As someone who works from home, headphones are a vital part of my day-to-day. With noise cancelling technology, I can block out outside sounds and boost my focus. And, thanks to a built-in mic, I can also use them during Slack and Zoom calls. Even if you’re using them for leisure, headphones are packed with features that can make it easier to accomplish whatever task you’re attempting. Tackling that homework, for example.
Over-ear options have significantly longer run times and are generally more comfortable for extended use than in-ear headphone, though the latter has the advantage of a rechargeable case. We also like to see headphones that have an app for tuning the EQ to your preference and making adjustments based on what you’re listening to. If you listen mostly to music, headphones with a bass boost are nice to have. Active noise canceling is extra important in noisy situations like a shared work space, a public-transit commute, or an airplane trip; a “transparency mode” is crucial for those who need to let the sounds of the outside world in for a brief conversation. And on that note: on-ear headphones are an easy way to tell others that you want to be left in peace with your music.
Back in 2020, our expert called the Sony WH-1000XM4 over-ear headphones “Sony’s best noise-cancelling headphones yet” and, despite the release of the WH-1000XM5, they’re still a top contender for excellent audio performance and noise cancellation. At the sale price, you definitely shouldn’t miss out on these comfortable, customizable over-ear headphones that will please audiophiles and those in need of Active Noise Cancellation alike.
Best WH-1000XM4 Alternative
Our expert praised the Momentum 4 for its excellent performance and effective noise cancellation, though found the in-app EQ to be underwhelming. If you can look past that small fault, Sennheiser is a brand known for its sound quality so you know you’re in good hands. A crystal clear mic and comfortable, lightweight build make the Momentum 4 all the more enticing for those looking to work long hours while wearing them.
Recommended by Our Editors
If money is no object and you need one of the best Apple-produced options for your ears on the market, the AirPods Max is where it’s at. Signal quality from the Apple-designed audio driver delivers clear, excellent audio through the comfortable over-ear speakers, and the nine onboard mics help achieve great active noise cancellation. There’s also a transparency mode for when you need to hear the world without removing the headset. In our review, we called these “excellent” and “absolutely gorgeous” but expensive… so savings like these definitely help move the needle on a purchase.
Best for Apple Users on a Budget
Beats is an Apple-owned company, so connectivity and functionality with Apple devices and a premium build quality are a given. Comfortable, with punchy bass and bright highs, these headphones support spatial audio with head tracking to personalize Dolby Atmos audio. The Beats Studio Pro ship with a 3.5mm aux cable for wired listening as well as a USB-C cable, which supports hi-res audio playback, all of which comes in a cloth zip-up case. Our reviewer noted that noise cancellation performance is just average and that the EQ isn’t adjustable, so keep that in mind if those are deal breakers for your purposes.
More Over-Ear Headphone Deals to Consider
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FAQ
What are the Best Headphones?That depends on your usage case and your budget. We have a few categories, including the best overall, best cheap headphones, and best for exercising. The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones are names that top our reviewers’ charts. The songs we play are ones our reviewers have listened to hundreds of times across dozens of different speakers and headphones, including high-end models, so we know exactly how they should sound and exactly what is being reproduced well or poorly.Do expensive headsets make a difference?Generally, more expensive headphones do a better job of reproducing the source sound exactly as it was passed to them. What makes high-end headphones pricier often involves the materials, accessories, codec support, ANC circuitry, and attention paid to details. Those who put audio quality above all else will appreciate the improved experience.Does Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) Actually Work?You’ve probably seen that term more often in recent years. Active Noise Cancelling utilizes your headphone’s built-in mics to capture environmental sounds and then uses the audio processing circuitry to generate the inverse wave of those sounds in real time to cancel them out. The process only takes a split second and it can be very effective.What is a good cheap headphone brand? Your best bets for affordable earphone brands are Tribit, JVC, and JLab. Our experts favorably reviewed the Tribit FlyBuds 3, the JVC HA-A9T earbuds, and the JLab JBuds Mini. Is $400 a lot for headphones?Many audiophile-quality headphones cost more than $1,000. Though not everyone can afford $400, this is where many of today’s best overall consumer headphones are priced. Prime examples include the Bose QuietComfort Ultra ($429) and Sony WH-1000XM5 ($399).How do we Test Headphones?First and foremost, when we test headphhones we start with fit. Many headphones come with additional tips or earpads so that users can choose what is most comfortable to them. We also wear them for long periods to see how they feel over time. Then, we test features and connectivity. Not all headphones are made equally and some come with more bells and whistles than others. If there’s a wired option in addition to wireless, we test that as well. And, of course, we test the sound. We sample a variety of musical genres in order to determine strengths and weaknesses.
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About Karl Klockars
Even after testing dating apps for PCMag, Karl Klockars remains happily married to his wonderfully understanding and awesome wife, Nora, and lives in Chicago. He is the author of Beer Lovers Chicago, runs the guysdrinkingbeer.com site, writes for outlets including AskMen, Chicago Magazine, and Thrillist, and recently entered the world of voice-over artistry.
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About Jade Chung-Lee
Merchandising Associate
When she isn’t perusing online stores for deals, Jade enjoys playing video games (mostly JRPGs and roguelikes), sorting board game components neatly into containers, and building Gundam models. Her love of electronics has persisted through her youth and has resulted in a collection of gaming peripherals including keyboards and controllers, scale figures, and art work. Jade lives in blissful harmony with her wife, cat, and two chinchillas—as well as a host of houseplants.
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