7 Best Over-Ear Headphones, Tested and Reviewed 2024

We’ve been testing out headphones for a while. So we know what to look for. Stick to these criteria and you can’t go wrong.

Sound: First and foremost you need headphones that sound good. Each one of these pairs is fitted with a 40mm driver on each ear to ensure maximum sound quality at all volume levels.

Comfort: The quality of the padding, the shape of the ear cups, and the weight all play into how comfortable a pair of headphones will be. This part can be tricky without trying them on yourself, but rest assured each of these seven picks is at the very least comfortable.

Power: How much battery life do you actually need? It’s a good question in 2024, when we are surrounded by power outlets, even on trains and planes. In fact, the longer your trek the less likely you are to go without one. Still, a long-lasting battery you don’t need to charge much is the bare minimum we expect from a great pair of headphones.

Noise Canceling: These days, if you’re gonna charge hundreds of dollars for headphones, they need noise canceling. All of these headphones do ANC (active noise cancellation), but not all ANC is made equal. For our money, Sony currently has the best noise-canceling tech, but there are some upcoming releases later this year that are sure to shake that up.

Aesthetic: You look good, and you want your accessories to look good too. It’s as simple as that.