How Over-Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones Can Make Your Music Sound Amazing

Noise cancelling headphones can ensure that your music sounds great, whether you're at home or on the move. There are a variety of choices available today including heavyweights for long-time listening like Bose to Apple's premium AirPods Max.

When looking for noise-cancelling headphones, you should consider the comfort, sound quality, and active noise cancellation. Also, make sure they have high-quality audio codecs such as aptX and AAC.

Comfort

It is essential to be comfortable when you are planning to listen for long periods. You want headphones that are lightweight and comfortable to wear around your ears. Look for designs that offer soft padding and adjustable headbands, so you can adjust the headset to suit your needs. The ear cups should also be sealed well enough to stop the leakage of sound and unwanted ambient noise.

Generally speaking, over-ear headphones are more comfortable than in-ear noise cancellation headphones. However, there are some instances where earbuds are more useful for on-the-go music and fitness apps. In these cases you'll need earbuds with wireless technology that offer the perfect mix of comfort and performance.

In addition to comfort, you should be aware of the audio codecs that your headphones use. Apt-X and LDAC are high-performance Bluetooth headset codecs that offer high-quality audio that resembles CDs. They are compatible with many Android phones, as well as some Apple devices - but not the iPhone. Apple's AAC codec which is exclusive to Apple, is not as good. It's best to stay clear of it.

Apart from the excellent audio quality, active noise cancellation is an important advantage of high-end headphones. These types of headphones use microphones and speakers to sense external sounds and generate opposing sounds that cancel out the sound, creating in a more peaceful listening environment. Some of the top headphones on the market feature this technology and include our top choices.

The Sony WH1000XM5s are among the most efficient wireless noise cancelling headphone due to their outstanding audio quality, comfort and a variety of other features. They're ideal for frequent travelers. They are able to block unwanted sounds, from the whoosh and rumble of your air conditioner on the plane seat to the train and subway rumbles on your commute. They're equipped with unique features, beats noise cancelling over ear headphones like Quick Attention mode, which stops ambient audio and music when you're talking or trying to understand what's going on around you.

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 are the most expensive headphones on our list however, they're also some of the most strikingly designed. They have genuine leather earpads and push buttons for easy operation. They're not the most comfortable for everyday wear, but they are very lightweight and pack serious audio clout, including excellent bass, a deep midrange and crystal clear highs. In our testing they performed well in a variety of environments, though train noise could be heard at higher volumes and the cymbals could become somewhat harsh at higher volume.

Sound Quality

Noise cancelling headphones don't only have to drown out the sounds around them; they must also be able to reproduce music with high quality. Like all headphone types the quality of sound depends on both the construction of the headphones and the software that runs them. Over-ear headphones typically have better audio quality than on-ear models because of their larger drivers. This enables greater airflow, resulting in more encompassing and richer headphones.

On-ear headphones can produce excellent audio if they're well-designed and equipped with the correct software and sound drivers. They won't have the same volume as headphones with over-ears.

If you're looking to get the most value out of your headphones, look into buying a pair that has high-quality audio codes such as AAC and aptX. These codecs make sure that the audio doesn't get compressed and can be transmitted via Bluetooth at higher speeds than older versions.

The Bose QC45 headphones are a great choice for most users. They have excellent sound quality, and a comfortable design. Their ANC is quite effective in blocking out background noise, but it still allows background sounds to pass through like the wind or the voices of those around. They also have a switch that lets you control the amount of the outside world you hear which is helpful to tune back in without removing your headphones or turning off your music.

The Sony WH1000XM5 headphones are another alternative. They have excellent audio reproduction and noise cancellation. They're actually the best headphones that we've tested to date. They have a lot going for them they can deliver stunningly clear voice quality and block out outside noise, and come with features such as Quick Attention mode, voice assistant integration and DSEE Extreme upscaling.

They're not the most portable option, with their large ear cups and bulky dimensions making them unsuitable for travel or storage in bags. They also require a wire to provide power, which can be a problem in certain environments. Despite these shortcomings, the WH1000XM5 headphones are an excellent pair wireless headphones that block out noise. They let you concentrate in noisy offices and relax in peace on a plane.

Noise Cancellation

Whether you're listening to music or podcasts on a flight, train commute or at home, noise-cancelling headphones let you focus on your music without distraction. The most effective headphones aren't only those that block out background noise. They also have active noise cancellation.

Active noise cancellation works by sampling ambient sound with mics that are tiny and built-in, creating sound waves that are opposite to the original sound, thus cancelling it out. It's not perfect however it should be close enough to make your music the only thing you hear. You should also be able turn off the beats noise cancelling over ear headphones cancellation if you want to listen to your surroundings.

A good headphone should offer passive isolation. This means that it should be fitted properly and provide a secure seal around your ears. This typically means earbuds which are comfortable to wear or over-ear headphones that fully enclose your ears. Earbuds that aren't sealed completely your ears are more likely to let in a significant amount of ambient noise. Also, over-ear headphones that are loose can become uncomfortable very quickly.

The most effective headphones offer passive isolation, and they're usually very comfortable to wear for long periods of time. The most comfortable headphones come with a button that lets you to return to the sounds around you. This is very useful on noisy transport when hearing the train's rumble or the voices of your colleagues could be vital for security.

In addition to passive isolation and active noise cancellation The best headphones will also have features that make them even more appealing for audiophiles. It could be extra features such as touch controls or high-quality audio codecs or it could be a sleeker and more attractive design.

You can find great headphones for less by shopping around. Monoprice's BT-600ANC headphones offer a excellent ANC sound quality for a fraction of the price of Bose or Sony's flagship models. They're not as effective in removing lower-frequency background noise as some of the other models on this list as well as they don't have an 'hear through' option for when you need to talk to someone, beats noise cancelling over ear headphones but they still offer compelling sound quality for their price point.

Battery Life

The active noise control circuitry on the majority of headphones requires power. Typically, this is supplied by a battery, which must be recharged or replaced periodically. This can increase the overall weight, size and cost of the headphones. The headphones are likely to emit high-frequency hiss, as well as other noises that may not be arousable to other listeners, but could be distracting for some.

Noise-cancelling headphones are ideal for upgrading your listening experience on an airplane, commute or at work. You can also use them to shield yourself from the noise at home, such as the whirr of your HVAC or the whirr of your neighbor's lawn mower. You can use headphones to help you rest or meditate.

Bose, Sony and Sennheiser offer a variety of styles in noise-cancelling headphones that can be worn over-ear. Target offers a wide range of brands with features like hands-free, Bluetooth and around-ear. You can also pick from a range of price points and comfort levels as well as color choices.

Some of the latest models have improved audio quality, noise cancellation and battery longevity in comparison to their predecessors. Bose's QC 700 headphones, for instance, are 30% smaller and lighter and look more comfortable when worn, but still provide the same ANC performance as their previous models. Other improvements are more refined and balanced sound signature, quicker attention mode and smart voice activation using Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant and DSEE Extreme upscaling.

The Sony WH1000XM5s are another set of over-ear noise cancelling headsets that we highly recommend. They have an impressively long battery and excellent sound quality, earning them the highest rating in our ratings. They sport a stylish design and are comfortable to wear for long periods of time and can fold up into small cases that fit into the majority of bags. They come with a variety of useful features, such as ambient noise control and Speak to Chat, Quick Attention mode, and wear detection.

The WH950NB is an affordable pair of Edifier headphones that are an excellent value and can compete with more expensive models made by major manufacturers. They are comfortable and have an extended battery life (you could go for a whole week without needing to charge them) and can be folded flat for easy transportation.