Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?

On the train or at work, noise-cancelling headphones are the perfect solution for On Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones anyone who loves to listen. Which are the most effective?

With a new design with superior sound quality and a plethora of features, Sony's new flagship headphones offer exceptional value. These headphones are able to capture every detail, from Sinead's trembling Bridge to the powerful chorus.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony is an expert in noise cancellation, and its WH-1000XM5 headphones are the top model of this line. A few well-thought-out upgrades over the XM4s makes this model an all-around excellent pair of headphones, specifically for those who commute and travel. They're comfortable and feature multipoint technology to connect two devices simultaneously, and offer the best ANC Sony has ever created. They're lightweight and can run for up to 27 hours with no charging. That's enough time for a week of daily commutes or long-haul flights.

The WH1000XM5s look sleek and minimalist in appearance. They are made of ABS, a recyclable and recycled plastic. The branding is minimalist. There's a tiny Sony logo on each hinge of the earcup. The headband and earcups are cushioned with a plush, soft material that's comfortable on all but the largest heads. The ears can be adjusted to be perfectly sized for you.

In contrast to previous models that concentrated on reducing low-frequency noise, the XM5s amplify high-frequency sound waves to cancel out ambient noise. This improves the overall quality of the sound, and can help reduce cabin and engine noise on flights. The XM5s are equipped with a second processor to increase noise cancellation more for airplanes and the audio application can also automatically adapt your listening environment based on the data from your air pressure.

The WH-1000XM5s also features an integrated voice assistant that is simple to use, and works with Alexa as well as Google Assistant, Siri, and more. You can also pair the XM5s to other Sony audio products to enable stereo and multi-room music playback separation. They can support Bluetooth high-bitrate streaming audio using Sony's LDAC however they do not support aptX or HD.

2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

Sennheiser has been manufacturing headphones for over 50 years. You can expect premium sound quality as well as a comfortable fit. With their new over-ears, called Momentum 4 Wireless, they provide both. They have reworked their design to remove some trademark elements that gave their original models their aviator-style headset look. They also enhanced active noise cancellation with their advanced Adaptive Noise Cancellation Technology. The headphones are designed to last for 60 hours when ANC on which is twice the battery life of many rivals.

The new model is also more portable, as it folds up and is a bit smaller. They're made from synthetic leather that can be used to make the replaceable ear pads and headband that feel comfortable on my head even if I wear them all working. There isn't a lot of clamping force to keep them in place either and they'll be comfortable on flights and during more intense workouts.

The sound is well-balanced and clear However, there are a few peaking in the low-mid and high-mid that cause a slightly muddy sound in mixes. The bass is a little overemphasised, adding some extra energy and thump to genres like EDM or hip-hop. It's not a huge deal however some listeners might find it irritating. The high-mid area has some uneven balance too which pushes instruments and vocals towards the front of the mix, but at the cost of bringing out sibilants into some songs.

The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless is equipped with all the standard features like bluetooth wireless connectivity, a transparent mode which blends outside sounds into your music to enhance awareness, and mobile apps that support custom and preset EQ options. You can also connect a 3.5mm cord to connect your phone. They can connect to your device by using SBC, AAC HD, and aptX Adaptive codes and can cut down the latency by as much as a quarter second.

3. B&W PX7 S2

The original PX7s were a top pick on many lists of the best Bluetooth headsets due to their outstanding ANC and the sound quality. However, like many wireless headphones, they've been getting older and required a refresh, hence the PX7 S2. B&W did not just alter the design however, they also made improvements to ANC, and added more features for voice calling.

The first thing you will notice when you open the box and take out the PX7 S2 is how light they are. This makes them comfortable for long listening sessions. A lot of the design is the same as the previous model, like the cool oval aluminium earcup top-plate, the hook-like accent 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.

B&W's software allows you to adjust EQ settings for bass and treble, however, you don't have as much control over ear headphones bluetooth noise cancelling the mix of those two elements as you would on higher-priced headphones. The Quick Action button on left earcup switches between the different modes of the environment. It can also be configured to activate the voice assistant of your device through the Bowers & Wilkins Music App.

The PX7 S2 sounds great for the majority of musical styles, with a a soundstage that offers plenty of space and excellent separation between the various sound elements. It shines especially on selections featuring acoustic instruments such as Rachmaninoff's Cello Sonata in G Minor, Op. The 19 by Yuja Wang and Gautier Capucon features woody tones and a sense of air. It can also handle heavier songs too. The bass punch and midrange clarity on Entombed's crossover of garage and deathn'roll, To Ride and Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth The album is an overwhelming sound while allowing you to be able to hear vocal details such as Lars-Goran Petrov's grittier growl.

4. Bose QuietComfort 35

Bose was among the first companies to bring active noise cancelling headphones to the mainstream. Although they held an advantage over the market for years, they are now competing with more modern headsets that have more features and higher sound quality. QuietComfort 35 remains a great option for anyone who wants to listen to their podcasts or music without hums or rumbles.

The default sound profile is balanced and they're comfortable to wear. The ANC does a fantastic job of eliminating background noise, though it tends to focus on low frequencies more than modern headphones such as the Sony WH-1000XM5.

The QC35s are an excellent pair of headphones to listen to audiobooks and podcasts. They have a passive noise cancellation mode which reduces ambient sounds, while still keeping you isolated from your surroundings. The QC35s allow you to connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and "audio-share" to ensure that you can listen to something on one pair of headphones and answer an incoming call on the other.

The Bose Connect App is decent but it doesn't offer the full EQ features of other headphone apps. The QC35s can also be used in wired mode, but the sound quality is significantly diminished and battery longevity isn't as good as with wireless models.

The QC35s are an Bose product, and it might not be for all. Other manufacturers have sleeker designs. However you can add a bit of personalization by purchasing an ear cover-up with decals from companies such as SlickWraps and Skin Sticker. You'll also be able to customize the color of the earcups and headband later in the year, similar to what you can do with the previous QC25 model.

5. Sony WH-1000XM3

Sony's WH1000XM3 are the most effective wireless headphones that have active noise cancellation that you can get today. They're more expensive than Anker Soundcore Q20 Wireless but they isolate more ambient noise. The app is also superior and comes with a variety of sound-related options for customization.

The XM3s' excellent audio quality is among their main draws and they've been upgraded since their launch to offer the best performance. They're equipped with a little more detail in the frequency spectrum. Their noise cancelling is better at all levels of volume. They also have better features like Quick Attention mode and Speak-to-Chat. They also have a new feature called Adaptive Sound Control that adjusts automatically how much external sound is let in based on ear noise cancelling headphones - click4r.com published an article - where you are and what you're doing.

There are some problems, however. The treble can be occasionally a bit overpowering and the midrange is slightly more recessed. And they still have a tendency to increase the bass too much in certain tracks, which makes the sound seem too loud and heavy. But that's something you can address by changing the settings for your headphone or by using EQ adjustment within the Sony app.

The XM3s are a fantastic pair of headphones, especially for commuters and frequent travelers. They are more comfortable, look and feels premium, and are durable in comparison to the JBL Live 650 BTNC wireless. They also have a larger battery, and one of the top noise cancelling features available. They're also more adaptable and better-equipped for mobile use than the Audio-Technica's ATH-M50X Wireless, although they have less impressive noise cancellation. They're also not waterproof, which could be a major issue for some.