Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?

On the train or at work the noise-cancelling headphones can be the perfect solution for anyone who likes to listen. Which ones are the best, though?

With a brand new design, superior sound quality and a wealth of features, Sony's newest flagship headphones offer great value. From the forceful chorus to Sinead O'Connor's trembling bridge, these headphones provide amazing clarity and realism.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony is a master at noise cancellation, and its WH-1000XM5 headphones are the best iteration of the series. This model is a fantastic pair of headphones, especially for commuters or travelers. They're comfortable and feature multipoint technology to connect to two devices simultaneously, and are the most powerful ANC Sony has ever created. They're lightweight and can run for up to 27 hours without charging. This is enough for a week of daily commutes or a long-haul flight.

The WH-1000XM5s have a sleek minimalist design. They are made from recycled and recyclable plastic referred to as acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS). Branding is minimal, though you'll see a tiny "Sony" logo on the hinge of each earcup. The earcups and the headband are cushioned with a plush soft material that is comfortable on all but the largest heads. The earcups can be adjusted to ensure that you get the perfect fit for you.

Contrary to previous models that 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 helps drown out the noise of engines and cabins on flights, for example. The XM5s have an additional processor that can enhance noise cancellation more for airplanes and the audio application can also automatically adapt the listening environment to the data from your air pressure.

The WH-1000XM5s also has a voice assistant that is easy to use, and works with Alexa as well as Google Assistant, Siri, and more. You can also pair the XM5s with other Sony audio products to enable multi-room music playback and stereo separation. They support Bluetooth high-bitrate streaming audio using Sony's LDAC but not HD or aptX.

2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

When a company has been making headphones for many years, including Sennheiser you can expect top-of-the-line sound quality and a comfy fit. With their latest headphones, dubbed Momentum 4 Wireless, they offer both. They've updated the design to eliminate some of the trademark elements that gave the previous models the look of a aviator headset and have also enhanced the active noise cancellation with their advanced Adaptive Noise Cancellation technology. They've rated these headphones to last 60 hours of listening time when ANC enabled, which is more than double the battery life of most competitors.

The new model is also more portable, as it folds up and is smaller. They're made with artificial leather that can be used to make the replaceable ear pads and headband which feel comfortable on my ear even when I wear them for the entire day at work. They're also not extremely tight, which means you can wear them for long flights, or even during workouts.

The sound is smooth and clear, but there are some peaks that can add a bit of confusion to the mixes. The bass is overemphasized, adding a bit of punch and thump to genres like EDM or hip-hop. It's not a huge deal however some listeners may find it irritating. The high-mid area has a bit of an uneven balance, pushing vocals and instruments towards the front of the mix, but at the cost of bringing out sibilants into some songs.

The Sennheiser momentum 4 wireless comes with all the standard features, including Bluetooth wireless connectivity, a translucent mode that blends outside sounds into your music to improve awareness, and mobile app support for pre-set and custom EQ options. They can also be used with an 3.5mm cable when connecting your phone to it via wire. They can connect to your device by using SBC, AAC HD, and aptX Adaptive codes and can cut down the latency by up to a quarter second.

3. B&W PX7 S2

Since their introduction in the year 2000, the original PX7s have been on numerous lists of the top Bluetooth headphones, atop them in many instances due to their impressive ANC and high-quality sound. But like most wireless headphones, they've become older and in need of to be refreshed, hence the PX7 S2. B&W hasn't just redesigned the design of the new version, but has made significant improvements to ANC and also added voice-call features, too.

The PX7 S2 headphones are incredibly lightweight, which makes them comfortable for long listening sessions. The overall design is the same as the previous model, around ear Noise Cancelling headphones like the elongated aluminum earcup top-plate, the hook-like accent on the headband, which glides rather than clicks as you expand it and the actual physical buttons. The earcups are smaller but the headband is less bulky overall.

The software from B&W lets you adjust EQ settings for treble and bass but you don't get as much control over ear headphones bluetooth noise cancelling the mix of these two elements like you do on more expensive headphones. A Quick Action button on the left earcup switch on the environmental modes and can be set within the Bowers & Wilkins Music app to activate the voice assistant on your device.

The PX7 S2 is a great choice for all music styles. It offers a wide soundstage and good separation of the different sound elements. It shines in particular on works featuring acoustic instruments such as Rachmaninoff's Cello Sonata in G Minor Op. The 19 by Yuja Wang and Gautier Capucon, which has woody tones and a sense of air. It can take on heavier music too. The bass power and midrange clarity of Entombed’s garage/deathn'roll crossover curiosity To Ride and Shoot Straight, and Speak the Truth provide an overwhelming sound while keeping things clear to hear vocal details like Lars-Goran Petrov's gritty growl.

4. Bose QuietComfort 35

Bose was one of the first companies to introduce active noise cancelling headphones to the mainstream. They had a stranglehold for years, but they now have to compete against newer headsets that have more features and a better sound quality. QuietComfort 35 remains a great choice for those who want to listen to music or podcasts with no noise or rumbles.

They're also comfortable to wear and come with a an incredibly balanced default sound profile. The ANC does an excellent job of removing background noise, though it tends to emphasize low frequencies more than newer headphones, such as the Sony WH-1000XM5.

If you're seeking a pair that can be used to listen to podcasts or audiobooks The QC35s come with an impressive passive noise cancellation mode that cuts down on ambient noise while keeping you isolated from the hum of the environment Around Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones (Healthndream.Com) you. The QC35s let you connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and also "audio-share" to ensure that you can listen to a song on one pair of headphones while taking an incoming phone call from the other set of headphones.

The bose noise cancelling headphones 700 over ear Connect App is decent but it doesn't offer the extensive EQ features of other headphone apps. The QC35s can also be used in wired mode using a cable, but the quality of sound takes a huge loss and they don't have the same level of battery longevity as wireless models.

The QC35s come with a well-known Bose design that might not appeal to some people as the more sleek designs of other brands. You can personalize your headphones by purchasing a decal-covered cover from companies such as SlickWraps or Skin Sticker. In the near future, you'll be able customize the color of the earcups and headbands, just like the older QC25.

5. Sony WH-1000XM3

Sony's WH1000XM3 are the most effective wireless headphones that have active noise cancellation that you can purchase today. They're a bit more costly than the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless, but they block out a lot more ambient noise and Around Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones feel more durable. They also have a premium companion app that gives you many sound customization options.

The XM3s have a great audio quality, and since their release, they've been enhanced to provide even better performance. They offer a little more clarity across the frequency spectrum and their noise cancelling functions better at all volumes and they've added improved controls for things like Quick Attention mode, voice control and Speak-to-Chat. They also have a brand new feature called Adaptive Sound Control that automatically adjusts the amount of external sound allowed in based on where you are and what you're doing.

They're not without some issues, however. The midrange can sound a bit receding, and the treble may sometimes be too loud. And they still have a tendency to increase bass too much in certain tracks, which can make them sound overly full and heavy. You can fix this in the Sony app or in the headphone setting.

The XM3s make a great pair of headphones, especially for those who commute or are frequent travelers. They're more comfortable, comfortable, and appear more durable and premium than the JBL Live 650 BTNC Wireless and also have a far superior battery and one of our favorite noise cancelling features available in the market. They're also more versatile and more suitable for use on the go than Audio-Technica's M50X wireless, although their noise cancelling is less impressive. And they're not waterproof which could be a deal-breaker for some.