Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?

Noise-cancelling headphones can be an absolute blessing for those who love to listen, whether you're at work or in the train. Which are the best noise cancelling over ear headphones, though?

Sony's flagship headphones are an excellent value. They come with a fresh design and a superior audio quality, and also enticing features. These headphones are able to capture every detail, from Sinead O'Connor's bridge that trembles to the booming chorus.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony is a pro at noise cancellation, and its WH-1000XM5 headphones are the most advanced version of the series. A few well-thought-out upgrades over the XM4s make these headphones an excellent all-round pair of cans, especially for commuters and travelers. They're comfortable, have multipoint technology that allows you to connect to two devices simultaneously, and are the most advanced ANC Sony has produced yet. They're also lightweight and provide approximately 27 hours of playback without charging, which is sufficient to last a week's worth commutes or a long-haul flight.

The WH-1000XM5s feature a sleek, minimalist design and are made of recycled and recyclable plastic known as acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS). The branding is minimal, although there is the "Sony" logo on the hinge of each earcup. The earcups and the headband are cushioned with plush, soft material that's comfortable on all but the largest heads. The earcups can be adjusted so that you can find the perfect fit for you.

Contrary to previous models that focused on reducing low-frequency noise, the XM5s amplify sound waves at high frequencies to cancel out ambient noise. This improves the overall quality of sound and helps drown out engine and cabin noise on flights, for instance. The XM5s has a second processing unit to improve noise cancellation on planes. The audio app can also automatically adjust the sound environment you are listening to based on the data on air pressure.

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

2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

If a company has been manufacturing headphones for many years, including Sennheiser you can expect top-of-the-line sound quality and a comfy fit. They've delivered on ear noise cancelling headphones both counts with their latest pair of over-ears dubbed the Momentum 4 Wireless. They've updated the design to eliminate some of the trademark elements that gave the previous models the look of a aviator headset and have also enhanced the active noise cancellation using their advanced Adaptive Noise Cancellation technology. They've rated these headphones to last 60 hours of listening with ANC enabled, which doubles the battery life of most competitors.

The new model is also more compact, since it folds down and is a bit smaller. They're made of synthetic leather that can be used to make the replaceable headband and earpads that are comfortable on my ear even when I wear them all day at work. There's not a lot of clamping force that keeps them in place and they'll be comfortable during flights and during workouts that last longer.

The sound is clean and well-balanced However, there are a few peaks in the low-mid and high-mid that cause a slight muddiness in mixes. The bass is a little overemphasized, which adds a little punch and thump to genres such as EDM or hip-hop. It's not an issue, but some listeners may find it annoying. The high-mid area has some uneven balance too, pushing vocals and instruments to the forefront of mixes, but at the cost of bringing out sibilants into some songs.

The Sennheiser momentum 4 wireless comes with all the standard features, including Bluetooth wireless connectivity, a transparent mode that blends outside sounds into your music to improve awareness, as well as mobile application support for pre-set and custom EQ options. You can also connect a 3.5mm cord to connect your phone. They can make use of SBC, AAC, aptX HD and aptX Adaptive codecs to connect to your device, and they can reduce latency by up to a quarter of a second which is fantastic.

3. B&W PX7 S2

The original PX7s were a top choice on a variety of lists of the most reliable Bluetooth headsets, thanks to their superior ANC and audio quality. But, like all wireless headphones, they've been getting older and in need of a refresh which is why the PX7 S2. B&W hasn't just redesigned the design for this new version, but it's made significant improvements to ANC and also added voice-calling features, too.

The first thing you notice when you open the box and pick up the PX7 S2 is how lightweight they are, which makes them comfortable for long listening sessions. A lot of the design is reminiscent of the previous model, wireless such as the elongated aluminum earcup top, the hook-like accent on the headband that glids rather than clicks when you expand it, and the actual buttons. The earcups are a bit smaller, but the headband is less bulky overall.

The software from B&W lets you adjust the EQ settings of bass and treble. However you don't have as much control as you would with more expensive headphones. The Quick Action button on left earcups switches the modes of the environment. It can also be configured to activate the voice assistant of your device via the Bowers & Wilkins Music App.

The PX7 S2 is a great choice for most musical styles. It has a large soundstage and a good separation of the different sound elements. It's especially impressive for pieces that have acoustic instruments such as Rachmaninoff's Cello Sonata, Op. The 19 by Yuja Wang and Gautier Capucon has woody tones with a sense air. It's also able to handle heavier songs as well, thanks to the bass punch and midrange clarity on Entombed's fusion of garage and death-n'-roll, Ride the Straight, Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth creating an impressive sound wall while allowing to hear vocal details such as Lars-Goran Petrov's sharp growl.

4. Bose QuietComfort 35

Bose was one of the first companies to bring active noise cancelling headphones into the mainstream. Though they had an advantage over the market for a long time but they are now competing with newer headsets with more features and better sound quality. However, the QuietComfort 35 is still a ideal option for anyone looking to hear their podcasts or music without being disturbed by constant rumbles and hums.

The default sound profile is balanced, and they're comfortable to wear. The ANC is excellent at eliminating background noise. However it tends to emphasize lower frequencies more than other headphones such as the Sony WH1000XM5.

The QC35s are an excellent pair of headphones to listen to audiobooks and podcasts. They come with an active noise cancellation feature which reduces ambient sounds, while still keeping you isolated from your surroundings. The QC35s also let you connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and "audio-share" so you can play something on one pair of headphones while answering an incoming call on the other.

The Bose Connect app is decent but doesn't provide the full EQ options offered by other headphone apps. The QC35s can also be used in wired mode, but the sound quality is drastically reduced and battery life isn't as great as with wireless models.

The QC35s sport a classic Bose design that might not be as appealing to some as the more sleek designs of other manufacturers. You can add some personalization to your headphones by purchasing a decal cover from companies such as SlickWraps or Skin Sticker. You'll also be able to alter the color of the ear cups and the headband later this year, just like you can with the older QC25 model.

5. Sony WH-1000XM3

Sony's WH-1000XM3 are among the top wireless headphones that have active noise cancellation you can purchase right now. They're more expensive than Anker Soundcore Q20 Wireless but they isolate more ambient noise. They also have a superior companion app that provides many sound customization options.

The XM3s' excellent audio quality is one of 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 spectrum of frequencies The noise cancelling function works better at all volumes, and they have improved controls for things like Quick Attention mode, voice control and Speak-to-Chat. The new feature, Adaptive sound control, automatically adjusts the amount of external sound that is allowed in based on the location you are in and what you are doing.

However, they aren't without their flaws. The midrange can sound a bit recessed and the treble can sometimes be too loud. They still have the tendency to boost the bass too much on some tracks, which makes the sound too heavy and full. But that's something you can address in the headphone settings or by using EQ adjustment in the Sony app.

The XM3s are a great pair of headphones, particularly for frequent travelers or commuters. They're more comfortable, comfortable, and appear superior and more durable than the JBL Live 650 BTNC Wireless and have a much superior battery and one of the best noise cancelling features in the business. They're also more adaptable and better-equipped for mobile use than the Audio-Technica ATH M50X Wireless, although they have less impressive noise isolation. They're not waterproof, which can be a major issue for some people.