Although the popularity of on-ear headphones has waned over the years, many people still find them to be a good compromise between the portability of in-ears and the comfort of over-ears. They have smaller ear cups that fit directly on your ears, making them generally more compact and breathable than over-ears without needing earbuds sitting inside your ear canal. However, they tend to fit tighter than over-ears, which can put an uncomfortable amount of pressure on your ears. Good on-ears have a fit that works for you and a sound profile that suits the type of music you listen to. The best candidates have Bluetooth support and active noise cancelling (ANC).
We've tested over 75 pairs of on-ear headphones, and below are our recommendations for the best headphones with an on-ear design. Check out our recommendations for the best headphones, the best over-ear headphones, and the best wireless Bluetooth headphones. You can also read our over-ears vs on-ears article if you're currently weighing up a choice between these two popular styles.
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 On-Ear Headphones
Sound ProfileNoise Isolation - Full RangeContinuous Battery LifehrsSports 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 680NC are the best on-ear headphones we've tested. They have a design that closely resembles their over-ear flagship counterpart, the JBL Live 780NC, and as you'd expect, have many of the same features. They feature amazing noise isolation performance thanks to their well-implemented ANC system; despite the on-ear form factor presenting challenges for passive noise isolation (high clamping force can be uncomfortable), the JBL manage to handily mitigate rumbly engines and chatty coworkers. Plus, the system is supported by a whopping 65-hour battery life, ensuring you won't be left hanging even if you go for a few days without charging the headphones.
Their stock tuning is quite bass-heavy, with significant emphasis on the low- and mid-bass. For some, the added rumble and body are perfect for EDM and rock tracks, but others may find the headphones' default sound somewhat boomy. Still, you can tweak the headphones' sound to taste with the companion app's graphic EQ and presets. Unfortunately, the JBL have some downsides, suffering in the comfort and stability department even when compared to other on-ears. If you prioritize ergonomics, consider the more stable and comfortable Beats Solo 4, though you'll sacrifice noise isolation performance since the Beats don't have ANC.
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Best Mid-Range On-Ear Headphones
Sound ProfileNoise Isolation - Full RangeContinuous Battery LifehrsSports 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 to shrink your spending a bit, the JBL Live 670NC are the best on-ear wireless headphones in the mid-range. The price of these cans, as well as that of our budget pick below, can fluctuate, so you may find one pair cheaper than the other at different times, but we think the Live 670NC are the better pick overall. As evidenced by the naming convention, the Live 670NC are the predecessor to our top pick, which is reflected in their performance. The Live 670NC's ANC isn't as effective as our top pick's, but this previous iteration still has some advantages. For one, the headphones have a longer 88.2-hour battery life, and even when that runs out, you can use them passively (which you can't do with the JBL Live 680NC).
The Live 670NC have a bass-boosted sound signature, which you can tweak with the app's EQ or presets if it's not your preferred sound. You also have access to many of the same features found on the Live 680NC, including Personi-Fi (a hearing-test-based listening profile) and VoiceAware (adjustable sidetone). That said, the Live 670NC are also vulnerable to the same shortcomings of our top pick: comfort and stability. They're not a pain to wear, but you may find your ears get sore if you listen to music for a few hours uninterrupted. It's also worth noting that our top pick can fluctuate in price close to this pick; if that happens, you may find better value going up a tier or opting to drop down to our budget pick.
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Best Budget On-Ear Headphones
Sound ProfileNoise Isolation - Full RangeContinuous Battery LifehrsSports And FitnessTravelOffice WorkWireless Gaming (In Development)Wired Gaming (In Development)Audio Reproduction AccuracyNoise IsolationMicrophone (In Development)See all our test resultsFrequency Response ConsistencyThe JBL Tune 520BT are the next-best option if you want to spend less. Like our mid-range pick, their prices tend to fluctuate, so wait for a sale if you're looking for the best deal. These budget-friendly headphones have a well-balanced, though slightly warm, sound profile out of the box. It's a sonic signature that suits a wide variety of audio, producing smooth-sounding vocals and instruments. They lack a little low-bass thump by default, but you can tweak their sound to your liking using their companion app's parametric EQ and presets. However, unlike the JBL Live 670NC, they lack noise cancelling and struggle to block ambient sound. Still, they support multi-device pairing to keep you connected to your smartphone and PC simultaneously.
These on-ears last over 65 hours continuously, which is great for long weeks on the go or at your desk. But they're not the most comfortable or sturdiest, which is to be expected at this price point. Their microphone is also only okay. If you're looking for on-ears with a better-performing microphone system, consider the Sony WH-CH520 Wireless. The Sony also offer a virtual soundstage, but they have a shorter battery life.
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Best Wired On-Ear Headphones
Sound ProfileNoise IsolationContinuous Battery LifeN/ACommute/TravelSports/FitnessOfficeWireless GamingSee all our test resultsWired GamingThe best wired on-ear headphones we've tested are the Audio-Technica ATH-M60x. Wired headphones are a good choice if you want low latency for watching videos or if audio quality matters to you. These come with a detachable cable and two 1/8" to 1/4" adapters, meaning you can easily plug them into a mixer, amp, phone, or computer. But they don't have a mic or onboard controls like the JBL Live 680NC. As a result, you can't use them to make phone calls or easily skip a track when you're on the go.
Their sound profile is neutral and well-balanced, making them suitable for fans of different genres and content types. While most of the bass response is very accurate, there's some overemphasis in the high-bass range, adding a touch of extra boom and warmth to mixes. Vocals and lead instruments still sound present and clear, though you can't customize their sound since they aren't compatible with a companion app. If you'd prefer a slightly cheaper pair of cans, consider the Sennheiser HD 25 instead. The Sennheiser are a little more comfortable than the Audio-Technica, but their boomy high-bass won't be to everyone's taste, and their sound can change notably between wears.
Notable Mentions
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Jabra Evolve2 65 Wireless:
The Jabra Evolve2 65 Wireless are call-oriented headphones optimized for United Communications (UC) or Microsoft Teams. They have a much better mic performance than the JBL Live 680NC, but a much weaker noise isolation performance.
See our review -
JBL Live 460NC Wireless:
The JBL Live 460NC Wireless have a slightly better mic than the JBL Live 670NC, making them a good alternative to our pick if you plan to make a lot of calls using your headphones. However, the 460NC Wireless don't come with a case, and they have a shorter battery life than the 670NC.
See our review -
Skullcandy Riff Wireless 2:
Unlike the JBL Tune 520BT, the Skullcandy Riff Wireless 2 have full audio and mic compatibility via analog. Bass fans might like the Skullcandy's boomy sound, but it's less versatile than the JBL's balanced profile. The Skullcandy's battery life is also shorter than the JBL's.
See our review
Recent Updates
May 28, 2026:
We've updated our top pick from the Beats Solo 4 to the JBL Live 680NC due to the JBL's exceptionally effective ANC system. We confirmed that all other picks are still available and relevant.
Apr 13, 2026:
We've checked that all our picks are accurate and in stock, and edited the text for clarity.
Jan 28, 2026:
The JBL Live 670NC replace the JBL Live 460NC Wireless as our mid-range pick because they have wider availability and a longer battery life. The 460NC Wireless are now a Notable Mention.
Oct 01, 2025:
We added some text clarifying that our mid-range and budget picks fluctuate in price a lot, so getting whichever you can find cheaper is a solid buying strategy. But we haven't changed our picks.
Mar 10, 2025:
To ensure we offer a range of headphones covering all price points, the JBL Tune 520BT are our new budget pick for their affordable price and balanced sound. The Sony WH-CH520 Wireless are an alternative pick for anyone prioritizing microphone quality. The Skullcandy Riff Wireless 2 are now a Notable Mention because of their useful analog connectivity.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best on-ear Bluetooth headphones and on-ear wired headphones for most people to buy. 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's the list of all on-ear headphones reviews. 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.