Sony Headphones Review - The Best Noise Cancelling Headphones

The fifth-generation model of Sony's noise cancelling headphones look a little different from the previous model but they sound as good. They're comfy, lightweight and feature a variety of features, including Speak-to -Chat mode, Quick Attention mode wear detection, AI-powered DSEE Extreme audio upscaling.

The ANC is extremely powerful and reduces train noise to a low rumble. The option to pass through allows you to hear outside sounds if needed.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony headphones are among the top when it comes noise cancellation. The fifth generation of WH1000XM5s is not an exception. They offer one of the most impressive noise cancelling experiences we've experienced. When you put on the headphones and enable noise cancellation, you're walking into a cone of silence. Engine noises, HVAC systems, creaking metal and even neighboring conversations all become muted.

The XM5s also excel on the audio aspect. Their large soundstage lets the entire song to shine and breathe. On Billie Eilish's Bad Guy for example, the drums are pounding with a satisfying amount force and power, while soaring vocals harmonise throughout the mix.

Other features that make the XM5s standout are their smart interactions with your smart device. They can detect the moment they are removed from the head and then pause the music. They can also note that you are on a busy highway and automatically lower the noise cancellation level.

The WH-1000XM5s have also a low environmental impact. The WH-1000XM5s are made from recycled plastics and acrylonitrile, butadiene and styrene. Their headband is made from premium fabric. They come with a case that can be folded into itself, creating a compact pouch. Also included is a beats studio 3 noise cancelling headphones.5mm to 3.5mm aux cable so that you can listen to music in passive mode. The ear cups are also removable for easy washing. Additionally, the XM5s run on a rechargeable battery that provides up to 20 hours of playtime on a full charge, and they're equipped with an adaptive fast charging system that charges at twice the speed of standard USB headphones.

2. Bose Over The Ear Headphones Noise Cancelling QuietComfort 35

The Bose QuietComfort 35 II/QC35 II Wireless 2018 are more adaptable than the Audio-Technica ATHDR9BT Wireless headphones thanks to their incredibly comfortable fit, well-balanced audio profile, and ANC feature that blocks out a significant amount of background noise. The Bose headphones come with a battery that lasts for 20 hours, they are more convenient to charge, and can be used with a smartphone even when the battery is empty. This makes them an ideal choice to those looking for headphones that can be used as commuter or as travel headphones.

These premium Bose headphone have a dedicated Google Assistant button, which allows the assistant to play music, answer questions and read notifications on your smartphone. They are a great noise cancelling abilities, and while they're getting long by 2020 standards (and have successors to their sibling line, the QC35), you can still find great bargains on these headphones.

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

Like the Sonys The QC35s are able to connect to two devices at once and "audio share" one of them with a person who is a friend. This is great if you want to listen to music with one ear while conversing with another. They're also a popular choice for frequent travellers, and they've got the classic Bose appearance that a lot of people love. If you're looking for a way to spice up your QC35s by adding a little personalization, cover-ups for decals such as SlickWraps and Skin Sticker are available for an affordable price.

3. Sony WH-1000XM4

Sony's WH1000XM4s offer nothing in the way of aesthetic or comfort improvements in comparison to the M3s, but its noise cancellation is an entirely new beast. The company has replaced its old system-on chip (SoC) with a new one that it claims will allow 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 sounds, which are then processed by the QN1 noise canceling processor to reduce it as fast as possible, without affecting the quality of your music. The result is a level of noise reduction that is comparable to the best headphones available at this price.

There's even a sensitivity knob which lets you alter the noise cancellation according to your needs. If you're out in public for instance, you might want some ambient sound to be filtered through in the background, while at home you'll want a more private listening experience. This feature also makes use of geo-location to automatically apply the right setting depending on where you're going.

The WH-1000XM4s can be utilized for hands-free calls. They boast a staggering 30 hours of battery life, with quick charging capabilities. They also have a powerful Bluetooth 5.0 connection that supports for multipoint and NFC. In my tests, I found that a quick remastering of Paul McCartney’s Flaming pie was dynamic and clear as well as rough mixes and recordings from home also sound clear.

Download the Sony Headphones Connect companion app to get the most from these headphones. This lets you customize the EQ settings and provides convenience features like Bluetooth multipoint, as well as allowing you to unlock some of the most exciting new features, such as access to Sony's 360 Reality Audio immersive surround-sound mastering process that breathes new life into the older music.

4. Sony WH-CH720N

If you're looking for a pair of headphones that can provide top-quality active noise cancellation at cost-effective prices the Sony WH-CH720N headphones are a great option. The 710N Wireless is an improvement over its predecessor, offering more efficient ANC performance, and superior sound quality. They also have a lighter design and up to 35 hours of battery life.

These headphones are not for you if you want top-of-the-line features like LDAC Bluetooth and Smart Listening, which integrates voice assistants. They don't have a carrying case, auto-pause feature, or earcups that fold up, so they may be difficult to carry around.

The quality of the construction of the WHCH720N is decent but not as impressive as the 1000XM5. The headband and bose over the Ear headphones noise cancelling earcups are constructed of plastic. They're light and comfortable for long periods, but they're not built to withstand intense use or a few drops on hard surfaces. The design is a bit heavy, and the earcups creak when you move. The controls are simple to use, with tactile buttons that provide satisfying click-like feedback. The ANC can be switched off and on by pressing the power switch. Pressing and holding the button triggers Sony's Adaptive audio Control. This feature lets you select a preset audio profile based on how you're using the headphones (e.g., "Staying at Work" or "Running") or your current location (with your phone granted permission to make this determination).

The WH-CH720N is one the best-value headphones for wireless noise cancelling headphones on the market. For the price you'll get excellent ANC, excellent sound and comfort, as well as up to 35 hours of battery life. These headphones are worth considering for if you frequently commute.

5. Earfun Air Pro

The Air Pro is no different. Earfun headsets and earbuds are known for their great value. They're great for calls and music and their ANC technology blocks out a significant amount of noise without making your ears feel suffocated. They also come with a lot of features that are available in headphones that cost nearly twice as much.

The earbuds have an overemphasized bass range that adds rumble and punch to the majority of tracks, while keeping instruments and lead vocals clear and clear. This makes them ideal for a range of music, even though they might sound a bit too loud for certain. They have a very uniform frequency response, meaning that they sound the same regardless of what you are listening to.

We cued up Missy Elliott's Get Ur Freak On, and the earbuds did an amazing job of showcasing the song's bass-heavy intro with enthusiasm and zeal. Stormzy's Vossi Bop was a similarly quick listen with the treble playing off the many layers of vocals and the percussion.

The quality of voice is superb even in noisy environments. The earbuds are equipped with the latest Qualcomm chip that ensures background noises, clicks and other distractions are kept at the bare minimum. This is the case even when talking next to London Underground during rush hour.

The earbuds' Bluetooth connectivity is also very good and there were no issues during our testing. They pair and connect quickly and with minimal latency on iOS and Android devices. They are IPX5 waterproof, which means you can use them in exercise or rain. However, they should not be submerged in water. They come with an enclosure that can hold two and a quarter charges. This is great for traveling.