Best Over-Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones

Noise cancelling headphones are an excellent method to keep your focus no matter if you're in a noisy train or in a workplace full of chatty co-workers. We evaluated the comfort, sound quality, and the ability to block out the high-frequency continuous sounds like restaurant chatter and short-duration incidental sounds like ringing phone or keyboards clacking.

Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony's WH1000XM5 headphones are an excellent choice when it comes to premium ANC. The WH-1000XM5 was first released in 2016 and is an excellent option for those who want to listen to their favorite podcasts or music without distractions. The latest edition of the line marks the first major redesign since its initial release and comes with a variety of exciting new features. Alongside sleek design and sustainable efforts (including the absence of plastic packaging), the headphones deliver excellent noise cancellation, crisp audio, and natural ambient audio.

When enabled, the WH-1000XM5's sennheiser noise cancelling headphones cancellation is unbeatable. Attaching a pair of headphones to your head creates a veritable cone of silence that can block out engine sounds on subways and trains, the whir of HVAC systems, and even the sounds of neighboring conversations. These headphones are also some of the best ANCs for blocking out low-frequency drones, bass hums and other sounds.

Another excellent feature is Ambient Sound Control, which alters the balance of the acoustic depending on the surrounding environment. For instance, if you're at home listening to your favourite album the WH-1000XM5 can switch to a more immersive listening experience. If you're walking on an avenue that is busy, they will switch to a more focused profile to help you be more aware of the surrounding.

The WH-1000XM5's ear cups have touch-sensitive controls on the right side that can be used to play, pause and switch tracks. You can also make use of a voice assistant to find content, adjust volume, and make hands-free calls. The headphones provide a full stereo image and a consistent frequency response. They also have an incredibly accurate group delay, which ensures the same soundstage.

The WH-1000XM5s is able to be connected to two devices at once. This is especially useful for those who are looking to listen to music on your laptop and make phone calls with your smartphone. They have a built-in mic and over-ear noise cancelling headphones an USB-C port to charge. They also come with a cable to playback direct analog. The battery life is around 30 hours, which is enough to be enough to last the week of commuting, or an extended flight.

Bose QuietComfort 45

The Bose QuietComfort 45, the flagship model of the premium headphones manufacturer, is the latest update. It was introduced in September 2021, and it undercuts the new Sony WH1000XM4 by about PS320, $329, or 439 AU$ compared to its 700-dollar sibling. It has the most active noise cancellation and features like voice assistant support, automatic pausing and automatic pause when you remove the headphones. The design is also more comfortable than previous models. There are a few points to be aware of, however. The buttons on the back of the earcups are now sensitive to pressure and require pressure to activate, so it may be difficult for some people to get used to. You can adjust ANC and switch to an "aware" mode that lets in ambient sound however, you are not able to completely turn off the audio.

Nevertheless, the headsets deliver top-quality performance and are a great buy for anyone looking for Over-ear noise cancelling headphones an expensive pair of headphones to wear on a train, plane or while working at home. They have a long battery life with excellent noise cancellation as well as clear audio. They also have multipoint Bluetooth which means that they can be paired with two devices simultaneously and switch between them with just a touch. They also have an app that isn't quite as customizable as the other apps however, it does offer a lot of useful features.

The QC45s also have an active noise cancelling feature that is very effective. It can be a little too loud at times. The passive EQ modes are, however, more balanced and allow you to be more in control of the sound quality of your music. If you're listening to songs that have lots of cymbal sparkle you may find your headphones slightly grating. However, it is fixable by reducing the frequency range of 3-20kHz within your music player's EQ.

While some might be disappointed by the omission of certain features, such as adjustable ANC/transparency, an EQ, and a small drop in call quality, overall the QC45s are an excellent choice to anyone who wants top-quality ANC at an affordable price. They are comfortable to wear and have the USB-C charging port.

Shure Aonic 50

Shure's Aonic 50 are a premium pair of headphones with the focus on audio quality. They have a dynamic 50mm driver, and come with high-resolution code to provide the best possible Bluetooth music playback. The headphones have a well-balanced sound, with rich detail across all frequencies. They also provide a natural sense of space and positioning.

They're a bit heavier than the other models at 334g but they still feel comfortable enough to wear for long listening sessions. The headband sits on the top of your head without putting too much pressure on it and the earcups are well-padded to make them comfortable. They're also quite portable - they fold flat and can be stored in the accompanying carrying case which is an added bonus.

There are a standard assortment of controls located on the right earcup, including volume, playback, and power/pairing. You can toggle between noise-cancelling mode, neutral mode, and what Shure refers to as 'Environment Mode" by using a slider at the top. Environment mode allows more ambient noise to pass through it, which is useful for those who need to stay aware of your surroundings. The controls work well however there is a slight lag between pressing them and the actions they perform (i.e. if you play the play button while on a phone, you'll likely end up blaring your ears with music rather than picking up your mom). They don't have any built-in microphones for voice command support however, they do have an audio response from Google Assistant and their mics are great at filtering out background noise during phone conversations.

They operate on one battery that lasts for up to 20 hours, which would be plenty for most people. They do include an USB cable that can be connected to your phone to charge, which isn't as convenient as using Bluetooth however it's a useful feature to have and means you can listen to your music back when you're recharging. They also work with audio devices that have 2.5mm ports, so you can take them with you on the road.

Monoprice BT600ANC

The Monoprice BT600ANC Bluetooth noise cancelling over ear headphones come with all the features that you would want in a pair at just a fraction of the cost. The headphones come with high-quality Qualcomm HD Audio and Active Noise Cancelling. They are also portable, folding, and simple to pack into a backpack or bag. These headphones are great for students and commuters as they have a long-lasting battery that allows you to listen all day. They also come with convenient touch controls that let you swipe or tap to alter the volume, skip tracks or answer calls.

The BT-600ANC headsets have an uncluttered design that's reminiscent of the Monoprice M1000ANC headphones we looked at last year. The headsets are a matte gray, barely branded, and aren't particularly noticeable in the crowd. However, they have an extremely soft and comfortable fit that is suitable for most ears. Their compact size and carrying case make them ideal for travel.

The earcups are covered with leatherette, which provides excellent isolation via passive. The headband offers a lot of adjustability and is soft without being heavy or slouchy. The headbands are wide enough to accommodate glasses-wearers. They are comfortable for the majority of people.

Monoprice's ANC is effective and doesn't sound as tinny as some other brands. They offer a slight boost around 100-200Hz to provide a fuller sound for bass notes. This can be heard in the opening of Good 4 U by Olivia Rodrigo with a clear and clear response. However they have a significant drop-off in the upper frequencies that go above 10kHz, meaning that the shaker and cymbal sounds won't be as clear and clear as other headsets.

It is possible to switch between three ANC modes including medium, low and higher. The low mode is ideal to block out 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 isolated from all other sounds, except your own. The earcups have touch-sensitive controls which take some getting used to. Swiping up and down on the pad controls the volume and tapping the pad or swiping it left or right changes tracks. Double-taps can be used to stop the music or answer a phone call. It takes some time to get used to, but once you have the hang of it, you'll find it very useful.