Best Over-Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones

If you commute on noisy public transport or work with noisy colleagues Noise cancelling headphones provide the sonic buffer you require to keep your focus. We looked at the comfort, the audio quality, and the ability to block high-frequency continuous sounds like chatter in restaurants or incidental noises of short duration such as phones ringing or keys clacking.

Sony WH-1000XM5

If you're looking for premium ANC headphones, Sony's WH-1000XM5 is a go-to. The WH-1000XM5 was first released in 2016 and is a great choice for anyone looking to listen to their favorite podcasts or over ear music without distractions. This latest iteration of the line marks the first major redesign since its first release and offers many exciting new features. In addition to a sleek design and sustainability efforts (including the absence of plastic packaging) the headphones offer excellent noise cancellation, crisp audio, and natural ambient audio.

When it is enabled, the WH1000XM5's noise cancellation is unbeatable. The strapping of a pair on your head creates a veritable cone of silence that will block out the sound of engines in trains and subways as well as the whirr of HVAC systems, and even the sounds of neighboring conversations. These headphones are also among the best ANCs to block out low-frequency drones, bass hums and other sounds.

Ambient Sound Control is another great feature. It alters the acoustic balance in the headphones based on the environment. For instance, if at home listening to your favorite album the WH-1000XM5 can switch to an immersive listening experience. If you're walking along a busy street they will change to a more focused profile to help you be more aware of the surrounding.

The earcups of the WH-1000XM5 have touch-sensitive controls on the right side which can be used to play, pause and change tracks. You can also utilize a voice assistant in order to search for content, adjust volume and make calls hands-free. The headphones offer a rich stereo image and a consistent frequency response. They also have an incredibly precise group delay. extremely precise and helps to maintain a consistent soundstage.

The WH-1000XM5s is able to be connected to two devices simultaneously. This is particularly useful if you're using your laptop to listen to music while taking phone calls using your smartphone. They have a built-in microphone and an USB-C port to charge. The headphones come with an audio cable that can be used for direct analog playback. Battery life is solid at around 30 hours, which will last for a week of commuting or a long-haul flight.

Bose QuietComfort 45

The bose quietcomfort 35 ii over ear noise cancelling bluetooth headphones QuietComfort 45, the most popular model from the premium headphones manufacturer, is the most recent version. It launched in September 2021, and it is less expensive than the new Sony WH-1000XM4 and its 700 counterpart by approximately PS320 / $329 / $439 AUD. It has the most active noise cancellation, and comes with features like voice assistant support, automatic pausing and automatic pause when you take off the headphones. The design is more comfortable than previous versions. But there are a few things you should know. Some users may have difficulty adjusting to the buttons that are touch-sensitive on the backs of the ear cups, which require pressure to activate. You can adjust ANC and switch on an "aware" setting which allows ambient sound to be heard. However, you can't remove the audio.

Nevertheless, the headsets deliver excellent performance and are an excellent buy for anyone looking for a high-end pair of headphones to wear on a train, plane or when working at home. They feature a long-lasting battery, excellent noise cancellation, and clear sound. They also feature multipoint Bluetooth which allows them to pair with two devices simultaneously and switch between them with the press of the button. They also have an app that isn't quite as customizable as the other apps, but still offers a lot of useful features.

The QC45s feature a highly effective active noise cancellation mode. In my tests, it can be a bit too loud at times. The passive EQ modes, however, are more balanced and let you be more in control of the sound quality of your music. If you are listening to songs that have lots of cymbal shimmer you may find your headphones slightly grating, but it is fixable by reducing 3-20kHz in the EQ of your music player.

The QC45s are top-quality ANC at a reasonable cost. Some may be disappointed with the absence of certain features such as adjustable ANC/transparency and EQ, as well as a slight drop in the quality of calls. They are comfortable to wear and feature a USB-C charging port.

Shure Aonic 50

Shure's Aonic 50 are a premium pair of headphones that place an emphasis on sound quality. Their drivers utilize a massive 50mm dynamic driver and are equipped with high-resolution codecs that provide the highest quality music playback over Bluetooth. The headphones offer a balanced sound with a rich and detailed sound across all frequencies. They also have a natural feel of space and position.

They're a little heavier than the other models at 334g but they still feel comfortable enough to wear for long listening sessions. The headband is positioned on the top of your head without putting too much pressure and the earcups have been cushioned to ensure they are comfortable. They are also very mobile. They fold flat and easily be stored in the accompanying carrying case.

There are a standard assortment of controls that are arranged around the right earcup including volume, playback and power/pairing. You can switch between noise-cancelling mode, neutral mode and what Shure calls "Environment Mode" using a slider near the top. Environment mode allows more ambient noise to leak through, which could be useful when you need to stay aware of your surroundings. The controls work well, although there's a little delay between pressing them and the action they take (i.e. If you press the play button while on a phone call, you may end up playing music in your ears, instead of picking up mom. The phones don't have microphones, however they do have an audio response by Google Assistant. Their mics are also great for filtering out background noise when calling.

They are powered by one battery that can last for up to 20 hours, which will be plenty for most people. They do include the USB cable that can be connected to your phone for charging but it's not as convenient as using Bluetooth however it's a solid feature to have and ensures you can get your music back after charging. They're also compatible with a lot of audio devices with a 2.5mm port, which means you can use them while you travel.

Monoprice BT-600ANC

The Monoprice BT600ANC Bluetooth noise cancelling over ear headphones offer all the features that you would want in a pair for a fraction the price. They come with high-quality Qualcomm aptX HD Audio, an advanced type of Active Noise Cancelling as well as an easy-to-fold design that allows them to be easily stored in the backpack or carry bag. These headphones are an excellent choice for students or commuters and have a long battery life that allows you to listen for the entire throughout the day. They also come with handy control buttons that allow you to swipe or tap to change the volume, skip tracks and answer calls.

The BT-600ANC headphones sport a minimalistic design that is reminiscent of the Monoprice M1000ANC headphone we have reviewed last year. The headsets are gray in color and are not branded at all, so they don't really stand out in public. However, they do have an incredibly soft and comfortable fit that will appeal for most ears. Their compact size and included carrying case make them perfect for travel.

They are lightweight and offer excellent passive isolation thanks to the ear cups encased in leatherette. The headband offers lots of adjustability, and it is soft without feeling too bulky or soft and slouchy. The headband is large enough to accommodate glasses wearers, which means they'll fit most people.

Monoprice ANC is very effective, and it doesn't sound tinny as some other brands. They have a slight boost between 100-200Hz, which gives an even more full sound to bass notes. This is evident in the first track of Good 4 U by Olivia Rodrigo with a clear and clear response. They have a steep drop in the upper frequencies above ten kHz, therefore shakers and cymbals won't sound as clear and crisp.

There are three ANC modes to choose from three modes: low, medium and high. The low setting is perfect to block out the majority of ambient noise, but it will not block out loud conversations or traffic. The medium setting works in all situations. The high setting will shield you from all other noises, except your music. The earcups with touch-sensitive controls are a bit difficult to use at first. Swiping upwards or Over Ear downwards on the pad controls the volume, while tapping or swiping left or right changes the track. Double-taps can also be used to play a pause or answer a call. This system takes some practice to get used to but once you have the hang of it, you'll find it extremely useful.