Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?

The noise-cancelling headphones can be an ideal solution for those who love to listen regardless of whether they're at work or commuting on the train. Which ones are the best, though?

Sony's flagship headphones are a fantastic value. They come with a fresh design and superior audio quality as well as enviable features. From the raucous chorus to Sinead O'Connor's trembling bridge, these headphones offer incredible clarity and real-world realism.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony is the leader in noise cancellation and its WH1000XM5 headphones are the top model in this model. This model is an excellent pair of headphones, particularly for commuters or travelers. They're comfortable, have multipoint technology to connect to two devices simultaneously, and are the best ANC Sony has ever created. They are lightweight and can run for up to 27 hours without charging. That's enough time for a week of daily commutes or long-haul flights.

The WH-1000XM5s sport an elegant minimalist design and are made of recycled and recyclable plastic, known as acrylonitrile butadiene (ABS). The branding is minimal. You'll find a tiny Sony logo on each hinge of the earcup. The headband and earcups feature soft, plush material that is comfortable for all types of heads except the largest. The earcups are also adjustable so you can find the best fit for you.

In contrast to previous models that concentrated on reducing low-frequency noise the XM5s amplify high-frequency sound waves in order to block out ambient sounds. This improves the overall quality of sound and helps drown out cabin and engine noises during flights, for instance. The XM5s is equipped with a second processing unit to increase noise cancellation on planes. The audio app can also automatically adjust the sound environment you are listening to in accordance with the data on air pressure.

The WH-1000XM5s also has an integrated voice assistant that is simple to use, and works with Alexa as well as Google Assistant, Siri, and many more. You can also pair the XM5s to other Sony audio products to allow stereo and multi-room music playback separation. They're compatible with Bluetooth high-bitrate audio streaming via Sony's LDAC codec but they're not compatible with the aptX codec or aptX HD.

2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

If an organization has been producing headphones for as long as Sennheiser is a top brand, you can expect superior audio quality and a comfortable fit. With their new over-ears, called Momentum 4 Wireless, they provide both. They've revamped their design to eliminate some characteristic elements that gave their earlier models the look of an aviator. They also enhanced active noise cancellation with their advanced Adaptive Noisy Cancellation Technology. They are designed to last 60 hours with ANC on, which is double the battery life of many competitors.

They're also more mobile than the previous model since they fold down and are smaller overall. They're made with artificial PU leather for the re-usable headband and earpads which feel comfortable on my head even if I wear them for the entire working. There isn't a lot of clamping force that keeps them in place, so they should remain comfortable on flights and during longer workouts.

The sound is well-balanced and clear, though there are some peaking in the low-mid and high-mid which cause slight muddying in the mixes. The bass is too loud with a lot of impact and thump to genres such as EDM or hip hop. It's not a big deal however it could be a problem for some listeners. The high-mid also has a sloppy balance that brings instruments and vocals forward in the mix but at the expense of bringing out a few sibilants.

The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless has all the standard features, including bluetooth wireless connectivity, a translucent mode which blends outside sounds into your music to enhance awareness, and mobile application support for custom and preset EQ options. They can also be used with a 3.5mm cable if you're connecting to your phone via wire. They can connect to your device using SBC, AAC HD, and aptX Adaptive codes and can cut down the latency by as much as one quarter second.

3. B&W PX7 S2

Since their introduction in the year 2000, the original PX7s have appeared on countless lists of the top Bluetooth headphones, atop them in many instances due to their impressive ANC and strong sound quality. The PX7s, like most wireless headphones, were getting old and required a refresh. This is why the PX7S2. B&W did not just alter the design, but also made improvements to ANC, and added more voice-calling features.

The first thing you will notice when you open the box and pick up the PX7 S2 is just how light they are. This makes them extremely comfortable for long listening sessions. The design of the PX7 S2 is mostly similar to the previous model. It has 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 is a bit less large overall.

B&W's software allows you to modify EQ settings for treble and bass, however, you don't have as much control over the mix between the two components like you do on more expensive headphones. A Quick Action button on the left earcup toggles environmental modes and can be set within the Bowers & Wilkins Music app to call the voice assistant on your device.

The PX7 S2 is a great choice for most musical styles. It has a large soundstage, and good separation of different sound elements. It is particularly impressive on music that has acoustic instrumentation like Rachmaninoff's Cello Sonata, Op. The 19 by Yuja Wang and Gautier Capucon features woody tones with a sense air. It's also capable of handling heavier songs as well, thanks to the bass sound and midrange clarity of Entombed's fusion of garage and death-n'-roll, Ride and Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth creating an impressive sound wall while still allowing to be able hear the vocals, such as Lars-Goran Petrov's grittier growl.

4. Bose QuietComfort 35

Bose was one of the first companies to bring active noise cancelling headphones to the mainstream. While they held an unwavering position in the market for a long time but they are now competing with newer headsets with more features and better sound quality. That said, the QuietComfort 35 is still a excellent option for anyone looking to listen to music or podcasts without being disturbed by continuous buzzing and rumbles.

The default sound profile is balanced, Jbl live 660 noise cancelling over ear headphones white and they're comfortable to wear. The ANC does a great job of eliminating background noise cancelling headphones wireless, but it tends to emphasize low frequencies more than the latest headphones such as the Sony WH-1000XM5.

The QC35s are a great pair of headphones that can be used to listen to audiobooks and podcasts. They have an active noise cancellation feature that blocks out ambient sounds while still keeping you isolated from your surroundings. The QC35s allow you to connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and also "audio-share" to ensure that you can listen to something on one set of headphones and answer an incoming call on the other pair.

The Bose Connect app is decent but doesn't provide the full EQ options of some other headphone apps. The QC35s are also used in wired mode with an audio cable, however the sound quality takes a major loss and they don't have the same battery longevity as wireless models.

The QC35s are a Bose product, but it may not be a favorite for everyone. Other manufacturers offer sleeker designs. You can add some personalization to your headphones by purchasing a decal-covered cover from companies such as SlickWraps or Skin Sticker. You can also change the color of the earcups and headband later in the year, similar to what you could with the earlier QC25 model.

5. Sony WH-1000XM3

Sony's WH1000XM3 are the most effective wireless headphones with active noise cancellation that you can buy today. They're more expensive than Anker Soundcore Q20 Wireless but they isolate more ambient noise. They also have a superior companion app that offers numerous sound-related features that can be customized.

The XM3's excellent audio quality is among their biggest draws and they've been improved since their release to provide even better performance. They provide a bit more clarity across the spectrum of frequencies, their noise cancelling works better at all volume levels and they've improved controls for things like Quick Attention mode, voice control, and Speak-to-Chat. They also have a new feature called Adaptive Sound Control that adjusts automatically the amount of external sound allowed in, based on the location you are and what you're doing.

There are some problems, however. The mid-range can sound receding, and the treble may sometimes be too loud. They do have the potential to increase the bass too much on some tracks, making them sound too heavy and full. But that's something you can address through the headphone settings or by using EQ adjustment within the Sony app.

The XM3s make a great pair headphones, especially for frequent travelers or commuters. They are more comfortable, appear and feel premium, and are more durable in comparison to the Jbl Live 660 Noise Cancelling Over Ear Headphones White Live 650 BTNC wireless. They also have a better battery, and one of the top features for noise cancellation available. They're also more versatile and more suitable for use on the go than Audio-Technica's ATH M50X wireless, though their noise cancellation isn't as impressive. They're also not waterproof, and that could be a major issue for some.