The Best Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones

You'll need the top headphones that block out noise regardless of whether you wish to block out the hum from your HVAC system or want to fight the roar of jet engine noises. The WH1000XM5s from Sony are the best in active noise cancellation. Their predecessors were also great.

We've taken into consideration the adjustments for ANC as well as touch controls and on-ear detection (for pausing music when you take off your headphones). Our top picks feature high-quality audio, comfortable earcups and spacious ear cups.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

The fifth generation of Sony's flagship headphones is a significant upgrade over its predecessor, with improved noise cancellation and audio quality. Its remarkable ANC creates a virtual cone over ear noise cancelling headphones wireless (rossoneri.Ge) your head, blocking out an astonishing amount of low-frequency sounds. The earcups block out sounds in the mid-to-treble range, such as passenger chatter and creaking metal.

In contrast to other noise cancelling headphones that can sound hollow or unnatural, the WH-1000XM5s are very natural-sounding. They can reproduce Billie Eilish’s drums with remarkable clarity while keeping the edges clean and pristine. They're a joy to listen to on an airplane ride or on a commute.

A capacitive touch-surface on the right earcup controls the most frequently used controls, including play/pause, volume up/down, and skip forwards/backwards. It can also end and answer calls, and switch between ANC mode and ambient sound. Alternatively, you can hold the power button for a few minutes to hear a voice message indicating the remaining battery life.

Another notable improvement over the XM5s is the new QN1 microphone, which is designed to capture high-quality audio when recording podcasts and videos. The microphone is more sensitive than previous models and has a larger audio range, making it easier for you to pick up your voice.

The XM5 also carries certain features that were XM4's like the adaptive ANC system which automatically optimizes performance based on the environment. The "Wearing Detection" feature detects when the headset is removed and stops playing music or video. It will restart it as soon as they return to. It's compatible with Sony's DSEE Extreme Engine, which enhances compressed music to close to hi-res quality.

2. Sony WH-1000XM4

The WH1000XM4s from Sony are the latest version of their industry-leading over-ear headphones. They feature top-of-the-line performance, even though they don't come with the same active noise cancellation features as the WH1000XM5s. In addition to having stronger Bluetooth and a better noise cancelling algorithm, the WH-1000XM4s also have a brand new audio chip that can boost music files to HD quality and more advanced voice controls.

The biggest improvement in this latest model is that Sony has made the WH-1000XM4s more comfortable than ever before by adding padding around the headband and moving the microphones closer to the outside of the ear. This makes them more comfortable for long listening sessions.

You can also select between five different sound settings depending on the surrounding. You can even tailor your EQ settings by using the Sony headphones app. They're a great choice for those who travel and the app lets you track your activity and automatically adjust their settings on the fly.

Another significant improvement is the WH-1000XM4's sound cancellation, which has been improved by enhancing the sensitiveness and improving the way it eliminates low frequencies. You can check this out by studying a graph similar to the one above, where higher peaks indicate that more sounds are being cancelled out. The WH1000XM4s are also better in reducing low-frequency sounds such as the hum from an air conditioning unit, or the constant rumble from the engine of a plane.

The WH1000XM4s are equipped with a range of excellent features, including a 30 hour battery life and a USB-C charging port. They also come with Quick Alert, which lets you tap the right earcup in order to deflect the music and turn on the transparency mode; Speak to Chat can pause media when you speak (and works well, though it sometimes fails to detect taps), and Sony's Smart Listening technology, which can analyze and detect your environment to deliver superior audio.

3. Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II

The Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II headphones (or QC35 Wireless 2018, as they are also known) were released in September 2017. Although they've been replaced by the 2021-released Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700, they remain popular and affordable and are worth a look if you're looking for an active noise cancelling headphone.

The QC35 II are a great pair of wireless headphones that provide a comfortable fit with a neutral sound profile, and outstanding noise isolation. They are ideal for travel or in noisy environments and last more than a day with a single charge. They also work with the majority of smart assistants. They can be turned on by the use of a specific button. You can ask them to play music or answer trivia questions, or read your smartphone notifications.

The padding around the ears is wide and will fit most ears. They are also light. The hinges on the housings fold down and make them easy to pack into a bag or backpack. The controls are on the right-hand side of the headphones and are easy to use. Playback is controlled by tapping repeatedly, including rewinding or skipping songs.

For an example of the quality you can expect from these Bose headphones we played The Beatles' Let It Be and listened to the drum beats and piano parts. The QC35 II deliver crisp, clear audio that is well-rounded and detailed. They uncover subtleties in the vocals, like Paul McCartney's inconsistent timing when he's building to the chorus, or Gerard Way's snarl when he sighs about the lack of individuality among Teenagers.

The QC35 II can be connected to up to two devices simultaneously and over ear noise Cancelling headphones wireless are compatible with all smart assistants. The QC35 II also come with a carry case and a USB cable that can be charged quickly.

4. Sony WH-CH720N

Sony is a household name for its top-quality headphones at a affordable price. Its budget-friendly WH-CH720N headphones are not a different. These headphones have many of the same features of the WH1000XM5 flagship headphones, but in an affordable design. They also offer a decent amount of active noise cancellation at a low price.

These headphones feature high-performance drivers of 30mm that provide crisp high frequencies and a full bass. They have an unbalanced sound that works well with a variety of genres of music. They also feature a huge, encompassing soundstage.

The WH-CH720N headphones utilize buttons instead of the touch controls and gestures of the XM5 headphones. This is a little bit of a downside, as the buttons are at first difficult to understand. The controls are well-placed and are clearly labeled. Double presses of the '+' button can pause and play audio. A single press lowers the volume. Pressing and holding the button launches voice assistants and blocks calls.

With ANC activated the headphones will last about 35 hours before they run out of power. This is among the best battery performances we've seen in over-ear headphones. They also come with a standby mode that can assist in preserving battery.

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

5. B&W PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 follow on from a successful predecessor but are not an unfinished update riding on its coattails. They have a sleeker design and a new application. They deliver on their promise of premium build-quality, delivering audio that faithfully conveys artistic intent. They're also extremely comfortable and a treat to wear throughout the day.

Although they aren't as good as the noise cancellation of the Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II or the Sony WH-1000XM5, they do a very good job of keeping out the sounds of the environment and ensuring you can focus on your music, podcasts or handheld gaming without distractions. They have a six-strong microphone setup (four for noise cancellation and two for voice pick-up) and a revised algorithm that cuts ambient sound by 30 decibels. They're also among the few Bluetooth headphones we've tested that can be used in passive mode, allowing you to listen to your content on their own, with no power being applied to the drive units.

They're also compatible with the B&W Music app, a free download that delivers a wide range of features that complement the superior noise cancellation. The Quick Action button can be set to turn on your device's voice assistance to cycle through three settings for the environment and display battery life. It's a pain to press and hold the button for a while - one press would be more efficient and intuitive.

The PX7 S2 are a very impressive pair of headphones which will delight all music fans. They're not suitable for the raucous music of genres like metal and rock, which tend to favour heavy bass and muddy low frequencies as they are for classical, folk and Acoustic music, but will still be awe-inspiring to those who appreciate audiophile credentials that's also practical and convenient.