Best Over-Ear Headphones

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True wireless headphones like AirPods get a lot of attention these days. But, as almost any genuine audiophile will tell you, if you’re looking for great sound quality, the best options often fit over the ears.

You may find over-ear headphones more comfortable as well.

And if you wear a hearing aid, over-ear models are the only practical choice to use with most types.

CR membership comes with access to our ratings of more than 150 headphone models, from feathery true wireless earphones to wired, studio-worthy selections.

We buy every product we test at retail to bring you an independent perspective you can rely on.

Below, you’ll find great picks for over-ear headphones, whether you’re looking for uncompromising sound, wireless capability, excellent noise-canceling functionality, or just decent performance at a great price.

Wired

With few exceptions, our tests show that if you want the best audio that headphones have to offer, you’ll find that it comes with a wire. And unless the headphones are noise-canceling, you don’t have to worry about batteries dying in a wired model the way you might if you’re using Bluetooth.

The best: The Grado Prestige SR325e is the company’s flagship model, and it’s a sound-quality champ, according to our testers. Keep in mind that the open-back ear cups—a design choice intended to add clarity to the audio and give it a more natural feel—aren’t meant to block sound from bleeding in or out. That means they’re best for quiet environments where you won’t bother your neighbors and they won’t bother you.

If you want great sound but prefer a traditional closed-back model that will give you more isolation, we recommend the Sony MDR-1AM2.

The bargain: The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x is a popular choice for home and studio use. These $150 headphones have a great sound, and their closed-back design will muffle some external noise and limit the amount of sound escaping. If you’re looking for something really cheap, you can check out the Monoprice HiFi DJ-Style Pro. This $15 closed-back pair has okay sound, and it beats some models that cost twice as much.

Wireless

You don’t need earbuds to get the freedom of wireless headphones. Some over-ear Bluetooth models deliver admirable audio and come with integrated controls for calls, volume, and playback.

The best: Grado makes another appearance on this list with the GW100, the storied audio company’s first wireless model. The sound quality doesn’t match that of the company’s best wired options, but it does exceed that of most of the Bluetooth headphones we’ve tested in this category. But, again, this pair is open-backed, though Grado says it tweaked the design, so there’s more isolation than you’d expect on most open-back models. For a more traditional option, try the Bose SoundLink around-ear headphones II. The SoundLink doesn’t have noise-canceling tech like Bose’s most famous products, but it does deliver when it comes to sound.

The bargain: The Sennheiser HD 250BT is a relative newcomer, but it makes a mark for great sound at a bargain price. Technically speaking, the HD 250BT fits on your ears, not over them, but it’s good enough to sneak onto this list. This Bluetooth model has a sleek appearance and costs just $70. Want something even cheaper? We also recommend the JBL Tune 510BT.

Noise-Canceling

Noise-canceling headphones are a must-have for folks who want to tune out the world and focus on their music—or just tune out the world.

The best: The Sennheiser PXC 550-II is one of the highest-scoring headphones in our ratings. It costs $100 less than many competitors and is often available at an even lower price. But it outperforms flagship models from manufacturers such as Sony and Beats, and gets almost the same score as the $380 Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700—one of our other top picks. The PXC 550-II has appealing features, such as adjustable levels of noise cancellation and an ambient sound monitoring mode for times when you want to hear your environment. Sennheiser says this model will run for up to 20 hours with Bluetooth and noise cancellation turned on.

The bargain: You’ll have a hard time finding a better value in noise-canceling headphones than the Monoprice BT-300ANC. The model sells for about $50—a steal, given the superb noise-canceling performance and dependable sound quality. For those who want noise-canceling headphones at an entry level price, this one is a no-brainer.

The Science Behind Noise-Canceling Headphones

Whether it’s concentrating on work or blocking out undesirable sounds, noise-canceling headphones can be a huge help. On the “Consumer 101” TV show, Consumer Reports experts Elias Arias and James Dickerson, PhD, explain to host Jack Rico the tech behind these handy devices.