There is no shortage of reviews for the best headphones out there, but not all are created equal. Some offer great sound quality and excellent comfort while others provide high-quality sound but leave you wanting more.
We put together this article to show you our top picks for the best over-ear headphones available today. We'll cover both wired and wireless options, so you can find the best fit for your needs.
Our Top Picks
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Best Overall: beyerdynamic DT 1990
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Best Value: Bang & Olufsen Beoplay HX
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Best Performance: Sennheiser HD 800
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Best Noise Cancellation: Bowers & Wilkins Px8 Tan
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Best Budget: Sony WH-1000XM4
Detail Reviews Of Top 4 Best Over-Ear Headphones
1. beyerdynamic DT 1990
Specification
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Brand: Beyerdynamic
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Model Name: DT 1990 PRO
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Color: Black
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Form Factor: Over-Ear
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Connectivity Technology: Wired
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Reason to buy
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Comfortable
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Excellent construction quality
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Excellent, open audio reproduction
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Cable quality feels comparable to that of commercial A/V setups
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Good stock tonality of balanced pads
Reason to avoid
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By design, high leakage, and poor isolation
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Slightly constricting on the head
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With bright tracks, it can sound piercing
Product Summary
Beyerdynamic DT 1990 is a highly sought-after open studio reference headphone for mixing and mastering. They're known for their extremely precise and detailed sound, great comfort, and durability.
They’re made in Germany and feature a single driver per side and a closed-cup design that offers great isolation.
Beyerdynamic DT 1990 headphones are a great option if you're looking for open-style headphones that offer exceptional detail and clarity.
2. Bang & Olufsen Beoplay HX
Specification
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Brand: Bang & Olufsen
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Model Name: HX
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Color: Sand
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Form Factor: Over-Ear
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Connectivity Technology: Bluetooth 5.1
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Reason to buy
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Elegant-yet-appealing design and finish
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Energetic, engaging sound
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Excellent control options
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Vibrant, lively sound
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Feel, look, and even smell like a high-end product
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An extremely useful control app
Reason to avoid
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Priced like an ultra-premium item
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Expensive in comparison to alternatives
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Noise cancellation can be improved for less money
Product Summary
The Beoplay HX has a lightweight design that's designed for extended wear. This is because the earcups are made of soft memory foam, while the headband and neckband are made of leather. The result is comfortable, but the lightweight design feels nice and snug when you put them on.
You’ll get the best possible audio experience out of your device thanks to a powerful ANC system and a battery that can last up to 30 hours on a single charge. These are both great features that make it easier for you to enjoy your favorite tunes and movies on the go.
3. Sennheiser HD 800
Specification
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Brand: Sennheiser Consumer Audio
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Model Name: 960-000733
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Color: Black
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Form Factor: Over-Ear
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Connectivity Technology: Wired
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Reason to buy
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Outstanding audio reproduction
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Strong, long-lasting construction
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Design that is comfortable
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Incredible range of sound
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Beautifully opulent packaging
Reason to avoid
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Intended for use in a well-isolated room
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By design, it is sensitive to ambient noise
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Heavy and bulky
Product Summary
The Sennheiser HD 800 is an open-back headphone that features a large 56mm driver and a comfortable fit.
This is a closed-back headphone that uses a ring radiator transducer, which has a very wide frequency response range. This means that it can reproduce all the low and high frequencies from the music.
And for the first time, Sennheiser has included a special absorber technology to reduce unwanted frequency response peaks. This means that you won't hear any frequency peaks or muffled sounds, allowing you to enjoy the full musical spectrum.
4. Bowers & Wilkins Px8 Tan
Specification
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Brand: Bowers & Wilkins
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Model Name: Px8 Tan
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Color: Tan
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Form Factor: Over-Ear
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Connectivity Technology: Wireless
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Reason to buy
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Excellent clarity
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The fast and punchy sonic presentation
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Awesome build and comfort
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Excellent wireless performance
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Excellent call quality
Reason to avoid
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Limp sound at lower levels of volume
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The wear-on/off function can be unpredictable
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There is no low volume adjustment when listening via USB cable
Product Summary
The Px8 uses a new drive system that’s been designed to be more efficient and produce better sound. This is a major change from the previous generation of B&W headphones, which had a hard plastic drive unit that didn’t really do much.
This new drive system is also much quieter, and the Px8 is rated at just 26 dB. This is far lower than the 40-50dB rating of other headphones.
It also has a new high-definition, 1.4GHz wireless system, which uses a 4.5Ghz frequency that offers up to 100 meters of range.
Best Over-Ear Headphones Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are over-ear headphones?
Over-ear headphones are considered to be closed headphones. They sit over your ear and cover the ears completely. Over-ear headphones usually feature padded cups, to give a comfortable fit for the ears and prevent the headphones from coming out.
2. What's the difference between over-ear and in-ear headphones?
Over-ear and in-ear headphones have pretty much the same features, but there are some differences. Over-ear headphones usually have a wider ear cup design, making them more suitable for outdoor activities.
On the other hand, in-ear headphones come with a narrower design that makes them more comfortable and less visible when worn. You can choose based on what you prefer, but both will surely be useful.
3. What is the best way to care for headphones?
Most headphones are made from plastic, which means they’re susceptible to a little wear and tear. Over time, this can cause issues with the headphones’ build quality, durability, and audio quality.
So, it’s advisable to keep your headphones cleaned and maintained regularly. Some headphones can easily take a quick cleaning, whereas others require professional maintenance to fix a few small issues.
Final Thought
If you love listening to music, you should have headphones in your bag at all times. The sound quality from over-ear headphones will let you always hear the music clearly no matter where you are.
Whether you’re on a plane, in a car, or walking down the street, you’ll enjoy the music with much more clarity.
We’ve included a short summary of each review, but if you’re looking for more in-depth information, you can read the full reviews linked below.
Some of these best over-ear headphones are truly excellent and worth every penny, while others have a few drawbacks. The best one for you depends on a few factors, so make sure to read all of the reviews, not just the one for the headphone you like.
