10 Headphones-Friendly Habits To Be Healthy Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones completely surround your ears and allow you to fully immerse in sound. They are generally tuned for audiophiles, and come with features such as active noise cancellation and control apps.

The Focal Bathys is a wireless pair that includes ANC, a mobile app to alter the EQ and presets. They also support high-res audio through USB-C for wired listening.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH1000XM5 earphones from Sony are the latest model in their noise cancelling lineup. They have a fresh new design, improved ANC and a host of the same features as their predecessors, but with higher-end materials and a slightly higher-quality sound.

They're lightweight for over-ear ANC headphones, weighing just 250g. This makes them extremely comfortable to wear for long periods of time, even if you're listening to a podcast or book. The headband features a friction rod design that is similar to the Grado Labs SR60x, which keeps your ears from getting too cold.

With a sound quality that can satisfy casual music listeners and serious audiophiles, the WH1000XM5's sound signature is tuned to have a slight emphasis on bass but is not overpowering or harsh. The earphones have a large and spacious soundstage, with excellent instrument separation. This lets you listen to the subtleties of your music. The earcups are also equipped with touch controls, which are easy to use. Swipe up or down to alter the volume. You can also swipe forward to listen to the next track and reverse to hear the previous track. The headphones are capable of connecting to two devices at once and, thanks to a built-in sensor, they will automatically pause the playback if removed from your head. You can also turn on ambient mode by resting your palm on the right earcup and allowing you to be aware of what's happening around you without taking off the headphones.

Other useful features include the ability to pair them with your voice assistant, Bluetooth low-energy, and support for high-resolution audio (via LDAC). They come with a sturdy carrying case made from top quality fabric, as well as an USB-C cable for charging. The headphones work with the majority of Android and iOS smartphones, as well as with computers running Windows and macOS. The battery longevity of the WH-1000XM5 is exceptional. In our test we were able get 31 hours and 53 minutes when the ANC turned on which is more than Sony's advertised battery life of 30 hours.

The WH-1000XM5's mic performance on calls is superb and there's no distorted or static-y sound in the background. Noise cancelling is also excellent and these headphones are ideal for public transportation or in the office.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a major upgrade over its predecessor. It has a host of new features and improved performance. It includes wireless streaming at 24 bits enhanced active noise cancellation, and crystal clear voice call quality on any compatible tablet or mobile phone. The 40mm drivers, which are custom-designed and angled inside each earcup, provide a more immersive and focused listening experience. Six strategically placed microphones guarantee exceptional call clarity even in noisy environments. And an inline remote and microphone lets you control your calls and music using any compatible device.

As with the PX7's original design The headphones sport sleek and elegant with accent rings around each earcup and a silver-colored headband. The memory foam earcups fit well but not too tight on the cranium. The new shape and form was perfected over many months and provides an incredibly comfortable clamping pressure that doesn't press too hard on my rotund skull.

At 10.8 grams (or 307g), they're 2 ounces lighter than the Sony WH-1000XM5, and are a touch smaller. They're light enough for carrying in your backpack or bag without any discomfort, and they'll stay comfortably in place during long listens. The headband can be folded up using a sturdy hinge at the back.

headphone online shop are powered by Bluetooth 5.2 with the aptX Adaptive. This is great for high-resolution audio aswell as tight video sync. The 3.5mm cord connects to the USB-C port on the right earcup. The headphone's status indicator is a useful touch that flashes green to indicate rapid charge and solid blue when Bluetooth pairing is active.


The B&W App offers the same control options that the hardware onboard buttons offer such as bass and treble adjustments actions button assignments, wear detection, the ability to cycle through ANC modes and more. The app also shows an album cover and track's name when you play music using your iPhone. However, popular extras like music presets or soundscapes feature are not available.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is the successor of the iconic headphones from Sennheiser, and it is meant to meet the most demanding requirements. The technical design was designed to provide a breath-taking detail resolution that covers the entire frequency spectrum, dynamic range, and stereo panorama. It also offers the most realistic sound you'll ever hear in a pair of open-back headphones.

The headphone has an impedance of 300 ohms, so it requires a high-quality headphone amplifier that can drive it to the levels you want without distortion. It is recommended to use a balanced connection, which can increase the output and boost the sound quality.

These headphones are made for professional use and have a sturdy metal frame, with a mixture of leather and plastic. The design is simple and doesn't appear like a fancy pair of headphones, but they feel premium in the hands and are well-built. They come with a carry case, an additional audio cable, and an adapter from 1/4" to 1-/8" adapter.

The HD 800 S has a neutral sound that reproduces vocals and instruments in a natural way, even however they are lighter on bass. This is due to the open-back design creates a spacious and out-of-head soundstage. The treble is very good with minor drops and peaks. The treble region is also extremely smooth, meaning you'll not have issues piercing sibilants and the upper sound of the drum snare.

They still have the ability to deliver and dynamism in the event of need, despite the absence of a loud low-end. These headphones are still great for those who love rock music with punchy basses however they might not be as impressive as the other models on this list.

The Sennheiser headphones have a great mid-range. They are a linear pair with an incline on the upper mids, which shouldn't be noticed by the majority of listeners. They also can reproduce precise time gradations, which is a bonus.

The HD 800 S are a pair of outstanding headphones, ideal for audiophiles and professionals. Their exceptional sound quality and comfortable fit make them an excellent choice. They are expensive however, you're getting a pair of headphones that will last for years to be able to perform to their best in any situation.

Anker Soundcore Life q20

The Anker Soundcore Q20 is a decent set of headphones for anyone looking to pass the time or simply need a pair of affordable headphones that block out noise. The headphones come with a basic bag that will protect them when you throw them in the bag. Their battery can last for a long time on long-haul flights. The ANC works well to block out noisy seatmates and engine rumbles, however their audio profile is a bit warmer and bass-heavy.

The controls on the Life Q20 are well-marked and easy to use. On the left earcup, you'll find buttons for pairing and powering up the headphones, as well as turning on or off the active noise cancellation. On the right ear cup, you'll find media playback controls which include a multi-function button which lets you turn on the voice assistant of your phone and turn on the Anker's BassUp feature (more on that later). You can also utilize the built-in microphone in order to make calls hands-free with your phone.

Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphones offers a deep immersive listening experience thanks to its custom 40mm dynamic driver that offers certified Hi-Res audio. These headphones have an amplitude range of up to 40 kHz. Their hybrid active noise cancelling technology is designed to block out a variety of low- and mid-frequency sound.

One thing to remember about the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is that they don't support aptX, which is a disappointment. This means that you won't be capable of taking advantage of the superior codec's lower latency when you're gaming on your PC.

The Life Q20's headband and memory foam ear cups are comfortable enough to wear for long periods without discomfort. The ear cups are also capable of turning so that they can adjust to the specific shape of your head so you can get a snug fit. You can also listen to your music with a 3.5mm cable and a microUSB cable is included to charge the battery.