Although over-ear headphones might be considered a little outdated by some, there’s a lot of great benefits to owning a pair. For me, the level of comfort that over-the-ear headphones provide is unmatched by any other earbud. And whether you’re looking for a wireless or wired model, over-the-ear models offer the trifecta of sound quality, comfort and style. And most wireless headphones also come with an attachable cable, giving you more flexibility if you need to connect them up occasionally. Many also offer noise canceling too, which can be great for people with sound and sensory sensitivities.
Here’s a look at the best headphones that go over your ears (they’re also sometimes referred to as «around-the-ear» headphones). When making my picks, I considered factors such as build quality, comfort and sound quality, as well as noise-canceling and voice-calling performance.
This list is regularly updated as more over-ear headphones hit the market. Here’s what I added in my most recent update: the WH-1000XM5, Edifier W820NB, Edifier Stax Spirit S3 and Technics EAH-A800. The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless 3 was dropped from the list because the Momentum Wireless 4 is scheduled to be released in the next few months.
Read more: Best Headphones for 2022: Our Top Overall Picks
Is it ‘noise canceling’ or ‘noise cancelling’?
Short answer: both. Either spelling is correct, as «canceling» is more common in American English, while «cancelling» is more common in British English. CNET uses «noise canceling» since the company is based in the US, but the noise is canceled just the same, regardless of spelling. If you’re looking to see what different noise-impacting technology is out there for headphones, check out our article on noise-canceling versus noise-isolating headphones, which highlights differences in function (and not just a difference in spelling).
More for audiophiles
- Best Headphones of 2022
- Best Headphones for Working at Home in 2022
- Best Back-to-School Headphones for 2022
- Best True Wireless Earbuds of 2022
- Best On-Ear Headphones of 2022
- Best Headphones for Running in 2022
- Best Wireless Earbuds and Headphones for Making Calls
- Best Cheap True Wireless Headphones
- Best Noise-Canceling True Wireless Earbuds of 2022
- Best Workout Headphones in 2022
- Best Soundbars for 2022
- Best Soundbars with Amazon Alexa in 2022
- Best Turntables Under $300 in 2022
- The Best Wireless Speakers to Give in 2022
- Best AV Receivers Under $500
- Soundbar vs. Speakers: Which TV Audio System Sounds Best in 2022?
- Best Apple AirPods Max Alternatives for Less: Sony, Bose, AirPods Pro and More