Key Takeaways
- On-ear headphones are more comfortable to wear for long periods of time, are lighter and have less noise insulation, while over-ear headphones have better sound quality and features such as active noise cancellation.
- Marshall’s Major IV on-ear headphones are comfortable and versatile, but they lack the immersive audio and advanced features of some over-ear options.
- Ultimately, choosing between on-ear and over-ear headphones comes down to your budget, the features you need, and your usage preferences.
In my three years of testing headphones, I thought I’d tried them all: wired, over-ear, Bluetooth, etc. But alas, I was wrong. I’ve been using Marshall’s Major IV on-ear headphones for the past few weeks, and I’ve found that there’s a big difference between on-ear and over-ear headphones.
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Yes, both headphones have a similar design and those who are not very familiar with different headphone models may think they are the same (I used to be the same way). After using the on-ear headphones for the past few weeks, I have noticed a big difference in sound quality, comfort and overall functionality. In the past, I have used over-ear headphones from Bose, Sony and Apple, all of which are of different quality but relatively similar in functionality. Marshall’s Major IV on-ear headphones are clearly different from all three brands.
While the only on-ear headphones I’ve used to date are Marshall on-ear headphones, I can confidently say that in most cases I prefer over-ear headphones. While over-ear headphones are overall better for everyday use, on-ear headphones do have some advantages. Here are some things you should know before deciding between over-ear and on-ear headphones:
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comfortable
On-ear design makes them easier to wear and last longer
Marshall Major IV
- Battery life
- 80 hours
- Compatible
- Android, iOS
- Connection Type
- Bluetooth, 3.5mm jack
- weight
- 5.8 oz.
- Noise Cancellation
- no
- Foldable
- yes
- waterproof
- water resistance
- Charging Type
- USB-C
Okay, so I said I prefer over-ear headphones, but Marshall’s on-ear headphones are by far some of the most comfortable headphones I’ve tried. The headphones have square ear cups that fit comfortably over the ears. I have several piercings in both ears, so I’m always on the lookout for headphones that won’t irritate my piercings. On-ear headphones don’t completely cover the ears, so they allow for much more breathability.
In addition to the shape of the ear cups, on-ear headphones are lightweight: the headphones weigh just 5.8 ounces and feel so light on your head that you might even forget you’re wearing them.
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On-ear headphones are more comfortable, but that doesn’t mean over-ear headphones are completely uncomfortable. The comfort of over-ear headphones definitely varies by brand. Apple’s AirPods Max are by far the heaviest, while Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra over-ear headphones are relatively lightweight and can be worn comfortably for hours.
Glasses wearers should be aware that on-ear headphones sit on top of the ears rather than around them, which can create pressure or a poor fit.
Sound quality
Over-the-ear headphones offer a more immersive experience
Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Headphones
- Battery life
- 30 hours (NC on) / 40 hours (NC off)
- Noise Cancellation
- Automatic NC optimization, atmospheric pressure optimization, ambient temperature mode
- bluetooth
- 5.2
- weight
- 250g
- Battery charging time
- 3.5 hours
Over-ear headphones have a clear advantage when it comes to sound quality. Over-ear headphones provide a listening experience that is closer to surround sound, while on-ear headphones provide closer to stereo sound. Over-ear headphones enhance bass when listening to music and amplify voices if you’re a podcast fan like me. Additionally, over-ear headphones provide crisper, clearer sound during Zoom or Google Meet calls, which is a must-have for remote workers who make a lot of Zoom calls.
On-ear headphones are not bad, but they definitely do not match the sound quality of over-ear headphones. Admittedly, I have only ever used Marshall on-ear headphones, so it may vary from brand to brand. I wear on-ear headphones for casual work outside or for morning walks, and while the sound quality is average, there is sound leakage and no immersive audio format, so I would recommend switching to over-ear headphones for important calls.
I have personally only tested Marshall’s on-ear headphones, but it should be noted that on-ear headphones generally don’t offer as much sound isolation, and listeners have reported sound leakage.
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Features
Over-ear headphones offer more features
Apple AirPods Max
- Battery life
- Up to 20 hours
- Noise Cancellation
- ANC, Transparency Mode
- waterproof
- IPX4
- Charging Type
- lightning
- compatibility
- iOS and Android
- size
- 187.3 x 168.6 x 83.4mm, 385g
- Foldable
- no
While it varies from brand to brand, most over-ear headphones offer a variety of features for listeners. Often, over-ear headphones offer active noise cancellation (ANC), but Marshall’s on-ear headphones lack this feature. ANC allows for more customization with over-ear headphones. Users can choose whether to use transparency mode, the level of noise cancellation, and more. Customization allows users to have a more personalized listening experience. For example, Sony’s WH-1000XM5 headphones automatically adjust the noise cancellation level based on the surrounding environment and ambient noise.
On-ear headphones, on the other hand, offer more limited functionality. Marshall offers an app that lets users adjust EQ presets and add timers, but I didn’t find it to make a significant difference to the sound. The apps for Sony and Bose’s over-ear headphones have a more noticeable impact on the listening experience than the app for Marshall’s on-ear headphones.
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On-ear vs. over-ear headphones: which should you buy?
Ultimately, it all comes down to how much money you want to spend and how much you want to get for that money. Marshall on-ear headphones can easily be found on Amazon for under $100, but they are well worth the price. I love using on-ear headphones and will take them with me for casual activities, but leave them behind when I need a phone call or more interactive features.
Over-ear headphones are quite expensive, costing anywhere from $250 to $600, but they are generally of better quality than on-ear headphones, and I plan to continue using them for blocking out noise when on work calls or while riding the subway in London or New York.
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