Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?

Noise-cancelling headphones can be an ideal solution for anyone who enjoys listening regardless of whether they're at work or in the train. Which are the best noise cancelling over ear headphones, though?

Sony's flagship headphones are a great value. They come with a fresh design and a superior audio quality and also enticing features. These headphones can capture every detail, from Sinead O'Connor's shaking Bridge to the intense chorus.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony is the master of noise cancellation and its WH1000XM5 headphones are the most advanced version of this line. This model is a fantastic pair of headphones, particularly for those who commute or travel. They're comfortable and feature multipoint tech to connect to two devices simultaneously, and feature the most powerful ANC Sony has ever created. They're light and can run up to 27 hours with no charging. That's enough time to get through a week of commutes or an extended flight.

The WH1000XM5s are sleek and minimal in design. They are made of ABS which is an eco-friendly and recycled plastic. The branding is minimal. You'll see a tiny Sony logo on every hinge of the earcup. The headband and earcups are cushioned by a plush, soft material that's comfortable on all but the largest heads. The earcups are also adjustable to ensure that you get the ideal fit for your needs.

Unlike previous models that focused on reducing low-frequency noise, the XM5s amplify high-frequency sound waves to cancel out background noise. This improves the overall sound quality, and helps to reduce cabin and engine noise on flights. The XM5s has an additional processing unit that helps improve noise cancellation on planes. The audio app can also adjust the sound environment you are listening to according to the pressure of the air.

The WH-1000XM5s also features an assistant for voice that is easy to use, and works with Alexa as well as Google Assistant, Siri, and many more. The XM5s can be connected with other Sony audio devices for stereo separation and multi-room music. They're compatible with Bluetooth high-bitrate audio streaming using LDAC, which Sony's codec is based on however they don't support aptX or aptX HD.

2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

Sennheiser has been making headphones for more than 50 years. You can expect superior sound quality, and a cosy fit. With their latest over ear headphones noise cancelling-ears dubbed Momentum 4 Wireless, they offer both. They've redesigned their design to eliminate a few distinctive elements that gave their earlier models the look of an aviator. They also enhanced active noise cancellation using their advanced Adaptive Noisy Cancellation Technology. They've rated these headphones to last for 60 hours of listening time when ANC enabled, which is more than double the battery life of most competitors.

The new model is also more portable, since it folds down and is smaller. The ear pads and headband are made of artificial PU leather that feels comfortable on my head when I wear it all day. There's not a lot of clamping force that holds them in place which means they'll remain comfortable during flights and during workouts that last longer.

The sound is clear and well-balanced There are a few peaks in the low-mid and high-mid, which can cause slight muddiness in mixes. The bass is a little overemphasised, adding some extra punch and thump to genres such as EDM or hip-hop. It's not a big deal but it might annoy some listeners. The high-mid also has an uneven balance that brings instruments and vocals forward in the mix, but at the expense of bringing out a few vocal sibilants.

The Sennheiser momentum 4 wireless has all the standard features such as Bluetooth wireless connectivity, a clear mode that blends outside sounds into your music for improved awareness, and mobile application support for pre-set and custom EQ options. They can also be connected with an 3.5mm cable for connecting to your phone via wire. They are able to connect to your device by using SBC, AAC HD, and aptX Adaptive codes, and they can cut down the latency by as much as a quarter second.

3. B&W PX7 S2

The original PX7s were top of the line on many lists of most reliable Bluetooth headsets due to their superior ANC and audio quality. The PX7s, just like other wireless headphones, were becoming old and required a refresh. Hence the PX7S2. B&W not only changed the design and design, but also made enhancements to ANC, and added more voice-calling features.

The first thing you will notice when you open the box and get the PX7 S2 is just how lightweight they are, which makes them very comfortable for long listening sessions. The overall design is reminiscent of the previous model, including the sleek oval aluminum earcup top as well as the hook-like design on the headband that glides instead of clicking as you expand it, and finally the actual physical buttons. The earcups, however are smaller, and the headband is less substantial.

The software from B&W lets you modify EQ settings for treble and bass, however, you don't have as much control over the mix between the two components like you do on more expensive headphones. The Quick Action button on left earcup toggles the environmental modes. It can also be configured to call the voice assistant on your device via the Bowers & Wilkins Music App.

The PX7 S2 sounds great for the majority of musical styles, with a soundstages that have ample width and great separation between the various elements of sound. It's especially impressive for music that has acoustic instrumentation like Rachmaninoff's Cello Sonata, Op. The 19 by Yuja Wang and Gautier Capucon has woody tones with a sense air. It can also handle heavier songs as well. The bass sound and midrange clarity on Entombed's crossover of garage and deathn'roll To Ride, Shoot Straight, Over Ear Headphones Noise Cancelling and Speak the Truth provide a wall of noise while keeping things clear to discern vocal nuances like Lars-Goran Petrov's gritty growl.

4. Bose QuietComfort 35

Bose is one of the first companies to bring active noise cancelling headphones into the mainstream. They held a stranglehold for a long time, but now they must compete with more modern headsets that offer more features and superior sound quality. But, the QuietComfort 35 is still a ideal option for anyone looking to listen to music or podcasts without being disturbed by constant buzzing and rumbles.

They're also comfortable to wear and feature a an excellently balanced default sound profile. The ANC does a great job of eliminating background noise, though it tends to emphasize low frequencies more than modern headphones such as the Sony WH-1000XM5.

The QC35s are a great pair of headphones for listening to podcasts and audiobooks. They come with a passive noise cancellation mode that reduces ambient noise yet still keeps you secluded from your surroundings. The QC35s permit you to connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and "audio-share", so you can listen to music with one set of headphones while taking an incoming call with the other pair.

The Bose Connect app is decent but it doesn't have the vast EQ options offered by other headphone apps. The QC35s are also available in wired mode, however the sound quality is drastically reduced and the battery life isn't as great as with wireless models.

The QC35s are a Bose product, but it may not appeal to all. Other manufacturers offer sleeker designs. However you can add a touch of personalization by buying an ear cover-up with decals from companies like SlickWraps and Skin Sticker. In the coming year you'll be able to customize the color of the earcups as well as the headbands, just like the QC25 model from earlier.

5. Sony WH-1000XM3

Sony's WH1000XM3 headphones are the best wireless headphone that has active noise cancellation you can buy today. They're a bit more costly than the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless, but they block out a lot more ambient noise and feel more sturdy. The app is also more advanced and has a wide range of sound customization options.

The XM3s' excellent audio quality is among their main draws and they've been upgraded since their introduction to provide an even better experience. They have a little more detail across the frequency spectrum The noise cancelling function works better at all volume levels, and they have improved controls for things like Quick Attention mode, voice control, and Speak-to-Chat. They also have a new feature called Adaptive Sound Control that automatically adjusts the amount of external sound allowed in, based on the location you're at and what you're doing.

They're not without some issues, though. The midrange can sound a bit recessed and the treble can sometimes be too loud. They are still prone to increase the bass too much on some tracks, making the sound too heavy and full. But this is something you can correct in the headphone settings or via EQ adjustments in the Sony app.

The XM3s are a great pair of headphones, specifically for frequent travelers and commuters. They are more comfortable, look and feels premium, and are durable than the JBL Live 650 BTNC wireless. They also have a more powerful battery and one of the top noise cancellation features available. They're also more versatile and more suitable for use on mobile devices than the Audio-Technica ATH M50X Wireless, although they have less impressive noise cancellation. They're not waterproof which could be a deal-breaker for some.