We buy our own products and put them under the same testing methodology so that you can easily compare them. Unlike most websites, we do not get our products directly from the manufacturers, which means our units aren’t handpicked and actually represent what you would buy yourself. We spend a lot of time comparing the products side-by-side to validate our results and we keep them until they are discontinued so we can continually go back and make sure our reviews are always accurate.
Whether you have a newer smartphone without a headphone jack or simply don’t want wires your way anymore, Bluetooth headphones are a great choice. However, choosing Bluetooth headphones can be difficult at times due to the various models and designs available. If you don’t like the way earbuds fit, you’ll likely want to consider over-ear headphones. They tend to be more comfortable and some even have great additional features like active noise cancelling (ANC). We’ve tested 359 headphones, of which 85 are Bluetooth over-ears, and here are our best picks for 2019.
Bose QuietComfort 35 II: Comfortable noise cancelling headphones
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Noise canceling: Yes
Wireless: Yes (can also be used wired)
The best Bluetooth over-ear headphones that we’ve tested so far are the Bose QuietComfort 35 II. They’re very versatile headphones with a comfortable design and easy-to-use control scheme. They also have a great battery life and one of the best active noise cancelling features on the market right now.
These headphones have great audio reproduction. They have deep bass that’s powerful enough to provide good punch and rumble without drowning out vocals and instruments, so they’re great for a wide range of music genres, from hip-hop to classical. Their noise isolation is also great and cancels a lot of ambient noise, like the rumbles of a plane engine or office chatter, which is great for office workers and frequent fliers.
Unfortunately, they do leak a bit at higher volumes, so people will be able to hear your music in quieter conditions, like a library. They’re also less customizable than other headphones we’ve tested since the Bose Connect app also doesn’t provide an EQ. That said, they’re still among the most comfortable headphones we’ve seen so far and are very easy to recommend thanks to how well they perform overall.
Sony WH- 1000XM3: Highly customizable premium headphones
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Noise canceling: Yes
Wireless: Yes (can also be used wired)
If you’re looking for Bluetooth over-ear headphones that offer great customization options on top of excellent noise isolation, get the Sony WH-1000XM3. They’re very well-built and are comfortable enough to wear for a while without issues. They have one of the best noise cancelling systems we’ve seen so far and leak less sound than the Bose QuietComfort 35 II, which is great if you work in a quiet office and don’t want to disturb your colleagues.
These headphones have a deep, bass-heavy sound that gives them a bit more punch on some tracks. Some will find this exciting, but others will find they sound a bit boomy and veiled. On the upside, their companion app has a great EQ, so you can adjust their sound profile to your liking.
They have a touch-sensitive control scheme that generally works well but can be a bit finicky at times, especially in colder climates. They also don’t support multi-device pairing, which is a bit disappointing if you like to keep your headphones paired to both your smartphone and work computer. Nevertheless, the Sony WH-1000XM3 are versatile customizable Bluetooth headphones that provide a solid experience all-around.
Plantronics Backbeat Pro 2: Versatile feature-packed headphones
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Noise canceling: Yes
Wireless: Yes (can also be used wired)
If you’re looking for Bluetooth over-ear headphones that provide excellent value for what they cost, get the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2. Their sound performance is great with a deep and rich bass. They are also versatile enough for commute and travel, thanks to their active noise cancelling feature. You also benefit from their unique control scheme that’s intuitive, easy-to-use, and provides great feedback with physical buttons.
These headphones have an exciting bass-rich sound that brings great thump and rumble to hip-hop, EDM, and house tracks without overpowering the vocals and instruments of other genres like rock or pop music. They have a great 30-hour battery life and even support aptX(LL), which means they can achieve low enough wireless latency to be suitable for watching TV, provided you have the right adapter.
Unfortunately, the slightly bulky style isn’t for everyone. Their noise cancellation is also only decent when compared to some of the more high-end models like the Sony WH-1000XM3 or the Bose QuietComfort 35 II. That said, they’re among the most feature-packed Bluetooth over-ears we tested so far, especially for their price, and provide excellent value overall.
Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless: Highly customizable headphones with a sleek design
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Wireless: Yes (can also be used wired)
Noise Cancelling: Yes
If you’re looking for highly customizable over-ear headphones that don’t cost quite as much as the Sony WH-1000XM3, consider the Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless. They used to be a lot more expensive, but their price has dropped steadily over time and now they provide better value than ever. They’re lightweight, well-built noise cancelling headphones that have a comfortable yet stable fit.
These headphones have a well-balanced default sound profile that’s suitable for nearly all music genres, but some may find they’re lacking a bit of bass. That’s where the Sennheiser Captune app comes in – it features a great parametric EQ that lets you fine-tune the sound of these headphones in great depth to better suit your tastes.
Although the PXC 550 do okay at reducing noise in the mid and treble ranges, they don’t isolate noise as well as some of the other premium ANC headphones we’ve tested, especially in the bass range. They’re definitely better than nothing, but commuters may find they let the low rumbles of bus engines into their music. That said, they have an excellent battery and their sleek, premium design is sure to please.
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Mpow H5: Decent budget headphones
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Noise canceling: Yes
Wireless: Yes (can also be used wired)
If you’re looking for decent Bluetooth over-ear headphones but don’t want to break the bank, go for the Mpow H10. They’re comfortable noise cancelling headphones that perform reasonably well overall and provide pretty good value for their price.
They sound decent for budget headphones and have a fairly well-balanced sound that’s suitable for most popular music genres. They have a great 23-hour battery life and can be used while charging, or even passively with a regular audio cable when the battery’s dead.
On the downside, these headphones feel rather cheaply made and are less well-built than some of the even cheaper models in Mpow’s line-up. When folding the earcups, they make a distinctive snapping noise. Although it sounds concerning, folding the earcups doesn’t seem to damage the headphones in any way; however, the build quality still feels mediocre at best. That said, the Mpow H10 provide a satisfactory listening experience otherwise and are worth considering overall.
This guide may have been updated. To see all measurements and the current recommendations for the best over-ear headphones, please go here.
