Best Over-Ear HeadphonesOver-ear headphones completely encapsulate your ears and allow you to fully immerse in the sound. They are typically made for audiophiles and come with features such as active noise cancelling and control apps.The Focal Bathys is a wireless speaker that comes with ANC as well as a mobile app to adjust the EQ and presets. They also support high-res audio for wired listening via USB-C.Sony WH-1000XM5The WH-1000XM5 headphones are Sony's most recent upgrade to their top-of-the-line noise cancellation line-up. They sport a new design, upgraded ANC and a lot of the same features as their predecessors, but with better materials and slightly higher quality sound.They're light for over-ear ANC headphones, weighing 250 grams. They're very comfortable to wear, even if you're listening to or reading the audiobook. The headband is soft and it has the same design of a friction rod as the Grado Labs SR60x that prevents 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 focus on bass but is not too loud or harsh. The earphones boast a huge and wide soundstage, as well as excellent instrument separation. at headphones lets you hear the details in your music. The earcups come with touch controls that are simple and responsive. Swipe forward to play the next track, back to listen to the previous one and then up and down to adjust the volume. The headphones are capable of connecting to two devices at the same time and due to an inbuilt sensor, they automatically pause the playback if removed from your head. You can also switch on ambient mode by resting your palm on the right earcup, which allows you to listen to what's happening around you without taking off the headphones.Other helpful features include the possibility of pairing 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 a USB-C cable for charging. The headphones work with Android and iOS smartphones as well as computers operating Windows or macOS. The battery longevity of the WH-1000XM5 is exceptional. In our test of the standard battery we recorded 31 hours and 53 minutes with the ANC on, which was better than Sony's advertised 30-hour battery life.The WH1000XM5 is a great microphone for making calls. There is no static or muffled audio in the background. The noise cancellation is top-notch, and they're a good fit for public transport or the office.Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a major upgrade over its predecessor. It has a host of new features and improved performance. The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 offers premium performance and features, including 24bit wireless streaming with active noise cancellation that is optimized, and clear voice calls on any compatible mobile or tablet. The 40mm drivers, that are custom-designed and angled in each earcup, offer more complete and focused listening experience. Six strategically placed microphones provide excellent call clarity even in noisy surroundings. And an inline remote and microphone let you control your music and calls using any compatible device.As with the PX7's original design The headphones sport sleek and elegant with accent rings on each earcup, and an elegant silver sheen on the headband. The memory foam earcups fit comfortably, but not too tightly on the cranium. The new design and shape was developed over the course of several months and offers a soft clamping pressure that doesn't force too hard on my skull, which is a rotund one.They weigh 2 ounces less (or 307g) and a little thinner than the Sony WH1000XM5. The headphones are light enough to be carried in a bag or backpack and remain in place during long listening sessions. The headband can be folded up by using a sturdy hinge on the back.They're powered by Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX Adaptive support which is ideal for high-resolution audio as well as precise video sync. The included 3.5mm cord connects to the USB-C port located on the right earcup. The headphone's status indicator is a helpful feature with a green flash to indicate rapid charge and solid blue when Bluetooth pairing is in use.The B&W App has the same controls that the hardware onboard buttons offer including bass and treble adjustment actions button assignments, wear detection, cycling through ANC modes, etc. The app also shows an album cover and track's name when you play music on your iPhone. However, popular extras like music presets and soundscapes feature are missing.Sennheiser HD 800 SThe HD 800 S is a successor to the legendary Sennheiser headphones, and is designed to meet the highest expectations. The design and construction of the headphones has been optimized to achieve a detail resolution that encompasses all of the frequency spectrum dynamic range, as well as stereo panorama. It also provides the most realistic spatial sound you'll ever hear with an open-back pair of headphones.The headphone is 300 ohms in impedance, which means a quality headphone amplifier is needed to operate it at the right levels without distortion. A balanced connection is recommended because it will increase the power output and enhance the overall sound quality.These headphones are designed for professional use. They feature a metal frame and a mixture of plastic and leather padding. The design is minimalistic and they don't look fancy, but the quality of the headphones and their construction are top-quality. They come with a carrying case, an extra audio cable and an adapter from 1/4" to 1-/8" adapter.With an unison sound profile, the HD 800 S reproduces natural instruments and vocals, even though they are a bit light on bass. The open-back design results in a wide, out-of-head soundstage. The treble is excellent with minor drops and peaks. The treble region also is linear, so you will not be able to deal with piercingsibilants or the upper bite of a drum snare.They can still provide impact, dynamism and impact when needed despite the lack of a loud low-end. These headphones are still enjoyable for those who enjoy rock music with punchy basses, but may not sound as great as the other models on this list.These Sennheiser headphones have a great midrange. They are extremely linear, with a slight scoop in the upper mids that will not be noticed by most listeners. They also can reproduce fine time gradations which is an added benefit.The HD 800 S are a pair of exceptional headphones, ideal for audiophiles and professionals. They're a top choice because of their outstanding audio quality and comfortable fit. They are expensive however you're buying headphones that will last for many years to come and perform well in any environment.Anker Soundcore Life q20The Anker Soundcore Q20 is a great set of headphones for anyone who wants to relax or just want an affordable set of headphones that cancel out noise. They come with a basic pouch that provides protection when you put them into a bag, and their battery is capable of lasting multiple long haul flights. The ANC works well to block out noisy passengers and engine rumbles, but their audio profile is a bit heavy and warm.The controls on the Life Q20 are well-marked and easy to use. On the left earcup, there are buttons to pair and power up the headphones, as well as turning on and off the active noise cancellation. On the right earcup, you'll see controls for playing back media. This includes a multi-function button that activates the phone's voice assistant and also turns on Anker BassUp (more about this later). You can also use the built-in microphone to make calls hands-free with your phone.Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphones delivers a rich, immersive listening experience thanks to its custom 40mm dynamic driver, which is certified Hi-Res audio. With a treble that extends up to 40 kHz the headphones can provide outstanding clarity and clarity, while their active noise cancellation technology is designed to filter out a wider range of low and mid-frequency sounds.One important thing to be aware of about the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is that they do not support aptX, which is a disappointment. This means that you won't not be able to benefit of the better codes' lower latency while playing games on your computer.The Life Q20's headband as well as memory foam earcups are soft enough to be worn for long periods of time without discomfort. The ear cups also rotate to adapt to the shape of your head. The included 3.5mm audio cable lets you to listen to music while charging the battery.