The Best Over-Ear Headphones

If you commute on noisy public transportation or work in an office with chatty co-workers or simply want to listen to your music without a lot of distractions from outside, then headphones that block out noise can make all the difference. We have reviewed the best over-ear headphones that combine excellent sound quality with active noise cancellation.

Mpow Over Ear Headphones

These Bluetooth headphones by Mpow are built well and provide excellent audio quality for the price. They are designed as over-ear headsets with ear cups that comfortably fit over the ear to block out noise from the outside. The earpads have a moderately thick cushion that insulates the ears well enough to block a large portion of noises from the outside. However they do not come with the ability to cancel out noise. They weigh about 11 ounces and are fairly comfortable to wear for extended durations of time.

These Mpow headphones have an elegant design that's not too different from other models of over-ear headphones available. The headband that connects the two cups is hinged, allowing them to fold up into a compact unit to transport and store. The left earcup houses controls for volume, power and noise cancellation. A microphone is integrated into the right ear cup to allow hands-free calling.

The sound quality from the Mpow headphones is very good however they don't have the bass power of Bose or the clarity of the Sony WH-1000XM5. The PRTF accuracy and the activation score are higher than average among Bluetooth headphone models. This will result in a wide and wide soundstage when listening music. Their PRTF distance score, however, is below the average. This means they will sound more closed-in and less open compared to headphones with larger, open-backed earcups.

The treble extension is also decent, so you should have a clear and crisp sound that will work with a wide range of genres. Their mids are a more prominent in comparison to the Sony headphones and give them an overall more lively sound that is great for music that is instrument-rich. Some people find the bass a bit too strong, but you can adjust this to your own preference by altering the equalizer settings on your audio player.

The Mpow headphones are a good option for those looking to enjoy their favorite music without interruptions. They come with an extremely long-lasting battery that can also be used in wired mode after the charge runs out. The headphones come with an USB charger and an audio cable, which means you can listen to your favorite music without interruption. The manufacturer offers a 45-day money back guarantee and 18-month warranty for these headphones, and their customer service is known to be quick and responsive.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 are the most recent headphones that are over-ear to be featured in the Bowers & Wilkins catalog. The PX7 is replaced by the PX7 S2 and they are part of a larger range of beats studio3 wireless noise cancelling over ear headphones headphones, that includes the PI5 and PI7. The design of these headphones feels immediately elegant when they are unboxed. The use of metals and soft materials on the earcups gives them a luxurious feel. They also are comfortable on the head and ears, despite being slightly heavier than the other models. The ears are easy to snap on and off, over-ear noise cancelling headphones and can be replaced as they wear out.

The headphones are equipped with active noise cancellation. This helps to block out external sounds and allows you to enjoy your music. The technology isn't perfect however it does an excellent job of keeping train and plane noises out of your canals, without affecting the balance between music passages.

The PX7 S2's soundstage is what really makes it stand out from the rest. It provides plenty of space between the sound elements and provides a clear separation. This gives clarity to music that cannot always be heard on other Bluetooth headphones.

While the PX7 S2s aren't as portable as their competition but they come with a great carry case. It's also well-padded and the headphones can fold flat for easy storage when not in use.

The earcups are made of an enveloping, soft leather that is extremely luxurious to the touch. They're also very lightweight which makes them ideal for long listening sessions. The headband is designed for maximum comfort and doesn't squeeze too tight. This helps prevent headaches.

The headphones are equipped with a variety of features including Bluetooth multipoint, which allows them to be connected with two devices simultaneously. They support all the popular Bluetooth codecs, and also high-resolution audio when your streaming service supports it. They also have an amplifier for headphones that can give you an extra boost when using them with low-powered electronics, such as laptops.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH-1000XM5 are the newest model in the line of Sony's top over-ear noise cancelling headphones. These headphones are a great improvement to their predecessors, WH1000XM2s or the WH1000XM4. Sony has made improvements to its already impressive active noise cancellation. For instance, the fifth generation headphones are now able to block out low-frequency sounds like plane engines and subway car rumbles. They also can detect your location and automatically adjust the Ambient Sound Control settings accordingly.

You can still use voice-activated assistants for controlling your music and receive directions. The microphones on the earcups have been upgraded so that they can be used to make hands-free phone calls and Siri/Google Assistant command. The headphones are also Bluetooth 5.0 which means they can be used with faster pairing and connection speeds.

The WH-1000XM5 received high marks in our lab tests for comfort, ease of use and the quality of its sound. The lightweight headset is comfortable to wear for long listening sessions and the ear cup can be adjusted to suit different head sizes. The headphones are portable and their flat foldable design makes them able to be easily tucked away in a backpack or a suitcase.

The earcups are slightly more curly than their predecessors, and the headband has more refined curves to help to conceal the assembly points. The new synthetic leather material provides durability and a luxurious. The earcups are also larger and sit more snugly against the ears. This may add a little pressure to the head after wearing them for extended periods of time.

The XM5 retains some of the basic features of the WH1000XM4s. You can still swipe and tap on the right earcup to change songs or pause your music and switch to Ambient Sound Mode. You can hold your hand on the right earcup to temporarily turn off the music and increase ambient sound. This is helpful if you want to hear sounds around you.

The XM5s come with a few minor enhancements that make them a good choice for noise-canceling headsets. The new ANC improves the isolation of low-frequency sounds, and the headphones will stop music when you take them off your head in order to save energy. You can also switch to an open listening mode to let in more exterior 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 ATH-ADX700

If you're looking to purchase a set of headphones for gaming the ATHXX700 is a fantastic choice. They are comfortable and offer excellent audio. They are also lightweight, so they won't feel heavy on your head or ears. They come with a self-adjusting 3D wings that can adjust to your head and reduces pressure. They also come with a detachable cable that is easy to connect to your audio source.

These are open-air headphones which look rather unusual, thanks to their huge earcups and black honeycomb covers that reveal the driver inside. The unique design is what makes these headphones stand out however it's not all they have to provide. They stand out due to their self-adjusting wing-support construction, the brand new 53mm driver that has bobbin wound CCAW voice coils, and the lightweight honeycomb aluminium casing.

The ATH-ADX700 features an impressively broad frequency response, which allows for a crisp and natural treble and midrange. The sound isn't as booming like other models, but that's because they are aimed at an audience of general music lovers who doesn't want to be blasted by excessive low frequencies. They are an excellent pair of headphones for gamers because they let you hear the voices of your teammates and NPCs without being obstructed by a booming bass.

The ATH ADX700 headphones have an impedance rating of 32 ohms, but still require a high-quality amp to perform optimally. It's not a problem using them with a portable player, but it will be much easier to control and enjoy the full range of sound when used with a suitable headphone amplifier.

The ATH ADX700 comes with a 9.84-foot cable that features an 1/8-inch gold-plated connector as well as an elastic TPE sheath to keep it from tangling and causing damage. It also includes a 1/4-inch adapter for mobile devices. The earpads are made from soft velour that is soft and initially itchy but will break the end. The earpads are also made of a flexible raised material that increases comfort and durability.