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 come with features like active noise cancellation and control apps.

The Focal Bathys are a wireless pair with ANC and a mobile application for tweaking the EQ and presets. They also support high-res audio through USB-C for wired listening.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH-1000XM5 headphones are Sony's latest upgrade to their best-in-class noise cancellation line-up. The headphones are updated with a new design and have improved ANC. They also come with many of the same features, but they have superior sound quality and higher-end materials.

They're lightweight for over-ear ANC Online headphones, weighing 250 grams. This makes them very comfortable to wear for long periods of time, even if you're listening to a podcast or book. The headband has a friction-rod design similar to the Grado Labs SR60x, which prevents your ears getting too cold.

The WH-1000XM5 features a distinctive sonic signature that is designed to satisfy both casual music lovers as and serious audiophiles. It is tuned with a slight focus in bass, but it is not harsh or blazing. They feature a wide and wide soundstage, with good instrument separation that allows you to hear specifics in your music. The earcups come with control buttons that are easy to use and responsive. Swipe forward to go to the next track, then back to hear the previous one, and up and down to regulate the volume. The headphones can be connected to two devices at once and will automatically pause playback when you take them off your head, thanks to the built-in sensor. You can also switch on ambient mode by placing your palm on the right earcup, which allows you to be aware of what's happening around you without removing the headphones.

Other helpful features include the possibility of pairing them with your voice assistant, Bluetooth low-energy, and support for hi-res audio (via LDAC). The headphones come with a carrying case made of high-end fabric and the USB-C charging cable. The headphones are compatible with the majority of Android and iOS smartphones and computers operating Windows and macOS. The battery longevity of the WH1000XM5 is excellent. In our test, online Headphones we were able to achieve 31 hours and 53 minutes with ANC turned on which is more than Sony's advertised battery life of 30 hours.

The WH1000XM5 has a great microphone that can be used for voice calls. There's no static or muffled audio in the background. Noise-canceling is also excellent and these headphones are perfect for public transportation or in the office.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 provides a significant improvement over its predecessor. It comes with a variety of new features and performance. It features wireless streaming with 24-bit and optimized active noise cancellation, as well as clear voice quality on any compatible mobile phone or tablet. The 40mm drivers, that are custom-designed and angled to fit in each earcup, offer more immersive and focused listening experience. Six strategically placed microphones guarantee superior call clarity even in noisy environments. An inline remote and microphone let you control your music and calls on any compatible device.

The headphones have a elegant and refined design as the original PX7. They feature accent rings around the earcups, and a silver sheen on the headband. The memory foam earcups fit snugly but not too tight on the cranium. The new form and shape was developed over the course of several months and provides an incredibly comfortable clamping pressure that isn't too hard on my rotund skull.

They weigh 2 ounces less (or 307g) and a little thinner than the Sony WH1000XM5. The headphones are light enough to be carried in a bag or backpack and are comfortable to wear for long listening sessions. A strong hinge on the back of the headband enables you to fold them up for easy transportation in the protective case.

They're powered by Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX Adaptive support, which is good for high-resolution audio and precise video sync. The included 3.5mm cord connects to the USB-C port on the right earcup. The headphone store online's status indicator is a useful gesture that flashes green to indicate rapid charging and solid blue when Bluetooth pairing is in use.

The B&W App provides the same features that the onboard buttons in the hardware offer - bass and treble adjustments as well as action button assignments, wear detection, a cycle of ANC modes and more. When you play music on your iPhone the app displays album covers and track titles. However, online headphones the most popular features like music presets or a soundscapes feature are not available.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is a successor to the famous Sennheiser headphones and is made to meet the highest expectations. Its engineering was designed to give an incredible detail resolution that covers the entire frequency spectrum, dynamic range, and stereo panorama. It's the most realistic sound you'll experience on open-back headphones.

The headphone has an impedance of 300 ohms, therefore it requires a premium headphone amplifier to drive it at the right levels, without distortion. A balanced connection is recommended since this can double the output power and improve the overall 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 simple and they're not fancy, but the quality of the headphones and their build are top-quality. They come with a carry pouch as well as an additional audio cable, as well as a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter.

With a neutral sound profile the HD 800 S reproduces natural instruments and vocals, though they are light in bass. This is because the open-back design creates a spacious and out-of-head, passive soundstage. Their treble performance is excellent with only minor peaks and dips. The treble area is very linear, so you shouldn't have any issues hitting sibilants or the upper bite of the snare drum.

They still have the ability to deliver and dynamism in the event of need, despite the absence of a loud low-end. They'll still be a great choice for those who enjoy listening to rock music that has powerful basslines, but they may not sound as enjoyable as some of the competing models on this list such as the HiFiMan Arya.

In the mids they are Sennheiser headphones are difficult to beat. They are linear with an incline on the upper mids that won't be noticed by most listeners. They also can reproduce fine time gradations, which is a nice benefit.

The HD 800 S are a pair of exceptional headphones, ideal for audiophiles and professionals. They are a top choice because of their excellent audio quality and comfortable fit. They're costly, but you're paying for headphones that will last for years to come and perform well in any setting.

Anker Soundcore Life Q20

The Anker Soundcore Q20 is a great set of headphones for anyone looking to kill time or simply want a pair of affordable noise cancelling headphones. They come with a basic pouch that will give them some protection when you put them in a bag and their battery can last for many long-haul flights. Their ANC is capable of blocking out chattering passengers and engine rumbles from the plane, but their audio profile is a bit 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, there are controls for playback of media. This includes a multi-function control that activates your phone's voice assistant and also turns on Anker BassUp (more about this 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 deliver an immersive and rich listening experience thanks to the custom 40mm dynamic drivers that are certified Hi-Res Audio. With a treble that extends up to 40 kHz they can provide outstanding clarity and detail, as their hybrid active noise cancelling technology is designed to block out an extended range of low and mid-frequency sounds.

One thing to remember about the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is that they don't support aptX, which is disappointing. This means you will not be able take advantage of the better codes' lower latency while playing on your computer.

In terms of comfort, the Life Q20's memory foam earcups and headband are soft enough to wear for long periods of time without causing discomfort. The ear cups are also capable of rotating, allowing them to adapt to the specific shape of your head, so you can achieve a perfect fit. The included 3.5mm audio cable allows you to listen to music while charging the battery.