Over-ear headphones, also called around-ear headphones, are among the most popular headphone types, with all our current best headphones recommendations using this design. 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, offer longer battery life than their smaller, more portable counterparts. Their over-ear seal works well in conjunction with ANC (active noise cancelling) systems too, so most of our best noise canceling headphones are over-ears.
We've tested over 415 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.
Our How We Test Headphones article takes you behind the scenes in our lab. You'll learn how we choose and purchase products and dive into the details of our review philosophy, from testing and scoring to writing and editing.
You can also discover how we produce recommendations like this one so that you can find the best headphones (or earbuds!) for your needs.
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Best Over-Ear Headphones
Peaks/DipsNoise Isolation - Common ScenariosComfortNoise Isolation - Full RangeWirelessYesSports And FitnessTravelOffice WorkWireless Gaming (In Development)Wired Gaming (In Development)Audio Reproduction AccuracyNoise IsolationMicrophone (In Development)See all our test resultsFrequency Response ConsistencyThe 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 top-of-the-line active noise cancelling (ANC) system. They can easily cut down the rumble of plane engines as well as ambient chatter, 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 sound, their companion app offers a 10-band graphic EQ and presets. 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. That said, the WH-1000XM6 aren't the most comfortable headphones on the market because their earpads are quite 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/DipsNoise Isolation - Common ScenariosComfortNoise Isolation - Full RangeWirelessYesSports And FitnessTravelOffice WorkWireless Gaming (In Development)Wired Gaming (In Development)Audio Reproduction AccuracyNoise IsolationMicrophone (In Development)See all our test resultsFrequency Response ConsistencyIf you're happy to sacrifice mic performance to keep your expenditure down, consider the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless. While these can't quite match the Sony WH-1000XM6 for ANC performance, they're only a little behind. The XM4 handily block out low-end rumbles, although they're a bit worse than our top pick at isolating you from office chit-chat. That said, they offer a similarly high-end construction to the XM6, and 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. Their companion app also 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 makes you sound muffled. 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/DipsNoise Isolation - Common ScenariosComfortNoise Isolation - Full RangeWirelessYesSports And FitnessTravelOffice WorkWireless Gaming (In Development)Wired Gaming (In Development)Audio Reproduction AccuracyNoise IsolationMicrophone (In Development)See all our test resultsFrequency Response ConsistencyIf you'd like amazing ANC but build quality's not a top priority, consider the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless. They don't feel as luxurious as the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless, but they still offer a feature-loaded performance at a lower price point. Unlike the Sony headphones, their adaptive ANC system even 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.
Their sound profile offers plenty of 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. 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/DipsNoise Isolation - Common ScenariosComfortNoise Isolation - Full RangeWirelessYesSports And FitnessTravelOffice WorkWireless Gaming (In Development)Wired Gaming (In Development)Audio Reproduction AccuracyNoise IsolationMicrophone (In Development)See all our test resultsFrequency Response ConsistencyThe Anker Soundcore Life Q20 2024 are a refresh of 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/DipsNoise Isolation - Common ScenariosComfortNoise Isolation - Full RangeWirelessYesSports And FitnessTravelOffice WorkWireless Gaming (In Development)Wired Gaming (In Development)Audio Reproduction AccuracyNoise IsolationMicrophone (In Development)See all our test resultsFrequency Response ConsistencyIf you're looking for wireless over-ears and don't want to compromise on sound quality, the Sennheiser HDB 630 offer the best of both worlds. Their balanced default tuning avoids the bass-boosted, energetic presentation that's common among many wireless over-ears, making them a great choice for listeners who want studio-quality sound on the go. Additionally, you receive a fully parametric EQ in the companion app, allowing you to make extremely detailed adjustments to the sound of these headphones. You even get an optional crossfeed feature that lets you subtly blend the left and right channels to create a more speaker-like sound. And high-res audio fans will also appreciate the inclusion of a USB-C Bluetooth dongle that bypasses your source device's internal Bluetooth hardware, enabling direct high-resolution wireless streaming.
While their ANC performs very well, it doesn't quite reach the same level of isolation as the top-tier Sony WH-1000XM6, but it's more than enough to block out chatty coworkers. And their comfortable, well-built design means you can wear these all day and then some. Their biggest drawback is an inconsistent frequency response: if you wear thick-framed glasses, you may be better off with the Focal Bathys Wireless. The Focal also deliver audiophile-approved sound and accommodate a wider range of head shapes, but their 29-hour battery life is shorter than the Sennheiser's 54. The Sennheiser are also a bit more affordable than the Focal, making them a better pick for most people.
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Best Audiophile Over-Ear Headphones
Peaks/DipsNoise Isolation - Common ScenariosComfortNoise Isolation - Full RangeWirelessNoSports And FitnessTravelOffice WorkWireless Gaming (In Development)Wired Gaming (In Development)Audio Reproduction AccuracyNoise IsolationMicrophone (In Development)See all our test resultsFrequency Response ConsistencyFor 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 immersive 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 Sennheiser HDB 630, which have a closed-back design and come with additional features like noise cancellation. And 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 a touch more lightweight than the HD 800 S. However, 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 and let you seamlessly switch between your Apple devices. Their mesh earpads are also comfortable, but they're not as lightweight as the Sony WH-1000XM6. The Sony also offer the same feature set regardless of whether you use Apple iOS or Android.
See our review -
Sonos Ace:
The Sonos Ace are well-made and comfortable premium headphones. They have a better mic than the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless close, and their ANC runs the Sony close, but it's still just behind our pick's. The Sonos app also only offers bass and treble controls compared to the Sony's graphic EQ.
See our review -
Beats Studio Pro Wireless:
In addition to Bluetooth and standard wired audio connectivity, the Beats Studio Pro Wireless support USB audio with a built-in digital-to-analog converter. That means you can use them to listen to music from virtually any source. However, their EQ is more limited than that of the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless, and the Anker's ANC is a step above.
See our review -
Anker Soundcore Space One Pro:
The Anker Soundcore Space One Pro have a better build quality and battery life than the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless. But the Q45 have the better ANC and microphone, and are usually a fair bit cheaper than the Space One Pro.
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
Mar 18, 2026:
We removed the Skullcandy Crusher Evo Wireless from our Notable Mentions but added the Anker Soundcore Space One Pro. We also rewrote sections of the text for brevity.
Jan 07, 2026:
The Sennheiser HDB 630 are our new pick for the 'Best Sounding Over-Ear Headphones' because of their exceptionally balanced sound and excellent ANC performance. The Focal Bathys Wireless are an alternative for people who wear thicker-framed glasses.
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.
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.