The Best Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones

If you're fighting the sound of jet engines, or just want to block out the hum of your HVAC system at home, you'll require the top noise cancelling headphones for over-ear use. The new Sony WH-1000XM5s are among the latest top of the line in active noise cancellation and their predecessors are equally excellent.

We've considered the adjustments for ANC as well as touch controls and on-ear detection (for pausing music when you take off your headphones). Our top picks have high-quality audio, comfortable ear cups and spacious ear cups.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

The fifth generation of Sony flagship headphones offers a significant upgrade over the previous models, offering enhanced noise cancellation and superior audio quality. Its remarkable ANC creates an enveloping cone over your head, absorbing an astonishing amount of low-frequency sounds. The earphones also block out mid-treble and high-treble sounds like chatter from passengers or the creaking of metal, as well as the clanging of dishware.

The WH-1000XM5s sound very natural, in contrast to noise cancelling headsets that sound hollow. They're able to reproduce the rise and fall of the drums of Billie Eilish with remarkable depth and clarity, while keeping edges clear and crystal clear. It's an absolute pleasure listening to them during long flights or during commutes.

A capacitive touch-surface on the right earcup controls the most commonly used controls, such as play/pause, volume up/down, and skip forwards/backwards. It can also end and answer calls, and switch between ANC mode and ambient sound. You can also hold the power button for several seconds to hear a voice warning of the battery's remaining life.

Another significant improvement to the XM5s is its new QN1 microphone that is designed to record high-quality audio while making podcasts and videos. The microphone is more sensitive and has a larger audio range than earlier models, making it easier to hear your own voice.

Other features of the XM4s have carried over to the XM5, such as its adaptive ANC system that automatically optimizes performance based on the environment. The "Wearing Detection" feature detects when the headset is removed, and will pause video or music. It will restart it once they are put back on. It's compatible with Sony's DSEE Extreme Engine, which upscales compressed music to near high-res resolution.

2. Sony WH-1000XM4

The WH1000XM4s of Sony are the latest version of their top-of-the-line over-ear headphones. They offer class-leading performance however they don't feature the same active noise cancellation features as the WH1000XM5s. In addition to having stronger Bluetooth and an improved noise-canceling algorithm, the WH1000XM4s boast a new audio chip that can boost music files to HD quality and has more advanced voice controls.

The biggest improvement in this latest generation is that Sony has made the WH-1000XM4s more comfortable than ever before by putting padding around the headband and shifting the microphones to the outer edges of the ear. This makes them more comfortable to listen to for long periods of time.

They're also more flexible, allowing you to switch between five sound modes depending on the environment. You can also adjust your EQ settings with the Sony headphones app. They're an excellent choice for those who travel, and the app lets you monitor your activity and automatically adjust the settings as you go.

Another major improvement is the WH-1000XM4's noise cancellation that has been made more effective by adding more sensitiveness and improving the way it filters out low frequencies. You can test this by looking at a graph like the one above, with the higher peaks mean that more sounds are being blocked out. The WH-1000XM4s can also be more effective at reducing low-frequency sounds such as the sound of an air cooling unit or the constant rumble of an airplane engine over any other pair of noise-canceling headphones that we've tested.

The WH1000XM4s come with a variety of amazing features, including a 30-hour battery life and a USB-C charge port. They also have Quick Alert, on ear noise cancelling Headphones a feature that allows you to tap the right earcup to dampen music to enable transparency mode. Speak to Chat, meanwhile it pauses the media when your voice is raised (and it works well however it sometimes fails to register taps) and Sony's Smart Listening Technology, which can detect your environment and provide better sound.

3. Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II

The Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II (or QC35 Wireless 2018) are over-ear headphones which were released in September 2017. Although they've been replaced by the 2021-released Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700, they remain popular and affordable, and are worth considering if you're looking for an active noise cancelling headphone.

The QC35 II are a great pair of wireless headphones that provide a comfortable fit with a neutral sound profile and excellent noise isolation. They are suitable for travel or in noisy environments and last for more than a full day on a single battery charge. They are also compatible with the majority of smart assistants. They can be activated by pressing a dedicated button. You can ask the assistant to play music, answer trivia questions or read your smartphone notifications.

The padding around the ears is wide and can accommodate a variety of types of ear. They are also light. The housings' hinges can be folded down to allow them to be easily packed in a bag or a backpack. The controls are located on the right-hand side and are easy to use. Playback can be controlled with tapping repeatedly which include rewinding or skipping songs.

We were listening to The Beatles' Let It Be as well as the drum beats and piano. The QC35 II delivers crisp, clear audio that is smooth and detailed sound. They are able to detect subtleties such as Paul McCartney’s unsteady timing as he builds up to the chorus or Gerard Way’s snarl when he laments teenage personalism in Teenagers.

The QC35 II is compatible with the majority of smart assistants and can connect to up to 2 devices at once. The QC35 II also come with an accessory case for carrying and a USB cable that charges quickly.

4. Sony WH-CH720N

Sony has a reputation for making high-quality headphones that cost a small amount. The budget-friendly WHCH720N headphones from Sony are no exception. These headphones come with many of the same features of the flagship WH1000XM5 headphones, but with an affordable design. These headphones provide a lot of active noise cancellation for a low cost.

Similar to the WH1000XM5 headphones, these headphones have 30mm dynamic drivers that deliver plenty of bass and clear high frequencies. They also feature an even tuning to make them sound great with various genres of music. They also have a wide soundstage that lets you get a sense of being immersed in the music.

The WH-CH720N headphones come with buttons instead of the touch controls or gestures employed by the XM5 headphones. This is a little more of a problem, as the buttons can be confusing at first. The controls are intelligently placed and are clearly labeled. A single press of the '-' button reduces the volume, and double presses stop and play audio. Pressing and holding the button will launch voice assistants, and also rejects calls.

These headphones last for up to 35 hours with ANC on. This is among the best over ear noise cancelling headphones battery performances we've seen on headphones with over-ears. They also have a standby mode to assist in preserving battery.

Bluetooth allows users to connect the WH-CH720N headphones to Android and iOS devices. They support LDAC which allows them to play high-quality audio on compatible devices. They also work with PlayStation consoles that have an analog 1/8" TRS cable. They can also be used as wired headphones on a PC with the included USB dongle. The Sony Headphones Connect App lets you customize your headphones using an EQ slider, presets, and multipoint connectivity.

5. B&W PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 is a follow-up to the success of its predecessor however, it's not an unfinished upgrade. Featuring a sleeker look and a new application, they deliver on the promise of top-quality build with audio that is designed to faithfully express artistic intent. They are also extremely comfortable to wear all day.

They don't have the same noise cancellation capabilities as the Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II, or the Sony WH1000XM5, but they do a good job in blocking out background noises to let you concentrate on your podcasts or music. They feature a six-microphone setup (four for the noise cancellation and two for voice pickup) and a revised algorithms that reduce ambient sound by 30dB. They're also among the few Bluetooth headphones we've tested that can be used in passive mode, allowing you to listen to your content On Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones their own, without power being connected to the drive units.

They're also compatible with the B&W Music app, a free download that provides a wide range of features that complement the superior noise cancelling. This includes a Quick Action button that cycles through three different modes of environmental that display battery life and can be configured to launch your device's voice assistant. It's a pain to press the button and hold it. A single press would be more intuitive and easier.

The PX7 S2 is an excellent pair of headphones that will delight music lovers. The PX7 S2 aren't suitable for demanding music genres such as metal and rock that favor bass-heavy productions and muddy low frequencies as they are for folk, classical and Acoustic. But, they will still be awe-inspiring to those who appreciate the audiophile credential, which is also practical and convenient.