The Best Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones

You'll need the top headphones for noise cancellation regardless of whether you wish to block out the hum from your HVAC system or you want to fight the sound of jet engine noises. The new Sony WH1000XM5s are the kings of active sound cancellation. The predecessors were excellent.

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

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

The fifth generation of Sony flagship headphones is an impressive improvement over the previous models, offering improved quality of audio and noise cancellation. Its impressive ANC performance creates an illusion of silence over your head and blocks out a surprising amount low-frequency noise. The ear cups block out sounds in the mid-to-treble range like chatter from passengers and creaking metal.

In contrast to other noise cancelling headphones that can sound hollow or unnatural, the WH1000XM5s are very natural-sounding. They are able to render the drums of Billie Eilish with astonishing clarity and keep the edges clear and clean. It's an absolute pleasure listening to them on an extended flight or on a commute.

A capacitive touch-surface on the right ear cup handles the most common controls, including play/pause, volume up/down, skip forwards/backwards and skip. It also allows you to answer and end calls, and switch between ANC and ambient sound mode. Alternatively, you can press and hold the power button for a few minutes to hear a voice warning of the battery's remaining life.

The new QN1 microphone is a significant improvement over the XM5s. It was designed to record high-quality audio while recording podcasts and videos. The microphone is more sensitive and has a larger audio range than the previous models which makes it easier to recognize your own voice.

Other features of the XM4s have been incorporated into the XM5 and include an adaptive ANC system that automatically optimizes performance based on your surroundings. The 'Wearing Detection" feature detects when the headset is removed and pauses music or video. It will resume it as soon as the headset is put back on. It's also compatible with Sony's DSEE Extreme engine, which claims to boost compressed music to near-hi-res quality.

2. Sony WH-1000XM4

The WH1000XM4s by Sony are the latest version of their top-of-the-line over-ear headphones. They offer class-leading performance however they don't have the same active noise cancellation that is available on the WH1000XM5s. Alongside the improved Bluetooth and an improved noise-canceling algorithm, the WH-1000XM4s feature a new audio chip that boosts music files to HD quality and has more advanced voice controls.

The most significant improvement in this latest generation is that Sony has made the WH-1000XM4s more comfortable than before by putting padding on the headband, and moving the microphones towards the outer edges of the ear. This makes them more comfortable for long listening sessions.

They're also more flexible and allow you to switch between five different audio modes based on the surroundings. Sony headphones have an app that lets you to modify your EQ settings. They're a great option for travelers, and the app allows you to track your activity and automatically adjust the settings as you go.

The WH-1000XM4 also has improved its noise cancellation. It is now more effective thanks to the greater sensitivity and improved filtering of low frequencies. You can examine this by studying a graph similar to the one above, where higher peaks indicate more sounds are being blocked out. The WH-1000XM4s can also be more effective at reducing low-frequency sounds, such as the hum of an air conditioner or the constant rumble of an airplane engine than any other pair of noise-canceling headphones we've tested.

The WH-1000XM4s continue to have many great features such as a battery that lasts up to 30 hours and a USB-C charging port built-in. They also feature Quick Alert, which lets users touch the right earcup to dampen the music and turn on transparency mode; Speak to Chat pauses media when you speak (and works well, although it sometimes fails to register taps) and Sony's Smart Listening technology, which can recognize and analyze your surroundings to provide better audio.

3. Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II

The Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II (or QC35 Wireless 2018) are earbuds that were released in September 2017. While they've been replaced by the 2021-released Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700, they remain popular and affordable and are well worth considering if you're looking for a noise cancelling headphone.

The QC35 II are a great pair of mixed usage wireless headphones that provide an incredibly comfortable fit, a neutral default sound profile and excellent noise isolation. They can be used for travel or in noisy settings and last for more than a day with a single charge. They are also compatible with the majority of smart assistants. They can be activated with a dedicated button. You can ask them to play music or answer trivia questions, or read notifications from your smartphone.

They have a large opening in the padding around your ears that can fit most ears and shapes. They are light. The housings' hinges can be folded down to allow them to be easily packed in a bag or a backpack. The controls on the right side of the headphones noise are intuitively placed and feel good to use. A series of taps can be used to control playback, such as rewinding and skipping songs.

We heard The Beatles' Let It Be as well as the piano and drum beats. The QC35 II deliver crisp, clear audio that's well-rounded and detailed. They uncover subtleties in the vocals, for instance Paul McCartney's inconsistent timing when he's building to the chorus, or Gerard Way's snarl while he sighs about the lack of individuality among Teenagers.

The QC35 II is compatible with the majority of smart assistants. It can connect to up to two devices at once. The QC35 II comes with a carry bag and USB charging cable.

4. Sony WH-CH720N

Sony is a brand known for producing great headphones for a affordable price. The budget-friendly WHCH720N headphones by Sony are no exception. These headphones come with many of the same features as the flagship WH1000XM5 headphones, but in a more budget friendly design. These headphones provide a lot of active noise cancellation at a low cost.

Similar to the WH1000XM5 headphones, these headphones have 30mm dynamic drivers that provide great bass and crisp high frequencies. They have an even sound that blends well with various genres of music. They also feature a large, immersive soundstage.

The WH-CH720N headphones have buttons instead of the gestures or touch controls used by the XM5 headphones. This could be a an issue, since the buttons can be confusing at first. The controls are intelligently placed and clearly labeled. Double press of the '+' button can pause and play audio. A single press decreases the volume. Pressing and holding the button launches voice assistants, and also rejects calls.

These headphones can last for up to 35 hours with ANC on. This is the highest battery life we've seen in over-ear headphones. They have a standby mode to save battery.

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

5. B&W PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 follow on from a successful predecessor but aren't a half-baked update riding on its own. Featuring a sleeker look and samsung a brand new app, they deliver on the promise of top-quality build and sound that is that accurately conveys the artist's vision. They're also incredibly comfortable and enjoyable to wear all day long.

They don't offer the same noise cancellation as the Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II or the Sony WH1000XM5, however, they're effective in blocking out background noises so that you can focus on your music or podcasts. They use a six-strong microphone setup (four for noise cancelling and two for voice pick-up) and a redesigned algorithm that reduces ambient sound by 30dB. They are also among the only a handful of Bluetooth headphones we've tested that can be used in a passive manner, allowing users to listen to their content without the need to power the drive units.

The B&W Music app is also compatible with the free download that provides a variety of features that complement the excellent noise cancellation. It includes a Quick Action button that cycles through three different modes of environmental and housesofindustry.org displays battery life. It can be configured to launch your device's voice assistant. The annoying thing is that you have to press and hold the button for a while - one press would be more efficient and intuitive.

The PX7 S2 is a pair of headphones that will delight music lovers. The PX7 S2 headphones aren't so well-suited to the extreme music genres like metal and rock which favour bass-heavy productions and muddy low frequencies as they are for classical, folk, and acoustic. However, they will still impress those who appreciate the audiophile credential, which is also practical and easy to use.