The Best Over-Ear Headphones

If you travel on public transit or work in an office with chatty co-workers or just want to listen to your music without the distraction of outside noise, headphones that block out noise can make all the difference. We reviewed the top headphones for over-ear use that combine amazing sound quality with active noise cancellation.

Mpow Over-Ear Headphones

These Bluetooth headphones from Mpow are well-built and offer excellent audio quality for the price. They are designed to be over-ear headphones with ear cups that comfortably fit over the ear to block out ambient noise. The earpads feature a moderately padded cushion that effectively shields the ears to muffle a good portion noises from the outside. However they don't have the ability to cancel out noise. They weigh about 11 ounces and are fairly comfortable to wear for extended periods of time.

These Mpow headphones have simple design that's not too different from other models of over-ear headphones on the market. The headband that connects the two ear cups is hinged, which allows them to fold into a compact size to transport and store. The left earcup houses controls for volume, power and noise cancellation. The right earcup has a microphone that allows hands-free calling.

The sound quality from the Mpow headphones is excellent however they don't have the bass power of Bose Over The Ear Headphones Noise Cancelling or the clarity of the Sony WH-1000XM5. The PRTF accuracy and the activation score are above average for Bluetooth headphones. This should result in a spacious and wide soundstage when listening to music. Their PRTF distance score, however, is below the average. This means they sound more closed-in and less open compared to headphones with larger, more open-backed earcups.

The treble extension is also excellent, so you can enjoy a clear and crisp sound that can be used with all genres of music. Their mids are a slightly more distinct in comparison to the Sony headphones which creates an energizing sound that is ideal for instrument-rich music. The bass can be too loud for some but it's a personal preference that can be redressed by altering the equalizer settings in your audio player.

The Mpow headphones come with a long battery life and can be used in wired mode when your battery runs out. The headphones come with an USB charger and the cable, so you can enjoy your favourite music without interruption. The manufacturer offers a 45-day money back guarantee and 18-month warranty for these headphones, and their customer service is known for its responsiveness.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 is the most recent over-ear headphone to grace Bowers & Wilkins' catalog. The PX7 is replaced by the PX7 S2 and they are part of a wider range of wireless headphones, that includes the PI5 and PI7. Unboxed, the design of these headphones instantly invokes the feeling of luxury. 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 although they weigh a bit more. The ear pads are easily removable and can be replaced when they are worn out.

As with many of the top headphones, these cans have active noise cancellation that reduces the sound of outside sounds while allowing you to hear the music. The technology isn't flawless, but it does a decent job in keeping the whir of a plane engine or the rumble of a train out of your ears while not affecting the balance of music pieces that may occupy the same frequencies.

One thing that really makes the PX7 S2 apart from their competition is the soundstage they offer that provides plenty of space and strong separation between distinct sound elements. This clarity is not always present in other Bluetooth headphones.

While the PX7 S2s aren't as portable as their competition however, best over ear headphones Noise cancelling they come with a great carry case. It's also well-padded, and the headphones fold flat for easy storage when not in use.

The ear cups are covered with a soft, leather-like fabric which is very luxurious to the sensation. They're also very lightweight which makes them ideal for long listening sessions. The headband was designed for maximum comfort and doesn't over-stretch. This helps prevent headaches.

The headphones are equipped with many features like Bluetooth multipoint that allows them to be connected with two devices simultaneously. They support all of the most popular Bluetooth codecs as well as high-resolution audio, in the event that your streaming service supports it. They also have an audio amplifier that gives them an additional boost when used with low-powered electronic devices like laptops.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH-1000XM5 is the most recent model in the line of Sony's top headphones for over-ear noise cancellation. They're a great upgrade over their predecessors, namely the WH-1000XM2s and the WH-1000XM4. Sony has improved its already impressive active noise cancelling. The fifth-generation headphones, for example can now muffle low-frequency sounds like plane engines and subway car rumbles. They also know the location of your head and adjust the ambient sound control settings to suit your location.

You can still make use of a voice-activated assistant to control your music, get directions, and much more. The microphones that are in the ear cups have been upgraded, so they can be used for hands-free calls and Siri/Google Assistant commands. The headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 which means they are faster in connections and faster pairing.

In our lab tests, the WH-1000XM5 have earned high marks for comfort, ease of use and sound quality. The lightweight headset is comfortable for long listening sessions and the ear cup can be adjusted to fit different sizes of heads. The headphones fold flat which makes them easy to fit into a suitcase or backpack.

The earcups are slightly curvier than their predecessors, and the headband features more refined curves that hide points of assembly. The new synthetic leather provides durability and a luxurious. The earcup cavity is also larger and fits more snugly to the ears. This may cause a small amount of pressure on your head when worn for extended periods of time.

The XM5 keeps certain of the features of the WH1000XM4s. You can swipe and tap on the right earcup to change the music, pause your audio and open Ambient Sound Mode. You can hold your hand on the left earcup to temporarily turn off the music and boost ambient sounds. This is useful if you need to hear things around ear noise cancelling headphones you.

The XM5s have some minor improvements which make them an excellent choice for headsets that can block jbl live 660 noise cancelling over ear headphones white. The new ANC provides better isolation for low-frequency sounds and the headphones will stop your music when lifted from your head to save energy. You can also switch to a transparent 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 ATH-ADX700

The ATH ADX700 headphones are a ideal choice for those looking to buy a set of gaming headphones. They are comfortable and offer excellent sound. They are also lightweight, so they won't feel heavy on your head or ears. They come with a self-adjusting 3D wings that adjust to your head and reduces pressure. The headphones include a cable that is easily connected to your audio source.

These are open-air headphones which look rather unusual, thanks to their large earcups and honeycomb covers in black that reveal the driver inside. The unique design is what makes these headphones stand out however they also have a lot to offer. These headphones are unique because of their self-adjusting wings-support construction, the brand new 53 mm driver with bobbin wound CCAW voice coils and a lightweight honeycomb aluminum casing.

The ATH ADX700 has a broad frequency response that gives natural, clear treble. The sound isn't as booming like other models, but that's because they're designed for a more general music listener who does not want to be blasted by excessive low frequencies. They're a great pair of headphones for gamers since they allow you to hear the voices of your friends and NPCs without being masked by a heavy bass.

Although the ATH-ADX700 has an impedance of 32 Ohms, they require a high-quality amplifier for optimal performance. If you are using them with a portable player, it's not a problem, however a headphone amplifier will make it easier to manage the sound and enjoy its full range.

The ATH ADX700 comes with a 9.84-foot cable with an 1/8-inch gold-plated connector as well as an elastic TPE sheath to resist tangling and damage. It also comes with a 1/4-inch adapter for mobile devices. The earpads are made of a soft Velour material that initially itchy and soft, but eventually breaks into. The earpads are made of a flexible higher-quality material that enhances the comfort and durability.