What's The Reason? Headphones Is Everywhere This Year Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones completely encapsulate your ears and allow you to fully immerse in the sound. They are usually tuned for audiophiles and feature features like active noise cancellation and control applications.

The Focal Bathys are a wireless device that comes with ANC and a mobile application for tweaking the EQ and presets. They also support high-res audio through USB-C for wired listening.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH1000XM5 headphones by Sony are the latest upgrade in their noise cancelling lineup. They sport a new design, upgraded ANC and a host of the same features as their predecessors but with higher-end materials and a slightly more premium sound quality.

At only 250g, they are lightweight for over-ear ANC headsets. This makes them extremely comfortable to wear for long periods of time, even if you're listening to a podcast or book. The headband is soft and it features an ear-friction rod design similar to the Grado Labs SR60x that prevents your ears from becoming too cold.

With a sound quality that is able to please people who listen to music for no reason and serious audiophiles, the WH1000XM5's sound signature is tuned to have a slight emphasis on bass but is not too loud or harsh. The earphones boast a huge and open soundstage, with excellent instrument separation. This lets you listen to the subtleties of your music. The earcups come with touch controls that are simple and responsive. Swipe up or down to change the volume. You can also swipe forward to listen to the next song, backwards to hear the previous track. The headphones can connect to two devices simultaneously, and will automatically stop playback whenever you take them off your head due to the built-in sensor. You can activate the ambient mode by placing your palm on the right earcup. This allows you to listen to the sounds around you without having to take off the headphones.

They can also be connected with your voice assistant. Bluetooth low-energy is also supported, as well as high-resolution audio (via LDAC). They come with a sturdy carrying case made of premium fabric and a USB-C cable for charging. The headphones are compatible with most Android and iOS smartphones, as well as with computers that run Windows and macOS. The battery longevity of the WH1000XM5 is exceptional. In our battery test we had 31 hours and 53 minute with the ANC on, which was better than Sony's advertised 30-hour battery life.

The WH1000XM5 has a great microphone that can be used for voice calls. There is no static or muffled audio in the background. Noise cancellation is also great and these headphones are perfect for public transportation or the office.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a significant upgrade from its predecessor, providing top-quality performance and features. The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a premium model with a variety of features like 24-bit wireless streaming with active noise cancellation that is optimized, and clear voice calls on any compatible mobile or tablet. The 40mm drivers, which are designed specifically and angled to fit in each earcup, provide a more complete and focused listening experience. Six strategically placed microphones provide exceptional call clarity even in noisy environments. A built-in remote and microphone allows you to control music and calls from any device compatible with it.


These headphones have a similar elegant and sleek design to the original PX7. They have accent rings around the earcups, and a silver sheen on the headband. The earcups are cushioned using memory foam and fit snugly on the cranium, but never feel tight. The new design and shape required a lot of time to perfect, providing an easy clamping force that doesn't push too hard even on my own rotund cranium.

They're 2 ounces lighter (or 307g) and are a little smaller than the Sony WH1000XM5. They're light enough to carry in your bag or backpack without any discomfort, and they'll stay comfortably in place during long listens. The headband is foldable by using a sturdy hinge on the back.

The headphones are powered by Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX Adaptive. This is ideal for high-quality audio as well as tight video sync. The 3.5mm cord connects to the USB-C port on the right earcup. The status indicator on the headphone is a nice addition. It flashes green to show rapid charging and solid blue to indicate Bluetooth pairing.

The B&W App offers the same control options that the onboard buttons in the hardware offer such as bass and treble adjustments actions button assignments, wear detection, the ability to cycle through ANC modes, etc. The app also displays an album cover and track title when you play music from your iPhone. shopping for headphones as music presets, soundscapes and music mode aren't available, however.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is the successor of the iconic headphones by Sennheiser, and it is designed to meet the highest expectations. Its engineering was optimized to achieve stunning detail resolution that covers the entire frequency spectrum, dynamic range and stereo panorama. It provides the most realistic audio you'll hear on headphones with open backs.

The headphone is 300 ohms in impedance, therefore a high-quality headphone amplifier is required to operate it at the right levels without distortion. It is recommended to use a balanced connection, which will double the output and improve the sound quality.

These headphones are designed for professional use. They have a metal frame and a mix of leather and plastic padding. The design is simple and doesn't look extravagant however the quality of the headphones and their construction are excellent. They come with a carrying case, an extra audio cable, and a 1/4" to 1-/8" adapter.

The HD 800 S has a neutral sound that reproduces vocals and instruments with naturality, however they are light on bass. The open-back design results in a spacious, out-of-head soundstage. The treble is excellent, with minor peaks and drops. The region of the treble has a linear quality which means you won't have issues with piercingsibilants or the upper bite of a drum snare.

Despite the lack of a loud bass, they can still produce a punch and dynamism when required. They are still a great choice for those who like rock music with punchy basses, but may not sound as great as other models on this list.

In the mids, these Sennheiser headphones are hard to beat. They are very linear, with a slight scoop in the upper mids which will not be noticed by most listeners. They also can reproduce precise time gradations, which is a benefit.

The HD 800 S are a pair of outstanding headphones, ideal for audiophiles and professionals. They're a top choice because of their outstanding sound quality and a comfortable fit. They are expensive, but you're paying for a pair of headphones that will last for years to be used and perform to their best in any setting.

Anker Soundcore Life q20

The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 are a good pair of headphones that can provide the perfect solution for anyone who wants to pass the time or simply wants a low-cost pair of noise-cancelling headphones. The headphones come with a basic case that protects the headphones when you place them into a bag. Their battery can last for several long-haul flights. The ANC can effectively block out noisy passengers and engine rumbles. However, their audio profile is a little warm and bass-heavy.

The controls on the Life Q20 are well-marked and easy to use. On the left earcup there are buttons to power up and pair the headphones, as well as for turning on or off active noise cancellation. On the right earcup, you'll find media playback controls. This includes a multi-function control that activates your phone's voice assistant and switches on Anker BassUp (more about it later). The built-in mic can be used to make hands-free phone calls.

Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphones provides a full immersive listening experience thanks to its custom 40mm dynamic driver that provides certified Hi-Res audio. The headphones feature a treble range that reaches up to 40 kHz. Their active noise cancelling technology is designed to block out a variety of mid- and low-frequency sound.

One important thing to be aware of about the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is that they do not support aptX, which is disappointing. This means you won't be able to take advantage of the superior codec's lower latency while playing on your computer.

The Life Q20's headband and memory foam ear cups are comfortable enough to wear for extended periods of time without discomfort. The ear cups can also rotate to adjust to your unique head shape. The included 3.5mm audio cable lets you to listen to music while charging the battery.