Audiophiles who don’t like earbuds, gather 'round for the best over-ear headphones your money can buy.
I like to think of over-ear headphones as the Crocs of headphones. You’re going for comfort; everything else is secondary. If you’re here, it means you’re willing to give up portability and, potentially, sound leakage for more comfortable wear. Over-ear headphones are the opposite of in-ear earbuds, which aren't usually as comfortable, a lot more portable and give you a lot less sound leakage.
Here are my favorite over-ear headphones your money can buy in 2024, whether you're looking to stay within a budget, looking for the best ANC headphones, or the best sounding pair.
Comfort is where over-ear headphones excel, and no over-ear headphones are more comfortable than the Sennheiser Momentum 4. The ear cups swivel to fit your head shape and give you a nice secure fit that makes them the perfect headphones for long wear sessions. The battery is also exceptionally long, giving you 60 hours of non-stop playtime, which is a lot more than most of the competition.
Headphone: Sennheiser Momentum 4 (currently $299.95).
Over-ear headphones can get up to some steep prices, but luckily, you don't need to spend rent money on great headphones. The Edifier W820NB Plus gives you the best bang for your buck on this roundup with many high-end features, including ANC, ambient sound, good audio, and memory foam on their ear pads. You'll get up to 49 hours of battery life, but don't expect a carrying case or headphone jack (it does have a USB cable you can connect to your computer), but for under $100, who’s complaining?
Edifier W820NB Plus ($79.99)
If you're an audiophile and are looking for the best sound possible to experience your media, look no further than the Sony WH-1000XM5. I've been a loyal customer of the 1000X line for many years and always end up going back to this headphone for most of my listening sessions. They also have an exceptional ANC feature and are very comfortable. If you can afford these, they'll be worth your money.
Headphones: Sony WH-1000XM5 ($299)
There is an argument to be made that the headphones with the best battery life should be one that has a set number of measurable hours to count, but when that number could potentially be impossible to measure, there’s a clear winner. The Urbanista Los Angeles headphones have solar charging technology that can potentially give them an unmeasurable number of hours of playtime (as long as you keep charging them with the sun). They give you up to 80 hours when it's fully charged, but as long as you keep them sun-tanning, you should not run out of battery.
Urbanista Los Angeles (currently $169).
If you’re looking to tune out the world with ANC, the QuietComfort Ultra currently offers the best noise-canceling technology in the market. If you can shell out the money for these headphones, you’ll be getting one of the most lightweight, comfortable, and best-sounding headphones on the market. But what really sets them apart is how useful these headphones can be in a loud environment and be able to take a call without problems. It has features to pick out your voice in a crowded place and still be heard clearly.
Headphones: QuietComfort Ultra ($429).
Audiophiles who have been buying the best headphones for years will not be surprised by the Sony MDR7506 making the list of the best wired over-ear headphones. They were originally launched in 1991 and have been improved over the years, but they have been a staple in the music and audio industry for many years. If you're looking for a reliable headphone that is wired and will give you a great listening experience, the Sony MDR7506 is for you.
Sony MDR7506 $84.99
