Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?

If you're on the train or at work Noise-cancelling headphones are a godsend for anyone who loves to listen. Which are the most effective?

With a new design, superior sound quality and a plethora of features, Sony's latest flagship headphones offer exceptional value. These headphones can capture every detail, from Sinead's bridge that trembles to the booming chorus.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony is the master of noise cancellation, and its WH1000XM5 headphones are the top model in this series. A few well-thought-out upgrades over the XM4s make these headphones an all-around excellent pair of cans, especially for commuters and travelers. They're comfortable, have multipoint tech to connect to two devices simultaneously and feature the most powerful ANC Sony has ever made. They're also light and provide about 27 hours of playback without charging, which is sufficient to last a week's worth commuting or one long-haul flight.

The WH1000XM5s are sleek and minimal in appearance. They are made of ABS, an eco-friendly and recycled plastic. The branding is minimalist. You'll see the tiny Sony logo on each hinge of the earcup. The headband and earcups have a soft, plush material that is comfortable for all types of heads with the exception of the largest. The earcups can be adjusted so you can find the best fit for you.

Contrary to previous models that focused on reducing low frequency noise, the XM5s amplify the sound waves at higher frequencies to block out background noise. This improves the overall sound quality and helps reduce engine and cabin noise during flights, for instance. The XM5s are equipped with an additional processor that can dial up noise cancellation even more on planes and the audio app can also automatically adapt your listening environment using data on air pressure.

The WH-1000XM5s also has an integrated voice assistant that is easy to use, and it works with Alexa as well as Google Assistant, Siri, and many more. The XM5s can be connected with other Sony audio devices to provide stereo separation and multi-room music. They're compatible with Bluetooth high-bitrate audio streaming via LDAC codec from Sony, but don't support the aptX codec or aptX HD.

2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

If an organization has been producing headphones for longer than Sennheiser you can expect top-of-the-line audio quality and a comfortable fit. They've delivered on both counts with their latest headphones, named the Momentum 4 Wireless. They've reworked the design to eliminate certain elements that gave the previous models the look of an aviator headset and have also enhanced the active noise cancellation by using their advanced Adaptive Noise Cancellation technology. They've evaluated these headphones to last for 60 hours of listening time when ANC enabled, doubling the battery life of their major other competitors.

They're also a lot more mobile than the previous model since they fold down and are smaller overall. They're made from synthetic leather that can be used to make the replaceable headband and earpads which feel comfortable on my head even when I wear them all day at work. They're also not extremely tight, which means you can wear them on long flights, or even during your workout.

The sound is balanced and clear, but there are some peaks that can cause a little discoloration to mixes. The bass is a little overemphasised, adding some extra punch and thump to genres such as EDM or hip-hop. It's not a big deal, but it may bother some listeners. The high-mid also has an uneven balance that brings instruments and vocals forward in the mix, but at the expense of bringing out some sibilants.

The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless has all the usual features including bluetooth wireless connectivity, a translucent mode that mixes outside sounds into your music to improve awareness, and mobile app support for custom and preset EQ options. You can also use 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 and that's a huge benefit.

3. B&W PX7 S2

The original PX7s were top of the line on many lists of most reliable Bluetooth headsets, thanks to their excellent ANC and sound quality. The PX7s, just like other wireless headphones, were getting old and needed a refresh. Hence the PX7S2. B&W hasn't just redesigned the design for this new version, but has made considerable improvements to ANC and also added more voice-call features, too.

The PX7 S2 headphones are incredibly light, listen making them comfortable for long listening sessions. The design of the PX7 S2 is mostly identical to the model before it. This includes the stylish oval-shaped aluminium top-plate that is used for the earcups, the hook-like accent that slides rather than clicks when you expand the headband, and the physical buttons. The earcups are a bit smaller, but the headband feels a little less large overall.

The software from B&W lets you adjust the EQ settings of the bass and treble. However, you do not have as much control as you would with more expensive headphones. The Quick Action button on left earcup switches between the different environmental modes. It can also be set to summon the voice assistant of your device through the Bowers & Wilkins Music App.

The PX7 S2 sounds great for all musical styles, and has a soundstages that have ample width and great separation between the various elements of sound. It's especially impressive for music that has acoustic instrumentation, such as Rachmaninoff’s Cello Sonata, Op. 19, composed by pianist Yuja Wang and cellist Gautier Capucon, with acoustic instrumental tones that give an airy feel. It can also handle heavier songs too. The bass power and midrange clarity of Entombed's garage/deathn'roll crossover, To Ride, Shoot Straight, and Speak the Truth, give an imposing soundscape while keeping things clear to hear vocal details like Lars-Goran Petrov's grittier growl.

4. Bose QuietComfort 35

Bose is among the first companies to bring active noise cancelling headphones into the mainstream. They held a stranglehold for years, but they now must compete with more modern headsets that offer more features and superior audio quality. QuietComfort 35 remains a great choice for anyone looking to listen to their podcasts or music without noise or rumbles.

They're also comfortable to wear and come with a an excellently balanced default sound profile. The ANC does a fantastic job of removing background noise, but it tends to focus on low frequencies more than modern headphones, such as the Sony WH-1000XM5.

The QC35s are a great pair of headphones that can be used to listen to audiobooks and podcasts. They come with a noise cancellation mode that is passive which reduces ambient sounds, yet still keeps you secluded from the world around ear noise cancelling headphones you. The QC35s let you connect two Bluetooth devices at once and "audio-share" so you can play something on one pair of headphones while answering an incoming call from the other.

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

The QC35s sport a classic Bose design that might not appeal to some consumers as the more sleek designs of other brands. However you can add a touch of personalization by purchasing a decal cover-up from companies such as SlickWraps and Skin Sticker. In the coming year you'll be able to alter the color of the earcups and headbands, just like the older QC25.

5. Sony WH-1000XM3

Sony's WH-1000XM3 are the best wireless headphones that have active noise cancellation you can purchase today. They're more expensive than the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless, but they isolate a lot more ambient noise and feel more sturdy. The app is also more advanced and comes with a variety of sound-related options for customization.

The XM3's outstanding audio quality is one of the main reasons why they're popular and they've been upgraded since their release to provide an even better experience. They're a bit more clarity in the frequency spectrum. Their noise cancellation is better at all levels of volume. They also have improved features like Quick Attention mode and Speak-to-Chat. The latest feature, Adaptive sound control, automatically adjusts the amount of external sound let in based the location you are in and what you're doing.

However, they're not without their shortcomings. The midrange can sound receding, and the treble may sometimes be too loud. They do have the potential to increase the bass too much on some tracks, which makes them sound heavy and full. However, this is something you can address in the headphone settings or through EQ adjustment in the Sony app.

The XM3s are a great pair of headphones, specifically for frequent travelers and commuters. They are more comfortable, appear and feel premium, and last longer than the jbl live 660nc over ear noise cancelling bluetooth headphones black Live 650 BTNC wireless. They also have a larger battery, and one of the top noise cancellation features available. They're also more adaptable and more suitable for use on mobile devices than the Audio-Technica's ATH-M50X Wireless, even though they have less impressive noise isolation. And they're not waterproof, which could be a deal-breaker for some people.