Lauren Dragan writes about audio tech and OTC hearing aids. She has tested nearly 2,000 headphones and earbuds in her decade at Wirecutter.
Over-ear headphones are for people who want to totally immerse themselves in their listening or don’t like the feeling of earbuds in their ears. The larger drivers, compared with those in earbuds, generally allow over-ear pairs to produce better sound than comparably priced in-ear models.
We’ve tested hundreds of over-ear headphones, including wireless Bluetooth, traditional wired, and noise-cancelling sets. This article provides an overview of our top over-ear picks across our different headphone guides, with links to our full coverage.
Choosing headphones
- Wired or wireless
Wired headphones are simple to use and don’t need to be charged, but there’s no denying the freedom and convenience of Bluetooth.
- How will you use them?
Do you want an all-purpose pair of headphones or a pair that excels at a specific function, like noise cancellation or vocal clarity?
- Form and fit
Comfort is crucial. Headphones should feel good on or over your ears and stay put without squeezing your head too tightly.
- Features
Today’s headphones can be loaded with features, like adjustable noise cancellation, voice control, and advanced sound equalization.
The research
- How to shop for over-ear headphones
- Best all-purpose wireless headphones
- Best wireless noise-cancelling headphones
- Best budget noise-cancelling headphones around $100
- Best wireless over-ear headphones for the office
- Best wired audiophile headphones for everyday use
- Best wired headphones under $100
- Best over- and on-ear headphones for kids
- Best gaming headset
- Best wireless over-ear TV headphones
How to shop for over-ear headphones
When it comes to headphones, one size does not fit all, both literally and figuratively. You have a lot of factors to consider in your personal quest to find the “best” pair of over-ear headphones. Here are some important questions to ask yourself:
Wired or wireless? Generally speaking, you can get better performance for less money if you choose wired headphones, since the cost goes mainly into performance and design instead of features like Bluetooth. And with wired headphones, you don’t have to worry about charging a battery. Still, many people love the freedom and convenience that wireless headphones bring. If both connection methods sound appealing, consider a pair that can work both wired and wirelessly, but be sure to check whether some features are disabled in wired mode.
How will you use them? Are you looking for a good all-purpose pair of headphones that you can take everywhere? Or do you have a specific use in mind, such as travel, workouts, TV watching, office use, or gaming? Some headphones do everything well, while others excel at a certain task. Are you mostly listening to music, or do you need good microphone quality for phone calls and video chats? For office use and gaming, a headset with a boom mic might be the way to go. Do you need your headphones to be waterproof or sweatproof for workouts?
Do you want active noise cancellation? Active noise cancellation is great for reducing lower-frequency sounds like the hum of an airplane engine or an HVAC system, but it isn’t as effective with higher-frequency sounds like voices. How effective and adjustable do you need the ANC to be? Some headphones offer just on/off, while others offer adjustable ANC that makes it easier for you to find a performance and comfort level that works. If you don’t like how ANC affects your ears at all, an over-ear pair with excellent passive noise isolation may be a better choice.
How long is the battery life? Are you good about keeping your wireless devices charged, or do you need wireless headphones that can go for long stretches of time without being plugged in? Be honest with yourself on this one, or you’ll just be frustrated later.
Do you prefer an over- or on-ear design? Comfort is a crucial element of overall headphone enjoyment. Larger, over-ear designs generally cause less pressure on your ears and block sounds more effectively, but a smaller, on-ear design may be better for people who wear glasses. If you’re shopping for more audiophile-oriented headphones, you should also decide between closed-back headphones, which block out noise, and open-back designs, which can deliver a more spacious, airy sound.
What (and how intuitive) are the control options? When it comes to controlling power, volume, track skip, and the like, do you prefer physical buttons or touch-sensitive pads? We recommend that you try both kinds of controls before you buy, if possible. How important is voice control, and are you tied to a certain platform, such as Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant?
Best all-purpose wireless headphones
Top pick
This versatile, over-ear pair sounds great, has a long battery life, and offers premium features at a lower price than its competitors. Some controls are a bit sensitive, though.
Buying Options
(deal on black)
You save $100 (33%)
You save $100 (33%)
Who this is for: The JBL Tour One M2 has an intuitive design with a comfortable fit and great battery life, making it an excellent choice when you want a convenient and long-lasting wireless listening experience.
Why we like it: The sound is good right out of the box, and it can be further improved with the use of the EQ settings in JBL’s app. The battery life, rated at 30 to 50 hours, is excellent, and the battery recharges quickly. Voice control is available via the always-listening Alexa and Google Assistant functions, and Apple users can access Siri via a simple button push. The M2 supports dual-device connectivity, and the built-in microphones reduce wind and background noise remarkably well, ensuring clear phone calls—even on the go. Plus, this pair is water-resistant (with an IPX5 rating).
Flaws but not dealbreakers: The controls are sensitive, and we wish the physical volume buttons were larger. JBL has included an automatic ANC setting, which adjusts the noise-cancellation levels based on your surroundings or how much sound is leaking in. But we found the real-time changes to be disconcerting, similar to your ears popping when a plane lands, so we chose to turn off that feature.
Battery life: 30 to 50 hours
Warranty: one year
For more info, see our full review of the best Bluetooth wireless headphones.
Best wireless noise-cancelling headphones
Top pick
These over-ear headphones deliver excellent noise cancellation in a comfortable, lightweight design that’s traveler friendly—but they carry a high price.
Buying Options
May be out of stock
Who this is for: This set is great for frequent flyers or commuters on public transit who need strong (but adjustable) noise cancellation and prefer an over-ear design to earbuds.
Why we like it: The Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 is the best pair of headphones that Bose has ever released. These headphones are expensive, but we think they’re worth the cost if you put a high premium on performance and comfort.
They offer superior noise cancellation and more adjustability than on any noise-cancelling headphones we’ve tested. You can adjust the active noise cancellation (ANC) level on a scale from 0 to 10, so if you find that you are experiencing the uncomfortable “eardrum suck” issue—or if you just want a little more sense of your surroundings—you have more flexibility to find a level that works for you.
These headphones also have a lightweight design that is comfortable to wear for hours, and they feature an easy-to-use combination of touch controls and physical buttons that you can access without looking.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: The sound quality is good but not as crisp as on the best over-ear headphones we’ve tested, and the app can be vexing. The battery life isn’t industry-leading, but at 20 hours it’s more than sufficient.
Battery life: 20 hours
Warranty: one year
For more info, see our full review of the best noise-cancelling headphones.
Best budget noise-cancelling headphones around $100
Top pick
This affordable pair of over-ear headphones sounds good, is comfortable, and has a long battery life. Plus the noise cancellation is above average.
Who this is for: If you spend a lot of time in environments with low-frequency, steady sounds like motor hums or plane-engine noise and want the best noise cancelling you can get for around $100, this pair is for you.
Why we like it: If you want a solid pair of wireless noise-cancellation headphones for around $100, we recommend the Soundcore Space One. The noise cancellation is effective, though not as superb as that of the Bose NC 700.
The sound quality is solid and adjustable to your taste, and the design is lightweight, with memory foam ear cups that are soft and comfortable. The three microphones ensure that your voice sounds clear over calls and video chats, and the “easy chat” hear-through mode works well with quick calls.
The 40-hour battery life with ANC on is impressive for wireless headphones at any price.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: The small physical buttons (in lieu of touch controls) present a learning curve and can be difficult to navigate when you’re not looking at them. While the sound is enjoyable and adjustable, we noticed that it can become muddled when listening to male vocal ranges and coarse with higher frequencies.
Battery life: 40+ hours
Warranty: 18 months
For more info, see our full guide to the best noise-cancelling headphones.
Best wireless over-ear headphones for the office
Top pick
This feature-packed pair significantly reduces the noise of voices around you and can sound fantastic. But these headphones are pricey and require a good deal of setup.
Who this is for: The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are worth considering if you work in an open office (or a crowded home office), because they are great at blocking out voices around you.
Why we like it: We love these headphones for their comfortable fit, solid noise reduction, clear microphone sound quality, and handy add-ons, such as the voice-activated awareness mode.
Although the active noise cancellation on the Bose 700 performs better on lower-pitched, sustained sounds like airplane noise, the Sony WH-1000XM5 has superior isolation—which is more effective at blocking higher-pitched and quick sounds like barking dogs, coffee-shop noises, and the human voice.
These over-ear headphones are also comfortable enough to wear all day, and the microphones are effective at reducing background noise during phone calls and video meetings.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: Out of the box, this pair’s tuning isn’t ideal, but these headphones can sound amazing with some effort put into adjusting the equalizer settings in the app. As mentioned above, the active noise cancellation isn’t quite as effective as on our top ANC picks for airplane use. Although the XM5 can handle a light spritzing rain, it isn’t built for water resistance.
Finally, Sony claims a battery life of 30 to 38 hours max. However, in our testing, we were able to eke out only 24 hours of playtime with ANC on. That’s still better-than-average performance, especially when the quick-charge feature gets you three to five hours of use from a 10-minute charge.
Battery life: 24 hours
Warranty: one year
For more info, see our full review of the best Bluetooth wireless headphones.
Best wired audiophile headphones for everyday use
Top pick
These sealed headphones have a detailed, exciting sound that’s good for any type of music. They’re comfortable but bulky.
Buying Options
These open-back headphones deliver a spacious, balanced sound, but the design lets noise in and out, which may not be for everyone.
Buying Options
Who these are for: These types of wired headphones are for music connoisseurs who don't care about features like Bluetooth or noise cancellation. You can spend a lot more in this category, but our picks are affordable and sturdy enough that you won't be afraid to take them with you to work or school.
Why we like them: The Monolith by Monoprice M565C headphones have an exciting, detailed sound, beating out pairs that cost hundreds more. Suitable for any genre of music, the planar-magnetic drivers are housed in isolating closed-back ear cups, so you can block out distractions and focus on enjoying your playlist. They have a sturdy, comfortable build and replaceable cable, and Monoprice’s five-year warranty is about the longest of any headphones we’ve seen.
The FiiO FT3 headphones are for those who prefer an open-back design, which provides richer detail in high frequencies and a more spacious, balanced sound. This pair also has solid low-frequency output, a rarity for most open-back headphones. The sound profile can be slightly modified depending on which pair of included earpads you choose to outfit them with.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: For people who prefer to keep a lower profile when listening, the M565C may not be ideal due to its bulkier design. This pair doesn’t fold up, and the hard-sided storage case is one of the largest we tested. The M565C doesn’t deliver quite as much presence in the mids as we’d like, and some of our panelists would have preferred a little extra sparkle on the highs. Plus, the cable is a bit noisy if you move around a lot. The M565C set doesn’t come with a cable that has a remote and mic option for mobile use.
Not everyone prefers the sound created by open-back headphones like the FiiO FT3. Because the ear cups are unsealed, sound is able to filter in and out, meaning you can hear your surroundings and people around can hear what you’re listening to. The FT3’s chassis and cable are also bulkier than we prefer. This pair’s sound quality was better than that of other open-back headphones we tested, but open-back models lack substantial bass compared to closed-back headphones, and we noticed a slightly spiky emphasis in the 5 and 8 kilohertz ranges.
Other wired picks: In our guide to the best audiophile headphones for everyday use, we also have a wired, over-ear pick for those who want a serious step up in sound quality (Dan Clark Audio Aeon 2 Closed).
Monolith by Monoprice M565C
Weight: 13.7 ounces
Warranty: five years
FiiO FT3
Weight: 13.8 ounces
Warranty: one year
For more info, see our full review of the best audiophile headphones for everyday use.
Best wired headphones under $100
Top pick
The Sony MDR-7506, a longtime favorite of audio professionals, offers more reliability, more comfort, and better sound than many headphones twice its price.
Who this is for: Audio fans, musicians, and podcasters alike will find this headphone style practical because it sounds great and never needs to be charged.
Why we like it: The Sony MDR-7506 has been a longtime studio and live-audio staple. Not only does it provide accurate-sounding bass, mids, and treble, but it also gives you a better sense of the depth and dynamics of your music than many models twice the price. Durable, comfortable, and reliable, this pair usually costs under $100.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: The long, coiled cable is great for musicians and studio artists who need to move around, but it’s cumbersome for listening to music from your phone.
Accessories: storage bag, ¼-inch plug adapter
Warranty: 90 days
For more info, see our full review of the best audiophile headphones for everyday use.
Best over- and on-ear headphones for kids
Who this is for: Kids headphones are sized for smaller heads (roughly, ages 2 to 12), and the best ones include a volume-limiting feature to protect the hearing safety of kiddos who listen via headphones frequently.
Why we like it: We offer a variety of over- and on-ear recommendations for different uses. We like the Puro BT2200-Plus pair for everyday music and video listening, the PuroQuiet-Plus set for travel (thanks to its good active noise cancellation), the JLab JBuddies Play headphones for online schooling and gaming (with a built-in, extendable boom mic), and for value the Onanoff BuddyPhones Explore+ (for toddlers) and Altec Lansing MZX4500 (for kindergartners to tweens).
For more info, see our full review of the best kids headphones.
Best gaming headset
Top pick
This wired gaming headset offers impressive sound quality and comfort for the price. It’s also compatible with all gaming platforms.
Buying Options
You save $10 (25%)
You save $10 (25%)
You save $10 (25%)
Who this is for: The HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 headset is for any gamer that enjoys extended gaming sessions on a variety of platforms, needs a solid microphone for multiplayer games, and doesn’t want to spend more than $50.
Why we like it: These gaming headphones have replaceable leatherette earcups to ensure comfort for extended sessions. The sound quality is better than that of many headsets triple the price and doesn’t lose quality at lower volumes. The Cloud Stinger 2’s intuitive microphone prevents muting mishaps by muting automatically when raised, and it didn’t pick up ambient noises during our testing. Plus, it’s compatible with mobile devices, Nintendo Switch, PCs, PlayStation, and Xbox.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: The 3.5 mm cable is built into the headset, and therefore not easily replaceable.
Compatibility: mobile devices, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation, Xbox
Warranty: two years
For more info, see our full review of the best gaming headsets.
Best wireless over-ear TV headphones
Top pick
These over-ear headphones are comfortable, with solid sound and no audio lag. The transmitter doubles as a charging base for the headphones, but the system supports only a single pair of headphones.
Buying Options
This cost-effective bundle is perfect for group watching with its included transmitter and four sets of headphones. However, it doesn’t sound as good or fit as well as our Insignia pick.
Buying Options
You save $40 (15%)
Who this is for: These wireless headphone systems are for anyone who wants to watch TV or play video games without disturbing others in their household or who needs to listen at a higher volume to hear dialogue properly.
Why we like it: The easy-to-use Insignia NS-HAWHP2 system sounds good and delivers a comfortable fit so you can enjoy marathon binge-watching and gaming sessions. The package includes a single pair of headphones and a wireless transmitter that doubles as a docking station for storing and charging the headphones when you aren’t using them.
Insignia promises 10 hours of battery life, but we got more than 11 hours on a charge. The NS-HAWHP2 uses radio frequency (RF) wireless transmission, and in our tests we didn’t notice significant lag between the audio and video, which can be a problem for Bluetooth-based systems. These headphones delivered the most consistent, balanced sound in our recent tests, and they were also lighter and more comfortable than many competitors.
We recommend the Avantree Quartet if you need more than one pair of headphones. This RF-based system is easy to set up, and the included transmitter supports up to 100 pairs of headphones, which can be purchased separately. Plus, the bundle includes all of the cables needed for most TV systems, as well as a USB-C charging port. While the Insignia pick has a more clear and balanced sound, this set does let you switch easily between two audio modes on the headphones using the EQ button.
Avantree promises 20 hours of battery life, but we were able to get a bit more when kept at a moderate volume. You also have the option of purchasing the transmitter and headphones individually, but the bundle is a much better deal.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: The main downside of the Insignia system is that it comes with only one pair of headphones, and you can’t add more. The Avantree Quartet headphones will fit some people awkwardly, as the earcups don’t swivel enough to fit every head size and shape. The wires on which the cups slide can be bent to fit you better, but then that pair is customized to one specific user.
Insignia NS-HAWHP2
Battery life: 11 hours
Wireless connection type: RF
Avantree Quartet
Battery life: 20 hours
Wireless connection type: RF
For more info, see our full review of the best wireless TV headphones.
Further reading
The Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones
by Lauren Dragan
Whether you prefer over-ear or in-ear noise-cancelling headphones, we have recommendations to help bring peace to your next trip.
The Best Headphones Under $100
by Lauren Dragan
If you’re looking for backup headphones or just don’t want to spend a lot, we reviewed all the best cheap headphones for you.
The Best Bluetooth Wireless Headphones
by Lauren Dragan
The JBL Tour One M2 over-ear Bluetooth headphones sound great, have a long battery life, and offer premium features at a lower price than the competition.
Do Noise-Cancelling Headphones Hurt Your Ears? You’re Not Alone.
by Brent Butterworth and Lauren Dragan
Before buying noise-cancelling headphones, you should think about what kinds of noise you want to reduce—and find out if you’re susceptible to “eardrum suck.”
