The Best over ear headphones noise cancelling Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones

You require the most effective noise-cancelling over-ear headphones, whether you want to block out the hum of your HVAC system or want to fight the roar of jet engine noises. The WH1000XM5s from Sony are the top of the line in active noise cancellation. Their predecessors were also excellent.

We've looked at the possibility of adjusting ANC and touch controls as well as on-ear detection for pausing music when your headphones are removed. Our top picks have high-quality audio and comfortable, spacious earphones.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

The fifth generation of Sony's top headphones is a significant upgrade over its predecessor, with better noise cancellation and improved audio quality. Its impressive ANC performance creates a virtual cone of silence that covers your head and blocks out a shocking amount of low-frequency sounds. The ear cups block out sounds in the mid-to-treble range like chatter from passengers and creaking metal.

The WH-1000XM5s' sound is very natural, unlike some noise cancelling headsets that can sound hollow. They are able to render the beats noise cancelling over ear headphones of Billie Eilish in stunning clarity while keeping the edges clean and clear. It's an absolute pleasure listening to them on an extended flight or on a commute.

A capacitive touch-surface in the right ear cup handles the most commonly used controls, such as play/pause, volume up/down, and skip forwards/backwards. It also lets you end and answer calls and switch between ANC mode and ambient sound. Alternatively, you can hold the power button for a few seconds to hear a voice message indicating the remaining battery life.

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

The XM5 has also carried over certain features from the XM4s, such as the adaptive ANC system that automatically optimizes performance based on the environment. The 'Wearing Detection" feature detects when the headset is removed and stops playing video or music. It will restart it once they return to. It also works with Sony's DSEE Extreme engine, which claims to boost compressed music to near-high-resolution quality.

2. Sony WH-1000XM4

The WH1000XM4s by Sony are the most recent version of their top-of-the-line over-ear headphones. They provide top-quality performance however they don't feature the same active noise cancellation as the WH1000XM5s. The WH-1000XM4s have a stronger Bluetooth connection as well as a more efficient noise cancellation algorithm. They also feature a new audio chip which upscales music to HD quality, and advanced voice controls.

Sony has upgraded the WH1000XM4s in the latest version by adding padding to the headband, and moving the microphones outwards. This makes them more comfortable to listen to for long periods.

They're also more versatile with the ability to switch between five audio modes based on the environment. 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 allows you to track your activity and automatically adjust their settings on the fly.

The WH-1000XM4 has also improved its noise cancellation. It is more effective due to the higher sensitivity and better filtering of low frequencies. You can test this by taking a look at a graph similar to the one above, with the higher peaks mean that more sounds are being blocked out. The WH1000XM4s are also better in reducing low-frequency sounds like the hum of an air conditioner or the constant rumble of an airplane engine.

The WH-1000XM4s are still equipped with a an impressive set of features such as the battery that can last up to 30 hours and a built-in USB-C charging port. They also come with Quick Alert, a feature that lets you press the right earcup and then dampen music to activate transparency mode. Speak to Chat, for instance, pauses media when your voice is raised (and it works great, although sometimes it does not recognize taps), as well as Sony's Smart Listening Technology, which can detect your environment and provide better audio.

3. Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II

The Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II (or QC35 Wireless 2018) are earbuds that were launched in September 2017. While they've been replaced by the 2021-released Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 They're still a hit and affordable, and are worth considering if you're looking for a noise-cancelling active headphone.

The QC35 II are a great pair of wireless headphones that offer a comfortable fit with a neutral sound profile, and outstanding noise isolation. They can be used for traveling or in noisy environments and last for more than a full day on a single charge. They can also be used with a variety of smart assistants and are activated by an individual button. You can ask the assistant to play music, answer trivia questions or read your smartphone notifications.

The padding around the ears is a good size and can accommodate a variety of ear shapes. They are also light. The hinges on the housings fold down making them easy to fit into backpacks or bags. The controls on the right side of the headphones are intuitively placed and feel good to use. A series of taps will control playback, including skipping and rewinding songs.

For a good example of the quality you can expect from these Bose headphones we played The Beatles' Let It Be and listened to drum beats and piano notes. The QC35 II delivers crisp, clear audio that is well-rounded and detail sound. They are able to detect subtleties such as Paul McCartney’s unsteady timing as he builds to the chorus or Gerard Way's snarl when his lyrics praising teenage-personalism in Teenagers.

The QC35 II is compatible with the majority of smart assistants. It can connect to up to 2 devices simultaneously. The QC35 II also come with a carry case and a USB cable that can be charged quickly.

4. Sony WH-CH720N

Sony is renowned for making high-quality headphones that cost relatively little. Its budget-friendly WH-CH720N headphones are not a different. They have many of features that make the top WH-1000XM5 models so good, but with an affordable design. They also provide a good amount of active noise cancelling at a low price.

Like the WH-1000XM5 headphones, these headphones feature 30mm dynamic drivers that deliver ample bass and crisp high frequencies. They offer an even sound that blends well with various genres of music. They also have a large, immersive soundstage.

The WH-CH720N headphones come with buttons instead of the gestures or touch controls used by the XM5 headphones. This is a little bit of a downside, as the buttons can be a bit confusing at first. Luckily, the headphones have clearly labeled controls and are arranged in a smart way. A single pressing of the button '-' lowers the volume, while double presses pauses and plays audio. When you press and hold the button the button, voice assistants will be launched and calls are turned down.

With ANC activated the headphones will last about 35 hours before they run out of power. This is one of the best battery performances we've seen in over-ear headphones. They also have a standby mode to aid in conserving battery.

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

5. B&W PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 follow on from an extremely successful predecessor, but are by no means a half-baked update riding on its own. They feature a more sleek design and a brand new application. They fulfill their promise of premium build-quality, delivering audio that faithfully conveys artistic intent. They're also incredibly comfortable and enjoyable to wear all day.

They don't have the same noise cancellation as the Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II or the Sony WH1000XM5, but they do a good job at blocking out ambient sounds so that you can focus on your music or podcasts. They feature a six-microphone setup (four for noise cancellation and two for voice-recording) and a revised algorithms that cut down on ambient noise by 30dB. They're also among the few Bluetooth headphones we've tested that can be used in passive mode, allowing users to listen to content on their own, listen with no power being applied to the drive units.

The B&W Music app is also compatible with a free download that offers a range of features to complement the outstanding noise cancellation. The Quick Action button can be set to turn on the voice assistant on your device to cycle through three settings for the environment and display the battery's life. The annoying thing is that you have to press and hold the button - pressing it once would be easier and more intuitive.

The PX7 S2 is an excellent pair of headphones that will please music lovers. They're not as well suited to the demanding music of genres like rock and metal that are known to favor bass-heavy production and muddy low frequency, like they are to classical, folk and Acoustic music, but will still be awe-inspiring to those who appreciate audiophile credentials that's also practical and convenient.