The Full Guide To Headphones

Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones over ear surround your ears and immerse you in the sound. They are typically made for audiophiles, and include features such as active noise cancellation and control applications.

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 for wired listening through USB-C.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH-1000XM5 headphones from Sony are the latest addition to their top-of-the-line noise cancellation range. The headphones are updated with a new design and improved ANC. They also come with many of the same features, but they have higher-end sound quality and superior materials.

They're light for over-ear ANC headphones, with 250g. They are very comfortable to wear, even if you're reading or listening the audiobook. The headband features a friction rod design, similar to the Grado Labs SR60x, which will keep your ears from becoming too cold.

With an audio quality that is able to please casual music listeners and serious audiophiles, Headphones Apple WH-1000XM5's signature is tuned to have a slight emphasis on bass, but it isn't excessively loud or harsh. They have a large and wide soundstage, with good instrument separation that lets you hear subtleties in your music. The earcups also have control buttons that are easy and responsive to use. Swipe up or down to change the volume. You can also swipe forward to listen to the next song or backwards to hear the prior track. The headphones can connect to two devices simultaneously and will automatically stop playback whenever 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 hear what's going on around you, without taking off the headphones.

They can also be linked with your voice assistant. Bluetooth low-energy is also available, as is high-resolution audio (via LDAC). The headphones come with a carrying case made of premium fabric, and a USB-C charging cable. The headphones work with the majority of Android and iOS smartphones, as well as with computers that run Windows and macOS. The battery longevity of the WH-1000XM5 is exceptional. In our battery test, we got 31 hours and 53 minutes with the ANC on, which was better than Sony's advertised 30-hour battery life.

The WH-1000XM5's mic performance on voice calls is excellent and there's not any muffled or static-y sounding background. Noise cancelling is also excellent and these headphones are great for public transportation and the office.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a significant upgrade from its predecessor, providing top-quality performance and features. It includes wireless streaming at 24 bits, optimized active noise cancellation, as well as clear voice quality on any compatible mobile phone or tablet. Its custom-designed 40mm drivers are precisely positioned inside each earcup to create an even more focused and immersive listening experience. Six strategically placed microphones ensure superior call clarity even in noisy environments. A built-in microphone and remote allows you to control music and calls from any device that is compatible.

Like the original PX7, these Headphones Apple are a sleekly refined look, with accent rings around each earcup as well as a silver-colored headband. The memory foam earcups fit well but not too tightly on the cranium. The redesigned shape and form took a long time to perfect, and provides an incredibly comfortable clamping force that doesn't press too hard even on my own rotund cranium.

They're 2 ounces lighter (or 307g) and a bit thinner than the Sony WH1000XM5. They're light enough to carry in your bag or backpack without much discomfort, and they'll stay comfortable in your hand during long listens. A strong hinge on the back of the headband enables you to fold them up for easy transport in an enclosed case.

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

The B&W app provides the same controls as the onboard buttons in the hardware - bass and treble adjustment, action button assignment, wear detection, cycle through ANC modes, and more. When you play music on your iPhone the app will display album cover and track titles. The most popular extras like music presets and soundscapes mode aren't available, Headphones apple however.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is the successor of the iconic headphones by Sennheiser and is designed to meet highest expectations. The technical design was optimized to achieve an incredible detail resolution that encompasses the entire frequency spectrum, dynamic range, and stereo panorama. It provides 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 that can drive it to the levels you want without distortion. A balanced connection is recommended, since this can double the power output and enhance the overall sound quality.

These headphones are designed for professional use. They have a metal frame and a mixture of leather and plastic padding. The design is minimalistic and they're not fancy, but the quality of the headphones and their construction are superb. They come with a carry pouch as well as an additional audio cable, as well as an 1/4" to 1/8" adapter.

The HD 800 S has a neutral sound that reproduces vocals and instruments with naturality, though they are a little lighter on bass. This is because the open-back design creates a spacious and out-of-head soundstage. The treble quality is excellent, with minor drops and peaks. The Treble region also has a linearity, so you will not be able to deal with piercingsibilants or the upper bite of the drum snare.

Despite not having a booming bass, they can still produce a punch and dynamism when required. They'll still be a great choice for those who enjoy listening to rock music that has punchy basslines, but they might not be like some of the competing models on this list, such as the HiFiMan Arya.

The Sennheiser headphones have a wonderful midrange. They're very straight, with a slight scoop in the upper mids that should not be noticeable to the majority of listeners. They also can reproduce fine time gradations which is an added benefit.

The HD 800 S are a pair exceptional headphones, perfect for audiophiles and professionals. They are a top choice because of their outstanding audio quality and comfortable fit. They're expensive however, you're getting a pair of headphones that will last for years to be able to perform at their best in any setting.

Anker Soundcore Life Q20

The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 are a great pair of headphones that will be a great choice for anyone who needs to pass the time or simply needs a cheap pair of noise-cancelling headphones. They come with a simple pouch that will give them some protection when you put them into your bag, and their battery can last for many 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 bit warmer and bass-heavy.

The Life Q20's controls are simple to navigate and well-marked. On the left earcup, there are buttons for pairing and powering up the headphones, as well as turning on or off the active noise cancellation. On the right ear cup you'll find controls for playing back media, including a multi-function button which lets you turn on the voice assistant on your phone and turn on the Anker's BassUp feature (more on that later). You can also make use of the built-in microphone 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 offer certified Hi-Res Audio. The headphones feature a treble range that reaches up to 40 kHz. Their hybrid active noise cancellation is specifically designed to block out a broad range of low- and mid-frequency sound.

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

The Life Q20's headband and memory foam earcups are comfortable enough to be worn for extended periods of time without discomfort. The ear cups are capable of rotating, allowing them to adapt to the specific shape of your head, so you can get a snug fit. The included 3.5mm audio cable allows you to listen to music while charging the battery.