Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?

The noise-cancelling headphones can be an ideal solution for anyone who enjoys listening regardless of whether they're in the office or commuting on the train. Which are the best?

Sony's flagship headphones are an excellent value. They come with a fresh design and superior audio quality as well as enviable features. These headphones are able to capture every detail, from Sinead O'Connor's trembling Bridge to the powerful chorus.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony is the king of noise cancellation and its WH1000XM5 headphones are the best version of this line. A few well-thought-out upgrades over the XM4s make this model an excellent all-round pair of headphones, particularly for those who commute or travel. They're comfortable, feature multipoint technology to connect to two devices at once and feature the most advanced ANC Sony has ever created. They're also light and provide about 27 hours of playback with no charging, which is enough for a week's worth of commutes or a long-haul flight.

The WH1000XM5s are sleek and minimalist in appearance. They are made of ABS, which is a recyclable and recycled plastic. The branding is minimalist. You'll see the tiny Sony logo on every hinge of the earcup. The earcups and headbands are made of a soft, plush material that is comfortable for all heads apart from the biggest. The earcups can be adjusted so that they fit you perfectly.

Unlike previous models that focused on reducing low-frequency noise the XM5s amplify high-frequency sound waves, which cancels out ambient sounds. This improves overall sound quality, 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 alter the listening environment based on the pressure of the air.

Other features of the WH1000XM5s include an enhanced voice assistant that is easy to use and integrates with Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri and many more. The XM5s are compatible with other Sony WH-XB910N Headphones: Wireless Noise Cancelling - EXTRA BASS™ audio devices to provide stereo separation and multi-room music. They are compatible with Bluetooth high-bitrate streaming audio via Sony's LDAC, but not HD or aptX.

2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

Sennheiser has been making headphones for more than 50 years. You can expect a high-quality sound, and a comfortable fit. With their new over-ears, called Momentum 4 Wireless, they offer both. They've redesigned their design to eliminate a few characteristic elements that gave their original models their aviator-style headset look. They also improved active noise cancellation using their latest Adaptive Noisy Cancellation Technology. They've rated the headphones to last for 60 hours of listening with ANC enabled, which is more than double the battery life of most competitors.

The new model is also more portable, since it folds up and is a bit smaller. They're made of synthetic PU leather for the re-usable headband and ear pads that feel comfortable on my head even if I wear them for the entire working. They're also not too tight, so you can wear them on long flights, or even during workouts.

The sound is smooth and clear, however there are some highs that can cause a little muddiness to mixes. The bass is too loud, adding extra punch and thump in genres like EDM or hip hop. It's not a major issue, but it may bother some listeners. The high-mid area has a bit of an uneven balance which pushes instruments and vocals to the forefront of mixes however at the expense of bringing out sibilants in some songs.

The Sennheiser momentum 4 wireless has all of the usual features that include Bluetooth wireless connectivity, a clear mode that blends outside sounds into your music for improved awareness, and mobile app support for custom and pre-set EQ options. You can also use a 3.5mm cord to connect your phone. They can connect to your device using SBC, AAC HD, and aptX Adaptive codes, and they can cut down the delay by as much as a quarter second.

3. B&W PX7 S2

The original PX7s were a top pick on a variety of lists of the top Bluetooth headsets due to their excellent ANC and sound quality. But like most wireless headphones, they've become older and needed an update which is why the PX7 S2. B&W did not just alter the design however, they also made improvements to ANC, and added more voice-calling features.

The PX7 S2 headphones are very light, making them comfortable for long listening sessions. The design of the PX7 S2 is mostly identical to the model before it. This includes the cool oval aluminium top-plate that is used for the earcups, the hook-like accent that slides instead of clicks when you expand the headband and the physical buttons. The earcups are smaller, and the headband is less substantial.

The software from B&W lets you adjust EQ settings for bass and treble, but you don't get as much control over the mix between those two elements as you would on higher-priced headphones. A Quick Action button on the left earcup switch on the modes for the environment and Which noise cancelling headphones can be adjusted in the Bowers & Wilkins Music app to call the voice assistant on your device.

The PX7 S2 sounds great for the majority of musical styles, with a the soundstage offering ample width and great separation between the various sounds. It's especially impressive for pieces that have acoustic instruments such as Rachmaninoff's Cello Sonata, Op. The 19 by Yuja Wang and Gautier Capucon features woody tones that have a touch of air. It's also able to handle heavier songs and has the bass sound and midrange clarity of Entombed's garage/death-n'roll crossover curiosity To Ride, Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth giving an impressive sound wall while still allowing to hear the vocals, such as Lars-Goran Petrov's grittier growl.

4. Bose QuietComfort 35

Bose is one of the first companies that brought active noise cancelling headphones to the mainstream. While they held an advantage over the market for many years but they are now competing with newer headphones that offer more features and superior sound quality. However, the QuietComfort 35 is still a excellent option for anyone looking to listen to their music or podcasts without being disturbed by continuous rumbles and hums.

The default sound profile is balanced and they're comfortable to wear. The ANC does a great job of removing background noise, although it tends to emphasize low frequencies more than modern headphones like the Sony WH-1000XM5.

The QC35s are a fantastic pair of headphones for listening to podcasts and audiobooks. They come with an active noise cancellation feature which reduces ambient sounds, but still allowing you to be completely isolated from the world around you. The QC35s let you connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and "audio-share", so you can listen to music on one pair of headphones while answering an incoming call on the other.

The Bose Connect app is decent but doesn't provide the full EQ options that other headphone apps. The QC35s are also available in wired mode, however the sound quality is drastically diminished and battery life is not as good as wireless models.

The QC35s sport a classic Bose look that might not appeal to some as the more sleek designs of other manufacturers. However you can add a bit of personalization by purchasing an ear cover-up with decals from companies like SlickWraps and Skin Sticker. You'll also be able to alter the color of the earcups and the headband later this year, just like you can with the older QC25 model.

5. Sony WH-1000XM3

Sony's WH1000XM3 headphones are the best wireless headphone that has active noise cancellation you can purchase right now. They're more expensive than Anker Soundcore Q20 Wireless but they isolate more ambient noise. The app is also more advanced and comes with a variety of sound-related options for customization.

The XM3s have an excellent audio quality, and since their release, they've been enhanced to deliver even better performance. They have a little bit more clarity in the frequency spectrum. Their noise cancelling is more effective at all levels of volume. They also have improved controls, such as Quick Attention mode and Speak-to Chat. The latest feature, Adaptive sound control, automatically adjusts the amount of external sound let in based where you are and what you're doing.

They're not without some issues, however. The midrange can sound receding, and the treble may sometimes be too loud. They are still prone to increase the bass too much on certain tracks, making them sound heavy and full. But that's something you can address in the headphone settings or via EQ adjustment within the Sony app.

The XM3s are a fantastic pair of headphones, especially for those who commute and frequent travel. They're more comfortable, look and feel premium and durable than the JBL Live 650 BTNC Wireless and have a much better battery and one of the best noise cancellation features in the business. They're also more flexible and more suited for use on the go than Audio-Technica's M50X wireless, although their noise cancellation isn't as impressive. They're not waterproof Which Noise Cancelling Headphones is a problem for some.