Sony Headphones Review - The best over the ear headphones noise cancelling Noise Cancelling Headphones

The fifth-generation Sony noise cancelling headphones are a bit different from the previous model but sound just as great. The headphones are light and comfortable, and come with many features, including Quick Attention mode and Speak-to-Chat. They also feature wear detection, as well as AI-powered DSEE Extreme upscaling audio.

The ANC is powerful, reducing train noise to an ambient rumble. The pass-through option lets you to hear sounds from outside when needed.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony headphones are among the top models when it comes noise cancellation. And the fifth generation of WH-1000XM5s is no exception, offering one of the most satisfying experiences we've had with noise cancelling headphones in recent memory. When you put on your headphones and turn on noise cancellation, you're entering a world of silence. Engine noises and HVAC systems, squeaking metal and even neighboring conversations all become muted.

The XM5s also stand out on the audio side, with an expansive soundstage that gives every element of a track the space to breathe and shine. On Billie Eilish's Bad Guy for example, the drums pound with a satisfying amount force and power and soaring vocals are a perfect fit throughout the mix.

Other features that make the XM5s stand out are their intelligent interactions with your smartphone. They will detect when they are removed from the head and stop the music. They also can detect that you are on a noisy highway and automatically lower the noise cancelling level.

The WH-1000XM5s also have a low environmental impact. The WH-1000XM5s are made of recycled plastics, butadiene, acrylonitrile and styrene. The headband is constructed from premium fabric. They come with a collapsible case that folds into itself, creating the compact pouch. Also included is an 3.5mm to 3.5mm aux cable, so you can listen to music in passive mode. The earcups can be removed for easy cleaning. The XM5s also come with rechargeable batteries that can provide up to 20 hours of playing time. They are also equipped with a fast charging system that charges twice as fast as conventional USB headphones.

2. Bose QuietComfort 35

The Bose QuietComfort 35/QC35 II Wireless 2018 are more flexible than the Audio-Technica ATH-DSR9BT Wireless headphones thanks to their extremely comfortable fit, a well-balanced sound profile and ANC feature that blocks a lot of background noise. The Bose headphones also come with longer battery life of 20 hours and take less time to charge, and can be used connected to a smartphone even when the battery is dead, making them a better choice for those in need of headphones that can be used as commuting headphones, or travel headphones.

These premium Bose headphones come with a button that turns on Google Assistant, which will play music and answer trivia questions and read your smartphone notifications. They have great noise cancellation capabilities. They are a bit old-fashioned by 2020 standards however, you can get great deals.

The QC35s, along with other Bose ANC headsets, do a good over ear noise cancelling headphones job at blocking out ambient noise. Their noise reduction technology has also improved over the years. However they're not the most effective ANC headphones on the market in comparison to more recent competitors and audiophiles should look elsewhere for a better sound experience.

The QC35s also have the ability to connect to two devices at once, and can "audio share" with a friend. This is a great option for those who like listening to music while talking to someone else. They're also a popular choice for frequent travelers, and they sport that classic Bose look that many people appreciate. SlickWraps or Skin Sticker covers for decals are readily available at a reasonable price when you wish to personalize your QC35s.

3. Sony WH-1000XM4

The WH-1000XM4s made by Sony do not change much in terms of design or comfort, but their noise cancelling technology is a totally new device. The company has replaced the old system-on chip (SoC) with a new one that it claims will allow it to listen and respond more precisely to ambient audio in real-time by reducing mid- and high-frequency noises with its Dual Noise Sensor technology.

Two feedforward microphones in each earcup capture ambient sound. The sound is processed by QN1 noise cancelling processor to reduce it rapidly without affecting the quality of your audio. The result is an impressive level of noise cancellation that is able to compete with the best headphones in this price range.

There's a sensitivity dial which allows you to alter the noise cancellation to meet your preferences. If you're out in public, for example, you might want a little bit of ambient sound to be filtered through, while at home you'll want a more secluded listening experience. This feature makes use of geo-location to automatically apply the correct setting based on your destination.

The WH-1000XM4s can be utilized for hands-free calls and come with an impressive 30 hours of battery life, along with fast charging capabilities. They also boast a robust Bluetooth 5.0 connection, with support for multipoint as well as NFC. In my testing, I found that a quick Remastering of Paul McCartney's Flaming pie sounded lively and clear with rough mixes, and recordings from home also sound clear.

To get the most out of these headphones, you'll need download the companion Sony Headphones Connect app. You can adjust the EQ and enjoy features that make it easy like Bluetooth multipoint. It also unlocks cool new stuff, like Sony's 360 Reality Audio immersive sound mastering process.

4. Sony WH-CH720N

The Sony WH-CH720N headphones are excellent choice if you're looking to buy headphones that provide excellent active noise cancellation at affordable costs. The 710N Wireless is a step up over its predecessor and offers improved ANC performance and better sound quality. They also feature smaller dimensions and up to 35 hours of battery life.

However, if you're looking for premium features like LDAC Bluetooth support and Smart Listening with voice assistant integration these headphones aren't made suitable for you. They don't come with a carry case, auto-pause feature, or earcups that fold up which makes them difficult to travel with.

The build quality of the WH-CH720N is decent however, it's not as great as the 1000XM5. The headband and earcups are constructed of plastic. They're light and comfortable for long periods of time, but they're not built to withstand intense use or a few drops on hard surfaces. The design is a little bulky and the earcups are likely to creak when you move your head. The controls are simple to use with tactile buttons that provide good clicky feedback. A single press of the power button switches ANC on and off, while pressing and holding the button prompts you to turn on Sony's Adaptive Audio Control functionality. This feature lets you choose a preset profile based on your location or how you use the headphones.

The WH-CH720N noise cancelling wireless headphones are among the most affordable on the market. You get top ANC for the price, lightweight comfort, and up to 35-hour battery life. These headphones are worth a look for if you frequently commute.

5. Earfun Air Pro

The Air Pro is no different. Earfun headsets and earbuds are well-known for their excellent value. They're effective for calls and enthralling for best over the ear headphones noise cancelling music, while their ANC block a lot of noise without making you feel like your ears are squeezed. They also have a lot of features found on rival headphones that cost more or twice as much.

The earbuds are characterized by an over-emphasized bass range that adds rumble and punch to the majority of tracks and keeps the lead vocals and instruments clear and present. This makes them perfect for a wide range of content. However, they could sound a bit boomy to some. Their frequency response is also extremely consistent, which means they sound exactly the identical no matter what you listen to.

We cued up Missy Elliott's Get Ur Freak On, and the earbuds did a great job of celebrating the song's bass-heavy introduction with energy and zeal. Stormzy's Vossi Bop had a similar fluid sound and the treble was a highlight of the vocals and percussion.

Voice quality is excellent even in noisy environments. The earbuds feature the most recent Qualcomm chip, which ensures that background noises, clicks and other distractions are kept at the bare minimum. This is the case even when talking next to London Underground during rush hour.

The earbuds' Bluetooth connectivity is also excellent and there were no issues during our tests. They connect quickly and with minimal latency to iOS and Android devices. They are IPX5 waterproof, which means they are suitable for rain or workouts. However they shouldn't be submerged in water. They also come with a portable case that holds two and a half charges that are great for travelling.