The Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear noise-canceling headsets can be a big help if you commute in a noisy public transport, work with colleagues who are chatty, or simply want to listen music without being distracted by external noise. We analyzed the top headphones for over-ear use that combine great sound quality with impressive active noise cancellation.

Mpow Over Ear Headphones

These Bluetooth headphones from Mpow have a nice robust and sturdy design. They also offer premium audio that is remarkable for their price. The headphones are designed to be worn over the ears, and come with earcups that comfortably fit over your ears. This will help block out noise from the outside. The earpads consist of a moderately padded cushion that encases your ears to block out a significant portion of environmental sounds, though they do not have a noise cancellation feature that is active. They weigh just over 11 ounces and are comfortable to wear for extended periods of time.

These Mpow headphones have an elegant design that's not too far removed from most other over-ear headphone models on the market. The headband connecting the two earcups is hinged, and can be folded in for storage or transport. The left ear cup houses the controls for volume, power and noise cancellation. A microphone is built into the right earcup for hands-free calls.

The sound quality of the Mpow headphones is excellent, although they do not have the bass power of Bose or the clarity of the Sony WH-1000XM5. Their PRTF accuracy and activation scores are well above average for Bluetooth headphone models that should offer an expansive and wide soundstage when listening to music. Their PRTF distance score, however, is below average. This means they will sound more closed-in and less open compared to headphones with larger, more open-backed earcups.

They also have a decent amount of treble extension which will give you a clear and crisp sound that can handle most kinds of music. The mids are a more prominent in comparison to the Sony headphones which creates an overall more lively sound that is perfect for instrument-rich music. The bass can be a bit overpowering for some people however it's a personal preference that can be corrected by altering the equalizer settings in your audio player.

The Mpow headphones come with a long battery life and can be used in wired mode for when your battery runs out. They come with a cord and USB charger included in the box, allowing you to continue to enjoy your music without interruptions. The manufacturer offers a 45 day money-back guarantee, as well as an 18-month guarantee on these headphones. Their customer service is also known for its speedy response.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 is the newest over-ear headphones to be found in Bowers & Wilkins' catalog. The PX7 is replaced by the PX7 S2 and they are part of a wider line of wireless headphones, that includes the PI5 and PI7. Unboxed, the design of these headphones immediately evokes the feeling of luxury. The use of metals and textured materials on the earcups gives them a luxurious feel. The headphones are also more comfortable on the head and ears, despite being slightly heavier. The ear pads are removed and replaceable when they are worn out.

As with many of the top headphones, these cans have active noise cancellation, which minimizes the impact of external sounds while allowing you to listen to the music. The technology isn't perfect however, it does an excellent job of keeping train and plane engine noises out of your canals without altering the balance between music passages.

The soundstage of the PX7 S2 is what really distinguishes it from the rest of the competition. It has plenty of space between sound elements and a strong separation. This brings a clarity to songs that can't always be heard on other Bluetooth headphones.

The PX7 S2s might not be as lightweight as their counterparts but they do 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 ear cups are covered in soft, leather-like material that is very indulgent to the feel. The earcups are light, making them comfortable to wear during long listening sessions. The headband is designed to provide maximum comfort and doesn't over-stretch. This helps prevent headaches.

The headphones are equipped with a variety of features, including Bluetooth multipoint, which allows them to connect with two devices at once. They are compatible with all the most well-known Bluetooth codecs and also high-resolution audio in the event that your streaming service supports it. They have an amplifier for headphones that gives them an extra boost when used with electronics that aren't powered such as laptops.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH-1000XM5 is the most recent model in the premium line of over-ear noise cancelling wireless headphones cancelling headphones. They're a fantastic upgrade over their predecessors, the WH1000XM2s and WH-1000XM4. Sony has improved its already impressive active noise cancelling. The fifth-generation headphones, for instance can now muffle low-frequency sounds, such as plane engines and subway car rumbles. They also know where you are, and adjust the Ambient sound control settings accordingly.

You can still make use of a voice-activated assistant in order to control your music, get directions, and much more. The microphones on the ear cups are upgraded so that they can be used to make hands-free phone calls and Siri/Google Assistant commands. The headphones are also Bluetooth 5.0 which means they have faster connecting and pairing speeds.

In our lab tests the WH-1000XM5 has earned high marks for comfort, HeadphonesShop ease of use and audio quality. The lightweight headset is comfortable enough to wear for long listening sessions without feeling too tight on the head. The ear cups are adjustable to accommodate various head sizes. The headphones are able to be carried around and their flat foldable design makes them able to be easily tucked away in the backpack or suitcase.

The ear cups are a bit curvier than their predecessors, HeadphonesShop and the headband has more refined curves that to conceal the assembly points. The new synthetic leather material adds durability and luxury. The ear cup's space is also larger and fits more snugly to the ear. This can cause slight pressure on the head when worn for extended periods of time.

Some of the core features of the WH-1000XM4s have been carried over to the XM5. You can still swipe or tap the right earcup in order to change songs, pause audio, and access the Ambient Sound mode. You can also place your hands over the right earcup to temporarily reduce the volume of your music and boost ambient sound. This is helpful when you need to hear what's going on around you.

There are a few subtle improvements to the XM5s that make them an excellent purchase for headphones that block noise. The new ANC provides better isolation for low-frequency noise and the headphones will stop your music when you remove them from your head to save power. You can also choose an unobtrusive listening mode that 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 looking to purchase a set of headphones for gaming, the ATH-ADX700 is a great choice. They offer excellent sound quality and are comfortable to wear for a long period of time. They are also light, so they won't feel heavy on your head and ears. They have self-adjusting 3D design that will relieve pressure and adjust to the shape of your head. The headphones include an audio cable that can be easily connected to your audio source.

Open-air headphones that have a unique design, these headphones come with large earcups which reveal the drivers. The unique design makes these headphones stand out however that's not all they have to provide. These headphones are unique because of their self-adjusting wing-support construction, the brand new 53mm driver featuring Bobbin wound CCAW voice coils, and the aluminum casing made of honeycomb that is lightweight.

The ATH-ADX700 has an impressively wide frequency response, which provides a clear and natural midrange and treble. The sound isn't as bassy as other pairs since they are geared towards a general music listener that isn't one to be surrounded by low frequencies. These headphones are great for gamers, as they allow you to hear your teammates and other NPCs, without being muffled.

While the ATH-ADX700 comes with an impedance of 32 ohms, they require a high-quality amplifier to ensure optimal performance. If you are using them with a portable player it's not a problem, however using a headphone amplifier makes it easier to control the sound and enjoy its full range.

The ATH ADX700 includes a 9.84 feet cable that has an gold-plated connector 1/8 inch and an elastic TPE sheath, which is resistant to tangling and damage. The ATH ADX700 comes with a 1/4" adapter for mobile devices. The earpads have a plush velour material that is initially itchy and feels soft, but then breaks in. They also come with a flexible, raised fabric that increases the comfort and durability.