Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?

Noise-cancelling headphones can be an ideal solution for anyone who enjoys listening regardless of whether they're in the office or commuting on the train. Which are the best?

Sony's flagship headphones are a great value. They come with a fresh design and superior audio quality as well as impressive features. From the powerful chorus to Sinead's unstable bridge, these headphones offer incredible clarity and realism.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony is the leader in noise cancellation and its WH1000XM5 headphones are the top model in this line. A few well-thought-out enhancements Over ear wireless headphones noise cancelling the XM4s make this model an excellent all-round pair of headphones, over ear wireless headphones noise cancelling specifically for those who commute and travel. They're comfortable and feature multipoint technology that allows you to connect to two devices simultaneously and have the most advanced ANC Sony has made to date. They are lightweight and can run up to 27 hours without charging. This is enough for a week of daily commutes or long-haul flights.

The WH1000XM5s are sleek and minimal in design. They are made from ABS which is which is a recyclable and recycled plastic. Branding is minimal, though you'll see a tiny "Sony" logo on each hinge of each earcup. The earcups and the headband are cushioned with plush soft material that feels comfortable on all but the largest heads. The earcups are also adjustable so you can find the perfect fit for you.

In contrast to previous models, which focused on reducing low frequency noise, the XM5s amplify sound waves at high frequency to cancel out ambient noise. That improves overall sound quality and helps reduce the noise of engines and cabins on flights, for instance. The XM5s comes with an additional processing unit that helps improve noise cancellation on planes. The audio app can also adjust the sound environment you are listening to in accordance with the pressure of the air.

The WH-1000XM5s also has a voice assistant that is easy to use, and works with Alexa as well as Google Assistant, Siri, and many more. The XM5s can be paired with other Sony audio devices for stereo separation and multi-room music. They're compatible with Bluetooth high-bitrate audio streaming through LDAC codec from Sony however they don't support the aptX or aptX HD.

2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

When a company has been manufacturing headphones for as long as Sennheiser, you expect class-leading sound quality and a comfortable fit. With their new over ear headphones noise cancelling wireless-ears, called Momentum 4 Wireless, they deliver on both fronts. They've redesigned their design to eliminate a few distinctive elements that gave their previous models their aviator-style headset look. They also upgraded active noise cancellation using their latest Adaptive Noisy Cancellation Technology. They've rated these headphones to last for 60 hours of listening with ANC enabled, which doubles the battery life of most rivals.

The new model is also more portable, as it folds up and is a bit smaller. The ear pads and headband are made of synthetic PU leather that feels comfortable on my head even when I wear it for the entire day. There's not a lot of clamping force that keeps them in place either which means they'll remain comfortable during flights and during workouts that last longer.

The sound is well-balanced and clear, though there are some high-pitched peaks in the mid- and high-mid that cause a slightly muddy sound in mixes. The bass is overemphasized, adding a bit of impact and thump to genres such as EDM or hip-hop. It's not an issue however some listeners may find it annoying. The high-mid also isn't balanced that brings instruments and vocals forward in the mix, but at the cost of bringing out some vocals.

The Sennheiser momentum 4 wireless has all the standard features, including Bluetooth wireless connectivity, a translucent mode that blends outside sounds into your music for improved awareness, and mobile application support for custom and pre-set EQ options. They can also be used with a 3.5mm cable for connecting to your phone via wire. They can connect to your device by using SBC, AAC HD, and aptX Adaptive codes and can reduce latency by as much as a quarter second.

3. B&W PX7 S2

The original PX7s were a top choice on many lists of the most reliable Bluetooth headsets due to their superior ANC and audio quality. The PX7s, as with many wireless headphones, over ear wireless headphones noise Cancelling were getting old and needed a refresh. This is why the PX7S2. B&W not only changed the design however, they also made improvements to ANC and added features for voice calls.

The PX7 S2 headphones are extremely lightweight, which makes them comfortable for long listening sessions. The look of the PX7 S2 is mostly identical to the previous model. This includes the cool oval aluminium top-plate for the earcups, the hook-like accent that slides rather than clicks when you expand the headband, and the physical buttons. The earcups are a bit smaller, though, and the headband feels a little less substantial overall.

The software from B&W lets you adjust the EQ settings of the bass and treble. However, you aren't as in control as you would with higher-priced headphones. The Quick Action button on left earcup switches between the different modes of the environment. It can also be configured to call the voice assistant on your device in the Bowers & Wilkins Music App.

The PX7 S2 sounds great for the majority of musical styles, with a soundstages that have plenty of width and good separation between the various elements of sound. It shines in particular on works that showcase acoustic instruments, like Rachmaninoff's Cello Sonata in G Minor, Op. The 19 by Yuja Wang and Gautier Capucon has woody tones that have a touch of air. It can handle heavier fare too. The bass sound and midrange clarity on Entombed's garage/deathn'roll crossover, To Ride and Shoot Straight, and Speak the Truth The album is an overwhelming sound while still allowing listeners to be able to hear vocal details such as Lars-Goran Petrov's gritty growl.

4. Bose QuietComfort 35

Bose was one of the first companies to bring active noise cancelling headphones to the mainstream. Although they held an advantage over the market for many years, they are now competing with 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 noise or rumbles.

The default sound profile is balanced, and they're comfortable to wear. The ANC does a fantastic job of eliminating background noise, but it tends to emphasize lower frequencies more than newer headphones, such as the Sony WH-1000XM5.

If you're looking for a pair that can be used to listen to audiobooks or podcasts The QC35s feature an impressive passive noise cancellation mode that cuts down on ambient sounds while keeping you isolated from the hum of the environment around you. The QC35s permit you to connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and "audio-share" to ensure that you can listen to music on one pair of headphones while taking an incoming call with the other set of headphones.

The bose noise cancelling headphones 700 over ear Connect app is decent but doesn't provide the full EQ options that other headphone apps. The QC35s can also be used in wired mode using a cable, but the sound quality takes a major hit and they don't have the same battery longevity as wireless models.

The QC35s sport a classic Bose look that might not appeal to some as the sleeker designs of other manufacturers. However you can add a touch of personalization by purchasing an ear cover-up with decals from companies like SlickWraps and Skin Sticker. In the near future you'll be able to customize the color of the earcups and headband, just like with the QC25 model from earlier.

5. Sony WH-1000XM3

Sony's WH-1000XM3 are among the top wireless headphones with active noise cancellation you can purchase today. They're more expensive than the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless, but they isolate a lot more ambient noise and feel much better-built. The app is also better and offers tons of options for sound customization.

The XM3s' excellent sound quality is one of their biggest draws, and they've been upgraded since their introduction to provide an even better experience. They have a little bit more detail in the frequency spectrum. Their noise cancelling is more effective at all levels of volume. They also have better controls, such as Quick Attention mode and Speak-to-Chat. They also have a brand new feature called Adaptive Sound Control that automatically adjusts how much external sound is allowed in, based on the location you're at and what you're doing.

They're not without their own problems, however. The treble can sound a little overpowering at times and the midrange is slightly receding. They still have the tendency to increase the bass too much on some tracks, making them sound heavy and full. You can correct this issue via the Sony app or in the headphone setting.

The XM3s are a great pair of headphones, especially for commuters and frequent travelers. They're more comfortable, stylish and more durable and premium than the JBL Live 650 BTNC Wireless and have a much better battery and one of our top noise cancelling features available in the market. They're also more flexible and more mobile-friendly than the Audio-Technica's ATH-M50X Wireless, despite having less impressive noise isolation. They're not waterproof, and that could be a problem for some.