The Best Over-Ear Headphones

If you travel on public transport or work in a noisy office with chatty co-workers or just want to listen to your music with no interruptions of outside distractions, headphones that block out Beats Noise Cancelling Over Ear Headphones can make all the difference. We reviewed the top over ear headphones that combine great sound quality with impressive active noise cancellation.

Mpow Over Ear Headphones

These Bluetooth headphones from Mpow are sturdy and beats noise cancelling over Ear headphones provide excellent 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 the ear headphones noise cancelling your ears. This helps to block out background noise. The earpads are a moderately padded cushion that effectively shields the ears to block a large portion of ambient sounds. However they don't have an active noise cancellation capability. The earpads weigh a bit heavier than 11 ounces however, beats noise cancelling over Ear headphones they are comfortable to wear for long periods.

These headphones are simple design that's not too different from other models of over-ear headphones available. The headband that connects the two ear cups is hinged, allowing them to fold down into a compact size for transport and storage. The left earcup is home to the controls for volume, power and noise cancellation. A microphone is housed in the right ear cup for hands-free calling.

The sound quality of the Mpow headphones is very good, although they do not have the bass power of bose noise cancelling headphones 700 over ear or the clarity of the Sony WH-1000XM5. Their PRTF accuracy and activation scores are higher than average for Bluetooth headphone models that should offer a wide and spacious soundstage when listening to music. However their PRTF distance score is below average, which means they will sound closed in and less open than headphones with larger, open-back earcups.

The treble extension is also decent, so you should have a clear and crisp sound that is compatible with most music genres. Their mids are a little more prominent than those from the Sony headphones which creates an overall more lively sound that is perfect for music with lots of instruments. Some users find the bass to be slightly too loud however you can adjust this to your personal preference by altering the equalizer settings of your audio player.

The Mpow headphones come with a long battery life and can be used in wired mode for when your charge runs out. They come with a cable and a USB charger in the box, which means you can continue to enjoy your favorite tunes without any interruptions. The manufacturer offers a 45 day refund warranty, along with an 18-month guarantee on these headphones. Their customer service is also renowned for its responsiveness.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 are the latest headphones for over-ears that have graced the Bowers & Wilkins catalog. They replace the PX7 model and are part of a larger collection of wireless headphones which also includes the PI5 and PI7. Unboxed, the style of these headphones instantly invokes the feeling of luxuriousness. The use of metals and textured materials on the earcups and headband give them an exquisitely put together feel. The headphones are also more comfortable on the head and ear, despite being slightly heavier. The ear pads snap off and on easily and can be replaced as they wear out.

As with many of the top headphones, these cans have active noise cancellation that reduces external sounds while still allowing you to hear the music. The technology isn't flawless however it does a great job of keeping the whirring of a plane engine or the train's rumble out of your ears while not affecting the balance of music passages that could be in the same frequencies.

One thing that distinguishes the PX7 S2 apart from their competitors is the soundstage they offer that provides ample space and a strong separation between the various audio elements. This clarity isn't often present in other Bluetooth headphones.

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

The ear cups have a leather-like, soft material that is extremely luxurious to the touch. The ear cups are also lightweight, which makes them comfortable to wear for long listening sessions. The headband is designed for maximum comfort and doesn't over-stretch. This helps prevent headaches.

The headphones are equipped with a variety of features that include Bluetooth multipoint, which allows them to connect with two devices at the same time. They support all of the most popular Bluetooth codecs, as well as high-res audio in the event that your streaming service supports it. They have a headphone amplifier that gives them an additional boost when used with low-powered electronics like laptops.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH-1000XM5 are the latest in the line of Sony's top headphones for over-ear noise cancellation. They're a great upgrade over their predecessors, the WH-1000XM2s and WH-1000XM4. Sony has improved its already impressive active noise cancellation. For instance, the fifth-generation headphones can now melt away low-frequency sounds like subway car rumbles and plane engine rumbles. They can also detect your location and automatically adjust the Ambient Sound Control settings accordingly.

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

The WH-1000XM5 received high scores in our lab tests for comfort, ease of use and the quality of its sound. The lightweight headset is comfortable enough to wear for long listening sessions without feeling tight on the head. The ear cups can be adjusted to accommodate various head sizes. The headphones fold flat which makes them easy to pack into a suitcase or backpack.

The ear cups are a bit more curly than their predecessors, and the headband has more refined curves that conceal assembly points. The new synthetic leather material provides durability and a luxurious. The earcup space is also larger and fits more snugly to the ear. This could cause a little pressure on the head when worn for long periods of time.

Some of the key features from the WH-1000XM4s are carried over to the XM5. You can swipe or tap the right ear cup to switch between songs, pause audio, and access Ambient sound mode. You can even place your hands over the right ear cup to temporarily reduce the volume of your music and boost the ambient sound, which can be useful when you need to hear what's going on around you.

The XM5s come with some minor improvements that make them a great option for headphones that block out noise. The new ANC improves the isolation of low-frequency sounds and the headphones will stop music when you take them off your head 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 ADX700

If you're seeking a pair of headphones for gaming, the ATH-ADX700 is a great choice. They are comfortable and offer excellent sound. They are also light and don't feel heavy on your head or ears. They come with self-adjusting 3D design that will relieve pressure and adjust to fit your head. They also have a detachable cord that is simple to connect to your audio source.

Open-air headphones that have a unique design, these headphones have large earcups that reveal the drivers. This unique design makes them stand out from the rest, but it's not the only feature that makes them stand out. The self-adjusting wing structure, new 53 mm drivers with bobbin wound CCAW voice coils and the aluminum casing made of honeycomb are what make these headphones so special and worth the cost.

The ATH-ADX700 features an impressively wide frequency response, which gives a crisp and natural midrange and treble. The sound isn't as bassy as some other headphones because they are designed for an average music lover who does not like being bombarded by low frequencies. These headphones are great for gamers because they allow you to hear your teammates and other NPCs, without being muffled.

The ATH-ADX700 headphones have an impedance rating of 32 ohms but still require a high-quality amp to function optimally. When used with a portable player, it's not a problem, but an amplifier for headphones will make it easier to control the sound and enjoy the full range.

The ATH ADX700 comes with a 9.84 feet cable that has an gold-plated connector 1/8 inch and a flexible TPE sheath that is resistant to the possibility of tangling and damaging. It also comes with a 1/4-inch adapter for mobile devices. The earpads are made of plush velour that feels soft and initially itchy, but will break in eventually. They also come with a flexible, raised fabric that improves comfort and durability.