Over-ear headphones, also called around-ear headphones, are among the most popular headphone types. While they can be a little bulky and don't breathe as well as in- or on-ears, most people find them the most comfortable headphones for extended listening periods. They often have more features than many in-ear or earbud options and, when wireless, have longer batteries than their smaller, more portable counterparts.
We've tested over 400 pairs of over-ear headphones, and below are our recommendations for the top over-ear headphones to purchase. Also, make sure to check out our recommendations for the best on-ear headphones, the best in-ear headphones, and the best wireless headphones. If you're also considering a pair of on-ears, you can check out our over-ears vs on-ears article to see the pros and cons of each style, too.
Quick Look
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Best Over-Ear Headphones
Peaks/Dips7.3Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios9.9Comfort7.5Noise Isolation - Full Range9.7WirelessYesSports And Fitness7.4Travel8.5Office Work8.5Wireless Gaming (In Development)6.3Wired Gaming (In Development)7.8Audio Reproduction Accuracy7.8Noise Isolation9.7Microphone (In Development)8.0See all our test resultsFrequency Response Consistency6.0The Sony WH-1000XM6 are the best over-ear headphones we've tested. They represent Sony's best consumer-focused Bluetooth headphone offering, with outstanding noise isolation performance thanks to their solid passive isolation augmented by their top-of-the-line active noise cancelling (ANC) system. They can easily cut down the rumble of plane engines as well as ambient chatter and whining computer fans, so they're great for travel or office use. With their ANC enabled, they last over 31 hours, though this also depends on whether you're using the mic and which codec you have enabled. That said, you can use the headphones while they're off via their audio jack (but they'll sound quite different).
Out of the box, they have a warm sound signature. If you prefer a different signature, their companion app offers a 10-band graphic EQ and presets so you can fine-tune their sound. The Sound Connect app also includes a variety of virtual surround features, including settings that emulate listening to your audio in a cafe or cinema environment (upmixing stereo content). You can also pair these headphones with up to two devices at a time, allowing you to stay connected to your PC and smartphone simultaneously.
However, the WH-1000XM6 aren't the most comfortable headphones on the market; their earpads are shallow. Consider the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) if you're looking for Bluetooth noise-cancelling headphones that you can wear for hours and hours on end. That said, the Bose can't be used passively, so you'll have to use them wired via USB-C if you run out of battery.
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Best Upper Mid-Range Over-Ear Headphones
Peaks/Dips7.9Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios9.7Comfort8.0Noise Isolation - Full Range9.5WirelessYesSports And Fitness7.4Travel8.4Office Work7.8Wireless Gaming (In Development)5.9Wired Gaming (In Development)7.5Audio Reproduction Accuracy7.9Noise Isolation9.3Microphone (In Development)5.8See all our test resultsFrequency Response Consistency8.1For a premium pair of headphones at a more manageable price, check out another Sony entry, the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless. These aren't quite as featureful or effective at noise cancelling as our top pick, the Sony WH-1000XM6, but they have a similarly high-end construction and on-par noise isolation performance. Overall, their ANC blocks a significant amount of environmental noise from buses to babies, and with ANC on, their battery lasts longer than the XM6. Their ANC isn't as good at attenuating mid-range noise like coworker chatter, but their 37 hours of playback time will be enough to get you through multiple workdays without charging.
These well-built over-ears have a warm default sound, which is good if you like genres like EDM and hip-hop. However, their extra low-end bleeds into the mids, can muddle vocals and instruments, and isn't as restrained as the XM6's. Luckily, their companion app offers a graphic EQ and presets if you want to adjust their sound to your tastes. They also have a spatial audio feature, support LDAC (Sony's proprietary codec for streaming high-quality audio), and multi-device pairing.
That said, the headphones' mic system renders your voice somewhat thin and muffled, making you sound less natural. If you're looking for something more comfortable or with a better mic to take calls with, check out the Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless. They're more expensive than the WH-1000XM4, but you'll sound more true-to-life on phone calls, and they're more comfortable.
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Best Mid-Range Over-Ear Headphones
Peaks/Dips6.3Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios8.7Comfort7.5Noise Isolation - Full Range8.9WirelessYesSports And Fitness7.0Travel7.8Office Work7.7Wireless Gaming (In Development)5.9Wired Gaming (In Development)7.1Audio Reproduction Accuracy6.9Noise Isolation8.7Microphone (In Development)7.3See all our test resultsFrequency Response Consistency7.4The Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless are a great mid-range pick. They don't feel as luxurious or well-built as the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless, but they still offer a well-rounded and feature-loaded performance at a lower price point. Unlike the Sony headphones, their adaptive ANC system has a wind reduction mode to effectively reduce unpleasant-sounding interactions between the wind and exterior ANC mics. The ANC automatically adjusts to your surroundings, blocking out loud vehicle engines and other people's conversations on your commute and at the office. They're pretty comfortable for most people, but their plastic frame can put pressure on the top of your head after a while.
Still, their V-shaped profile emphasizes the bass and the treble for a punchy, sparkling sound, making them suitable for a variety of genres. There's even a graphic EQ and presets in their companion app to fine-tune their sound. Unfortunately, these headphones have a high noise floor when you set the ANC to 'Adaptive' or 'Max,' which can result in a persistent whine throughout your listening experience. If it doesn't bother you much, you'll enjoy around 28 hours of continuous battery life with their ANC on. The 28 hours is less than the manufacturer's advertised 50-hour battery life, but it'll still last you a few days at the office or through a long international flight.
If you like the sound of the Soundcore Space Q45 but often use your headphones for calls, consider the Sony ULT WEAR. They're typically more expensive but have a much better microphone; you can also find them on sale near the same price as the Anker from time to time.
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Best Budget Over-Ear Headphones
Peaks/Dips6.5Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios8.4Comfort7.5Noise Isolation - Full Range8.8WirelessYesSports And Fitness7.2Travel7.9Office Work7.6Wireless Gaming (In Development)5.8Wired Gaming (In Development)7.4Audio Reproduction Accuracy7.3Noise Isolation8.5Microphone (In Development)6.8See all our test resultsFrequency Response Consistency5.4The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 2024 are a refresh of the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless' predecessor, the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless. The Q20 2024 represent great value for money; they have a similar design to the Q45, meaning you can expect the same comfortable fit at a reduced price. And if you plan to use them on the go, you'll be happy to know that their ANC feature performs similarly to the more expensive option.
Similar to other Anker entries in the Space and Life product lines, these headphones have a V-shaped sound profile that packs extra bass while vocals and lead instruments sound bright. You can tune their sound to suit your preferences using their companion app's graphic EQ and presets, too. As you'd expect, the lower price point comes with some concessions compared to the more expensive Q45. Most notably, the headphones don't support the LDAC codec for Hi-Res audio, and they have a soft pouch for storage (rather than a hard-shell case).
Check out our article on the best budget and cheap headphones for more budget-friendly options.
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Best Sounding Over-Ear Headphones
Peaks/Dips7.5Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios7.9Comfort7.5Noise Isolation - Full Range8.5WirelessYesSports And Fitness7.2Travel7.8Office Work7.6Wireless Gaming (In Development)6.1Wired Gaming (In Development)7.2Audio Reproduction Accuracy8.0Noise Isolation8.1Microphone (In Development)6.7See all our test resultsFrequency Response Consistency7.9If you're looking for wireless over-ears and don't want to compromise on sound quality, the Focal Bathys Wireless offer the best of both worlds. These headphones suit both casual and critical listening, with a balanced sound that delivers solid warmth and punch. Astute audiophiles will notice that instruments and vocals are slightly veiled, but you can tweak the sound using the graphic EQ and presets available in their companion app. These headphones also support aptX Adaptive codec for streaming higher-quality audio when available. They even have an onboard DAC for wired USB-C connection that converts digital audio signals to analog, ensuring a smoother sound with better audio fidelity.
However, there are a few drawbacks for either type of user. For audiophiles, their closed-back design means many listeners will find them less spacious than open-back alternatives, but you can take a closed design with you on a commute without sound leakage bothering anyone. For those looking for casual headphones to use on the go, these are bulkier than the Sony WH-1000XM6, and their ANC doesn't cut out as much mid-range background noise, meaning ambient conversations might be slightly audible.
However, the Focal headphones have an onboard DAC and support wired USB-C connections. If you're looking for wider codec compatibility in wireless headphones with a similar audiophile focus, the Noble FoKus Apollo support both aptX Adaptive and LDAC (which is more widely supported across devices).
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Best Audiophile Over-Ear Headphones
Peaks/Dips8.0Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios1.8Comfort8.0Noise Isolation - Full Range1.2WirelessNoSports And Fitness5.9Travel5.0Office Work3.4Wireless Gaming (In Development)4.8Wired Gaming (In Development)6.8Audio Reproduction Accuracy8.5Noise Isolation1.4See all our test resultsFrequency Response Consistency8.4For those who prioritize sound quality above all else, the Sennheiser HD 800 S are the best audiophile over-ear headphones we've tested. They're well known for their immersiveness and clear sound that accurately reproduces vocals and instruments. Unlike our previous picks, these are open-backs. The design allows audio to leave the ear cup and interact with your environment, and reduces pressure buildup typical of closed-backs. The major downside of this design is that the headphones don't isolate your audio from your environment or your environment from your audio. As a result, they aren't a good choice for commuting or working in public places like a bullpen, but they'd fare well in a studio or home office.
They also lack additional features like a microphone and Bluetooth. If you're looking for great-sounding headphones that you can use at work or for wireless calls, you'll want to stick with our previous pick, the Focal Bathys Wireless, which have a closed-back design and come with additional features like noise cancellation.
If you're chasing open-back headphones but want something cheaper or with a little more thump, try the Sennheiser HD 490 Pro. The HD 490 Pro are just as comfortable and more lightweight than the HD 800 S. That said, their lower price point means some concessions in build quality. For even more audiophile options, check out our article on the best audiophile headphones.
Notable Mentions
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Apple AirPods Max:
The Apple AirPods Max boast superb noise isolation thanks to their adaptive ANC. With Apple-exclusive niceties like the H1 chip and Apple Spatial Audio, you can experience seamless device switching and immersive audio. Their mesh earpads feel nice and improve airflow, but they're not as lightweight as the Sony WH-1000XM6, which have the same features regardless of whether you use Apple iOS or Android.
See our review -
Sonos Ace:
The Sonos Ace are premium headphones at a high price. While their ANC certainly competes with the best, like the Sony WH-1000XM6, their app lacks refinement, and they can deliver somewhat inconsistent sound. That said, they're well-made and very comfortable to wear, with a long battery life and oodles of codecs from which to choose.
See our review -
Sennheiser HDB 630:
The Sennheiser HDB 630 are another hybrid audiophile-casual use targeted headphone competing with entries like the Focal Bathys Wireless. We haven't had the chance to review them yet, but their exceptional PEQ and sound adjustment options, aptX Adaptive support, and USB-C audio are compelling enough to keep them on your (and our) radar.
See our review -
Beats Studio Pro Wireless:
The Beats Studio Pro Wireless are a solid middle-ground if you want very good noise cancelling and Apple Spatial Audio without destroying your budget. However, their EQ is more limited than that of the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless. One upside is that the Beats support USB audio with a built-in digital-to-analog converter (in addition to Bluetooth and standard wired audio connectivity), so you can play music from virtually any source.
See our review -
Skullcandy Crusher Evo Wireless:
The Skullcandy Crusher Evo Wireless are over-ears with a haptic bass feature, meaning you can boost the amount of thump and rumble in your mixes. This feature is great if you like genres like EDM and hip-hop, but it can easily overwhelm vocals and lead instruments. Unlike the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless, they also lack more robust sound customization features like a graphic EQ.
See our review -
Philips SHP9500:
The Philips SHP9500 are entry-level open-back over-ears that are significantly less expensive than the Sennheiser HD 800 S. They have a very comfortable fit and a flat sound profile. However, they don't have as much low bass as the Sennheiser and don't sound as immersive.
See our review
Recent Updates
Oct 30, 2025:
We've updated the article to reflect recently tested products. Notably, we replaced the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless with the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 2024 as our budget pick; the latter has a longer battery life and similar features and performance.
Jul 31, 2025:
We've changed our top pick to the Sony WH-1000XM6 while mentioning the previous top pick, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Wireless, in the text. We also made text changes to reflect changes in our Test Bench 2.0 methodology and checked the stock and pricing of all other picks.
Apr 11, 2025:
We've made sure our picks are up to date and made edits for clarity.
Feb 11, 2025:
Though our picks haven't changed, we've made changes to the text for clarity and added the Sony WH-1000XM5 as an option in the 'Best Upper Mid-Range' category.
Dec 11, 2024:
We made some edits to the text for clarity, but didn't change any of our picks.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best over-ear headphones to buy for most people in each price range. We factor in the price (cheaper headphones win over pricier ones if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no headphones that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).
If you would like to choose for yourself, here is the list of all our reviews for over-ear headphones. Be careful not to get caught up in the details. There are no perfect headphones. Personal taste, preference, and listening habits will matter more in your selection.