Over-ear headphones tested in 2021: the best Bluetooth models from Stiftung Warentest - JBL dominates

Over-ear headphones are the circumaural headphones on the market.

The Stiftung Warentest has now taken a closer look at various models.

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Bluetooth headphones provide entertainment to our ears - completely wireless.

If you need new headphones, you won't just look at functions and performance.

Often times, personal preferences are also decisive.

Bluetooth headphones are available in different versions: in-ear headphones and over-ear headphones *.

While the in-ear models are virtually invisible, the

and completely surround the ear.

The

has taken a closer look at Bluetooth headphones.

Now that we have already presented the in-ear headphones test 2021, this article will focus on the over-ear models.

What are over-ear headphones?

Bluetooth over-ear headphones, also known as headband headphones, are characterized by a

suppression

on the ear. The auricles completely enclose the ears, which is particularly comfortable. Even with the over-ear models, there are still differences: there are closed and half-open models. The half-open headphones have the advantage that the air can still circulate a little and the heat is thus better regulated. However, these models are not completely soundproof either.

The big advantage of over-ear headphones over in-ear models is the

.

Many models last more than 30 hours without reloading, as Stiftung Warentest was able to find out in their studies.

If the juice is empty, many over-ear headphones can be connected with an audio cable.

The small in-ear headphones do not offer this feature either.

Due to the large ear cups, over-ear headphones are of course much heavier than the small models.

The Stiftung Warentest

.

We present you the best models here.

Also read:

Over-ear headphones tested in 2021: Apple AirPods Max - test winner with an overall grade of 1.9

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The ear pads of the AirPods Max are interchangeable.

© Apple Inc.

Apple AirPods Max: now from 447.27 euros!

The best over-ear headphones are also the most expensive model: The

convince across the

with a strong sound quality (grade 1.5), excellent active noise suppression (1.9) and a strong durability (0, 6).

The test winner has to accept compromises in the categories of battery (2.8) and wearing comfort and handling (2.7).

In particular, the inadequate instructions for use attracted the Stiftung Warentest negatively.

The battery life was determined to be 22.5 hours.

Over-ear headphones tested in 2021: JBL Live 660NC - overall grade 1.9

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JBL Live 660NC wireless over-ear headphones.

© Amazon product image

JBL Live 660NC: now from 148.99 euros!

The

in the big over-ear headphones test in 2021, but was in no way inferior to the Apple AirPods Max in the overall assessment.

The Live 660NC scores very well in the categories of pollutants (1.0), durability (1.0) and battery (1.2).

The extremely long battery life of 41:45 hours should be emphasized here.

The over-ear model has to admit defeat to Apple's test winner in the sound category (2.0).

When it comes to active noise suppression (2.3), JBL does not quite come close to the Apple AirPods Max.

On the other hand, wearing comfort and handling are better again (2.2).

Over-ear headphones tested in 2021: JBL Tour One - overall grade 2.0

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JBL Tour One wireless over-ear headphones.

© Amazon product image

JBL Tour One: now for 255.99 euros!

The

is the second headphone from JBL that made it into a top spot in the over-ear headphone test.

The Tour One scores extremely well in the test categories sound (grade 1.9), battery (1.8), durability (0.7) and pollutants (1.0).

The Tour One doesn't quite come close to the battery life of the JBL Live 660NC, but the 34:15 hours are quite impressive.

There is still room for improvement when it comes to active noise suppression (2,3) and wearing comfort and handling (2,3).

Over-ear headphones tested in 2021: Bang & Olufsen Beoplay HX - overall grade 2.1

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Bang & Olufsen Beoplay HX.

© Amazon product image

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay HX: now from 425 euros!

The

must of course not be missing. Bang & Olufsen has placed its products in the high-priced segment, which is reflected in the 425 euros for the over-ear headphones. The battery does exceptionally well with a runtime of 44:45 hours, and the Beoplay HX also impresses across the board in the durability (1.7) and pollutant (1.0) categories. In terms of sound quality (2.2) and active noise canceling (2.4), however, the expensive model has to give way to the competition from Apple. According to Bang & Olufsen, ease of use and good service are very important. But it is precisely in this category that the rating (2.5) even leads to a devaluation. The instructions for use and operating instructions for Beoplay HX are insufficient.

Over-ear headphones tested in 2021: Huawei Freebuds Studio - overall grade 2.4

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HUAWEI FREEBUDS Studio.

© Amazon product image

Huawei Freebuds Studio: now from 124.99 euros!

Huawei Freebuds Studio

landed in

Stiftung Warentest's large over-ear headphone test 2021

. In terms of active noise reduction (grade 1.8) and battery life (1.0), the Huawei model even scores best and even places the Apple test winner in second place. The battery promises a runtime of 44:15 hours and can be used again for 9:30 hours after only 15 minutes of charging. The durability of the Freebuds Studio is also still in the running with a grade of 1.6. Now comes the but: in terms of sound (2.7) as well as wearing comfort and handling (3.1), the over-ear headphones leave a lot to be desired. The rating in the pollutants category is not at all good with a rating of 2.9. The Stiftung Warentest found polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in the product components. The current price is positive: The Huawei Freebuds Pro are currently a strong 64 percent discount.