Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?

On the train or at work, noise-cancelling headphones are an absolute must for anyone who loves to listen. Which ones are the best?

Sony's flagship headphones are a fantastic value. They offer a new design and superior sound quality, and also enticing features. From the powerful chorus to Sinead O'Connor's shaking bridge, these headphones deliver incredible clarity and authenticity.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony is the king of noise cancellation and its WH1000XM5 headphones are among the most advanced version of this series. A few well-thought-out upgrades over the XM4s make this model an excellent all-round pair of headphones, specifically for those who commute or travel. They are comfortable, feature multipoint tech to connect to two devices simultaneously and have the best ANC Sony's ever produced. They're also lightweight and provide around 27 hours of playback time without charging, which is plenty for a week's worth of traveling or one long-haul flight.

The WH1000XM5s are sleek and minimal in design. They are made from ABS, a recyclable and recycled plastic. The branding is minimalist. You'll find a tiny Sony logo on each hinge of the earcup. The headband and earcups have soft, plush materials that is comfortable for all types of heads apart from the biggest. The ears can be adjusted to be perfectly sized for you.

Contrary to previous models that were focused on reducing low frequency noise, the XM5s amplify sound waves with high frequencies to cancel out background noise. This improves overall quality of the sound, and can help drown out engine and cabin noises during flights. The XM5s comes with an additional processing unit that helps increase noise cancellation on planes. The audio app can also automatically alter the listening environment based on the data on air pressure.

Other features of the WH1000XM5s include an enhanced voice assistant that's easy to use and works with Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri and many more. You can also pair the XM5s to other Sony audio products to enable multi-room music playback and stereo separation. They are compatible with Bluetooth high-bitrate streaming audio via Sony's LDAC, but not aptX or HD.

2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

sennheiser noise cancelling headphones has been manufacturing headphones for over 50 years. You can expect premium sound quality and a comfortable fit. They deliver on both fronts with their latest headphones, called the Momentum 4 Wireless. They've updated the design to remove certain elements that gave the previous models the look of a aviator headset and also improved the active noise cancellation by using their advanced Adaptive Noise Cancellation technology. They've rated these headphones to last 60 hours of listening time with ANC enabled, doubling the battery life of most rivals.

They're also more portable than the previous model since they fold up and are smaller overall. They're made of synthetic PU leather for the replaceable headband and ear pads that feel comfortable on my head even if I wear them all working. They are also not very tight, which means you can wear them on long flights or even during workouts.

The sound is well-balanced and clear, but there are some peaks that can add a bit of discoloration to mixes. The bass is a little overemphasized, which adds a little impact and thump to genres such as EDM or hip-hop. It's not a big deal but it might annoy some listeners. The high-mid also has an uneven balance in bringing instruments and vocals forward in the mix but at the expense of bringing out some vocal sibilants.

The Sennheiser momentum 4 wireless comes with all the usual features that include Bluetooth wireless connectivity, a transparent mode that blends outside noises into your music for improved awareness, as well as mobile application support for pre-set and custom EQ options. You can also connect a 3.5mm cord to connect your phone. They can make use of SBC, AAC, aptX HD, and aptX Adaptive codecs to connect to your device, and they can reduce latency by up to 25, which is great.

3. B&W PX7 S2

Since their release in the year 2000, the original PX7s have appeared on countless lists of the best Bluetooth headphones, topping them in many instances due to their outstanding ANC and strong sound quality. But, like all wireless headphones, they've become older and needed an update which is why the PX7 S2. B&W hasn't just redesigned the design of the new version, but has made substantial improvements to ANC and also added voice-call features, too.

The first thing you notice when you open the box and pick up the PX7 S2 is just how light they are. This makes them very comfortable for long listening sessions. The overall design is reminiscent of the previous model, such as the elongated aluminium earcup top-plate and the hook-like accent on the headband that glids instead of clicking as you expand it and the actual physical buttons. The earcups, however are smaller, and the headband is less substantial.

B&W's software lets you adjust the EQ settings of the bass and treble. However, you aren't as in control as you would with more expensive headphones. A Quick Action button on the left earcup toggles modes for the environment and bose Quietcomfort 35 ii over ear Noise cancelling bluetooth headphones can be adjusted within the Bowers & Wilkins Music app to call the voice assistant on your device.

The PX7 S2 is a great choice for all music styles. It offers a wide soundstage and a good separation of the different sound elements. It is particularly impressive on pieces that have acoustic instruments like Rachmaninoff's Cello Sonata, Op. 19, by pianist Yuja Wang and cellist Gautier Capeucon, with woody instrumental tones and the feeling of air. It can also handle heavier songs too. The bass sound and midrange clarity on Entombed's crossover of garage and deathn'roll, To Ride and Shoot Straight, and Speak the Truth The album is an overwhelming sound while still allowing listeners to hear vocal details like Lars-Goran Petrov's grittier growl.

4. bose noise cancelling headphones 700 over ear QuietComfort 35

Bose was among the first companies to introduce active noise cancelling headphones into the mainstream. They held a stranglehold for years, but they now have to compete with newer headsets which offer more features and a better sound quality. QuietComfort 35 remains a great choice for those who want to listen to music or podcasts without noise or rumbles.

The default sound profile is balanced, and they're comfortable to wear. The ANC is excellent at eliminating background noise. However it tends to focus on lower frequencies more than other headphones like the Sony WH1000XM5.

If you're looking for a pair of headphones that can be used to listen to podcasts or audiobooks, the QC35s have an amazing passive noise cancellation feature that cuts down on ambient noises while keeping you adrift from the hum of the environment around you. The QC35s allow you to connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and also "audio-share" to ensure that you can listen to something with one set of headphones while taking an incoming phone call from the other set of headphones.

The Bose Connect App is decent but it doesn't offer the extensive EQ features of other headphone apps. The QC35s are also used in wired mode using an audio cable, however the sound quality takes a major hit and they don't have the same level of battery longevity as wireless models.

The QC35s are a bose quietcomfort 35 ii over ear noise cancelling bluetooth headphones product, which may not be for all. Other brands offer more sleek designs. You can add some personalization to your headphones by purchasing a decal cover from companies like SlickWraps or Skin Sticker. You'll also be able alter the color of the ear cups and headband later in the year, much like you could with the earlier QC25 model.

5. Sony WH-1000XM3

Sony's WH1000XM3 is among the top wireless headphone that has active noise cancellation you can buy today. They're a bit more costly than the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless, but they are able to block out more ambient noise and feel more sturdy. The app is also more advanced and comes with a variety of sound customization options.

The XM3s have an excellent sound quality, and since their release they've been improved to give even better performance. They provide a bit more detail across the spectrum of frequencies and their noise cancelling functions better at all volumes, and they have improved controls for things like Quick Attention mode, voice control and Speak-to-Chat. They also have a brand new feature called Adaptive Sound Control that adjusts automatically how much external sound is allowed in based on where you're at and what you're doing.

However, they aren't without their shortcomings. The mid-range can sound receding, and the treble may sometimes be too loud. They still have the tendency to increase the bass too much on certain tracks, which makes them sound too heavy and full. However, this is something you can correct in the headphone settings or via EQ adjustments in the Sony app.

The XM3s make a great pair headphones, especially for commuters or frequent travelers. They're more comfortable, comfortable, and appear superior and more durable than the JBL Live 650 BTNC Wireless and have a far more powerful battery, and one of our top noise cancelling features available in the market. They are also more versatile and more suitable for use on the go than Audio-Technica's M50X wireless, though their noise cancelling is less impressive. They're also not waterproof which could be a deal-breaker for some people.