Best Over Ear Headphones for 2026
Discover expert reviews and comparisons of the best over-ear headphones, featuring in-depth analysis of sound quality, comfort, noise cancellation, and value across premium and budget models. Our comprehensive guides help you find the perfect over-ear headphones for audiophile listening, gaming, work-from-home setups, and everyday use.
Updated January 2026 • 18 Products Analyzed
The Good
- Outstanding active noise cancellation technology
- Exceptional comfort for extended wear periods
- Reliable durability with multi-year longevity
- Excellent sound quality with DSEE Extreme upscaling
Sony WH-1000XM4 Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones
The Sony WH-1000XM4 delivers industry-leading active noise cancellation powered by the HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN1, combined with premium sound quality and exceptional 30-hour battery life. Users consistently praise the comfort, durability, and build quality, with many reporting years of reliable performance even after extended use. While the fit may not suit all head sizes and noise cancellation doesn't eliminate all ambient sound, this is a best-in-class option that justifies its premium price point.
The Bad
- Noise cancellation doesn't completely eliminate all sounds
- May fit loosely on smaller head sizes
The Good
- Exceptional sound quality with natural balance and clarity
- 50-hour battery life with quick charging
- Effective adaptive noise cancellation without ear pressure
- Excellent call quality with beamforming microphones
- Premium build with aluminum and leather accents
Philips Fidelio L4 Over-Ear Headphones
The Philips Fidelio L4 delivers exceptional audio quality with rich, balanced sound and advanced noise cancellation at an outstanding value. With 50-hour battery life, multiple connectivity options, and premium build quality, these headphones compete with far more expensive alternatives while offering remarkable comfort and reliability.
The Bad
- Ear cup shape may not fit smaller heads comfortably
- Included audio cable feels slightly flimsy
The Good
- Best-in-class active noise cancellation with Quiet, Aware, and Immersion modes
- Exceptional comfort with premium materials and lightweight design for hours of wear
- Innovative spatial audio and Cinema Mode for immersive listening experience
- Excellent 30-hour battery life with USB-C fast charging capability
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Bluetooth Headphones (2nd Gen)
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen delivers industry-leading noise cancellation with immersive spatial audio and exceptional comfort for extended wear. These premium headphones combine luxurious build quality, 30-hour battery life, and innovative features like Cinema Mode and lossless USB audio, making them a top choice for frequent travelers and audiophiles despite their premium price point.
The Bad
- Premium pricing limits accessibility for budget-conscious consumers
- Immersion Mode has limited appeal and may not justify the premium for all users
The Good
- Exceptional 60-hour battery life with rapid 10-minute charge
- Customizable bass with mechanical dial and app control
- Lightweight, comfortable design for extended wear
- Strong Bluetooth range and multipoint device pairing
Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones
The Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 delivers impressive audio performance with customizable bass control through a mechanical dial and intuitive app integration. Users consistently praise the exceptional 60-hour battery life, lightweight comfort, and effective active noise cancellation for everyday use. While the bass-forward sound signature and occasional side-pressure sensitivity issues may not suit all preferences, the overall value and feature set make these headphones a strong choice for bass-lovers and music enthusiasts.
The Bad
- Sharp noise occurs when pressure applied during ANC use
- Bass-heavy tuning not ideal for balanced audio preferences
The Good
- Superior sound quality with clear separation and immersive soundstage
- Exceptional 60-hour battery life, best in consumer market
- Comfortable, lightweight design with excellent build quality
- Solid ANC performance and reliable touch controls
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless Headphones
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 delivers exceptional sound quality and industry-leading 60-hour battery life at its current price point. While noise cancellation lags slightly behind Sony and Bose competitors, the superior audio fidelity, comfort, and comprehensive feature set make it an excellent choice for audiophiles and frequent travelers.
The Bad
- Noise cancellation not quite as effective as Sony XM6 or Bose
- Touch controls prone to fingerprints on black version
The Good
- Spacious soundstage with natural, high-fidelity audio
- Extended bass response with detailed highs and mids
- Exceptional comfort for long listening sessions
- Premium German engineering with detachable cables
Sennheiser HD 660S2 Audiophile Headphones
The Sennheiser HD 660S2 are premium open-back audiophile headphones delivering natural, spacious sound with extended bass and refined acoustic clarity. Praised for exceptional comfort, precise highs, and engaging soundstage, they represent a strong evolution in Sennheiser's acclaimed 600-series lineup. However, their premium price and tight clamping force may challenge budget-conscious buyers and those with larger heads.
The Bad
- Premium pricing
- Tight clamping force may be uncomfortable for larger heads
The Good
- Outstanding noise cancellation with dual-processor technology
- Exceptional comfort and lightweight design at 0.56 lbs
- 30-hour battery life with fast 3-minute quick charge
- Superior sound quality across all music genres
Sony WH-1000XM5 Premium Noise Canceling Headphones
The Sony WH-1000XM5 delivers exceptional noise cancellation and sound quality in a lightweight, comfortable design backed by industry-leading build quality. With 30-hour battery life, fast charging, and intuitive touch controls, these headphones excel for travel and daily use. While premium pricing and lack of folding design are minor drawbacks, the product consistently impresses users with its performance and durability.
The Bad
- Premium price point limits accessibility for budget buyers
- Non-folding design reduces portability compared to previous models
The Good
- Exceptional sound quality with balanced, immersive audio experience
- Industry-leading 40-hour battery life with quick charging
- Highly comfortable design suitable for all head sizes
- Seamless connectivity and easy pairing with Apple devices
Beats Studio Pro Headphones
The Beats Studio Pro delivers exceptional sound quality, impressive noise cancellation, and an impressive 40-hour battery life in a comfortable over-ear design. Users consistently praise their durability, seamless Apple device integration, and sleek aesthetics, though some report concerns about hinge fragility and potential fit issues during extended wear.
The Bad
- Hinge is vulnerable to damage from drops or pressure
- Noise cancellation interference near WiFi routers reported
The Good
- Crystal clear, detailed sound with excellent isolation
- Extremely comfortable velour ear pads for long sessions
- Built like a tank—exceptional German craftsmanship
- Great value professional-grade studio headphones
beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 80 ohm
The beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 80 ohm delivers professional-grade studio sound with exceptional clarity and detail, praised for durability and comfort during extended listening sessions. Made in Germany with robust construction, these closed-back headphones excel across music production, gaming, and critical listening with excellent noise isolation. The neutral-to-bright sound profile and high-impedance design make them a standout value in the professional headphone category.
The Bad
- Slightly emphasized treble can cause listener fatigue
- Pressure on glasses bridges during extended wear
The Good
- Incredibly wide soundstage with excellent imaging and detail retrieval
- Neutral, clear tonality with airy treble and minimal sibilance
- Responsive across all frequencies and responds well to EQ
- Comfortable redesigned headband distributes weight evenly
HIFIMAN SUNDARA Planar Magnetic Over-Ear Headphones
The HIFIMAN SUNDARA delivers exceptional clarity and soundstage at a competitive mid-range price point, featuring a thin 80% planar diaphragm and comfortable redesigned headband for extended listening sessions. While the stock cable and bass response require improvement through aftermarket upgrades and EQ, reviewers consistently praise its detail retrieval, neutral tonality, and responsiveness across frequencies, making it an excellent value for audiophiles seeking analytical listening quality.
The Bad
- Stock cable is short and poor quality, needs replacement
- Bass requires EQ and amplifier to reach optimal impact
The Good
- Exceptional 70-hour battery life with fast charging
- Effective adaptive noise cancellation and ambient aware mode
- Highly customizable sound with EQ modes via app
- Excellent value for price compared to competitors
JBL Tune 770NC
The JBL Tune 770NC delivers exceptional value for budget-conscious listeners seeking quality over-ear headphones with active noise cancellation. With outstanding 70-hour battery life, adaptive noise cancelling, and customizable sound via the JBL app, these headphones offer premium features at an accessible price point. However, some users report that the ear cups may be slightly undersized, causing discomfort during extended wear sessions.
The Bad
- Ear cups slightly too small for some users
- Audio quality good but not premium tier
The Good
- Exceptional sound quality with detailed bass and clarity
- Comfortable for extended wear despite premium weight
- Advanced EQ and Sound ID customization enhance audio
- Reliable Bluetooth connectivity and 30+ hour battery
Focal BATHYS Over Ear Headphones
The Focal BATHYS deliver exceptional audio quality and comfort in a premium wireless package. With active noise cancellation, 30+ hour battery life, and a customizable EQ app, these headphones cater to audiophiles seeking high-fidelity sound without sacrificing portability. Multiple reviewers praise their sonic clarity and build quality, positioning them as a compelling alternative to mainstream premium options.
The Bad
- ANC not as strong as Sony or Bose models
- High price point; buttons require learning curve
The Good
- Premium sound quality with balanced bass, mids, and highs
- Exceptional 30-hour battery life with ANC active
- Extremely lightweight and comfortable for extended wear
- Effective hybrid active noise cancellation without pressure
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay HX
The Bang & Olufsen Beoplay HX delivers premium audio quality with exceptional comfort and 30-hour battery life, wrapped in minimalist Scandinavian design. Featuring effective hybrid ANC, well-balanced sound, and customizable EQ through the Beosonic app, these headphones excel for extended wear on commutes and travel. While the price point is steep, the combination of luxury materials, superior craftsmanship, and immersive listening experience justifies the investment for audio enthusiasts.
The Bad
- High price point
- ANC may allow some low-frequency plane noise to slip through
The Good
- Up to 98% noise cancelling with adaptive technology
- Exceptional 50-hour battery life for long travel
- Outstanding value and durability at budget price
- Comfortable fit with mechanical controls
Soundcore Space Q45 Over-Ear Headphones
The Soundcore Space Q45 delivers impressive active noise cancelling that blocks up to 98% of ambient noise, exceptional 50-hour battery life, and balanced audio quality with LDAC Hi-Res support at an exceptional value under $100. While the sound doesn't quite match premium competitors like Sony XM4s, the combination of adaptive ANC, comfortable ergonomic design, and outstanding durability makes these headphones an excellent choice for travelers and commuters on a budget.
The Bad
- Sound quality good but not immersive vs. premium brands
- Bass can be punchy or muffled at high volumes
The Good
- Exceptional battery life with hot-swap dual battery system
- Excellent wireless range and stable multi-system connectivity
- Powerful spatial audio with extensive EQ customization
- Premium build quality and professional aesthetic design
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
The Arctis Nova Pro Wireless delivers premium gaming audio with exceptional wireless connectivity, dual battery hot-swap system, and versatile multi-system compatibility. Users praise its spatial audio, long battery life, and seamless Bluetooth dual audio streaming for work and gaming. While ANC performance is solid, ear pad comfort and sound isolation fall slightly short compared to premium competitors, though aftermarket pads resolve this issue.
The Bad
- Factory ear pads lack breathability and long-term comfort
- ANC less effective than Bose and Sony competitors
The Good
- Excellent build quality with aluminum frame and premium materials
- Impressive 30-hour battery life with stable Bluetooth range
- Detailed, precise sound tuned for rock and alternative music
- Stylish retro Marshall design with intuitive control knob
Marshall Monitor II ANC Headphones
The Marshall Monitor II delivers excellent sound quality with a distinctive rock-oriented tuning and robust build quality that rivals premium competitors. With 30 hours of battery life, reliable Bluetooth connectivity, and effective noise cancellation, these headphones offer strong value for music enthusiasts. However, the tight clamping force and compact ear cups may cause discomfort during extended listening sessions.
The Bad
- Uncomfortably tight clamping force; small ear cups cause extended wear discomfort
- Battery life slightly overstated; typically delivers 22-23 hours at full volume
The Good
- Exceptional audio clarity with detailed soundstage
- Impressive 45-hour battery life with quick charge
- Highly comfortable for extended wear sessions
- Multiple wireless codecs including LDAC and aptX
Shure AONIC 50 Gen 2
The Shure AONIC 50 Gen 2 delivers studio-quality sound with custom-engineered 50mm drivers and spatialized audio technology across three immersive modes. With an exceptional 45-hour battery, customizable EQ via the ShurePlus PLAY app, and enhanced noise cancellation, these over-ear headphones offer excellent comfort for extended listening sessions. However, noise cancellation performance lags behind premium competitors like the Sony WH-1000XM5, and some users report issues with LDAC stability and outdoor wind noise.
The Bad
- Noise cancellation weaker than Sony WH-1000XM5
- LDAC implementation has intermittent static issues
The Good
- Neutral, accurate sound with excellent clarity and detail
- Lightweight, comfortable fit for extended listening sessions
- Durable metal construction with removable cables and foldable design
- Great audio quality at its current price point
AKG Pro Audio K371 Over-Ear Headphones
The AKG K371 delivers impressive neutral sound quality and comfort at an exceptional price point, making them excellent for studio monitoring and professional use. These closed-back headphones feature 50mm titanium-coated transducers with a frequency response of 5 Hz to 40 kHz, though durability concerns and potential long-term build quality issues have been noted by some users.
The Bad
- Build quality concerns including headband wrinkles and driver degradation
- Long-term durability issues despite careful handling