Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones are designed to surround your ears and immerse you into sound. They tend to be designed for audiophiles and include features such as active noise cancellation and control applications.

The Focal Bathys is a wireless speaker that comes with ANC and a mobile application to alter the EQ, and presets. They also support high-res audio via USB-C for wired listening.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH-1000XM5 is Sony's latest upgrade to their best headphones-in-class noise cancellation range. They feature a new design, enhanced ANC and a host of the same features that their predecessors had but with better materials and slightly higher quality sound.

They're light for over-ear ANC headphones noise Cancelling, weighing just 250g. They are very comfortable to wear, no matter if you're reading or listening to a book. The headband is soft, and has the same design of a friction rod as the Grado Labs SR60x that prevents your ears from getting too cold.

With a sound quality that is able to please casual music listeners and serious audiophiles, WH-1000XM5's signature is tuned to put a little emphasis on bass, but not excessively loud or harsh. They have a wide and open soundstage with good instrument separation, which allows you to hear specifics in your music. The earcups also feature touch controls, which are easy to use. Swipe up or down to change the volume. You can also swipe forward to listen to the next track or reverse to hear the previous track. The headphones apple can be connected to two devices simultaneously, and will automatically pause playback when you remove them from your head due to the built-in sensor. You can also turn on ambient mode by resting your palm on the right ear cup and allowing you to listen to what's happening around you, without taking off the headphones review.

They can also be linked with your voice assistant. Bluetooth low-energy is also supported, Headphones Noise Cancelling as is high-resolution audio (via LDAC). They come with a durable carrying case made of top quality fabric, as well as a USB-C cable to charge. The headphones work with most Android and iOS smartphones and computers that run Windows and macOS. The WH-1000XM5's life expectancy is awe-inspiring. In our battery test we recorded 31 hours and 53 minutes with the ANC on which was more than Sony's advertised 30 hour battery life.

The WH-1000XM5's microphone quality for calls is exceptional, and there's no muffled or static-y sounding background. The noise-canceling performance is also 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 top-quality performance and features. The Bowers & Wilkins S2 is a premium model with a variety of features, including 24-bit wireless streaming, active noise cancellation optimized and clear voice calls on any compatible mobile or tablet. Its custom-designed 40mm drivers are precisely positioned inside each earcup for a more focused, immersive listening experience. Six strategically placed microphones provide outstanding clarity for calls, even in noisy environments. A built-in remote and microphone allows you to control music and calls from any device compatible with it.

As with the original PX7 The headphones sport a sleekly refined look, with accent rings around each earcup and a silver sheen on the headband. The earcups are cushioned with memory foam and sit comfortably on the cranium, yet never feel tight. The new design and shape was refined over a period of time and provides a comfortable clamping pressure that doesn't force into my skull.

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 comfortably in place during long listens. A sturdy 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, with the aptX Adaptive. This is great for high-resolution audio aswell as a fast video sync. The 3.5mm cord connects to the USB-C port on the right earcup. The headphone's status indicator is an excellent touch, flashing green to indicate rapid charging and solid blue when Bluetooth pairing is in use.

The B&W app offers similar controls to the buttons on the hardware - bass and treble adjustment, action button assignment wear detection, a cycle through ANC modes and more. When you listen to music on your iPhone the app will display album cover and track titles. Popular extras such as music presets and soundscapes mode are missing, however.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is the successor to the legendary headphones from Sennheiser, and it is designed to meet most demanding requirements. The technical design was designed to provide stunning detail resolution that covers the entire frequency spectrum, dynamic range, and stereo panorama. It's the most realistic sound you'll hear on headphones in ear with open backs.

The headphone has a 300 ohm impedance, which means a quality headphone amplifier is required to operate it at the right levels without distortion. It is recommended to utilize a balanced connection, which can increase the output and enhance the quality of sound.

These headphones are made for professional use. They feature a metal frame, and a mix of plastic and leather padding. The design is minimalist and doesn't appear like a fancy pair of headphones, but they feel premium in the palm and are built well. They come with a carry pouch and an additional audio cable, as well as a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter.

The HD 800 S has a neutral sound that reproduces vocals and instruments with naturality, however they are lighter on bass. The open-back design creates a wide, out-of-head soundstage. The treble performance is outstanding with only minor dips and peaks. The Treble region also has a linear quality, so you will not have any issues with piercingsibilants or the upper bite of the drum snare.

Despite the lack of a loud bass, they can still deliver impact and dynamism when needed. They'll still be a great choice for those who like listening to music with strong basslines, however they may not sound as enjoyable as some of the models on this list, such as the HiFiMan Arya.

These Sennheiser headphones have a great mid-range. They are very linear and have a slight slop in the upper mids which shouldn't be noticeable to most listeners. They also have the ability to reproduce precise time gradations in vocals, which is a big plus.

The HD 800 S are a pair of outstanding headphones, ideal for audiophiles and professionals. Their exceptional sound quality and comfortable fit make them an excellent option. 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 just want an affordable set of noise cancelling headphones. The headphones come with a basic bag that will protect the headphones when you place them into bags. Their battery can last for several long-haul flights. The ANC is a great way to block out noisy passengers and engine rumbles, however their audio profile is a little heavy and warm.

The Life Q20's controls are simple to use and are well-marked. On the left earcup there are buttons for powering up and pairing the headphones, as well as for turning off or on active noise cancellation. On the right ear cup there are media playback controls, including a multi-function button which lets you turn on your phone's voice assistant and enable Anker's BassUp feature (more on that later). The built-in mic can be used to make hands-free phone calls.

Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphones deliver a rich and immersive listening experience due to the custom 40 mm dynamic drivers that provide certified Hi-Res Audio. These headphones have an amplitude range of up to 40 kHz. Their hybrid active noise cancelling is specifically designed to block out a broad range of low- and mid-frequency sound.

One thing to keep in mind about the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is that they do not support aptX, which is disappointing. This means that you won't be capable of taking advantage of the superior codec's lower latency when you're gaming on your PC.

The Life Q20's headband as well as memory foam ear cups are soft enough to wear for long periods without discomfort. The earcups can rotate to adapt to your unique head shape. You can also listen to your music via a 3.5mm cable and a microUSB cable is provided for charging the battery.