Over-ear headphones are for those who wish to be completely immersed in their listening experience or dislike the feeling of earbuds. The larger drivers in over-ear headphones, compared to those in earbuds, allow them to generate better sound than slightly cheaper in-ear models. They are also comfortable to wear for long periods of time, and many models have extra features like active noise cancellation and built-in voice assistants to make travel easier.
In this article, we will give you a list of what are the best over ear headphones you can buy in 2022.
How to Choose the Best Over Ear Headphones?
Here are some important questions to ask yourself before choosing an over ear headphone:
Choose wired or wireless over-ear headphones
Choosing between wired and wireless over-ear earphones can be a tough decision. Both have their pros and cons. Wired earphones are typically cheaper and have better sound quality. However, they can be a bit of a hassle to deal with as you have to worry about tangled cords. Wireless earphones are more expensive, but they're much more convenient to use. You don't have to deal with cords, and you can take them anywhere. However, their sound quality isn't as good as wired earphones.
Take a look at the headphone's frequency response range
This indicates how well the headphone can reproduce low, mid-range, and high frequencies. If you're a bass head, you'll want a pair of headphones with a wide frequency response range that extends into the sub-bass frequencies. However, if you prefer a more balanced sound, look for a pair with a more modest frequency response range.
Consider the headphone's impedance rating
The impedance rating indicates how much power the headphones require to reach their full volume potential. In general, high-impedance headphones require more power than low-impedance models. As such, they're typically not well-suited for use with portable devices like smartphones and MP3 players. That said, if you're using an amplifier or receiver with your headphones, you'll want to look for a model with a higher impedance rating.
Pay attention to build quality and comfort
You'll be wearing your headphones for hours at a time, so it's important to choose a pair that won't cause discomfort after extended use. Pay close attention to the materials used in construction and make sure the headband and ear cups are well-padded. Also, look for adjustable headbands that let you find the perfect fit.
5 Best Over-ear Headphones Recommendation
After learning how to choose an over-ear headphone, your next question should be, "what are the best wireless over the ear headphones or what are the best wired headphones?". Below are the 5 best over-ear headphones, both wireless and wired.
soundcore Life Q20 ($65)
If you spend a lot of time in places with low-frequency, steady sounds like motor hums or plane engines and want the best noise-canceling headphones you can get for less than $100, these are for you. The soundcore Life Q20 headphones, as one of the best Bluetooth over ear headphones, are effective enough to detect and cancel out a wider range of low and mid-frequency noises such as cars and airplane engines thanks to their 4 built-in ANC microphones and digital active noise cancellation algorithm.
Pros:
- Affordable price
- Up to 40 hours’playtime without stopping
- 4 built-in ANC microphonesand digital active noise cancelling
- Advanced bass technology applied
Sony WH-1000XM5 ($398)
What are the best over ear wireless noise cancelling headphones? Sony WH-1000XM5 is one of the best. If you work in an open office or a noisy home office, you might want to look into the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones. They do a great job of blocking out the sounds around you.
Pros:
- Excellent noise-cancellation
- Smart ambient features
- It has an app that can control the headphone
Cons:
- No water resistance
- Expensive
Jabra Elite 85h ($250)
The Jabra Elite 85h is a great choice if you want to listen to music wirelessly in an easy way and lasts a long time. It is easy to use, fits well, and has good battery life.
Pros:
- Good battery life
- Quick charging
- Works with Google Assistant
Cons:
- Cloth surfaces collect dust and debris
- They are not likely to fit big heads
Sennheiser HD 800 ($1799)
Sennheiser HD 800 is undoubtedly one of the best-sounding over-ear wired headphones on the planet and is loved by audiophiles worldwide. It has a driver (called The Ring Driver by Sennheiser) that is more advanced than a normal driver, because it doesn't resonate similarly at high frequencies.
Pros:
- Neutral, clear, and detailed sound
- Incredibly detailed
Cons:
- Expensive
Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 ($169)
The second generation of noise-canceling headphones from the tech giant, the Microsoft Surface Headphones 2, offer a ton of fantastic enhancements over the Surface Headphones while preserving some of their best features.
Pros:
- Great controls
- Comfortable
Cons:
- Boring design
- The sound could be better
FAQ about What are the Best Over Ear Headphones
How Much Should I Spend on Headphones?
Before purchasing headphones, you should be aware of what to expect at different price ranges. There are entry-level ($100 and below), mid-range ($100-$200), and premium ($300-500). Before buying, you must decide what kind of sound you want. If you are satisfied with the basic sound, any headphones under $100 will do.
If you want good sound quality with a few additional features to enhance your experience, you can try the alternatives between $100 and $200. On the other hand, if you want the best headphones, you can choose from a number of models that cost between $200 and $500.
Is It Worth Getting Over-Ear Headphones?
This question also applies to which is best over ear or on ear headphones. Before that, you will have to know what on ear and over ear headphones are. Over-ear headphones go over your ears and will reduce the amount of ambient noise that you hear. While on-ear headphones sit on your ears. They are smaller and lighter, so they are easy to carry around.
It is difficult to determine which is better, as this varies from person to person. In the long run, however, it is reasonable to claim that over-ear headphones are better for your hearing because it shuts you off from your environment, and you don't have to use a high volume to enjoy your music.
Are Over-Ear Headphones Better Than In-Ear Noise Cancelling?
The answer is yes; as we mentioned earlier, over-ear headphones go over your ears. Because of that, it will reduce the amount of noise that you hear, thus making it better at noise canceling.
Conclusion
Whether you’re looking for a top-of-the-line pair of headphones for audiophiles or something more affordable that will still deliver great sound quality, we hope this list has given you some ideas about what to look for. Ultimately, the best over ear headphones are the ones that fit your needs and preferences perfectly.
