The Best Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones

You require the most effective headphones for noise cancellation for your needs, whether you need to block out the hum of your HVAC system or you need to block the sound of jet engine noises. The new Sony WH1000XM5s are the best in active noise cancellation. Their predecessors were also great.

We've analyzed the adjustability of ANC and touch controls, as well as on-ear ear detection for pausing music when your headphones are removed. Our top picks feature high-resolution 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 better noise cancellation and enhanced audio quality. Its impressive ANC performance creates an enveloping cone of silence over your head. It also blocks out a shocking amount of low-frequency sounds. The earphones also block mid-treble and high-treble sounds such as passenger chatter, creaking metal and clanging dishesware.

The WH-1000XM5s' sound is very natural, in contrast to noise cancelling headphones that sound hollow. They're able to render the rising and falling of Billie Eilish's drums with incredible depth and clarity, noise cancelling headphones while keeping edges clear and crystal clear. They're a joy to listen to on a commute or long flight.

A capacitive touch-screen on the right ear cup handles the most frequently used controls, such as play/pause, volume up/down and skip forwards/backwards. It can also stop and answer calls and switch between ANC mode and ambient sound. You can also hold the power button for a few seconds to hear an indicator of how much battery capacity is left.

Another notable improvement over the XM5s model is its new QN1 microphone, which is designed to record high-quality audio while making podcasts and videos. The microphone is more sensitive than previous models and also has a wider audio range, making it easier to pick up your voice.

Other features of the XM4s have carried over to the XM5 including its adaptive ANC system that automatically optimizes performance based on the environment. The "Wearing Detection" feature detects when the headset is removed and pauses video or music. It will restart it when the headset is put back on. It's compatible with Sony's DSEE Extreme Engine, which upscales compressed music to near high-res resolution.

2. Sony WH-1000XM4

The WH1000XM4s by Sony are the most recent version of their industry-leading over-ear headphones. They offer class-leading performance however they don't feature the same active noise cancellation features as the WH1000XM5s. The WH-1000XM4s have a stronger Bluetooth connection and an improved noise cancellation algorithm. They also have a new audio chip which enhances music to HD quality, and advanced voice controls.

The biggest improvement in the latest model is that Sony has made the WH-1000XM4s softer than before by putting padding around the headband, and moving the microphones closer to the outside of the ears. This makes them more comfortable for long listening sessions.

You can also choose between five different sound settings based on the surroundings. Sony headphones come with an app that allows you to customize your EQ settings. The app allows you to keep track of your activities and then automatically adjust the settings. They are a great option for those who travel.

Another major improvement is the WH-1000XM4's noise cancellation, which has been improved by adding more sensitivity and improving how it eliminates low frequencies. It can be evaluated by looking at graphs similar to the one shown above. The higher the peaks, more sounds are being canceled out. The WH-1000XM4s are also better at reducing low-frequency sounds, such as the sound of an air cooling unit or the constant rumble of a plane engine over any other pair of noise-canceling headphones that we've test.

The WH1000XM4s have a number of excellent features, including a 30 hour battery life and a USB-C charging port. They also have Quick Alert, a feature that lets you press the right earcup to dampen music to activate transparency mode. Speak to Chat, meanwhile it stops media when your voice is raised (and it works but sometimes it fails to recognize taps) in addition to Sony's Smart Listening Technology, which can detect your surroundings and provide better sound.

3. Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II

The Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II headphones (or QC35 Wireless 2018, as they're also referred to) were released in September 2017. They have been replaced by the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 701 to be released in 2021. However they remain popular and affordable.

The QC35 II is a great pair of wireless headphones for mixed-use. They provide a comfortable fit and a neutral sound profile by default. They also provide outstanding noise isolation. They are ideal for travel or in noisy environments and last more than a 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 them to play music, answer trivia questions or read notifications from your smartphone.

The padding around the ears is a good size and will fit most types of ear. They are also light. The hinges on the housings fold down making them easy to put in bags or backpacks. The controls are located on the right-hand side of the headphone and are easy to use. Playback can be controlled with tapping the buttons that allow you to rewind or 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 the drum beats studio3 wireless noise cancelling over ear headphones and piano parts. The QC35 II deliver crisp, clear audio that is well-rounded and detailed. They can detect subtleties such as Paul McCartney’s unsteady timing as he builds up to the chorus, or Gerard Way's snarl when he laments teenage personalism in teenagers.

The QC35 II can be connected to up to two devices at once and is compatible with the majority of smart assistants. The QC35 II comes with a carry bag and USB charging cable.

4. Sony WH-CH720N

Sony has a reputation for noise cancelling headphones producing high-quality headphones that cost relatively little. The budget-friendly WH-CH720N headphones from Sony are no exception. They have many of the same features of the WH1000XM5 flagship headphones, but in an affordable design. They also offer a decent amount of active noise cancelling at a very low cost.

These headphones feature high-performance drivers of 30mm that offer crisp high-frequency sound and a full bass. They also have an even tuning to make them sound great with a variety of music genres, and they have a large soundstage that allows you to get a sense of being immersed in the music.

The WH-CH720N headphones come with buttons instead of the touch controls or gestures that are used by the XM5 headphones. This could be a bit of a disadvantage, as the buttons are initially confusing. Fortunately, the headphones have clear labels and the controls are arranged intelligently. Double presses of the '+' button can pause and play audio. A single press lowers the volume. By pressing and holding the button, voice assistants are launched and calls are rejected.

These headphones last for up to 35 hours with ANC on. This is the most efficient battery performance we've ever seen in over-ear headphones. They also have a standby mode to aid in conserving battery.

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

5. B&W PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 follow on from the success of their predecessor, but are by no means a half-baked update riding on its coattails. They feature a more sleek design and a new application. They deliver on their promise of top-quality build and sound that accurately communicates artistic intent. They are also extremely comfortable to wear all day.

While they don't match the noise cancellation of the Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II or the Sony WH-1000XM5 however, they do a excellent job of blocking out ambient noises and ensuring that you can focus on your music, podcasts, or gaming on your handheld without distractions. They use a six microphone setup (four for the noise cancellation and two for voice pickup) and a revised algorithms which reduce ambient sound by 30dB. These are also one of only a few Bluetooth headphones that we've tested that can be used as passive headphones which allows users to listen to their media without having to power up the drive units.

They're also compatible with the B&W Music app, a free download that delivers an array of features that go along with the great noise cancellation. This includes a Quick Action button that cycles through three different modes of environmental and displays battery life. It can be set to launch your device's voice assistant. The annoying thing is that you have to press and hold the button to activate it - a single press is more convenient and intuitive.

The PX7 S2 are an impressive pair of headphones, that will please the majority of music fans. They're not quite as appropriate for the high-quality music of genres like rock and metal that tend to favor heavy bass and muddy low frequency, like they are to classics, folk and Acoustic music, but will still impress those who appreciate audiophile credentials that's also practical and comfortable.