Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?

The noise-cancelling headphones can be a godsend to anyone who loves to listen whether at work or in the train. Which ones are the best?

With a fresh design with superior sound quality and a plethora of features, Sony's new flagship headphones are a great value. From the raucous chorus to Sinead's shaking bridge, these headphones deliver incredible clarity and real-world realism.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony is the king of noise cancellation, and its WH1000XM5 headphones represent the top model in this model. A few well-thought-out upgrades over Ear headphones Noise cancelling wireless the XM4s makes this model an excellent all-round pair of cans, especially for those who commute or travel. They're comfortable and feature multipoint technology that allows you to connect to two devices at once and feature the most advanced ANC Sony has ever created. They're lightweight and can run up to 27 hours without charging. This is enough time to get through a week of commutes or an extended flight.

The WH-1000XM5s have a sleek, minimalist design and are made of recycled and recyclable plastic referred to as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The branding is minimal, but you'll see the "Sony" logo on each hinge of each earcup. The earcups and headband are cushioned with a plush soft material that feels comfortable on all heads. The earcups can be adjusted to perfect fit your head.

Unlike previous models, which focused on reducing low frequency noise, the XM5s amplify sound waves with high frequency to cancel out background noise. That improves overall sound quality and helps to block out the noise of engines and cabins on flights, for instance. The XM5s come with another processor to enhance noise cancellation more for airplanes, and the audio app can also automatically adjust your listening environment using data on air pressure.

Other features of the WH-1000XM5s are an enhanced voice assistant that is easy to use and works with Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri and many more. The XM5s can be paired with other Sony audio devices to provide stereo separation and multi-room music. They're compatible with Bluetooth high-bitrate audio streaming using LDAC codec from Sony, but don't support aptX or aptX HD.

2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

Sennheiser has been manufacturing headphones for over 50 years. You can expect a superior sound quality, as well as a comfortable fit. They've got both with their latest pair of over-ears dubbed the Momentum 4 Wireless. They've revamped their design to remove some characteristic elements that gave their earlier models their aviator-style headset look. They also enhanced active noise cancellation by using their latest Adaptive Noise Cancellation Technology. The headphones are designed to last for 60 hours when ANC on, which is double the battery life of many competitors.

They're also more portable than the previous model because they fold up and are smaller overall. The ear pads and headband are made of synthetic PU leather, which feels comfortable on my head even when I wear it for the entire day. They are also not very tight, so you can wear them on long flights or during workouts.

The sound is clear and well-balanced, though there are some peaking in the low-mid and high-mid which cause slightly muddy sound in mixes. The bass is a little overemphasized, which adds a little punch and thump to genres such as EDM or hip-hop. It's not a major issue however it could be a problem for some listeners. The high-mid has a little uneven balance too, pushing vocals and instruments towards the front of the mix, Over ear headphones noise cancelling wireless but at the cost of bringing out sibilants into certain songs.

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 apps that support custom and preset EQ options. They can also be used with an 3.5mm cable if you're connecting your phone to it via wire. They can connect to your phone via SBC, AAC HD, and aptX Adaptive codes, and they can reduce latency by up to one quarter second.

3. B&W PX7 S2

Since their release in the year 2000, the original PX7s have been featured on numerous lists of the top Bluetooth headphones noise, atop them in many cases thanks to their exceptional ANC and excellent sound quality. But like most wireless headphones, they've been getting older and in need of a refresh, hence the PX7 S2. B&W did not just alter the design, but also made improvements to ANC and added features for voice calls.

The first thing you notice when you open the box and take out the PX7 S2 is how lightweight they are, which makes them extremely comfortable for long listening sessions. The design of the PX7 S2 is mostly the same as the previous model. This includes the cool oval aluminium top-plate for the earcups the hook-like accent that slides instead of clicks when you expand the headband and the physical buttons. The earcups, however, are smaller, and the headband isn't as substantial.

The software from B&W lets you adjust the EQ settings for bass and treble. However, you don't have as much control as you would with headphones that cost more. A Quick Action button on the left earcup toggles various modes of the environment. It can also be set in the Bowers & Wilkins Music app to summon your device's voice assistant.

The PX7 S2 sounds great for most musical styles, with soundstages that have plenty of width and good separation between the various elements of sound. It's particularly impressive on selections that feature acoustic instrumentation like Rachmaninoff's Cello Sonata, Op. 19, by pianist Yuja Wang and cellist Gautier Capucon, with a woody tone and an airy feel. It's also able to handle heavier songs, too, with the bass sound and midrange clarity of Entombed's crossover of death-n'-rock and garage to Ride and Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth giving an overwhelming soundscape while keeping things clear enough to be able to discern the vocals, such as Lars-Goran Petrov's gritty growl.

4. Bose QuietComfort 35

Bose was one of the first companies to bring active noise cancelling headphones to the mainstream. They held the market for years, but they now have to compete with newer headsets that have more features and superior audio quality. QuietComfort 35 remains a great choice for anyone looking to listen to music or podcasts with no noise or rumbles.

The default sound profile is balanced, and they're comfortable to wear. The ANC does an excellent job of eliminating background noise, although it tends to emphasize low frequencies more than the latest headphones like the Sony WH-1000XM5.

The QC35s are a fantastic pair of headphones for listening to audiobooks and podcasts. They come with a noise cancellation mode that is passive that reduces ambient noise while still keeping you isolated from the surrounding. The QC35s also let you connect two Bluetooth devices at once and "audio-share" which allows you to play something on one pair of headphones and answer an incoming phone call on the other.

The Bose Connect App is decent, but it doesn't have the full EQ features of other headphone apps. The QC35s are also available in wired mode, but the sound quality is significantly diminished and battery longevity isn't as good as with wireless models.

The QC35s come with a well-known Bose design that might not be as appealing to some people as the sleeker designs of other brands. You can personalize your headphones by purchasing a decal cover from companies like SlickWraps or Skin Sticker. Later this year you'll be able to alter the color of the earcups and headband, just like with the earlier QC25.

5. Sony WH-1000XM3

Sony's WH1000XM3 headphones are the best wireless headphone with active noise cancellation that you can purchase right now. They're more expensive than Anker Soundcore Q20 Wireless but they isolate more ambient noise. They also have a premium companion app that provides many sound customization options.

The XM3's outstanding audio quality is one of their biggest draws and they've been improved since their introduction to provide an even better experience. They're equipped with a little more depth in the frequency spectrum. Their noise cancellation is superior at all levels of volume. They also have better features like Quick Attention mode and Speak-to-Chat. The new feature, Adaptive sound control, automatically adjusts the amount of external sound allowed in based on the location of your body and the activities you are doing.

They're not without some issues, however. The treble may be occasionally a bit overpowering and the midrange is slightly recessed. They do have the potential to boost the bass too much on certain tracks, making the sound too heavy and full. This can be corrected by using the Sony app or in the headphone setting.

The XM3s are a great pair of headphones, particularly for frequent travelers and commuters. They are more comfortable, feel and look premium, and are more durable in comparison to the JBL Live 650 BTNC wireless. They also have a more powerful battery and one of the most effective noise cancelling features available. They're also more adaptable and better-equipped for mobile use than the Audio-Technica ATH M50X Wireless, even though they have less impressive noise cancellation. They're not waterproof, which could be a deal breaker for some.