The Best Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones

If you're fighting the engine noise of jet engines or simply want to block out the hum of your HVAC system at home, you need the best noise cancelling over-ear headphones. The new Sony WH-1000XM5s are among the latest top of the line in active noise cancellation and their predecessors were equally excellent.

We've considered the adjustability of ANC control buttons, touch controls, and on-ear detection (for pausing music when you take off your headphones). Our top picks feature high-quality audio, comfortable earcups and large earcups.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

The fifth generation of Sony's top headphones is a major upgrade over its predecessor, with improved noise cancellation and audio quality. Its impressive ANC performance creates an illusion of silence over your head. It also blocks out a surprising amount of low-frequency noise. The earphones also block mid- to treble range sounds like chatter from passengers, creaking metal and clanging dishesware.

The WH-1000XM5s sound very natural, in contrast to noise cancelling headsets that sound hollow. They're able to reproduce the rise and fall of the drums of Billie Eilish with incredible depth and clarity, while also keeping edges clean and clear. It's a pleasure to listen to them on a long flight or commute.

The most common controls are operated by a capacitive touch surface on the right ear cup, including play/pause and volume up/down, as well as skip forwards and backwards. It also lets you end or answer calls and switch between ANC mode and ambient sound. You can also hold and press the power button for a few seconds to hear a warning of the battery's remaining life.

The new QN1 mic is a significant improvement over the XM5s. It is designed to capture high quality audio when recording videos and podcasts. The microphone is more sensitive than previous models and has a larger audio range that makes it easier for you to pick up your voice.

The XM5 has also brought over some features from the XM4s including the adaptive ANC system that automatically optimizes performance based upon your surroundings. The "Wearing Detection" feature detects when the headset is removed and Beats Studio 3 Wireless Bluetooth Noise Cancelling Headphones pauses video or music. It will resume it once they return to. It also works with Sony's DSEE Extreme engine, which claims to enhance compressed music to near-high-resolution quality.

2. Sony WH-1000XM4

The WH-1000XM4s are the most recent version of Sony's market-leading over ear headphones, and even though they don't feature the same amount of active noise cancellation as the WH-1000XM5s, they still provide top-of-the-line performance. The WH-1000XM4s have a stronger Bluetooth connection as well as a more efficient noise cancellation algorithm. They also come with an audio chip that increases the sound quality to HD quality, and advanced voice controls.

Sony has upgraded the WH1000XM4s in the latest version by adding padding to the headband and also moving the microphones forward. This makes them more comfortable to listen to for long periods of time.

They're also more versatile and allow you to switch between five different sound modes depending on the surroundings. Sony headphones come with an app that lets you to alter your EQ settings. They're a great choice for travelers, and the app lets you monitor your activity and automatically optimize the settings as you go.

The WH-1000XM4 also has improved its noise cancellation. It's now more effective thanks to its greater sensitivity and improved filtering of low frequencies. This can be tested by looking at graphs like the one above. Higher peaks indicate that more sounds are being blocked out. The WH-1000XM4s also better attenuate low-frequency sounds such as the hum of an air conditioner or the constant rumble of a plane engine over any other pair of noise-canceling headsets we've test.

The WH-1000XM4s have an impressive set of features, including batteries that last up to 30 hours, and a USB-C charging port built-in. They also come with Quick Alert, a feature that lets you tap the right earcup and then dampen the sound to enable transparency mode. Speak to Chat, in turn, pauses media when you speak (and it works well, although sometimes it does not recognize taps) in addition to Sony's Smart Listening Technology, which can detect your environment and provide better audio.

3. Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II

The Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II headphones (or QC35 beats studio3 wireless true wireless noise cancelling over ear headphones 2018, as they are also known) were released in September 2017. They were replaced with the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 701, which will be released in 2021. However, they are still popular and affordable.

The QC35 II is a great pair of headphones that can be used for both mixed and regular use. They offer an incredibly comfortable fit and neutral sound profile that is default. They also provide exceptional noise isolation. They can be used in noisy settings or while traveling and they last for more than a full day on a single charge. They are also compatible with a variety of smart assistants and are activated via an individual button. You can ask the assistant to play music, answer trivia or read notifications from your smartphone.

They feature a wide opening in the ear padding that can accommodate a variety of types of ear sizes and shapes. They also are lightweight. The hinges on the housings fold down making them easy to put in bags or backpacks. The controls are on the right-hand side of the headphone and are simple to use. A series of taps will control playback, like the ability to rewind and skip songs.

For a good example of the quality you can expect from these Bose headphones, we played The Beatles' Let It Be and listened to drum beats studio 3 wireless bluetooth noise cancelling headphones and piano notes. The QC35 II delivers crisp, clear audio with a well-rounded and detail sound. They reveal subtleties in the vocals, like Paul McCartney's erratic timing when he's building to the chorus or Gerard Way's snarl while he sighs about the lack of individuality among Teenagers.

The QC35 II can be connected to up to two devices simultaneously and are compatible with most smart assistants. The QC35 II comes with a carry bag and USB charging cable.

4. Sony WH-CH720N

Sony has a reputation for making high-quality headphones that cost relatively little. The WH-CH720N budget headphones are no exception. These headphones come with many of the same features as the flagship WH1000XM5 headphones, but in a more budget friendly design. They offer a great deal of active noise cancellation, but at the price of a small.

These headphones feature powerful drivers that measure 30mm in size. They deliver crisp high frequencies and plenty of bass. They also feature a balanced tuning to make them sound great with various genres of music. They also have a large soundstage that lets you feel immersed in your listening.

The WH-CH720N headphones have buttons for controls instead of the gestures and touch controls of the XM5 headphones. This can be a more of a problem, as the buttons can be confusing at first. Luckily, the headphones come with clear labels and the controls are arranged intelligently. One press of the button '-' lowers the volume, and double pressing pauses and plays audio. Pressing and holding the button activates voice assistants and blocks calls.

With ANC enabled, these headphones can last for around 35 hours before they run out of power. This is one of the most efficient battery performance we've seen on headphones with over ear wireless headphones noise cancelling-ears. They have a standby function to conserve battery.

The WH-CH720N headphones are connected to Android phones and iOS devices via Bluetooth. They support LDAC which allows them to play high-quality audio on compatible devices. They're also compatible with PlayStation consoles that have an analog 1/8" TRS cable and can be used as wired headphones on a PC using the included USB dongle. The Sony Headphones Connect App lets you personalize your headphones with an EQ slider, presets and multipoint connectivity.

5. B&W PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 is a follow-up to a successful predecessor and isn't an unfinished upgrade. Featuring a sleeker look and a new app that delivers on the promise of top-quality build, delivering audio designed to faithfully express the artist's vision. They're also extremely comfortable and are a delight to wear all day long.

They don't have the same noise cancellation as the Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II or the Sony WH1000XM5, however, they are effective in blocking out background noises so you can concentrate on your podcasts or music. They feature a six-strong mic setup (four for noise cancellation and two for voice pickup) and a revised algorithm that reduces ambient noise by 30 decibels. They're also one of the few Bluetooth headphones we've tested that can be used in passive mode, allowing you to listen to your content on their own, without putting power to the drive units.

The B&W Music app is also compatible with the free download that offers a range of features to complement the great noise cancellation. The Quick Action button can be programmed to activate your device's voice assistance to cycle through three environmental settings, and display battery life. It's a pain to press and hold the button to activate it - a single press would be easier and more intuitive.

The PX7 S2 are a very impressive pair of headphones, which will delight all music enthusiasts. The PX7 S2 headphones aren't so well-suited to the demanding music genres such as metal and rock which favour bass-heavy productions and muddy low frequencies as they are for classical, folk, and Acoustic. However, they will still impress those who appreciate audiophile credentials, and are practical and convenient.