There is no denying that when you want to enjoy the music to its fullest, the over ear headphones are the best you can buy. The amount of sound they give you is just too good, and buying one of these headphones makes the entire experience much easier as well.
If you are looking for the best over ear headphones, you will have countless options available in the market. However, what you need to understand is that you can’t really decide that easily, especially if you have never really had the chance to properly check the market, and look for options.
That is why in this article, we are looking at the best over ear headphones you can buy in the market. TO keep things simple and easy to understand, we are only going to be looking at 5 products. This way, it will be much easier for the readers to make a decision, and go for the right option rather than exploring a long list of products, and still not being able to find the right one.
We are looking at every offering from wireless, to wired options, and we also made sure that we cover the major companies as well.
Top 5 Best Over Ear Headphones 2021
1. Philips Fidelio X2 – View on Amazon
For those who do not know, Philips has a long history of some really impressive headphones that are available in the market. They have an impressive repertoire of some amazing products that are for people who want quality entertainment.
Today, we are looking at the Philips Fidelio X2, a wired offering from Philips that aims to deliver great performance. To start off, you get a brilliant sound that is balanced as well, the headphone poses a great value for money, and on top of everything, you get a premium build quality as well.
What’s better is that these headphones are extremely comfortable, and listening to the music for a longer time is an absolute joy without having your ears hurt, or warm up to uncomfortable levels.
The only thing holding back the otherwise excellent Philips Fidelio X2 is the fact that the headphones do not come with extra set of accessories. Although this does not tell in anyway just how the experience is going to be as far as the sound is concerned.
Overall, the Philips Fidelio X2 is a wonderful pair of headphones that will give you a great listening experience, a balanced sound, and a brilliant level of comfort. If there is anything that this headphones lack, it is the fact that it does not come with a lot of extras, which is fine. As far as the sound quality, and sheer, raw performance is concerned, these headphones will not be letting you down at all.
Pros
- Excellent value for money.
- Great sound quality.
- Comfortable to wear even for long hours.
- Solid build quality.
Cons
- Does not come with a lot of extensions.
2. Audio Technica ATH SR5BT – View on Amazon
When it comes to good headphones, Audio Technica is one of the best companies I can recommend. As someone who has been using their products for years, I can attest to the fact that whether you are buying a pair of headphones for movies, music, for gaming, or even for professional use, you are going to get excellent performance from their products.
Today, we are looking at the Audio Technica ATH SR5BT. A Bluetooth offering by AudioTechnica that is great for a lot of reasons. For starters, you get excellent audio quality with a sound stage that is balanced, something many Audio Technica users have come to expect.
Additionally, the battery life on this pair is excellent, with up to 40 hours on a single charge. If this is not impressive, then I do not know what is. Additionally, the best part about this pair of headphones is that as soon as you plug them in, the sound becomes even better.
In terms of everything, the Audio Technica ATH SR5BT are great; they have amazing battery life, great build quality, and a great sound as well. They are only held back by the lack of noise cancellation as well as the fact that the high frequencies can be a bit too energetic at times.
If you are okay with the minor setbacks that the headphones possess, I can assure you that the Audio Technica ATH SR5BT will have absolutely no issues whatsoever giving you an amazing musical experience.
Pros
- The sound quality is excellent.
- The build quality is one of the best.
- Great battery life.
- The headphones sound even better when plugged in.
Cons
- Highs can be a bit too energetic.
- There is no noise cancellation.
3. Sony MDR-1A – View on Amazon
There is no denying that Son has released some amazing headphones and earphones in the market. They are a company that takes the entertainment factor seriously, and are always thriving for the best possible product they can offer to their consumers.
Today, we are looking at the Sony MDR-1A; Sony’s upgraded model of the MDR-1R that we have previously used and loved. The Sony MDR-1A are lightweight, and very, very comfortable full sized headphones.
The definition of the sound, as well as the bass has improved. Headphones can easily sit on your neck with the ear cups rotating the proper amount without any issue whatsoever.
Sony also includes a fair amount of value by giving you two cables; from the pair of cables, there is one that comes with an in-liner remote for smartphones, so you do not have any issues. Sony also includes a nice carrying pouch for you to easily carry your headphones wherever you want.
In terms of performance, I don’t really have any issue whatsoever. However, I did notice that the in-line remote control does not have the proper functionality for the iPhones.
Overall, the Sony MDR-1A is an excellent pair of headphones with great sound quality, lightweight, and sturdy design, and a great overall value for money as well. If there is anything that is holding the headphone back, it is the lack of proper in-line support for iPhones.
Pros
- Excellent sound quality.
- Very comfortable to wear for longer times.
- Comes with 2 cables as well as a carrying case.
- The sound is balanced through and through.
Cons
- In-line remote is not as good for iPhones.
4. Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II – View on Amazon
When it comes to excellent audio products, Bose is a company that is always great when it comes to releasing some great headphones, as well as earphones. Needless to say, when it comes to Bose, you can expect the highest of quality from their products.
Today, we look at the Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II, an upgraded version of the legendary QC 35 headphones that they are known for. Now the major change they introduced is that the headphones are now powered by Google Assistant. However, Bose did some minor tweaks here and there to ensure that these headphones remain relevant.
The noise cancellation is among the best, and the sound quality is great; it is balanced, however, it is on the softer side. So, if you are expecting punchy bass, or any similar notes, you might be let down. The best part is that Bose has kept the extreme level of comfort. Needless to say, the Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II is still the most comfortable pair of headphones that we have tested.
There is not a lot wrong with this pair. Sure, you don’t get the chance to instantly mute the earphones, and there are no touch controls either. But overlook that, and you get a good pair of headphones that are excellent with nearly everything you throw at them. The sound quality is excellent, the comfort is unparalleled, and the noise cancellation happens to be the best in class.
Pros
- Top of the line noise cancellation.
- Great, balanced sound, albeit a bit on the softer side.
- Google Assistant integration is nice to have.
- Great battery life.
- Very, very comfortable.
Cons
- There is no mute button.
- The headphones lack touch controls.
5. Sony WH-1000XM2 – View on Amazon
Sony has always been a great company when it comes to releasing some excellent hardware in the market. They have been behind some of the best headphones, and earphones, as well as top of the line entertainment related stuff.
Today, we are looking at the famous Sony WH-1000XM2. The reason I am calling these famous is because they are the improved version of the Sony MDR-1000X, one of Sony’s class leading wireless, noise cancellation headphones, and the original pair that managed to dethrone Bose’s QC35 at the time of the release.
The Sony WH-1000XM2 are great in every sense you could possibly think of. The noise cancellation is still amazing, and even though it might be too aggressive for some people, as a music lover, I cannot complain. Sony has improved the battery life by a margin as well, and now you get 30 hours of playback from a single, full charge.
Sony even improved on the build quality. The headphones now ship with a companion app as well that is actually great for people who are always on the move. The touch controls are there too, and last but not the least, if you want to use these headphones with Google Assistant, or Siri, you can change that in the headphone app.
I have been very nitpicky about the headphones from the start, and that is out of love. I was very impressed with the original as well, but it did not feel like a complete package. However, with the Sony WH-1000XM2, I can tell you that Sony has done a great job with the product, and I can assure you that you will be getting a great listening experience from these headphones.
Pros
- Excellent sound quality in wired, or wireless mode.
- Great, 30-hour battery life.
- Improved build quality.
- Google Assistant, and Siri integration.
- Touch controls.
Cons
- None
Conclusion
Finding the best over ear headphones can be a taxing thing to do. Especially when you realise that the market is full of options and finding the best one is not all that easy. However, the purpose of this entire round up was to make sure that people who are in the market looking for a good pair of over ear headphones, this list would not be an issue.
If you are looking for an answer as to what would be the best over ear headphones, then my recommendation would be the Sony WH-1000XM2. Simply because they are giving you the best bang for your money, and even though they might be on the more expensive side as compared to other options, but the good thing is that with these headphones, you are getting a great value for your money.