Top Over-Ear Headphones of 2025: Expert Rankings and Reviews

Explore the best over-ear headphones of 2025 for superior sound, comfort, and noise cancellation with our expert rankings and detailed reviews.

Why Over-Ear Headphones Are Worth It

Unlike many headphone guides, each pair featured here has been rigorously tested by our team of experts. We've evaluated sound quality, noise cancellation, battery life, comfort, and features to bring you the best over-ear headphones on the market. Our star ratings, based on thorough reviews and comparisons, help you make an informed choice.

Over-ear headphones are perfect for those craving immersive sound and maximum comfort. Their design fully encloses your ears, providing a captivating audio experience that many find superior to in-ear options, though personal preferences vary. Many top noise-cancelling headphones are over-ear because larger ear cups can house powerful drivers, smart microphone arrays for noise suppression, and plush ear cushions that add passive isolation from outside noise. For these reasons, many over-ear models also appear on our best travel headphones list.

Besides superior sound, over-ear headphones can be better for your hearing. Since their drivers sit outside the ear canal, they reduce pressure on your eardrums. Whether you prefer wired or wireless, the best over-ear headphones combine style, performance, and comfort. Keep reading to explore the top models we've tested.

Quick Picks

Want to jump straight to the best over-ear headphones? Here’s a brief overview of our top selections with links to detailed reviews.

Best Overall

Sony WH-1000XM4

This impeccably designed pair of over-ear headphones remains our top pick because of its unbeatable value, especially when found for under $200 — a price that pops up regularly.

Best Budget Option

1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51

A budget-friendly pair with great sound, an astounding 100-hour battery life, customizable audio, solid noise cancellation, and a comfy fit. Truly impressive for the price.

Best Premium Choice

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3

Every aspect screams luxury—from excellent ANC and top-tier sound to elegant finishing and promising future updates.

Best Noise Cancellation

Sony WH-1000XM6

For those seeking unmatched noise isolation, Sony's latest over-ear headphones deliver best-in-class ANC, enhanced sound, comfort, and features.

Best for Bose Fans

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones

If you love Bose, you’ll understand. These headphones excel in sound, ANC, and comfort, blending impressive noise cancellation with a lightweight design.

Best Wireless Planar Magnetic

Edifier Stax Spirit S5

Though pricey, these wireless headphones shine with advanced planar drivers rarely seen in wireless models. They lack ANC but offer a wealth of other features.

Best Affordable Wired

Austrian Audio Hi-X20

Delivering dynamic, rich, and expressive sound with plenty of attack, these wired headphones sound pricier than they are and offer comfort for long wear.

Best Open-Back Design

Meze Audio 105 AER

Open-back headphones like these provide expansive, atmospheric sound. Their craftsmanship is impeccable, though they may not suit smaller heads.

Best Design

Dali 10-8

For those who want headphones that look as premium as they sound, Dali 10-8 offers perfect round ear cups and a choice of finishes, scoring high on style and sound.

Best for Movies

Sonos Ace

Although pricey and not ideal for music, these shine in films with support for Dolby Atmos spatial audio on any Bluetooth device, plus excellent ANC.

Best for Apple Fans

Apple AirPods Max

Packed with Apple-specific features, these deliver excellent sound and top-tier noise cancellation, perfect for those deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem.

Best High-End Wired

Shanling HW600

Premium open-back wired headphones made from high-quality materials offering impressive sound quality but best suited for larger heads due to their size.

In-Depth Reviews of the Best Over-Ear Headphones

1. Sony WH-1000XM4: Best for Most People

Pros

• Excellent noise cancellation
• Rich, immersive sound
• Lightweight, comfortable design

Cons

• Not water-resistant
• ANC surpassed by newer models

Though no longer Sony's flagship, the WH-1000XM4 remains the best choice for most thanks to its balanced sound and features at a now affordable price point, often dropping below $200. Features include multi-point pairing, DSEE Extreme upscaling, automatic pause on removal, Sony 360 Reality Audio, and LDAC support for compatible phones. The foldable design adds to portability.

2. 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51: Best Budget Over-Ears

Pros

• Customizable, pleasant sound
• Effective noise cancellation
• Exceptional battery life

Cons

• App interface can be confusing
• Buttons feel cheap
• Slightly flimsy casing

A fantastic budget pick under $100, offering reliable ANC, 100 hours battery without ANC, and solid sound. The ANC surprisingly beats expectations for its price, and sound customization is accessible via an app. Comfortable for long wear with soft ear cushions and a sleek matte finish.

“They offer energy and dynamics lost in cheaper headphones, especially with many supportive features.”

3. Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3: Premium Sound and Features

Pros

• Balanced, engaging sound
• Impressive build and finish
• More features expected in the future

Cons

• Wind noise susceptibility
• Limited physical controls
• Premium price

These headphones impress with Bluetooth 5.3, aptX Lossless, multi-point connectivity, and 30 hours battery life. The build is sleek and refined, available in three colors. Sound is detailed and dynamic, with ANC slightly behind Sony and Bose but still strong, though wind can reduce effectiveness.

4. Sony WH-1000XM6: Best Noise Cancellation

Pros

• Best-in-class ANC
• Excellent sound quality
• Super light and comfortable

Cons

• Pricier than predecessor
• Average battery life
• Bulkier ear cups

Sony’s WH-1000XM6 takes noise cancellation to the next level with a new QN3 processor and 12 microphones. ANC performance rivals and surpasses Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra, delivering near silence even in noisy environments. Sound is well-balanced and expressive, with a foldable, sleek design and intuitive touch controls.

“For full immersion, these are the best noise-blocking headphones you can find.”

5. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones: Best for Bose Enthusiasts

Pros

• Fantastic detailed sound with rich bass
• Top-tier noise cancellation
• Comfortable, premium foldable design

Cons

• Short battery life for the category
• May be too bass-heavy for some
• No USB-C audio input

Bose's QuietComfort Ultras have long been a benchmark in noise cancellation. While Sony's latest surpasses them in ANC, these remain our top recommendation for Bose fans due to their vibrant, textured sound and lightweight comfort.

“One of the most lively and finely detailed wireless headphone experiences we've heard.”

6. Edifier Stax Spirit S5: Best Wireless Planar Magnetic

Pros

• Fantastic, authentic sound quality
• Well-equipped with features
• High build quality

Cons

• No active noise cancellation
• Slight sharpness in highs
• Leather parts may deter vegans

Planar magnetic drivers deliver immense detail and dynamics but are rarely found in wireless headphones. The Spirit S5 offers excellent resolution and energetic bass, supporting multiple high-res codecs. The lack of ANC means best use in quieter environments.

7. Austrian Audio Hi-X20: Best Affordable Wired

Pros

• Revealing and dynamic sound
• Good build quality
• Stylish design

Cons

• Less power than pricier models
• Long 3-meter cable can be cumbersome

Although a lesser-known brand, Austrian Audio delivers a powerful, balanced sound with excellent frequency integration. The headphones fold for travel but the long cable might be inconvenient.

8. Meze Audio 105 AER: Best Open-Back Design

Pros

• Informative, balanced, engaging sound
• Comfortable for long sessions
• Exceptionally made

Cons

• No balanced cable option
• Large for smaller heads

Open-back headphones like these deliver an expansive soundstage but leak sound, so best used in quiet settings. They offer premium comfort and excellent sound, especially with high-res players.

9. Dali 10-8: Best Design and Build

Pros

• Positive, detailed, convincing sound
• Can work as wired passive headphones
• Outstanding build and finish

Cons

• No app control
• No vegan options
• Many competitors

Dali 10-8 delivers a minimalist, premium look with excellent sound and noise cancellation. They lack app control but shine in design and audio quality.

10. Sonos Ace: Best for Movies

Pros

• Powerful sound with clear dialogue
• Dolby Atmos with head tracking over Bluetooth
• Seamless switch to Sonos Arc Wi-Fi streaming

Cons

• Not ideal for music
• Reduced battery life when connected to Arc

These headphones excel with spatial Dolby Atmos for movies and support seamless Wi-Fi streaming with Sonos soundbars. Not the best music headphones but a great personal cinema option.

11. Apple AirPods Max: Best for Apple Ecosystem

Pros

• Excellent sound quality
• Outstanding spatial audio

Cons

• No 3.5 mm jack or Hi-Res support
• Limited Android features

The AirPods Max are Apple's finest over-ear headphones, tailored for users fully immersed in the Apple ecosystem offering advanced features like Find My and effortless device switching.

12. Shanling HW600: High-End Wired Excellence

Pros

• Open, informative sound
• High-quality craftsmanship
• Comfortable for long listening

Cons

• Lacking bass depth
• Large size for smaller heads
• No vegan options

Shanling HW600 is a stunning planar magnetic wired headphone with a spacious soundstage and premium materials, best suited to those with larger heads.

How to Choose the Best Over-Ear Headphones

When shopping, place sound quality at the top of your list. Larger drivers in over-ear headphones offer richer, more nuanced audio than in-ear styles. Comfort matters too—look for well-padded, wide headbands that distribute weight evenly.

Active noise cancellation (ANC) is common and beneficial with over-ear models because their design already offers good passive isolation. Open-back headphones let air flow freely through ear cups, creating a more natural sound but leaking audio, so they're better for quiet environments.

Decide between wired and wireless based on your priorities: wired for uncompressed sound and compatibility with DACs; wireless for convenience. Check codec support—aptX, LDAC, and others deliver higher quality than basic SBC or AAC.

Weight is also a factor—around 250g is considered light; 350g is usually the upper comfort limit for extended use.

How Much Should You Spend?

Budget over-ear headphones can be found for under $100 with decent performance. Premium noise-cancelling wireless headphones typically start around $250. Audiophile-grade wired headphones can be more expensive, but with proper care, they can last decades.

Are Over-Ear Headphones Better Than In-Ear?

It depends. Over-ear headphones generally offer better battery life, sound quality, and noise cancellation due to their size. They are also easier on your hearing since drivers don't press into your ear canal. But personal preference and lifestyle play big roles—some prefer the portability of in-ear.

Advantages of Over-Ear Headphones

• More comfortable for many users
• Larger drivers provide wider frequency range and better bass
• Less risk of hearing damage due to driver placement
• Less prone to earwax buildup and loss

Do Over-Ear Headphones Offer Better Noise Cancellation Than In-Ear?

While some in-ear models do passive noise blocking well, over-ear headphones generally excel at both passive and active noise cancellation, thanks to their larger size and space for advanced tech. Our tests show models like Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones and Sony WH-1000XM5 outperform comparable in-ear ANC headphones.

How We Test Over-Ear Headphones

We spend countless hours assessing sound, fit, design, features, and value. All headphones get a burn-in period. We analyze bass depth and control, midrange detail, treble clarity, soundstage, and dynamics. We also test ANC in real-world noisy environments and evaluate smart functions like multipoint Bluetooth and EQ customization. Battery life is measured under typical usage scenarios.

Check out our full review of the best earbuds of 2025: Top 11 models

Conclusion

Choosing the right over-ear headphones means balancing sound quality, comfort, noise cancellation, and budget. Whether you're a casual listener, an audiophile, or a movie buff, there’s a perfect pair for you in 2025’s lineup. Which feature matters most to you when picking headphones? Share your thoughts!

FAQs

• What makes over-ear headphones better for hearing health?
  Over-ear headphones position drivers outside the ear canal, reducing pressure on eardrums and lessening the risk of hearing damage.
• Are wireless headphones as good as wired in sound quality?
  Wireless headphones have improved but wired often offer better sound due to uncompressed audio and support for high-end DACs.
• Can over-ear headphones be used for workouts?
  Some models are water-resistant and comfortable for light exercise, but many over-ear headphones are bulky compared to earbuds.
• Is active noise cancellation worth the extra cost?
  If you frequently listen in noisy environments, ANC can significantly enhance the experience by reducing background sounds.
• How important is headphone weight for comfort?
  Lighter headphones (around 250g) are typically more comfortable for long wear, but headband design and padding also play big roles.

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