Top 10 Over-Ear Headphones in 2027 — Best Overall + Best Value

Direct Answer

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 is our Best Overall over-ear headphone for 2027 — a refined second-generation flagship that pairs class-leading active noise cancellation with Bose's Immersive Audio spatialization, 30 hours of battery with ANC engaged, and the most comfortable clamp force in the premium tier.

The Soundcore Space Q45 takes Best Value at roughly $130: it ships with LDAC support, 50 hours of ANC battery, and a tuning that punches well above its price against headphones costing 3-4x more. This list ranks the ten over-ear headphones worth buying in 2027 for travelers, commuters, audiophiles, studio engineers, gamers, and budget-conscious shoppers who want real sound quality without paying flagship money.

How We Ranked the Top 10 Over-Ear Headphones in 2027

Rankings weigh sound quality (frequency response neutrality, driver behavior, codec support), active noise cancellation effectiveness, battery life with and without ANC, build quality and comfort over long sessions, app and EQ flexibility, microphone clarity for calls, and price-to-performance.

We pulled test data from RTINGS.com, professional measurement work from Crinacle and Audio Science Review, roundup coverage from Wirecutter, Soundguys, What Hi-Fi, Headphonesty, and Headfonia, and aggregated owner feedback from Reddit r/headphones.

Weightings used:

• Sound quality — 30%
• Active noise cancellation — 20%
• Comfort and build — 15%
• Battery life and codec support — 15%
• Price-to-performance — 10%
• App, EQ, and firmware support — 10%

Wired-only audiophile headphones are included where they remain the genuine reference at their price (the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro), but the bulk of this list focuses on wireless ANC-capable models that match how most people actually listen in 2027.

1. Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 🏆 BEST OVERALL

Price: $429 | Best for: Travelers and commuters who want flagship ANC with all-day comfort

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 is the consensus 2027 pick for premium over-ear noise cancellation and the easiest recommendation for anyone who flies regularly or works in noisy open offices. The second-generation tuning fixes the slightly recessed mids of the original Ultra with a flatter response, 35 mm dynamic drivers push a usable 10 Hz - 20 kHz range, and Bose's Immersive Audio mode now works reliably with stationary and motion-locked head tracking.

ANC measurably outperforms the Sony WH-1000XM6 on low-frequency cabin drone in RTINGS testing, battery is rated at 30 hours with ANC (24 with Immersive Audio enabled), and the 254 g weight with plush memory-foam cups stays comfortable across long-haul flights.

Pros:

• Class-leading ANC — measurably stronger low-frequency attenuation than the XM6
• Immersive Audio spatialization with head tracking
• 30-hour ANC battery plus USB-C wired listening
• The most comfortable clamp force in the premium tier

Cons:

• No LDAC or aptX Lossless — Bose still ships AAC and SBC only

Verdict: The best all-around premium over-ear headphone you can buy in 2027.

2. Sony WH-1000XM6

Price: $449 | Best for: Audiophile-leaning ANC buyers who want LDAC and the deepest app control

Sony's WH-1000XM6 is the closest competitor to the Bose and the right pick for buyers who prioritize codec support and sound customization over absolute ANC depth. It ships with 30 mm carbon-fiber drivers, full LDAC support up to 990 kbps, AAC, SBC, and the new LC3 codec for Auracast-enabled devices.

ANC is excellent — not quite Bose level on aircraft drone but better on midrange voice rejection — and Sony's Headphones Connect app remains the most powerful EQ and ANC profile system on the market. Battery is rated at 30 hours with ANC, the cups now fold flat for travel, and call clarity matches or beats the Bose thanks to upgraded beamforming mics.

Pros:

• Full LDAC at 990 kbps for high-resolution streaming
• 30-hour ANC battery with fast charge
• Sony's app ecosystem — best-in-class EQ and ANC granularity
• Improved beamforming microphones for calls

Cons:

• Slightly recessed lower-treble can feel polite next to the Bose

Verdict: The second-best premium ANC headphone and the LDAC pick for Android audiophiles.

3. Apple AirPods Max (USB-C, 2024 refresh)

Price: $549 | Best for: Apple ecosystem buyers who want Spatial Audio with head tracking

The AirPods Max USB-C refresh keeps the same 40 mm dynamic drivers and H1 chip as the original but adds USB-C charging, 24-bit lossless playback over a wired USB-C connection, and refined firmware tuning. Inside the Apple ecosystem it remains unmatched — instant pairing across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV, Personalized Spatial Audio with head tracking from any source, automatic device switching, and Find My integration.

The all-aluminum cups and stainless headband feel premium in hand but push the weight to 384 g, which becomes noticeable after 2-3 hours. ANC is excellent, battery is 20 hours, and Transparency mode is the most natural-sounding pass-through on this list.

Pros:

• 24-bit lossless over USB-C wired
• Personalized Spatial Audio with head tracking
• Tight Apple ecosystem integration
• Best-in-class Transparency mode

Cons:

• 384 g weight is the heaviest in the wireless group

Verdict: The Apple-ecosystem pick — flagship ANC with the deepest iOS integration.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

Price: $380 | Best for: Sound-first buyers who want neutral tuning over flashy ANC

The Momentum 4 Wireless is the audiophile's wireless pick in this price tier — Sennheiser's house tuning leans neutral with a gently extended low end, the 42 mm transducers deliver more soundstage width than any closed-back ANC competitor, and aptX Adaptive support pairs cleanly with newer Android phones.

Battery is the standout: 60 hours with ANC enabled, double the Sony and Bose, which makes it the obvious pick for week-long trips without a charger. ANC is good but not flagship — RTINGS rates it behind the Bose Ultra 2 and Sony XM6 — and the headband is slightly less plush than its predecessor.

Pros:

• 60-hour ANC battery — the longest in the premium group
• aptX Adaptive codec support
• Neutral, audiophile-leaning tuning
• Wider soundstage than other closed-back competitors

Cons:

• ANC is good but a tier below Bose and Sony

Verdict: The sound-first wireless pick for buyers who care more about tuning than ANC depth.

5. Sonos Ace

Price: $449 | Best for: Existing Sonos owners who want TV Audio Swap and home-theater integration

The Sonos Ace is Sonos's first over-ear headphone and the only flagship in this group with TV Audio Swap — a one-button handoff that moves the audio from your Sonos Arc or Arc Ultra soundbar directly into your headphones for late-night TV. It supports Dolby Atmos with head tracking, lossless audio over a USB-C cable, and 30 hours of battery with ANC.

The 40 mm dynamic drivers are tuned slightly warm, the 312 g chassis uses memory foam and stainless steel, and ANC measures competitively against the Bose QC45 generation — a tier behind the Ultra 2 and XM6 but very usable.

Pros:

• TV Audio Swap with Sonos soundbars
• Dolby Atmos with head tracking
• Lossless over USB-C
• Premium build with memory foam cups

Cons:

• App integration is thinner than Sony or Bose outside the Sonos ecosystem

Verdict: The Sonos-owner pick and a strong general flagship if you live in the Sonos world.

6. Soundcore Space Q45 💎 BEST VALUE

Price: $130 | Best for: Budget-conscious buyers who want LDAC and 50-hour battery for under $150

The Soundcore Space Q45 is the sweet spot of the 2027 over-ear market and Wirecutter's standing budget pick — a real LDAC-capable wireless headphone with adaptive ANC, 50 hours of battery with ANC, and a tuning that lands well above its price tier in Soundguys measurements.

40 mm dynamic drivers deliver a slightly V-shaped consumer-friendly response, the adaptive ANC measurably beats most $200-$300 competitors on low-frequency drone, and the Soundcore app provides EQ, ANC modes, and firmware updates. Build is plastic but solid at 293 g, and it folds flat for travel.

Pros:

• LDAC under $150 — rare at this price
• 50-hour ANC battery
• Adaptive ANC that beats most mid-tier competition
• Foldable for travel

Cons:

• Plastic build and microphone are clearly budget-tier

Verdict: The best price-to-performance over-ear headphone on the market — the value pick of the list.

7. Sony WH-CH720N

Price: $150 | Best for: Lightweight commuters who want a brand-name ANC pick under $150

Sony's WH-CH720N is the other sub-$150 entry worth considering and the right buy if you want Sony's app, codec support, and reliability without paying flagship money. At 192 g it's the lightest wireless ANC headphone on this list — noticeably lighter than the Space Q45 and almost half the AirPods Max.

It supports AAC and SBC (no LDAC, the one knock at this tier), ANC handles voice rejection well in offices and coffee shops, battery is 35 hours, and the Headphones Connect app gives you the same EQ controls as the flagship XM6.

Pros:

• 192 g — the lightest wireless ANC on this list
• Sony app and 35-hour battery
• Reliable Bluetooth multipoint
• Strong call clarity for the price

Cons:

• No LDAC and a less effective ANC than the Space Q45

Verdict: The lightweight commuter pick under $150 for Sony app fans.

8. Bowers & Wilkins Px8

Price: $700 | Best for: Premium audiophiles who want wireless flagship sound with aptX Adaptive

The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 is the audiophile-flagship wireless pick — a $700 premium headphone with 40 mm carbon-cone drivers, full aptX Adaptive and aptX HD support, 24-bit USB-C wired playback, and a Nappa leather and cast-aluminum build that genuinely justifies the price in hand.

Sound is the most refined in this group: tight bass control, neutral mids, and the most natural midrange detail of any wireless headphone tested by What Hi-Fi in the past two cycles. ANC is good but a tier behind Bose and Sony — B&W tuned it lightly to preserve sonic transparency.

Battery is 30 hours with ANC, the 320 g weight feels distributed well, and the carrying case is the nicest in this group.

Pros:

• Carbon-cone drivers — the most refined wireless sound on this list
• aptX Adaptive and 24-bit USB-C wired
• Nappa leather and cast-aluminum build
• 30-hour ANC battery

Cons:

• $700 is hard to justify if ANC depth matters more than sound quality

Verdict: The wireless audiophile pick for buyers who refuse to compromise on tuning.

9. Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro

Price: $650 | Best for: Studio engineers and home audiophiles who run a dedicated DAC and amp

The DT 1990 Pro is the wired open-back reference of this list — a Tesla 2.0 driver studio headphone with a 5 Hz - 40 kHz frequency response, 250 ohm impedance that demands a real headphone amp, and the most honest detail retrieval of any headphone in this group.

It is not for casual listeners or travelers — open-back means everyone around you hears your music and you hear everything around you — but for mixing engineers, mastering rooms, and audiophile home listening it remains the reference at its price after multiple production runs.

Two included earpad sets (analytical and balanced) tune the response, the build is metal and replaceable, and Beyerdynamic still supports parts after years of service.

Pros:

• Tesla 2.0 drivers with 5 Hz - 40 kHz response
• Two earpad tunings included
• Replaceable parts and serviceable build
• Studio-reference detail retrieval

Cons:

• 250 ohm impedance demands a dedicated amplifier
• Open-back leaks sound — not for offices or travel

Verdict: The wired audiophile and studio-monitoring pick when neutrality matters most.

10. Audeze Maxwell

Price: $329 | Best for: Gamers who want planar-magnetic sound with low-latency wireless

The Audeze Maxwell is the gaming pick of this list and the only mainstream wireless gaming headset with planar-magnetic drivers — the same technology found in audiophile headphones costing $1,500+. It ships with a 2.4 GHz wireless dongle for low-latency PC and console use, Bluetooth 5.3 for phone calls, a detachable broadcast-quality boom mic, and 80 hours of battery.

Sound is dramatically more detailed than any other gaming headset on the market — Audeze's planar driver delivers bass texture and treble accuracy that competitive titles like Valorant and Apex Legends benefit from for footstep positioning. The 490 g weight is heavy, but the suspension headband distributes it well.

Pros:

• Planar-magnetic drivers — audiophile sound in a gaming headset
• 2.4 GHz wireless plus Bluetooth multipoint
• 80-hour battery
• Detachable broadcast-quality boom mic

Cons:

• 490 g is the heaviest headphone on this list

Verdict: The gaming pick with genuine audiophile-grade drivers.

Honorable Mention — Apple AirPods Max (Original Lightning, 2020)

The original Lightning AirPods Max remains a viable used pick at $300-$400 if you're inside the Apple ecosystem and don't need USB-C lossless. Drivers, ANC, and Spatial Audio are functionally identical to the 2024 refresh — only the port and a few firmware features differ.

Buyer Decision Tree — Which One's Right for You?

What to Look For When Buying Over-Ear Headphones in 2027

Buying advice from RTINGS, Soundguys, Wirecutter, and Headphonesty consistently points to the same handful of specs that actually matter:

• Driver type and size — 40-42 mm dynamic drivers dominate the wireless market and deliver the best balance for most listeners. Planar-magnetic drivers (Audeze Maxwell) offer faster transient response. Tesla drivers (Beyerdynamic) are dynamic drivers with stronger magnets for higher sensitivity.
• Codec support — On Android, LDAC at 990 kbps and aptX Adaptive matter for high-resolution streaming. On iOS, AAC is the ceiling — Apple has not added LDAC support. For true lossless, only wired USB-C delivers it regardless of platform.
• ANC effectiveness — Bose and Sony lead on low-frequency aircraft drone. Mid-tier wireless from Soundcore and Sennheiser handle office voice rejection well but fall short on aircraft. Open-back headphones (DT 1990 Pro) have zero isolation — wrong tool for travel.
• Battery life with ANC engaged — The number that matters. Most flagships rate 30 hours, Sennheiser Momentum 4 hits 60 hours, Soundcore Space Q45 hits 50 hours, Audeze Maxwell hits 80 hours.
• Weight and clamp force — Anything over 350 g becomes noticeable after 2-3 hours. The Bose QC Ultra 2 at 254 g and Sony WH-CH720N at 192 g are the comfort leaders.
• App and firmware support — Sony's Headphones Connect and Bose's Music app lead. Soundcore and Sennheiser are competent. Apple's integration runs through system settings, not a dedicated app.

Things that matter less than the marketing implies: spatial audio modes are nice but inconsistently implemented across content, ANC modes labeled with multiple presets often mean the same thing, and Bluetooth multipoint should be standard at any price — don't pay extra for it.

FAQ

Are over-ear headphones still worth buying in 2027 with earbuds dominating? Yes — over-ears deliver better battery life, deeper bass, stronger ANC, and longer comfort for desk work and travel. Earbuds win on portability and gym use. Most people who buy both end up using over-ears for work and travel, earbuds for everything else.

What is the difference between LDAC and aptX Lossless? Both are high-resolution Bluetooth codecs. LDAC is Sony-developed and streams up to 990 kbps, supported by most Android phones and the Sony XM6, Soundcore Space Q45. aptX Lossless is Qualcomm's bit-perfect codec but requires both the phone and headphone to support it — currently only Snapdragon Sound certified devices.

Should I buy the Sony WH-1000XM5 instead of the XM6 to save money? If you find the XM5 below $300, yes — it remains an excellent ANC headphone and the codec support is similar. The XM6 adds slightly better ANC, the LC3 codec, and improved microphones. Most listeners won't hear the sound-quality difference in a blind test.

Can I use the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro without a dedicated amp? Technically yes from a phone, but it will be quiet and sound thin. The 250 ohm impedance demands a real headphone amplifier — a $100-$200 desktop amp like the Schiit Magni or JDS Atom transforms the experience.

Are the AirPods Max worth the $549 price for Android users? No. Without iOS handoff, Spatial Audio personalization, and Find My integration, the AirPods Max loses most of what makes it special. Android users should buy the Sony WH-1000XM6 or Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless instead.

Do any of these support Bluetooth 5.4 or LE Audio with Auracast? The Sony WH-1000XM6 supports the LC3 codec via firmware and works with Auracast broadcasts. The Sonos Ace supports LE Audio. Most other models on this list are Bluetooth 5.3 — fine for everyday use but not Auracast-ready.

Bottom Line

For most buyers in 2027, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 at $429 is the Best Overall pick — flagship ANC, Immersive Audio, 30-hour battery, and the best comfort in the premium tier. The Soundcore Space Q45 at $130 is the Best Value pick — LDAC, 50-hour ANC battery, and a tuning that beats headphones costing 3-4x more.

Audiophiles should jump to the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 or wired Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro; gamers should grab the Audeze Maxwell; Apple loyalists should buy the AirPods Max. Walk through the Buyer Decision Tree above to confirm the right pick for your use case.

Sources

• Wirecutter — The Best Wireless Headphones and Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones guides (current refresh)
• RTINGS.com — Bose QC Ultra 2, Sony WH-1000XM6, Sennheiser Momentum 4 measurement bench
• Soundguys — Soundcore Space Q45 and Sony WH-CH720N long-term reviews
• What Hi-Fi — Bowers & Wilkins Px8 and Sonos Ace flagship reviews
• Headphonesty — 2027 over-ear roundup and ANC comparison
• Crinacle — Frequency response measurements for DT 1990 Pro and Audeze Maxwell
• Headfonia — Audiophile wireless flagship comparisons
• Audio Science Review — Objective measurement threads for Sony, Bose, and Sennheiser flagships
• B&H Photo — Current retail pricing and availability tracking
• Reddit r/headphones — Owner sentiment threads for QC Ultra 2, XM6, Space Q45, and Maxwell
• Bose, Sony, Apple, Sennheiser, Sonos, Soundcore, Bowers & Wilkins, Beyerdynamic, Audeze manufacturer spec sheets