The Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear noise-canceling headsets can be a big help when you travel on a noisy public transportation system, have a chatty work environment, or simply want to enjoy music without being distracted by external noise. We've reviewed the best headphones for bose over the ear headphones noise cancelling-ear use that combine great audio quality and active noise cancellation.

Mpow Over Ear Headphones

These Bluetooth headphones from Mpow have a nice, sturdy build and feature premium audio that is remarkable considering their price. They are designed as over-ear headsets with ear cups that fit comfortably over the ears to block out ambient noise. The earpads are a moderately thick cushion which effectively shields the ears to muffle a good portion ambient sounds. However, they do not have an active noise cancellation capability. They weigh slightly more than 11 ounces and are comfortable to wear for extended durations of time.

These Mpow headphones have a simple design that isn't too far removed from most other over-ear headphone models on the market. The headband that connects the two cups is hinged, which allows them to fold down into a compact unit for transport and storage. The left earcup houses the controls for power, volume and noise cancellation. A microphone is built into the right earcup for hands-free calling.

The Mpow headphones offer a excellent sound quality, however they don't have the bass power or clarity of the Sony WH1000XM5. Their accuracy in the PRTF and activation scores are higher than average for Bluetooth headphones which should give a wide and spacious soundstage when listening to music. Their PRTF distance score, however, is lower than average. This means they will sound more closed-in and less open compared to headphones with larger, more open-backed earcups.

They also have a decent amount of treble expansion, which should give you a clear and crisp sound that is able to handle all genres of music. The mids are a slightly more distinct than the Sony headphones and give them an energizing sound that is great for music that is instrument-rich. Some people find the bass a bit too strong however you can adjust it to your own preference by changing the equalizer settings on your audio player.

The Mpow headphones have a fairly long battery life and can be used in wired mode for when the battery is exhausted. They come with a cable and USB charger included in the box, so you can continue to enjoy your music without interruptions. The manufacturer offers a 45-day return guarantee and a warranty of 18 months for the headphones and their customer support is known to be responsive.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 is the newest over-ear headphone to grace Bowers & Wilkins' catalog. They replace the PX7 model and are part of a larger collection of Beats Studio3 Wireless True Wireless Noise Cancelling Over Ear Headphones headphones which also includes the PI5 and PI7. Unboxed, the design of these headphones immediately evokes an impression of luxuriousness. The use of metals and soft materials on the ear cups gives them a high-end feel. The headphones are also more comfortable on the head and ear, despite being slightly heavier. The earpads are easily removed and can be replaced when they are worn out.

These headphones come with active noise cancellation. This reduces external sounds but still allows you to listen to your music. The technology isn't flawless however, it does a good job in keeping the whir of an aircraft engine or the rumble of a train away from your ears while not altering the balance of music passages that may occupy the same frequencies.

One thing that really makes the PX7 S2 apart from their competition is the soundstage they offer, which offers plenty of space and strong separation between individual audio elements. This clarity isn't always found in other Bluetooth headphones.

The PX7 S2s might not be as compact as their competitors however they come with a superb carry case. The case is cushioned and the headphones can fold flat when not in use.

The earcups are made of the appearance of leather, a soft and soft material that is extremely luxurious to touch. They're also extremely light, making them comfortable for long listening sessions. The headband is designed for maximum comfort and doesn't squeeze too tight. This helps avoid headaches.

The headphones come with many features like Bluetooth multipoint, which allows them to be paired with two devices simultaneously. They are compatible with all the popular Bluetooth codecs as well as high-resolution audio, when your streaming service allows it. They come with a headphone amplifier which gives them an additional boost when used with low-powered electronic devices such as laptops.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH-1000XM5 are the newest model in the line of Sony's top headphones that are over-ear and noise cancelling. These headphones are an excellent upgrade to their predecessors, WH1000XM2s or the WH1000XM4. Sony has made improvements to its already impressive active noise cancellation. The fifth-generation headphones, for instance, can now mute low-frequency sounds such as plane engines and subway car rumbles. They can also detect your location and automatically adjust the Ambient Sound Control settings accordingly.

You can still use voice-activated assistants for controlling your music and get directions. The microphones in the ear cups are upgraded, which means they can be used for calls that are hands-free and Siri/Google Assistant commands. The headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible which means they can pair and connect quicker.

The WH-1000XM5 has received high marks in our lab tests for comfort, ease of use and audio quality. The lightweight headset is comfortable for long listening sessions, jbl live 660nc over ear noise cancelling bluetooth Headphones black and the ear cup can be adjusted to accommodate various head sizes. The headphones are foldable and flat making them easy to put into a suitcase or backpack.

The earcups are slightly larger than their predecessors and the headband features more refined curves to help to conceal the assembly points. They're covered with a brand new synthetic leather material that adds more durability and a luxurious look. The ear cup chamber is also bigger and is more comfortable to the ears. This may cause a slight pressure on the head if worn for long periods of time.

Some of the core features of the WH-1000XM4s have been transferred to the XM5. You can swipe or tap the right ear cup in order to change music, pause audio and access the Ambient sound mode. You can even place your hands over the right earcup to temporarily lower your music volume and boost ambient sound. This is helpful when you need to hear what's happening around you.

The XM5s come with a few minor enhancements which make them an excellent choice for headsets that can block noise. The new ANC gives greater isolation from low-frequency noise, and the headphones will pause your music when you remove them from your head to save power. Transparent listening mode lets in more outside sound. A new battery-power-consumption algorithm gives the XM5s the same 30-hour battery life rating as their predecessor, and a quick press of the power button will alert you to your remaining charge.

Skullcandy ADX700

The ATH ADX700 headphones are a ideal choice for those who want to purchase a pair of gaming headphones. They have excellent sound quality and are comfortable to wear for long periods of time. They are lightweight, which means you don't feel them on your head or ears. They feature a self-adjusting 3D wings that can adjust to your head and eliminates pressure. The headphones include an audio cable that can be easily connected to your audio source.

Open-air headphones with a distinctive design, these headphones have large earcups which reveal the drivers. The unique design makes these headphones stand out however it's not all they have to provide. The self-adjusting wing support structure and the brand new 53 mm drivers that feature bobbin-wound CCAW voice coils, and the lightweight honeycomb aluminum casing are what make these headphones so unique and worth the extra investment.

The ATH ADX700 has a wide frequency response, which allows for a crisp, natural treble. The sound isn't as booming as other headphones, but that's because they are aimed at the general music lover who isn't looking to be sprayed by excessive low frequencies. These headphones are ideal for gamers as they allow you to hear your teammates and other NPCs without being muffled.

While the ATH-ADX700 comes with an impedance of 32 Ohms, they still require a decent amplifier to achieve the best performance. It's not a problem when using them on a portable player, but it will be much easier to control and enjoy their full range of sound when paired with an appropriate headphone amp.

The ATH ADX700 comes with a 9.84 foot cable with an gold-plated connector 1/8 inch and an elastic TPE sheath that resists damaging and tangling. It also comes with a 1/4-inch adapter for mobile devices. The earpads are made of plush velour that feels soft and initially itchy but will break the end. The earpads are made of a pliable, higher-quality material that enhances comfort and durability.