The Best Over-Ear Headphones

If you travel on public transit, work in a noisy office with noisy coworkers or simply want to listen to your music without a lot of distractions from outside, then headphones with noise cancellation on the ear can make all the difference. We've reviewed the best headphones for over-ear use that combine great sound quality with active noise cancellation.

Mpow Over-Ear Headphones

These Bluetooth headphones from Mpow feature a great solid build and offer excellent audio quality that is impressive considering their price. They are designed as over-ear headphones with ear cups that fit comfortably over the ears to block out ambient noise. The earpads are constructed of a modestly thick cushion that insulates your ears sufficiently to block out a large portion of ambient sounds but they don't have a noise cancellation feature that is active. They weigh slightly more than 11 ounces, and are comfortable to wear for extended durations of time.

The Mpow headphones have simple and not too different from other headphone designs for over-ear available. The headband that connects the two ear cups is hinged, which allows them to fold down into a compact unit to transport and store. The left ear cup houses the controls for volume, power and noise cancellation. The right earcup houses an audio microphone for hands-free calls.

The sound quality from the Mpow headphones is very good but they don't have the bass power of Bose or the clarity of the Sony WH-1000XM5. The PRTF accuracy and activation score are above average among Bluetooth headphone models. This should result in a spacious and wide soundstage when listening to music. However, their PRTF distance score is below average, best over Ear headphones noise-Cancelling which means that they will sound more closed in and less open than headphones that have more open-back, larger earcups.

They also have a good amount of treble extension which will give you an uncluttered and clear sound that can handle most kinds of music. The mids of the Sony headphones are a bit more pronounced, giving them more of a dynamic sound. This is ideal for music with a variety of instruments. The bass can be a bit too loud for some, but this is a personal preference that can be corrected by changing the equalizer settings in your audio player.

The Mpow headphones have a long battery life, and can be utilized in wired mode when the battery is exhausted. The headphones come with a USB charger and the cable, so you can listen to your favorite music without interruption. The manufacturer provides a 45-day money-back guarantee and a warranty of 18 months for these headphones and their customer service is known for its responsiveness.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 are the most recent over-ear headphones to grace the Bowers & Wilkins catalog. They replace the PX7 model and are part of a wider range of wireless headphones that also includes the PI5 and PI7. Unboxed, the style of these headphones instantly invokes the feeling of luxury. The use of metals and textured materials on the ear cups as well as the headband give them an exquisitely put together feel. The headphones are also more comfortable on the head and ear although they weigh a bit more. The ear pads are easily removed and can be replaced if they become worn out.

Like many of the best over Ear headphones noise-cancelling headphones, these cans feature active noise cancellation that reduces the sound of outside sounds while allowing you to listen to your music. The technology isn't flawless however it does a good job of keeping the whir of an aircraft engine or the rumble of a train out of your ears while not altering the balance of music tracks that may occupy the same frequency.

The PX7 S2's soundstage is what really distinguishes it from the rest of the competition. It has plenty of space between the sound elements and provides a clear separation. This provides clarity to songs that can't always be heard on other Bluetooth headphones.

While the PX7 S2s aren't as movable as some of their competitors, they come with a great carry case. The case is well-padded and the headphones fold flat when not in use.

The ear cups are covered in a soft, leather-like fabric that is very indulgent to the feel. The earcups are lightweight, which makes them comfortable to wear for long listening sessions. The headband was designed for maximum comfort and doesn't squeeze too tight. This helps prevent headaches.

The headphones come with a variety of features that include Bluetooth multipoint that allows them to connect to two devices at the same time. They support all popular Bluetooth codecs as well as high-resolution audio, in the event that your streaming service supports it. They also have an amplifier for headphones that can give you an extra boost when using headphones with electronics that are not powered, such as laptops.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH1000XM5 is a new model in Sony’s premium noise cancelling over-ear headphones. They're a fantastic upgrade over their predecessors, the WH-1000XM2s and WH-1000XM4. Sony has made improvements to its already impressive active noise cancelling over ear headphones cancellation. The fifth-generation headphones, for instance can now block low-frequency sounds like plane engines and subway car rumbles. They can also detect the location of your head and adjust the Ambient sound control settings accordingly.

You can still use a voice-activated assistant to control your music, find directions, and much more. The microphones on the earcups have been upgraded to allow them to be used to make calls using hands-free technology and also to control Siri/Google Assistant. The headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible which means that they can be connected and pair more quickly.

In our laboratory tests the WH1000XM5 received top scores for comfort, user-friendliness and the sound quality. The lightweight headset is comfortable to wear for long listening sessions, and the ear cup can be adjusted to accommodate various head sizes. The headphones are portable, and their flat foldable design makes them able to be easily tucked away in a backpack or suitcase.

The ears have a slight curvature, and the headband is more refined. This helps to hide the assembly points. The new synthetic leather gives it a more durable and luxurious. The earcups are also larger and are more comfortable against the ear, which can cause some pressure to the head after wearing them for prolonged durations.

Some of the core features of the WH1000XM4s are carried over ear headphones noise cancelling wireless to the XM5. You can still swipe or tap the right earcup in order to change songs, pause audio, and access Ambient sound mode. You can put your hand on the left earcup to temporarily reduce the volume and boost ambient sounds. This is useful if you need to hear what's happening around you.

There are a few subtle enhancements to the XM5s that make them an excellent purchase for headphones that block noise. The new ANC provides better isolation of low-frequency sounds and the headphones will stop music when lifted off your head to conserve energy. Transparent listening mode lets in more external sound. A new battery-power-consumption algorithm gives the XM5s the same 30-hour battery life rating as their predecessor, and a quick press of the power button will alert you to your remaining charge.

Skullcandy ATH-ADX700

For those that are looking to purchase a set of headphones to accompany their gaming setup, the ATH-ADX700 is a fantastic choice. They are comfortable and provide superior sound. They are also lightweight and won't feel heavy on your head and ears. They feature a self-adjusting 3D wings that can adjust to your head and eliminates pressure. The headphones include a cable that can be easily connected to your audio source.

These are open-air headphones which look very unique, due to their massive earcups as well as honeycomb covers in black that reveal the drivers inside. This unique design makes them stand out from the crowd but it's not their only thing that sets them apart. They are distinctive because of their self-adjusting wings-support construction, the new 53 mm driver with bobbin wound CCAW voice coils and Best Over ear headphones noise-cancelling a aluminum casing made of honeycomb that is lightweight.

The ATH-ADX700 features an impressively broad frequency response, which provides a clear and natural treble and midrange. The sound isn't as booming as other headphones, but that's because they're aimed at the general music lover who does not want to be blasted by excessive low frequencies. They're a great pair of headphones for gamers because they allow you to hear the voices of your teammates and NPCs without being obstructed by a booming bass.

The ATH-ADX700 headphones come with an impedance rating of 32 ohms, but still require a decent amp to perform optimally. It's not a problem when using them from a portable player however it will be much easier to manage and enjoy the full range of sound when used with a suitable headphone amplifier.

The ATH ADX700 comes with a 9.84 feet cable that has a gold-plated connector 1/8 inch and a TPE sheath, which is resistant to damaging and tangling. The ATH-ADX700 comes with a 1/4" adapter for mobile devices. The earpads have a plush velvet material that initially squishy and soft, but will eventually break into. The earpads are also composed of a pliable, higher-quality material that enhances comfort and durability.