Find Out More About Headphones While Working From Your Home

Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones totally encase your ears and allow you to fully immerse in the sound. They tend to be made for audiophiles, and come with features like active noise cancellation and control applications.

The Focal Bathys is a wireless speaker that includes ANC and a mobile application to tweak the EQ, and presets. They also support high-res audio through USB-C for wired listening.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH1000XM5 earphones from Sony are the latest model in their noise cancelling lineup. The headphones Wireless Beats feature a brand new design and have improved ANC. They also come with many of the same features, but with higher-end sound quality and superior materials.

At just 250g, they are lightweight for over-ear ANC headsets. This makes them very comfortable to wear for long periods of time, whether you're listening to a podcast or book. The headband is a friction-rod design, similar to the Grado Labs SR60x, which prevents your ears getting too cold.

The WH-1000XM5 has a sound signature that has been created to please people who listen to music for pleasure as also serious audiophiles. It is tuned with a slight emphasis in bass, yet it's not abrasive or blazing. They have a large and wide soundstage, with excellent instrument separation that allows you to hear the details in your music. The earcups come with touch controls that are simple and responsive. Swipe forward to go to the next track, then back to hear the previous track and then up and down to regulate the volume. The headphones can connect to two devices at once and will automatically pause playback when you take them off your head due to the built-in sensor. You can turn on the ambient mode by placing your hand on the right ear cup. This allows you to listen to the sounds around you without having to remove the headphones.

Other helpful features include the possibility of pairing them with your voice assistant, Bluetooth low-energy, and support for hi-res audio (via LDAC). The headphones come with a carry case made of top quality fabric and an USB-C charging cable. The headphones are compatible with most Android and iOS smartphones and computers operating Windows and macOS. The WH-1000XM5's battery life is superb. In our most basic test, we were able to achieve 31 hours and 53 minutes with the ANC switched on which is much better than Sony's advertised battery life of 30 hours.

The WH-1000XM5's microphone quality for calls is exceptional and there's not any muffled or static-y sound in the background. Noise-canceling is also excellent, and these headphones wireless beats are perfect for public transportation or the office.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a major upgrade from its predecessor, providing top-quality performance and features. It features wireless streaming with 24-bit enhanced active noise cancellation, and crystal clear voice call quality on any compatible tablet or mobile phone. The 40mm drivers that are custom-designed for the device are carefully angled inside each earcup to provide a more focused, deep listening experience. Six strategically placed microphones provide outstanding clarity for calls even in noisy environments. And an inline remote and microphone lets you manage your calls and music on any device compatible with it.

Like the PX7's original design The headphones sport elegant and refined with accent rings around each earcup and a silver-colored headband. The memory foam earcups fit snugly, but not too tightly on the cranium. The new design and shape took a long time to perfect, delivering an incredibly comfortable clamping force that isn't too hard on my own cranium that is rotund.

At 10.8 grams (or 307g), they're 2 ounces lighter than the Sony WH-1000XM5, and just a little thinner. The headphones are lightweight enough to be carried in a bag or backpack and are comfortable to wear throughout long listening sessions. A sturdy hinge on the back of the headband enables you to fold them up for easy transport in a protective case.

They're powered by Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX Adaptive support which is great for both high-resolution audio and tight video sync. The 3.5mm cord connects to the USB-C port located on the right earcup. The status indicator on the earphone is a nice feature. It flashes green to indicate rapid charging, and solid blue to signal Bluetooth pairing.

The B&W app offers similar controls to the hardware onboard buttons - bass and treble adjustment, action button assignment wear detection, the ability to cycle through ANC modes, and more. The app also shows an album cover and track's title when you play music from your iPhone. The most popular extras like music presets and soundscapes mode are missing, however.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is a successor to the iconic Sennheiser headphones for gym and was designed to meet the highest expectations. Its technical construction has been optimized to achieve a detail resolution that encompasses all the spectrum of frequencies, dynamic range, and stereo panorama. It also offers the most realistic sound you'll ever experience with an open-back pair of headphones.

The headphone has 300 ohms of impedance, which means a quality headphone amplifier will be needed to drive it at desired levels without distortion. A balanced connection is recommended, since this can double the power output and increase the overall sound quality.

These headphones are made for professional use. They feature a metal frame, and a mix of plastic and leather padding. The design is simple and they're not fancy however the quality of the headphones and their build are superb. They come with a carry case, an extra audio cable, and an 1/4" to 1-/8" adapter.

With a neutral sound profile, the HD 800 S reproduces natural instruments and vocals, even though they are light in bass. The open-back design creates an expansive, out-of-head soundstage. The treble is very good, with minor peaks and drops. The treble region is very linear, so you won't have issues with hitting sibilants or the upper bite of the drum snare.

They can still provide impact as well as dynamism and impact in the event of need, despite the absence of a powerful low-end. These headphones jbl wireless are still enjoyable for those who enjoy rock music with punchy basses however they might not sound as great as other models on this list.

In the mids, these Sennheiser headphones are hard to beat. They are linear with a slight incline in the upper mids, which shouldn't be noticed by the majority of listeners. They also can reproduce fine time gradations, which is an added benefit.

The HD 800 S are a pair of exceptional headphones, ideal for audiophiles and professionals. Their exceptional sound quality and comfortable fit make them an excellent option. They're costly however, you're getting headphones for sleeping that will last for many years to come and perform to their best in any situation.

Anker Soundcore Life Q20

The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 are a decent pair of headphones that will provide the perfect solution for anyone who needs to pass the time or just wants an affordable pair of noise-cancelling headphones. The headphones come with a basic bag which protects them when you throw them in a bag. The battery will last for several long-haul flights. The ANC is a great way to block out noisy seatmates and engine rumbles. However, their audio profile is a bit warm and bass-heavy.

The controls on the Life Q20 are well-marked and easy to use. On the left earcup, you'll find buttons to pair and power up the headphones, as well as turning on or off the active noise cancellation. On the right ear cup there are controls for playback of media which include a multi-function button that allows you to activate the voice assistant of your phone and turn on the Anker's BassUp feature (more on that later). The built-in mic can be used to make hands-free phone calls.

Anker's Soundcore Q20 headphone offers a deep immersive listening experience thanks to its custom 40 mm dynamic driver that provides certified Hi-Res audio. With a treble that extends up to 40 kHz they are able to provide exceptional clarity and headphones wireless beats detail, as their active noise cancelling technology is designed to filter out an extended range of low and mid-frequency sounds.

One important thing to be aware of about the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is that they don't support aptX, which is a disappointment. This means you won't able to take advantage of the superior codec's low latency when playing on your computer.

In terms of comfort, the Life Q20's memory foam earcups and headband are comfortable enough to wear for extended periods of time without causing any discomfort. The ear cups can also be rotated to accommodate your unique head shape. You can also listen to your music wired with an included 3.5mm cable, and a microUSB cable is included to charge the battery.