The Best Headphones for 2024

Choosing the perfect pair of over-ear headphones can be a challenging task given the plethora of options available in the market. Over the two decades I’ve spent testing headphones, the selection of excellent models has consistently expanded, making it difficult to single out the absolute best over-ear or “around-the-ear” headphones. However, a few models do stand out, including the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, Sony WH-1000XM5, and Apple AirPods Max (especially for iPhone users). The Focal Bathys is also worth considering for those seeking unparalleled sound quality, although it comes with a higher price tag of $799.

Most of the over-ear headphones featured in this list are wireless Bluetooth models equipped with active noise canceling. It’s worth noting that some wireless headphones on this list also provide a wired listening option. Additionally, for audio purists who prefer wired connections, a few wired-only over-ear headphones have been included.

When evaluating over-ear headphones, factors such as build quality, comfort, sound quality, noise-canceling capabilities, and voice-calling performance are considered. This list is regularly updated to incorporate new additions to the market. The latest entries are the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones and Beats Studio Pro headphones. Now, let’s delve into the top picks in various categories:

Best Noise-Canceling Headphones Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones Price: $429 at Bose	Best Beats Over-Ear Headphones Beats Studio Pro Price: $180 at Walmart
Best High-End Wireless Headphones for Apple Users Apple AirPods Max View Details: $348 at Amazon	Best Midrange Noise-Canceling Headphones Sony CH-720N Price: $149.99 at Amazon
Best Sound for Under $100 Edifier W820NB Plus Price: $80 at Amazon View Details: $80 at Walmart	Top-notch noise-canceling headphones Sony WH-1000XM5 Price: $348 at Amazon View Details: $398 at Walmart

Unprecedented Noise Cancellation: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones set a new standard for tranquility with world-class noise cancellation, ensuring an unparalleled listening experience.

Breakthrough Spatialized Audio: Immerse yourself in breakthrough spatialized audio that goes beyond conventional boundaries, delivering an immersive listening experience regardless of the content or source.

Elevated Design and Luxe Materials: Crafted with elevated design aesthetics and luxe materials, these headphones provide unrivaled comfort, making them a stylish and comfortable accessory for extended use.

Bose Immersive Audio: Redefining the listening experience, Bose Immersive Audio takes the sound out of your head and places it in front of you. The realism is so vivid that it feels almost tangible, like you can reach out and touch it.

Sound Tailored to You: These headphones go beyond noise cancellation by tailoring the sound to your preferences. Each note is finely tuned to provide a personalized audio experience that resonates with your unique taste.

Available Sets:

Smart Ultra Soundbar + QuietComfort Ultra Headphones – $1,328.00

QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Set – $793.00 (originally $858.00)

QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds + Headphones Set – $728.00

QuietComfort Ultra Headphones + SoundLink Flex Set – $578.00

QuietComfort Ultra Headphones + AirFly Pro Set – $483.99

QuietComfort Ultra Headphones + AirFly SE Set – $463.99

Order Details:

Order now for delivery by Tuesday, January 9 to 84043.

Limited stock available in the Sandstone color.

What’s in the Box:

• Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
• Carry case
• 3.5 mm to 2.5 mm audio cable
• USB-C® (A to C) cable (20″)
• Safety sheet

The Beats Studio Pro Wireless Headphones in Black are currently priced at $179.95, down from their original price of $349.95, offering a substantial savings of $170.00. The headphones feature a custom acoustic platform for immersive sound, active noise cancellation, and transparency mode. With up to 40 hours of battery life, compatibility with Apple and Android devices, and personalized spatial audio, these headphones offer a premium listening experience.

• Up to 40 hours of battery life for longer listening.
• 10-minute Fast Fuel charge provides up to 4 hours of additional playback.
• Voice-targeting mics filter background noise for clear call performance.
• On-device controls for calls, music, and Siri activation.
• Wireless Class 1 Bluetooth for extended range and fewer dropouts.
• While using the included USB-C cable with a compatible USB-enabled source device.

The Apple AirPods Max (Space Gray) is a premium wireless over-ear headphone offering a luxurious audio experience. Priced at $539.00, with an instant savings of $10.00, it boasts key features such as active noise cancellation, up to 20 hours of playback, and a breathable knit mesh canopy for comfort. The dynamic drivers with dual neodymium ring magnets deliver clear sound with deep bass. The headphones come with a Smart Case for battery preservation and are designed for comfort with a breathable knit mesh canopy and memory foam earcups.

Accessories: The product page lists various recommended accessories, including a Belkin BOOST CHARGE Power Bank, Apple 20W USB Type-C Power Adapter, Apple Lightning to 3.5mm Audio Cable, Auray Headphones Holder, and Garfield Headphone Softie Earpad Covers.

Technical Details

• Spatial audio and dynamic head tracking for an immersive experience
• Six outward-facing microphones for active noise cancellation
• Transparency Mode for ambient sound awareness
• Smart Case for ultra-low-power state and battery preservation
• Breathable knit mesh canopy and memory foam earcups for comfort

Hands-Free Features

• Three microphones and beamforming technology for clear calls
• Always-on Siri for voice-activated assistance
• On-head detection for automatic pause and resume of audio
• Quick charging: 5 minutes for 1.5 hours of playback

Compatibility

• Compatible with a variety of Bluetooth-enabled Apple devices
• Seamless switching between iPhone, iPad, and Mac without disrupting audio or conversations
• Audio sharing between two sets of AirPods when paired with iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Apple TV

Sony CH-720N

The Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones, available in multiple colors and bundles, are currently priced at $348.00 with a high rating of 4.5 stars from over 11,000 reviews. Featuring advanced noise cancellation, magnificent sound quality, crystal clear hands-free calling, and Alexa integration, these headphones offer up to 30 hours of battery life with quick charging. The lightweight design, intuitive touch controls, and convenient features make them a top choice for immersive audio experiences.

• Intuitive touch control settings for pausing, playing, skipping tracks, controlling volume, activating voice assistant, and answering calls.
• Speak-to-Chat and Quick Attention mode for everyday convenience.
• Instant pause/instant play feature when headphones are taken off and put back on.
• Crystal clear hands-free calling with 4 beamforming microphones.
• Advanced audio signal processing for precise voice pickup.

Edifier W820NB

• High Sound Quality: 1.6-inch composite diaphragm sound unit, LDAC decoding, and high-resolution audio.
• Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation: -43dB noise cancellation for a peaceful audio experience.
• Zero Pressure Patent Earcups: Lightweight design with memory foam cushion for ultimate comfort.
• Hands-Free Calls: Built-in microphones with deep neural network noise cancellation for clear calls.
• Ambient Sound: 7 levels of ambient sound volume for situational awareness.
• Long Playback Time: Up to 49 hours on a full charge, with a quick 10-minute fast charge for 7 hours of use.

Immerse yourself in high-quality sound with the Edifier W820NB Plus Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Headphones. These headphones deliver superior audio detail and are equipped with a large 1.6-inch composite diaphragm sound unit supporting LDAC decoding. The -43dB Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation ensures a serene listening experience in any environment, making them perfect for commuting, office work, or travel. The zero-pressure patent earcups and lightweight design provide unparalleled comfort, while the built-in microphones with deep neural network noise cancellation offer crystal-clear hands-free calls. Stay connected to your surroundings with the ambient sound feature, and enjoy an impressive 49-hour playback time on a full charge, with a quick 10-minute charge providing 7 hours of non-stop use.

Sony WH-1000XM5

Industry-Leading Noise Cancellation:

• Powered by two processors and equipped with 8 microphones.
• Delivers unparalleled noise cancellation.
• Auto Noise Canceling Optimizer adapts noise canceling based on surroundings and wearing conditions.

• Advanced processor engineered for magnificent sound quality.

• 4 beamforming microphones ensure precise voice pickup.
• Advanced audio signal processing for clear hands-free calling.

Extended Battery Life:

• Up to 30 hours of battery life.
• Quick charging (3 minutes for 3 hours of playback).

• Ultra-comfortable and lightweight design.
• Soft fit leather for a luxurious wearing experience.

Intuitive Touch Controls:

• Manage music effortlessly with touch controls.
• Control pausing, playing, skipping tracks, adjusting volume, activating voice assistants, and answering phone calls.

• Alexa built-in for easy music control, directions, and smart home device management.
• Speak-to-Chat and Quick Attention modes for added convenience.

• Seamlessly switch between devices with a multipoint connection feature.

• Carry headphones with ease using the redesigned case.
• Ensures both protection and portability.

Alternative over-ear headphone options we assessed:

Mark Levinson No. 5909: Mark Levinson’s inaugural headphone entry is the No. 5909, priced at $999. Despite the steep cost, these headphones offer exceptional quality. They boast a robust design that doesn’t feel overly weighty on the head, ensuring comfort during prolonged use. The replaceable leather-covered earcups and headband contribute to the overall comfort. For more details, read our hands-on experience with the Mark Levinson No. 5909.

Technics EAH-A800: The Technics EAH-A800 exudes a touch of nostalgia with its old-school vibe, complemented by the resurrection of the Technics brand by Panasonic. These headphones fold up and flat for convenience, offering a comfortable fit. While featuring a throwback design, they deliver a substantial sound with powerful bass and detailed audio. It’s worth noting that they may require a day or two to break in.

Factors to weigh when selecting over-ear headphones:

Budget: Determine your spending limit for new over-ear headphones. Quality options under $100 are available, but premium models with superior build and performance often exceed $200.

Noise canceling: Decide whether you prefer headphones with active noise canceling (ANC). While it’s a common feature, note that it may slightly impact sound quality. Non-ANC models are available and can sometimes be more cost-effective.

Wired or wireless: While most headphones are now Bluetooth-enabled, wired options often provide superior sound quality. Some wireless models include a headphone cable for wired listening.

Fit and comfort: Ensure the headphones provide a snug yet comfortable fit for extended wear. Look for durability in build quality to ensure longevity.

Durability: Opt for models with noted sturdy build quality to ensure longevity.

Maximize performance for your budget: Seek headphones that offer the best sound, noise canceling, call quality, and features within your budget.

Return policy: Purchase from retailers with favorable return policies, especially if you’re torn between two models and want to compare them firsthand.

Our testing criteria for over-ear headphones:

We evaluate over-ear headphones based on six key criteria:

Design: Assessing comfort, build quality, and control implementation, including water resistance if applicable.

Sound quality: A comprehensive assessment of bass definition, clarity, dynamic range, and natural sound through listening to a predefined playlist.

Noise-canceling performance: Testing ANC effectiveness in both controlled and real-world environments, including city streets.

Extra features: Evaluating additional features such as awareness modes, transparency modes, special sound modes, and the user-friendliness of companion apps.

Voice-calling: Assessing voice-calling performance in noisy environments to gauge background noise reduction and call clarity.

Value: Determining the overall value based on the headphones’ performance in comparison to others in their price range.

Over-ear headphones FAQ:

Sound comparison with on-ear headphones: Over-ear headphones typically offer better sound due to larger speaker drivers and improved acoustics that passively seal out ambient noise.

Hearing safety: Over-ear headphones are safe for hearing if used at reasonable volumes (50%-70%).

Comfort factors: Lighter weight, soft earpads, comfortable headbands with quality memory foam and padding contribute to headphone comfort.