The best over-ear headphones in Australia for 2025

Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones on a purple background
(Image credit: Future)

The best over-ear headphones are those that completely immerse you in sound. Their increased physical size compared to the best wireless earbuds means they can make use of larger speaker drivers, which are able to deliver sound packed with detail and definition.

And if you're looking for the real cream of the crop, the very best over-ear headphones available today, then you'll find them in this guide. That's because every single pair has been thoroughly tested by our exert team of reviewers, being evaluated for audio performance, nose cancellation, battery life, comfort and features.

The quick list

Below you'll find a quick roundup of our choices for the best over-ear headphones in Australia. You can click to read more in-depth reviews of each pair and view the latest deals using our price comparison tool.

Recent updates

October 14, 2025 Completed a full overhaul of the guide, including a new introduction, adding several new pairs of over-ear headphones and selecting the Sony WH-1000XM6 as the new 'best pair overall' choice.

The best over-ear headphones in Australia for 2025

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Below you can find more in-depth reviews of each choice for our favourite pairs of over-ear headphones. You can then choose to click through to the full review of each, written by TechRadar's team of audio and headphone experts.

The best over-ear headphones for most people

Person holding up the Sony WH-1000XM6

(Image credit: Future)
The best over-ear headphones to silence the world

Specifications

Acoustic design: Closed
Weight: 254g
Frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz
Drivers: 30mm dynamic
Battery life: 30 hours (ANC on)

Reasons to buy

+
Class-leading noise cancellation
+
Excellent audio performance
+
Lightweight and comfortable

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive
-
Battery life can be bettered
-
Still not waterproof

Sony has enjoyed holding onto the top spot in this guide for as long as we can remember with the WH-1000XM4, and now that pair has finally be dethroned, only to be replaced by Sony's latest WH-1000XM6. The audio maestro has raised the bar with its flagship pair and, while they're certainly not cheap, they’re now our top pick for most people, having finally claimed the crown simply because they’re so good.

The WH-1000XM6 are a major upgrade, particularly in noise cancellation. Thanks to the new QN3 processor and a powerful setup of 12 microphones (four more than before), the ANC is genuinely class-leading. During testing – even on public transport or beside busy traffic – we experienced near-total silence. If immersive listening is your goal, this is as good as it gets.

Fortunately, they're talented in all others areas. From an audio perspective, the redesigned 30mm drivers deliver an expressive, balanced profile with rich mids, lively treble, and a satisfying low end. The soundstage feels wide and nuanced – great for both casual listening and critical tracks. Call quality is also excellent, with all those mics pulling double duty for voice clarity.

Battery life still sits at 30 hours as with the previous XM5s, which is a bit disappointing considering some other, cheaper pairs offer at least double. But, a three-minute charge will gain you three hours of playback time, which is handy. And, if you're so inclined, you can also use Bluetooth while charging now, which is nice. The companion app has always been a solid area for Sony, and once again here it's well-designed and feature-packed, offering EQ adjustments, adaptive sound, and high-res audio support via LDAC, which DSEE Extreme upscaling of lower-quality streams to make them sound better.

Comfort is clearly a priority, too. They’re lightweight with a more ergonomic fit and a wider headband. The hinges feel more robust, and the styling is even more polished than before. The case is also smaller.

The WH-1000XM6 headphones are undeniably pricey, with a cost that climbs above previous models. But for the combination of high-end sound, unbeatable ANC, and thoughtful design improvements, they easily justify their premium price tag.

Read our full Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones review

The best budget over-ear headphones

1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 on block against pink background

(Image credit: Future)
The best over-ear headphones on a budget

Specifications

Acoustic design: Closed
Weight: 246g
Frequency response: 20Hz-40kHz
Drivers: 40mm
Battery life: 65 hours ANC on; 100 hours ANC off

Reasons to buy

+
Customisable, satisfying sound
+
Effective noise cancellation
+
Fantastic battery life

Reasons to avoid

-
App situation is a bit messy
-
Button controls appear a little cheap
-
Build feels slightly flimsy

If you want great over-ear headphones without spending a fortune, the 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 are hard to beat, and are our top budget pick. They pack in a lot for the price, including solid active noise cancellation, a whopping 100 hours of battery life, and surprisingly decent sound.

The 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 go big on features. You get ANC and a transparency mode, LDAC support for higher-quality Bluetooth streaming, and up to 100 hours of battery life – that’s if you turn off LDAC and ANC, but there’s still an impressive 65 hours with ANC on. In our testing, we found that ANC performance is better than expected for the price, easily clamping down on background chatter, traffic and general noise. The passthrough mode does a good job of helping you to stay aware of your surroundings.

Sound quality is seriously respectable here. While they don’t match more premium pairs of headphones we've tested, the audio is clear and pleasingly bassy. You can adjust the EQ through the companion app if you’d prefer a more balanced profile, and this had good results too. In general, there's an energy and dynamism to them that's easily lost in cheaper headphones – especially if the budget has gone on supporting lots of other features too. There's no feeling of being short-changed here on sound.

We found them comfortable enough to wear for long sessions, thanks to soft padding and a lightweight frame. They also look pretty slick, with a matte finish and sleek forward-tilted design. The build is where you feel the price a little – the buttons and headband are more plasticky than more premium headphones – but they’re still perfectly durable for everyday use.

For under AU$200, you’re getting a strong all-rounder here. These over-ears are comfy, capable, long-lasting, and good-looking. If you’re after an affordable pair of headphones with premium features, the Sonoflow Pro HQ51 are a standout budget pick.

Read our full 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 review

The best premium over-ear headphones

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 over-ear headphones inside a semi-hard carry case

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
The best over-ear headphones for premium features and sound

Specifications

Acoustic design: Closed
Weight: 310g
Frequency response: 10Hz - 22kHz
Drivers: 2 x 40mm dynamic full-range carbon cone
Battery life: 30 hours (ANC on)

Reasons to buy

+
Open, detailed and dynamic sound
+
High standard of build and finish
+
Excellent control options

Reasons to avoid

-
Can be bettered for ANC
-
Leather won't please vegans
-
Expensive

The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 are about as premium as mass-produced wireless headphones get. The good news is that the sound absolutely lives up to the price tag too. They’re a subtle evolution of the Px8 that came before them and the more affordable Px7 S3 (firm favourites of ours that previously held this spot on our list). But the refinements on offer here do add up – and then some. These over-ears are lighter, sleeker and come with improved noise cancellation and even better sonic performance.

Inside, upgraded carbon-cone drivers, a new motor system and refined tuning deliver some of the most open, dynamic, and detailed sound you’ll hear from wireless headphones. The Px8 S2s also create a spacious, balanced soundstage with beautifully controlled bass, natural mids and crisp treble. What we’re saying is, audio performance is exceptional. They’re easily among the best-sounding headphones you can buy right now.

Noise-cancelling is very good too, though not quite at Bose or Sony levels. However, that’s a small sacrifice for this kind of audio quality. Bluetooth 5.3 with aptX Lossless support, a 30 hour battery life and reliable controls via the app round out the package in terms of features too.

The headphones are finished in aluminium and Nappa leather (which means they're not ideal for vegans, unfortunately) and have a very high level of detail and finish. Which means they do look and feel every bit their AU$1,299 price tag. If you want class-leading sound in a design that’s premium and sophisticated, the Px8 S2 are the ones to beat.

Read our full Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 review

The best budget Sony over-ear headphones

A man wearing a pair of the sony wh-1000xm4 headphones

(Image credit: Future)
The best budget over-ear headphones from Sony

Specifications

Acoustic design: Closed
Weight: 253g
Frequency response: 4Hz to 40kHz
Drivers: 1.57-inch dome type
Battery life: 30 hours

Reasons to buy

+
Improved noise-cancellation
+
DSEE Extreme audio upscaling
+
Multipoint pairing

Reasons to avoid

-
Not water-resistant
-
More effective noise cancellation can now be found elsewhere

The WH-1000XM4s may no longer be Sony's flagship headphones. That title has since passed to the Sony WH-1000XM5 and, more recently, the WH-1000XM6 at the top of this list, but we still rate this solid set of cans as a great buy. They deliver a thoroughly impressive and enjoyable sound and a string of useful features, all wrapped up in package that is now a lot more affordable.

Other pairs of headphones may trump the XM4s in individual areas, but as an all-rounder, this pair from Sony is sensational – plus, you'd need to spend a lot more on those other pairs.

Along with their clear, detailed and deep sound, they also offer effective noise cancellation and an impressive number of features such as multipoint pairing, DSEE Extreme upscaling, conversational awareness and auto-play/pause using a built-in sensor, and stand out as heavyweights when it comes to overall value. They're also incredibly comfortable and can fold away better than a lot of newcomers, making them well-suited to travel.

To save money on Sony products, check out our Sony coupon codes.

Read our full Sony WH-1000XM4 review

The best over-ear headphones for ANC

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones

(Image credit: Future)
The best over-ear headphones for ANC

Specifications

Acoustic design: Closed
Weight: 250g
Frequency response: N/A
Drivers: 35mm
Battery life: 24 hours

Reasons to buy

+
Fantastic, detailed sound with rich bass
+
Class-leading noise-stopping power
+
Comfortable and premium, with folding design

Reasons to avoid

-
24 hour battery life is weak
-
Some will prefer a more neutral sound
-
No USB-C audio input

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are our top pick for noise-cancelling power. While the Sony WH-1000XM6s rival them in pure ANC performance now, if you’re a Bose loyalist – and many of us are – these remain our top recommendation, especially as they can now usually be found for less money than the Sonys.

In our review, we called the ANC “mind-blowing.” It’s that good. As for audio performance, the Ultra Headphones “deliver some of the most alive, exciting, textured, finely resolved, deeply engaging music I've ever heard from a pair of wireless headphones. It's the kind of sound I would expect to pay 50% extra or even twice as much for.”

They look and feel premium too, while remaining light, comfortable and travel-friendly thanks to a foldable design. They’re not flawless, the lack of USB-C audio and full aptX support (though Snapdragon Sound is included), plus a modest 24-hour battery life, are small drawbacks. But those are easy to overlook if you want the best combination of sound and ANC available today.

If you’d like to spend a little less, the Bose QuietComfort Headphones offer nearly identical ANC performance, though their sound quality can’t quite match the Ultras. Also, the QCU 2nd Gen are also here and may be worth considering over the Ultras – but hold off for now. Our in-depth review will be landing soon…

Read our full Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones review

The best over-ear headphones for sound

Edifier Stax Spirit S5 on a wooden table

(Image credit: Future)
The best planar magnetic over-ear headphones

Specifications

Acoustic design: Closed
Weight: 347g
Frequency response: 10Hz-40kHz
Drivers: Planar magnetic
Battery life: 80 hours

Reasons to buy

+
Positive, impressively detailed and convincing sound
+
Very nearly the ideal specification
+
Built and finished to a high standard

Reasons to avoid

-
No active noise cancellation
-
Hint of top-end hardness

For the casual listener, planar magnetic headphones might not be a common phrase. But for the audiophiles out there, this type of design is highly sought after and very rarely comes in wireless (or reasonably affordable) forms – but the Edifier does both. Planar magnetic refers to the drivers, which have a larger, flat and super-thin diaphragm in a magnetic field in each earcup, with offers more exciting and distortion-free sound.

And following hours of testing, we rate Edifier’s Stax Spirit S5 as the best planar magnetic headphones you can buy right now. We said in our review that "it doesn’t matter if you’ve listened to a recording plenty of times before now – I’m confident the Edifier Stax Spirit S5 will find some tiny aspect of it or detail within it that you’ve never heard (or, at least, noticed) before." High praise indeed.

We do need to point out that you're not getting active noise cancellation here, which could be a deal breaker for some (especially given their price). However, Edifier stresses the way the S5 is built and how it sits on your head provides plenty of passive noise isolation – and we have to agree. They're well-specced elsewhere, it should be said, with support for all three major high-res wireless codecs: aptX Lossless, LDAC and LHDC.

With a price tag of AU$549, they're not cheap, are are placed right in the firing line of stellar sets from the likes of Bose, Sony and Sennheiser...even Bowers & Wilkins can be picked up for similar money. But they offer sound quality that exceeds this price, and are positively affordable by planar magnetic standards. For hardcore music lovers, we actually think they're incredible value – but obviously it's a steep price regardless.

Read our full Edifier Stax Spirit S5 review

The best affordable wired over-ear headphones

Austrian Audio Hi-X20 wired over-ear headphones on a white surface

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
The best affordable over-ear headphones

Specifications

Acoustic design: Closed
Weight: 255g
Frequency response: 12Hz-24KHz
Drivers: 44mm dynamic
Battery life: N/A

Reasons to buy

+
Revealing and dynamic sound
+
Good build quality
+
Pretty good looking

Reasons to avoid

-
Higher-end headphones have more punch
-
3m cable is a bit long

Austrian Audio might not be a name you're familiar with, but it's one you should know if you want high-quality, well-priced sound.

We loved the dynamic, powerful and driven audio of the Hi-X20 across the frequency range – we said the treble is "nicely controlled and with enough substance to prevent even the crunchiest treble sounds becoming edgy or hard", while the mid-range can deliver vocals that are "assertive and articulate". We did find the bass may not be quite as full in the deepest notes as some would like, but it's fair for the price.

They're also incredibly comfortable to wear, are well-made and are reasonably good-looking for non-nonsense audiophile-friendly cans. They fold for travel, too, and come with a nice cloth bag, which we always appreciate.

The only clear downside is the 3m cable they come with – a shorter option would be welcome, because it's a bit much for most casual listening situations. That's hardly a big problem. For the $150 / £120 / AU$250 price, this is as good as headphones sound.

Read our full Austrian Audio Hi-X20 review

The best open-back wired over-ear headphones

Meze Audio 105 AER headphones in a hi-fi testing room, on gray background

(Image credit: Future)
The best open-back over-ear headphones

Specifications

Acoustic design: Open
Weight: 336g
Frequency response: 5Hz - 30kHz
Drivers: 50mm full-range dynamic

Reasons to buy

+
Informative, balanced and entertaining sound
+
Comfortable for long listening periods
+
Very nicely made

Reasons to avoid

-
A balanced cable option would be nice
-
A bit large for smaller-headed listeners

If you love a natural, open sound, then a pair of wired, open-back headphones are the way to go and the Meze Audio 105 AER are our top choice at AU$799.

These headphones boast a big, well-defined soundstage on which every individual element is detailed and gets to express itself. However, being open-back means they're not well-suited to morning commutes or anywhere else outside really, as they don't block out the outside world. You'll therefore do well to use them in quiet spaces instead, such as at home – and they're wired only as well.

You have to make trade-offs for this design, but if you're an audiophile then they're more than worth it as they sound fantastic, especially when paired with one of the best portable DACs or hi-res music players. The audio on offer here is best described as big, unified and poised with impressive powers of resolution. In fact, every track we listened to felt more like a performance. In our review, we wrote: "they have the sort of direct, unequivocal overall personality that makes every listen an event and makes every recording sound like it deserves your attention." High praise indeed.

They have premium ear cup cushioning made from velour-covered memory foam and a headband that's lined with PU faux leather. The result is a very comfortable pair of headphones, which are also Meze's lightest to date at 336g. However, it's worth mentioning here that the headband can be adjusted and yet won't suit those with smaller heads, so be warned if that's you.

They're wired with a 1.8m length of braided cable that has 3.5mm connections at one end and a single 3.5mm connection at the other. They also come with a 6.3mm adapter. Unfortunately, there's no balanced cable included.

If you're willing to make some sacrifices for their design – mainly that they're open-backed, so will leak sound in and out, and the size won't suit everyone – they sound truly exquisite. If that's what matters the most to you, have at them.

Read our full Meze Audio 105 AER review

The best over-ear headphones for movies

Sonos Ace headphones laying on their case

(Image credit: Future)
The best over-ear headphones for Dolby Atmos movie sound

Specifications

Acoustic design: Closed
Weight: 312g
Frequency response: Not listed
Drivers: 40mm
Battery life: 30 hours

Reasons to buy

+
Powerful sound with clear speech
+
Head-tracked Dolby Atmos from Bluetooth or from Sonos Arc soundbar

Reasons to avoid

-
Not as great with music
-
Battery life connected to Sonos Arc is only 10 hours

Sonos' first headphones were highly anticipated, although a little disappointing: they don't work with the overall Sonos Wi-Fi multi-room system despite supporting Wi-Fi, and we feel their music quality doesn't necessarily marry up with their high-end price.

But, when used to watch movies, the Sonos Ace are incredibly talented. They support head-tracked Dolby Atmos spatial audio from any device that supports Atmos over Bluetooth – which includes iPhones, iPads and Samsung phones, so no shortage – and it's absolutely fantastic. It's weighty, it's convincingly directional and doesn't sound like the audio is being pushed right into your ears, and dialogue is elevated super-clearly out of the mix while still feeling natural. Having directly compared it to the spatial audio on the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones and AirPods Max, the Sonos were the standout peformer.

And they do have a Sonos ecosystem trick: if you have a Sonos soundbar (Arc, Beam (both generations) or Ray, you can connect the headphones to them over Wi-Fi, and use a button on the headphones to instantly switch from listening over Bluetooth to streaming the sound from your soundbar instead – so you can listen to anything that plays on your TV with privacy, and zero latency.

It all worked fantastically well for us, and the headphones also offer very strong active noise cancellation, wired listening over USB-C (lossless) or 3.5mm jack, and a 30-hour battery life over Bluetooth with ANC on – though when listening to sound from your soundbar, this battery life dropped to around 10 hours based on our testing.

For music lovers wanting premium ANC headphones, we would steer you towards the Bose Ultra or the B&W PX8. But if you want something heavily focused on provided a personal home theatre experience, we really recommend these.

Read our full Sonos Ace review

The best over-ear headphones for Apple fans

apple airpods max

(Image credit: TechRadar)
The best headphones for Apple devotees

Specifications

Acoustic design: Closed
Weight: 350g
Frequency response: N/A
Drivers: 40mm dynamic
Battery life: 20 hours

Reasons to buy

+
Unbelievable audio performance
+
Fantastic user experience

Reasons to avoid

-
No 3.5mm audio port
-
Limited features for Android

The Apple AirPods Max were the most hotly-anticipated set of cans for quite some time leading up to their launch, having been the subject of rumour and speculation for at least two years. And there's little doubt that they're impressive, even if they don't quite justify their exceptionally high price.

What they do offer is effective active noise cancellation, superb audio quality, and a design that sets them apart from most noise-cancelling headphones on the market. And Apple fans in particular will (obviously) find a lot to love. But while their exceptional audio performance and class-leading ANC manages to impress, they're let down by their eye-watering price (in terms of consumer-level headphones), horrible carrying case and their lack of support for Hi-Res Audio codecs.

Apple knows its audience, and these headphones are strictly designed and manufactured with this audience in mind, packing in a variety of nifty features for iOS users and boasting the kind of sleek, futuristic design that Apple is known for.

That does make the AirPods Max an undoubtedly excellent option for those hoping to pair their new headphones with their existing Apple devices, however, some may find them too expensive to be a viable option.

Read our full Apple AirPods Max review

The best high-end wired over-ear headphones

Meze Audio Poet open-back over-headphones on a wooden surface

(Image credit: Future / James Grimshaw)

11. Meze Audio Poet

The best high-end wired over-ear headphones

Specifications

Acoustic design: Open
Weight: 350g (without ear pads)
Frequency response: 4 Hz – 96 kHz
Drivers: 92 mm x 63 mm Rinaro Isodynamic Hybrid Array MZ6
Battery life: N/A

Reasons to buy

+
Lovely wide frequency response
+
Excellent separation
+
Stunning transient response

Reasons to avoid

-
Soundstage a touch narrow
-
Can get discomforting during serious sessions
-
Gong-like headband

If you've read this far, you came here for the high-end headphone buy, and at AU$3,550 or thereabouts, that's what we're giving you.

Yes, the Meze Audio Poet are a posh pair of planar magnetic, open-backed cans – and that is good because for this investment, you deserve ‘posh’ and nothing less than posh, thank you very much.

Luckily, the Poet deliver in spades – from an impressive build and finish to a lagoons-deep listen. Thoughtful touches like the magnetically attached ear pads and a neat, forward-thinking adjustment mechanism exemplify the careful consideration with which the Poet were made, and you love to see it.

An occasionally narrow soundstage and an eventually fatiguing listening experience serve to make them at least feel real. They're not truly perfect (nothing is, you know) but they easily sit among the best over-ear headphones on the market – and we only mention it because of the hugely-increased scrutiny premium prices must invite.

For those with the hi-fi equipment, the cosy chair, the ample budget and the inclination, the Poet are a pair of headphones you simply must add to your list for a listen next time you head to the dealership.

Read our full Meze Audio Poet review

More over-ear headphones we've tested

AKG N9 Hybrid: They're great across the board, except when it comes to ANC. However, if you're not swayed by noise-nixing, they're still a great buy. So do take a look at our full AKG N9 Hybrid review.

Anker Soundcore Space One Pro: We recently published our Anker Soundcore Space One Pro review, a pair of over-ears that did impress us with solid features and booming bass. However, they don't make the cut because we felt they looked too chunky and their buttons didn't work reliably enough.

Beyerdynamic Aventho 300: These awesome wireless headphones very nearly made it into this guide, but they're still just a tad pricey against direct competition. For example, they're dearer than the Sony WH-1000XM5, which is an issue. Still, do read our Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 review as there really is a lot to love here.

Bose QuietComfort Headphones: The Bose QC Ultras are in this guide, but if you're looking for a cheaper alternative, the original QCs are worth your time. In our Bose QuietComfort review, you'll find they're also light, comfortable, sound great and have powerful ANC. No, they don't feel as modern or refined as the newer Ultras. But they'll suit anyone looking for a simple, no-frills option that still has the Bose seal of approval.

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3: Take a look at our Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 review and you'll see these headphones are premium through and through. And yes, the price reflects that, too – but they’re worth every penny. We only removed them from the guide above as they were replaced by the newer Px8 S2.

Earfun Wave Pro: These excellent Earfun cans have long been our 'best affordable' choice, but were pushed out by the newer, slightly more impressive 1More HQ51. Still, the Wave Pro on-ears are an excellent choice on a budget, they sound good, look nice and have a solid battery life to boot. If you find them discounted, even better. Read our full Earfun Wave Pro review for more.

FiiO FT1: We love the FiiO brand and these are the company's very first pair of closed-back over-ear headphones. We had high hopes, but read our FiiO FT1 review to find out more about why these headphones are a rare miss that we wouldn't recommend over many rivals.

Marshall Monitor III ANC: We've also had the opportunity to get an initial hands on with the Marshall Monitor III ANC over-ear headphones, an excellent-sounding pair of headphones that have a 70-hour battery life and a comfortable design. We'll need longer with them before we decide if they'll make this guide. But until then, take a look at our hands on Marshall Monitor III ANC review.

Nothing Headphone (1): despite thoroughly modern (almost cassette-like) looks and big claims, we just didn't think the sound quality of Nothing's first stab at over-ears was beating any class-leaders. We love the originality though – and the build quality is not to be sniffed at, as you'll see in our Nothing Headphone (1) review.

Sennheiser Accentum Plus: A very impressive pair of mid-range headphones from Sennheiser, and we've seen them fall to ridiculously low prices during sales season. They face a lot of very hot competition above and below them in their price range, which is squeezing them out of this list, but we really like them, and anyone looking for a pair of audiophile-baiting mid-range wireless headphones with noise cancellation should read our Sennheiser Accentum Plus review.

Sennheiser HD 505: Considering an open-back design? Give our Sennheiser HD 505 review a look. For the money, they get plenty right and don't leak as much sound as you might think. The thing is, the low end feels a little lacking, and fierce competition at the level means they're far from your only option…

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless: We love these five-star headphones, thanks to their rich sound, huge 60-hour battery life, and great features. But the Cambridge Audio P100 knocked them off this list by offering all that at a cheaper list price. The Sennheiser are often available with big discounts that make them super-tempting, so definitely read our Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless review to learn more about them.

Sony ULT Wear: Sony's bass-loving mid-range headphones are a perfectly good listen, but they're just a little shy of special, and a little too much to be a bargain. We still liked them, but it feels like you can get better bang for your buck. Our Sony ULT Wear headphones review digs into the full nuance.

Sony WH-1000XM5: The newer Sony XM6 may have taken the crown for ANC, but the XM5 are still a solid choice, especially if you spot a good deal (which you should regularly be able to find now). They're not a massive leap from the XM4, which is why those remain top of this guide, but you still get very good noise cancellation, great sound, and loads of smart features. Read our Sony WH-1000XM5 review for more.

Sony WH-CH720N: A good all-rounder pair of headphones, with a comfortable fit, very well-balanced sound, and noise cancellation that helps to make sure you can hear what's happening. We liked them a lot in our Sony WH-CH720N review, but there are headphones with more features and bigger soundstage for a similar price.

How to choose the best over-ear headphones

If you're looking at buying over-ear headphones, there are three key factors that will determine what will be the best over-ear headphones for you. The first factor, particularly nowadays, will be your budget. As you'd expect, the over-ear options with premium sound quality and performance features tend to come with premium price tags attached. But there are some notable exceptions, with some of the above options available at prices friendlier to most budgets without many (or any) compromises.

Naturally, the second factor in helping you determine the best over-ear headphones for you will be sound quality. How do they sound? Do you prefer a more neutral sound profile, or are you more searching for richer bass levels first and foremost? There are a number of elements that go into sound performance when it comes to headphones, so doing your research to determine which pair appeals most to you with its sound profile and performance quality is a must.

The third key factor when it comes to discovering the best over-ear headphones will be based on your needs. Do you need headphones with more battery life for long trips? Do you need the highest quality noise-cancelling to block out a noisy train carriage? Do you need to take your headphones exercising with you and therefore want headphones that are (at least) water resistant?

Knowing what your needs are is crucial to being able to find the best over-ear headphones that will meet those needs.

How we test the best over-ear headphones

If you're looking for a pair of the best over-ear headphones, this guide focuses on sound quality above all else.

You'll find cans we'd recommend for audiophiles and those working in professional roles through to the best over-ear options for those who simply want to focus at work or enjoy their favorite tunes at home.

To help you compare these headphones, we've recommended other models if we think that they might be better-suited in terms of price, sound and performance.

We have tested all of the headphones in this guide extensively, spending lots of time analyzing the sound, fit, design, specs, and value for money.

FAQ

What are the best over-ear headphones?

As we hinted above, the answer to what the best over-ear headphones are will vary from person to person depending on a number of factors.

Topping this list as our pick for the best all-rounders are the Sony WH-1000XM4, which combine stellar sound with active noise cancellation, wireless connectivity, audio upscaling, and a sleek design that's truly portable.

When it comes to the best over-ear headphones on a budget, we've picked out the Sony WH-C720N as our pick based on price, performance and particularly their versatility. Capable of offering as much with music as with gaming, these are a well-designed, eye-catching option that are hard to beat at the price.

When it comes to sheer sound quality alone, however, the Bowers & Wilkins PX8 might take the title with the less expensive and better balanced overall Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless nipping at its heels.

How much should I spend on over-ear headphones?

At a minimum, if you're looking to find headphones without significant compromises on performance and overall quality, you might struggle to find any options below AU$100. However, there are some exceptional options in the AU$100-AU$150 price range that will occasionally be discounted below AU$100 if you know where to look.

Meanwhile, if you have a stretchier budget and you're looking for premium quality headphones, you're going to be looking at around AU$300-AU$450 for top quality over-ear headphones.

Is it worth getting over-ear headphones?

Choosing over-ear headphones over earbuds or on-ear headphones is a personal choice, but generally over-ear headphones do provide on-average better battery life and improved sound quality than on-ear headphones or earbuds.

Thanks to being larger, they can pack in a larger battery along with more advanced features like superior drivers. By their very nature, they tend to provide excellent noise cancellation too as they cover your ears more comprehensively than earbuds.

They also are typically more comfortable to wear for longer periods than on-ear headphones and less fiddly than earbuds, but it does come down to your preference and needs to determine which options are the best fit for you.

Max Langridge
Senior Editor, Home Entertainment & Broadband (APAC)

Max is a senior staff writer for TechRadar who covers home entertainment and audio first, NBN second and virtually anything else that falls under the consumer electronics umbrella third. He's also a bit of an ecommerce fiend, particularly when it comes to finding the latest coupon codes for a variety of publications. He has written for TechRadar's sister publication What Hi-Fi? as well as Pocket-lint, and he's also the editor of Australian Hi-Fi and Audio Esoterica magazines. Max also dabbled in the men's lifestyle publication space, but is now firmly rooted in his first passion of technology.

With contributions from