Which over the ear headphones with noise cancelling the Ear Headphones Are the Best?

If you're on the train or in the office the noise-cancelling headphones can be a godsend for anyone who likes to listen. Which are the best, though?

With a fresh design, superior sound quality and a plethora of features, Sony's newest flagship headphones offer great value. These headphones can capture every detail, from Sinead O'Connor's trembling Bridge to the powerful chorus.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony is the master of noise cancellation and its WH1000XM5 headphones are among the best version of this line. A few well-thought-out upgrades over the XM4s makes this model an all-around excellent pair of headphones, particularly for those who commute or travel. They're comfortable, have multipoint technology to connect to two devices simultaneously and have the most advanced ANC Sony has ever created. They're also lightweight and offer approximately 27 hours of playback time without charging, which is plenty to last a week's worth commuting or one long-haul flight.

The WH1000XM5s are sleek and minimal in appearance. They are made from ABS which is a recyclable and recycled plastic. Branding is minimal, though you'll see the tiny 'Sony' logo on the hinge of each earcup. The earcups and HeadphonesShop the headband are cushioned by a plush soft material that is comfortable on all but the largest heads. The earcups can be adjusted so you can find the best fit for you.

Unlike previous models that focused on reducing low-frequency noise, the XM5s amplify high-frequency sound waves, which cancels out ambient sounds. This improves the overall quality of sound and helps to block out cabin and engine noises on flights, for instance. The XM5s have an additional processor that can dial up noise cancellation even more on planes and the audio application will also automatically adjust the listening environment to air pressure data.

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

2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

Sennheiser has been manufacturing headphones for more than 50 years. You can expect superior sound quality, and a comfortable fit. They've delivered on both counts with their latest pair of over-ears named the Momentum 4 Wireless. They've revamped the design to remove some of the distinctive elements that gave the earlier models the look of an aviator headset and also improved their active noise cancellation by using their advanced Adaptive Noise Cancellation technology. They've rated the headphones to last for HeadphonesShop 60 hours of listening with ANC enabled, which doubles the battery life of their major other competitors.

The new model is more portable, since it folds down and is a bit smaller. They're made of synthetic PU leather for the replaceable ear pads and headband which feel comfortable on my head even if I wear them all working. They're also not extremely tight, so you can wear them on long flights, or even during your workout.

The sound is clear and well-balanced However, there are a few high-pitched peaks in the mid- and high-mid that cause a slight muddiness in mixes. The bass is overemphasized which adds extra energy and thump in genres such as EDM or hip hop. It's not a major issue, but some listeners may find it annoying. The high-mid has a little uneven balance that pushes instruments and vocals to the forefront of mixes however at the expense of bringing out sibilants into some songs.

The Sennheiser momentum 4 wireless comes with all of the usual features that include Bluetooth wireless connectivity, a transparent mode that blends outside noises into your music for better awareness, as well as mobile application support for pre-set and custom EQ options. They can also be used with an 3.5mm cable if you're connecting to your phone via wire. They can connect to your phone using SBC, AAC HD, and aptX Adaptive codes and can reduce delay by as much as one quarter second.

3. B&W PX7 S2

Since their launch in the year 2000, the original PX7s have been featured on numerous lists of the best Bluetooth headphones, topping them in a lot of cases due to their outstanding ANC and strong sound quality. However, like many wireless headphones, they've been getting older and required an update, hence the PX7 S2. B&W not only changed the design and design, but also made enhancements to ANC and added features for voice calls.

The first thing you will notice when you open the box and get the PX7 S2 is just how light they are. This makes them comfortable for long listening sessions. The design of the PX7 S2 is basically similar to the previous model. This includes the sleek oval aluminum top-plate 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 but the headband is less large overall.

B&W's software allows you to adjust EQ settings for treble and bass but you don't get as much control over the mix of the two components like you do on more expensive headphones. A Quick Action button on the left earcup switch on the modes for the environment and can be set in the Bowers & Wilkins Music app to activate your device's voice assistant.

The PX7 S2 is a great choice for all music styles. It has a large soundstage and good separation of the different sound elements. It shines especially on selections that showcase acoustic instruments, such as Rachmaninoff's Cello Sonata in G Minor, Op. 19, composed by pianist Yuja Wang and cellist Gautier Capucon, with woody instrumental tones and a sense of air. It can handle heavier fare too. The bass sound and midrange clarity on Entombed’s garage/deathn'roll crossover curiosity To Ride and Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth, give an imposing soundscape while allowing you to hear vocal details like Lars-Goran Petrov's grittier growl.

4. Bose QuietComfort 35

Bose was one of the first companies to bring active noise cancelling headphones into the mainstream. While they held an advantage over the market for years but they are now competing against newer headsets with more features and superior audio quality. QuietComfort 35 remains a great option for anyone who wants to listen to their music or podcasts without hums or rumbles.

They're comfortable to wear and have a well-balanced default sound profile. The ANC is excellent at eliminating background noise. However, it tends to emphasize lower frequencies more than other headphones, such as the Sony WH1000XM5.

If you're looking for a pair of headphones that can be used to listen to audiobooks or podcasts The QC35s come with an amazing passive noise cancellation feature that reduces ambient sounds while ensuring you are completely insulated from the sound of the world around you. The QC35s let you connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and "audio-share" to ensure that you can listen to something on one set of headphones and answer an incoming call with the other.

The Bose Connect app is decent but doesn't provide the full EQ options of some other headphone apps. The QC35s can be utilized in wired mode by using an audio cable, however the sound quality takes a major hit and they don't have the same level of battery longevity as wireless models.

The QC35s come with a well-known Bose style that may not appeal to some as the sleeker designs of other brands. You can add some personalization to your headphones by purchasing a decal cover from companies like SlickWraps or Skin Sticker. In the coming year, you'll be able customize the color of the earcups and headbands, just like the QC25 model from earlier.

5. Sony WH-1000XM3

Sony's WH-1000XM3 are the best wireless headphones with active noise cancelling you can purchase today. They're a bit more costly than the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless, but they block out a lot more ambient noise and feel much more sturdy. The app is also better and offers tons of options for sound customization.

The XM3s' excellent sound quality is one of their biggest draws, and they've been upgraded since their introduction to provide even better performance. They provide a bit more clarity across the spectrum of frequencies The noise cancelling function works better at all levels of volume and they've improved controls for things like Quick Attention mode, voice control, and Speak-to-Chat. The latest feature, Adaptive sound control, automatically adjusts the amount of external sound that is allowed in based on the location of your body and the activities you're doing.

They're not without their own problems, however. The midrange can sound a bit 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 the sound too heavy and full. But that's something you can fix through the headphone settings or through EQ adjustment within the Sony app.

The XM3s are an excellent pair headphones, especially for commuters or frequent travelers. They're more comfortable, comfortable, and appear more durable and premium than the JBL Live 650 BTNC Wireless and have a far better battery and one of our favorite noise cancelling features available on the market. They're also more flexible and more mobile-friendly than the Audio-Technica ATH-M50X Wireless, even though they have less impressive noise cancellation. They're not waterproof which is a problem for some.