Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?

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

Sony's flagship headphones are a fantastic value. They offer a new design and a superior audio quality and also enticing features. From the powerful chorus to Sinead O'Connor's trembling bridge, these headphones provide incredible clarity and authenticity.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony is the leader in noise cancellation, and its WH1000XM5 headphones are the best version of this series. A few well-thought-out improvements 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 bose over The ear headphones noise cancelling have the most powerful ANC Sony has produced yet. They're also lightweight and provide approximately 27 hours of playback without charging, which is plenty for a week's worth commutes or a long-haul flight.

The WH-1000XM5s have a sleek minimalist design and are made from a recycled and recyclable plastic referred to as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The branding is minimalist. There's a tiny Sony logo on each hinge of the earcup. The earcups and the headband are cushioned with a plush soft material that is comfortable on all but the largest heads. The earcups are also adjustable so you can find the ideal fit for your needs.

Contrary to previous models that were focused on reducing low frequency noise, the XM5s amplify the sound waves at higher frequencies to block out ambient noise. This improves the overall sound quality and can help reduce engine and cabin noises on flights. The XM5s have another processor to increase noise cancellation more on planes and the audio application can also automatically adjust your listening environment based on air pressure data.

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

2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

Sennheiser has been making headphones for over 50 years. You can expect a premium sound quality as well as a comfortable fit. With their new over-ears, called Momentum 4 Wireless, they provide both. They've revamped the design to remove certain elements that gave the original models their aviator headset look and also improved their active noise cancellation with their advanced Adaptive Noise Cancellation technology. They've rated these headphones to last 60 hours of listening time with ANC enabled, doubling the battery life of most rivals.

They're also a lot more mobile than the previous model since they fold up and are smaller overall. They're made from synthetic PU leather for the replaceable headband and earpads that are comfortable on my head even if I wear them all working. There's not much clamping force that keeps them in place, so they should remain comfortable on flights and even during longer workouts.

The sound is clean and well-balanced However, there are a few peaks in the low-mid and high-mid that cause a slight muddying in the mixes. The bass is overemphasized which adds extra punch and thump in genres such as EDM or hip hop. It's not a huge deal however some listeners might find it annoying. The high-mid has a little uneven balance, pushing vocals and instruments towards the front of the mix but at the expense of bringing out sibilants into certain songs.

The Sennheiser momentum 4 wireless comes with all of the usual features, including Bluetooth wireless connectivity, a translucent mode that blends outside noises into your music for better awareness, and mobile application support for pre-set and custom EQ options. You can also use a 3.5mm cord to connect your phone. They can connect to your phone using SBC, AAC HD, and aptX Adaptive codes and can reduce latency by as much as one quarter second.

3. B&W PX7 S2

The original PX7s were top of the line on many lists of the top Bluetooth headsets, thanks to their outstanding ANC and the sound quality. The PX7s, just like other wireless headphones, were getting old and required a refresh. This is why the PX7S2. B&W did not just alter the design however, they also made improvements to ANC, and added more features for voice calls.

The first thing you notice when you open the box and get the PX7 S2 is how light they are. This makes them extremely comfortable for long listening sessions. The look of the PX7 S2 is basically similar to the model before it. It has the cool oval aluminium top-plate that is used for the earcups, the hook-like accent that slides rather than clicks when you expand the headband and the physical buttons. The earcups are smaller but the headband is a bit less substantial overall.

The software from B&W lets you adjust the EQ settings of the bass and treble. However, you aren't as in control as you do with higher-priced headphones. The Quick Action button on left earcup switches between the different modes of the environment. It can also be set to call the voice assistant of your device via the Bowers & Wilkins Music App.

The PX7 S2 sounds great for all musical styles, and has a soundstages that have ample width and great separation between the various elements of sound. 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 that have a touch of air. It can handle heavier fare as well. The bass punch and midrange clarity on Entombed's garage/deathn'roll crossover, To Ride, Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth The album is an overwhelming sound while allowing you to discern vocal nuances like Lars-Goran Petrov's gritty growl.

4. Bose QuietComfort 35

Bose Over The Ear Headphones Noise Cancelling was one of the first companies to bring active noise cancelling headphones to the mainstream. They had a stranglehold for years but now they have to compete against newer headsets that have 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 also comfortable to wear and have a well-balanced default sound profile. 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 a great pair of headphones to listen to podcasts and audiobooks. They come with an active noise cancellation feature which reduces ambient sounds, yet still keeps you secluded from the surrounding. The QC35s can also connect two Bluetooth devices at the same time and "audio-share" so you can play something on one pair of headphones and then answer an incoming call from the other.

The Bose Connect App is decent however it lacks the vast EQ features of other headphone apps. The QC35s are also used in wired mode with a cable, but the quality of sound takes a huge drop and they don't offer the same level of battery longevity as wireless models.

The QC35s come with a well-known Bose style that may not be as appealing to some people than the more modern designs of other brands. However, you can add a bit of personalization by purchasing an ear cover-up with decals from companies like SlickWraps and Skin Sticker. In the coming year you'll be able to customize the color of the earcups as well as the headband, similar to the older QC25.

5. Sony WH-1000XM3

Sony's WH1000XM3 is the best wireless headphone with active noise cancelling headphones with mic cancellation that you can buy right now. They're a bit more expensive than the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless, but they isolate a lot more ambient noise and feel more sturdy. The app is also superior and offers tons of options for sound customization.

The XM3's outstanding audio quality is one of the main reasons why they're popular and they've been improved since their launch to offer even better performance. They're equipped with a little more depth in the frequency spectrum. Their noise cancelling is better at all levels of volume. They also have upgraded controls, such as Quick Attention mode and Speak-to chat. The latest feature, Adaptive sound control, automatically adjusts the amount of external sound allowed in based on where you are and what you're doing.

However, they aren't without their flaws. The treble can be sometimes a bit loud and the midrange is slightly more recessed. They are still prone to boost the bass too much on certain tracks, making them sound heavy and full. But this is something you can address through the headphone settings or via EQ adjustment in the Sony app.

The XM3s are a fantastic pair of headphones, especially for frequent travelers and commuters. They're more comfortable, look and feel more durable and premium than the JBL Live 650 BTNC Wireless, and they have a much better battery and one of our favorite noise cancellation features available on the market. They're also more flexible and more suitable for use on mobile devices than the Audio-Technica ATH-M50X Wireless, despite having less impressive noise isolation. And they're not waterproof, which is a problem for some people.