The Best Over-Ear Headphones

If you travel on public transportation or work in an office with chatty co-workers or just want to enjoy your music without the distraction of outside distractions, headphones that block out noise can make all the difference. We have reviewed the best over-ear headphones that combine excellent audio quality with active noise cancellation.

Mpow Over Ear Headphones

These Bluetooth headphones from Mpow are sturdy and provide premium audio quality for the price. The headphones are designed to be worn over your ears and have ear cups that are comfortable to wear over your ears. This helps to block out background noise cancelling over ear headphones. The earpads have a moderately thick cushion which effectively shields the ears to muffle a good portion noises from the outside. However, they do not have an active noise cancellation feature. The earpads are a little heavier than 11 ounces, but they're comfortable to wear for long periods.

The Mpow headphones are a simple design, not much different from other designs of over-ear headphones on the market. The headband that connects the two cups is hinged, which allows them to fold up into a compact package for transport and storage. The left earcup houses the controls for power, volume and noise cancellation. The right earcup has an audio microphone for hands-free calls.

The Mpow headphones have a very good sound quality, but they don't have the bass power or clarity of the Sony WH1000XM5. Their accuracy in the PRTF and activation scores are above average for Bluetooth headphones, which should provide large and expansive soundstage when listening to music. Their PRTF distance score is lower than average. This means they sound more closed-in and less open when compared to headphones with larger, more open-backed earcups.

The treble extension is decent, so you should have a clear and crisp sound that is compatible with all genres of music. The mids of Sony headphones are a bit more distinct, which creates a more dynamic sound. This is ideal for music that has a lot of instruments. Some people find the bass slightly too loud, but you can adjust this to your preference by altering the equalizer settings of your audio player.

The Mpow headphones have a fairly long battery life and can be utilized in wired mode when your battery runs out. They come with a cable and USB charger included in the box, which means you can continue to listen to your music without interruptions. The manufacturer offers a 45 day money-back guarantee, as well as an 18-month guarantee on these headphones. Their customer service is also known for being responsive.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 are the most current headphones for over-ears that have graced the Bowers & Wilkins catalog. They replace the PX7 model and are part of a larger range of wireless headphones that also includes the PI5 and PI7. Unboxed, the design of these headphones instantly evokes an impression of luxury. The use of metals and soft materials on the ear cups gives them a luxurious feel. They also feel comfortable on the head and ear although they are slightly heavier than their counterparts. The ear pads are easily removed and replaceable if they become worn out.

As with many of the top headphones, these ones have active noise cancellation that minimizes the impact of external sounds while allowing you to listen to the music. The technology isn't flawless however, it does a great job of keeping the whirring of an airplane engine or the rumble of a train out of your ears, Over Ear headphones Noise cancelling while not affecting the balance of music tracks that may occupy the same frequencies.

One thing that distinguishes the PX7 S2 apart from their competition is the soundstage they provide that provides ample space and a strong separation between individual components of sound. This provides clarity to music that can't be found on other Bluetooth headphones.

While the PX7 S2s aren't as movable as some of their competitors however, they come with a nice carry case. It's also well-padded, and the headphones fold flat for easy storage when not in use.

The ear cups are covered in a soft, leather-like material that's quite indulgent to the touch. They're also light which makes them ideal for long listening sessions. The headband is designed to be as comfortable as possible and it doesn't clamp too tightly, which helps keep headaches at bay over time.

The headphones have a range of features that include Bluetooth multipoint which lets them pair with two devices at the same time. They support all of the popular Bluetooth codes, and also high-resolution audio if your streaming service supports it. They also have an audio amplifier that gives them an extra boost when used with low-powered electronic devices such as laptops.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH-1000XM5 is the most recent model in the line of Sony's top headphones that are over-ear and noise cancelling. These headphones are an excellent upgrade to their predecessors, WH1000XM2s and the WH1000XM4. Sony has improved its already impressive active noise cancellation. The fifth-generation headphones, for instance can now muffle low-frequency sounds like plane engines and subway car rumbles. They also can detect your location and automatically adjust the Ambient Sound Control settings to match.

You can still make use of a voice-activated assistant in order to control your music, get directions and more. The microphones in the earphones have been upgraded to allow them to be used to make calls using hands-free technology and Siri/Google Assistant command. The headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible which means that they can be connected and pair faster.

In our lab evaluations, the WH-1000XM5 have earned top scores for comfort, ease of use and the sound quality. The lightweight headset is comfortable to wear for long listening sessions, and the ear cup can be adjusted to suit various head sizes. The headphones are portable, and their flat foldable design makes them able to easily fit into the backpack or suitcase.

The ear cups have a slight curvature and the headband is more refined. This allows for a more subtle appearance. points of assembly. The new synthetic leather gives it a more durable and luxurious. The ear cup cavities are also a bit bigger and sit more snugly against the ears. This may add a little pressure to the head after wearing them for extended durations of time.

A few of the features of the WH1000XM4s are carried over ear headphones noise cancelling to the XM5. You can swipe and tap on the right earcup to change the music or pause the audio and access Ambient Sound Mode. You can put your hand on the right earcup and temporarily turn off the music and amp up ambient sounds. This is helpful if you want to hear sounds around you.

There are a few subtle improvements to the XM5s which make them a great purchase for headphones that block noise. The new ANC provides better isolation for low-frequency noise and the headphones will pause your music when you remove them from your head in order to save energy. Transparent listening mode lets in more outside sound. A new battery-power-consumption algorithm gives the XM5s the same 30-hour battery life rating as their predecessor, and a quick press of the power button will alert you to your remaining charge.

Skullcandy ATH-ADX700

For those that are seeking a pair of headphones for their gaming setup the ATHXX700 is a great option. They are comfortable and offer high-quality sound. They are lightweight, which means you will not feel them on your head or ear. They feature a self-adjusting 3D wing that can relieve the pressure and adjust to accommodate your head. They also include a detachable cable that is simple to connect to your audio source.

These are open-air headphones that look quite unique, thanks to their massive earcups as well as honeycomb covers made of black which reveal the drivers inside. This unique design makes them stand out from the crowd however it's not the only thing that sets them apart. These headphones are unique due to their self-adjusting wing-support construction, the brand new 53mm driver that has bobbin wound CCAW voice coils and the aluminum casing made of honeycomb that is lightweight.

The ATH-ADX700 features an impressively wide frequency response that allows for a crisp and natural treble and midrange. The sound isn't as deep like other models, but that's because they're designed for a more general music listener who isn't looking to be sprayed by excessive low frequencies. They're an excellent pair of headphones for gamers since they let you hear the voices of your fellow gamers and NPCs without being muffled by a booming bass.

The ATH ADX700 headphones have an impedance rating of 32 ohms, but still require a decent amp to perform optimally. If you are using them with a portable player, it's not an issue, but using a headphone amplifier makes it easier to manage the sound and enjoy the full range.

The ATH-ADX700 comes with 9.84-foot cable with an 1/8-inch gold-plated connector as well as an elastic TPE sheath that helps resist tangling and damage. The ATH-ADX700 includes an 1/4" adapter for mobile devices. The earpads are constructed of soft velour that is soft and is initially itchy but will break over time. They also feature a flexible raised fabric that increases the comfort and durability.