Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones cover your ears and plunge you in the music. They are usually designed for audiophiles and include features such as active noise cancelling and control apps.

The Focal Bathys is a wireless speaker that comes with ANC and a mobile application to alter the EQ, and presets. They also support hi-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 have a new design and improved ANC. They also have many of the same features, but with superior sound quality and higher-end materials.

At only 250g, they're light for over-ear ANC headsets. They're very comfortable to wear for long periods of time, even when you're listening to a podcast or book. The headband has a friction-rod design, similar to the Grado Labs SR60x, which will keep your ears from becoming too cold.

With a sound quality that is able to please casual music listeners and serious audiophiles, WH-1000XM5's signature is tuned to have a slight emphasis on bass, but not excessively loud or harsh. They feature a wide and spacious soundstage that has good instrument separation, which allows you to hear details in your music. The earcups feature touch controls that are intuitive and responsive. Swipe forward to go to the next track, back to hear the previous one, and up and down to control the volume. The Headphones Bose can connect 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 turn on ambient mode by placing your hand headphones bose on the right-ear cup. This allows you to listen to the sounds around you without removing the headphones.

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

The WH-1000XM5's microphone performance on calls is exceptional and there's not any muffled or static-y sound in the background. Noise cancelling is also excellent and these headphones are ideal for public transportation or in the office.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a major improvement over its predecessor, providing premium performance and features. It features wireless streaming with 24-bit enhanced active noise cancellation, and clear voice call quality on any compatible tablet or mobile phone. The 40mm drivers, which are designed specifically and angled to fit in each earcup, give you a more complete and focused listening experience. Six strategically placed microphones guarantee superior call clarity even in noisy environments. A remote inline and microphone let you control your calls and music on any compatible device.

The headphones have a sleek and refined look to the original PX7. They feature accent rings around the earcups, as well as a silver sheen for the headband. The earcups are cushioned using memory foam and fit comfortably on the cranium but they never feel tight. The new design and shape took a long time to perfect, delivering an incredibly comfortable clamping force that doesn't push too hard on my own rotund cranium.

At 10.8 ounces (or 307g) They're 2 ounces lighter than the Sony WH-1000XM5, and just a little smaller. They're light enough to carry in your backpack or bag without much discomfort, and will stay comfortably in place for long listening sessions. A strong hinge on the back of the headband allows you to fold them to make it easy to transport them in a protective case.

The headphones are powered by Bluetooth 5.2, with the aptX Adaptive. This is ideal for high-quality audio as well as a fast video sync. You can also play them wirelessly too, using 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 signal rapid charging and solid blue to indicate Bluetooth pairing.

The B&W app offers the same features as the hardware onboard buttons - bass and treble adjustment as well as action button assignment wear detection, a cycle through ANC modes and more. The app also shows an album cover and track's name when you play music on your iPhone. The most popular extras like music presets and soundscapes mode aren't available, however.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is the successor of the iconic headphones from Sennheiser and is designed to meet highest expectations. The technical design was designed to give stunning detail resolution that encompasses the entire frequency spectrum, dynamic range, and stereo panorama. It also delivers the most realistic sound you'll hear with an open-back pair of headphones.

The headphone has a 300 ohm impedance, which means a quality headphone amplifier will be needed to operate it at the right levels without distortion. It is recommended to utilize a balanced connection, which can double the output and improve the sound quality.

These headphones are designed for professional use. They feature a metal frame and a mixture of plastic and leather padding. The design is simple and doesn't appear like the most expensive pair of headphones, but they feel luxurious in the palm and are built to last. They come with a carrying case, an extra audio cable and an adapter from 1/4" to 1-/8" adapter.

The HD 800 S has a neutral sound that reproduces vocals and instruments in a natural way, even though they are a little lighter on bass. The open-back design produces a spacious, out-of-head soundstage. The treble quality is excellent, with minor peaks and drops. The treble area is extremely linear, which means you'll not have issues hitting sibilants or the upper bite of the snare drum.

They can still deliver impact 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 love listening to rock music with strong basslines, however they may not be as fun as some of the competing models on this list, such as the HiFiMan Arya.

The Sennheiser headphones have a wonderful midrange. They are extremely linear and have a slight slop in the upper mids that should not be noticeable to the majority of listeners. They also can reproduce precise time gradations, which is a bonus.

The HD 800 S are a pair of outstanding headphones, ideal for audiophiles and professionals. They're a top choice because of their outstanding sound quality and a comfortable fit. They are expensive, but they'll last for a long time and will perform in any situation.

anker p3i hybrid active noise cancelling earbuds Soundcore Life Q20

The Anker Soundcore Q20 is a decent set of headphones for anyone looking to kill time or simply need an affordable pair of headphones that block out noise. The headphones come with a simple bag that protects them when you throw them into a bag. The battery will last for a long time on long-haul flights. Their ANC does a great job of blocking out chattering passengers and engine rumbles on an airplane, although their audio profile is heavy and warm.

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

Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphone offers a deep immersive listening experience thanks to its custom 40mm dynamic driver that provides certified Hi-Res audio. With a treble that stretches up to 40 kHz the headphones offer exceptional clarity and clarity, while their active noise cancelling technology is designed to filter out an extended range of low and mid-frequency sounds.

Anker Soundcore Q20 doesn't support aptX. This is disappointing. This means you won't be able to take advantage of the superior codec's lower latency when you're playing on your computer.

In terms of comfort, the Life Q20's memory foam ear cups and headband are soft enough to wear for long periods of time without creating discomfort. The ear cups also rotate to adjust to your individual head shape. The included 3.5mm audio cable allows you to listen to music while charging the battery.