10 Best Overhead Headphones 2025 in the United States

The Beats Studio Pro headphones stand out in the overhead-headphones category with their impressive sound quality and noise-canceling features. The custom acoustic platform ensures a rich audio experience for both music and calls, making them suitable for various activities, from casual listening to professional audio monitoring. One of the notable strengths is the Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking, providing a 360-degree immersive sound experience that enhances your enjoyment.

Comfort is also a strong point, as the over-ear design offers a snug fit for extended wear, making them great for long listening sessions. With up to 40 hours of battery life and the Fast Fuel feature that gives you 4 hours of usage from just a 10-minute charge, these headphones are ideal for travel or daily commutes.

Connectivity is hassle-free thanks to one-touch pairing and Bluetooth 5.3 technology, which promises a stable connection and allows you to connect to multiple devices easily. However, while they are compatible with both Apple and Android devices, some users may find that certain features are more functional with Apple products. On the downside, the Beats Studio Pro headphones are not water-resistant, which could be a concern for those looking to use them during workouts or in wet conditions. Additionally, while the microphone quality is generally good, some users have reported that it can struggle in very noisy environments.

The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones stand out with their exceptional noise cancellation, making use of two processors and eight microphones to block out external noise effectively. This feature is ideal for those who need a distraction-free listening experience. The sound quality is top-notch, and the headphones deliver clear audio, making them a great choice for music lovers.

Comfort is another strong point, thanks to their lightweight design and soft fit leather, allowing for prolonged use without discomfort. The 30-hour battery life is impressive, and the quick charge feature is handy for those on the go, offering 3 hours of use from just a 3-minute charge. Connectivity is reliable with Bluetooth 5.2, and the touch controls add convenience for managing music and calls seamlessly.

The hands-free calling feature, supported by four beamforming microphones, ensures clear voice quality even in noisy environments, making it suitable for professionals. However, there are some drawbacks. The headphones are on the heavier side at 8.8 ounces, which might not be ideal for everyone. Additionally, the carrying case is made of plastic, which may not provide the best protection for the headphones. For those looking for durable headphones, this could be a concern. Lastly, while the microphone quality is generally good, it might not be the best in extremely noisy settings.

The Sony WH-1000XM5 is perfect for anyone looking for high-quality sound and excellent noise cancellation with a long battery life, particularly suitable for frequent travelers and professionals.

The Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones are a strong choice for anyone looking for high-quality wireless over-ear headphones, especially if noise cancellation is a priority. They use an advanced noise-canceling processor and 12 microphones to block out background sounds very effectively, which is great for traveling, working, or noisy environments. Sound quality is excellent, benefiting from collaboration with audio engineers and a lightweight driver that delivers clear, balanced audio with rich vocals and instruments.

Comfort is well thought out, featuring a wider headband with soft synthetic leather and easy adjustments for a pressure-free fit, making them comfortable for long listening sessions. Battery life is impressive, offering up to 30 hours on a single charge, and even a quick 3-minute charge can provide about 3 hours of playback, which is convenient for busy users. Connectivity is reliable with Bluetooth 5.3, supporting a decent range and compatibility with many devices. Additional features like adaptive noise control that adjusts based on your surroundings, clear call quality with multiple microphones, and support for high-resolution audio add more value.

On the downside, these headphones are not water-resistant, so they might not be the best choice for heavy outdoor use or workouts involving sweat. They also weigh around 9 ounces, which is fairly average but might feel a bit bulky to some. The foldable design and compact case help with portability but keep in mind they are priced on the higher end. The Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones provide excellent noise cancellation, sound clarity, comfort, and battery life, making them ideal for users who want premium wireless headphones for everyday use, travel, or studio-quality listening.