headphones from Sony are the latest upgrade to their best-in-class noise cancellation line-up. They feature a new design, improved ANC and a host of the same features as their predecessors, but with premium materials and slightly higher quality sound.

With only 250g, they're a light weight for over-ear ANC headsets. They are very comfortable to wear, even when you're reading or listening to the audiobook. The headband is soft and has a friction rod design like the Grado Labs SR60x that prevents your ears from becoming too cold.

The WH-1000XM5 features a distinctive sonic signature that is designed to satisfy both people who listen to music for pleasure as well as serious audiophiles. It is tuned with a slight increase in bass, however it's not abrasive or overpowering. The earphones boast a huge and wide soundstage, as well as good separation of instruments. This lets you be able to hear the finer details of your music. The earcups have control buttons that are easy to use and responsive. Swipe up or down to alter the volume. You can also swipe forward to listen to the next song, backwards to hear the previous track. The headphones can be connected to two devices simultaneously and will automatically stop playback whenever you remove them from your head due to the built-in sensor. You can turn on the ambient mode by placing your palm on the right earcup. This lets you hear the sounds around you without removing the headphones.

They can also be paired with your voice assistant. Bluetooth low-energy is also supported, as is high-resolution audio (via LDAC). They come with a durable carrying case made of high-end fabric as well as an USB-C cable for charging. The headphones are compatible with most Android and iOS smartphones and computers operating Windows and over ear bluetooth Headphones macOS. The battery longevity of the WH-1000XM5 is impressive. In our standard test we were able achieve 31 hours and 53 minutes with the ANC switched on, which is better than Sony's advertised battery life of 30 hours.

The WH1000XM5 comes with a fantastic mic for voice calls. There is no static or muffled audio in the background. The noise-canceling performance is also top-quality and they're a great choice for public transport or the office.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 offers a significant upgrade over its predecessor. It has a host of new features and improved performance. This includes 24-bit wireless streaming and optimized active noise cancellation, and clear voice quality on any compatible mobile phone or tablet. The custom-designed 40mm drivers are carefully placed inside each earcup for an enhanced, more immersive listening experience. Six strategically placed microphones provide outstanding clarity for calls even in noisy surroundings. A built-in remote and microphone lets you control calls and music from any compatible device.

As with the PX7's original design, these headphones are elegant and refined with accent rings on each earcup, and a silver-colored headband. The memory foam earcups fit snugly but not too tight on the cranium. The new form and shape was refined over ear bluetooth headphones a period of time and offers a soft clamping pressure that doesn't press into my rotund skull.

They weigh 2 ounces less (or 307g) and are a little smaller than the Sony WH1000XM5. The headphones are lightweight enough to be carried in a backpack or bag and remain in place during long listening sessions. The headband can be folded up using a sturdy hinge at the back.

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

The B&W App has the same control options that the onboard buttons in the hardware offer - bass and treble adjustments actions button assignments, wear detection, cycling through ANC modes and more. When you listen to music on your iPhone, the app displays album cover and track titles. However, the most popular features like music presets and soundscapes feature are missing.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is the successor of the iconic headphones from Sennheiser and is designed to meet the highest expectations. Its engineering was designed to give an incredible detail resolution that encompasses the entire frequency spectrum, dynamic range, and stereo panorama. It delivers the most realistic sound you can get from open-back headphones.

The headphone is 300 ohms in impedance, which means a quality headphone amplifier will be needed to ensure it is operating at the desired levels without distortion. A balanced connection is recommended since this can double the power output and increase the overall sound quality.

These headphones are made for professional use and feature a sturdy metal frame, with a mixture of leather and plastic. The design is simple and doesn't appear like an expensive pair of headphones, however they feel premium in the palm and are built to last. They come with a carrying pouch and an extra audio cable and an 1/4" to 1/8" adapter.

With a neutral sound profile, the HD 800 S reproduces natural instruments and vocals, even though they are somewhat light on bass. This is because the open-back design creates a large and out-of-head soundstage. The treble sound quality is superb with only minor dips and peaks. The treble region is also extremely linear, which means you'll not have issues piercing sibilants and the upper bite of the drum snare.

Even with the absence of booming bass, they can still produce a punch and dynamism when needed. They will still be enjoyable for those who like listening to music with strong basslines, however they may not sound like some of the other models on this list, such as the HiFiMan Arya.

In the mids in the mids, these Sennheiser headphones are hard to beat. They are linear with a slight scoop on the upper mids, which won't be noticed by most listeners. They are also able to reproduce fine time gradations in vocals which is a major benefit.

The HD 800 S is a pair of exceptional headphones that are perfect for professionals and audiophiles. They're a top choice because of their outstanding audio quality and comfortable fit. They are expensive, however they will last for a long time and will perform in any environment.

Anker Soundcore Life Q20

The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 are a good pair of headphones with noise cancellation that can be a great choice for anyone looking to kill some time or simply needs a cheap pair of noise-cancelling headphones. They come with a basic bag which will provide protection when you throw them into your bag, and their battery is capable of lasting several long haul flights. Their ANC does a good job of blocking out chatty seatmates and engine rumbles when on the plane, but their audio profile is a little heavy and warm.

The controls on the Life Q20 are well-marked and easy to use. On the left earcup, there are buttons to pair and power up the headphones, as well as turning on or off the active noise cancellation. On the right earcup, you'll see media playback controls. This includes a multi-function key that activates your phone's voice assistant and also turns on Anker BassUp (more about it later). You can also utilize the built-in microphone in order to make hands-free calls with your phone.

Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphones delivers a rich and immersive listening experience due to its custom 40 mm dynamic driver that provides certified Hi-Res audio. With a treble that stretches up to 40 kHz they are able to provide exceptional clarity and clarity, while their active noise cancelling technology is designed to filter out a wide range of mid- and low-frequency sounds.

One thing to remember about the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is that they don't support the aptX codec, which is disappointing. This means that you won't be capable of taking advantage of the superior codec's low latency when playing on your computer.

In terms of comfort The Life Q20's memory foam ear cups and headband are comfortable enough to wear for extended periods of time without causing any discomfort. The ear cups also rotate to adapt to your unique head shape. The included 3.5mm audio cable allows you to listen to music while charging the battery.