The Best Over-Ear Headphones

If you travel on public transportation or work in an office with a lot of chattering colleagues or just want to enjoy your music without the distraction of outside noise, over-ear noise-canceling headphones can make all the difference. We've reviewed the best headphones for over-ear use that combine great sound quality with active noise cancellation.

Mpow Over-Ear Headphones

These Bluetooth headphones from Mpow feature a great robust and sturdy design. They also offer high-quality audio that is impressive considering their price. They are designed to be worn Over Ear Headphones Noise Cancelling your ears and feature ear cups that comfortably fit over your ears. This helps to block out background noise. The earpads consist of a moderately padded cushion that shields your ears to block out a significant portion of ambient sounds however, they do not come with a noise canceling feature. They weigh just over 11 ounces and are comfortable to wear for extended durations of time.

These Mpow headphones have a simple design that isn't too far removed from most other over-ear headphone models available. The headband that connects the two cups is hinged, allowing them to fold up into a compact unit for transport and storage. The left earcup houses controls for power, volume and noise cancellation. The right ear cup has an audio microphone for hands-free calls.

The Mpow headphones have a very excellent sound quality, however they do not have the bass power or clarity of the Sony WH1000XM5. The PRTF accuracy and activation scores are above average among Bluetooth headphones. This should result in a large and wide soundstage when listening music. However they're PRTF distance score is lower than average, meaning they will sound tinier and less open than headphones that have more open-back, larger earcups.

The treble extension is also good, and you will get a crisp and clear sound that can be used with all genres of music. The mids of Sony headphones are more distinct, which creates more of a dynamic sound. This is perfect for music with lots of instruments. The bass can be excessive for some people but it's an individual preference that can be redressed by altering the equalizer settings on your audio player.

The Mpow headphones are a good option for those looking to enjoy their favorite music without interruptions. They feature an extended battery life and can be used in wired mode when the battery runs out. The headphones come with a USB charger as well as the cable, so you can enjoy your favorite music without interruption. The manufacturer offers a 45-day refund warranty, along with an 18-month warranty for these headphones. Their customer service is also renowned for its responsiveness.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 is the latest over-ear headphones to be found in Bowers & Wilkins' catalog. The PX7 is replaced by the PX7 S2 and are part of a larger line of Sennheiser HD 450SE Wireless Headphones - Black: Superior Sound headphones, which includes the PI5 & PI7. Unboxed, the design of these headphones immediately evokes a sense of luxury. The use of metals and textures on the ear cups give them a luxurious feel. They also are comfortable on the head and ears, despite being slightly heavier than their competitors. The Ear pads snap on and off easily so they can be replaced when they wear out.

Like many of the best headphones, these ones feature active noise cancellation that reduces the sound of outside sounds while allowing you to listen to the music. The technology isn't perfect however it does an excellent job of keeping train and plane rumbles out of your ear canals, without affecting the balance between music and other sounds.

One thing that sets the PX7 S2 apart from their competitors is their soundstage, which offers plenty of space and great separation between the various audio elements. This brings a clarity to music that cannot always be heard on other Bluetooth headphones.

The PX7 S2s might not be as compact as their competitors however they come with a fantastic carry case. It's also well-padded, and the headphones fold flat to make it easy to store when not in use.

The ear cups have an enveloping, soft leather that is extremely luxurious to the touch. The ear cups are light, making them comfortable to wear during long listening sessions. The headband is designed for maximum comfort and doesn't squeeze too tightly. This helps to prevent headaches.

The headphones have a range of features that include Bluetooth multipoint, which allows them to connect with two devices simultaneously. They support all of the most popular Bluetooth codecs as well as high-resolution audio, if your streaming service allows it. They also have an audio amplifier that gives you extra boost when using them with low-powered electronics, such as laptops.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH-1000XM5 are the latest in the line of Sony's top over-ear noise cancelling headphones. They're a great upgrade from their predecessors, namely the WH-1000XM2s and WH-1000XM4. Sony has improved its already impressive active noise cancellation. For instance, the fifth-generation headphones are now able to block out low-frequency sounds, such as subway car and plane engine rumbles. They also can detect your location and automatically adjust the Ambient Sound Control settings accordingly.

You can still use voice-activated assistants for controlling your music and receive directions. The microphones on the ear cups are upgraded so that they can be used to make hands-free calls and Siri/Google Assistant commands. The headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible which means they can pair and connect quicker.

In our lab evaluations, the WH-1000XM5 have earned top marks for comfort, wireless headphones noise cancelling ease of use and audio quality. The lightweight headset is comfortable to wear for long listening sessions and the ear cup can be adjusted to fit different head sizes. The headphones are foldable and flat which makes them easy to pack into a suitcase or backpack.

The ear cups are slightly curvier than their predecessors, and the headband is fitted with more refined curves that help hide points of assembly. The new synthetic leather gives it a more durable and luxurious. The ear cup's space is also larger and is more comfortable to the ear. This can cause slight pressure on the head when worn for long periods of time.

The XM5 retains some of the core features of the WH1000XM4s. You can still swipe and tap the right earcup to switch songs or pause the audio and access Ambient Sound Mode. You can even place your hand over the right ear cup to temporarily reduce the volume of your music volume and boost ambient sound, which is helpful when you need to hear what's going on around you.

The XM5s are equipped with a few small improvements that make them a good choice for noise-canceling headsets. The new ANC offers better isolation for low-frequency sounds and the headphones will pause your music when you remove them from your head to save power. Transparent listening mode lets in more external sound. A new battery-power-consumption algorithm gives the XM5s the same 30-hour battery life rating as their predecessor, and a quick press of the power button will alert you to your remaining charge.

Skullcandy ADX700

The ATH-ADX700 headphones are a excellent choice for those looking to buy a set of gaming headphones. They are comfortable and provide superior sound. They are lightweight, which means you don't feel them on your ears or head. They have self-adjusting 3D wing that adapts to your head and reduces pressure. The headphones include an audio cable that can be easily connected to your audio source.

These are open-air headphones that appear quite unique, thanks to their large earcups and black honeycomb covers that reveal the driver inside. The unique design makes these headphones stand out, but they also have a lot to offer. They are distinctive because of their self-adjusting wing-support construction, the new 53mm driver featuring bobbin wound CCAW voice coils, and the lightweight honeycomb aluminium casing.

The ATH ADX700 has a broad frequency response that allows for a crisp, natural treble. The sound isn't as bassy as other models because they are designed for an average music lover who doesn't like to be bombarded by low frequencies. These headphones are great for gamers because they allow you to hear your friends and other NPCs without being obstructed.

The ATH-ADX700 headphones come with an impedance rating of 32 ohms, but still require an amp of a good quality to function optimally. This is not a problem when using them with an audio player that is portable, but it will be much easier to manage and enjoy their full range of sound when used with a headphone amp that is suitable.

The ATH ADX700 comes with a 9.84-foot cable that has a gold-plated 1/8-inch connector and an elastic TPE sheath to resist tangling and damage. It also includes a 1/4-inch adapter for mobile devices. The earpads are made of soft velour that is soft and initially itchy but will break eventually. The earpads are made of a soft, elevated material that improves the comfort and durability.