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Over-ear headphones offer some of the most impressive audio performance you can get for your money. But the best over-ear headphones provide more than just great sound. Top models also offer comfy designs and handy features like noise cancelling, wireless connectivity, and long-lasting battery life to be your sonic companion in virtually any scenario.
After countless hours spent with dozens of models across multiple categories, we've selected the six best over-ear headphones you can buy. Our top pick is the Sony WH-1000XM5, which offer a well-rounded mix of features and performance. On the budget side, the Soundcore Life Q30 serve up serious value at well below $100.
Our favorite picks span the spectrum, from wired audiophile headphones to feature-packed travel cans with top-notch noise-cancellation technology. Whatever you're looking for, you'll find the right pair for your needs below, as well as some helpful information to guide you in your search.
Our top picks for the best over-ear headphones
Best overall: Sony WF-1000XM5 - See at Amazon
Best on a budget: Soundcore by Anker Life Q30 - See at Amazon
Best for noise cancelling: Bose QuietComfort Ultra - See at Amazon
Best for Apple devices: Apple AirPods Max - See at Amazon
Best wired option for audiophiles: Sennheiser/Drop HD6XX - See at Amazon
Best premium model: Master & Dynamic MW75 - See at Amazon
Best overall
Sony's WH-1000XM5 headphones have it all: Fantastic sound quality, top-notch noise cancelling, great controls, a barrel of features, and lots of customization options, all wrapped in a sleek and comfortable chassis. These headphones aren't cheap, but they're primed to be your ultimate sonic companion from the office to the sky and everywhere in between.
Sitting a step above Sony's WH-1000XM4, the XM5 are built on a foundation of clear and relatively balanced sound that's as accessible as it is engaging. Bass is slightly ramped up by default, but Sony's Headphones Connect app packs many ways to customize it, including a multi-band EQ. The stereo image is spacious and expansive, with palpable dynamics to accentuate the action and isolate quiet moments. Details rush to the surface across your song catalog, letting you find new moments in old tracks.
Active noise-cancelling (ANC) performance is equally accomplished, combined with the headphones' great passive noise isolation to let you detach from your environment and fall into your music and videos. They're particularly excellent for traveling, where they're able to whisk away engine drones while still putting a serious damper on voices and other sounds. This is aggressive cancellation, firmly and unrelentingly squashing annoyances without adding any audible white noise. Perhaps that's why battery life, which is still quite good at 30 hours with ANC, can't push toward the 50+ hours of some competitors.
The XM5 pair great performance with a slick, minimalist design accented by plush padding along the earcups and headband to make them comfortable for hours. Our only real design complaint is that the headband doesn't fold, making these harder to pack than some rivals. Controls are simple and responsive, with swipes for volume and song skip and quick taps for playback. The auto-pause sensors work perfectly, so you'll never miss a moment of your show or podcast, while Sony's Quick Attention feature lets you hold the right earcup to snap between noise cancelling and transparency mode for conversations.
Speaking of conversations, the headphones work well for calls and include multipoint pairing to quickly swap between devices. The app unlocks many other options that let you tailor nearly everything to your preference. There are almost too many features for novices, but the design makes it easy to wade into these options at your own pace. You can still find Sony's older WH-1000XM4 model for less money, but if you want the best over-ear headphones, the WH-1000XM5 are the pair to buy.
Check out our Sony WH-1000XM5 review.
Best on a budget
Soundcore's Life Q30 are our favorite pair of over-ear headphones priced under $100, offering a quality experience with performance that strikes well above their price point. It all starts with their accessible sound, marked by clean and tight bass response, a warm and full midrange, and a clear upper register that seems to lean into virtually everything you play. These things just sound great, making you wonder how Soundcore can keep the cost so low.
That vibe continues with the noise cancelling, which shoots high again, performing better than most headphones we've heard at this price and even some well above it. This isn't the kind of expansive noise cancelling found in our favorites from Bose and Sony, but it was up to the task on a recent cross-country flight, allowing us to set it and forget the world as we dived into our favorite music and movies.
The Life Q30 also come loaded with extras. Their admiration for Bose's past QuietComfort headphones, like the QC30 and QC35, is evident from their understated look and simplified control keys to their pill-box hard case — a rarity at this price. You'll find an EQ and adjustable ambient audio modes within Soundcore's accompanying app, and you can expect up to 40 hours of playback time with noise cancelling or a whopping 60 hours without it.
The headphones are also quite comfy, cradling your head with thick, puffy pads that hold up long into a flight or work session. After a few uses, we did find some cracks in the armor — namely, the not-so-premium plastic on the earcups and headband, which is prone to scratches. We also noticed the tap command that switches between noise cancelling to transparency mode on the right earcup is prone to misfires, which is somewhat annoying, but far from a dealbreaker.
If you're looking for more features and slightly improved noise cancelling, you could step up to Soundcore's fancier Space One (though they don't come with a hard case). But for those seeking serious performance at well under $100, the Life Q30 are tough to beat.
Best for noise-cancelling
For noise-cancelling performance that makes you feel more like you're floating through the vacuum of space than trudging through your daily dog walk, nothing beats Bose's QuietComfort Ultra. These are simply the top noise-cancelling headphones we've tried, able to detach you from noisy environments and set you in a sanguine zone of sonic reserve.
ANC isn't the only reason to spend up for Bose's Ultra-fied cans. They have an elegant design that feels posh from the moment you unzip their pill-shaped case, and they wear comfortably for hours. A mix of touch and tactile controls, including a clever slide-action volume strip, make it easy to move through your library. The app packs plenty of features, including some options previous Bose models lacked, like a three-band EQ, as well as adjustable ambient audio, and even a limiter to reduce sudden loud noises when using the Aware mode.
Sound quality is also impressive, with a taut and refined midrange, a zippy treble register, and boomy bass that, after a few tweaks, punches with authoritative musicality. Instruments are detailed and crisp, with plenty of space within the soundstage to flourish. Calls are similarly clean and clear on both ends, with excellent wind-buffering for outdoor settings.
If you want to try some spatial audio fun, Bose's system will virtualize any stereo recording, with the ability to use head-tracking so you feel like you're pinned in a 3D space. It's not our favorite way to listen to most content, and we generally prefer stereo sound, but it's there if you're so inclined. We also wish battery life matched a bit better with the competition, but at 24 hours with ANC, it's still plenty for almost any use case.
With a price point that outspends even our favorite Sony pair, the QuietComfort are a high-end investment that won't be for everyone. But when it comes to uncompromised silence, Bose's top model is king.
Check out our guide to the best noise-cancelling headphones.
Best for Apple devices
Apple's space-age metal headphones made a big splash when they hit the market in 2020, and they're still making waves as the best over-ear headphones for those who want the fully switched-in Apple experience. Thanks to Apple's H1 chip, the Max work brilliantly with Apple gear. You can connect, share audio, and swap between iCloud devices with ease, while Always-on Siri lets you quickly chat with Apple's agreeable digital assistant hands-free.
Apple says the AirPods Max's computational power is key to their impressive noise cancelling and transparency mode that's among the most natural on the market. Their Adaptive EQ adjusts the sound to your exact fit, with crystal clarity across registers and a big, open soundstage that gives just the right space to instruments and effects in movies and TV shows. The Max also support Apple's Spatial Audio, which is among the best version we've tried when paired with Dolby Atmos mixes from compatible sources like Netflix and Disney Plus.
Their metal chassis is impressively well made, with a simple control system via a digital crown for precise volume adjustment. The headphones look and feel premium thanks to robust base materials like aluminum and steel, and they're available in multiple colors. They're also comfortable, though quite heavy, which can wear on your head over time, even with their forgiving canopy headband.
Apart from their heft, the AirPods Max's unique design has some limitations. They don't include a case, per se, instead using a sort of wrap that gives little protection for travel. We recommend visiting our guide to the best AirPods Max accessories for better storage options. The headphones can't ever really turn off either, staying in standby mode when in their wrap or laid down, which slow-drains the battery over time. That's particularly notable since their 20-hour battery life is among the worst in class. And though their premium build helps justify their high cost, they're only optimized for those deep in the Apple ecosystem, which makes them less versatile than competitors.
There are plenty of more affordable alternatives on our list, not to mention compact earbuds like Apple's own AirPods Pro that offer similar features for a lot less money. That said, the Max are a good choice for those after premium over-ears that play nicely with all things Apple.
Check out our AirPods Max review.
Check out our guide to the best Apple AirPods.
Best wired option for audiophiles
The term audiophile gets thrown around a lot in the headphones world, but the HD 6XX live up to the lofty moniker at a price that is unheard of in the segment. Pound for pound (or should we say ounce for ounce?) these open-back headphones, developed as an offshoot of Sennheiser's classic HD-650, offer some of the best sound quality on the market.
Performance is king for the HD 6XX. If you're new to the audiophile set, you're likely to be blown away by what you hear — and what you've never heard before. You'll find a warm and full midrange, ultra-clear treble, and spacey depth in the soundstage, letting instruments interweave and expand. You won't just hear the tone and timbre of a guitar, but the texture of the wood, the brassy sparkle of the strings, and the long sustain of each note. Vocals come alive, exposing every breath and even every micro movement between the singer and the microphone.
It's an aural feast for the senses that brings you closer to your favorite music than anything we've heard at this price point and even well above. The HD 6XX's one sonic drawback, if you can call it that, is that the bass is more resigned for a flatter, less accentuated punch. Those used to the heavier bass signatures of most wireless headphones may find it lacking, but it's enough to hold down the foundation and let the rest of the music flourish.
When it comes to wires, these are plug-in only, connecting with a six-foot cable. They'll work with everything from a PC to a phone (with an adapter), but they sound best if you drive them with a dedicated headphone amp. Perhaps most important to note is that, while their plush earcups make them comfortable for hours, their open-back design means that nothing you listen to is for you alone. Your music will spill out into the world and vice versa.
The HD 6XX don't come with a hard case, but then again, their exposed exterior means you'll likely want to listen mostly at home anyway. You won't get nearly the same versatility here as what's offered by our top pick or most wireless headphones. But if sound quality and comfort are your primary objectives, you simply won't find a better pair at this price.
Best premium model
Nothing makes you feel like part of the glitterati like a pair of headphones that actually glitter. Master & Dynamic's expensive MW75 offer audio performance befitting of their price point and some solid features as well. But what really makes them special is their premium design that's equal parts stunning style and luxurious fit.
With earcups etched from sparkling aluminum and tempered glass, the headphones feel cool and sleek to the touch. Their simplified control system uses tactile aluminum keys along the right and left earcups for volume and playback commands. The cushy headband and earpads are cloaked in gorgeous lambskin, which looks especially lovely in cognac brown. They feel as soft as a law firm's couch, and though they get a little warm after a few hours, it's frankly hard to find much fault with anything that looks this cool. The earcups are also removable and replaceable.
There's substance beneath that glam exterior, too. The headphones sound excellent, with the kind of pristine clarity and taut punch we've come to expect from Master & Dynamic, elevated to its finest form. The instrumental separation and soundstage are clean and spacious, respectively, and bass booms big from the 40mm beryllium drivers.
Within the M&D Control app, you'll find a minimalist layout of features, including auto-pause sensors and timers, EQ presets (but no multi-band control), and adjustable ANC and transparency modes. The noise cancelling on offer isn't as good as the Sony and Bose options on this list, and you'll hear some soft white noise when it's activated, but it does the trick. Accessories include a sleek and durable hard case loaded with multiple adapters and USB-C cables for charging and audio playback.
These aren't ultimate, do-everything cans, and they'll cost you a pretty penny. But if you're after a plush pair that looks and feels as good as it sounds, these are the wireless over-ear headphones to grab.
How we test over-ear headphones
To select the best over-ear headphones, we tested dozens of models in and outside the office to find our top six picks. We use reproducible methods whenever possible, including a specified list of well-known testing materials across musical genres, video samples, and podcasts. We also use test videos like airplane drone sounds and voice chatter with professional monitors in a treated room to evaluate features like noise cancelling in simulated real-world scenarios.
Whenever possible, we also take headphones out into the real world. For this guide, that process included a cross-country flight testing multiple pairs, as well as taking the headphones outdoors in windy environments to decipher features like call quality and transparency mode. We evaluate headphones over several days to measure battery life claims, as well as use features like multipoint pairing to determine their effectiveness and ease of use.
What to look for in a pair of over-ear headphones
Many over-ear headphones sold today are wireless, which means you should look out for features like long battery life (at least 20 hours or more for modern pairs), noise cancelling and transparency modes to block or let in the world around you, and multipoint pairing to easily swap between multiple playback devices. The best over-ear headphones with wireless support should include an app to control settings, most notably an EQ (or equalizer) to adjust the sound. You'll also want to check the Bluetooth version used. We recommend 5.0 or higher to ensure a seamless wireless connection.
The above features aren't applicable if you're shopping for a wired pair of over-ear headphones, but whether you go wireless or wired, comfort is king. You'll want to ensure your pair isn't overly heavy and offers ample padding along the earcups and headband. Other important factors include the ability to fold for travel and accessories like a hard case, making it easier to take your headphones on the go. For audiophile options, you may need to decide between open-back models, which generally offer a more airy soundstage but let in environmental noise, or closed-back models, which sound more static but are more versatile.
Most of all, your guiding force should be sound quality. Your headphones can have all the features in the world, but if they don't sound good, you won't want to use them. For help there, you can look at critical reviews, user reviews, and guides like this. You can generally trust top brands like Sony, Sennheiser, Bose, and Apple or, on the budget side, Soundcore. Sound is subjective, so whenever possible, we recommend trying a pair of headphones for yourself before you buy.
Over-ear headphones FAQs
Are over-ear headphones better than on-ear and in-ear headphones?
Determining what type of headphones are best is ultimately subjective and comes down to what you need and how you use them. But in general, most audio professionals agree that over-ear headphones, which fit around your ears rather than wedging into your ear canals, offer the best overall audio performance. This is partly due to basic physics; their larger drivers and acoustic chambers are ostensibly able to reproduce sound frequencies more faithfully than smaller on-ear headphones or earbuds. The best over-ear headphones may also have an advantage in fit and comfort since their larger earcups can offer more padding and will adapt to a larger group of users.
That said, thanks to new technology advancements, there are in-ear headphones that can outperform some of their over-ear counterparts. Moreover, in-ear headphones are more compact and much easier to bring along, which makes them arguably more convenient as your sonic daily driver. Check out our guide to the best wireless earbuds for some of our top in-ear headphone picks.
On-ear headphones, which are harder to find nowadays, are the odd man out. They can't create a seal as tight as over-ear or in-ear headphones, which puts them at a disadvantage in performance and comfort. But for some users, on-ear headphones could be preferable since their fit is less dependent on ear or head shape.
What is noise cancelling?
Active noise cancelling (ANC) utilizes onboard microphones and processing to capture the sound around you and reverse the frequencies, helping to block exterior sounds from reaching your ears. Noise-cancelling headphones can't suppress all sounds, often struggling with high-frequency noises like sirens, dog barks, and loud voices, especially when attempting to block other noises like plane engines simultaneously. But top noise-cancelling headphones from brands like Bose and Sony do a good job of minimizing ambient sounds.
What is transparency mode?
Transparency mode is essentially the opposite of noise cancelling, using the same microphones meant to block sounds around you to accentuate those sounds instead. This is done to help keep you aware of your surroundings and/or communicate while wearing over-ear headphones and earbuds. The best over-ear headphones can provide a natural-sounding transparency mode, while some even add features like compression or limiting to keep sudden loud sounds from blasting your ear drums.
What is a multipoint connection?
Multipoint connection enables Bluetooth headphones to pair with two or more devices simultaneously, letting you quickly switch between them. This is most useful when multitasking, letting you transition from listening to music on your phone to hearing a video call on your laptop without the need to disconnect/reconnect devices.
What are open-back headphones?
Open-back headphones are, as the name implies, headphones with open or vented earcups. This open design is most common on audiophile headphones to create a more airy sound unconstrained by traditional headphones' confined acoustics. While this can improve sound quality for performance that's more like speakers, it means whatever you're listening to may be audible to those around you, and vice versa.