Over-ear headphones (or over-ears for short) are among the most popular headphone types. In fact, all our current best headphone recommendations use this design! Over-ears rest around/over your outer ear (pinna), which can be more comfortable for long listening sessions and better at blocking out background noise than on-ears, which rest directly on your pinna. They also come in both open-back and closed-back variants, with each type offering different trade-offs. Still, since they fit around your whole ear, over-ears tend to be larger, bulkier, and less breathable than earbuds or in-ears.
Since many people choose over-ears for their comfort, in our testing, we consider how much room the ear cups leave for your ears, how firmly the headband grips, and whether the padding stays comfortable during long listening sessions. For commuting or office use, comfort, active noise cancelling (ANC), and battery life (enough to get you through a trip or your work day) are key. A clear microphone is important if you take a lot of calls using your headphones, while simultaneous connections make switching between your phone and computer easier. For quiet listening at home, open-back models can offer a spacious sound, but they let in background noise and leak audio that others can hear.
We've tested over 915 pairs of headphones, and below are our picks for the top over-ear headphones to buy. Also, make sure to check out our recommendations for the best on-ear headphones and the best in-ear headphones if you're on the hunt for different designs.
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 since they combine superb noise cancelling with an impressive microphone. Their ANC system does a remarkable job blocking out sounds like engine rumble or commuter chit-chat, so they're great on the bus or in the office. They also last over 31 hours with ANC on and support LDAC for high-resolution Bluetooth audio from compatible devices. If the battery runs out, you can still listen through their audio cable, but you won't have access to features like ANC.
Out of the box, they have a warm sound signature that's well-suited to most kinds of audio content. The extra bass is especially nice for genres like techno or hip-hop. Still, if you prefer a different sound, you can always tweak their sound using the companion app's 10-band graphic EQ or presets. The app also allows you to manage simultaneous connections with up to two devices, so you can stay connected to your PC and smartphone. There is one major trade-off with the Sony headphones, though: they have shallow earpads, which aren't the most comfortable. In this regard, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) have the Sony beat thanks to the generous padding on their headband and earpads. That said, the Bose can't be used passively and have a worse microphone system.
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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 ConsistencyThe JBL Live 780NC are a cheaper alternative to the Sony WH-1000XM6 for anyone who wants strong noise cancelling and can accept a less comfortable fit than our top pick. Their firm clamping force, limited padding, and shallow ear cups can become uncomfortable during long listening sessions, especially if you have a larger head. However, their ANC isolates you from noise nearly as well as the Sony WH-1000XM6, though they do allow a bit more bass and mid-range noise like bus rumble and commuter chatter through. The mic also doesn't reproduce your voice as naturally as the Sony headphones do, but you're still understandable, so they'll work for meetings and client calls.
These well-built over-ears have a bass-boosted sound profile. It's great for genres like EDM and hip-hop, but some may find the default sound too muddy or boomy. Fortunately, the headphones' app supports a similar 10-band graphic EQ to our top pick's, and you can always cycle through presets if you're looking for a quicker fix. The JBL's battery life also stands out, as they clock in at 60.5 hours with ANC enabled. That said, they don't come with a hard case, so you'll need to take care when packing them alongside other belongings. Still, the headphones offer exceptional value for their price.
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Best Lower 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 ConsistencyDespite their price, the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless offer very good comfort for their price, though you do have to make a few trade-offs in performance compared to the more expensive options we've listed. The Anker over-ears don't clamp down on your head much, and they feel lightweight during long listening sessions, making them headphones you'd be happy to wear in most circumstances. That said, the Anker use somewhat flimsier plastic than the more premium metal construction offered by the likes of the JBL Live 780NC. Nonetheless, their ANC does an amazing job of blocking out most types of noise, though it's less effective at mitigating higher-frequency sounds like voices and the mechanical whir of A/C than the JBL.
These headphones support multi-device pairing with up to two devices and actually have a better-performing mic than the JBL. Their 27.8-hour battery life is also enough for a long trip or a few days at the office. Their sound profile offers plenty of bass and treble, giving them a bright and sparkly default sound. That's great for a variety of genres, and you can always tweak the sound to taste via the EQ in the companion app. Unfortunately, these headphones have a high noise floor (hissing/whining when no audio is playing) when you set the ANC to Adaptive or Max, which can taint your listening experience if you're sensitive to this type of noise.
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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 much cheaper alternative to the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless if you want comfortable over-ears on a tighter budget. Their ANC performs similarly, and their ear cups fold flat to take up less room in your bag. However, they come with a soft pouch rather than a hard case, which offers less protection during travel. If you wear thick-framed glasses, the frames can also break the seal around your ears, reducing the bass you hear. However, unlike the Q45 Wireless, the Q20 2024 don't offer extras like LDAC codec support for Hi-Res audio and ship with a soft pouch instead of a hard-shell case.
Like many other entries in Anker's Space and Life product lines, these headphones have a V-shaped sound profile that amps up the bass, while keeping vocals and drums sounding crisp and bright. If you prefer a more mellow sound, you can still tune them to suit your preferences using the companion app's graphic EQ or presets. Ultimately, these are a great way into over-ear headphones and are about the cheapest pair of wireless over-ears we'd be happy to recommend to just about anyone.
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 ConsistencyThe Sennheiser HDB 630 are a great choice for listeners who want balanced sound without the extra bass of many wireless headphones. Their versatile default sound works well with all kinds of audio and is a good starting point for customization if you like to tailor it to your preferences. In the companion app, you can adjust a fully parametric EQ, which allows for more detailed adjustments beyond a graphic EQ, and there's a crossfeed function that lets you blend the left and right channels to create a more speaker-like sound. The headphones also come with a dedicated USB-C dongle that lets you bypass your device's codec and hardware limitations to access higher-quality audio or lower-latency codecs.
While their ANC performs very well and is more than enough to block out chatty coworkers, it can't quite match the isolation from bass noise of top-of-the-line headphones like the Sony WH-1000XM6. Still, their comfortable design means you can wear these all day and then some. The Sennheiser headphones' biggest drawback is that audio delivery can vary depending on the wearer's physical characteristics, such as head shape or accessories. If you have thick-framed glasses, you may be better off with the Focal Bathys Wireless; they accommodate a wider range of head shapes, but their 29-hour battery life is shorter than the Sennheiser's 54 hours.
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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 best for those who want spacious sound and are happy to listen in a quiet room. Their large ear cups leave ample room around your ears, and their angled drivers direct sound across your outer ears, helping create a more speaker-like listening experience. Their open design also allows audio to escape the ear cups and interact with your environment, resulting in a more spacious sound, though it typically reduces the amount of bass the headphones can produce. It's important to know that open-back 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 fare well in a studio or private office.
Their passive-only design means they also lack additional features like Bluetooth connectivity or an app. If you're looking for great-sounding headphones for work or wireless calls, you'll want to stick with our previous pick, the Sennheiser HDB 630. If you're chasing open-back headphones but want something cheaper or with a little more thump, try the Sennheiser HD 490 PRO. They're 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 2:
The Apple AirPods Max 2 boast superb noise isolation and let you seamlessly switch between your Apple devices. However, they're heavier than the Sony WH-1000XM6, and their included case offers little protection. The Sony headphones offer app support on both iOS and Android, while some AirPods features require compatible Apple devices.
See our review -
Sonos Ace:
The Sonos Ace are more comfortable over-ears than the JBL Live 780NC. However, their ANC isn't as effective, and the Sonos companion app sorely lacks customization options, offering only bass and treble sliders compared to the JBL's 10-band graphic EQ.
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. However, 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
Sep 14, 2026:
We rewrote parts of this text to ensure the trade-offs between different picks are clear and easy to understand.
Jul 24, 2026:
We've made minor changes to the introduction of this article to outline the different types of over-ear headphones. Otherwise, we've reviewed our picks to ensure they're still the top choice in their respective categories and have left them unchanged.
Jun 10, 2026:
We've overhauled most of the article's text and replaced the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless with the JBL Live 780NC, as the former is facing dwindling stock and higher prices. The remaining picks have been validated for relevancy and remain in stock.
Apr 22, 2026:
The Apple AirPods Max 2 replace the Apple AirPods Max in our Notable Mentions for their superior noise isolation performance.
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.
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'd like to choose for yourself, here's our full list of 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.