10 Great Pairs of Over-Ear Headphones Our Editors Swear By

Thanks to a few viral hits on TikTok in the past year, the Crusher Evo Sensory Bass skyrocketed in popularity for gymgoers. They deliver bass like the best of them and come with the ability to customize their audio with the Audiodo app. As far as battery life goes, they can hold up to 40 hours of playtime on a full charge and 4 hours of playtime on a 10-minute quick charge. Best of all is the fact these durable headphones are only $200, so you can get them sweaty and banged up without having to worry.

We raved about the Crusher Evo in our review best workout headphones. Now it's time to rave about them here.

Soundcore's Anker line of tech products is some of the best when it comes to delivering quality audio for an insanely affordable price. The Anker Life Q20 provides a nice cushioned feel and quality sound for all types of uses. It won't be anything close to what brands like Bowers & Wilkins and Bose put out, but that's not what they're aiming for. If you want a pair of headphones you can bang up—from wearing during yard work to wearing on the beach—then these are going to deliver time and time again. Guys, this is a $60 pair of headphones that really performs more like something you'd see retailing for $120.

Compatible with Alexa, the Bose 700s are the latest iteration of Bose's top-of-the-line noise-cancellation headphones. Like the models that came before the 700, these bad boys are pretty much the immediate go-to for frequent flyers. The 700 promises long-term comfort on the ears for hours thanks to a lightweight frame and perfectly cushioned ear pads. And as for sound quality, you're promised crisp and clear acoustics and deep bass, making it great for listening to music and watching movies during your long-haul flights. Keep these on hand with all your essential travel gadgets going forward.

The WH-1000XM5 headphones were viewed by many as Sony's answer to the AirPods Max. They're $100 less than than the AirPods Max, yet they pack insane sound quality thanks to a new Integrated Processor V1 chip for faster processing. The battery life holds up to 30 hours and can deliver up to 3 hours of playback on a 3-minute quick charge. The design is sleek and the headphones are easy to pack away. Oh, and the best part about these headphones is the hands-free calling, which makes the WH-1000XM5 great for taking a Zoom call when WFH or making a call at your gate before boarding a flight.

Marshall continues to impress with their array of headphones and Bluetooth speakers. As far as everyday headphones go, it's clear the MONITOR II A.N.C. is made for comfortable on-the-go use. They're made with highly cushioned ear pads and designed to collapse neatly into an accompanying travel bag.

As far as sound goes, the legacy brand added customized 40mm drivers to deliver a classic sound that works well when the Monitor II's headphones have noise cancellation on, and off. With noise cancellation on, they can last up to 30 hours on a single full charge. And with noise cancellation off—which is a crucial feature to have if you want to still hear the world around you while you're on your way to work—they can go up to 45 hours. Oh, and these cans come with Google voice assistance too.

We'll get our two cons of the AirPods Max out of the way: they have a high price point and are heavy on the head. Ok, now that's over we'll also tell you that you won't regret an investment in this pair of headphones. The AirPods Max is easy to pair and seamless to use with your iPhone. They have a top-of-the-line sound that features Apple's iconic spatial audio plus noise cancellation and transparency mode. We're also talking adaptive EQ and up to 20 hours of charge with noise cancellation or transparency mode turned on. As far as comfort goes, the mesh canopy band and memory foam ear cups are breathable and comfortable—the only time they get uncomfortable is with several hours of wear due to weight.

At the end of the day, you're going to get your best value out of these if you're an Apple user. You're going to pay a pretty price, but when you consider the amount of tech packed in—and the fact the AirPods Max has really become a fashion-statement when wearing in public—this is a pair of headphones that exists in a league of its own.

If you're a serious gamer you might be better off going with a big fat headset that's optimized for gaming only. Casual gamers, on the other hand, should aim for a headset that's more tame. The Beoplay Portal blends together beautiful design and high-quality B&O performance to give you a pair of over-ear headphones that work as a top-tier set of gaming headphones. They're compatible with PC, Xbox, and Playstation, and are outfitted with memory foam ear cups, adaptive surround sound, and customizable sound EQ.

The only downside is the mic might not be as up-to-standards as some gamers prefer, but it's pretty sweet for not being designed with a long arm that stretches out across your face. Best of all is the fact you can use them as a regular pair of over-ear headphones.

Named our "Most Durable Pair of Workout Headphones", the Project Rock Over-Ear Training Headphones are the gift that keeps on giving. Made with a durable IPX4 waterproof design and a battery that can hold up to 45 hours of playtime per charge, these headphones are capable of handling the nastiest and sweatiest workouts. Under Armour added Storm Super Grip technology to prevent the headphones from slipping—which works like a pro—and designed the ear cushions to be fast-drying.

The $300 retail price is more for Dwayne Johnson's name and the tough build of the headphone. The sound is definitely good but it's nothing like the noise-canceling headphones in the $300+ price range. The good news is these bad boys are on sale as we speak, and they're a dang good deal.

In the same manner as the Px lines before it, the Px7 S2 from Bowers & Wilkins are some of the most elite noise-canceling headphones around. The headphones are a lot like the Bose 700: lightweight, comfortable, and capable of producing incredibly crisp acoustics and deep bass. They're certainly good for flying, but after our dedicated Px7 S2 review, we found they feel more like quality headphones for audiophiles who don't want to shell out a grand for a pair of headphones. You can secure a pair for yourself and quickly become immersed in that early 90s rap catalog you've been meaning to explore. Or, you can gift these to your dad and watch as he cracks a smile the first time he turns on his favorite classic rock.

The Studio3 headphones work as excellent everyday headphones, but really where they shine is as a comfortable pair of gym cans. The ear pads are seriously soft, and hold tight even when you start to sweat. Even the cushioned headband feels good on the head. You're also promised heavy bass and a battery life that feels like it goes much longer than its reported 22 hours of playtime. Simply put, these headphones were made for a long and heavy lift at the power rack.