The Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear noise-canceling headphones can make a huge difference if you commute in a noisy public transportation system, work with chatty colleagues or simply want to listen to music without being distracted by external noise. We've reviewed the top headphones that offer superior sound quality with active noise cancellation.

Mpow Over Ear Headphones

These Bluetooth headphones from Mpow are built well and On Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones provide premium audio quality for the price. The headphones are designed to be worn over the ears and feature ear cups that comfortably fit over your ears. This will help block out noise from the outside. The earpads are a moderately thick cushion that effectively shields the ears to block out a significant amount of environmental sounds. However they don't have an active noise cancellation feature. The earpads are a little heavier than 11 ounces, but they're comfortable to wear for long periods.

The Mpow headphones have simple in design, and similar to other designs of over-ear headphones available. The headband connecting the two earcups is hinged and can be folded for storage or transport. The left earcup is home to the controls for volume, power and noise cancellation. The right earcup has an audio microphone for hands-free calls.

The sound quality of the Mpow headphones is excellent however they don't have the bass power of Bose or the clarity of the Sony WH-1000XM5. Their PRTF accuracy and activation scores are above average for Bluetooth headphones that should offer large and expansive soundstage when listening to music. However they're PRTF distance score is below average, which means they will sound tinier and less open than headphones that have large, open-back earcups.

The treble extension is also excellent, so you can enjoy a clear and crisp sound that is compatible with a wide range of genres. Their mids are a little bit more pronounced than the Sony headphones and give them a somewhat more dynamic sound that is perfect for instrument-rich music. Some users find the bass to be a bit too strong however you can alter this to your preference by altering the equalizer settings of your audio player.

The Mpow headphones are a good option for those who want to enjoy their favorite music without interruptions. They come with a long-lasting battery and can also be used in wired mode after the charge runs out. They come with a cable and a USB charger in the box, allowing you to continue to enjoy your favorite tunes without any interruptions. The manufacturer offers a 45 day money-back guarantee as well as an 18-month guarantee On Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones (Shinhwapack.Co.Kr) these headphones. Their customer service is also known for its speedy response.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 are the latest headphones that are over-ear to be featured in the Bowers & Wilkins catalog. They replace the PX7 model and are part of a larger line of beats wireless noise cancelling headphones headphones that also includes the PI5 and PI7. The design of these headphones feels immediately luxurious when unboxed. The use of metals and soft materials on the ear cups gives them a high-end feel. They also are comfortable on the head and ears, despite being slightly heavier than their competitors. The ear pads are removed and replaceable in the event that they wear out.

As with many of the top headphones, these cans come with active noise cancellation, which minimizes the impact of external sounds while allowing you to hear the music. The technology isn't perfect however, it does a great job of keeping train and plane engine sounds from your ear canals without altering the balance between music passages.

One thing that sets the PX7 S2 apart from their competitors is the soundstage they provide that provides plenty of space and great separation between individual sound elements. This gives clarity to songs that can't be heard on other Bluetooth headphones.

While the PX7 S2s aren't as movable as some of their competitors, they come with a fantastic carry case. It's also well-padded and the headphones noise fold flat to make it easy to store when not in use.

The ear cups are made of a leather-like, soft material that is quite luxurious to the touch. The ear cups are lightweight, which makes them comfortable to wear for long listening sessions. The headband is designed to provide maximum comfort and doesn't over-stretch. This helps to prevent headaches.

The headphones have a variety of features including Bluetooth multipoint which allows them to be connected with two devices simultaneously. They support all the well-known Bluetooth codes, as well as high-resolution audio in the event that your streaming service supports it. They also have an audio amplifier that gives you extra boost when using them with low-powered electronics like laptops.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH1000XM5 is the latest in the line of premium noise cancelling over-ear headphones. These headphones are an excellent upgrade to their predecessors, WH1000XM2s and the WH1000XM4. Sony has improved its already impressive active noise cancelling. For instance, the fifth generation headphones can now melt away low-frequency sounds, such as plane engines and subway car rumbles. They can also recognize your location and automatically adjust the Ambient Sound Control settings to match.

You can still use a voice-activated assistant to control your music, find directions and more. The microphones that are in the earphones are upgraded, which means they can be used for hands-free calls and Siri/Google Assistant commands. The headphones also support Bluetooth 5.0, which means they are faster in connections and faster pairing.

In our lab evaluations the WH1000XM5 received top marks for comfort, ease of use and the sound quality. The lightweight headset is comfortable to wear for long listening sessions and the earcup can be adjusted to suit different head sizes. The headphones are portable, and their flat foldable design makes them able to easily fit into a backpack or suitcase.

The Ear cups have a slight curvature and the headband is more refined. This helps to hide places of assembly. The new synthetic leather provides durability and a luxurious. The earcups are also a bit bigger and sit more snugly against the ears, which may add a little pressure to the head after wearing them for prolonged durations of time.

Some of the core features of the WH1000XM4s are carried over to the XM5. You can swipe or tap the right earcup to switch songs, pause audio and access the Ambient sound mode. You can hold your hand on the left earcup to temporarily lower the music and boost ambient sounds. This is useful if you need to hear things around you.

There are some subtle enhancements to the XM5s which make them a great buy for noise-canceling headphones. The new ANC offers better isolation for low-frequency sounds, and the headphones will stop your music when you remove them off your head to conserve power. You can also select an open listening mode that lets in more external 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

If you're looking to get a set of headphones for gaming the ATHXX700 is a great option. They provide superior sound quality and are comfortable to wear for a long period of time. They are lightweight, which means you will not feel them on your head or ears. They feature a self-adjusting 3D wings that eliminate pressure and adapt to the shape of your head. The headphones include a cable that is easily connected to your audio source.

Open-air headphones that have a unique design, these headphones have large earcups which reveal the drivers. The unique design makes these headphones stand out, but they also have a lot to provide. They stand out because of their self-adjusting wing-support construction, the brand new 53 mm driver with bobbin wound CCAW voice coils and the lightweight honeycomb aluminium casing.

The ATH ADX700 features a wide frequency response, which allows for a crisp, natural treble. The sound isn't as bassy as some other headphones because they're designed for a general music listener that isn't one to be surrounded by low frequencies. They're an excellent pair of headphones for gamers as they let you hear the voices of your friends and NPCs without being obstructed by a booming bass.

The ATH-ADX700 headphones have an impedance rating of 32 ohms, but still require a decent amp to operate at its best. It's not a problem when using them with a portable player, but it will be much easier to control and enjoy the full range of sound when used with an appropriate headphone amp.

The ATH ADX700 comes with a 9.84-foot cable that features an 1/8-inch gold-plated connector as well as an elastic TPE sheath that helps keep it from tangling and causing damage. It also comes with a 1/4-inch adapter for mobile devices. The earpads feature a plush Velour material that initially itchy and feels soft, but eventually breaks into. They also have a flexible fabric that is raised to increase the comfort and durability.