Best over-ear headphones

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There are no two ways about it: those who value sound quality and comfort above all else should get over-ear headphones. There are some sacrifices that you make with over-ears compared to earbuds or even on-ear headphones, but the sonic payoff is worth it for many of us. In this list of the best over-ear headphones, we include wired and wireless options to accommodate most prospective buyers’ needs. As always, price is considered a factor, and you can be sure that the best-value products will shine through.

Why is the Sony WH-1000XM5 the best pair of over-ear headphones?

The Sony WH-1000XM5 ticks enough boxes on your typical consumer’s wishlist of features that it’s an easy pick. With top-end ANC and microphone performance, this is an office jockey’s dream and is a great pair of daily headphones. You get premium features like 360 Reality Audio optimization, speak-to-chat functionality, transparency mode, and more.

Although Sony boosts the bass response on these headphones, they still sound quite good out of the box and require little effort to EQ through the Sony Headphones Connect app. Additional notable features include automatic on-ear detection, Bluetooth multipoint connectivity, support for multiple Bluetooth codecs (SBC, AAC, and LDAC—but no aptX), stellar mic quality, and USB-C fast charging. Although these headphones cost $399, for many, the expense is worth it as this is a true jack of all trades.

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra are the most future-proof

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones represent a significant advancement in ANC technology. They prioritize comfort with a lightweight design (253g) and wide, soft ear cups suitable for glasses wearers. They offer fast pairing, 27+ hours of battery life, and quick charging capabilities. The standout feature is CustomTune, which adjusts the sound profile to the user’s ear anatomy.

These headphones support aptX Lossless and Snapdragon Sound, making them future-proof for Android users. While expensive, they combine advanced audio technology, comfort, and forward-looking features, positioning them as a top choice in the over-ear noise canceling headphone market.

The Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 has great battery life

The Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless rivals Sony’s WH-1000XM5 with comparable sound quality and slightly better midrange. While its ANC may not top Sony or Bose, it still effectively reduces high-pitched noise by up to 95% and lower-pitched noise by 75%. The standout feature is its impressive 56-hour battery life with ANC on, surpassing the WH-1000XM5 by 24 hours.

These headphones support various Bluetooth codecs, including SBC, AAC, aptX HD, and aptX Adaptive, offering versatility for different audio preferences. They also include a wired option for when Bluetooth isn’t available, or the battery is depleted, making the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless a strong contender in the high-end wireless headphone market.

Shure AONIC 50 (Gen 2): A tinkerer’s delight

The Shure AONIC 50 (Gen 2) excels in versatility, offering 3.5mm, USB-C, and multiple Bluetooth codec connections. With a 42-hour battery life and quick charging, these durable headphones feature an aluminum chassis and comfortable leather-analog ear pads. Despite being slightly heavy at 334g, they’re well-balanced and come with a travel-friendly carrying case.

Sound-wise, they benefit from EQ adjustments via Shure’s PLAY app, which offers parametric EQ and customization options. At $349, the AONIC 50 (Gen 2) provides features typically found in more expensive models, making them an attractive choice for audio enthusiasts willing to fine-tune their listening experience.

The JLab JBuds Lux is the best bang for the buck

For under $100, the JLab JBuds Lux ANC offers tremendous value as affordable over-ear headphones with active noise cancelation (ANC). Their ANC performance is quite impressive for the price, hushing lower frequencies by up to 20dB to significantly reduce ambient noise during commutes or travel. The headphones also have a stellar 44+ hour battery life per charge. While not audiophile-quality, the sound tuning has boosted bass that helps vocals and instrumentation cut through outside din, and you can tweak it further via an adjustable 10-band EQ in the companion app.

The comfortable padded fit allows for long listening sessions. Other standout features in this price range include a durable yet travel-friendly folding plastic build, USB-C audio connectivity, and decent microphone quality for calls. For budget-minded buyers, the fundamentals and versatility of the JLab JBuds Lux ANC make them a compelling top pick among affordable over-ear ANC headphones.

Who is the Apple AirPods Max for?

There are two reasons why this hasn’t made our list: firstly, it’s costly. Maybe perceptions have shifted regarding the price of consumer electronics since Apple’s flagship handheld devices sell for over $1,000. But in the real world, walking around with headphones that cost $549 doesn’t seem like a great idea, especially if you want to keep them.

Secondly, many of their coolest features are available exclusively to those who have a (current) Apple device to pair them with. That includes getting the most out of the Bluetooth link. Since most people fall outside that category, the price is an even more significant hurdle to overcome.

If you’ve got cash to burn and are already invested in Apple’s ecosystem/walled garden, check out the AirPods Max. They sound fantastic, and like the popular AirPods Pro, the AirPods Max features impressively effective noise canceling technology. Additional features include a bold yet comfortable design, Transparency Mode, Adaptive EQ, Spatial Audio, and the inclusion of Apple’s H1 Chip for seamless connection with Apple devices.

Should you buy the Sonos Ace?

The Sonos Ace is Sonos’ first venture into over-ear headphones, designed to bring an immersive home theater experience on the go. Priced at $449, these premium headphones feature Dolby Atmos support with head tracking, aptX Lossless via Snapdragon Sound, and integration with Sonos soundbars. The Ace offers a comfortable fit, premium build quality, and an impressive 32-hour battery life with ANC.

While the Ace excels in creating an immersive audio experience, especially for movie watching, it has some drawbacks. The default sound quality may require EQ adjustment, particularly for bass-heavy music. ANC performance is good but doesn’t outperform top competitors. The Sonos Ace is best suited for cinephiles, Sonos ecosystem users, and those who prioritize Dolby Atmos support in portable headphones. However, buyers seeking the absolute best in ANC or sound customization might want to consider alternatives from established brands in the over-ear headphone market.

The 1MORE SonoFlow is great value

The 1MORE SonoFlow is a budget-friendly, foldable over-ear headphone ideal for commuters and travelers. Features include a long battery life, plush ear pads, and a travel case. It offers a comfortable fit, good sound quality with in-app EQ, and effective ANC for low-frequency noise reduction. The headphones support Bluetooth 5.0 and wired listening, with an impressive battery life exceeding 50 hours with ANC. Fast charging is also available.

The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is a steal

The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 offers affordable active noise cancelation (ANC) for under $60. It features a long battery life, and decent audio performance. The headphones are comfortable and easy to use and boast a 51-hour battery life. Sound quality emphasizes sub-bass and high frequencies, with ANC blocking about 75% of ambient noise. Despite lacking premium features like Bluetooth multipoint or a carrying case, it offers fast charging and good overall value for budget-conscious buyers.

Spend a little more for the Anker Soundcore Q30

The Anker Soundcore Life Q30 improves on the Q20 with several key upgrades. It features a USB-C charging port and fast charging, providing 4 hours of playback from a 5-minute charge. The Q30 offers customizable sound settings through the Soundcore app, allowing users to adjust EQ and select from different ANC modes. Its enhanced ANC capability can be tailored for specific environments. These improvements make the Q30 a worthwhile choice for those willing to spend more.

The best over-ear headphones: Notable mentions

• Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 ($79 at Amazon): Anyone who wants over-ear headphones for professional and personal use will get great value from Audio-Technica’s Bluetooth headphones. The sound quality and connectivity are great, and so is the 10-minute quick charge.
• Beyerdynamic DT 880 PRO ($209 at Amazon): With a sound that’s extremely close to our studio curve, these headphones don’t need a lot of equalizing to sound great.
• Beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X ($269 at Amazon): Content creators who are on the move and working from one hotel room to the next get these headphones. It’s comfortable, fairly lightweight, and produces excellent audio quality.
• Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700 $379 at Amazon: The NCH 700 is a great option if you have money to blow and want one of the best noise canceling experiences around. You can now create a custom EQ for the headphones straight from the Bose Music app, which is a nice plus.
• Bose QuietComfort 45 ($279 at Amazon): This pair of active noise canceling headphones sounds good, though you’ll want to EQ to account for the treble boost, and has some of the best ANC around. Comfort is a given here, too.
• Drop x Sennheiser HD 6XX ($199 at Manufacturer site): If you’re looking for a set of headphones to stay by the computer, few offer a better price-to-performance ratio than the Drop x Sennheiser HD 6XX.
• EarFun Wave Pro ($79.99 at Amazon): If you have a limited budget, the EarFun Wave Pro are a great option. With exceptional battery life, decent ANC, and advanced connectivity, the EarFun Wave Pro headphones are ideal travel or commuting headphones.
• Focal Azurys ($549 at Manufacturer site): Focal Azurys are a competent, durable, and attractive set of headphones meant to meet the needs of audiophiles and those looking for higher-end headphones than their current pair.
• Focal Utopia ($1149 at Amazon): We actually got a chance to review the Focal Utopia headphones, and it’s great. We don’t recommend the Utopia to the average person because it’s mega-expensive. That said, if you have the money to blow, go crazy.
• Focal Bathys ($699 at Amazon): Though ANC headphones are a bit oversaturated at the moment, luxury buyers will appreciate the higher sound quality offered by Focal’s effort.
• Sennheiser ACCENTUM Plus ($217.95 at Amazon): This is a great option for consumers looking for a middle-ground ANC headphone, especially if $300+ is just too rich for your blood.
• Sennheiser ACCENTUM Wireless ($179.95 at Amazon): For a set of ANC headphones that cost roughly half of what the top-end competitors do, this is one of the best value buys on the market at the moment.
• Sennheiser HD 560S ($207 at Amazon): The HD 560S are a rock-solid choice if you’re aiming to grab a set of headphones that live by the computer but don’t break the bank.
• Sony MDR-7506 ($89 at Amazon): If all of these options are way too expensive, then go with the Sony MDR-7506. These are far from new, but they’re still an industry favorite for audio production.
• Sony WH-1000XM4 ($278 at Amazon): The newer WH-1000XM5 wouldn’t have been possible without these cans. The last-gen WH-1000XM4 is still available for a slightly lower price than its successor and is still considered one of the best ANC headphones on the market.
• Sony ULT WEAR ($128 at Amazon): These are best suited for commuters who want good ANC but aren’t willing to shell out for the highest-end options. The headphones should also do well for those with slightly larger heads and bass heads.

What else you should know about over-ear headphones

What is isolation?

Isolation refers to the ability of your headphones to block outside noise from reaching your ears. This might sound like active noise cancelation, but it isn’t. Active noise canceling uses microphones to pick up the sounds that are going on around you and then uses clever processing to cancel them out. In physics, it’s called destructive interference, and you can learn more about that in our article on how noise canceling works, but that isn’t what isolation is.

Isolation is simply having a physical barrier between your ears and the outside noises. Every time you stuff your fingers in your ears, you’re isolating yourself. You might hear certain loud noises around you, but for the most part, sounds are blocked out. A good pair of over-ear headphones can do something similar. They’ll cover your ears and block noises that would otherwise interfere with the music you’re listening to.

Do Bluetooth headphones have the same sound quality as wired headphones?

Nope, while Bluetooth has become way better and more convenient in the last few years, it still can’t compete on a technical level with wired over-ear headphones. Sure, we might be a little biased against removing the headphone jack. Still, even our objective testing of the LDAC codec (which is arguably one of the top transfer methods currently available) revealed that Bluetooth falls short. Of course, you probably won’t have to worry about it too much if you’re over the age of 24 because our hearing tends to go a lot sooner than you might realize, but it’s still something you should be aware of. At least for now, wired headphones still reign supreme.

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Frequently asked questions about over-ear headphones