Best over-ear headphones 2023: wired and wireless over-ears for every budget

Best over-ear headphones 2023 Buying Guide: Welcome to What Hi-Fi?'s round-up of the best over-ear headphones you can buy in 2023.

Whether you are after a pair of wired over-ear headphones to indulge in a private listening session at home or to help you focus while working at your desk, or wireless over-ears to take out and about without clogging up your body with cables, the very best over-ear headphones will deliver great sound and design to immerse you in your music in comfort, regardless of their style. 

Unlike on-ear headphones, whose typically smaller earpads rest on your ears, over-ear headphones sit around your ears, with the earpads enclosing them fully for a more isolated listening experience. While on-ear and, of course, earbud designs certainly have a time and a place, the enveloping nature of over-ear headphones truly allows you to lose yourself in music. Not least the pairs that sound best...

How we choose the best over-ear headphones

These days, the best over-ear headphones come in many styles. You have wired models with open-back (which leak sound) or, more typically, closed-back (which don't) designs, predominantly for listening at home when portability isn't a priority (though wearing wires out and about is fine too, of course!) You can read all about the closed-back vs open-back headphones differences here.

It can be tricky for a manufacturer to push the sound performance of a product consistently from generation to generation, but that is what Sony has managed to do with the WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones (just like it did with the jump from the XM3 to the XM4, and the generational jumps before that in fact).

Not only that, it has been achieved while executing a major redesign. When we saw the official pictures of the Sony XM5, we were more than a bit surprised. We wondered whether it was a wise move to give one of Sony’s biggest success stories in recent memory a major redesign. But it's paid off.

The new Sony XM5 headphones might feel a little less premium to hold than before, but the jump in sound quality from the previous generation is a big one, and rivals could once again have their work cut out. If you are looking for the best over-ear noise cancelling headphones, your auditioning should start here. The older XM4 were already the best around and should still be a go-to for those with tighter budgets, but the XM5 are undoubtedly better for those who can afford to pay the premium.

Read the full Sony WH-1000XM5 review

See our pick of the best Sony headphones

The Prestige range of wired open-back headphones has been at the core of Grado’s output since it was first introduced three decades ago. While the series has developed over the years, Grado has always done so in small evolutionary steps. The story remains the same for this new ‘x’ generation.

Put the range-topping SR325x next to its immediate predecessor (the What Hi-Fi? Award-winning SR325e), and there’s little to separate them, apart from the new flatter foam earpads, updated cable and lighter coloured stitching on the firmly padded headband. Still, the difference is in the listening: the SR325x sound notably cleaner and clearer than their predecessor.

These headphones have always been detailed and articulate performers, and that hasn’t changed, but the ‘x’ generation sounds that bit more precise and insightful. 

These Grados once again prove that evolution is arguably a more reliable way of making things better than a headline-grabbing design revolution. The best just got better.

Read the full Grado SR325x review

Austrian Audio, born out of ex-AKG employees, has hit the ground running with its first-ever range of wired headphones, Hi-X. 

We’d consider the closed-back Hi-X15 an analytical pair of budget headphones, but they still manage to make music entertaining with it – they extract bags of detail but keep the soul of your music intact. Throughout the frequency range, these headphones deliver consistently high detail levels and fantastic dynamics. There isn’t an ounce of fat on any track played through the Austrian AudioHi-X15 headphones. But at the same time there’s enough weight and substance to low frequencies that you don’t feel as though you’re missing out. 

We wouldn't insist on you partnering them with a suitable DAC/headphone amplifier, but do so and you’ll be rewarded with a mature-sounding pair of headphones that go above and beyond at the money.

Read the full Austrian Audio Hi-X15 review

Focal’s entrance into this burgeoning premium Bluetooth noise-cancelling headphones market isn’t surprising considering its presence at the premium end of the wired space. And nor is the success of its first effort. The gorgeous-looking Bathys are highly recommendable for anyone after the convenience of portability in a premium pair of headphones at this price, who can stretch their budget above the B&W Px8 but not to the heights of the Mark Levinson No5.909 (below).

For a wireless headphone performance, it’s among the most engaging we have heard at this level. And if you want them to double up as home headphones for longer listening stints, which they are more than comfortable enough to wear for, know that going wired via the built-in DAC/USB-C port does add a degree of refinement and tightness to the delivery.

Noise cancellation is fairly non-intrusive to the performance, too, and if you need it – as we did on two flights during testing – it does a decent job of diminishing distracting outside world noise from your music listening in ‘Silent’ mode.

Read the full Focal Bathys review

Yes, they're expensive (prohibitively so for many). Yes, they come with an ugly, arguably pointless case. And yes, their packaging omits an audio cable and wall charger. Yet they've made it high up on this list of some of the best over-ear headphones on the market. 

Why? Because for Apple fans they're quite simply the best performing wireless headphones you can buy – and not by a small margin. In fact, their authenticity, detail, crispness and spaciousness elevate their audio quality so far above the previous best in the wireless noise-cancelling class that the comparison starts to become a little redundant, and you instead begin to consider them alongside proper hi-fi products.

Unsurprisingly, you do need an iPhone or iPad in order to get the best out of the AirPods Max. They will work with non-Apple products using standard Bluetooth 5.0, but you’ll miss out on many of their unique features, such as spatial audio and Siri voice control.

There’s no denying that they cost a lot more than typical products in this class but, if sound quality is king, we think they’re worth it.

Read the full Apple AirPods Max review

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Looking for a bargain? These quality closed-back wired headphones are among the best out there for the money. The solid build means these are going to last – AKG bent the cable 80,000 times during production just to test longevity. The padding is comfy, while the three-metre cable offers more than enough play for listening comfortably at home. This is a classic studio headphone design. While you could just about get away with wearing these out on the street, they’re not really designed for it. The long cable provides further proof.

And the sound? It’s expansive, with width and scale just not heard in the kind of headphones found on the high street at this sort of price. They opt for a neutral presentation, as favoured by pro audio brands, sounding smoother than similarly-priced Sennheiser HD201 and with better-controlled bass. The midrange isn't quite as clean as we'd like but for the money, these really are the best over-ear headphones if you're on a budget.

Read the full AKG K72 review

The Mark Levinsons enter our test room doors as the most expensive wireless pair we’ve tested and therefore do so with a weight of expectation on their shoulders. Can wireless performance ever be so good as to justify such an expense? You bet it can.

If we hadn’t unboxed the Levinsons and gone through the simple Bluetooth pairing process ourselves, we would be tempted to check for any wires dangling from the earcups. While the No. 5909’s performance is still short of the best available from similarly priced wired headphones, it’s easily the best wireless headphones performance we’ve come across.

Anyone who is after the convenience of wireless without sacrificing too much sound quality to get it, and lucky enough to afford such a best-of-both-worlds solution, the Mark Levinsons are highly recommendable.

Perceived value may not get top marks (they don't look as bling as they could), but sonic value certainly does – and that’s really what matters here. Mark our words, these wireless headphones really wow.

Read the full Mark Levinson No. 5909 review

Røde is a big name in the world of pro recording gear, but the NTH-100 are the brand's first headphones. And impressive first attempts they are too.

Initial impressions are not hugely promising – the NTH-100 are fairly unremarkable to look at and reasonably heavy (350g). However, things improve when we slip them on. The soft headband is incredibly comfortable and locks in place when you've found the perfect position. Genius.

It is with their audio quality that they really shine, though. Dual 40mm full-range drivers deliver a great sense of rhythmic expression and plenty of detail, and the midrange is the real star of the show, picking up even the slightest variations in tone or timbre.

The downsides? The ‘CoolTech’ gel in the memory foam earcups only stays cool up to a point and Austrian Audio's Hi-X15 (above) offer a cleaner sound. But all in all, the detail-heavy NTH-100 are a superb debut.

Read the full Røde NTH-100 review

Beyerdynamic’s Amiron headphones are extremely comfortable thanks to Alcantara micofibres and microvelour used in the earcups and headband. The open-back design means some sound leakage but the design brings an awesome spacious quality to your music. That sound is superb with a good grip on high frequencies, a clear midrange and fantastic sense of rhythm.

They sit on your head nicely, without feeling heavy, and the pads around their 45mm drivers allow plenty of space for larger ears. Connecting the cans to your amp is a 3m long cable, with a 6.3mm jack that unscrews to reveal a 3.5mm connection.

While open-backed headphones don't offer the same depth of bass as their closed-back cousins, there's no question that the Amirons serve up some solid, taut low-end. If you're after a pair of cans that are so comfy you could almost fall asleep in them, the impressive Amirons could be just the ticket. 

Note too that the wireless versions of the Amiron – fittingly called the Beyerdynamic Amiron Wireless – are among the best Bluetooth headphones we have heard and perhaps the pair of choice if you intend to listen wirelessly at home as much as outdoors.

Read the full Beyerdynamic Amiron review

The SR80 have spawned many variants within the company’s Prestige Series in the three decades since, and the fact that they are still a part of the all-new Prestige X Series makes them the longest-running Grado model. The all-new SR80x succeeds the 2014-released, multi-What Hi-Fi? Award-winning SR80e from the previous Prestige E Series.

Everything we like about their predecessors – their nimble-footedness, expressive, rolling dynamics, and insight across well-defined frequencies – has been inherited, and the punch and panache that have made the Prestige models such born entertainers are very much also part of the SR80x’s sonic signature. These are far from rich or even warm in tone, but an extra generous sprinkling of refinement this time round has made their forward, clinical presentation all the more palpable. 

Grado hasn’t torn up its own rulebook and revolutionised its legendary headphones, because it hasn’t needed to. But the tweaks made to the SR80x have certainly added value in the right direction. If you want budget open-backs for home use but can't afford the SR325x above, these are the pair for you.

Read the full Grado SR80x review

Beyerdynamic refers to the DT 900 Pro X as premium studio headphones. That had us scratching our collective heads. After spending some considerable time with them we still can’t figure out what makes these open-back over-ear headphones less suitable for home use. They’re well made, comfortable and sound great, so whether they are intended for the studio or not, we really like them.

Ultimately, these Beyerdynamics fulfil their 'studio' brief by delivering all the resolution, stability and control required to dissect a recording, but at the same time manage to convey the emotional impact of the music as well as anything we’ve heard at this level. If you’re looking for a quality pair of headphones at this price, put these at the top of your shopping list. Once you have a listen you’ll be glad you did.

If you prefer closed-back (non-leaky) designs, the closed-back siblings to to this pair, the Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X, are just as recommendable.

Read the full Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X review

Given Yamaha has its fingers in many more pies than Mr Kipling, maybe it is no surprise that the company’s smallish domestic headphone range tends to get overlooked.

But it seems like Yamaha is determined to change that with the introduction of the range-topping, special-edition (hence the 'SE') YH-5000SE. While there is a precedent for such a product in the form of the HP-1 of the mid-’70s, this is still a move that caught us by surprise. Having talked with the people behind the project, it is clear that Yamaha feels that there is a new market developing for wired headphones at this high-end level and would like to stake a claim before the sector truly takes off. We have to say that the Yamaha YH-5000SE is a fine way to do it.

There are no two ways about it, these Yamahas are mighty pricey for a pair of headphones. Yet, in our view, they justify that price with a depth of ability that we haven’t come across at this level before. Provided your partnering electronics are talented enough to make the YH-5000SE sing we can’t help but recommend these headphones highly. They are exceptional performers.

Read our full Yamaha YH-5000SE review

Focal has given its range-topping open-back headphones a gentle revamp. Not that they needed much work given that the original Utopia were right up there with the very best money could buy.

By headphone standards these are hugely expensive and are priced well beyond most of the top moving coil driver alternatives. But it is important to note that these Focals outperform them too. In fact, you would have to spend many times the Utopia’s hefty price to get speakers that can even approach the level of insight and resolution on offer here.

In our opinion these new Focal Utopia sit comfortably among the very best headphones money can buy. Feed them with a system of suitable quality and you’ll experience one of the finest sounds we’ve yet heard.

Read the full Focal Utopia (2022) review

Aspirational. That's the word that describes these headphones. Their price puts them out of the reach of most of us, but they are worth the money; they deliver performance in spades. Their sound is incredibly dynamic, too, with a spacious presentation and plenty of drive. 

Essentially, the Stellias are the closed-backed version of the Utopias (above) – one of the finest-sounding pairs of headphones on the planet. As you'd expect, the build quality is superb: high-quality leather and beautifully-machined metal pieces give the Stellias an aura of luxury. 

Inside the classy box, you'll find a carrying case and a choice of two cables: a 1.2m lead with a 3.5mm jack (plus a 6.3mm adaptor) and a 3m lead with a 4-pin XLR plug. While use with phones may not have been at the forefront of Focal’s mind, it would have been nice to see an in-line remote and microphone.

In absolute terms, the open-backed Utopias sound more transparent and subtle. But if you prefer a closed design and a bit more portability, the Stellias are arguably the best we’ve heard. Start saving.

Read the full Focal Stellia review

We’re impressed with the wired Austrian Audio Hi-X55. They are nicely built and relay a track very faithfully. They won’t be for everyone – they aren’t as easy a listen as some rivals due to their lean, forward balance and will certainly be unforgiving with some recordings. This character trait is where the fine Austrian Audios differ from their most obvious rivals, the smoother-sounding (four-star) Philips Fidelio X3 and more balanced (five-star) Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X: they are far more analytical and ‘professional’ in their presentation.

But if you want to hear what is truly in a track or recording, you won’t find better analysts at this price. Definitely worth an audition.

Prefer an on-ear fit? The Austrian Audio Hi-X50 are just as impressive. As are the company's open-back Hi-X65 over-ears – fine alternatives to the Grado SR325x that feature higher up this list. Indeed, Austrian Audio has been nothing but consistent so far in its relatively short life.

Read our full Austrian Audio Hi-X55 review

Sennheiser has tried to get around the usual reverberation issues of closed-back headphones by using Corning Gorilla Glass over the drive units on the HD 820. And it works a treat. Low frequencies have plenty of authority, with punchy bass and there's a high level of agility and precision too. Dynamics shifts are rendered with skill, while organisation is on point. 

Exceptional sonic abilities aside, the HD 820 are typically Sennheiser. They’re classy and well made, built sturdily enough to return years of enjoyment. It's obvious someone has thought carefully about the materials, from the plastics on the earcup to the metal on the headband and microfiber earpad. As you may have guessed from the price tag, they're intended for home use and come with a range of cables including one with an XLR4 connection on the amp end. 

These over-ear headphones aren't cheap, and you'll need a high quality source and a DAC to hear them at their best. But for the serious home listener, they come highly recommended. 

Read the full Sennheiser HD 820 review

The 10-year-old, original T1 models are something of a touchstone for us as far as premium headphones go. The main change between this third-generation model and its predecessor is that the new pair is easier to drive for laptops and mobile devices. The old model had a 600ohm impedance, while this new one takes that down to 32ohms.

The results are a sound that's very similar to the originals but cleaner and clearer if anything, slightly less bright and a little more rounded in the treble too, making them a bit more forgiving of aggressive electronics and recordings. There's that same delivery of music with a palpable sense of power and authority, and vocals come through with nuance and clarity, too.

They’re comfortable enough for long listening sessions thanks to a nicely shaped, partially Alcantara-covered headband and generous velour-trimmed earpads. These aren’t the kind of open-back headphones that impress on a short listen. However, given a few days or even weeks, it’s hard not to fall under their spell. We certainly have.

Want closed-back versions? See the Beyerdynamic T5 (3rd Generation) review

Read the full Beyerdynamic T1 (3rd Generation) review

Any headphones at this level are likely to be highly revealing performers, so don’t let the inclusion of a 3.5mm jack and relatively short lead here tempt you into using your phone as the primary source. While the Clear Mg have a relatively gentle impedance of 55 ohms and generous 104dB/W/m sensitivity, which means they will produce decent volume levels in most set-ups, you really need quality electronics to justify their expense.

Fed a decent music signal from a decent music source and the Clear Mg sound fantastic. Focal has done a terrific job with the Clear Mg. They’re talented performers that stay comfortable over extended listening sessions. Add excellent build and finish into the equation and we think they're right up there with the best at the price. Highly recommended.

Read the full Focal Clear Mg review

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How we test the best over-ear headphones

Here at What Hi-Fi? we review hundreds of products every year, including bucketfuls of over-ear headphones. After all, the likes of Sony, Bose, Apple and Sennheiser often update their pairs fairly regularly, and that isn't even taking into account all the other renowned headphones brands. So how do we come to our review verdicts? And why can you trust them?

We have state-of-the-art testing facilities in London, Bath and Reading in the UK, where our team of expert reviewers, who have a combined 100 years of experience, carries out our testing. We have price-appropriate DACs to help us test wired headphones, and put wireless noise-cancelling pairs through the wringer in working offices, out and about on city streets, and on public transport too.

We spend weeks with every pair to ensure every aspect is reviewed thoroughly, from their comfort and build to features and performance. And while one single reviewer at What Hi-Fi? writes the review, all verdicts are agreed upon by the team as a whole, helping to ensure consistency and avoid individual subjectivity.

As over-ear headphones come in multiple forms – wired or wireless, noise-cancelling or not, open-back or closed-back – and naturally span a wide price spectrum, we keep hold of class leaders of every type and budget to compare with each pair we review to determine its star rating and position in this eminent list.

Indeed, from all of our reviews, we choose the products to feature in our Best Buys, such as this one. That's why if you take the plunge and buy one of the products recommended above, or on any other Best Buy pages, you can be rest assured you're getting a What Hi-Fi?-approved product.

You can read more about how we test and review products on What Hi-Fi? here.