Best over ear noise cancelling headphones wireless-Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones

Noise cancelling headphones are an excellent way to stay focused regardless of whether you're in a noisy train or in an office filled with chatty colleagues. We analyzed the comfort, sound quality, and the ability to block out high-frequency continuous noise like restaurant chatter, and short-duration incidental sounds like ringing phones or keyboards clacking.

Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony's WH1000XM5 headphones are an excellent choice when it comes to high-end ANC. The WH-1000XM5 was first released in 2016 and is a great choice for anyone looking to listen to their preferred music or podcasts without distractions. This latest version of the series is its first major revision and comes with a variety of exciting features. They are also environmentally sustainable, without plastic packaging. They provide excellent noise cancellation and clear audio.

If enabled, the WH-1000XM5's noise cancelling capabilities are unbeatable. The strapping of a pair on your head creates a veritable cone of silence that can block out the sound of engines in trains and subways as well as the whirr of HVAC systems, and even neighboring conversations. These headphones are also among the most effective ANCs to block out low-frequency drones, bass hums, and other noises.

Ambient Sound Control is another great feature. It adjusts the headphones acoustic balance in accordance with the surroundings. For instance, if you're at home listening to your favourite album the WH-1000XM5 will change to an experience that is more immersive. If you're walking down an avenue that is busy, they will change to an energised profile to help you be more aware of your surroundings.

The earcups of the WH-1000XM5 have touchscreen-sensitive gesture controls on the right side that can be used to play, pause, and change tracks. You can also utilize the voice assistant to adjust volume, search for content and make calls using hands-free technology. The headphones offer a rich stereo image and a consistent frequency response. They also have an incredibly precise group delay. extremely precise and helps to maintain the same soundstage.

The WH-1000XM5s can be linked to two devices simultaneously. This is especially useful for those who want to listen to music on your laptop while making phone calls from your phone. They come with a built-in microphone and USB-C ports for charging. They also come with a cable for direct playback. Battery life is about 30 hours. This can last you one week or more, and even a long trip.

Bose QuietComfort 45

The Bose QuietComfort 45, the most popular model from the premium headphones manufacturer, is the latest version. It was launched in September 2021 and undercuts the new Sony WH-1000XM4 and its 700 counterpart by approximately PS320 / $329 / $439 AUD. In terms of performance, it offers top-tier active noise cancellation and features like voice assistant support and automatic pause when you remove the headphones. The design is also much more comfortable than previous models. There are a few points to note, though. The buttons on the back of the ear cups are now touch-sensitive and require pressure to activate, so it may be difficult for some people to adjust to. You can adjust ANC and switch to an "aware" setting that allows ambient sound to be heard. However, you cannot disable the audio.

The headsets are still an excellent choice for anyone searching for premium headphones to wear on a plane or train or at home while working. They feature a long battery life, excellent noise cancellation and clear audio. They also have multipoint Bluetooth which allows them to be paired up with two devices simultaneously and switch between them by pressing one button. They also have a separate app, which isn't quite as flexible as other apps, but provides plenty of useful features.

The QC45s also come with an active noise cancelling feature that is very efficient. It can be a little too loud at times. However the passive EQ modes are more balanced and offer greater control over your music's sound signature. If you listen to music with high levels of cymbal shimmer it is possible that your headphones are grating. This can be easily fixed by lowering 3-20kHz in the equalizer of your music player.

While some might be disappointed by the omission of some features, such as adjustable ANC/transparency, an EQ, and a small dip in call quality, overall the QC45s are an excellent choice for anyone looking for top-tier ANC at a reasonable price. They are comfortable to wear and feature the USB-C charging port.

Shure Aonic 50

Shure's Aonic 50 headphones are premium headphones that place an emphasis on audio. They have a dynamic 50mm driver and are stuffed with high-resolution codes to deliver the highest quality possible Bluetooth music playback. The headphones have a well-balanced sound, with rich detail across all frequencies. They also have a natural feeling of space and Local location.

They're a bit heavier than the other models at 334g but they still are comfortable enough for long listening sessions. The headband rests on the top of your head, without applying too much pressure and the earcups are padded to make them extremely comfortable. They are also very lightweight. They fold flat and easily be put away in the carrying case.

On the right earcup are the usual controls, including volume, playback, and power/pairing. A slider near the top lets you switch between noise-cancelling, local a neutral mode, and what Shure calls "Environment Mode". Environment mode allows more noise from outside to pass through it, which is useful in situations where you have to be aware of your surroundings. The controls are well-designed, although there's a little lag between pressing them and the actions they take (i.e. If you press play while on a call, you may end up blasting music in your ears, instead of picking up mom. They don't have built-in microphones for voice commands support, but they do feature an audio response from Google Assistant and their mics are excellent at removing background noise from conversations.

The battery is expected to last for up to 20 hours for most people. They do include the USB cable that can be connected to your phone to charge, which isn't as convenient as using Bluetooth, but it's a solid feature to have and means you can play your music back when you're recharging. They are also compatible with audio devices that have 2.5mm ports, which means you can travel with them.

Monoprice BT-600ANC

The Monoprice BT600ANC Bluetooth noise-cancelling over ear headphones offer all the features you would want in a pair, but at a fraction the price. They include premium Qualcomm aptX HD Audio, an advanced form of Active Noise Cancelling and the ability to fold down for portable use that allows them to be easily stored in a backpack or carry bag. The headphones are great for commuters and students, as they have a long-lasting battery which allows you to listen for the entire day long. They also come with handy touch controls that allow you to swipe or tap to alter the volume, skip tracks or answer calls.

The BT600ANC headsets have an uncluttered design that's similar to the Monoprice M1000ANC headsets that we looked at last year. They're a matte gray color and aren't branded at all. They do not stand out in the crowd, but they offer an incredibly soft and comfortable fit that appeals to most ears. The small dimensions of these headphones and the carrying case included make them ideal for taking on the road.

The ear cups are encased with leatherette, which provides excellent isolation via passive. The headband is also comfortable and provides plenty of adjustability without being too bulky or slouchy. The headbands are large enough to accommodate glasses-wearers. They will fit most people.

Monoprice ANC is effective and doesn't sound tinny as some other brands. They have a slight increase between 100-200Hz, giving an even more full sound to bass notes. This is evident in the first track of Good 4 U by Olivia Rodrigo with a full and clear response. However they have a significant drop-off in the upper frequencies, so the shaker and cymbal sounds won't be as crisp and clear as on other headsets.

There are three ANC modes to choose from: low, medium and high. The low mode is ideal for suppressing most ambient noise, but will not block out traffic or loud conversations. The medium setting is suitable for most environments, while the high mode will keep you away from all noise, except for your music. The earcups are equipped with touch-sensitive controls which take some getting used to. Swiping upwards or downwards on the pad controls the volume, while tapping or moving left or right switches the track. Double-taping can be used to pause the music or answer a phone call. It takes a while to get used to this system but once you are, you will find it very useful.