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.
Shopping for headphones can be difficult at times due to the various models and designs available. If you’re not a big fan of in-ears and want a comfortable headset to enjoy your music without being distracted by the noise of your daily commutes, then a closed-back over-ear is probably your best bet. They suit most listeners due to their versatility and usually have good noise isolation; they’re also more comfortable on average than on-ear design. We’ve tested 272 headphones, of which 196 are closed-backs and below are our top 5 picks for 2018.
Bose QuietComfort 35 II: Comfortable wireless noise cancelling headphones
Type: Over-Ear
Noise canceling: Yes
Wireless: Yes
The Bose QuietComfort 35 II are the best over-ear closed-back headphones we’ve tested so far. They’re very comfortable and have an easy-to-use wireless design. They sound great and have one of the best ANC systems we’ve seen so far, which makes them a very good choice for use at the office or while commuting.
The Bose QC 35 II have a very well-balanced sound. Their bass is deep and punchy while their mid and treble ranges are fairly neutral with slight emphasis on vocals and instrumentals. On the upside, their noise isolation cancels out a lot of noise and ambient chatter, making them a great choice for users who fly a lot, take the bus, or have a somewhat noisy office.
Although the QuietComfort 35 II are good choice for most music genres, their mobile app doesn’t come with an EQ like the similarly designed Sony WH-1000XM3. The QC 35 II also leak quite a bit more at higher volumes. That said, they are easily among the most comfortable headphones we’ve tested so far, which will make the difference for some listeners.
Sony WH-1000XM3: Wireless noise cancelling headphones with more customization options
Type: Over-Ear
Noise canceling: Yes
Wireless: Yes
If you’re looking for more customizable closed-back headphones, go for the Sony WH-1000MX3 instead. These wireless over-ears feel like premium headphones with a durable, yet stylish build and touch sensitive controls. They’re compatible with the great Sony | Headphones Connect app which provides multiple customization options, like a graphic 5-band EQ with presets, room effects, and ANC control, all of which make them very good travel headphones.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 have deep, heavy, and punchy bass that’s perfect for EDM genres like house or dubstep, but some may find they sound a bit warm. However, but you can customize their sound in-app to better suit your tastes. The XM3 also have even better ANC and their outstanding noise isolation performance makes them very good travel headphones. They have a great 27-hour battery life and a quick charge feature that gives you up to 5 hours of listening from a 10-minute charge.
The XM3 have a touch-sensitive control scheme that feels complete and generally easy-to-use, but it doesn’t provide the same level of feedback that physical controls do, especially in colder climates. If this isn’t an issue for you, though, the Sony WH-1000XM3 are worth considering thanks to their great build quality and customizability.
Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2: Feature-packed wireless headphones at a reasonable price
Type: Over-Ear
Noise canceling: Yes
Wireless: Yes
If you’re looking for closed-back headphones that deliver a satisfying listening experience without breaking the bank, consider the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2. They’re easy-to-use wireless noise cancelling over-ears that provide excellent value for their price. They have a durable, comfortable build and a satisfying bass-rich sound that’s well-suited to a variety of music genres.
The Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 sound surprisingly well-balanced considering how deep their bass is. They can bring out the low thump and rumble of your heaviest dubstep tracks without overpowering the vocals and lead instruments of your favorite rock or pop songs. They have a long 30-hour battery life with lots of power saving features, like an auto-off timer and smart pause. They’re great for long days at the office, especially since they have relatively low leakage, so you can enjoy your music at work without bothering your colleagues.
Unfortunately, the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 aren’t the sleekest headphones. They’re rather bulky and don’t look as stylish as other headphones we’ve tested in the same price range. Their noise isolation performance is also rather ordinary for ANC headphones. However, considering their reasonable price point, they’re very easy to recommend overall.
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Audio-Technica ATH-M50x: Best-sounding wired closed-back headphones
Type: Over-Ear
Noise canceling: No
Wireless: No
If you’re looking for wired headphones that sound great but are versatile enough to use while out and about, get the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x. They have a sturdy build that feels built to withstand daily use and large, comfortable ear cups that are suitable for long listening sessions. Whether you’re an up-and-coming artist or a seasoned producer, the M50x are great critical listening headphones that are worth considering, especially for their price.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x have excellent, powerful bass, an outstanding, neutral mid-range, and great, well-balanced treble. They’re suitable for pretty much all music genres and since they’re wired, they have virtually no latency. This means they’re a great choice for not only recording and mixing tracks, but also for watching movies or even gaming if you don’t need a mic.
Since they’re studio headphones, the ATH-M50x don’t come with any controls or unique functions like ANC. Even though they’re closed-back, they don’t have very good noise isolation. They’re also slightly leaky, so you might disturb those around you if like to listen to your music on the louder side. On the upside, they more than make up for it with their great sound and durable design, especially for the price.
Jabra Elite Active 65t: Versatile closed-back truly wireless in-ears
Type: Truly wireless In-Ear
Noise canceling: No
Wireless: Yes
If you’re looking for something with a smaller form factor, then consider the Jabra Elite Active 65t. These compact truly wireless headphones have a closed-back design and an in-ear fit that isolate well in noisy conditions, making them a good choice for commuters on-the-go. They have a nice matte finish that makes them feel like premium headphones and are rated IP56 for dust and water resistance. They come with a portable charging case that you can easily slide into your pockets or gym bag and are great sports headphones overall.
The Jabra Elite Active 65t have a fairly well-balanced sound that’s decent for in-ears. If you download the Jabra Sound+ app, you can customize their sound profile to better fit your tastes with a 5-band EQ, and even create profiles that activate in certain locations, like at work or home.
Unfortunately, they don’t have the most comfortable in-ear design we’ve tested since their earbuds are quite a bit bulkier than average. They also have poor Bluetooth latency and can’t be used wired. That said, their closed-back design and great isolation makes them quite versatile overall and they deliver a solid experience for most uses.
This guide may have been updated. To see all measurements and the current recommendations for the best closed-back headphones, please go here.
