10 Over-Ear Headphones That Are Worth Buying Right Now

Finding a great pair of headphones in today's market can be tricky, as there's more choice than ever, and it's easy to get lost in all the options. Wireless headphones used to be a sonically inferior option, but with 3.5-millimeter jacks now mostly missing from the latest smartphones and laptops, they've become a booming market, with their sound quality improving rapidly as a result. Likewise, wired headphones have become even more refined in their definition, offering crisper, cleaner audio than ever before in an attempt to tempt buyers away from their cordless competition.

It's important to know what you're looking for before jumping in and deciding which headphones to purchase, as buying a pair that's not suited to your needs will seriously affect your listening experience. Whether you're looking for the ultimate home-listening headphones or the best in active noise-canceling technology, there's something out there to please everyone. Here's a quick rundown of some of the best on-ear headphones on the market, all of which could be considered among the best in their class.

Straddling the line between audio professionals and hi-fi listeners, the Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro Xs offer a sound that aims to put accuracy above all else. Beyerdynamic has developed a reputation for making some of the most durable headphones on the market, so buyers can rest easy knowing their new headset will remain fully functional years or even decades into the future. That makes the headset's retail price of $349.99 seem like more of a long-term investment rather than a one-off indulgence.

Of course, being durable is no use if the actual sound quality is no good, and the DT 900 Pro X doesn't disappoint here. They're particularly suited to studio producers or fans of more acoustic genres of music. Reviews suggest the headset's biggest strength is its ability to reproduce the liveliness and wide dynamic range of classical, jazz, or acoustic music, but listeners looking for a warmer, more pop-friendly sound might be underwhelmed. Nevertheless, the headphones make a great option for either professionals checking the finer details of their mixes, or at-home listeners who want to extract every bit of definition out of their favorite jazz or classical recording.

Anyone who's encountered the AirPods Max either in an Apple store or online will probably have been struck by one thing: their price. At $549, the wireless headphones are significantly costlier than pretty much every other rival pair on the market, although it turns out, their construction does go some way to justifying their eye-watering price tag. Even so, most audiophiles will have to think long and hard about spending that kind of money on a pair, especially since they come from a brand that's not traditionally known for high-end audio products.

Cost aside, the AirPods Max are in fact some of the best-sounding wireless headphones out right now, and they're made even better by their top-notch noise cancellation, which can be switched on and off almost instantly. The metal-and-mesh headband remains comfortable over long listening periods, and the cups are equally well-fitting. Inside the cups, there are sensors that detect when a user takes the headphones off and automatically pauses the track, a small but useful feature that indicates Apple's commitment to the details. Now, the AirPods Max are far from perfect, with a slightly disappointing microphone quality and no power button to turn the headset on and off. In their segment, though, there are very few headphones that top them for overall sound quality and listening experience. In rare cases, they do go on sale, so it's worth watching for seasonal reductions to try and take a bit off that sky-high asking price.

The first generation of Bowers & Wilkins' flagship wireless headphones was unveiled in 2019, and quickly established itself as one of the leading headsets at its price point. In 2022, the company released its second-generation PX7 S2s, which promise even better definition and richness than before. The pair is priced at $399, putting them right on par with Sony's flagship WH-1000XM5s. While Sony arguably offers a better range of features and active noise canceling options, it's the Bower & Wilkins headphones that come out on top for pure sound quality.

Expect clean, bright, and consistent audio that works best with suitably high-quality audio files, although even with regular Spotify tracks, there's a clear uptick in definition versus cheaper headphones. Noise canceling is perfectly adequate although it's not quite as comprehensive as competitor offerings, so louder noises will get through and can become distracting (via Tom's Guide). In terms of design, the PX7 S2s look a little uninspiring, but there will undoubtedly be some buyers who dig their anonymous looks. They might not quite be the best in class when it comes to ANC or design, but for sound quality, it's hard to find a better pair of wireless headphones at this price.

While Sony's WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones are still the class benchmark, it's worth considering the previous generation WH-1000XM4s if you don't want to splash out $400 on a pair of headphones. Unveiled in 2020, the WH-1000XM4s redefined Sony's ANC lineup, pivoting to a design focused on working from home as much as traveling. They offer much of the same functionality as the WH-1000XM5s, albeit with a slightly cheaper price tag. Officially, they still retail for $349.99, but keep an eye out for sales as it's possible to find them for substantially cheaper than that.

Built from sturdy plastic, the WH-1000XM4s are among the most durable high-end headphones currently on the market, and even against increasingly stiff competition, they remain among the best for active noise cancellation. They even have one distinct advantage over their successor: They can fold up into themselves to fit neatly into travel bags or backpacks, whereas the WH-1000XM5s are restricted to simply folding the cans flat. They might not be the absolute latest in Sony's lineup, but the WH-1000XM4s deserve a look for anyone trying to get the best value for their hard-earned cash.

Shure's headphones have previously catered to the professional market rather than the consumer one, but with the SRH1540, the company has taken a different direction. These premium-looking wired headphones are instead aimed squarely at the discerning audiophile, with their aluminum and carbon fiber trim looking suitably high-end. They're classy, but that's to be expected for a headset that retails for $499.99. The SRH1540s sound less flat than most of Shure's other headphones, but that helps give music a more lively and vibrant feel, with an excellent balance between highs, mids, and bass (via TweakTown).

The closed-back design prevents sound from leaking out, but it doesn't affect the overall quality, with virtually zero distortion noticeable. A 3.5-millimeter jack comes as standard, so they can be plugged straight into a phone or other device if need be. There's no noise cancellation and the ear cups don't rotate or fold, but there's a protective case included that should make transporting them hassle-free. In a way, they're a more "traditional" audiophile's headphone than many of the alternatives here, but with excellent sound quality and high-end construction, few would argue that's a bad thing.