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Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones completely encapsulate your ears and allow you to fully immerse in sound. They are generally made for audiophiles and come with features such as active noise cancellation and control apps.

The Focal Bathys is a wireless device that includes ANC, a mobile app to alter the EQ and presets. They also support high-res audio through USB-C for wired listening.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH-1000XM5 is Sony's latest addition to their top-of-the-line noise cancellation lineup. The headphones have a new design and have improved ANC. They also have many of the same features, but with higher-end sound quality and better materials.

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

The WH-1000XM5 comes with a distinct sonic signature that is designed to please people who listen to music for pleasure as and serious audiophiles. It is tuned with a slight emphasis in bass, but it is not harsh or imposing. The earphones have a large and open soundstage, with good separation of instruments. This lets you be able to hear the finer details of your music. The earcups are also equipped with touch controls that are responsive and intuitive to use. Swipe forward to play the next track, reverse to hear the previous track as well as up and down to regulate the volume. The headphones can be connected to two devices at once and will automatically pause playback when you remove them from your head due to the built-in sensor. You can also switch on the ambient mode by placing your palm on the right ear cup and allowing you to hear what's going on around you without removing the headphones.

They can also be paired with your voice assistant. Bluetooth low-energy is also available, as is high-resolution audio (via LDAC). The headphones come with a carry case made of top quality fabric and a USB-C charging cable. The headphones are compatible with the majority of Android and iOS smartphones, as well as with computers operating Windows and macOS. The battery longevity of the WH-1000XM5 is impressive. In our most basic test we were able to get 31 hours and 53 minutes with the ANC turned on which is much better than Sony's advertised battery time of 30 hours.

The WH-1000XM5's mic performance on calls is exceptional and there's not any muffled or static-y sounding background. The noise cancellation performance is top-quality, and they're a good fit for public transport or the office.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a major improvement over its predecessor, delivering premium performance and features. This includes 24-bit wireless streaming enhanced active noise cancellation, and clear voice call quality on any compatible mobile phone or tablet. The 40mm drivers, which are designed specifically and angled in each earcup, give you a more complete and focused listening experience. Six carefully placed microphones offer exceptional call clarity even in noisy surroundings. And an inline remote and microphone lets you control your music and calls on any compatible device.

Like the original PX7, these headphones are elegant and refined with accent rings on each earcup as well as a silver-colored headband. The memory foam earcups fit well but not too tight on the cranium. The new form and shape was developed over the course of several months and offers an incredibly comfortable clamping pressure that doesn't press too hard on my rotund skull.

They weigh 2 ounces less (or 307g) and a bit thinner than the Sony WH1000XM5. The headphones are lightweight enough to fit in a backpack or bag and are comfortable to wear 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 great for high-resolution audio as well as tight video sync. The 3.5mm cord connects to the USB-C port that is located on the right earcup. The status indicator on the headphone is a nice feature. It flashes green to indicate rapid charging, and solid blue to indicate Bluetooth pairing.

The B&W App provides the same control options that the hardware onboard buttons offer including bass and treble adjustment as well as action button assignments wear detection, cycling through ANC modes, etc. When you listen to music on your iPhone the app displays album covers and track titles. The most popular extras like music presets and soundscapes mode aren't available, however.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is a successor to the legendary Sennheiser headphones and was designed to meet the highest expectations. The design and construction of the headphones is optimized to give a detail resolution that encompasses all the spectrum of frequencies dynamic range, as well as stereo panorama. It delivers the most realistic spatial audio you can get from open-back headphones.

The headphone is 300 ohms in impedance, which means a quality headphone amplifier is required to operate it at the right levels without distortion. A balanced connection is recommended because it will increase the output power and improve the overall sound quality.

These headphones cheap are designed for professional use. They feature a metal frame, and a mix of plastic and leather padding. The design is minimalist and they don't look fancy, but the quality of the headphones and their build are superb. They come with a carry case, an additional audio cable, and an adapter from 1/4" to 1-/8" adapter.

With a neutral sound profile, the HD 800 S reproduces natural instruments and vocals, though they are a bit light on bass. This is because the open-back design creates a spacious and out-of-head, passive soundstage. The treble is excellent with minor peaks and drops. The treble region is also very linear, so you shouldn't have any issues piercing sibilants and the upper sound of a snare drum.

They can still provide impact, dynamism and impact when needed despite the lack of a powerful low-end. They'll still be a great choice for those who love listening to music with strong basslines, however they may not be like some of the models on this list, such as the HiFiMan Arya.

The Sennheiser headphones have a wonderful mid-range. They are extremely linear, with a slight scoop in the upper mids which shouldn't be noticeable to most listeners. They can also reproduce fine time gradations, which is an added bonus.

The HD 800 S is a pair of headphones that are perfect for audiophiles and professionals. Their impressive sonic performance and comfortable fit make them an excellent choice. The headphones are costly, however they will last for a long time and will perform in any setting.

Anker Soundcore Life Q20

The Anker Soundcore Q20 is a decent set of headphones for anyone looking to kill time or simply need a pair of affordable headphones that block out noise. They come with a basic pouch which will provide protection when you throw them in a bag and their battery can last for many long-haul flights. Their ANC does a good job 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, you'll find buttons to pair and power up the headphones (shinhwapack.co.kr), as well as turning on and off the active noise cancellation. On the right earcup, you'll see controls for playback of media. This includes a multi-function key that activates your phone's voice assistant and turns on Anker BassUp (more about this later). The built-in mic can be used to make hands-free phone calls.

Anker's Soundcore Q20 headphone delivers a rich, immersive listening experience thanks to its custom 40 mm dynamic driver that offers certified Hi-Res audio. The headphones have a treble range that reaches up to 40 kHz. Their active noise cancellation is designed to filter out a broad range of mid- and low-frequency sound.

Anker Soundcore Q20 doesn't support aptX. This is a pity. This means that you won't not be able to benefit of the higher codes' lower latency while playing games on your computer.

In terms of comfort The Life Q20's memory foam earcups and headband are soft enough to wear for headphones long periods of time without causing discomfort. The ear cups are capable of turning so that they can adjust 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.