Whatever contradictory it might sound, comfort is a key factor in sports. Comfortable shoes, comfortable T-shirt mean the world when you’re prepping for the Championship. As for the headphones, they should provide that type of comfort where music, wearing, and other factors are favorable for exercising. So, in this article, you’ll get to know makes the headset comfortable. Also, you’ll find out about top over-ear headphones that our audiophiles consider the most comfortable in the world.  When you dig deeper into the world of wireless headsets on the Internet, you’ll face such terms as ANC, IPX rating, multipoint connection, etc. Sometimes, it’s hard to understand what serves best your lifestyle. But we’re here to make things clear for you.  The factors that define the comfort of wireless headphones:

Materials of the ear padsSwivel ear pads of flexible headbandsWater-resistance rating Noise cancellationHands-free functions

Materials of the ear pads

When surveying top-rated over-ear headphones, pay attention to the materials the cushions are made of. It is super important during long flights, commuting, even workouts. For example, TREBLAB Z2 wireless Bluetooth on-ear headphones are made of high-end material Alcantara, used for A-class cars’ interior. The earpads should be soft. So after long hours of listening, chances are bigger you won’t have ear fatigue or ear sore. 

Swivel ear pads of the flexible headband

Headsets with absolutely fixed ear cups leave less wiggle room for movements. One needs to have an ideal box-shaped head to fit into this type of design. However, the ideal one is with both the vertical and lateral rotation. The first type allows tailoring to individuals from front to back. The second one makes the cushions press firmly and equally around the ears. However, even if the headset has fixed ear cups, they can still be comfortable thanks to a bendable headband. It is also capable of delivering the necessary vertical and lateral mobility.

Water-resistance rating

The best Bluetooth on-ear headphones might have a water-resistance rating. What is it? IP means the Ingress protection making – the level of the item to resist water pressure and dust. Since it’s about water-resistance here, usually the rating looks this way – IPX7, where the last digit is the level of water-resistance.  Not to confuse you with plenty of terms, let’s picture the essential scale you should know. It starts with 0 as no protection from water at all and ends with 8 as an immersion into the water beyond 1 meter.  Why is it important to look for when picking the pair of the most comfortable on-ear headphones? If you’re going to use them while running outside or working out at a gym, they should tolerate water. Otherwise, they will be damaged once hit with rain or multiple times – by sweat.

Noise Cancellation

The feature defines whether you will hear ambient noise or not. As for the types, there are Active Noise and Passive Noise Cancellation. The passive one is provided when an ear-cup fully and snugly covers the ear. ANC generates a sort of “anti-noise” that reflects and cancels the noise from outside.  For example, all TREBLAB Bluetooth headphones have a noise-canceling feature. It is clearly stated in the specifications. If you don’t see it in the user’s manual, you shouldn’t purchase the headset.

Hands-free functions

The best over-ear headphones definitely allow making calls and enabling digital assistants, such as Siri, Google Assistant, Bixby, and Alexa. They should let you combine sports and real-life routines hands-free. Some manufacturers added a multipoint connection feature so that a user could switch more than two devices connected to a headset hands-free. Keeping these crucial characteristics in mind, here are the top 7 on-ear headphones that are considered the most comfortable ones in the world. Some of them might contain all or a few features. It’s up to you to decide which one matters to you the most.

These are the best portable over-ear headphones that are perfectly good for working out, traveling:

Materials of the ear pads: Shock strength material, glass-filled nylon, and stainless metalSwivel ear pads of flexible headbands: YesWater-resistance rating: NoNoise cancellation: YesHands-free functions: Calls, volume adjustment via Adaptive Audio Adjustment technology

Beats EP

The headset joins top-rated over-ear wireless headphones thanks to the value it brings; ideal for commuting and trips.

Materials of the ear pads: Solid metal band, decently cushionedSwivel ear pads of flexible headbands: NoWater-resistance rating: NoNoise cancellation: Yes/PassiveHands-free functions: Calls

TREBLAB BT5

The headset is ultimately the best in its class due to the combo of all features.

Materials of the ear pads: Cushioned earpads, padded with memory foamSwivel ear pads of flexible headbands: YesWater-resistance rating: Yes/IPX4Noise cancellation: Yes/PassiveHands-free functions: calls, Siri, Google Assistant, Bixby, Alexa, multipoint connection

Beyerdynamic T51i

These best compact over-ear headphones work well for commuting and flights.

Materials of the ear pads: Metal design, decently cushioned, earpads are padded with memory foamSwivel ear pads of flexible headbands: YesWater-resistance rating: NoNoise cancellation: YesHands-free functions: Remote audio controls

AKG N60 NC

These are the best on-ear earphones that are ideal for sports.

Materials of the ear pads: Metal design, decently cushioned, earpads are padded with memory foamSwivel ear pads of flexible headbands: YesWater-resistance rating: NoNoise cancellation: Yes/ActiveHands-free functions: Remote audio controls, calls

Plantronics BackBeat Fit

The headset is the best small over-ear headphones, perfect for working out and running.

Materials of the ear pads: Nano coating technologySwivel ear pads of flexible headbands: NoWater-resistance rating: YesNoise cancellation: NoHands-free functions: Audio controls, calls

KEF M500 

The KEF is the best looking over-ear headphones thanks to its well-crafted design, work well running.

Materials of the ear pads: Memory foam, breathable earpadsSwivel ear pads of flexible headbands: YesWater-resistance rating: YesNoise cancellation: NoHands-free functions: Calls, Apple-friendly inline remote/microphone