When shopping for new headphones, one of the first decisions you’ll encounter is whether to get over-ear or on-ear models. Both types have pros and cons, making them better suited for different listening needs and environments. This comprehensive guide will explain the key differences between over-ear and on-ear headphones so you can determine the best choice for your needs and budget.
What Are Over-Ear and On-Ear Headphones?
First, let’s clearly define the terms “over-ear” and “on-ear” headphones so there’s no confusion:
Now we’ve covered what over-ear and on-ear headphones are, let’s look at what sets them apart, plus their strengths and weaknesses. Incidentally, many of the upcoming terms also feature inour jargon-busting headphone terms guide.
Comfort and Fit
One of the most important factors when choosing between over-ear and on-ear headphones is comfort, as you’ll likely be wearing them for extended periods.
Over-ear headphones are renowned for being extremely comfortable. The large, plush earpads fully enclose your ears in soft padding, avoiding pressure points. The weight is also distributed over a larger surface area. Wearing over-ear headphones for several hours at a time is easy for most people to do without fatigue.
On-ear headphones rest directly on the ears, which can feel uncomfortable after a while. Rather than distributing weight over your whole ear, all the weight is concentrated directly on the ear. People with larger ears may also feel pinching from on-ear headphones. On-ear headphones are tolerable for portable use while commuting or traveling, but long listening sessions may require short breaks.
If comfort is your top priority, over-ear headphones are the safest choice, but try on a pair of on-ear headphones if possible to confirm they don’t pinch your ears too much.
Noise Isolation
Noise isolation refers to a headphone’s ability to block outside sounds from bleeding in. This allows you to immerse yourself in your music or audio without distraction.
Over-ear headphones offer superior noise isolation compared to on-ear models. Very little external noise can seep in when you cover your whole ear with a tight seal. This makes them ideal for use while traveling or anywhere in a noisy environment. It also improves the perceived quality of the audio.
On-ear headphones rest lightly on top of your ear, letting in much more outside noise. The looser fit and lack of enclosure means you’ll hear conversations, engines, and other ambient noises while listening. For commuting and portable use, a moderate amount of noise isolation can be beneficial for awareness and safety. But for home listening, over-ear headphones deliver a vastly more immersive experience.
Active Noise Cancelation
Bothover-ear and on-ear headphones have active noise cancelation (ANC). The quality of the ANC varies between over-ear and on-ear, primarily based on the quality of the seal around your ear.
As you might expect, over-ear headphones offer better ANC quality because the larger earcups can cover more of your ear, offering a better, more secure seal blocking out more noise. That’s not to say that on-ear headphones cannot have good ANC, as the ear seal isn’t the only factor affecting its quality. The number of external microphones on both sets of headphones directly affects ANC quality, so be sure to check this number no matter the type of headphones you prefer.
If you’re in the zone for new noise-canceling cans, you might want to check outthe best cheap ANC headphones.
Sound Quality
In addition to comfort and noise isolation, the sound quality tends to differ between over-ear and on-ear headphone models.
Over-ear headphones are able to provide expansive, high-fidelity sound that immerses you. The large, enclosed earcups allow for bigger driver components. High-end over-ear models often use large drivers between 40-70mm capable of big, detailed sound with sparkling highs and deep bass.
On-ear headphones produce a more “in your head” sound since the drivers are so close to your ears. While the sound can still be quite good, especially at mid-high volumes, on-ear models produce less room-filling audio compared to over-ear. Bass also tends to be weaker without the encapsulated design (again due to passive sound leakage) and larger drivers.
If sound quality for home listening is the priority, over-ear headphones deliver a superior audio experience in most cases. The only exception may be open-back over-ear headphones designed for a natural, spacious sound at the expense of noise isolation. If you listen in noisy places, a good pair of closed-back over-ear headphones provides the best of both worlds.
Portability
One area where on-ear headphones shine is their excellent portability for use on the go. They typically weigh less and have thin, compact earcups that often fold up even smaller. Fitting them into a backpack or even a shoulder bag/purse is no problem.
Most over-ear headphones are significantly bulkier, even if they can still fold or swivel the earcups inward to save space. If you plan to travel frequently with your headphones or use them while commuting, the portable design of on-ear headphones makes them easier to toss in your bag and wear comfortably on a train or plane. Their open design also allows you to remain aware of your surroundings.
For genuine portability and travel-friendly use, on-ear headphones are the winner. But some people still prefer to use large over-ear models on planes or public transit since they isolate noise better. It comes down to your specific needs and comfort.
Durability and Build Quality
Both over-ear and on-ear headphones come in a wide range of build quality, from entry-level models with all-plastic construction to premium headphones featuring metal, leather, and reinforced components.
That said, on average, over-ear headphones tend to use thicker, more durable plastics in their design to hold up their larger size and weight. The moving parts like hinges and headbands have to withstand more force, so manufacturers reinforce them appropriately. This leads to a more resilient, longer-lasting product in most cases.
With lightweight on-ear headphones, manufacturers often opt for thinner, cheaper-feeling materials to meet lower prices. Plastics can creak and snap over time with rough use.
So, while highly durable on-ear headphones exist, generally, over-ear headphones are built to last longer under punishing everyday use. Pay attention to the materials used and reinforcements at stress points when evaluating headphones if longevity is important to you.
Price and Value
Due to their materials, complex engineering, and large, powerful drivers, over-ear headphones cost more to manufacture than on-ear models. These costs get passed onto consumers through higher retail prices.
While affordable on-ear headphones can be found for under $50, over-ear models rarely dip below $80-100, even at the low end. Comparable mid-range models see an even bigger price gap, with good on-ears available around $100-150 and over-ears costing $150-250. At the high-end, over-ear headphones really jump in price due to premium materials and audiophile-grade components.
However, the improvements in sound, comfort, and noise isolation justify the increased cost of over-ear headphones for many buyers. It comes down to listening preferences and budget considerations. If you listen at home primarily, over-ear headphones deliver a superior experience for the money. For portable use and those on a tight budget, on-ear headphones offer huge value and may meet your needs.
Over-Ear vs. On-Ear Price Comparisons
Here are some examples of cost comparisons between over-ear and on-ear headphones to illustrate the typical price differences:
Entry-Level Models:
Mid-Range Models:
High-End Models:
The Koss PortaPro and Grado SR80e are examples of inexpensive but highly acclaimed on-ear headphones under $100. The Sony MDR-7506 and Bose QC35 II demonstrate the jump in price to $100+ for quality over-ear headphones with larger drivers and more advanced engineering.
Finally, the comparison between the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 on-ear and Sennheiser HD 800 S over-ear illustrates the huge price gap at the high-end. While $400 gets you a top-tier on-ear model, over-ear headphones can cost well over $1,000 for premium audiophile quality like the HD 800 S.
Over-Ear vs. On-Ear Headphones: Which Should You Choose?
When choosing between over-ear and on-ear headphones, consider where and how you plan to use them. Over-ear headphones excel at home or in the studio for critical listening thanks to their expansive, high-fidelity sound or when commuting for the extra noise cancellation and seal around the ear. However, On-ear headphones are also good for travel if you don’t mind reducing noise isolation in exchange for a smaller footprint and headphones that are perhaps easier to travel with.
Think about your needs for comfort, sound quality, noise isolation, portability, and budget. Pricier, over-ear headphones deliver superior comfort and audio performance overall but don’t dismiss quality on-ear models, especially if you value their lightweight portability for your lifestyle. With an understanding of the pros and cons outlined here, you can decide which type of headphones best fits your listening preferences.
