Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Over-Ear Headphones?

Best over ear headphones wireless-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones typically provide better battery life than earbuds. They also have superior quality sound cancellation.

Sony's WH-1000XM5s lead the pack for over-ear wireless headphones. They sound great thanks to their deep, bass-heavy sound quality that allows vocals and instruments to shine. They last for over 40 hours on a single charge with active noise cancelling (ANC) activated.

Focal Bathys Wireless

The Focal Bathys wireless are a premium audiophile entry into the booming premium Bluetooth headphone category which has been dominated for years by Bose. However, with a track record of creating the highest quality, high-fidelity speakers, Focal couldn't simply scale down to compete in this highly competitive market. So it opted to build its own set of earbuds with built-in ANC and the same amplifiers and transducers that are used in its flagship products.

The result is a pair of headphones that offer top over the ear headphones-of-the-line performance, but also feel luxurious and sturdy. Focal has reduced the size and weight of its premium headphones to make these compact headphones more suitable for travel and still use magnesium for the yokes to keep them lightweight. The design is sleek and stylish, with a a circular, "skeletonised", design like Focal's high-end Focal celestee headphones. LED backlit Focal logos are on the back of the headphones and actually glow.

When paired with your device, they operate on the most recent Bluetooth v5.1 technology with support for SBC, AAC, aptX and aptX Adaptive, and an inbuilt DAC that supports up to 24 bit/192kHz playback. The earcups can be folded flat for simple storage. The cable can also be dismantled to use with devices without Bluetooth like a lot of cell phones.

The headphones can also be used in DAC mode, which omits internal processing to deliver a superior sound quality than Bluetooth headphones that have built-in DACs. Focal declined to reveal the specific DAC they used, but when tested with a high-quality portable DAC/headphone amp, the Bathys delivered great results--including better-than-CD-quality resolution, tight bass, and an open, airy midrange.

The Focal Bathys are specifically designed to be utilized on planes as well as in other noisy environments, but the DAC mode also allows for critical listening. The Bathys are an excellent alternative to closed-back headphones that are tuned for bass. A pair of these would make a great gift for the audiophile on your list.

JBL Tune 760NC

The Jbl over ear headphones Tune 760NC are a lightweight and comfortable pair of headphones with active noise cancellation. They have a deep bass profile that adds depth to your music. They also provide a long battery lifespan for listening sessions. They also have a durable construction that is ideal for commutes and travel, but they can feel uncomfortable for long listening sessions due to their tight fit.

The headphones come with a set of buttons that you can use to control the music and your call settings. The headphones have buttons to control volume levels up and down as well as power, ANC, and the like. The buttons are surrounded with an LED-like area and you can press it to change the display of light. The headphones have a good over ear headphones fit and are padded, however they do not sit well on your head, and may be uncomfortable for listeners who wear glasses.

JBL's Active Noise Cancellation technology reduces ambient noise by analysing and understanding the sounds coming from outside the headphone. Then, it inverts the sounds and blocks out the background noise, leading to a more tranquil listening experience. This allows you to listen at lower volumes and prevents the aches and fatigue of your ears. The headphones also feature a microphone that lets you make calls hands-free and activate voice assistants.

These headphones are compatible with a wide range of Bluetooth devices, including your computer and a majority of mobile phones. These headphones work with the majority of PS4 and Xbox One Controllers for receiving audio, but not for communicating with other players. They also come with a USB port for charging and streaming audio from your PC.

The JBL 760NCs were designed to be lightweight, with a compact foldable design that makes them easy to carry on the move. The JBL 760NCs have built-in batteries that can last up to 40 hours continuously and also come with noise cancellation that blocks out any distracting sounds. They can be connected to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously which means you don't need to be unable to keep track of time when switching from watching a film on your tablet to making a call.

Skullcandy Riff Wireless 2

Skullcandy Riff Wireless 2 is a pair on-ear headphones that deliver what people want from on-ear Bluetooth headphones. They're priced at a fair price, have a long-lasting battery, additional cable backup, and offer peace of mind thanks to Tile-finding technology. It also has simple controls on the earcup and can connect to both wired and wireless devices. The Riff Wireless headphones include an app companion which lets you personalize your listening experience. It also allows users to minimize delay in video and audio when used with smart TVs or computers, and also set up a multi-device pair.

They have a padded band that is extremely comfortable. These headphones are made for use on commutes and trips. They can be folded up to fit comfortably in bags or backpacks. They have a plasticky build quality, but are fairly durable and provide a solid click when you move or flex them. They don't feature noise cancellation which may be a problem for some users, but they block out the low buzz of buses and chatter.

These headphones have a decent sound quality, Jbl Over ear headphones especially considering their low price. They don't have the luscious midrange like the more expensive models however they do have good overall clarity at most volumes. Their bass is powerful and punchy, and the highs are a little dispersed, but not overly so. They're perfect for pop and rock, but not for genres that need a deep, full bass.

The Riff Wireless 2 headphones come with more features than the previous version. They have a more neutral sound that might be appealing to some people as well as a more efficient microphone and support multi-device pairing. They also have a much longer battery life, and they can support an increased volume.

These headphones are good but they don't provide the same level of comfort like other Skullcandy products like the Hesh 3 Wireless. These headphones are still an option for most users, but they're not the best for active use. They could lose their elasticity when performing intense exercises.

Razer Opus

The Opus is the first attempt by Razer at creating a lifestyle headphone. It's a fantastic product. Its target market is likely to be a lot more diverse than the gamers market, and it offers quality that rivals top-of-the-line models from Sony and Jbl over ear headphones Bose for an affordable price.

The design is restricted by Razer standards: there's no RGB lighting or signature green accents and the Tri-Snake logo is not to be visible. Rather, the headset looks like other Bluetooth headphones, with semicircle hinges which swivel and fold flat on the top of the earcups to create a comfortable headband. They're also lighter and portable than other gaming headsets, and weigh only 265g when collapsed.

On the right earcup are onboard controls. The power and track control buttons are located close to a multi-function button in the earcup that doubles as a noise cancelling button. The controls were responsive and easy to use. They functioned as advertised during my tests.

The Opus' bass has an intense, well-rounded and punchy sound with clarity and depth that you won't find in many budget headphones. It's not quite as full as the Bose Extra Bass headphones, but it's still better than expectations for headphones in the $200 price range. Vocals and lead instruments can be heard with a good clarity. The mids are also solid. I did notice a slight veiledness to highs, but changing the EQ to the Vocal setting fixed the issue.

In the carrying case you'll also include the 3.5mm audio cable and USB C-to-A converter, as well as an ordinary airplane audio plug for those who haven't yet made the switch yet. It's a small, but welcome addition to make it easier to use headphones when traveling.

Like other THX-certified devices such as the Opus performed well in my tests. I was able walk around town without having to raise the volume to block out background noise, and I never felt as if I needed to turn my music up to hear it. That's the kind of quality that will help you avoid hearing loss due to excessive exposure to high-frequency frequencies.