Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?

The noise-cancelling headphones can be a godsend to anyone who loves to listen, whether you're in the office or on the train. Which are the best, though?

With a brand new design that is a step up in sound quality, and an enviable list of features, Sony's latest flagship headphones offer exceptional value. From the forceful chorus to Sinead's unstable bridge, these headphones provide incredible clarity and real-world realism.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony is a pro at noise cancellation, and its WH1000XM5 headphones are the best iteration of the series. A few well-thought-out enhancements over the XM4s makes this model an excellent all-round pair of headphones, specifically for those who commute or travel. They're comfortable, have multipoint technology to connect two devices at once and offer the best ANC Sony's ever produced. They are lightweight and can run for up to 27 hours without charging. This is enough time to get through a week of commutes or a long-haul flight.

The WH1000XM5s look sleek and minimalist in design. They are made of ABS, a recyclable and recycled plastic. The branding is minimalist. You'll find a tiny Sony logo on each hinge of the earcup. The earcups and the headband are cushioned with plush soft material that feels comfortable on all heads. The ears can be adjusted to be perfectly sized for you.

Contrary to previous models which focused on reducing low-frequency noise the XM5s amplify high-frequency sound waves in order to block out ambient noise. This improves the overall sound quality and can help reduce engine and cabin noises on flights. The XM5s come with an additional processor that can enhance noise cancellation more for airplanes and the audio application can also automatically adapt your listening environment based on air pressure data.

Other features of the WH-1000XM5s include an enhanced voice assistant that's simple to use and works with Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri and more. The XM5s are compatible with other Sony audio devices for stereo separation and multi-room music. They're compatible with Bluetooth high-bitrate audio streaming through Sony's LDAC codec however they don't support aptX or aptX HD.

2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

If an organization has been producing headphones for over ear Headphones bluetooth noise cancelling many years, including Sennheiser you can expect top-of-the-line sound quality and a comfy fit. They deliver on both fronts with their latest pair of over ear headphones noise cancelling-ears named the Momentum 4 Wireless. They've revamped their design to remove some characteristic elements that gave their previous models the look of an aviator. They also enhanced active noise cancellation with their advanced Adaptive Noisy Cancellation Technology. They've rated the headphones to last for 60 hours of listening with ANC enabled, which is more than double the battery life of most rivals.

They're also more mobile than the previous model since they fold up and are much smaller overall. The earpads and headband are made of artificial PU leather that feels comfortable on my head even when I wear it all day. There isn't a lot of clamping force to keep them in place which means they'll remain comfortable during flights and during longer workouts.

The sound is well-balanced and clear, though there are some high-pitched peaks in the mid- and high-mid which cause slightly muddy sound in mixes. The bass is a little overemphasized, adding a bit of impact and thump to genres such as EDM or hip-hop. It's not a major issue however some listeners may find it annoying. The high-mid has a bit of an uneven balance which pushes instruments and vocals towards the front of the mix, but at the cost of bringing out sibilants within certain songs.

The Sennheiser momentum 4 wireless comes with all the usual features such as Bluetooth wireless connectivity, a transparent mode that blends outside noises into your music for better awareness, as well as mobile application support for custom and pre-set EQ options. They can also be connected with a 3.5mm cable if you're connecting your phone to it via wire. They can connect to your phone by using SBC, AAC HD, and aptX Adaptive codes, and they are able to reduce the delay by as much as one quarter second.

3. B&W PX7 S2

The original PX7s were a top pick on a variety of lists of the best Bluetooth headsets due to their excellent ANC and the sound quality. But like most wireless headphones, the PX7s have been getting older and in need of to be refreshed, hence the PX7 S2. B&W hasn't just tweaked the design of the new version, but has made significant improvements to ANC and also added more voice-call features, too.

The first thing you will notice when you open the box and pick up the PX7 S2 is how light they are. This makes them very comfortable for long listening sessions. A lot of the design is the same as the previous model, including the elongated aluminum earcup top-plate and the hook-like accent on the headband, which glides rather than clicks when you expand it and the actual physical buttons. The earcups, however are smaller, and the headband is less substantial.

The software from B&W lets you adjust the EQ settings for bass and treble. However you don't have as much control as you do with more expensive headphones. The Quick Action button on left earcup toggles the modes of the environment. It can also be configured to call the voice assistant on your device through the Bowers & Wilkins Music App.

The PX7 S2 is a great option for a variety of musical styles. It offers a wide soundstage and good separation of the different sound elements. It is particularly impressive on pieces that have acoustic instruments such as Rachmaninoff's Cello Sonata, Op. The 19 by Yuja Wang and Gautier Capucon features woody tones that have a touch of air. It's also able to handle heavier music as well, thanks to the bass sound and midrange clarity of Entombed's crossover of death-n'-rock and garage to Ride and Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth creating an overwhelming soundscape while still allowing to be able to discern the vocals of Lars-Goran Petrov's grittier growl.

4. Bose QuietComfort 35

Bose was among the first companies to bring active noise cancelling headphones to the mainstream. Though they had an advantage Over Ear Headphones Bluetooth Noise Cancelling the market for Over Ear Headphones Bluetooth Noise Cancelling a long time however, they are now competing against newer headphones that offer more features and higher audio quality. QuietComfort 35 remains a great choice for anyone looking to listen to music or podcasts with no sound rumbles or hums.

The default sound profile is balanced, and they're comfortable to wear. The ANC is great at removing background noise. However it tends to focus on lower frequencies more than other headphones like the Sony WH1000XM5.

The QC35s are a great pair of headphones to listen to podcasts and audiobooks. They feature a passive noise cancellation mode which reduces ambient sounds, while still keeping you isolated from your surroundings. The QC35s permit you to connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and also "audio-share" to ensure that you can listen to a song on one pair of headphones while answering an incoming call with the other pair.

The Bose Connect App is decent but it doesn't offer the full EQ features of other headphone apps. The QC35s are also available in wired mode, however the sound quality is drastically reduced and the battery life isn't as great as wireless models.

The QC35s sport a classic Bose look that might not appeal to some as the sleeker designs of other manufacturers. You can add some personalization to your headphones by purchasing a decal cover from companies like SlickWraps or Skin Sticker. You'll also be able alter the color of the earcups and the headband later this year, similar to what you could with the earlier QC25 model.

5. Sony WH-1000XM3

Sony's WH-1000XM3 are among the top wireless headphones that have active noise cancellation that you can get right now. They're more expensive than Anker Soundcore Q20 Wireless but they isolate more background noise. The app is also better and comes with a variety of sound-related options for customization.

The XM3s have an excellent sound quality, and ever since their launch, they've been upgraded to deliver an even better experience. They have a little more detail across the frequency spectrum The noise cancelling function works better at all levels of volume and they've added improved controls for things like Quick Attention mode, voice control, and Speak-to-Chat. The new feature, Adaptive sound control, automatically adjusts the amount of external sound that is allowed in, based on the location you are in and what you are doing.

However, they are not without their flaws. The treble can be occasionally a bit overpowering and the midrange sounds slightly receding. They are still prone to boost the bass too much on certain tracks, making them sound too heavy and full. This can be corrected in the Sony app or in the headphone setting.

The XM3s are a fantastic pair of headphones, specifically for frequent travelers and commuters. They are more comfortable, appear and feel premium, and last longer in comparison to the JBL Live 650 BTNC wireless. They also have a better battery and one of the best noise cancelling features available. They're also more adaptable and better-equipped for mobile use than the Audio-Technica ATH M50X Wireless, despite having less impressive noise cancelling headphones with mic cancellation. They're also not waterproof, and that could be a major issue for some.