The 6 Best Over-Ear Headphones - Spring 2025

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Wireless are the best over-ear headphones we've tested. They're Bose's top-of-the-line model, and you can expect outstanding noise isolation performance thanks to their excellent active noise cancelling (ANC) system. They can easily cut down the rumble of plane engines as well as ambient chatter and whining computer fans, so they're great for flights and offices. With their ANC on, they last over 29 hours continuously. You can even use them wired in a pinch, though you'll still need to have the headphones powered on for them to work. And as you'd expect from their name, their comfortable fit lasts through long days on the go.

Out of the box, they have a bassy sound that delivers extra thump, rumble, and boom to mixes. If you prefer a different sound, their companion app offers a three-band graphic EQ and presets so that you can fine-tune their sound. The app also features Immersive Audio that can make your audio seem more spacious and has a head-tracking feature. You can also pair these headphones with up to two devices at a time, allowing you to stay connected to your PC and smartphone simultaneously.

Consider the Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless if you're looking for top-tier noise-cancelling Bose headphones at a more digestible price. They offer a similar level of noise isolation and are just as comfortable, which can make all the difference during long trips. However, they don't feel as well-built, and you lose out on features like Immersive Audio.

For a premium pair of headphones at a more manageable price, check out the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless. These aren't quite as comfortable as the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Wireless, but they have a similarly high-end construction and on-par noise isolation performance. Overall, their ANC blocks a significant amount of environmental noise from busses to babies, and with ANC on, their battery lasts longer than the Bose. Their ANC isn't as good at blocking wind noise, but their 37 hours of playback time will be enough to get you through multiple workdays without charging.

These well-built over-ears have a bassy default sound, which is good if you like genres like EDM and hip-hop. However, their extra low-end bleeds into the mids and can muddle vocals and instruments. Luckily, their companion app offers a graphic EQ and presets if you want to adjust their sound to your tastes. They also have a spatial audio feature and support LDAC, Sony's propriety codec for streaming high-quality audio, and support multi-device pairing. If you like to keep up with Sony's latest designs, consider the Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless; the XM5s have a sleek look with minimally exposed hinges and telescopic headband adjustments. That said, they improve performance in their microphone's noise handling compared to their predecessor, though overall, they're less comfortable and less sturdy.

The Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless are a great mid-range pick. They don't feel as luxurious or well-built as the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless, but they still offer a well-rounded and feature-loaded performance at a lower price point. Unlike the Sony headphones, their adaptive ANC system has a wind reduction mode to effectively reduce unpleasant-sounding interactions between the wind and exterior ANC mics. The ANC automatically adjusts to your surroundings, blocking out loud vehicle engines and other people's conversations on your commute and at the office. They're pretty comfortable for most people, but their plastic frame can put pressure on the top of your head after a while.

Still, these headphones have a great sound that's suitable for many different genres. Their V-shaped profile emphasizes the bass and the treble for a punchy, sparkling sound. There's even a graphic EQ and presets in their companion app to fine-tune their sound to your liking. Unfortunately, these headphones have a high noise floor when you set the ANC to 'Adaptive' or 'Max,' which can result in an annoying sound that's persistent throughout your listening experience. If it doesn't bother you much, you'll enjoy around 28 hours of continuous battery life with their ANC on. The 28 hours you get is less than the manufacturer's advertised 50-hour battery life, but it'll still last you a few days at the office or through a long international flight.

If you like the sound of the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless but often use your headphones for calls, consider the Sony ULT WEAR. They're typically more expensive but have a much better microphone and are more stable on your head, so they might be more useful if you plan to use your headphones while out and about; you can also find them on sale near the same price as the Anker from time to time.

The Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless are a previous generation of the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless. They're a great budget pick with a similar design to their successor, meaning you can expect the same comfortable fit at an affordable price. If you plan to use them on the go, you'll be happy to know that their multi-setting ANC feature performs similarly to the Q45's. That said, you need to manually switch between the ANC settings, which isn't as convenient as the Q45's adaptive ANC system.

These headphones also have a V-shaped sound profile that packs extra bass while vocals and lead instruments sound bright. You can tune their sound to suit your preferences using their companion app's graphic EQ and presets. Unfortunately, there's a minor difference in sound profile depending on whether the ANC is activated—ANC off elevates the bass and mid-range, bringing extra thump and moving vocals and instruments forward in the mix. They also aren't very breathable, and some users have had their unit's headband break or crack over time. Still, they're worth a look if you're shopping on a budget.

Check out our article on the best budget and cheap headphones for more budget-friendly options.

If you're looking for wireless over-ears and don't want to compromise on sound quality, the Focal Bathys Wireless offer the best of both worlds. These headphones suit both casual and critical listening, with a balanced sound that delivers solid warmth and punch. Astute audiophiles will notice that instruments and vocals are slightly veiled, but you can tweak the sound using the graphic EQ and presets available in their companion app. These headphones also support aptX Adaptive codec for streaming higher-quality audio with compatible apps, like TIDAL. They even have an onboard DAC for wired USB-C connection that converts digital audio signals to analog, ensuring a smoother sound with better audio fidelity.

However, there are a few drawbacks for either type of user. For audiophiles, their closed-back design means they won't create as wide and spacious a soundstage as you would get with open-back headphones, but you can take closed-backs with you on a commute without sound leakage bothering anyone. For those looking for casual headphones to use on the go, these are bulkier than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Wireless, and their ANC doesn't cut out as much mid-range background noise—meaning ambient conversations might be slightly audible. However, the Focal headphones have a more granular 5-band EQ for discerning listeners.

For those who prioritize sound quality above all else, the Sennheiser HD 800 S are the best audiophile over-ear headphones we've tested. They have an incredibly spacious soundstage and balanced sound that accurately reproduces vocals and instruments. Unlike our previous picks, these are open-backs. The design allows audio to leave the ear cup and interact with your environment, creating a more spacious and immersive listening experience. The major downside of this design is that the headphones don't isolate your audio from your environment or your environment from your audio. As a result, they aren't a good choice for commuting or working in public places like a bullpen, but they'd fare well in a studio or home office.

They also lack additional features like a microphone and Bluetooth. If you're looking for great-sounding headphones that you can use at work or for wireless calls, you'll want to stick with our previous pick, the Focal Bathys Wireless, which have a closed-back design and come with additional features like noise cancellation.

If you're chasing open-back headphones but want something cheaper or with a little more thump, try the HiFiMan Edition XS. They're bulkier and heavier, so if you prefer lighter headphones, you might find them uncomfortable for long listening sessions. However, they're more affordable and have planar magnetic drivers that deliver a thumpy, rumbly low-end. For even more audiophile options, check out our article on the best audiophile headphones.