Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones, sometimes called on the ear headphones or overhead headphones, feature a bridge connecting the right and left earpieces. Over-ear headphones are exceptionally comfortable and deliver great sound. What are the pros and cons of over-ear headphones compared to earbuds and earphones, and what other features do they offer?

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Over-Ear Headphones v Earbuds/Earphones

Over-ear headphones have a vastly different design compared to earbuds and earphones. What are the ups and downs?

Over-ear headphones have larger speakers.
More cushioning for greater user comfort.
Better ambient noise reduction.

Less compact dimensions.

Larger speakers deliver full, high-quality sound, while the ear-covering design cancels ambient noise.

Which Over-Ear Headphones to Choose?

Choose over-ear headphones depending on how you plan to use them. Do you need headphones that cover all of your ears? Will you use them with your mobile phone, TV or computer? What about a microphone?

On ear headphones

Over ear headphones

On-Ear Headphones—Perfect for Home and Travel

On-ear headphones are suitable for home, travel, and also when cycling. The shells rest directly on your ears, which can cause pinching during prolonged listening. As on-ear headsets do not completely cancel ambient noise, you can hear traffic and what's going on around you when cycling, skating or walking.

Over Ear Headphones Eliminate Ambient Noise

Over ear headphones are less compact than on-ear headphones but offer a greater level of ambient noise cancellation. The design does not press on the ears, making the headphones suitable for longer listening sessions. You can also purchase purpose-built headphones for TV or computer headphones.

Another design option is the stylish and compact bone conduction headphones.

Gaming Headsets—a Microphone and Maximum Comfort

Gaming headsets are designed to make marathon gaming sessions more comfortable. High-quality cushioning brings comfort and noise cancelling, while tuned speakers deliver an immersive experience for any game. Gaming headsets with a microphone ensure clear communication with your teammates.

Wireless Over-Ear Headphones Give You Freedom of Movement

Wireless around-ear headphones use radio frequency technology or Bluetooth for connectivity. And with no cables, they provide total freedom of movement.

Bluetooth over ear headphones normally have a range of around 30 metres.
Radio frequency headsets come with a transmitting station and provide a range of up to 100 metres.

Wireless headsets are powered by a rechargeable battery. When the battery is low, you cannot connect the headphones wirelessly. That's when a headset with a detachable cable comes in handy.

Over-Ear Headphones—Open or Closed-Back Design?

Both on-ear and over-ear headphones can have open, closed or semi-closed designs. How do they differ?

Open-back headphones provide more faithful music reproduction, let sound out and do not reduce ambient noise.
Closed-back headphones let almost no sound out of the headphones and cancel ambient noise.
Semi-closed-back headphones are a compromise between open and closed headphones.