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The best noise-canceling headphones

It's more important than ever that you have access to a comfortable, noise-canceling headset.

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Wireless headphones may be all the rage these days, but there's still plenty to be said about over-ear headphones. You can slip away from stress and the pressure of the outside world and lose yourself in some of the best audio available. 

Also: The best headphones

Change the way you listen with more immersive sound. We researched and tested the best over-ear headphones so you can find the best pair for your preferences and price point.

Sony WH-1000XM5

Best over-ear headphones overall

Pros & Cons Pros

• Very comfortable
• Superior audio quality
• Fantastic call quality

Cons

• Not water-resistant
• Mediocre portability

More Details

Tech Specs: Weight:8.8 oz.Battery life:30 hoursBluetooth:Yes

The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are the best over-ear headphones overall, thanks to the thoughtful design and features. It uses dual processors to provide superior noise cancellation through the Auto NC Optimizer, which automatically adjusts based on your surroundings. It features a new Integrated Processor V1 for fantastic sound, plus you can enjoy hands-free calling using four different microphones with meticulous voice pickup. Battery life lasts 30 hours for on average. 

Read the review:Sony WH-1000XM5 review

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Anker SoundCore Life Q30

Best budget over-ear headphones

Pros & Cons Pros

• Long-lasting battery
• Excellent noise cancellation
• Bold bass

Cons

• Bulky design
• Bass may be too much for some users

More Details

Tech Specs:Weight:9.3 oz.Battery life:60 hoursBluetooth:Yes

The Anker SoundCore Life Q30 is our pick for the best budget over-ear headphones -- but they also have the longest battery life with 60 hours of uninterrupted play. Advanced noise cancellation means you can filter 95% of surrounding sound, using Transport mode for travel and Indoor mode for filtering out conversation. Life Q30's 40mm drivers mean high-quality sound that rivals more expensive models.

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Apple AirPods Max

Best over-ear headphones for Apple users

Amazon Pros & Cons Pros

• Reliable build
• Fantastic sound
• Easy to pair

Cons

• Expensive
• Shoddy case construction

More Details

Tech Specs:Weight:0.85 lbs.Battery life:20 hoursBluetooth:Yes

If you're an Apple fan, the Apple AirPods Max are the best over-ear headphones for you. 

The headphones feature dual modes to choose from: Transparency to allow outside noises and Active Noise Cancellation to block noise out. With the Apple H1 chip and software, you'll benefit from spatial audio with surround sound for an immersive experience. However, be forewarned -- the battery life only lasts 20 hours

Read the review:AirPods Max review

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Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

Best over-ear headphones for comfort

Pros & Cons Pros

• Excellent sound
• Fantastic durability
• Premium design

Cons

• Lacks 3.5mm headphone jack
• Mediocre noise-canceling

More Details

Tech Specs: Weight:2.65 lbsBattery life:30 hoursBluetooth:Yes

If comfort is your priority, we love the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 over-ear headphones. This model features 40mm drivers with six-microphone active noise cancellation to help guarantee that your audio takes priority. There's also wind and noise suppression when you make mobile phone calls. Download the B&W Music App to control your audio and make adjustments as needed. 

Read the review:Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 review

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Sony WH-1000XM4

Best over-ear headphones for travel

Pros & Cons Pros

• Stellar performance
• Long battery life
• Excellent noise canceling

Cons

• Mediocre controls
• Limited 360 Reality Audio

More Details

Tech Specs: Weight:2.65 lbsBattery life:30 hoursBluetooth:Yes

Sony's WH-1000XM4 headphones use touch sensors so you can easily control your headphones without trouble. Bluetooth 5.0 technology keeps you plugged in, so you'll benefit from fast access to phone calls, music controls, and even your own voice assistant. You can also use Edge AI to improve sound. Plus, Dual Noise Sensor technology with built-in noise cancellation keeps you focused even with distractions around. 

Read the review:Sony WH-1000XM4

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What are the best over-ear headphones?

Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are hands-down the best over-ear headphones you can buy. Lightweight and convenient, they are a reliable pair of over-ear headphones you can use for all of your listening needs.

To see how it compares, these are the best over-ear headphones broken down by price, weight, and battery life.

Best over-ear headphones	Starting cost	Weight	Battery life
Sony WH-1000XM5	$348	0.55 lbs	30 hours
Anker SoundCore Life Q30	$60	0.58 lbs	60 hours
Apple AirPods Max	$450	0.85 lbs	20 hours
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2	$329	2.65 lbs	30 hours
Sony WH-1000XM4	$348	2.65 lbs	30 hours

Which are the right over-ear headphones for you?

It can be confusing trying to choose between models, so here are our expert suggestions to help you find the best over-ear headphones for your budget and needs.

Choose these best over-ear headphones...	If you want...
Sony WH-1000XM5	The best noise-canceling over-ear headphones
Anker SoundCore Life Q30	The best budget over-ear headphones
Apple AirPods Max	To complete your Apple device ecosystem
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2	Comfort more than anything else
Sony WH-1000XM4	Portable over-ear headphones for travel

How did we choose these over-ear headphones?

To find the best over-ear headphones, we consider several factors that may also help you with your search.

• Sound:The ability to properly filter and highlight sound is critical in a pair of over-ear headphones, especially where noise cancellation is concerned. 
• Weight:Nothing is worse than a heavy pair of over-ear headphones that weigh your head down and create pressure. We look for a comfortable, lightweight fit that can withstand long periods of use.
• Battery:Battery life is important to help ensure your headphones are ready when you need them. Thirty hours tends to be the average among the best over-ear headphones, but you can also find models with higher or lower battery life, depending on which you choose.
• Cost:Budget is a concern for most shoppers, so we shop for affordable models that won't break the bank. 

What are over-ear headphones?

Over-ear headphones sit around the ear, rather than on or in the ear. They are designed to provide a more immersive listening experience by completely enclosing the ear and blocking out external noise. The ear cups on over-ear headphones are also typically large and padded, providing comfort for extended use. 

Over-ear headphones come in both wired and wireless versions. They are typically larger in size compared to other types of headphones, and they are often preferred by audiophiles, music producers, and gamers -- especially because some of the high-end models have active noise cancellation to further block out noise.

Which over-the-ear headphones are most durable?

The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are the best over-ear headphones for durability, offering a reliable, strong build that can stand up to many everyday hazards.

Which over-ear headphones are most comfortable?

We love the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 over-ear headphones for their overwhelming comfort. Cushioned ear cups help ensure that you spend less time fussing with your headphones and more time enjoying your audio.

What are the best over-ear headphones for working out?

The Apple AirPods Max are noted for their incredible sound and lighter build. They are the best over-ear headphones for working out and fitness.

Are there alternative over-ear headphones worth considering?

In our search, we also found these options that may be worth a second look.

Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X: Best wired over-ear headphones

$249 at Amazon

Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700: Best noise-canceling over-ear headphones

$329 at Amazon

Sennheiser HD 800 S: Best over-ear headphones for audiophiles

$1,599.95 at Amazon

For more ideas, check out our top picks for the best wireless headphones, best headphones for working out, and best noise-canceling headphones!

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