Top Over-Ear Headphones in 2025: Which Ones Should You Choose?

Explore the best over-ear headphones of 2025, offering superior sound, noise cancellation, and comfort to elevate your listening experience.

Why Choose Over-Ear Headphones?

While compact wireless earbuds offer convenience and portability, over-ear headphones bring significant benefits to the table. They provide enhanced noise cancellation, built-in boom microphones for clearer calls, and superior overall frequency response. Whether you’re after premium sound quality or budget-friendly options, over-ear headphones have something to offer.

Best Over-Ear Headphones Available Now

If you have the budget and want impeccable sound, premium choices like the Focal Bathys, Bowers & Wilkins PX8, and Noble Fokus Apollo stand out for their exceptional audio quality. For those on a budget, the Earfun Wave Pro is a top pick. Mid-range models like the flagship Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (leading this list) and the Sony WH-1000XM5 (right behind Bose) offer excellent value. Audiophiles might also appreciate a few wired over-ear options for pristine sound fidelity.

When evaluating headphones, factors such as build quality, comfort, audio performance, noise cancellation, and call quality are crucial. This list is updated regularly with the latest models, including the newest addition, the Noble Fokus Apollo. Here’s the definitive list for 2025 after more than 20 years of headphone testing.

Bose: Leading the Over-Ear Headphone Market

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones

Battery Life	Up to 24 hours
Noise Cancellation	Yes (ANC)
Bluetooth Multipoint	Yes
Type	Wireless Over-Ear
Waterproof	No
Price	$429

Bose's new flagship QuietComfort Ultra headphones offer a more premium design and the innovative Immersive Audio feature, delivering enhanced sound quality. Alongside excellent noise cancellation and superb call capabilities with top-notch background noise suppression, they stand as a worthy competitor to the Sony WH-1000XM5 and Apple AirPods Max. Touted as the best noise-canceling headphones of 2023, they remain top choices in 2024 and beyond.

Sony's Best Over-Ear Headphones

Sony WH-1000XM5

Pros:

• Refined sound and superior noise cancellation
• Slightly more comfortable fit
• Best-in-class call quality
• Robust feature set

Cons:

• Higher price than previous models
• Larger carrying case (fold flat, but not inward folding)
• Some may prefer the dual hinge design of previous models over the single hinge here

Battery Life	Up to 32 hours
Noise Cancellation	Yes (ANC)
Bluetooth Multipoint	Yes
Type	Wireless Over-Ear
Waterproof	No
Price	$328

Sony’s WH-1000XM5 marks the fifth generation of their acclaimed 1000X line. With significant improvements in voice call performance, noise cancellation, and a more refined sound, these headphones continue to impress despite a higher price tag and some design changes.

Wired Over-Ear Headphones for Purists

Sony MDR-M1

Pros:

• Excellent, precise, and highly detailed sound
• Lightweight and comfortable
• Soft ear cushions for passive noise isolation
• Comes with both short and long cables

Cons:

• No carrying case or pouch included

Type	Wired closed-back
Weight	216 grams
Frequency Range	5 to 80,000 Hz
Impedance	50 Ohms
Sensitivity	102 dB
Detachable Cables	Yes (1.2m and 2.5m)
Carrying Case	No
Price	$248

A refined successor to the beloved Sony MDR-7506, the MDR-M1 is a premium wired studio headphone with impressive clarity, accuracy, and deep bass. Lightweight and comfortable, these headphones reveal what you miss when using wireless models. They lack active noise cancellation but offer great passive isolation due to soft ear padding.

Newest Over-Ear Headphones to Watch

Sonos Ace

Pros:

• Well-designed and comfortable
• Great sound and noise cancellation
• High call quality
• Spatial audio with head tracking
• USB-C audio
• TV Audio Swap feature for Sonos users

Cons:

• Pricey
• Not Wi-Fi headphones
• TV Audio Swap works only with Sonos Arc soundbar initially and may have glitches

Battery Life	Up to 30 hours
Noise Cancellation	Yes (ANC)
Bluetooth Multipoint	Yes
Type	Wireless Over-Ear
Waterproof	No
Price	$409

After years of development, the Sonos Ace finally arrives, impressing with top-tier sound, noise cancellation, and call performance, though it carries a high price tag and some quirks in its key features.

Top Budget Over-Ear Headphones

Earfun Wave Pro

Pros:

• Comfortable fit for long wear
• Strong bass for the price
• Good noise cancellation and call quality with two ANC levels
• LDAC support for compatible devices
• Comes with wired listening cable

Cons:

• ANC disables in wired mode
• Slightly lacks audio clarity

Battery Life	Up to 55 hours
Noise Cancellation	Yes (ANC)
Bluetooth Multipoint	Yes
Type	Wireless Over-Ear
Waterproof	No
Price	$60

Earfun’s Wave Pro offers impressive sound and noise cancellation for its budget price. With up to 80 hours of battery life with ANC off, and 55 hours with ANC on, plus LDAC support, these headphones are a solid choice for affordable over-ear ANC headphones.

Apple’s Premium Over-Ear Offering

Apple AirPods Max

Pros:

• Surprisingly comfortable for their weight
• Impressive sound and build quality
• Top-tier adaptive noise cancellation and transparency mode
• Good call performance

Cons:

• Expensive
• Uses Apple H1 chip, not the newer H2
• No wired cable included

Battery Life	Up to 20 hours
Noise Cancellation	Yes (ANC)
Bluetooth Multipoint	Yes (Apple devices only)
Type	Wireless Over-Ear
Waterproof	No
Price	$530

The AirPods Max deliver rich, detailed sound with arguably the best noise cancellation on the market, paired with premium craftsmanship and Apple’s Spatial Audio for immersive video watching.

Sennheiser's Wireless Excellence

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

Pros:

• Excellent sound
• Enhanced noise cancellation and call performance
• Impressive battery life (up to 60 hours)
• Sound personalization features

Cons:

• Bland design
• ANC not as strong as Sony or Bose

Battery Life	Up to 60 hours
Noise Cancellation	Yes (ANC)
Bluetooth Multipoint	Yes
Type	Wireless Over-Ear
Waterproof	No
Price	$300

Momentum 4 Wireless offers top performance improvements over its predecessor, especially in noise cancellation and call clarity, with a long-lasting battery and user-customizable sound profiles.

High-Fidelity Wireless Sound

Noble Fokus Apollo

Pros:

• Outstanding sound quality
• Unique dual-driver design
• Comfortable fit
• Detachable boom mic for good call quality
• Long battery life
• USB-C audio support

Cons:

• Expensive
• ANC is decent but not top-tier
• Lacks extra features like wear sensors

Battery Life	Up to 60 hours (ANC on)
Noise Cancellation	Yes (ANC)
Bluetooth Multipoint	Yes
Type	Wireless Over-Ear
Waterproof	No
Price	$649

Known for audiophile-grade in-ear monitors, Noble’s Fokus Apollo headphones combine a 40mm dynamic driver with a 14.5mm planar magnetic driver for rich, detailed wireless sound. A detachable mic adds versatility for calls and gaming.

Beats Studio Pro: Stylish and Powerful

Beats Studio Pro

Pros:

• Improved sound, noise cancellation, and earcup design
• Strong call performance
• Spatial audio with head tracking for Apple users
• USB-C audio support

Cons:

• No Apple H2 chip
• No ear detection sensors
• Minimal design changes except in case

Battery Life	Up to 40 hours
Noise Cancellation	Yes (ANC)
Bluetooth Multipoint	No
Type	Wireless Over-Ear
Waterproof	No
Price	$250

The latest Beats Studio Pro models refine their signature style with better sound and ANC, offering an affordable alternative akin to a plastic version of AirPods Max.

Affordable ANC Choices

QCY H3 Pro

Pros:

• Good sound for price
• Lightweight and comfortable
• Decent noise cancellation and call quality
• USB-C and wired mode with ANC support
• LDAC codec support

Cons:

• ANC off in wired mode
• No carrying case

Battery Life	Up to 40 hours (ANC on)
Noise Cancellation	Yes (ANC)
Bluetooth Multipoint	Yes
Type	Wireless Over-Ear
Waterproof	No
Price	$66

QCY’s H3 Pro brings impressive features and sound for budget-conscious buyers, including multipoint Bluetooth and customizable ANC modes through an intuitive app.

JBL Live 770NC: Balanced and Comfortable

JBL Live 770NC

Pros:

• Well-designed, comfortable
• Solid sound and ANC
• Strong feature set
• Long battery life

Cons:

• Voice calls suffer in windy conditions

Battery Life	Up to 65 hours
Noise Cancellation	Yes (ANC)
Bluetooth Multipoint	Yes
Type	Wireless Over-Ear
Waterproof	No
Price	$160

JBL’s Live 770NC enhances battery life and connectivity while delivering punchy bass and crisp audio, with handy ambient aware and talk-thru modes.

Budget-Friendly Over-Ear Headphones

Sony CH-720N

Pros:

• Lightweight under 220g with faux leather padding
• V1 chip enhances ANC and sound
• Improved call quality with beamforming mics
• Good app equalizer controls

Cons:

• No carrying case
• Lacks ear detection sensors
• No LDAC support
• Slightly lacks clarity and depth

Battery Life	Up to 35 hours
Noise Cancellation	Yes (ANC)
Bluetooth Multipoint	Yes
Type	Wireless Over-Ear
Waterproof	No
Price	$88

Sony’s entry-level ANC headphones deliver surprisingly premium sound and comfort, making them a great value, especially on sale.

Edifier W830NB: Budget with Strong Features

Edifier W830NB

Pros:

• Affordable
• Lightweight and comfortable
• Good sound and ANC for price
• Long battery life
• USB-C audio

Cons:

• No carrying case
• No 3.5mm jack for wired listening

Battery Life	Up to 54 hours (ANC on)
Noise Cancellation	Yes (ANC)
Bluetooth Multipoint	Yes
Type	Wireless Over-Ear
Waterproof	No
Price	$80

Successor to the popular W820NB Plus, the W830NB adds Bluetooth 5.4, AAC support, and improved ANC performance with an impressive battery life.

Bose QuietComfort Headphones: The Trusted Classic

Bose QuietComfort Headphones

Pros:

• Lightweight and comfortable
• Excellent sound and noise cancellation
• Good call quality
• Headphone cable now includes mic

Cons:

• Slightly more expensive than previous model

Battery Life	Up to 24 hours
Noise Cancellation	Yes (ANC)
Bluetooth Multipoint	Yes
Type	Wireless Over-Ear
Waterproof	No
Price	$250

Bose’s updated QC headphones maintain the beloved design with excellent sound and ANC, now with an improved battery and minor refinements.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra adds a new immersive audio feature and a premium design that elevates the listening experience.

Mid-Range Sennheiser with Great Value

Sennheiser Accentum Plus

Pros:

• Affordable alternative to flagship models
• Good noise cancellation and call quality
• USB-C audio support
• Some extra features over standard Accentum

Cons:

• Initially tight fit

Battery Life	Up to 50 hours
Noise Cancellation	Yes (ANC)
Bluetooth Multipoint	Yes
Type	Wireless Over-Ear
Waterproof	No
Price	$180

A budget-friendly alternative to premium Sennheiser models, offering solid build and sound quality, though with slightly firmer clamping force.

Anker Soundcore Space One: Feature-Packed Value

Anker Soundcore Space One

Pros:

• Strong feature set
• Very good sound for the price
• Decent noise cancellation and call quality
• LDAC codec support

Cons:

• Slightly bulky appearance

Battery Life	Up to 55 hours
Noise Cancellation	Yes (ANC)
Multipoint	No
Type	Wireless Over-Ear
Waterproof	No
Price	$99

Anker's Soundcore Space One stands out for its rich feature list and respectable sound quality at an affordable price point.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2e: Premium Sound and Comfort

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2e

Pros:

• Improved comfort and sound quality
• Best noise cancellation and call performance in its line
• Durable design
• aptX Adaptive support for Android

Cons:

• Expensive
• Heavy

Battery Life	Up to 30 hours
Noise Cancellation	Yes (ANC)
Bluetooth Multipoint	Yes
Type	Wireless Over-Ear
Waterproof	No
Price	$399

The PX7 S2e offers refined sound and comfort with a solid build, though it carries a premium price tag.

Studio Wired Excellence: Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X

Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X

Pros:

• Comfortable
• Clear, clean sound
• Dynamic bass compared to many studio headphones
• Robust build

Cons:

• Wired only, no extra features

Battery Life	N/A
Noise Cancellation	No
Multipoint	No
Type	Wired Over-Ear
Waterproof	No rating
Price	$170

A versatile wired studio headphone with stellar clarity and punchy bass, ideal for creators and audiophiles preferring wired connectivity.

Focal Bathys: Premium Wireless Sound

Focal Bathys

Pros:

• Comfortable
• Truly outstanding sound quality
• USB-C audio support
• Distinctive design and solid build

Cons:

• Expensive
• ANC is relatively weak
• Included cables feel less premium

Battery Life	Up to 30 hours
Noise Cancellation	Yes (ANC)
Bluetooth Multipoint	Yes
Type	Wireless Over-Ear
Waterproof	No
Price	$568

Focal, the French audio company renowned for high-end speakers, delivers excellent wireless headphones focused on sound purity and refinement.

Open-Back Wired Audio for Audiophiles

Sennheiser 660S2

Pros:

• Comfortable (for most head sizes)
• Enhanced bass and treble clarity
• Less recessed bass than typical studio headphones
• Good build quality

Cons:

• Best used with a headphone amplifier
• Open-back design leaks sound

Type	Wired open-back
Weight	310 grams
Frequency Range	8 to 41,500 Hz
Impedance	300 Ohms
Sensitivity	104 dB
Detachable Cable	Yes (1.8 meters)
Carrying Case	Pouch
Price	$445

Sennheiser’s 660S2 offers enhanced clarity and a spacious soundstage typical of open-back headphones, perfect for serious audiophiles with the right amplifier.

Durability with Style: Master & Dynamic MH40 (2nd Gen)

Master & Dynamic MH40 (2nd Gen)

Pros:

• Unique design with excellent build quality
• Superior clarity and definition
• Improved call performance
• AAC and aptX codec support

Cons:

• May not suit small heads well
• Slightly heavy

Battery Life	Up to 30 hours
Noise Cancellation	No
Multipoint	No
Type	Wireless Over-Ear
Waterproof	No
Price	$399

These headphones combine retro-modern aesthetics with robust sound performance and improved voice call clarity, though they lack ANC.

Classic Wired Workhorse: Sony MDR7506

Sony MDR7506

Pros:

• Comfortable
• Accurate sound
• Durable

Cons:

• Wired only with no extra features

Battery Life	N/A
Noise Cancellation	No
Multipoint	No
Type	Wired Over-Ear
Waterproof	No rating
Price	$98

Since 1991, these headphones have been a studio favorite, offering balanced, clear sound and long-lasting build quality at a modest price.

Key Considerations When Buying Over-Ear Headphones

Budget

Decide how much you’re willing to spend. Quality budget headphones have improved significantly, with good options under $100, while premium models often start at $300 and can exceed $650.

Noise Cancellation: Yes or No?

Most over-ear headphones now feature active noise cancellation (ANC), which can slightly affect sound quality. Audiophiles might prefer models without ANC.

Wired or Wireless?

While wireless Bluetooth headphones dominate today, wired models usually offer better sound. Many wireless headphones also include cables for wired listening.

Fit and Comfort

Look for a snug but comfortable fit that you can wear for extended periods without discomfort.

Durability

Choose headphones with robust build quality to ensure longevity.

Maximize Features Within Your Budget

Prioritize the best sound, noise cancellation, call quality, and features you can afford.

Return Policy

Buy from retailers with a good return policy so you can test and return if needed.

How We Test Over-Ear Headphones

We evaluate headphones on six criteria:

Design

Comfort, build quality, control layout, and water resistance.

Sound Quality

Clarity, bass definition, dynamic range, and natural sound.

Noise Cancellation

Tested indoors near HVAC units and outdoors on city streets.

Features

Additional modes, sensors, and app usability.

Call Quality

Performance in noisy environments.

Value

Overall performance compared to the price.

Other Noteworthy Over-Ear Headphones Tested

Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2: Enhanced noise canceling and battery life, studio-grade sound.

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay HX: Premium build and balanced sound as an AirPods Max competitor.

V-Moda M-200: Wired, detailed sound with strong bass response.

Mark Levinson No. 5909: Ultra-premium headphones with exceptional build and comfort.

OneOdio A10: Affordable, durable with decent ANC and solid battery life.

Technics EAH-A800: Classic styling with punchy sound and folding design.

Frequently Asked Questions About Over-Ear Headphones

• Do over-ear headphones sound better than earbuds?
  Generally, yes. Larger drivers and full coverage create better acoustics and passive noise isolation, plus they tend to be more comfortable for longer use.
• Are over-ear headphones harmful to hearing?
  Only if you listen at high volumes for extended periods. It's best to keep volume between 50% and 70%.
• What makes over-ear headphones comfortable?
  Lightweight design, soft memory foam ear pads, and good headband cushioning are key. Weight distribution is critical for heavier models.
• Can I connect over-ear headphones to a TV?
  Yes; wireless models pair via Bluetooth or use included cables with adapters. For best sound, consider investing in a quality soundbar or home theater system.
• Is active noise cancellation always better?
  ANC is great but slightly affects sound quality. Some audiophiles prefer models without it for purer audio.

Have you found your perfect pair yet? Which feature do you value most in over-ear headphones—sound, comfort, or noise cancellation?

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