Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?

If you're on the train or at work Noise-cancelling headphones are an absolute must for anyone who likes to listen. Which are the best, though?

Sony's flagship headphones are a great value. They feature a brand new design and superior audio quality, as well as enviable features. These headphones are able to capture every detail, from Sinead's trembling Bridge to the powerful chorus.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony is an expert in noise cancellation, and its WH1000XM5 headphones are the top model of this line. A few well-thought-out improvements over the XM4s makes this model an all-round excellent pair of cans, especially for those who commute or travel. They're comfortable, feature multipoint technology that allows you to connect to two devices simultaneously and have the most powerful ANC Sony has ever created. They're also lightweight and provide approximately 27 hours of playback time without charging, which is enough for a week's worth of commutes or a long-haul flight.

The WH1000XM5s are sleek and minimal in appearance. They are made of ABS, which is a recyclable and recycled plastic. The branding is minimal, but there is the tiny 'Sony' logo on the hinge of each earcup. The earcups and headbands are made of soft, plush material that is comfortable for all types of heads apart from the biggest. The earcups can be adjusted to fit you perfectly.

Contrary to previous models that were focused on reducing low frequency noise, the XM5s amplify sound waves with high frequencies to cancel out background noise. This improves the overall quality of sound and helps reduce cabin and engine noises during flights, for instance. The XM5s comes with an additional processing unit that helps increase noise cancellation on planes. The audio app is also able to automatically adjust the sound environment you are listening to in accordance with the pressure of the air.

Other features of the WH-1000XM5s include an enhanced voice assistant that is easy to use and can be used with Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri and more. You can also pair the XM5s with other Sony audio products to allow stereo and multi-room music playback separation. They're compatible with Bluetooth high-bitrate audio streaming through LDAC, which Sony's codec is based on, but don't support the aptX codec or aptX HD.

2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

Sennheiser has been making headphones for over 50 years. You can expect a superior sound quality, and a comfortable fit. They've delivered on both counts with their latest over-ears, called the Momentum 4 Wireless. They have reworked their design to eliminate some characteristic elements that gave their previous models their aviator-style headset look. They also upgraded active noise cancellation by using their latest Adaptive Noisy Cancellation Technology. They've rated the headphones to last 60 hours of listening time when ANC enabled, which doubles the battery life of most rivals.

They're also much more portable than the previous model since they fold up and are smaller overall. They're made with artificial leather that can be used to make the replaceable headband and ear pads that are comfortable on my head even if I wear them all working. There isn't a lot of clamping force that holds them in place, so they should remain comfortable on flights and even during longer workouts.

The sound is well-balanced and clear, but there are some peaks which can cause a bit of confusion to the mixes. The bass is overemphasized, adding extra energy and thump in genres such as EDM or hip hop. It's not a major issue, but some listeners may find it irritating. The high-mid also has a sloppy balance that brings instruments and vocals forward in the mix, but at the expense of bringing out some vocal sibilants.

The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless comes with all the standard features, including bluetooth wireless connectivity, a translucent mode which blends outside sounds into your music to increase awareness and mobile app support for custom and preset EQ options. They can also be connected with an 3.5mm cable when connecting to your phone via wire. They can make use of SBC, AAC, aptX HD, and aptX Adaptive codecs to connect to your device, and they can reduce the latency to as little as 25 which is fantastic.

3. B&W PX7 S2

The original PX7s were top of the line on a variety of lists of the Best over ear headphones noise cancelling Bluetooth headsets due to their excellent ANC and sound quality. The PX7s, just like other wireless headphones, were becoming old and required a refresh. Hence the PX7S2. B&W did not just alter the design, but also made improvements to ANC, and added more voice-calling features.

The PX7 S2 headphones are very lightweight, which makes them comfortable for long listening sessions. A lot of the look is reminiscent of the previous model, like the elongated aluminium earcup top-plate as well as the hook-like design on the headband, which glides rather than clicks when you expand it and the actual physical buttons. The earcups are smaller, though, and the headband is a bit less large overall.

The software from B&W lets you adjust the EQ settings of the bass and treble. However you do not have as much control as you do with headphones that cost more. A Quick Action button on the left earcup switches between various modes of the environment. It can also be adjusted in the Bowers & Wilkins Music app to summon your device's voice assistant.

The PX7 S2 sounds great for most musical styles, with a soundstage that offers plenty of width and good separation between the various elements of sound. It shines in particular on works featuring acoustic instruments such as Rachmaninoff's Cello Sonata in G Minor, Op. 19, composed by pianist Yuja Wang and cellist Gautier Capucon, wired with acoustic instrumental tones that give an airy feel. It can handle heavier fare too. The bass power and midrange clarity of Entombed’s garage/deathn'roll crossover curiosity To Ride and Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth provide an overwhelming sound while keeping things clear to hear vocal details like Lars-Goran Petrov's grittier growl.

4. Bose QuietComfort 35

Bose is one of the first companies that brought active noise cancelling headphones into the mainstream. While they held a stranglehold on the market for years however, they are now competing with newer headphones that offer more features and higher audio quality. QuietComfort 35 remains a great option for anyone who wants to listen to podcasts or music without sound rumbles or hums.

They're also comfortable to wear and have an incredibly balanced default sound profile. The ANC is great at removing background noise. However, it tends to emphasize lower frequencies more than other headphones like the Sony WH1000XM5.

The QC35s are a great pair of headphones that can be used to listen to podcasts and audiobooks. They come with a passive noise cancellation mode which reduces ambient sounds, yet still keeps you secluded from the world around you. The QC35s permit you to connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and also "audio-share" which means you can listen to something on one set of headphones while taking an incoming call on the other.

The Bose Connect app is decent but it doesn't have the vast EQ options offered by other headphone apps. The QC35s can also be used in wired mode, but the sound quality is significantly reduced and the battery longevity isn't as good as with wireless models.

The QC35s have an established Bose look that might not be as appealing to some consumers as the sleeker designs of other brands. However, you can add a touch of personalization by purchasing a decal-covered cover-up from companies such as SlickWraps and Skin Sticker. In the near future, you'll be able customize the color of the earcups and headbands, just like the earlier QC25.

5. Sony WH-1000XM3

Sony's WH1000XM3 is the best wireless headphone that has active noise cancellation that you can buy today. They're more expensive than Anker Soundcore Q20 Wireless but they isolate more background noise. They also come with a superior companion app that provides numerous sound-related features that can be customized.

The XM3s' excellent audio quality is one of their biggest draws and they've been upgraded since their launch to offer the best performance. They provide a bit more clarity across the frequency spectrum and their noise cancelling functions better at all volume levels and they've added improved controls for things like Quick Attention mode, voice control and Speak-to-Chat. They also have a new feature called Adaptive Sound Control that adjusts automatically the amount of external sound let in based on where you're at and what you're doing.

They're not without some problems, however. The treble can sound sometimes a bit loud and the midrange sounds slightly more recessed. They still have the tendency to boost the bass too much on certain tracks, which makes them sound too heavy and full. But that's something you can correct in the headphone settings or via EQ adjustments in the Sony app.

The XM3s are a great pair of headphones, especially for those who commute and frequent travel. They're more comfortable, look and feel more durable and premium than the JBL Live 650 BTNC Wireless, and they have a better battery and one of our favorite noise cancelling features in the business. They're also more flexible and more suited for use on the go than Audio-Technica's ATH-M50X wireless, although their noise cancelling is less impressive. They're also not waterproof which could be a deal-breaker for some people.