The Best Over-Ear Headphones to Buy in 2024

The AirPods Max makes it into the list because Apple users will always value staying in the Apple ecosystem. But make no mistake: Apple’s AirPods Max are excellent ANC headphones, on par with Bose's QuietComfort Ultra. If you're in the Apple ecosystem and want to stay there (and it's worth the extra money to you), then the AirPods Max might be a better fit. Keep in mind they are much heavier than the QuietComfort Ultra (but just as comfortable). You can read about the headphones in more detail in PCMag's review.

Comfort is where over-ear headphones excel, and no over-ear headphones are more comfortable than the Sennheiser Momentum 4. The ear cups swivel to fit your head shape and give you a nice secure fit that makes them the perfect headphones for long-wear sessions. The battery is also exceptionally long, giving you 60 hours of non-stop playtime, which is a lot more than most of the competition. You can read about these headphones in more detail in PCMag's review.

Over-ear headphones can get pretty pricey, but luckily, you don't need to spend rent money on great headphones. The Edifier W820NB Plus gives you the best bang for your buck in this roundup with many high-end features, including ANC, ambient sound, good audio, and memory foam on their ear pads. You'll get up to 49 hours of battery life, but don't expect a carrying case or headphone jack (it does have a USB cable you can connect to your computer). But for under $100, who’s complaining?

If you're an audiophile and are looking for the best sound possible to experience your media, look no further than the Sony WH-1000XM5. I've been a loyal customer of the 1000X line for many years and always end up going back to this headphone for most of my listening sessions. They also have an exceptional ANC feature and are very comfortable. If you can afford these, they'll be worth your money. You can read about the headphones in more detail in PCMag's review.

There is an argument to be made that the headphones with the best battery life should be those that have a set number of measurable hours to count, but when that number could potentially be impossible to measure, there’s a clear winner. The Urbanista Los Angeles headphones have solar charging technology that can potentially give them an unmeasurable number of hours of playtime (as long as you keep charging them with the sun). They give you up to 80 hours when they're fully charged, but as long as you keep them in the sun, you should not run out of battery. You can read about the headphones in more detail in PCMag's review.

If you’re looking to tune out the world with ANC, the QuietComfort Ultra currently offers the best noise-canceling technology in the market. If you can shell out the money for these headphones, you’ll be getting one of the most lightweight, comfortable, and best-sounding headphones on the market. But what really sets them apart is how useful these headphones can be in a loud environment. You can take a call with zero problems—the headphones can pick out your voice in a crowded place, so you can still be heard clearly. You can read about the headphones in more detail in PCMag's review.

Audiophiles who have been buying the best headphones for years will not be surprised by the Sony MDR7506 making the list of the best wired over-ear headphones. They were originally launched in 1991 and have been improved over the years, but they have been a staple in the music and audio industry for many years. If you're looking for a reliable headphone that is wired and will give you a great listening experience, the Sony MDR7506 is for you.