Best Over-Ear Headphones 2022: The Top Cans From Sony, Sennheiser, and More Over-ear headphones are the most common type of headphones, and they come in different shapes and sizes that can either fit in or over your ears. Not all over-ear headphones are created equal, though—some provide better sound quality than others, depending on whether you’re looking for something to use at home or on the go, or whether you need something that can cancel noise from your surroundings to help you concentrate on whatever you’re listening to.

How we picked

In order to find the best over-ear headphones, we looked at a variety of factors. First, we considered sound quality. We also looked at comfort, design, and features. Finally, we took the price into consideration. We tested a range of headphones from different manufacturers in order to find the best option for each category. For example, our top bass pick is the Sony WH-1000XM3 because it provides rich bass without compromising clarity or detail. It’s available in both wireless and wired options so you can choose whichever is more convenient for you.

The runner-up is the Bose QuietComfort 35 II because it offers better noise cancellation than any other pair on this list which makes them perfect for noisy environments like planes or buses. Our third choice is the Sennheiser HD 8 Closed Back which has an excellent balance between high-fidelity audio and affordability making them perfect if you want to get great audio without breaking your budget.

One final thing worth mentioning is that all of these headphones are collapsible so they are easy to pack when traveling. If you need help deciding on a model, be sure to check out our buying guide! We outline everything you need to know about choosing a new set of headphones. You’ll learn what to look for when purchasing a set of headphones as well as what differentiates one pair from another. You’ll also find advice on how to care for your headphones so they last longer.

For example, with leather ear pads, you should regularly clean them with a damp cloth and then allow them to dry before storing them away. You should avoid using products with silicone or alcohol since those ingredients will destroy the leather’s natural oils causing it to crack over time! Be sure to take proper care of your headphones so they last for years.

How we tested

We tested over-ear headphones in a variety of scenarios including office use, commuting, and working out. We also had a panel of music lovers listen to a variety of genres to find the best sound quality. In the end, we found that the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones were the best overall, with great sound quality and noise cancellation. If you’re looking for something more affordable, the Sennheiser HD 4.50BTNC is a great option.

They don’t have quite as good of sound quality or noise cancellation as the Sony’s but they’re still really good headphones at an unbeatable price point. One thing to keep in mind is that these come without a cord; if you need one, be sure to purchase it separately. Most people love Apple AirPods, but these earbuds do not offer any noise cancellation. For those who want some peace and quiet while listening to your favorite tunes on the go, these are not the best choice.

The Beats Studio3 Wireless headphones make up for this by offering both solid audio performance and surprisingly decent noise canceling capabilities given their low price point (under $300). These cans come with their own power cord so there’s no need to buy one separately, though you’ll still need to charge them before each use. What makes these headphones stand out is how lightweight they are. At 11 ounces, the Studio3s are much lighter than many of the other models we tried. They also have an impressive battery life – up to 22 hours per charge! You can even connect them wirelessly to two devices simultaneously which makes switching between listening to podcasts and watching Netflix easy peasy. Another nice feature is that they automatically turn off when not in use after 20 minutes – great for saving battery life!

Our favorite headphones of the year

We’ve tested hundreds of headphones over the past few years, and these are our favorites. If you’re looking for the best over-ear headphones in terms of sound quality, comfort, and features, you can’t go wrong with any of the models on this list. These are just a few of the great headphones we’ve tried out over the past year, but it’s by no means an exhaustive list. We’ll continue to update this post as we test more great pairs throughout 2020!

The Sony WH-1000XM3s is easily one of our favorite pairs of closed-back headphones. They have fantastic sound quality that makes listening to music enjoyable and won’t break your budget at $349. The combination of deep bass response and clear highs really lets you hear all parts of your music clearly without overpowering one or another part. It also comes with active noise cancellation (ANC) that blocks out ambient noise effectively so even at high volumes, what you’re listening to will be crystal clear while those around you won’t be disturbed. Unfortunately, they also come with micro USB charging instead of USB Type-C as most other premium models do nowadays.

On top of that, the battery life is still not quite as good as some competitors. Still, if you’re looking for closed-back headphones with ANC from a trusted brand and don’t mind micro USB charging ports, then the WH-1000XM3s should definitely be on your shortlist. And there’s a chance that Sony might switch to USB Type-C next year since there have been rumors about it making the change for its next flagship phone. In addition, the built-in controls on the ear cup also allow you to adjust the volume and control playback with minimal fuss. Plus, they come with two types of cable–a standard 3.5mm cord as well as a 4ft braided cord–to suit whatever situation you might find yourself in. The only downside? You can’t use them wirelessly while they’re charging which means after 30 minutes or so, if you want to keep going, you’ll need to unplug them first before plugging them back in again.