Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?

Whether you're on the train or in the office the noise-cancelling headphones can be a godsend for anyone who loves to listen. But which ones are the best?

Sony's flagship headphones are an excellent value. They feature a brand new design and a superior audio quality, and also enticing features. They can capture every detail, from Sinead's shaking Bridge to the intense chorus.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony is the master of noise cancellation, and its WH1000XM5 headphones are among the most advanced version of this series. A few well-thought-out improvements over the XM4s make these headphones an all-around excellent pair of headphones, specifically for those who commute or travel. They're comfortable, have multipoint tech to connect to two devices simultaneously, and have the Best over ear headphones noise cancelling ANC Sony's ever produced. They're lightweight and can run up to 27 hours with no charging. This is enough time for a week of commutes or long-haul flights.

The WH-1000XM5s have an elegant minimalist design and are made from recycled and recyclable plastic known as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The branding is minimal, but you'll find a tiny "Sony" logo on the hinge of each earcup. The headband and earcups are cushioned with plush soft material that is comfortable on all heads. The earcups can be adjusted to perfect fit your head.

In contrast to previous models that concentrated on reducing low-frequency noise the XM5s amplify high-frequency sound waves in order to block out ambient noise. This improves the overall sound quality and helps to block out engine and cabin noise during flights, for instance. The XM5s is equipped with a second processing unit to increase noise cancellation on planes. The audio app can also automatically adjust the sound environment you are listening to based on air pressure data.

The WH-1000XM5s comes with an integrated voice assistant that is easy to use, and works with Alexa as well as Google Assistant, Siri, and many more. The XM5s can be connected with other Sony audio devices for stereo separation and multi-room music. They're compatible with Bluetooth high-bitrate audio streaming via Sony's LDAC codec however they don't support aptX or aptX HD.

2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

When a company has been manufacturing headphones for longer than Sennheiser, you expect class-leading sound quality and a comfortable fit. With their latest headphones, dubbed Momentum 4 Wireless, they deliver on both fronts. They've revamped the design to remove certain elements that gave the original models their aviator headset look and also improved the active noise cancellation using their advanced Adaptive Noise Cancellation technology. They are designed to last 60 hours with ANC on this, which is more than double the battery life of a lot of rivals.

The new model is more portable, as it folds up and is smaller. They're made of synthetic PU leather for the re-usable headband and ear pads that are comfortable on my head even if I wear them for the entire day at work. There isn't a lot of clamping force that keeps them in place, so they should remain comfortable on flights and even during more intense 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 overemphasised, adding some extra impact and thump to genres like EDM or hip-hop. It's not a big deal however it could be a problem for some listeners. The high-mid also has a sloppy balance in bringing instruments and vocals forward in the mix but at the expense of bringing out a few vocal sibilants.

The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless is equipped with all the standard features like bluetooth wireless connectivity, a translucent mode which blends outside sounds into your music to improve awareness and Over the Ear Headphones Noise Cancelling mobile apps that support custom and preset EQ options. You can also use a 3.5mm cord to connect your phone. They can make use of SBC, AAC, aptX HD, and aptX Adaptive codecs to connect to your phone, and they're able to reduce the latency to as little as a quarter of a second and that's a huge benefit.

3. B&W PX7 S2

The original PX7s were a top choice on a variety of lists of the top Bluetooth headsets due to their excellent ANC and audio quality. The PX7s, just like other wireless headphones, were getting old and needed a refresh. Therefore, the PX7S2. B&W not only changed the design, but also made improvements to ANC, and added more voice-calling features.

The first thing you notice when you open the box and get the PX7 S2 is just how lightweight they are, which makes them comfortable for long listening sessions. The design of the PX7 S2 is basically the same as the previous model. This includes the sleek oval aluminum top-plate that is used for the earcups, the hook-like accent that slides instead of clicks when you expand the headband, and the physical buttons. The earcups are a bit smaller, however, and the headband is less substantial overall.

The software from B&W lets you adjust the EQ settings for the bass and treble. However, you aren't as in control as you would with headphones that cost more. The Quick Action button on left earcups switches the modes of the environment. It can also be configured to call the voice assistant of your device through the Bowers & Wilkins Music App.

The PX7 S2 sounds great for most musical styles, with soundstages that have plenty of width and good separation between the various elements of sound. It shines especially on selections that feature acoustic instruments like Rachmaninoff's Cello Sonata in G Minor, Op. The 19 by Yuja Wang and Gautier Capucon has woody tones that have a touch of air. It can also handle heavier songs, too, with the bass power and mid-range clarity on Entombed's fusion of garage and death-n'-roll, Ride the Straight, Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth creating an overwhelming soundscape while still allowing to hear the vocals, such as Lars-Goran Petrov's gritty growl.

4. Bose QuietComfort 35

Bose is among the first companies that brought active noise cancelling headphones into the mainstream. While they held an advantage Over the Ear Headphones noise cancelling (gabiz.kr) the market for many years, they are now competing with more modern headsets with more features and better audio quality. That said, the QuietComfort 35 is still a great option for those who want to listen to their podcasts or music without being interrupted by constant noises and rumbles.

The default sound profile is balanced and they're comfortable to wear. The ANC does a great job of removing background noise, though it tends to emphasize low frequencies more than modern headphones, such as the Sony WH-1000XM5.

The QC35s are an excellent pair of headphones that can be used to listen to podcasts and audiobooks. They come with a passive noise cancellation mode that reduces ambient noise yet still keeps you secluded from the world around you. The QC35s also let you connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and "audio-share" so you can listen to something with one pair of headphones and Over The Ear Headphones Noise Cancelling then answer an incoming phone call on the other pair.

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

The QC35s come with a well-known Bose style that may not be as appealing to some consumers than the more modern designs of other manufacturers. However you can add a touch of personalization by buying a decal cover-up from companies like SlickWraps and Skin Sticker. Later this year you'll be able to alter the color of the earcups and headband, similar to the QC25 model from earlier.

5. Sony WH-1000XM3

Sony's WH1000XM3 are the most effective wireless headphones with active noise cancellation you can get right now. They're more expensive than Anker Soundcore Q20 Wireless but they isolate more background noise. They also have a premium companion app that provides numerous sound-related features that can be customized.

The XM3s have a great sound quality, and since their release they've been improved to give even better performance. They offer a little more detail across the frequency spectrum and their noise cancelling functions better at all levels of volume, and they have 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're at and what you're doing.

However, they're not without their flaws. The treble can be occasionally a bit overpowering and the midrange sounds slightly recessed. They have a tendency to increase the bass too much in certain tracks, which makes the sound seem too loud and heavy. However, this is something you can correct by changing the settings for your headphone or by using EQ adjustment within the Sony app.

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