Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones completely encapsulate your ears to immerse you in sound. They are typically made for audiophiles, and feature features like active noise cancellation and control applications.

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

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH1000XM5 earphones from Sony are the latest upgrade in their noise cancelling lineup. They sport a new design, upgraded ANC, and many of the same features that their predecessors had but with premium materials and slightly more premium sound quality.

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

With an audio quality that will please people who listen to music for no reason and serious audiophiles, the WH1000XM5's sound signature is tuned to have a slight focus on bass, but not too loud or harsh. The earphones boast a huge and open soundstage, with good instrument separation. This lets you be able to hear the finer details of your music. The earcups have touch controls that are intuitive and responsive. You can swipe forward to access the next track, back to hear the previous track as well as up and down to regulate the volume. The headphones wireless apple are capable of connecting to two devices at the same time and due to an inbuilt sensor, they will automatically stop the playback when removed from your head. You can turn on the ambient mode by placing your hand on the right earcup. This allows you to hear the sounds around you without having to remove the headphones.

Other features that are useful 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 premium fabric, and a USB-C charging cable. The headphones work with Android and iOS smartphones, as well as computers running Windows or macOS. The battery longevity of the WH-1000XM5 is impressive. In our standard test we were able to achieve 31 hours and 53 minutes with the ANC activated which is more than Sony's advertised battery time of 30 hours.

The WH-1000XM5's mic performance on calls is superb and there's no distorted or static-y sound in the background. The noise cancellation is top-notch and they're a great fit for public transport or the office.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a major improvement over its predecessor, providing high-end performance and features. The Bowers and Wilkins PX7 S2 offers premium performance and features, including 24bit wireless streaming with active noise cancellation that is optimized, and clear voice calls on any compatible mobile or tablet. The 40mm drivers, which are designed specifically and angled in each earcup, provide a more deep and focused listening experience. Six strategically placed microphones guarantee superior call clarity even in noisy environments. A built-in remote and microphone lets you control calls and music from any device compatible with it.

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 memory foam earcups fit snugly, but not too tightly on the cranium. The redesigned shape and form took a long time to perfect, delivering an incredibly comfortable clamping force that isn't too hard on my own rotund cranium.

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

They're powered by Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX Adaptive support which is great for high-resolution audio and precise video sync. You can play them wired too, using the included 3.5mm cable that connects to a USB-C port on the right earcup. The status indicator on the headphone is a nice addition. It flashes green to signal rapid charging, and solid blue to indicate Bluetooth pairing.

The B&W App has the same features that the buttons on the hardware provide including bass and treble adjustment actions button assignments, wear detection, the ability to cycle through ANC modes as well as other features. When you play music on your iPhone the app displays album covers and track titles. However, some popular features such as music presets and soundscapes feature are missing.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is the successor to the legendary headphones made by Sennheiser and is designed to meet the most demanding requirements. Its construction technology has been optimized to provide a detail resolution that encompasses all of the frequency spectrum as well as dynamic range and stereo panorama. It's the most realistic audio you can get from open-back headphones.

The headphone is 300 ohms in impedance, which means a quality headphone amplifier will be needed to drive it at desired levels without distortion. It is recommended to use a balanced connection, which will double the output and improve the sound quality.

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 look like the most expensive pair of headphones, however they feel luxurious in the hand and are well-built. They come with a carry pouch and an extra audio cable, as well as an 1/4" to 1/8" adapter.

With an unison sound profile, the HD 800 S reproduces natural instruments and vocals, though they are light in bass. The open-back design creates a spacious, out-of-head soundstage. The treble sound quality is superb with only minor peaks and dips. The Treble region also is linear and you won't have issues with piercingsibilants or the upper bite of the drum snare.

Even with the absence of loud bass, they can still deliver impact and dynamism when needed. They are still a great choice for those who like rock music with punchy basses, but may not sound as great as some of the other models on this list.

In the mids in the mids, these Sennheiser headphones are hard to beat. They are linear with an incline on the upper mids, which won't be noticed by most listeners. They also reproduce precise time gradations in vocals which is a major benefit.

The HD 800 S are a pair exceptional headphones, perfect for audiophiles and professionals. Their impressive sonic performance and comfortable fit make them an excellent choice. They are expensive, but they will last you for a long time and will perform in any situation.

Anker Soundcore Life Q20

The Anker Soundcore Q20 is a decent pair of headphones amazon for those looking to kill time or simply want a pair of affordable noise cancelling headphones. The headphones come with a simple bag that protects them when you put them into a bag. Their battery can last for a long time on long-haul flights. Their ANC does a good job of blocking out chattering passengers and engine rumbles when on the plane, but their audio profile is a little warm and bass-heavy.

The controls on the Life Q20 are well-marked and easy to use. On the left earcup, you'll find buttons to power up and pair the headphones, as well as for turning on or off active noise cancellation. On the right earcup there are controls for playback of media which include a multi-function button that allows you to activate your phone's voice assistant and switch on Anker's BassUp feature (more on that later). The built-in mic can be used to make calls using hands-free technology.

Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphones bluetooth (Aiga.Oktomato.Net) offers a deep and immersive listening experience due to its custom 40 mm dynamic driver that offers certified Hi-Res audio. The headphones feature an amplitude range of up to 40 kHz. Their hybrid active noise cancellation is designed to block out a wide range of mid- and low-frequency sound.

Anker Soundcore Q20 doesn't support aptX. This is a pity. This means you won't be in a position to benefit from the superior codec's low latency when playing on your computer.

In terms of comfort In terms of comfort, the Life Q20's memory foam ear cups and headband are soft enough to wear for extended periods of time without causing any discomfort. The ear cups can also rotate to adapt to the shape of your head. You can also listen to music wired with an included 3.5mm cable and a microUSB cable is included to charge the battery.