The Best Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones

You need the best headphones for noise cancellation, whether you want to block out the hum from your HVAC system or need to block the roar of jet engine noises. The new Sony WH1000XM5s are the top of the line in active sound cancellation. Their predecessors were great.

We've analyzed the adjustability of ANC and touch controls, as well as on-ear detection for pausing music when your headphones are removed. Our top picks have high-quality audio, comfortable ear cups and large earcups.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

The fifth generation of Sony flagship headphones provides significant improvements over the previous generation, featuring enhanced noise cancellation and audio quality. Its impressive ANC performance creates an illusion of silence that covers your head and blocks out a surprising amount low-frequency noise cancelling headphones with mic. The earphones also block mid-treble and high-treble sounds like passenger chatter as well as the sound of creaking metal and clanging dishware.

The WH-1000XM5s sound natural, unlike other noise cancelling headsets that can sound hollow. They can render the beats of Billie Eilish in stunning detail and keep the edges clear and clean. They're an absolute pleasure to listen to on a commute or long flight.

A capacitive touch-screen on the right earcup controls the most frequently used controls, including play/pause volume up/down, and skip forwards/backwards. It can also answer and end calls as well as switch between ANC and ambient sound mode. You can also hold the power key for a few seconds to hear an audio message telling you how much battery life you have left.

The new QN1 microphone is another significant improvement over the XM5s. It was designed to record high-quality audio when recording videos and podcasts. The microphone is more sensitive and has a larger audio range than the previous models making it easier to pick up your own voice.

The XM5 has also brought over certain features from the XM4s, such as the adaptive ANC system which automatically optimizes performance in accordance with your surroundings. Its 'Wearing Detection feature now detects when you remove the headset and pauses videos or music and resumes it as soon as you put them back on. It's also compatible with Sony's DSEE Extreme engine, which claims to enhance compressed music to near-high-resolution quality.

2. Sony WH-1000XM4

The WH-1000XM4s are the latest version of Sony's market-leading over ear headphones, and although they don't have as much active noise cancellation as the WH-1000XM5s, they still offer class-leading performance. The WH-1000XM4s feature a more powerful Bluetooth connection as well as an improved noise cancellation algorithm. They also have a new audio chip which increases the sound quality to HD quality, and advanced voice controls.

Sony has improved the WH1000XM4s with the latest generation by adding padding to the headband and also moving the microphones forward. This makes them more comfortable for long listening sessions.

They're also more flexible and allow you to switch between five modes of sound depending on your environment. You can even tailor your EQ settings with the Sony headphones app. The app allows you to keep track of your activities and automatically optimize the settings. They are a great option for those who travel.

The WH-1000XM4 also has improved its noise cancellation. It's now more effective thanks to its greater sensitivity and improved filtering of low frequencies. You can check this out by taking a look at a graph similar to the one below, where the higher peaks mean that more sounds are being blocked out. The WH1000XM4s are also better in reducing low-frequency sounds such as the hum from an air conditioning unit or the constant rumble of a plane engine.

The WH-1000XM4s are still equipped with a a great set of features such as the battery that can last up to 30 hours, Noise Cancelling Headphones and a USB-C charging port built-in. They also have Quick Alert, a feature that lets you tap the right earcup to dampen music to enable transparency mode. Speak to Chat, in turn, pauses media when your voice is raised (and it works great, although sometimes it fails to register taps), as well as Sony's Smart Listening Technology, which can detect your environment and provide better audio.

3. Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II

The Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II (or QC35 Wireless 2018) are earbuds that were launched in September 2017. While they have been succeeded by the 2021-released Bose noise cancelling headphones (Highwave blog article) 700, they remain popular and affordable, and are worth a look if you're looking for an active noise cancelling headphone.

The QC35 II are a great pair of wireless headphones that offer an incredibly comfortable fit with a neutral sound profile and exceptional noise isolation. They can be used for traveling or in noisy environments and last more than a day with a single charge. They also work with most smart assistants and can be activated by pressing the use of a specific button. You can ask them to play music, answer trivia questions or read notifications from your smartphone.

The padding around the ears is wide and noise cancelling headphones will fit most ears. They are also light. The hinges of the housings can be folded down to make them easier to pack into a bag or backpack. The controls are placed on the right-hand side of the headphones and are easy to use. A series of taps will control playback, such as rewinding and skipping songs.

We were listening to The Beatles' Let It Be, as well as the drum and piano beats studio3 wireless true wireless noise cancelling over ear headphones. The QC35 II delivers crisp, clear audio with a well-rounded and detail sound. They uncover subtleties in the vocals, such as Paul McCartney's inconsistent timing as he builds up to the chorus or Gerard Way's snarl as he laments teenage individualism on Teenagers.

The QC35 II is compatible with the majority of smart assistants and is able to connect to up to 2 devices at once. The QC35 II also come with the carry case as well as a USB cable that charges quickly.

4. Sony WH-CH720N

Sony is a household name for its top-quality headphones at a low price. The WH-CH720N budget headphones are not an exception. These headphones have many of the same features as the flagship WH1000XM5 headphones, but with an affordable design. They also offer a decent amount of active noise cancelling for a reasonable price.

Similar to the WH1000XM5 headphones, these headphones feature 30mm dynamic drivers which provide great bass and crisp high frequencies. They also feature an even tuning that makes them sound great with a variety of genres of music. They also have a large soundstage that allows you to get a sense of being immersed in the music.

The WH-CH720N headphones utilize buttons instead of the touch controls and gestures of the XM5 headphones. This is a bit of a downside because the buttons can be a bit confusing at first. Fortunately, the headphones have clear labels and the controls are arranged in a smart way. Double press of the '+' button will pause and play audio. A single press lowers the volume. When you press and hold the button the button, voice assistants will be launched and calls are turned down.

The headphones can last for up to 35 hours with ANC on. This is among the best battery performances we've seen on over-ear headphones. They have a standby function to save battery.

The WH-CH720N can be connected to Android phones and iOS devices via Bluetooth. They are compatible with LDAC, which lets them play high-res audio on compatible devices. They're also compatible with PlayStation consoles with an analog 1/8" TRS cable and can be used as wired headphones on a computer using the included USB dongle. The Sony Headphones Connect App lets you customize your headphones using an EQ slider, presets and multipoint connectivity.

5. B&W PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 is a follow-up to the success of its predecessor and isn't a half baked update. With a sleeker design and a new app that delivers on the promise of premium build quality with audio that is that accurately conveys artistic intent. They are also extremely comfortable to wear all day.

They don't offer the same noise cancellation capabilities as the Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II or the Sony WH1000XM5, however, they do a good job of blocking out ambient noise to let you concentrate on your podcasts or music. They feature a six-strong mic setup (four to cancel noise and two for voice pick up) and a redesigned algorithm that reduces ambient sound by 30dB. They are also among the only a few Bluetooth headphones that we've tested that can be used passively which allows users to listen to their music without the need to power the drive units.

The B&W Music app is also compatible with the free download that includes a variety of features to complement the excellent noise cancellation. It includes a Quick Action button that cycles through three different modes of environmental and displays battery life. It can be configured to activate your device's voice assistant. It's a pain to press the button and hold it. A single press is more intuitive and easier.

The PX7 S2 are an impressive pair of headphones that will please the majority of music fans. They're not quite as suitable for the raucous music of genres like metal and rock, which tend to favour bass-heavy production and muddy low frequency, like they are to classical, folk and Acoustic music, but can still impress those who appreciate the audiophile ethos that's also practical and comfortable.