Best Over-ear Headphones 2026

Ranked by aggregated score from RTINGS, Wirecutter, Tom's Guide and T3. Over-ear ANC and audiophile headphones — every premium pick tested and weighted.

SONY

Sony WH-1000XM6

#1 Overall over-ear Compare

Updated August 2026

Sony WH-1000XM6

The benchmark for noise cancellation

THE undig SCORE — 5 SOURCES, UNTANGLED

91

Out of 100

BOSE

Bose QuietComfort Ultra

#2 Overall over-ear Compare

Updated August 2026

Bose QuietComfort Ultra

Legendary comfort, immersive audio

THE undig SCORE — 5 SOURCES, UNTANGLED

90

Out of 100

SENNHEISER

Sennheiser Momentum 4

#3 Overall over-ear Compare

Updated August 2026

Sennheiser Momentum 4

60 hours of audiophile sound

THE undig SCORE — 5 SOURCES, UNTANGLED

86

Out of 100

APPLE

Apple AirPods Max 2

#4 Overall over-ear Apple Ecosystem Pick Compare

Updated August 2026

Apple AirPods Max 2

The ultimate headphone for the Apple ecosystem

THE undig SCORE — 5 SOURCES, UNTANGLED

83

Out of 100

JABRA

Jabra Evolve2 85

#5 Overall over-ear Compare

Updated August 2026

Jabra Evolve2 85

Built for the open-plan office

THE undig SCORE — 3 SOURCES, UNTANGLED

86

Out of 100

BOWERS & .

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3

#6 Overall over-ear Compare

Updated August 2026

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3

Audiophile sound meets ANC

THE undig SCORE — 4 SOURCES, UNTANGLED

83

Out of 100

BEYERDYNA.

Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X

#7 Overall over-ear Compare

Updated August 2026

Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X

Studio monitor precision for home listening

THE undig SCORE — 4 SOURCES, UNTANGLED

82

Out of 100

ANKER

Anker Soundcore Q45

#8 Overall Budget Pick Compare

Updated August 2026

Anker Soundcore Q45

Excellent ANC under €60

THE undig SCORE — 4 SOURCES, UNTANGLED

76

Out of 100

Compare

	SONY Sony WH-1000XM6	BOSE Bose QuietComfort Ultra	SENNHEISER Sennheiser Momentum 4	APPLE Apple AirPods Max 2	JABRA Jabra Evolve2 85	BOWERS & . Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3	BEYERDYNA. Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X	ANKER Anker Soundcore Q45
Score	91 / 100	90 / 100	86 / 100	83 / 100	86 / 100	83 / 100	82 / 100	76 / 100
Price	€300–€330	€320–€360	€280–€320	€549–€599	€380–€430	€350–€400	€199–€229	€50–€70
Rank	#1	#2	#3	#4	#5	#6	#7	#8
Sources	5 3A 1B 1C	5 3A 1B 1C	5 3A 1B 1C	5 3A 1B 1C	3 2A 1B	4 2A 1B 1C	4 2A 1B 1C	4 3A 1B
Expert verdict	RTINGS: Best Overall	Wirecutter: Runner-Up	Wirecutter: Also Great	Wirecutter: Also Great (Apple users)	RTINGS: Best Work Headset	T3: Design Award	RTINGS: Best Wired Studio	RTINGS: Best Budget
Top pro	Unmatched noise cancellation, especially on planes	Most comfortable over-ear headphones made	Exceptional audio quality at this price	Best-in-class integration with iPhone, Mac, and Apple TV	Outstanding microphone for calls	Best sound quality in the ANC category	Exceptionally accurate, uncoloured sound	Incredible value — ANC that rivals €200 headphones
Main con	Premium price	Slightly less ANC than Sony in extreme noise	ANC not as strong as Sony or Bose	Very expensive — double the price of Sony/Bose	Very expensive	ANC less effective than Sony/Bose	No wireless, no ANC	ANC not comparable to premium options
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