These Are the Best Over-Ear Headphones You Can Buy in 2026

If you're an audiophile who values the best sound possible even while using ANC, look no further than the Sony WH-1000XM6. I've been a loyal customer of the 1000X line for many years and always end up going back to these headphones for most of my listening sessions. They also have the best ANC feature of any other headphones and are very comfortable. You can read about the headphones in more detail in my review.

The latest AirPods Max 2 make it into the list because Apple users will always value staying in the Apple ecosystem. But that's not the only reason: Apple’s AirPods Max 2 are excellent ANC headphones, have quality audio, and an impressive design. The biggest upgrades to the AirPods Max 2 include the new "dynamic range" amplifier, live translation, and Apple's H2 chip. If you're in the Apple ecosystem and want to stay there, then the AirPods Max 2 might be the best fit. Keep in mind they are much heavier than most headphones (but just as comfortable). You can read about the headphones in more detail in PCMag's review.

Over-ear headphones can get pretty pricey, but you don't need to spend rent money on a great pair. The Anker Soundcore Space One gives you the best bang for your buck in this roundup with many high-end features, including an impressive ANC quality for its price, LDAC Hi-Res audio codec, offering better audio quality than most Bluetooth headphones, and a great companion app. You'll get up to 55 hours of battery life, too. If you're a stickler for button placement and design, you might have some issues with the Space One. But for under $100, who’s complaining? You can read more about it in PCMag's "excellent" review.

There is an argument to be made that the headphones with the best battery life should be those that have a set number of measurable hours to count, but when that number could be impossible to measure, there’s a clear winner. The Urbanista Los Angeles headphones have solar charging technology that can potentially give them an unmeasurable number of hours of playtime (as long as you keep charging them with the sun). They give you up to 80 hours when they're fully charged, but as long as you keep them in the sun, you should not run out of battery. You can read about the headphones in more detail in PCMag's review.

If you’re looking to tune out the world with ANC, the QuietComfort Ultra currently offers the best noise-canceling technology in the market. If you can shell out the money for these headphones, you’ll be getting one of the most lightweight, comfortable, and best-sounding headphones on the market. But what really sets them apart is how useful these headphones can be in a loud environment. You can take a call with zero problems—the headphones can pick out your voice in a crowded place, so you can still be heard clearly. You can read about the headphones in more detail in PCMag's review.

Audiophiles who have been buying the best headphones for years will not be surprised by the Sony MDR7506 making the list of the best wired pair. They were originally launched in 1991 and, while they've been improved since that time, they're still fairly basic. That said, there's a reason they have been a staple in the music and audio industry for many years: They're comfortable, offer a neutral sound, and have parts that can be replaced, which is unheard of in today's market. If you're looking for reliable headphones that's wired and will give you a great listening experience, the Sony MDR7506 are worth considering. You can watch a video breakdown from CNET for more details.

The Sony ULT WEAR headphones have been around since 2024, and their sale price of $149.99 (originally $250) reflects that age. At that price, the ULT WEAR offer incredible value, considering they have solid ANC and share the Sony Sound Connect app with the flagship Sony headphones. These headphones came out when the flagship Sony WH-1000XM5 came out and are a tier below them. The ULT lineup has a powerful bass that can be activated with the "ULT" bass button, which has two levels to enhance the low frequencies. They feature a battery life of up to 44 hours with ANC on, have decent mic quality, and are comfortable to wear for long periods.