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The Best Over-Ear Headphones to Buy in 2024
Here’s the truth: expensive headphones are worth it
Headphones are more than mere accessories. In 2024, a proper pair of noise-cancellers is an absolute essential for every city-dweller, hybrid worker and frequent flyer. You need a pair that delivers the specs, and is lightweight enough to live in your bag or around your neck.
Sure, you could rely on a pair of noise-cancelling earbuds (we often do), but there’s nothing quite like the performance of some of the best over-ear headphones. The top wireless models can cancel more noise than buds or on-ear cans, you can happily wear them for longer, and they bang out phenomenal audio reproduction.
It’s worth saying that the cost can get high, but we’ve discovered that expensive headphones are worth the investment. Top pairs will last ages, plus pack features you’ll struggle to find on cheaper rivals.
While we did try to include options at a range of prices, you’ll find it’s rare to get effective active noise-cancelling (ANC) at a low price. When it comes to sound, you can tell the difference when you spend a bit more too. And once you’ve heard the best, it’s hard to go back.
Here are our favourite over-headphones you can buy right now:
The Best Over-Ear Headphones
How The Esquire Team Tests Headphones
When it comes to over-ear headphones, we test out the top models by using them as you would. We pair them to our phones and tablets, before firing up our music and podcasts. We use them to tune out the ambient background noise while on the commute or at the office. And we check how they perform when playing several different music genres. We also factor in how well the carrying cases work for travel and look at the battery life, charge time and any bundled accessories.
Pros
- Excellent sound quality
- High-quality ANC
- Long battery life
Cons
- Smaller earcups than some rivals
- Other designs fold down to a more compact size
We already love the budget-friendly Accentum cans that Sennheiser introduced in 2023, and the German audio experts have already gone and added to the lineup with the mid-range Accentum Plus model. They may look almost identical, but there are some key differences to note here, and we can make the argument that these are some of the best-value headphones to launch in years.
Here’s how we’d break it down for Sennheiser fans: You should go for the entry-level Accentum if you want all the basics done brilliantly. But, if you’re happy with the splurge for extra comfort, sound quality and battery life, you’re after the Momentum 4. Somewhere in between and want the best of both worlds? That’s where the Accentum Plus comes in. These deliver stunning sound, more connectivity and better ANC than the model they’re an upgrade from. We’ve tried out a bunch of headphones for this roundup and they’re easily the best you can get for a sub-£200 budget.
The “Sennheiser sound” prioritises richness, clarity and detail without sacrificing the bass thump that adds energy to your playlists. This pair builds on the Accentum slightly with a little more expansion to the soundstage, but both pairs are excellent for audio reproduction and can handle any genre of music. They’re terrific, and an easy recommendation if sound is at the top of your list of requirements.
How about noise-cancelling? It’s an upgrade on the base model and is now adaptive. It works well on the train and in the office so we’ve got no complaints. Are there any real downsides? The feel is a little plasticky and, like the Final UX3000, the earcups aren’t the largest so they might be a tight fit if you’ve got a big noggin. We find them comfy enough for long sessions, though.
Battery life is massive here too – you’ll get up to 50 hours with ANC on, just like on the Accentum. They’re also better for portability, with a smart travel case and a wired cable for passive listening. The touch control system isn’t always our favourite but it’s straightforward and reliable in use, and you get all the expected app-based extras too.
These are superb value and deliver a whole bunch of features that other brands charge well over £300 for. Right now, you’re not finding better than these for under £200.
Weight | 227g |
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Battery Life | Up to 50 hours with ANC on |
Included Extras | Carry case, USB-A to USB-C charging cable, 2.5mm to 3.5mm audio cable |
Colours | Black and White |
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay HX
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay HX
Pros
- Engaging sound
- High level of comfort
- Stylish design
- Great carry case
Cons
- No water or dust resistance
- Expensive compared to rivals
The circular earcups of the Beoplay HX make them a distinctive option, and they’re especially stunning in the two-tone brown and grey shade that we tried for this roundup. If it’s good looks you’re after, we think these are your best bet. They’re just about the most attractive pair of over-ears on the market, delivering heaps of elegant Scandi style.
B&O offers them in four different colour approaches – Sand, Black Anthracite, Timber and Dark Maroon – and depending on which you pick, these can be subtle and sleek or bold and beautiful.
They’re comfortable to wear for hours on end and give you quality noise-cancelling in addition to the energetic and detailed sound. They’re especially great with vocals, we were particularly impressed when listening to ‘Brothers in Arms’ by Dire Straits on these.
The cans aren’t bulky too, which we consider a major plus, and they come with a much more portable and lightweight travel case when compared to the other Bang & Olufsen pair on our list.
Weight | 285g |
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Battery Life | Up to 35 hours with ANC on |
Included Extras | Carry case, USB-A to USB-C charging cable, USB-C to 3.5mm audio cable |
Colours | Sand (Beige), Black Anthracite (Black), Timber (Brown/Grey) or Dark Maroon |
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
Pros
- Ridiculously good noise-cancelling
- Foldable, robust and compact
- Comfortable to wear for ages
Cons
- You’re not going to use the immersive mode
- A bit prone to fingerprint marks
Just want outrageously impressive noise-cancelling and not so fussed about a futuristic design? You’re in luck. Bose went back to basics with its flagship Ultra Headphones, focusing on getting exceptional class-leading ANC into a portable, lightweight, well-built and comfortable package. Nothing else out there cancels noise quite like these, although the Sony WH-1000XM5 comes close.
In our hands-on tests, the Bose headphones manage to not only silence expected interruptions like the rumble of a train but also completely wipe out the sound of our colleagues in the office, traffic on the street, other shoppers in the supermarket and the clatter and chatter in our local coffee shop. We’re talking absolute silence. At last, we can doomscroll on Instagram in peace.
Has this kind of prowess come with extra weight or a less foldable design? Nope. Bose hasn’t sacrificed portability or build quality. We’re happy to see sturdy metal arms and yokes that connect the soft leather-covered earcups, which are also comfortable to wear for hours on end. When you’re finally done, they also fold up back into a little carrying case, which also holds their cables. There’s maybe a slight downside in how many fingerprints the plastic on the earcup exterior picks up, but it’s not a big deal.
The battery life isn’t top-tier at 24 hours, but we also think it’s more than enough for normal people. One upgrade these do have is an immersive mode for spatial audio, but we haven’t found it sounds the most natural and it takes a sledgehammer to the battery, reducing it to 18 hours.
What about sound quality? We reckon it’s exactly what we’re looking for on most occasions when we put on our music. It’s rich, detailed and just a bit bassy to lend a bit of punch to our playlists. Overall, these are a terrific pair of all-rounders, but we just think it’s worth noting that all this travel-ready noise-cancelling goodness comes at a high price compared to certain key rivals. Worth it, though.
Weight | 253g |
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Battery Life | Up to 24 hours |
Included Extras | Carry case, USB-A to USB-C charging cable, 3.5mm to 2.5mm audio cable |
Colours | Black or White |
Pros
- Lovely sound quality
- Capable ANC
- Comfortable fit with long battery life
Cons
- No carrying case
- Not fully foldable for travel
The Accentum is a more wallet-friendly alternative to Sennheiser’s flagship Momentum 4, for those of us who care about brilliant audio quality but aren’t quite as fussed about high-end materials. Happy to put up with a slightly plasticky build and a “just the basics” approach? For £160, you’ll get premium and captivating sound, with a signature that emphasises balance, a bit of punch to the bass and loads of detail.
One area where it rivals its more expensive sibling is in its battery performance. Despite lacking a travel case or pouch, these cans are just as comfortable on the road as they are at home. You get an impressive 50-hour battery life and a quick 10-minute charge restores an extra five hours. They are well-padded and comfortable to wear for several hours, with powerful noise-cancelling and seamless Bluetooth multipoint for device switching.
Unlike some affordable rivals, these don’t skimp on special features in the app, including a wind-reduction mode, equaliser settings and control customisation. Overall, we reckon these are a brilliant option if sound is your top priority and you’d rather not spend the big bucks – it’s a package that prioritises just the most essential elements of your headphone experience. Within the box, you’ll find just the over-ears themselves and a single USB-C charging cable that also works for wired listening if you somehow manage to drain that battery.
Weight | 222g |
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Battery Life | Up to 50 hours with ANC on |
Included Extras | USB-C to USB-A charging cable |
Colours | Black or White |
Pros
- Amazing value
- Well-balanced audio
- Lightweight design
Cons
- Not our favourite app
- No wear sensors
Most over-ear headphones under £100 make some compromises that would give us some pause before recommending them. But for £90, this new 1More model gets far more right than wrong. They’ve got a monstrous 50-hour battery life that makes it a struggle to get them to run dry (1More says they’ll go for as long as 70 hours with ANC off), rich hi-res audio quality, and comfort to rival much more expensive models.
The build is just a little more plastic than some of the super-premium competition that’s featured within this roundup, but we think they look sleeker than a lot of the cheap cans on the market, and they’re pretty lightweight.
Overall, it’s the specs that make these a worthwhile option though. The active noise-cancelling is great, bringing silence to the office and the commute, and we like that a quick five-minute charge will restore five hours of listening time. This makes them ideal for anyone rushing out of the door in the morning.
The travel case is compact and small, with a handy folding design, and all the relevant cables are housed within the case too. For hybrid workers, these have multipoint to stay connected to your phone and laptop at the same time, and five microphones to pick up your voice and suppress ambient noise while on Zoom calls.
Weight | 250g |
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Battery Life | Up to 50 hours with ANC on |
Included Extras | Carry case, USB-A to USB-C charging cable, 3.5mm to 3.5mm audio cable |
Colours | Dark Grey |
Sony WH-1000XM4
Sony WH-1000XM4
Pros
- Great folding design
- Compact case
- Powerful ANC
Cons
- ANC can be too strong
- Sound may be too bass-heavy for some
- Plasticky build
The key priorities for travel headphones are a small case, low weight, long battery life and effective ANC. This Sony pair ticks all these boxes, and while the brand has released a newer flagship, that model lacks the excellent folding design of these. We’re sure Sony’s aware of just how good this 2020 release is, which is why it’s still manufacturing the ultra-portable and popular XM4s.
When we tried these out, the almost aggressive noise-cancelling completely silenced the roar of our Central Line tube carriage, bringing us peace in conditions that often exceed 90 decibels. It’s superb, but it also got the closest to giving us a bit of a “cabin pressure” feeling with the ANC on.
These used to go for well over £300 but are now consistently under £250, making them one of the best value pairs on the list too. The Bose QuietComfort QC45s are a close competitor that also boasts a small travel case and lightweight form factor.
Overall, the sound here is warm, rich and detailed, and we love how they can tell when you’re on the move or standing still, changing between transparency and noise-cancelling to suit your activity. We found this ideal when rushing into work, and it would be invaluable for anyone hurrying to their gate at the airport. The only real downside is that these achieve a lighter weight by having a more plasticky feel than others in this list.
Weight | 254g |
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Battery Life | Up to 30 hours with ANC on |
Included Extras | Carry case, USB-A to USB-C charging and audio cable, 3.5mm to 3.5mm audio cable, flight adapter |
Colours | Blue, White, Silver or Black |
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e
Pros
- Rich sound quality
- Wide soundstage
- Exceptional detail
- Refined design
Cons
- Don’t fold flat for travel
- Heavier than some
Just like the Px7 S2 model that these new cans replace, these are the complete package for the majority of us looking for a serious pair of headphones. So, if you’re after over-ears that tick every box – including comfort, weight, style, audio quality, noise-cancelling and versatility – it’s the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e that gets our vote.
We must stress that these are similar to the older pair but the “e” stands for “evolved” and what we’re seeing here is a slight but notable improvement. To be honest, you’ll probably only notice it if you ever used the previous ones and even then it’s hard to spot. But there’s a refinement to the build quality and style, in addition to an upgrade to the sound, especially in the bass and midrange.
They still come with that fantastic included carrying case, allowing wired connections via bundled USB-C and 3.5mm cables, as well as Bluetooth multipoint for maintaining two separate connections at once. They’re terrific for comfort, and we can wear them for hours on end without tiring of them – it helps that the noise-cancelling is also top-tier without being overbearing.
The design of the Px7 S2e is clean and stripped-back. Compared to rivals, they’re actually padded and made of sophisticated materials, and we’ll always take proper tactile buttons over unreliable touch controls. For this revision, B&W has gone with a matte approach to its logo and the detailing, and this makes them feel more subtle, differentiating them from the flagship PX8. We also can’t get enough of the brand-new “Forest Green” colour.
When it comes to sound, it remains nuanced, accurate and rich, with far more width and detail than you’d expect from most wireless headphones. They make everything a pleasure to listen to, excelling with all our test tracks – whether instrumental, bass or vocal-heavy. These are fantastic with everything from Whitney Houston, Daft Punk and Fleetwood Mac right through to Hans Zimmer, Childish Gambino and Tchaikovsky. They’re so good that we struggle to tell them apart from the Bowers PX8.
Weight | 307g |
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Battery Life | Up to 30 hours with ANC on |
Included Extras | Carry case, USB-C to USB-C charging and audio cable, USB-C to 3.5mm audio cable |
Colours | Anthracite Black, Cloud Grey, Forest Green |
Pros
- Great noise-cancelling
- Excellent sound
- Lightweight
- Low price
Cons
- Lower battery life
- No app
- Not the best fit for larger ears
We’re fans of the Final UX3000. They're lightweight and compact, yet deliver no-nonsense quality and effective active noise cancelling. And they're a steal at around £120. What’s not to like?
These have a minimalist and discreet design and are a perfect fit for those with smaller ears. They sport the same fingerprint-resistant finish as Final's flagship ZE8000 MK2 earbuds, with a soft coating called "Shibo" texture, described as an “old Japanese word meaning a wrinkle on the surface of paper or leather” – we love it.
What about the listening experience? The UX3000 delivers a balanced and accurate sound signature without sacrificing dynamism. While the soundstage isn’t expansive, instrument separation is precise, and the vocals shine.
Sure, the UX3000 has its quirks, but they're hardly dealbreakers. If you're an EQ aficionado who thrives on tweaking settings, the absence of an accompanying app might take some adjustment. However, we find the default sound so engaging that we don't mind at all.
While other headphones offer lengthier battery life, the UX3000's 25 hours of usage – 35 hours with ANC off – are more than enough for us. Speaking of active noise cancellation, Final takes a unique approach, enabling separate control for ANC and main power. This allows you to enjoy ANC without Bluetooth, a feature Final calls "earmuff" mode – perfect for a wired setup. The performance impresses, tackling low-frequency rumbles, office chatter and wind noise with ease.
Weight | 260g |
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Battery Life | Up to 25 hours with ANC on |
Included Extras | Soft carry case, USB-C to USB-C charging cable, 3.5mm to 3.5mm audio cable |
Colours | Black |
Mark Levinson No. 5909
Mark Levinson No. 5909
Pros
- Proper high-end sound quality
- Easily customisable via the app
- Comfortable and versatile, with solid ANC
Cons
- Ears can feel overheated
- Carrying case is massive
- Price is steep
The Mark Levinson 5909 are the debut headphones from the esteemed American high-end hi-fi brand. And, at a lofty price of £999, these wireless over-ear cans are one serious investment. But, for audiophiles after the best, they're worth it.
They're the epitome of audio excellence, and there's real science behind this. They're optimised to the "Harman curve", the gold standard developed by researchers at Harman International. This tuning is the verified preferred sound signature for most of us.
Not only do they exhibit an exquisite audio profile, but they also boast a premium design with anodised aluminium accents and sumptuous soft leather. The earcups, although slightly lacking in breathability compared to the PX8, are comfortable for all-day wearing. But for those with larger ears, we’d go with the Focal Bathys instead.
When it comes to performance, the 5909s create an intimate and enveloping soundstage, allowing for precise instrumental separation. Gorillaz's 'Feel Good Inc' and Billie Eilish's 'Bad Guy' reveal distinct layers, with bass exhibiting control and presence. Where these headphones shine is in the reproduction of vocals, which have remarkable clarity.
In the box, you get a chunky carry case containing every adapter, cable and accessory you'll need. The noise-cancelling is more than good enough for London trains, but not the headline feature, while the cans deliver 30 hours of battery with ANC on – more than enough for us.
For those after a pair that's adept at providing an immersive sonic experience at your desk or during travels, we'd highly consider the 5909s. The quality rivals that of wired audiophile models within the same price range, although the Focal Bathys offers comparable fidelity and a few hundred quid less.
Weight | 340g |
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Battery Life | Up to 30 hours with ANC on |
Included Extras | Carry case, 4m USB-C to 3.5 mm audio cable, 1.25m USB-C to 3.5mm audio cable, 1.25m USB-C to USB-C charging cable, USB-C to USB-A adaptor, 3.5mm to 6.3mm audio adaptor, flight adaptor, microfibre polishing cloth |
Colours | Black, Grey or Red |
Focal Bathys
Focal Bathys
Pros
- Best-sounding wireless headphones
- Soft ear pads
- Incredible soundstage
Cons
- Look is an acquired taste
- Can feel a little plasticky
Any hi-fi enthusiast respects the name “Focal”. Since 1979, this renowned French brand has been creating gear that captivates the audio world. And in late 2022 it unveiled the Bathys, its first foray into the wireless headphone territory.
It sports a price tag that rivals the Bowers & Wilkins PX8, AirPods Max, and the luxurious Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H95. And, when it comes to audio, it delivers some of the best wireless sound we've ever experienced. Its sonic performance prioritises accuracy, neutrality, and clarity, creating a wide and immersive soundstage.
While the 5909 is our top pick for audiophiles, this is exceptional at a better price. We recommend the Bathys to critical listeners on a quest to hear every minute detail, though we still prefer the B&W PX8's comfort and sound signature for our everyday listening.
There’s also the matter of style – the Bathys have a divisive look that won’t suit everyone. It’s quite unusual and stands out, especially if you leave on the setting to have the Focal logo light up when in use. Also, that pattern of closely packed holes feels destined to trigger trypophobia sufferers if you wear these on your commute.
The Bathys is impeccably crafted, robust, and comfortable – a combination tailor-made for reliable performance. While the noise cancellation performs well, we'd opt for these for their excellent audio quality.
Weight | 350g |
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Battery Life | Up to 30 hours with ANC on |
Included Extras | Carry case, USB-C to USB-C charging and audio cable, USB-C to 3.5mm audio cable |
Colours | Grey |
Pros
- Stunning premium design and materials
- Gorgeous sound
- Supreme comfort
Cons
- High price
- Imprecise wear sensor
The Bowers & Wilkins PX8 deliver at the pinnacle of wireless performance and come with a high £599 price tag to match the luxe listening experience.
The British brand has precision-engineered these for astounding audio. The design prioritises high-end materials (Nappa leather all over, cast aluminium arms, and custom “Carbon Cone” drive units) and the reduction of vibration. The result is a delight that gives you a stunning and delicate sound, impeccable comfort and understated style.
We adore listening to everything and anything on these cans. They have an enveloping soundstage that lends superb detail to all music while delivering a serious punch. Adele’s ‘Hello’ acts as an ideal demonstration of the nuance they offer with vocals, and they capture the energy and clarity of ‘Seven Nation Army’ by The White Stripes with aplomb.
The leather is more comfortable than the Mark Levinson model during longer listening sessions, and they feel much more premium than the Focal Bathys. With all three side-by-side, it's clear the PX8 uses the most high-end materials.
Beyond sound, everything we love about the Px7 S2 applies here too. They’ve got the same lovely carrying case and cables (albeit with leather detailing – a nice touch), the same 30-hour battery life, the same compatibility with the polished B&W app and the same decent noise-cancelling. The sheer quality of the Px8 is unavoidable. They’re indulgent and absolutely worth it.
Weight | 320g |
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Battery Life | Up to 30 hours with ANC on |
Included Extras | Carry case, USB-C to USB-C charging and audio cable, USB-C to 3.5mm audio cable |
Colours | Black, Royal Burgundy or Tan |
Apple AirPods Max
Apple AirPods Max
Pros
- Perfect for anyone on iOS
- Excellent sound
- Immersive spatial audio
Cons
- Weird case
- Lightning-only charging
- Useless for Android fans
We adore the AirPods Max for use with iOS gadgets like iPads and iPhones. If you're Apple's "ecosystem" and you’ve ever seriously considered Apple’s premium cans, we’re here to tell you they’re every bit as good as you’ve heard. They’re ultra-comfortable to wear because they have fabric earcups, rather than foam or leatherette, and they come with loads of added convenience for Apple users. The sound quality is superb, and we can’t get enough of the sleek design.
We set them to split audio with a pair of Beats Solo Pros while watching Yellowjackets on our iPad during a cross-country train journey, they have incredible "spatial audio" for cinematic movies and TV (when viewed on Apple devices, of course) and a class-leading transparency mode that makes it feel like you’re not wearing headphones at all.
The noise-cancelling is powerful and capable, and they instantly pair with all your Apple devices. Aside from some very minor charging quirks – you’ll need that Lighting cable rather than a USB-C, and they have to go back in their unusual “Smart Case” rather than having a typical off button – there’s little to dislike here.
Weight | 385g |
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Battery Life | Up to 20 hours with ANC on |
Included Extras | Carry case, USB-C to Lightning charging cable |
Colours | Pink, Blue, Grey, Green or Silver |
Bose QuietComfort QC45
Bose QuietComfort QC45
Pros
- Very comfortable to wear
- Top quality ANC
- Solid app
Cons
- Older headphone design
- No wear sensor
If you need a reliable and comfortable set of over-ear headphones that have physical control buttons instead of touch input, we highly recommend the Bose QC45s.
They’re now one of our go-to cans for the commute to work as they block out nearly all of the annoying noises from the train, and we can wear them for hours at a time thanks to the soft ear-cup covers – which cover our ears without ever feeling tight.
The powerful active noise-cancelling makes these a serious contender too, drowning out typing on a mechanical keyboard, passing traffic and a desk fan.
The design isn't as sleek as the Bose 700s and you only get two sound modes – “Quiet” (noise-cancelling) and “Aware” (transparency) instead of an adjustable series of levels – but we like the simplicity of the QC45s approach, and the audio quality is fantastic.
The closest competitor on our list is the Sony XM4, which has a few hours more battery life but a slightly chunkier design. The QC45s are ideal for anyone searching for a good-looking and no-fuss pair of over-ear headphones that puts comfort first.
Weight | 240g |
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Battery Life | Up to 24 hours with ANC on |
Included Extras | Carry case, USB-A to USB-C charging cable, 3.5mm to 3.5mm audio cable |
Colours | Black or White |
Sennheiser Momentum 4
Sennheiser Momentum 4
Pros
- Excellent battery life
- Bass-heavy sound profile
- Comfy to wear all day
Cons
- Touch controls can be confusing
- Not the most exciting design
We love wearing Sennheiser’s latest over-ear cans at home connected to our laptop just as much as we do when travelling, and that’s a testament to just how much the quality impressed us.
The sound profile is deeper and fuller than some other models we’ve tried, including the Bose QC45s, and they have no trouble handling a variety of musical genres, from rock to jazz. There’s no muddiness at loud volumes, and we love how quickly they pair once they’re powered on. It’s a seamless and smooth experience.
Aside from a power button, the Momentum 4s use touch and gesture controls. While it took a while for us to get used to the navigation (especially the pinch movement to change the ANC) it’s responsive and works well, even if we wish there was a voice to tell you which mode you’re in.
Our favourite aspect of the headphones is that you’ll be able to enjoy music for ages: they give 60 hours of ANC from a charge – perfect for longer journeys. These have comfortable earcups, but they are fairly large so this is not a set for anyone searching for a subtle pair of cans.
Weight | 293g |
---|---|
Battery Life | Up to 60 hours with ANC on |
Included Extras | Carry case, USB-A to USB-C charging cable, 3.5mm to 3.5mm audio cable, flight adapter |
Colours | Black or White |
Pros
- Intuitive touch controls
- Refined sound
- Solid ANC
Cons
- Strange design won’t be for everyone
- No app
- A bit uncomfortable for us
If you’re after a fuss-free experience but want a pair of cans that stand out from the crowd, we recommend considering the KEF Mu7s. While it’s hard to argue that they outperform many of the other headphones within the same price range, they have a lot to offer for anyone looking for a pair that not only sounds excellent but that will also turn heads with a space-age look.
Designed in collaboration with industrial designer Ross Lovegrove, the side of each housing has an intentional dent that looks like someone’s taken a swing at your headphones and left their mark. It’s odd, but there’s also nothing like it out there.
The right side is where the playback controls live. Tap once in the centre of the dent for play/pause, swiping backwards and forward skips ahead or sends you to the previous track, while upwards or downward swipes deal with the volume. Even as touch control detractors, we’ve got to admit this is responsive and intuitive.
There’s no app for these but we reckon that’s part of the simple appeal. The Mu7s deliver a straightforward and warm sound, although we did find that we sometimes needed to increase the volume more to hear detail.
They’re solid performers, with decent ANC and a sturdy build, but for us, a major downside is that the headband started to get uncomfortable after a long listening session, something we didn’t experience with most other models on this roundup.
Weight | 309g |
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Battery Life | Up to 40 hours with ANC on |
Included Extras | Carry case, USB-C to USB-C charging cable, USB-C to 3.5mm audio cable, flight adapter |
Colours | Charcoal Grey or Silver Grey |
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H95
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H95
Pros
- Refined look
- Detailed sound
- High-end materials
Cons
- Not travel-friendly
- Very high price
- Not great value compared to rivals
If only luxury will do, you’ve got to consider these gorgeous Bang & Olufsen cans. They’re the most expensive model on our list, and they deliver premium performance to match the sky-high price tag. B&O claims they’re ideal for travellers but we think they’re a top pick for listening at home.
The fairly heavy aluminium carrying case feels a little too large to bring in your backpack but is ideal for the coffee table or displaying on your shelves. Unfold the headphones from the plush interior of their case, and you’ll find that the sound is warm, detailed and precise. We found these transporting when listening to some Pink Floyd and Radiohead.
The adaptive ANC is impressive too, as is the long 38 hours of listening time that you get even with noise cancelling turned on. Overall, the design is sumptuous, with clear attention to detail and loads of aluminium detailing that pairs with the soft and comfortable memory foam and lambskin ear cushions.
If you’re after headwear that will turn heads, look no further. These are some of the most eye-catching models around, so they’re ideal if you’re happy to bring them out into the world. These scream high-end indulgence, though, so we’d be quite happy to leave them at home for our relaxing weekend listening sessions. They also come with all the cables you need and a polishing cloth in the box – an essential to keep them looking their best.
Weight | 323g |
---|---|
Battery Life | Up to 38 hours with ANC on |
Included Extras | Carry case, USB-A to USB-C charging cable, 3.5mm to 3.5mm audio cable, flight adapter, microfibre cleaning cloth |
Colours | Light Grey, Black, Gold, Nordic Ice (Silver), Chestnut (Dark Brown) or Navy |
Master & Dynamic MW75
Master & Dynamic MW75
Pros
- Detailed and bassy sound
- Luxury materials
- Solid ANC
Cons
- Not great fit for larger ears
- High price
If it’s the very best materials you’re after, this Master & Dynamic model matches the likes of the Bang & Olufsen models and the AirPods Max when it comes to both price and luxury design.
We love the feel of the anodised aluminium and lambskin leather that gives these a seriously premium finish, and they’ve also got a tempered glass surface to cover the logo on each earcup.
The memory foam earcups are a little on the smaller side for us, so we would recommend other headphones on this list if you’ve got bigger ears. The travel case is also a bit bulky, so you’ll need a fair bit of room in your bag to take these with you.
When it comes to sound, they’re just as first-rate as they look, delivering a slightly more bassy profile than some of the others here. We listened to several different genres and were impressed with how they handled the layers and instrumental depths of ‘Snowcone’ by deadmau5, we could feel the reverberations and hear the subtleties of the track.
The noise-cancelling is good, but not as refined as what you’ll get from Sony, Bose or Apple, and there’s a slight background buzz that you’ll only notice on low volumes. Overall, the MW75s are a terrific package with balanced audio, a comfortable design, and high-end construction. They’re a gorgeous pair of headphones, but the high price can make them hard to justify among rivals.
Weight | 338g |
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Battery Life | Up to 28 hours with ANC on |
Included Extras | Carry case, USB-C to USB-C charging cable, USB-A to USB-C adapter, USB-C to 3.5mm audio cable, 3.5mm to 1/4” adapter, flight adapter |
Colours | Gunmetal and Black Leather, Silver Metal and Grey Leather, Silver Metal and Brown Leather, Black Metal or Black Leather |
Technics EAH-A800
Technics EAH-A800
Pros
- Old-school look
- Effective ANC
- Excellent sound quality
- Strong battery life
Cons
- Poor touch controls
- Occasional static buzz from ANC
For a lot of potential shoppers, Technics probably isn’t one of the first names to jump to mind when considering the top headphones on the market, but we’re here to tell you that these match up to the performance offered by the Sonys, Sennheisers and Boses of the world.
Hi-fi fans will know the name Technics from its turntable credentials, and these over-ear noise-cancellers bring a traditional and classic design to the table. We love the brushed aluminium of these, and the whole package feels premium. They also fold down into a compact case, a big benefit for travellers.
We found the ANC was more than good enough to cancel out the background rumble when we used them on the train, and they’re just as impressive when silencing the distracting chatter from your coworkers at the office.
They offer a bit of a mix of touch controls and regular buttons, but as mentioned, we prefer the reliability of a button you can press and we found the touch panel imprecise on these. Beyond that, we’d say these are a great pick for an old-school look that will stand out from the ones everyone else owns, and they’re damn good for audio quality too.
Weight | 300g |
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Battery Life | Up to 50 hours with ANC on |
Included Extras | Carry case, USB-A to USB-C charging cable, 3.5mm to 3.5mm audio cable, flight adapter |
Colours | Black or Silver |
The Need-to-Know
You’ll thank yourself for taking a little time before you buy to think about the key factors that matter most in the best over-ear headphones. You don’t want ones with too small earcups, too much weight for your travels or a battery life that won’t last for your long-haul flight. Here are the main points we’d keep in mind when shopping around:
Weight and comfort
Being able to wear your headphones all day long is essential. We’ve tried every model on this list, so can vouch for their comfort credentials. You’ll want to consider some of the things that matter to you though, like whether you’d prefer memory foam, leather or fabric on the earcups.
And it’s worth thinking about the weight too. The models in the list are all well-balanced and won’t feel weighty on your head, but there is a bit of a difference between almost 400g and 250g (about as much as a small bag of coffee beans) especially if you’re travelling.
Sound quality
There’s a lot of complex design that goes into making certain headphones sound better than others, and there are several components that each play their part. We don’t want to get into the jargon, but we’d recommend looking at guides like our own and checking reviews from serious audiophiles when considering the audio quality.
In 2024, loads of headphones are incredible, so you’ll often be picking between ones that have a slightly more bassy or slightly more balanced sound signature. If audiophile-level sound matters most to you, we'd recommend taking a look at our recommendations for the best wired headphones.
Noise cancelling
This clever tech used to be reserved for only the most high-end headphones, and it can still cost a fair bit to get decent active noise-cancelling (ANC).
It’s not as simple as just blocking noise from reaching your ears, it’s an advanced approach that listens to external ambient sounds and plays an “inverted” sound wave to cancel them out.
Because of this, it works best with persistent noises, like a plane engine or the hum of office chatter. Every model on this list has noise-cancelling, so we’ve done the hard work for you.
Battery life
You’ll find that you’ll get somewhere between 20 hours and 60 hours with ANC on from most of the over-ear models out there.
We’d suggest picking ones with longer battery life if you know you’re going to be away from a wall charger for some time, although you could always bring a power bank with you to keep the cans topped up.
Companion apps
While you’ll be able to control these models from the body of the headphones themselves – whether with touch controls or our preferred proper buttons – it’s worth downloading the relevant app to access more features and customisations.
These will allow you to tweak the strength of the noise-cancelling, adjust what the buttons and gestures affect, set your voice assistant and more.
The only ones on this list that don’t have an app are the KEF Mu7, Final UX3000 and the AirPods Max, which is controlled through Apple’s own iOS menus and settings (sorry, Android users).
Extra features
We’ve just mentioned voice assistants, and it’s pretty common to find these built into your headphones, whether that’s just the assistant from your phone (such as Siri or Google Assistant) or Amazon’s Alexa that can be set up through the app on some models.
The AirPods Max will give you extra features like "spatial audio" and announcements of your notifications (when paired to an iPhone or iPad), something you won’t have with other models.
It’s also worth looking out for special Bluetooth features, like “multipoint”. This allows your headphones to stay connected to two devices at once and pick the one currently playing audio - super useful if you like to quickly switch between your tablet and phone, for instance.
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