Best Over-Ear Headphones

over ear headphones beats-ear headphones generally have better battery life than earbuds. They also offer superior quality sound cancellation.

Sony's WH1000XM5s are among the top over-ear headphones with wireless technology. They sound great with a bass-heavy, rich sound that lets vocals and other instruments to shine. With active noise cancellation (ANC) turned on they last for over 40 hours on one charge.

Focal Bathys Wireless

The Focal Bathys wireless are a high-end audiophile entry into the popular premium Bluetooth headphone segment which has been dominated for a long time by Bose. However, with a track record of crafting the best high-fidelity loudspeakers, Focal couldn't simply scale down to compete in this highly competitive market. It decided to create its own earbuds with built-in ANC with the same transducers, amplifiers and other components that are in its flagship products.

The result is a pair of headphones that not only provide top-of-the-line performance, but also feel luxurious and durable. Focal has reduced the weight and size of its premium headphones to make these compact earbuds more travel friendly and still use magnesium for the yokes to keep them light. The look is stylish and sleek, with a circular "skeletonised" design similar to the company's full-sized, high-end Focal Celestee and LED backlit Focal "flame" logos on the side of each earphone, which actually glow (you can turn off this feature within the accompanying app).

When connected to your device, they operate on the most recent Bluetooth v5.1 technology with support for SBC, AAC, aptX and aptX Adaptive, and a built-in DAC that can support up to 24 bits/192kHz playback. The earcups fold flat for easy storage and the cord is detachable for use with other devices that don't have Bluetooth like many cell phones.

The headphones can also be used in DAC-mode, which bypasses internal processing to provide higher quality sound than Bluetooth headphones with DACs built-in. 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 were designed to be used on planes, in noisy environments and other locations. However, the DAC mode makes them ideal for more critical listening. The Bathys are a great alternative to the closed-back headphones, which are tuned to bass. A pair of these would make a great gift for the audiophile on your list.

JBL Tune 760NC

The JBL Tune 760NC are a lightweight and comfortable pair of headphones that feature active noise cancellation. They have a deep bass profile which adds depth to your audio, and they have long battery life for listening sessions. They are made to last, which makes them perfect for commutes and travel. However, their tight fit can make uncomfortable for long listening sessions.

The headphones have a decent set of controls on the ear cups which allow you to control your music as well as call settings. The headphones have buttons to adjust the volume up and down and power, ANC, and the similar. The buttons are surrounded by an LED-like area and you can press it to change the display of light. The headphones are comfortable to fit and are padded, however, they are quite tight on your head, and may be uncomfortable for people who wear glasses.

JBL's Active Noise Cancellation technology reduces ambient noise by analyzing and interpret the sounds coming from outside of the headphone. It then inverts these sounds and cancels out, creating a more peaceful listening experience. This allows you listen at lower volumes and prevents ear fatigue. The headphones also feature a microphone that lets you make hands-free calls and activate voice assistants.

These headphones are compatible with most Bluetooth devices such as your computer and most mobile phones. These headphones are compatible with the majority of PS4 and Xbox One Controllers for receiving audio, but not for communicating with other players. They also have an USB port for charging and listening to audio from your PC.

The JBLs 760NCs feature an easy-to-fold, compact design that makes them easy to pack. The JBL 760NCs feature a built in battery which can last for Bose 40 hours of continuous use, and are equipped with noise cancellation that blocks out distracting sounds. They can connect to two Bluetooth devices at once, so you don't have to wait for Bose a second when switching from watching a film on your tablet to making a call.

Skullcandy Riff Wireless 2

Skullcandy Riff Wireless 2 are a pair of on-ear Bluetooth headphones that deliver what people would expect from Bluetooth headphones. They offer an affordable price point with a long battery life that lasts all day and an additional aux cable for backup, and peace of mind with Tile finding technology. It also comes with an easy set of controls on the earcup and is able to connect to both wired and wireless devices. The Riff Wireless headphones come with a companion app that lets you customize your listening experience. It also lets you to reduce delay in video and audio when used with smart TVs or computers, and set up multi-device pairs.

These headphones are very comfortable and have a padded headband. They are designed to travel or commute and can fold up to make it easy to store in backpacks or bags. The tough plastic material is durable and they click when you stretch or move them. Noise cancellation could be a problem for some users but they block some of the low rumbles that come from buses and the chatter of passengers.

The sound quality on these headphones is pretty decent, especially for their price. They don't have lush midranges like some more expensive headphones but they do have decent overall clarity at most volumes. The bass is powerful and punchy, whereas the highs are a bit rolled off but still not strident. They're great for rock and pop but might not be the best choice for genres that feature deep, full bass.

Comparing to the previous version of these headphones, the Riff Wireless 2 has more features. They have a neutral sound profile, which may appeal to some users. They also have better microphone performance and support various devices. They also have a higher level of volume and have longer battery lives.

They're good headphones but they don't provide the same level comfort like other Skullcandy products, such as the Hesh 3 Wireless. These headphones are still a good option for most users but they're not the best for active use. They may lose their elasticity when performing intense exercises.

Razer Opus

The Opus is the first attempt by Razer at a set of headphones for the lifestyle market and it's a stunning one. The market it is targeting is likely to be larger than gamers and offers a quality that's comparable to the top models from Sony and Bose for an affordable price.

The design is somewhat restrained even by Razer's standards. There is no RGB lighting or trademark green accents. The Tri-Snake isn't visible. Instead, the headset appears similar to other Bluetooth headphones, sporting semicircle hinges which swivel and fold flat on the top of the earcups to create a comfortable headband. They're also lighter and portable than most gaming headsets, and weigh only 265g when folded.

On the right earcup are the onboard controls. The power and track control buttons are near a multi-function switch which is recessed into it and doubles as a noise cancelling button. The controls are easy to press and responsive and they worked as advertised in my tests.

The Opus' bass is punchy and well-rounded, with a depth and clarity that you won't get in a lot of budget headphones. It's not as full as Bose's Extra Bass headphones, but it's still better than expectations for the $200 price range. The mids are solid and vocals as well as the lead instruments stand out with decent clarity. I did notice a small lack of clarity in the highs, but changing the EQ to the Vocal preset fixed the problem.

In addition as a bonus, you'll find a 3.5mm analog cable and USB-C-to-A adapter in the carrying case, along with an ordinary airplane audio jack for those that haven't yet switched to all-cable audio. It's a tiny but appreciated addition that makes it easier to use the headphones while traveling.

The Opus performed flawlessly as did other THX certified products. I was able to stroll through the city with ANC turned on without having to increase the volume to drown out ambient noise and I did not feel the need to turn up my music just to hear it. This is the type of sound quality that can help you to prevent hearing loss from excessive exposure to high-frequency frequencies.