Over-ear headphones are headphones that feature large ear cups that completely seal around your ears rather than resting on them like on-ear headphones or fitting inside the ear like in-ear headphones. Over-ear headphones are popular choices for people because they’re comfortable, deliver rich sound and let you focus more on the music and podcasts you like to listen to or the videos you like to watch. Over-ear headphones use an adjustable headband to distribute weight and soft ear cups to give wearers a comfortable fit.

When you’re shopping for over-ear headphones, look for ones that have active noise-cancelling features that let you focus on studying, working, listening to music or podcasts by drowning out background noise like air conditioners, airplane engines, car noises or people talking. They use digital signals that cancel outside noise before it bleeds into your headphones. If you’re working on projects with others, look for headphones with a transparency mode or ambient mode. They can help you stay focused on what’s happening around you by letting some sound in while you wear your headphones. If you need to answer phone calls or participate in video meetings, consider getting headphones with a built-in microphone. If you use multiple devices, make sure your headphones can easily connect to tablets like iPads, Android tablets and Microsoft Surfaces or laptops like MacBooks, Windows laptops, Copilot+ PC laptops, Googlebooks, Chromebooks and gaming laptops. For convenient storage and portability, consider headphones that fold flat and come with their own case.

Over-ear headphones have multiple advantages over on-ear headphones, particularly when it comes to sound quality, comfort and noise cancellation. Over-ear headphones have larger ear cups that fully surround the ears, helping you block out background noise for a more immersive listening experience. Their cushioned ear cups also provide greater comfort for longer listening sessions by reducing pressure directly on your ears. On-ear headphones rest directly on your ears, which allows more outside noise to leak in. Many over-ear headphones feature larger audio drivers that deliver rich sound and deep bass, along with additional features like active noise cancellation and adjustable sound settings. This makes them a great choice for enjoying music or watching movies from your home theatre system. Make sure your decision is made based on your personal preferences, listening habits and the features you’ll actually use.

Closed-back headphones are designed with sealed ear cups that block outside noise and keep sound inside. Open-back headphones have perforated or vented ear cups that let air and sound pass through. Closed-back headphones create a narrower, more intimate and focused sound, while open-back headphones create a wide, natural and speaker-like soundstage. Closed-back headphones are best used in noisy environments or for recording music, while open-back headphones are better for quieter home spaces. Their breathable ear pads reduce heat and pressure for long listening sessions. When you’ve chosen the right pair of headphones, check out our range of headphone accessories to add to your listening experience.

To clean your over-ear headphones and keep them in good shape, turn them off, unplug any audio cables or charging cables and remove their ear pads if they’re detachable. Lightly dampen a microfibre cloth with mild dish soap and water, then gently wipe the exterior to remove dirt, sweat and oils. For hard-to-reach spaces, use cotton swabs to carefully remove any buildup. When you’re finished, you can use disinfecting wipes to sanitize them. Let your headphones air-dry completely before using them again. When you regularly clean your headphones, you can prevent dirt, dust, sweat and earwax from building up while keeping them in good condition.

Yes, over-ear headphones can be comfortable to wear with glasses, especially if you have headphones with soft, cushioned ear cups and an adjustable headband. Look for headphones with deep ear cups that can fit around your ears without putting too much pressure on your glasses. That way, pressure can be distributed around the frames of your glasses, helping reduce the chance of damage or discomfort. If you find over-ear headphones uncomfortable with glasses, consider alternative options like Apple AirPods or earbuds that can fit inside your ears without pressing against your glasses.