Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?

On the train or in the office Noise-cancelling headphones are an absolute must for anyone who loves to listen. Which ones are the best, though?

Sony's flagship headphones are a fantastic value. They feature a brand new design and superior audio quality and also enticing features. They can capture every detail, from Sinead O'Connor's bridge that trembles to the booming chorus.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony is an expert in noise cancellation, and its WH-1000XM5 headphones are the top model of this series. This model is a fantastic pair of headphones, particularly for those who commute or travel. They're comfortable, have multipoint technology to connect to two devices at once and feature the best over ear headphones without noise cancelling ANC Sony has produced yet. They are lightweight and can run for up to 27 hours with no charging. This is enough time to get through a week of commutes or long-haul flights.

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

In contrast to previous models, which were 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 can help reduce cabin and engine noise on flights. The XM5s has another processing unit to increase noise cancellation on planes. The audio app is also able to automatically adjust your listening environment in accordance with the data on air pressure.

Other features of the WH-1000XM5s are an enhanced voice assistant that is easy to use and works with Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri and more. You can also pair the XM5s with other Sony audio products to enable multi-room music playback as well as stereo separation. They're compatible with Bluetooth high-bitrate audio streaming via LDAC codec from Sony but they're not compatible with the aptX or aptX HD.

2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

Sennheiser has been making headphones for more than 50 years. You can expect premium sound quality and a cosy fit. They've got both with their latest headphones, called the Momentum 4 Wireless. They have reworked their design to eliminate some trademark elements that gave their original models their aviator-style headset look. They also upgraded active noise cancellation using their newest Adaptive Noisy Cancellation Technology. The headphones are designed to last 60 hours with ANC on, which is double the battery life of other competitors.

They're also more mobile than the previous model since they fold up and are much smaller overall. They're made with artificial PU leather for the replaceable headband and ear pads which feel comfortable on my head even if I wear them for the entire day at work. There's not much clamping force that keeps them in place either, so they should remain comfortable on flights and during longer workouts.

The sound is balanced and clear, but there are some peaks that can add a bit of confusion to the mixes. The bass is overemphasized, adding extra punch and thump in genres like EDM or hip hop. It's not a major issue, but it may bother some listeners. The high-mid has a little uneven balance too, pushing vocals and instruments to the forefront of mixes however at the expense of bringing out sibilants into certain songs.

The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless has all the usual features including bluetooth wireless connectivity, a translucent mode that blends outside sounds into your music to enhance awareness and mobile app support for custom and preset EQ options. They can also be used with an 3.5mm cable for connecting to your phone via wire. They can utilize SBC, AAC, aptX HD and aptX Adaptive codecs to connect to your device and they're able to reduce the latency to as little as 25, which is great.

3. B&W PX7 S2

Since their release in the year 2000, the original PX7s have been on numerous lists of the best Bluetooth headphones, atop them in a lot of cases due to their outstanding ANC and strong sound quality. However, like many wireless headphones, they've been getting older and needed an update and hence the PX7 S2. B&W not only changed the design, but also made improvements to ANC and added features for voice calling.

The first thing you notice when you open the box and pick up the PX7 S2 is just how light they are. This makes them very comfortable for long listening sessions. The design of the PX7 S2 is mostly identical to the model before it. It has the stylish oval-shaped aluminium top-plate for the earcups, the hook-like accent that slides rather than clicks when you expand best over ear headphones without noise cancelling the headband, and the physical buttons. The earcups, however, are smaller and the headband is less substantial.

The software of B&W lets you alter the EQ settings for the bass and treble. However you do not have as much control as you would with higher-priced headphones. A Quick Action button on the left earcup switches between modes for the environment and can be configured within the Bowers & Wilkins Music app to activate your device's voice assistant.

The PX7 S2 is a great choice for all musical styles. It has a large soundstage and a good separation of the different sound elements. It's especially impressive for pieces that have acoustic instruments, such as Rachmaninoff’s Cello Sonata, Op. 19, by pianist Yuja Wang and cellist Gautier Capucon, with a woody tone and a sense of air. It's also capable of handling heavier fare and has the bass power and mid-range clarity on Entombed's crossover of death-n'-rock and garage to Ride and Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth giving an overwhelming soundscape while still allowing to be able to discern vocal details such as Lars-Goran Petrov's grittier growl.

4. bose over the ear headphones noise cancelling QuietComfort 35

Bose is among the first companies to introduce active noise cancelling headphones with mic cancelling headphones into the mainstream. While they held an advantage over the market for many years however, they are now competing against newer headphones that offer more features and higher sound quality. QuietComfort 35 remains a great choice for anyone looking to listen to music or podcasts without sound rumbles or hums.

They're also comfortable to wear and feature a an excellently balanced default sound profile. The ANC does a fantastic job of eliminating background noise, although it tends to emphasize lower frequencies more than the latest headphones like 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 that reduces ambient sounds while keeping you isolated from the sounds of the environment around you. The QC35s also let you connect two Bluetooth devices at once and "audio-share" which allows you to listen to something with one pair of headphones and answer an incoming call from the other.

The Bose Connect app is decent but doesn't provide the full EQ options that other headphone apps. The QC35s can also be used in wired mode, however the sound quality is significantly reduced and battery life isn't as great as with wireless models.

The QC35s are a Bose product, and it might not appeal to everyone. Other manufacturers have sleeker designs. However, you can add a touch of personalization by buying a decal cover-up from companies such as SlickWraps and Skin Sticker. In the near future you'll be able to customize the color of the earcups and headbands, just like the QC25 model from earlier.

5. Sony WH-1000XM3

Sony's WH-1000XM3 are among the top wireless headphones that have active noise cancellation you can purchase right now. They're more expensive than Anker Soundcore Q20 Wireless but they isolate more background noise. The app is also superior and has a wide range of sound customization options.

The XM3's outstanding audio quality is among the main reasons why they're popular and they've been improved since their introduction to provide an even better experience. They provide a bit more detail across the spectrum of frequencies, their noise cancelling works better at all levels of volume and they've improved controls for things like Quick Attention mode, voice control, and Speak-to-Chat. They also have a brand best over ear Headphones Without Noise cancelling new feature called Adaptive Sound Control that adjusts automatically how much external sound is let in based on where you're at and what you're doing.

However, they are not without shortcomings. The treble can be occasionally a bit overpowering and the midrange can sound a bit more recessed. And they still have a tendency to boost bass too much in certain tracks, which can make the sound seem too loud and heavy. But this is something you can correct in the headphone settings or by using EQ adjustment within the Sony app.

The XM3s are an excellent pair headphones, especially for those who commute or are frequent travelers. They are more comfortable, appear and feel premium, and last longer over the JBL Live 650 BTNC wireless. They also have a larger battery, and one of the top noise cancelling features available. They're also more adaptable and more mobile-friendly than the Audio-Technica ATH-M50X Wireless, even though they have less impressive noise cancellation. And they're not waterproof which could be a deal-breaker for some people.