The 6 Best Over-Ear Headphones - Fall 2023 Reviews

The Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless are the best over-ear headphones we've tested. They're an older version of the Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless, but this previous generation offers better performance for their price. These headphones have an outstanding active noise cancelling (ANC) system that can isolate you from a wide range of ambient noise. Their bass-heavy sound profile also adds thump, rumble, and punch to your audio, making these headphones well-suited for bass-heavy genres. While mixes sound muddy to some users, you can customize their sound with a graphic EQ and presets in the companion app.

These headphones have a premium build quality, a sleek design, and a very comfortable fit. Their roughly 37 hours of continuous playback time will easily last through long days on the go. They also support multi-device pairing, which is convenient if you often switch between your phone and computer. However, they may not be the best choice if you want a good microphone performance for phone calls since, compared to some of the cheaper options listed here, the mic makes your voice sound muffled and lacking in detail.

The Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless are often compared to the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless but lack many of their competitor's extra features, like a virtual soundstage, button mapping, and NFC pairing, so they aren't as customizable or easy to pair. Fortunately, they have an excellent noise cancelling performance that easily blocks out sounds like plane engines and ambient chatter. With their ANC on, they also last over 21 hours continuously and are equipped with an auto-off timer to help conserve battery life if you forget to turn them off.

Out of the box, their fairly neutral sound is versatile enough for most kinds of audio genres. Using their companion app's graphic EQ or presets, you can tweak them to suit your tastes. They also support multi-device pairing, meaning you can stay connected to your smartphone and PC simultaneously. They have a plasticky design, though. It helps them remain lightweight and comfortable enough for long listening sessions, but they still feel cheap at this price point.

The Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless are a great mid-range pick. These headphones come with an adaptive ANC system that slightly outperforms the pricier Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless. This feature 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, but their plastic frame isn't quite as ideal for your head as what you get with the Bose. Their onboard controls aren't as easy to use, either.

Still, these headphones have a great sound suitable for many different genres. The V-shaped sound 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 the ANC is set to 'Adaptive' or 'Max' mode, which can result in an audible frequency that's persistent throughout your listening experience. If you can learn to ignore it, you'll enjoy around 28 hours of continuous battery life with their ANC on. It's less than the manufacturer's advertised 50-hour battery, but it's still excellent for wireless noise cancelling headphones.

The Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless are the previous generation of the Anker Soundcore Life Q35 Wireless. They're a great budget pick with a mostly unchanged design from their predecessor, meaning you can expect the same comfortable fit for 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 nearly as well as our previous pick, the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless. That said, you need to manually switch between the Q30's 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 difference in sound quality depending on if the ANC is on or off. They also aren't very breathable, and some users have noticed their unit's headband break or crack over time. Still, they're worth a look if you're shopping on a budget.

For more budget-friendly options, check out our article on the best budget and cheap headphones.

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 are suitable for both casual use and critical listening, with a default sound that's rich in bass to bring out the thump and punch in your audio. Astute audiophiles will notice that instruments and vocals are slightly veiled, but you can make up for this using the graphic EQ and presets in their companion app. These headphones also support aptX-Adaptive codec for hi-res streaming with compatible apps, like Tidal. They even have an optional wired USB-DAC 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 a wide and spacious soundstage as you would get with traditional open-back hi-fi headphones. On the other hand, if you listen to music while on the go, these headphones are bulkier, and their ANC doesn't cut out as much low-end background noise as the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless. If none of this bothers you, they're still comfortable, well-built headphones worth a look.

If you want headphones to truly upgrade your listening experience, the Sennheiser HD 800 S are the best audiophile over-ear headphones we've tested. They have a premium build quality and a very comfortable fit but differ from the previous picks as they have an open-back design that allows audio to leave the ear cup and interact with the space around you. The result is a wide, spacious, and out-of-head passive soundstage to help immerse you in your audio. They aren't designed for use outside your home or studio since they can't isolate you from ambient sound and leak a lot of audio.

They have a very neutral sound profile and can accurately reproduce vocals and lead instruments. They suit most genres, but their open-back design lacks some rumble and punch in the bass range. The equally high-end HiFiMan Arya feature planar-magnetic drivers that deliver much more low-bass, but these headphones are much bulkier than the Sennheiser. They may feel less comfortable if you prefer a lighter set of cans.

That said, this range of headphones isn't for everyone, as their high price point puts them well out of reach of more casual users, and you still need to invest in a good amp to power them if you don't already have it. Check out our article on the best audiophile headphones for hi-fi options to suit every budget.