Over-ear headphones remain your best choice if you are truly desirous of enjoying the music whenever you are listening on headphones. These gadgets can keep you engrossed in your favorite tracks while providing you with perfect noise-isolation from the outside world.
Unlike in-ear headphones that are limited to a time and a place, over the ear headphones offer you fascinating moments that make you lose yourself in your tunes.
With a wide range of options that are designed to suit all music types, styles, and budgets; rest assured that you’ll get a suitable pair of headphones that suit your budget. We’ve compiled a list of wired and wireless headphones, as well as noise-canceling over ear headphones for extra noise isolation. You will find in some of our recommendations a mic for calls and a smart assistant designed for hands-free voice operation. You can as well use some comfortable models for exercise and running. Having carefully looked through all our headphones reviews, we selected the best over ear headphones that will give you value for money.
There are varieties of cheap and expensive ones to choose from. We have carefully vetted each one of these over-ear headsets on the list below.
Best Over-Ear Headphones of 2020 Reviewed:
1. Sony WH-1000XM3
Sony WH-1000XM3 is the third generation of Sony’s amazing WH1000 wireless headphones. Although the XM4 style has witnessed some upgrade, the XM3 headsets still maintain their standards as an excellent set of headphones that you should consider as a better option.
The XM3s are cushioned on the thick headband, so this makes them lighter, softer, and more comfortable than previous generations. These headsets have neat voice controls and touch-sensitive features, while the microphones have been significantly improved for calls. Also, these Sony headphones have had their noise-canceling considerably improved. They have fantastic Bluetooth sound with a wider and more open delivery than the previous styles, while still delivering extraordinary levels of detail and improved dynamic. These headsets have rich and solid, but not overpowering bass.
The battery charges quickly – a very valuable quality, fully charging from empty to full within three hours. With a ten-minute charge, you can comfortably use the XM3s for good five hours. If you want nice, over ears to use for both daily commutes and long journey, and you can’t reach the XM4, then the XM3s are your best options.
Pros
- Normal, excellent overall sound quality
- Best noise-canceling headset
- Extremely comfortable
Cons
- It sometimes exposes weaker recordings
- Touch controls feel fiddly at the initial stage of use.
2. Sennheiser Momentum Wireless
These are extraordinary headphones. Their predecessor, the third-generation Momentum Wireless cans were built on the success of two models that beat their competitors, and this new pair of headsets keep progressing too.
With an incredible finish, Sennheiser Momentum Wireless headsets have stainless steel sliders, sheepskin leather earpads, and the typical oval-shaped earcups. The on-ear controls have undergone considerable improvement to enable you to be in total control of your music. These headsets come in all-black, as a ‘sandy white’ model will soon be launched.
These wireless over ear headphones can be folded up, so their portability makes them ideal for both commuting and traveling. In addition to AAC, aptX, and SBC Bluetooth, the Momentum Wireless headphones support aptX Low Latency, a feature that enhances the synchronicity of audio and video content.
Principally, these gadgets are obviously better than their predecessors in the sound category, assuring a timely, powerful, and very exciting listening that will entertain you to the fullest. The enhanced usability features also contribute greatly to the success of the Sonic headsets. Meanwhile, the battery lasts for only 17 hours after full charge, second only to the 30-hour claim from the number one Sony.
Pros
- Great noise cancellation
- Rhythmic and powerful presentation
- Comfortable usability features
Cons
- Normal battery life
3. Bowers & Wilkins PX7
These headphones are a hybrid of proprietary driver technology and Qualcomm’s new aptX adaptive Bluetooth codec.
The battery has now been updated to work for 30 hours after it is fully charged. The headphones have USB-C connectivity while just 15 minutes of juice will guarantee 5 hours of playback.
The PX7s are more comfortable but cheaper than the earlier B&W headphones. Moreover, they are one of the best pairs of headphones available on the market.
They are interestingly smart too because the PX7’s proximity sensor pauses the music whenever you lift an earcup, while it restarts as soon as you return it to your ear. However, an obvious drawback is that the PX7 can’t fold into a more compact form that will make it relatively suitable for commuting and traveling. Thankfully, they come with a carry case to cushion the effect.
Typically, the PX7s maintain their predecessor’s balanced and strong sound; but in terms of detail and clarity, they have made more significant gains. These gadgets produce more energy and enthusiasm than their counterparts in the sound department, even though the Sonys are more authentic and original in their style of conveying music. All in all, if you want an inspiring and fascinating sound from a smart pair of headphones, rest assured that PX7s is the right choice and definitely the best over ear headphones produced by B&W.
Pros
- Insightful, energetic sound
- Long battery life
- Comfortable, sophisticated design
- Three-tiered noise cancellation
Cons
- Earcups can’t fold inwards
4. Beyerdynamic Amiron
These are exceptionally comfortable headphones, thanks to Alcantara microfibres and microvelour used in the headband and earcups. Although the open back design indicates the likelihood of sound leakage, the design produces a very spacious quality to your music.
The excellent sound gives you an amazing sense of rhythm, a clear midrange, and an effective grip on high frequencies.
You are comfortable wearing these headsets as they sit conveniently on your head, while their soft pads around the 45mm drivers let in sufficient space for larger ears. A 3m long cable connects the cans to your amp along with a 6.3mm jack that unscrews to uncover a 3.5mm connection.
Although open-backed headphones don’t provide users with the same depth of bass as their closed-back counterparts, the Amirons take care of the strong low-end. If you are looking for a pair of open-backed over ear headphones whose comfort will take you to ecstasy, the amazing Amirons is your preferred choice.
Pros
- Great bass detail
- Clean and organized
- Handles trebles excellently
Cons
- No significant drawbacks
5. AKG K175
The AKG K175 headphones are budget-friendly and attractive. However, commuting with them may not be convenient as they have a bulky, coiled cable instead of the normal straight type. Besides, they allow much sound, a feature which lets in external noise especially when they are worn in a noisy environment.
Nevertheless, if you use these AKG K175 studio-monitored style headphones in a quiet environment, you are guaranteed long-lasting comfort and lively, engaging performance. They have deep and assured bass with nice vocals. However, the drawback is that the upper mid-tones are somehow raw. That’s suitable for heavy metal, but not ideal for listening to less aggressive genres of music.
If you would like to get a pair of affordable over ear headphones for home use, the light, large K175s are your best bet. You can as well try the uncompromising midrange only if you can live with it.
Pros
- Striking and energetic sound
- Relatively more attractive than their counterparts
Cons
- Exhausting midrange
- Inadequate noise isolation