Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?

Noise-cancelling headphones are an absolute blessing for those who love to listen, whether you're at work or commuting on the train. Which are the best?

Sony's flagship headphones are an excellent value. They come with a fresh design and superior audio quality and also enticing features. From the forceful chorus to Sinead O'Connor's shaking bridge, these headphones deliver incredible clarity and realism.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony is a master at noise cancellation, and its WH1000XM5 headphones are the top model of this series. A few well-thought-out enhancements 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 at once and feature the best ANC Sony has made to date. They're lightweight and can run for up to 27 hours with no charging. This is enough time for a week of commutes or long-haul flights.

The WH-1000XM5s feature an elegant minimalist design and are made of recycled and recyclable plastic, known as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The branding is minimal, although there is a tiny 'Sony' logo on the hinge of each earcup. The earcups and the headband are cushioned with a plush soft material that feels comfortable on all heads. The earcups are also adjustable to ensure that you get the perfect fit for you.

Unlike previous models, which focused on reducing low frequency noise, the XM5s amplify sound waves at high frequency to cancel out background noise. This improves the overall sound quality and helps to block out cabin and engine noises on flights, for example. The XM5s comes with another processing unit to enhance noise cancellation on planes. The audio app is also able to automatically adjust your listening environment based on the pressure of the air.

Other features of the WH-1000XM5s are an enhanced voice assistant that's simple to use and can be used with Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri and 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 via LDAC, which Sony's codec is based on, but don't support the aptX codec or aptX HD.

2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

If a company has been making headphones for many years, including Sennheiser you can expect top-of-the-line sound quality and a comfortable fit. They've got both with their latest pair of over-ears named the Momentum 4 Wireless. They've revamped their design to remove some characteristic elements that gave their earlier models the look of an aviator. They also improved active noise cancellation by using their latest Adaptive Noisy Cancellation Technology. These headphones are rated to last for 60 hours when ANC on, which is double the battery life of a lot of competitors.

The new model is also more portable, as it folds up and is a bit smaller. The ear pads and the headband are made of artificial PU leather that feels comfortable on my head when I wear it throughout the day. There isn't a lot of clamping force that holds them in place either and they'll be comfortable during flights and during workouts that last longer.

The sound is well-balanced and clear However, there are a few peaking in the low-mid and high-mid which cause slightly muddy sound in mixes. The bass is overemphasized which adds extra energy and thump in genres such as EDM or hip hop. It's not an issue however some listeners may find it irritating. The high-mid also has a sloppy balance, bringing vocals and instruments forward in the mix but at the cost of bringing out some vocal sibilants.

The Sennheiser momentum 4 wireless has all the standard features, including Bluetooth wireless connectivity, a clear mode that blends outside sounds into your music for better awareness, and 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 great.

3. B&W PX7 S2

The original PX7s were top of the line on many lists of best Bluetooth headsets, thanks to their excellent ANC and the sound quality. But, headphones noise Cancel like all wireless headphones, they've become older and needed a refresh and hence the PX7 S2. B&W did not just alter the design however, they also made improvements to ANC, and added more voice-calling features.

The first thing you notice when you open the box and take out the PX7 S2 is how lightweight they are, which makes them very comfortable for long listening sessions. The look of the PX7 S2 is mostly similar to the model before it. This includes the cool oval aluminium top-plate for the earcups the hook-like accent that slides rather than clicks when you expand the headband and the physical buttons. The earcups, however are smaller and the headband is less substantial.

The software of B&W lets you tweak EQ settings for treble and bass but you don't get as much control over the mix of these two elements as you do with higher-end 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 on your device in the Bowers & Wilkins Music App.

The PX7 S2 is a great choice for all music styles. It offers a wide soundstage and good separation of different sound elements. It shines in particular on works that showcase acoustic instruments, such as Rachmaninoff's Cello Sonata in G Minor Op. 19 by pianist Yuja Wang and cellist Gautier Capucon, with woody instrumental tones and a sense of air. It can take on heavier music as well. The bass punch and midrange clarity on Entombed's garage/deathn'roll crossover, To Ride, Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth provide a wall of noise while allowing you to hear vocal details like Lars-Goran Petrov's grittier growl.

4. Bose QuietComfort 35

Bose is among the first companies to introduce active noise cancelling headphones into the mainstream. They held the market for years, but they now have to compete with newer headsets which offer more features and superior audio quality. QuietComfort 35 remains a great option for anyone who wants to listen to music or podcasts without hums or rumbles.

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

If you're seeking a pair that can be used to listen to audiobooks or podcasts, the QC35s have an amazing passive noise cancellation feature which reduces ambient noise while ensuring you are completely insulated from the sound of the environment around you. The QC35s can also connect two Bluetooth devices at the same time and "audio-share" so you can listen to something with one pair of headphones while answering an incoming call from the other pair.

The Bose Connect App is decent, but it doesn't have the vast EQ features of other headphone apps. The QC35s can be utilized in wired mode by using an audio cable, however sound quality takes a big drop and they don't offer the same level of battery life as wireless models.

The QC35s sport a classic Bose design that might not appeal to some people as the sleeker designs of other manufacturers. However you can add a touch of personalization by purchasing an ear cover-up with decals from companies such as SlickWraps and Skin Sticker. In the near future you'll be able to customize the color of the earcups as well as the headband, just like with the earlier QC25.

5. Sony WH-1000XM3

Sony's WH1000XM3 headphones noise cancel are the best wireless headphone that has active noise cancellation you can purchase right now. They're more expensive than the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless, but they isolate a lot more ambient noise and feel much more durable. They also have a premium companion app that provides many sound customization options.

The XM3's outstanding sound quality is one of their main draws and they've been upgraded since their launch to offer even better performance. They have a little bit more depth in the frequency spectrum. The noise cancellation is better at all levels of volume. They also have upgraded controls, such as Quick Attention mode and Speak-to chat. They also have a brand new feature called Adaptive Sound Control that adjusts automatically how much external sound is let in based on ear noise cancelling headphones where you're at and what you're doing.

They're not without their own issues, though. The treble can be occasionally a bit overpowering and the midrange is slightly recessed. They have a tendency to boost the bass too much in certain tracks, making them sound overly full and heavy. You can fix this in the Sony app or in the headphone settings.

The XM3s are an excellent pair of headphones, particularly for those who commute or are frequent travelers. They're more comfortable, comfortable, and appear superior and more durable than the JBL Live 650 BTNC Wireless and also have a far superior battery and one of our favorite noise cancellation features available in the market. They're also more versatile and better-equipped to use on the go than Audio-Technica's M50X wireless, although their noise cancellation isn't as impressive. They're also not waterproof, and that could be a deal breaker for some.