Best Over-Ear Headphones
Over-ear headphones completely encapsulate your ears and allow you to fully immerse in the sound. They are typically designed for audiophiles and come with features like active noise cancellation and control apps.
The Focal Bathys is a wireless pair that comes with ANC, a mobile app to tweak 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 most recent upgrade to their top-of-the-line noise cancellation line-up. They feature a new design, enhanced ANC and a lot of the same features as their predecessors but with premium materials and slightly higher-quality sound.
They're lightweight for over-ear ANC headphones at 250g. This makes them extremely comfortable to wear for long periods of time, even when you're listening to a podcast or reading a book. The headband is supple, and it 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 can satisfy 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 excessively loud or harsh. They feature a wide and wide soundstage, with good instrument separation that allows you to hear subtleties in your music. The earcups also have control buttons that are responsive and intuitive to use. Swipe forward to go to the next track, back to hear the previous one, and up and down to control the volume. The headphones can connect 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 activate ambient mode by placing your palm on the right earcup and allowing you to hear what's going on around you without taking off the headphones.
They can also be paired with your voice assistant. Bluetooth low-energy is also supported, as well as high-resolution audio (via LDAC). The headphones come with a carry case made of top quality fabric and the USB-C charging cable. The headphones are compatible with Android and iOS smartphones, as well as computers running Windows or macOS. The battery longevity of the WH-1000XM5 is impressive. In our most basic test, we were able to achieve 31 hours and 53 minutes with the ANC switched on, which is better than Sony's advertised battery life of 30 hours.
The WH1000XM5 has a great microphone that can be used for voice calls. There's no muffled or static audio in the background. The noise-canceling performance is also excellent 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 premium performance and features. It features wireless streaming with 24-bit enhanced active noise cancellation, as well as clear voice call quality on any compatible tablet or mobile phone. The 40mm drivers that are custom-designed for the device are carefully placed inside each earcup to provide an enhanced, more immersive listening experience. Six carefully placed microphones offer exceptional call clarity, even in noisy environments. A remote inline and microphone lets you manage your calls and music on any device compatible with it.
These headphones have a similar elegant and sleek design to the original PX7. They have accent rings that wrap around the earcups and a silver sheen for the headband. The earcups are cushioned by memory foam and fit snugly on the cranium, but never feel tight. The new shape and form was refined over a period of time and provides a soft clamping pressure that doesn't force too hard on my rotund skull.
At 10.8 ounces (or 307g) They're 2 ounces lighter that the Sony WH-1000XM5, as well as a touch smaller. The headphones are lightweight enough to fit in a backpack or bag and stay in place comfortably during long listening sessions. A strong hinge on the back of the headband enables you to fold them for easy transportation in a protective case.
The headphones are powered by Bluetooth 5.2, with aptX Adaptive. This is great for high-quality audio as well as tight video sync. The 3.5mm cord connects to the USB-C port that is located on the right earcup. The status indicator on the earphone 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 control options that the buttons on the hardware provide such as bass and treble adjustments, action button assignments, wear detection, the ability to cycle through ANC modes and more. When you play music on your iPhone, the app displays album covers and track titles. However, some popular features such as music presets or a soundscapes feature are not available.
Sennheiser HD 800 S
The HD 800 S is the successor to the legendary headphones by Sennheiser and is designed to meet the highest demands. Its technical construction has been optimized to provide the highest resolution in detail that covers all frequencies, dynamic range, and stereo panorama. It provides the most realistic audio you can get from open-back headphones.
The headphone has 300 ohms of impedance, which means a quality headphone amplifier is required to operate it at the right levels without distortion. It is recommended to use a balanced connection, which can increase the output and boost the quality of sound.
The headphones are designed for a professional use and have a sturdy metal frame with a mix of leather and plastic. The design is minimalistic and doesn't look extravagant however the quality of the headphones and their construction are excellent. They come with a carrying pouch as well as 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, though they are a little less bass-y. The open-back design produces a wide out-of-head soundstage. The treble sound quality is superb with only minor dips and peaks. The treble region is very linear, so you won't have issues with hitting sibilants or the upper sound of the drum snare.
Despite not having a high-pitched bass, they still provide dynamism and impact when required. They are still a great choice for those who love rock music that has punchy bass however they might not sound as great as some of the other models on this list.
headphones buy have a fantastic mid-range. They are straight and have a slight scoop on the upper mids that won't be noticed by 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're a top choice because of their excellent sound quality and comfortable fit. They are expensive however you're buying headphones that will last for many years to be used and perform to their best in any environment.
Anker Soundcore Life q20
The Anker Soundcore Q20 is a decent pair of headphones for those looking to pass the time or simply want an affordable pair of noise cancelling headphones. The headphones come with a basic bag that will protect them when you put them in the bag. The battery will last for several long-haul flights. Their ANC does a good job of blocking out chattering seatmates and engine rumbles on the plane, but their audio profile is a little warm and bass-heavy.
The Life Q20's controls are simple to use and are well-marked. On the left earcup, you'll find buttons to pair and power up the headphones, as well as turning on and off the active noise cancellation. On the right earcup there are media playback controls which include a multi-function button that lets you activate your phone's voice assistant and turn on the Anker's BassUp feature (more on this later). The built-in mic can be used to make phone calls hands-free.
Anker's Soundcore Q20 headphone offers a deep and immersive listening experience due to its custom 40mm dynamic driver that offers certified Hi-Res audio. The headphones feature an amplitude range of up to 40 kHz. Their active noise cancellation 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 don't support aptX, which is disappointing. This means you won't be in a position to benefit from the superior codec's lower latency while playing on your computer.
In terms of comfort In terms of comfort, the Life Q20's memory-foam ear cups and headband are comfortable enough to wear for long periods of time without causing discomfort. The ear cups are also able to rotate, allowing them to adapt to the unique shape of your head so that you can get a snug fit. You can also listen to music wired with an included 3.5mm cable and a microUSB connector is included for charging the battery.