As the holiday shopping season heats up, with Black Friday on November 28 and Cyber Monday following on December 1, many top headphone brands are already rolling out significant discounts on their noise-canceling headphones and earbuds. Shoppers looking to upgrade their audio gear have plenty of options, ranging from premium wireless models by industry giants like Sony, Bose, and Apple to value-oriented offerings from brands such as Baseus and Skullcandy. This guide summarizes the latest insights and recommendations across the spectrum, helping you find the best over-ear headphones that match your needs and budget.
**Why Over-Ear Headphones Still Matter**
While true wireless earbuds continue to grow in popularity due to their compact size and convenience, many audio enthusiasts and frequent travelers still prefer over-ear headphones. These models often provide superior sound quality, comfort for extended wear, and advanced features like active noise cancellation (ANC), which significantly reduces ambient noise. Most wireless over-ear headphones include an option for wired listening via cables, and for audiophiles seeking the utmost sound clarity, some wired-only headphones remain on the market. This review includes both wireless and wired models, regularly updating as new headphones debut, such as the recently introduced Baseus Inspire XH1 featuring “Sound by Bose.”
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### Premium Flagship Models: Sony, Bose, Apple, and Bowers & Wilkins
**Sony WH-1000XM6**
Sony’s WH-1000XM6 headphones are widely considered the best overall over-ear headphones currently available. They build on the success of their predecessor, the WH-1000XM5, by refining design issues and enhancing performance. These headphones offer a slightly more “studio” sound signature aligned with Sony’s wired models, delivering excellent sound quality, noise cancellation, and call clarity. Lightweight and comfortable, they are ideal for frequent travelers, remote workers, and commuters who prioritize top-tier audio experience. The inclusion of USB-C audio support is a welcome update, enhancing compatibility with modern devices.
However, if you already own the WH-1000XM5 or are budget-conscious, it may be worth waiting for a sale, as the improvements, while notable, might not justify a full-priced upgrade immediately.
**Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen)**
Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra headphones, now in their second generation, closely rival the Sony WH-1000XM6 in performance. While the outward design remains largely unchanged from the 2023 release, Bose has enhanced sound quality, noise cancellation, and battery life, now rated at up to 30 hours. New features like immersive-audio Cinema Mode and USB-C audio charging during use add value.
The noise-canceling battle between Bose and Sony is tight, with comfort and fit likely playing a deciding role for buyers. These headphones are also excellent for travelers and professionals seeking reliable comfort and performance. Budget buyers may want to consider midrange options instead.
**Apple AirPods Max**
Apple updated the AirPods Max in late 2024 with USB-C charging and new colors but no major hardware upgrades. Despite their high price, they deliver impressive sound quality, effective noise cancellation, and excellent voice call performance, wrapped in a premium build with aluminum and stainless steel components. Unique Apple features like spatial audio with head tracking and seamless device switching make them particularly attractive for users within the Apple ecosystem.
Their relatively heavy weight can be offset by adjusting the mesh canopy headband for a better fit, especially during walking or active use. The inclusion of USB-C audio in March 2024 enables lossless wired listening, although Apple charges extra for the necessary USB-C-to-3.5mm cable.
**Bowers & Wilkins PX8 S2 and PX7 S3**
Bowers & Wilkins’ PX8 S2 headphones represent a premium flagship option priced at $799, reflecting factors like tariffs impacting electronics pricing. These headphones boast a more upscale design, slimmed-down form factor, and refined sound quality, beating out their predecessor with improved noise cancellation and voice-calling performance. They provide some of the best sound quality for Bluetooth headphones but come at a steep price.
The PX7 S3, a step-down model at around $450, offers a similar stylish design and improved sound quality over previous iterations, with a lighter build and USB-C audio support. While they don’t quite match the PX8 S2 in driver quality or sound refinement, they are considered excellent noise-canceling headphones and a better value for many buyers. Comparing these