Rankings

Every category, ranked

Two ways to rank: our expert score, or the community's head-to-head votes. Both update live.

Over-ear ranking

Best over-ear by expert score

Ranked by expert consensus. Ties under 0.1 share a rank.

01Sony · 2020WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise Canceling HeadphonesBest overall in this rankingOver-ear · 20209.3ExcellentCheck priceSee specs

02Sony · 2022WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Canceling HeadphonesStrong runner-upOver-ear · 20229.2ExcellentCheck priceSee specs

03Bose · 2023QuietComfort Ultra HeadphonesWorth a lookOver-ear · 20238.9Very goodCheck priceSee specs

04Sony · 2026WH-1000XM6Over-ear · 20268.9Very goodCheck priceSee specs

05Bowers & Wilkins · 2026PX8 S2Over-ear · 20268.8Very goodCheck priceSee specs

06AppleAirPods Max 1 (USB-C)Over-ear8.7Very goodCheck priceSee specs

07AppleAirPods Max 1 (Lightning)Over-ear8.7Very goodCheck priceSee specs

08AppleAirPods Max 1Over-ear8.7Very goodCheck priceSee specs

09Apple · 2020AirPods MaxOver-ear · 20208.7Very goodCheck priceSee specs

10Sennheiser · 2022Momentum 4 WirelessOver-ear · 20228.7Very goodCheck priceSee specs

11Sony · 2026WH-CH730NOver-ear · 20268.7Very goodCheck priceSee specs

12Sonos · 2026Ace UltraOver-ear · 20268.5Very goodCheck priceSee specs

13Sennheiser · 2026Momentum 5Over-ear · 20268.5Very goodCheck priceSee specs

14Apple · 2026AirPods Max 2Over-ear · 20268.4Very good$149eBaySee price at eBay

15Nothing · 2026Headphone (1) ProOver-ear · 20268.3Very goodCheck priceSee specs

16Bose · 2026QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)Over-ear · 20268.3Very goodCheck priceSee specs

17NothingHeadphone (a)Over-ear8.0Very goodCheck priceSee specs

18SonyINZONE H5 Wireless Gaming HeadsetOver-ear7.9GoodCheck priceSee specs

19Beats · 2026360Over-ear · 20267.9Good$340eBaySee price at eBay

20Bose · 2026QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)Over-ear · 20267.6GoodCheck priceSee specs

21JBL · 2026Live 780NCOver-ear · 20267.6GoodCheck priceSee specs

22Beats · 2023Studio Pro Wireless HeadphonesOver-ear · 20237.1GoodCheck priceSee specs

23Soundcore · 2026Life Q20Over-ear · 20267.0GoodCheck priceSee specs

Showing 23 of 69 over-ear.How we score →Vote in a showdown →