Sony Headphones Review - The Best Noise Cancelling Headphones

The fifth-generation Sony noise cancelling headphones are a little different from the previous model, but sound just as great. The headphones are light and comfortable, and have a variety of features, Over ear noise Cancelling headphones wireless including Quick Attention mode and Speak-to-Chat. They also come with wear detection, and AI-powered DSEE Extreme upscaling audio.

The ANC is extremely powerful and reduces train noise to a quiet rumble. The option to pass-through allows you to hear outside sounds in the event of a need.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony's headphones are always among the top in the market in the field of noise cancellation. The fifth generation of WH1000XM5s are the same, providing one of the most satisfying experiences we've had with noise cancellation headphones in recent times. Strapping a pair on and enabling noise cancellation is like walking into a vast cone of silence: Engine sounds as well as the whir of HVAC systems, creaking metal, and even conversations with neighbors are muted to an uncanny degree.

The XM5s also excel on the audio aspect. Their expansive soundstage allows the entire song to shine and breathe. On Billie Eilish’s Bad Guy for example, the drums pound with a satisfying amount of force and power, while soaring vocals harmonise throughout the mix.

The XM5s also stand out because of their smart interaction with your smart device. They can recognise the moment they're taken off your head and pause music, they can detect that you're driving on a noisy road and automatically reduce the noise cancelling level and they can also connect with two devices simultaneously and switch between them based on what you require more urgently.

The WH-1000XM5s are eco-friendly. They are made of recycled plastic and acrylonitrile styrene (ABS) and the headband being made of high-end fabric. And they include a collapsible carrying case that folds to create a compact bag, as well as a 3.5mm-to-3.5mm aux cable for listening in passive mode. The ear cups are removable to make it easy to clean. The XM5s come with rechargeable batteries that provide up to 20 hours of playtime. They are equipped with a rapid charging system that charges twice as fast as traditional USB headphones.

2. Bose QuietComfort 35

The Bose QuietComfort35 II/QC35 II Wireless 2018, with their comfortable fit and balanced sound profile and ANC technology that blocks a large amount of background noise They are more adaptable than the Audio-Technica ATHDR9BT Wireless Headphones. The Bose headphones also come with longer battery life of 20 hours, take less time to charge and can be used in conjunction with a phone when the battery is not fully charged and makes them a good choice for those in need of headphones that can serve as commuting headphones or travel headphones.

These premium Bose headphones have a dedicated button that turns on Google Assistant, which will play music and answer trivia questions and also read notifications from your smartphone. They have excellent noise cancelling capabilities, and although they're becoming a bit long in the tooth by 2020 standards (and have successors in their sibling line the QC35) However, you can still get great bargains on them.

The QC35s, as with other Bose ANC headsets, do excellent job of cancelling ambient noise. Their noise reduction technology has also improved over the ear headphones with noise cancelling time. However they're not the most effective ANC headphones available particularly when compared to contemporary counterparts and audiophiles should look elsewhere for better sound quality.

Similar to the Sonys the QC35s also connect to two devices simultaneously and "audio share" one of them with a companion, which is useful when you want to listen to music in one ear while talking to someone else. They are also popular among frequent flyers and have the classic Bose design that many people love. If you're looking to dress up the QC35s with a little personalization, decal covers like SlickWraps and Over Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones Wireless Skin Sticker are available for a reasonable price.

3. Sony WH-1000XM4

Sony's WH1000XM4s offer nothing in terms of aesthetic or comfort changes from the M3s, however its noise cancellation is an entirely new beast. The company has replaced the old system-on chip (SoC) with a new one that, according to the company, will enable it to listen and react more accurately to ambient audio in real-time, reducing high and mid-frequency noises using its Dual Noise Sensor technology.

Two feedforward microphones in each earcup capture ambient sound. This is then processed by the QN1 noise cancelling processor to cut it down quickly without affecting the quality of your audio. The result is an amount of sennheiser noise cancelling headphones reduction that rivals the best headphones available at this price.

There's a sensitivity knob that allows you to alter the noise cancellation to fit your needs. You might, for instance prefer to listen to the sounds of the city while at home, you may prefer a more closed off listening experience. This feature also makes use of geo-location access to apply the correct setting based on where you're heading.

The WH1000XM4s can be used for making hands-free phone calls. They also come with a 30 hour battery life and fast charging capabilities. The WH-1000XM4s come with a robust Bluetooth connection that supports multipoint and NFC support. In my tests, I found that the restoration of Paul McCartney's Flaming pie was lively and clear as well as rough mixes and home recordings also sounded crisp.

Download the Sony Headphones Connect companion app to get the most from these headphones. You can alter the EQ and enjoy features that make it easy such as Bluetooth multipoint. Additionally, it unlocks cool new features, like Sony's 360 Reality Audio immersive sound mastering process.

4. Sony WH-CH720N

If you're seeking a pair of headphones that can provide top-quality active noise cancellation at cost-effective prices, the Sony WH-CH720N are an excellent option. The 710N Wireless is an improvement over ear Noise cancelling Headphones Wireless its predecessor with more efficient ANC performance, and superior audio quality. They also feature smaller dimensions and up to 35 hours of battery life.

These headphones are not for you if you expect flagship features like LDAC Bluetooth and Smart Listening, which integrates voice assistants. They don't come with a carry case, auto-pause feature, or earcups that fold up and are therefore difficult to take on a trip with.

The quality of the WH-CH720N's construction is decent, but not as good the 1000XM5. The headband and earcups are made of plastic. They are light and comfortable for long periods of time however, they aren't built to withstand heavy use or even a few falls on hard surfaces. The design is also quite bulky and the earcups are likely to creak when you move your head. The controls are simple to use with tactile buttons that give good clicky feedback. The ANC can be switched on and off by a single push of the power switch. Pressing and holding the button will activate Sony's Adaptive audio Control. This feature lets you select an audio profile that is preset according to the type of headphones you're using the headphones (e.g., "Staying at Work" or "Running") or your current location (with your phone's permission to determine this).

The WH-CH720N is among the most cost-effective pairs of wireless noise cancelling headphones on the market. For the money you get top ANC, excellent sound comfortable, and a lightweight design. You can also expect up to 35 hours of battery life. If you're a frequent commuter these headphones are worth checking out.

5. Earfun Air Pro

Earfun's earbuds and headsets are well-known for their value and the Air Pro is no exception. They're effective for calls and enthralling for music, and their ANC blocks a good amount of sound without making you feel like your ears are being drowned. They also come with a lot of features that you can find in headphones that cost up to twice as more.

The earbuds have a pronounced bass range which adds rumble and punch to most tracks, while keeping lead vocals and instruments bright and clear. This makes them ideal for a variety of content, though they may sound a little too loud for certain. They have a constant frequency response, which means they sound exactly the same no matter the music you are listening to.

We listened to Missy Elliott's Get Ur Freak On, and the earbuds did a great job of highlighting the track's bass-heavy opening with enthusiasm and zeal. Stormzy's Vossi Bop had a similar dynamic sound and the treble was a highlight of the vocals and percussion.

On the phone, the voice quality is very good even in noisy surroundings. The earbuds use the latest Qualcomm chip to ensure the clarity of calls with background noises and clicks minimized even when talking in the vicinity of the London Underground at rush hour.

The earbuds' Bluetooth connectivity is also excellent and there were any issues during our testing. They connect quickly and have minimal latency to iOS and Android devices. They are IPX5 waterproof, so you can use them in rain or workouts. However, they should not be submerged in water. They also come with a carry-on case that can hold two and a half charges which is ideal for travelling.