The best over-ear headphones we tested
Best over-ear headphones: Sony WH-1000XM5
Best noise-canceling over-ear headphones: Bose QuietComfort Ultra
Best over-ear headphones for Apple users: Beats Studio Pro
Best over-ear headphones for audiophiles: Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2
Best budget over-ear headphones: 1More SonoFlow
While earbuds and on-ear headphones have their uses, there’s nothing quite like a great pair of over-ear headphones for when you want to get fully engrossed in whatever you’re listening to. But with a deluge of great models from brands like Sony, Bose and Apple regularly hitting shelves, where do you even start?
Fortunately, we’re always jamming out to the latest headphones in the name of helping you pick the right ones. Whether you need something with great noise cancellation for blocking out the world when it’s time to lock in, you’re an audiophile with a discerning ear or you just want something good on a budget, here are our five top picks.
Best over-ear headphones
The Sony WH-1000XM5 improve on the XM4, with a slimmer design and refined noise-canceling microphones. XM4 owners have little reason to upgrade, but for anybody else, the XM5 are the high-end headphones to get.
Best over-ear headphones: Sony WH-1000XM5
Sony has held the top spot as our best noise-canceling headphones and continues to sit securely atop our best wireless headphones rankings as well. The WH-1000XM5’s active noise cancellation (ANC) continues to be some of the best around, turning most of the audible chaos of everyday life into a blissfully quiet hum, and when you add in the great sound and call quality, comfort, sleek design and solid app support, it adds up to a hard-to-beat package.
The new model improves on the older XM4 with an improved processor and set of microphones for ANC, improved call quality, slightly faster charging time, automatic ANC optimization and a slightly sleeker design. Sound quality is as it was in the last generation — and that’s a good thing, since it was already one of the best-sounding headphones we’d tested, with rich, balanced sound that highlighted the tiniest details across all the genres we listened to during our testing, from sensitive acoustic tracks to booming pop to searing hardcore.
The XM5 sound great out of the box, but you can customize them to your liking via the Sony headphones app for iOS or Android. The app’s equalizer lets you choose from a number of presets (which do things like boost the bass or provide a quieter mix), and those willing to get into the nitty-gritty can also make their own sound profiles. You can also take advantage of immersive 360 Reality Audio — Sony’s proprietary spatial audio tech that places sound all around you — on supported apps such as Tidal, Deezer and Amazon Music as well as Sony’s high-resolution LDAC streaming format.
Battery life is impressive — we got 34 hours, or five straight days, of all-day use, before the battery gave out. And when you do run out of juice, a quick-charge feature gets you three hours of playback time from a three-minute charge cycle.
None of these features would make any difference if they weren’t comfortable to wear. And the XM5’s supple, spacious faux leather ear cups and lightweight frame make them a delight to wear throughout walks, subway rides and full days of work in the home office. They also look great, with an understated design in either black or silver that slims down the headband from the previous-gen model. It’s only a fraction of a pound lighter, but the entire design is much sleeker overall. And the slim mesh carrying case keeps the WH-1000XM5 safe when it’s time to stash them away.
Other over-ear wireless headphones we recommend
Regardless of their high price tag, the QC Ultra are a must-own for anyone wanting the absolute best noise cancellation with exceptional 3D audio performance and smart functionality to boot.
The Beats Studio Pro get you the same seamless Apple integration and excellent ANC as the AirPods Max for a fraction of the price — and they also work great with Android.
This latest update to the Bowers & Wilkins Bluetooth flagship offers superb sound and great build quality in a package that should appeal to those looking for sound quality above all else in a pair of wireless headphones.
The 1More SonoFlow wireless over-ear headphones sound better and have more effective noise cancellation than anything we've tested at its low price. If you want all of these features on a budget, look no further.
What to look for in over-ear wireless noise-canceling headphones
If you’re like most of us, if you’re considering spending upwards of $300 on a set of headphones you want something that can cover all the bases: active noise cancellation, or ANC; a stable Bluetooth wireless connection that works with all of your stuff (hopefully with fast switching); support for all of your favorite audio formats; integration with the operating system you use, whether iOS or Android; and an app that lets you manage it all without too much frustration. And you need it to be comfortable to wear all day and to pack up small enough to take with you wherever you go.
Luckily, most major manufacturers have been trying to hit this target for a few years now, and they’ve largely succeeded. The latest wireless flagships from Sony, Bose, Apple, Sennheiser, Bowers & Wilkins, Jabra and others mostly do it all, and frankly they all sound pretty good too. So the choice comes down to what integrates best with your stuff (or gives you the most options) and what feels good and sounds good to you.
How our recommendations compare
|
Best overall over-ear headphones
|
|
|---|---|
| Battery llfe | 30 hours |
| Fast charging | 3 hours of playback in 3 minutes |
| Multi-device pairing | Yes (2 devices, Bluetooth multipoint) |
| Colors available | Black, White |
| Weight | 0.55 lb. |
| Price | $328 |
|
Best noise-canceling over-ear headphones
|
|
|---|---|
| Battery llfe | 23 hours |
| Fast charging | 2.5 hours of playback in 15 minutes |
| Multi-device pairing | No |
| Colors available | Black, White Smoke, Sandstone |
| Weight | 0.56 lb. |
| Price | $379 |
|
Best over-ear headphones for Apple users
|
|
|---|---|
| Battery llfe | 40 hours |
| Fast charging | 4 hours of playback in 10 minutes |
| Multi-device pairing | Yes (automatic switching via iCloud) |
| Colors available | Black, Deep Brown, Navy, Sandstone |
| Weight | 0.57 lb. |
| Price | $250 |
|
Best over-ear headphones for audiophiles
|
|
|---|---|
| Battery llfe | 30 hours |
| Fast charging | 7 hours of playback in 15 minutes |
| Multi-device pairing | Yes (2 devices, Bluetooth multipoint) |
| Colors available | Blue, Black, Gray |
| Weight | 0.68 lb. |
| Price | From $300 |
|
Best budget over-ear headphones
|
|
|---|---|
| Battery llfe | 50 hours |
| Fast charging | 5 hours of playback in 5 minutes |
| Multi-device pairing | Yes (2 devices, Bluetooth multipoint) |
| Colors available | Black |
| Weight | 0.55 lb. |
| Price | $64 |
How we tested
To find the best over-ear headphones, our testers have put the leading models available through a set of listening tests and used them every day over several months, focusing not just on sound quality but also on functionality, usability and comfort — the issues that are so important to most users.
We evaluated each pair of headphones’ design, noted how well the controls held up, tested out every special feature, paid attention to battery life and charge time and read up on warranties.
Throughout the process, we compared each headphone carefully with its competitors, new models and previous favorites to get the best sense of how the models we tested stacked up.
Design
- Comfort: We wore the headphones for an extended period of time to determine whether they provided enough adjustability and whether the headband’s clamping force was too weak, too strong or just right, and whether the ear cups allowed enough room or felt tight over time. We also considered weight, bulk and style.
- Build quality: We also looked carefully at the quality of the materials used, how clean construction was and how well assembled each headphone was. We also looked at how compact each model folded, and at case materials and construction.
Performance
- Active noise cancellation: We created two noisy conditions to test: running on a treadmill with a TV on high volume nearby and sitting next to an active washing machine; later testing added a kitchen hood fan and window air conditioner. This section also required intensive cross-comparison to figure out which headphones were dampening more sound, and what range of sound was being affected.
- Sound quality: In addition to personal favorites our testers knew well, we used a baseline set of well-engineered contemporary songs, including acoustic, electric and electronic music, so we could easily establish direct comparisons. We listened carefully for how well each headphone reproduced bass and revealed midrange and treble detail, how realistic a soundstage it created and overall clarity, paying special attention to whether noise cancellation and transparency modes interacted with or interfered with the overall sound. And for headphones that used virtual surround modes, we assessed the realism and usefulness of the included effects.
- Battery life: To check battery life, we used a long playlist and, following a full charge to capacity, ran each headphone to exhaustion at normal listening level (75% volume) with ANC on and off. We also used them as part of our daily routines, charging them to capacity and then using them for work and commute until exhaustion to get a sense of how many days of real-world use they would support. After exhausting the battery, we also double-checked quick-charge features, testing to see if we could get the claimed battery life.
Usability and connectivity
- Controls: We tested each physical control to find out whether the user interface of each model was easy to understand and how intuitive it was to control playback, calls, volume, Bluetooth pairing and features like ANC and transparency modes. We paid equal attention to companion apps, examining the extended settings available and how intuitive and useful the software was in daily use.
- Pairing: We paired each headphone with multiple Apple, Android and Windows devices, assessing ease of pairing and switching between multiple devices (where that was supported) as well as speed of reconnection, carefully noting range and latency.
Other over-ear headphones we tested
Apple AirPods Max
The AirPods Max enjoyed a long reign as our top headphone pick for Apple users thanks to their superb sound, immersive spatial audio and effortless integration with all of your Apple products. They’re still a great splurge option for those who want supreme style and performance, but the newer Beats Studio Pro offer many of the same features for a fraction of the price.
EarFun Wave Pro
The EarFun Wave Pro are some of the absolute best budget headphones we’ve tested, and a worthy alternative to the 1More SonoFlow if your budget is firmly under $100. You’ll get excellent noise cancellation and sound for the price, a stellar 80 hours of battery and an attractive design that belies the can’s affordable price. Just note that these headphones aren’t great for calls, and that their controls can take some getting used to. If these seem like a good fit, you can score a total of 30% off by using our exclusive code EWPROCNN at checkout on Amazon.
Sony Ult Wear
The Sony Ult Wear are a great affordable alternative to our top pick in the Sony WH-1000XM5 — especially if you’re a bass lover. On top of offering up to 50 hours of battery life and many of the same high-end perks of Sony’s flagship cans, the Ult Wear pack a special “Ult” button that kicks the low end into overdrive and adds even more oomph to your favorite bass-heavy tracks. The Ult Wear’s overall build quality, noise cancellation and call quality leave something to be desired, but these are well worth considering if you want premium sound for less than $200.
Bose Noise-Canceling Headphones 700
Our previous pick for best noise-canceling over-ear headphones, the Bose 700 are still a great choice. Perfect for commuting, the office, long flights or just around the house, the Bose 700 combine Bose’s industry-leading ANC with great sound and a new, more comfortable and stylish slimmed-down design. The upgrades made to the new QuietComfort Ultra headphones gave them the edge over the Bose 700, but if you’re looking for a pair of noise-canceling headphones under $300, the 700 remain an excellent choice.
Beats Studio 3 Wireless
Upon our initial testing, we found the Beats Studio 3 Wireless to be a great set of Apple-friendly headphones that made for a cheaper alternative to the AirPods Max. They’re still a great pickup that are often on sale for less than $200 these days, but we’d point most folks to the newer and better Beats Studio Pro.
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H9
The Beoplay H9 are expensive — in the same neighborhood as the AirPods Max — but do impressive sound quality with solid bass and a wide soundstage, along with good ANC. And though they have a beautiful design and impressive build quality, we found them uncomfortable to wear for long periods, and their touch controls were frustrating to use. And call quality wasn’t great — recipients consistently reported hearing an echo of themselves.
Bose QuietComfort 45
The Bose QuietComfort 45 offer the same great noise cancellation as the Bose 700, in a more traditional package with lots of physical controls in place of the 700’s touch controls. The build quality is impressive, they fold small as befits their executive-travel heritage and they’re made for long-term comfort. They’re perfect for road warriors, but we think that most people will be happier with the newer Bose QuietComfort Ultra.
Bowers & Wilkins Px8
The high-end sibling of the Px7 S2, the leather-clad Px8 are a decidedly luxe take on the same concept as its younger (and less expensive) sibling. It’s a little better all around — nicer materials, exotic drivers with carbon-fiber cones and bigger magnets and marginally better sound than the already great-sounding Px7 S2 — but otherwise has the same features and is very similar under the hood, so we think that for most purchasers (even those with an audiophile bent) the Px7 S2 probably makes more sense.
Edifier Stax Spirit S3
The Edifier Stax Spirit S3 are built around a pair of planar magnetic drivers, thin membranes suspended between a pair of magnets. These react more quickly to changes in current than the speaker-like dynamic drivers typically used in headphones, and can provide more accurate, detailed sound. And the Stax Spirit S3 do sound really good — plenty of high-end detail and dynamics and good imaging with an airy sense of space, impressive for a fairly small closed-back headphone — it’s a solid choice for an on-the-go headphone if your tastes run toward acoustic music. Unusually for a planar-magnetic design, an app lets you make some EQ adjustments, though by selecting presets — it’d be nice to see a little more open approach here. Sound aside, the Stax Spirit S3 offer impressive Bluetooth range, fold up small for travel and include a cool travel case. You can even use the Stax Spirit S3 wired (though you still need to turn them on, so this is more for use with non-wireless devices than a fallback for being out of power). There’s no ANC here, so you’ll depend on the closed back design and good seal for isolation.
Jabra Elite 85h
While the sound isn’t as refined and they aren’t as comfy as our main recommendations, the Elite 85h give you great sound and effective noise cancellation for about half the price, along with great build quality and simple, easy-to-use controls.
JBL Live 650BTNC
The JBL Live 650BTNC deliver crisp sound and a reasonably realistic soundstage for the money, though compared to your recommendations they suffer somewhat, especially on the low end, where they don’t deliver extended bass. The JBL Headphones app gives you multiple sound profiles to choose from, but they don’t overcome the 650 BTNC’s inherent character. The sleek, minimal design is attractive, but they have a lot of clamping force, so they aren’t as comfortable for long wear as our main recommendations. But they’re available at a deep discount, and if you’re looking for something to use occasionally they may fit the bill.
Master & Dynamic MH40 Wireless V2
The latest version of Master & Dynamic’s popular high-end headphones sport the same distinguished, classy design while serving up improved audio, a beefed-up app and better battery life than last gen’s model. The MH 40 Wireless V2 are some of the best headphones we’ve tested in terms of sheer audio quality and slick aesthetics, but they lack ANC — not to mention the wealth of extra features you’ll find on the likes of the Sony WH-1000XM5 and AirPods Max.
Poly BackBeats Pro 2
The Poly (formerly Plantronics) BackBeats Pro 2 has decent overall sound quality but lacked bass extension and didn’t produce a wide-sounding soundstage. Call quality was relatively poor, with one recipient describing it as sounding like we were underwater. But they are comfortable to wear, and they have a fun-to-use rotary volume control.
Sennheiser Momentum 4
The updated Sennheiser Momentum 4 drop the retro styling of their predecessors for a more vanilla look, but improved ANC, a solid app and great sound make them a compelling choice for headphone aficionados.
Skullcandy Crusher ANC
The Skullcandy Crusher ANC were our least favorite among those we tested. A dedicated bass boost slider on one of the cups lets you go from thin bass response to skull-rattling boom, but it felt like a gimmick, adding clutter to the mix but not definition. Using the Skullcandy app gave us access to some better-sounding custom profiles, but given that the Crusher weren’t especially comfortable to wear, we’d look at one of our other recommendations at this price.
Sony WH-1000XM4
These were our previous favorites, and if you’re looking to save $50, they sound just as good as the newer WH-1000XM5. That said, we think the better ANC and call quality of the revised model are worth the extra money, but if that stretches the budget too far, these are still a good option. Like the newer Sonys, the XM4 offer great sound, long battery life and very effective noise cancellation (and you control them with the same useful, full-featured app).