The Best Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones

If you're fighting the engine noise of jet engines or simply want to block out the sound of your HVAC system at home, Audiophile you'll require the best budget noise cancelling headphones noise cancelling headphones for over-ear use. The latest Sony WH-1000XM5s are the new leaders in active noise cancellation and their predecessors were equally excellent.

We've considered the adjustments for ANC control buttons, touch controls, and on-ear detection (for pausing music when you take your headphones off). Our top picks have high-resolution audio, comfortable earcups and ear cups that are spacious.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

The fifth generation of Sony's flagship headphones is a major upgrade over its predecessor, with better noise cancellation and enhanced audio quality. Its impressive ANC creates a virtual cone over your head, absorbing an astonishing amount of low-frequency sounds. The earcups block out sounds that fall in the mid-to-treble spectrum like chatter from passengers and creaking metal.

In contrast to other noise cancelling headphones that can sound hollow or unnatural, the WH1000XM5s are very natural-sounding. They're able to render the rise and fall of Billie's drums with astonishing depth and clarity, while also keeping edges clean and clear. They're great to listen to during a commute or long flight.

A capacitive touch-surface in the right earcup controls the most commonly used controls, including play/pause volume up/down and skip forwards/backwards. It can also make calls end and answer, and switch between ANC and ambient sound mode. You can also press and hold the power key for several seconds to get a voice telling you how much battery life is left.

Another notable improvement on the XM5s is the new QN1 microphone, which is designed to record high-quality audio when recording videos and podcasts. The microphone is more sensitive and has a greater audio range than previous models making it easier to recognize your own voice.

The XM5 also carries some features from the XM4s including the adaptive ANC system that automatically optimizes performance based on the environment. The 'Wearing Detection" feature detects when the headset is removed, and will pause music or video. It will restart it when the headset is put back on. It's compatible with Sony's DSEE Extreme Engine, which upscales compressed music to near high-res resolution.

2. Sony WH-1000XM4

The WH-1000XM4s are the most recent version of Sony's top-of-the-line over ear headphones, and even though they don't offer as much active noise cancellation as the WH-1000XM5s do, they offer class-leading performance. Alongside the improved Bluetooth and a more efficient noise-canceling algorithm, the WH-1000XM4s also have a brand new audio chip that upscales music files to HD quality and offers more advanced voice controls.

Sony has improved the WH1000XM4s with the most recent version by adding padding to the headband and moving the microphones outwards. This makes them more comfortable to listen to for longer periods of time.

They're also more flexible and allow you to switch between five modes of sound depending on the environment. You can also adjust your EQ settings by using the Sony headphones app. The app lets you keep track of your activities and automatically optimize the settings. They are an excellent choice for travelers.

The WH-1000XM4 has also enhanced its noise cancellation. It is now more effective due to its increased sensitivity and better filtering of low frequencies. You can check this out by studying a graph similar to the one above, where higher peaks indicate that more sounds are being cancelled out. The WH1000XM4s also do better at reducing low-frequency noises such as the hum from an air conditioning unit, or the constant rumble from the engine of a plane.

The WH-1000XM4s have many great features such as batteries that last up to 30 hours, and a built-in USB-C charging port. They also come with Quick Alert, a feature that lets you tap the right earcup and dampen music to enable transparency mode. Speak to Chat, in turn it stops media when your voice is raised (and it works great but sometimes it fails to recognize taps) in addition to Sony's Smart Listening Technology, which can detect your surroundings and provide better sound.

3. Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II

The Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II headphones (or QC35 Wireless 2018, as they're also referred to) were released in September 2017. While they've been replaced by the 2021-released Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 They're still a hit and affordable, and are worth a look for an active noise cancelling headphone.

The QC35 II are a great pair of wireless headphones that provide a comfortable fit with a neutral sound profile, and outstanding noise isolation. They can be used for travel or in noisy settings and last more than a day on a single charge. They also work with a variety of smart assistants and are activated via a dedicated button. You can ask the assistant to play music, answer trivia questions or read notifications from your smartphone.

The padding around the ears is large and will fit most ear shapes. They are also light. The hinges of the housings can be folded down to allow them to be easily packed into a bag or backpack. The controls on the right side of the headphone are easily placed and feel good to use. Playback can be controlled with tapping repeatedly, including rewinding or skipping songs.

We listened to The Beatles' Let It Be, and the drum beats and piano. The QC35 II deliver crisp, clear audio that's smooth and precise. They uncover subtleties in the vocals, such as Paul McCartney's inconsistent timing when building up to the chorus, or Gerard Way's snarl while he laments teenage individualism on teens.

The QC35 II can be connected to up to two devices at once and are compatible with all smart assistants. The QC35 II also come with a carry case and a USB cable that charges quickly.

4. Sony WH-CH720N

Sony is known for producing high-quality headphones that cost a small amount. The budget-friendly WHCH720N headphones from Sony aren't any different. These headphones have many of the same features as the flagship WH1000XM5 headphones, but in a more budget friendly design. They also come with a decent amount of active noise cancelling for a reasonable price.

Similar to the WH1000XM5 headphones, these cans feature 30mm dynamic drivers that provide plenty of bass and clear high frequencies. They also feature an even tuning that makes them sound good with different music genres, and they have a large soundstage that lets you get a sense of being immersed in the music.

The WH-CH720N headphones have buttons instead of the touch controls or gestures employed by the XM5 headphones. This is a little more of a problem, as the buttons are at first difficult to understand. Luckily, the headphones have clearly labeled controls and are arranged intelligently. A single press of the button with the '-' lowers the volume, while double presses pauses and plays audio. By pressing and holding the button the button, voice assistants are activated and calls are canceled.

With ANC enabled the headphones will last for around 35 hours before they run out of power. This is the best battery performance we've ever seen in over-ear headphones. They have a standby function to help conserve battery.

Bluetooth allows users to connect the WHCH720N headphones to Android and iOS devices. They support LDAC, which lets them play high-quality audio on compatible devices. They also work with PlayStation consoles that use an analog 1/8" TRS cable and can be used as wired headphones on a PC using the included USB dongle. The Sony Headphones Connect app lets you personalize your headphones with an EQ slider and presets, multipoint connectivity, and secure listening.

5. B&W PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 follow on from the success of their predecessor, but are not a half-baked update that rides on its own. They sport a sleeker style and a new application. They fulfill their promise of top-quality build and sound that accurately conveys artistic intent. They are also extremely comfortable to wear throughout the day.

While they're not as effective as the noise cancellation of the Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II or the Sony WH-1000XM5, they do a very good job of removing ambient noises and ensuring that you're able to focus on your music, podcasts, or gaming handheld without interruptions. They have a six-microphone setup (four for noise cancellation and two for voice pick-up) and a revised algorithms which reduce ambient sound by 30dB. These are also one of only a few Bluetooth headphones we've tested that can be used passively, allowing users to listen to their media without having to power up the drive units.

The B&W Music app is also compatible, a free download which provides a variety of features that compliment the excellent noise cancellation. The Quick Action button can be programmed to activate the device's voice assistant and cycle through three environmental settings and display battery life. The annoying thing is that you have to press and hold the button for a while - pressing it once would be easier and more intuitive.

The PX7 S2 is an excellent pair of headphones that will delight music lovers. They're not quite as appropriate for the high-quality music of genres such as rock and metal, which tend to favour bass-heavy production and muddy low frequencies, as they are for classics, folk and Acoustic music, but they will still be awe-inspiring to those who appreciate audiophile cred that's also practical and convenient.