The Best Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones

Whether you're battling the roar of jet engines or simply want to block out the noise of your HVAC at home, you'll require the most effective noise-cancelling headphones for over-ear use. The latest Sony WH-1000XM5s have become the new top of the line in active noise cancellation and their predecessors were equally excellent.

We've looked at the possibility of adjusting ANC and touch controls as well as on-ear noise cancelling headphones ear detection for pausing music when your headphones noise cancel are removed. Our top picks have high-resolution audio, comfortable earcups and large earcups.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

The fifth generation of Sony flagship headphones offers an impressive improvement over the previous generation, featuring enhanced quality of audio and noise cancellation. Its impressive ANC performance creates an enveloping cone of silence over your head and blocks out a shocking amount of low-frequency noise. The earphones block out mid- to treble range sounds like chatter from passengers, creaking metal and the clanging of dishware.

The WH-1000XM5s' sound is very natural, in contrast to noise cancelling headphones that sound hollow. They're able to reproduce the rise and fall of the drums of Billie Eilish with incredible depth and clarity, while also keeping edges clean and pristine. They're a joy to listen to during a commute or long flight.

A capacitive touch-screen on the right ear cup handles the most common controls, such as play/pause, volume up/down and skip forwards/backwards. It can also call and end calls, and switch between ANC and ambient sound mode. Alternately, press and hold the power button for several seconds to hear a voice prompt of remaining battery life.

The new QN1 microphone is another significant improvement over the XM5s. It was designed to capture high quality audio while recording podcasts and videos. The microphone is more sensitive and has a greater audio range than earlier models, making it easier to recognize your own voice.

The XM5 has also brought over some features from the XM4s including the adaptive ANC system which automatically optimizes performance based on the environment. The "Wearing Detection" feature detects when the headset is removed and pauses video or music. It will then resume it as soon as they return to. It's compatible with Sony's DSEE Extreme Engine, which enhances compressed music to close to 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 the same amount of active noise cancellation as the WH-1000XM5s do, they provide superior performance. The WH-1000XM4s feature a more powerful Bluetooth connection as well as an improved noise cancellation algorithm. They also come with a new audio chip which increases the sound quality to HD quality, and advanced voice controls.

The most significant improvement in this latest generation is that Sony has made the WH-1000XM4s more comfortable than before by adding padding around the headband and shifting the microphones closer to the outer edges of the ears. This makes them more comfortable to listen to for long periods of time.

They're also more flexible with the ability to switch between five different audio modes based on your environment. Sony headphones come with an app that lets you to alter your EQ settings. They're a great option for Headphones Shop travelers, and the app lets you track your activity and automatically adjust their settings on the fly.

Another big improvement is the WH1000XM4's noise cancellation which is now more effective by adding more sensitiveness and improving the way it eliminates low frequencies. This can be tested by looking at graphs such as the one shown above. The higher the peaks, more sounds are canceled out. The WH-1000XM4s are also better at reducing low-frequency sounds like the hum of an air conditioner or the constant rumble of a plane engine over any other pair of noise-canceling headphones that we've tried.

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

3. Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II

The Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II (or QC35 Wireless 2018) are earbuds which were released in September 2017. Although they've been replaced by the 2021-released Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 They're still a hit and affordable and are well worth a look if you're looking for an active noise cancelling headphone.

The QC35 II are a great pair of wireless headphones that offer an incredibly comfortable fit and a neutral sound profile and excellent noise isolation. They are suitable for travel or in noisy settings and last for more than a full day on a single battery charge. They also work with most smart assistants and can be activated with an individual button. You can ask them to play music, answer trivia questions or even read notifications from your smartphone.

The padding around the ears is large and will fit most ears. They are also lightweight. The hinges of the housings can be folded down to make them easier to pack in a bag or a backpack. The controls are on the right-hand side of the headphones and are easy to use. Playback can be controlled with tapping repeatedly which include rewinding or skipping songs.

For a good example of the quality you can expect from these Bose headphones We played The Beatles' Let It Be and listened to drum beats and piano parts. The QC35 II delivers crisp, clear audio that is well-rounded and detail sound. They reveal subtleties in the vocals, like Paul McCartney's erratic timing when building up to the chorus, or Gerard Way's snarl while he laments teenage individualism on teens.

The QC35 II is compatible with the majority of smart assistants and can connect to up to 2 devices at once. The QC35 II also come with a carry case and a USB cable that can be charged quickly.

4. Sony WH-CH720N

Sony is a household name for its great headphones for a low cost. The budget-friendly WHCH720N earphones from Sony aren't any different. These headphones come with many of the same features of the flagship WH1000XM5 headphones, but with an affordable design. They also come with a decent amount of active noise cancelling at a very low cost.

These headphones feature high-performance drivers of 30mm that offer crisp high-frequency sound and ample bass. They have a balanced sound that works well with a variety of genres of music. They also have a large, immersive soundstage.

The WH-CH720N headphones utilize buttons for controls instead of the gestures and touch controls of the XM5 Headphones Shop. This can be a of a drawback since the buttons can be a bit confusing at first. Luckily, the headphones have clear labels and the controls are arranged in a smart way. Double presses of the '+' button pause and play audio. A single press lowers the volume. By pressing and holding the button the button, voice assistants are activated and calls are canceled.

These headphones last for up to 35 hours with ANC on. This is one of the best battery performance we've seen in over-ear headphones. They have a standby mode to conserve battery.

The WH-CH720N can be connected to Android phones and iOS devices via Bluetooth. They are compatible with LDAC which allows them to play high-res audio on compatible devices. The headphones also work with PlayStation consoles using an analog 1/8"TRS cable. They can also be connected to a computer with the included USB dongle. The Sony Headphones Connect App lets you personalize your headphones with an EQ slider, presets, and multipoint connectivity.

5. B&W PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 follow on from an extremely successful predecessor, but are not an unfinished update that rides on its coattails. Featuring a sleeker look and a new app, they deliver on the promise of high-end build quality with audio that is designed to faithfully express artistic intention. They're also incredibly comfortable and enjoyable to wear all day.

While they don't match 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 can focus on your music, podcasts or handheld gaming without distractions. They use a six-strong microphone setup (four for noise cancellation and two for voice pick up) and a revised algorithm that cuts ambient sound by 30dB. They're also among the few Bluetooth headphones we've tested that can be used in a passive mode, which allows users to listen to content on your own without putting power to the drive units.

The B&W Music app is also compatible with a free download that includes a variety of features that compliment the outstanding noise cancellation. The Quick Action button can be set to activate your device's voice assistance, cycle through the three environmental settings, and display the battery's life. It's a pain to press and hold it. A one-press would be more intuitive and easier.

The PX7 S2 is an audiophile pair that will delight lovers of music. The PX7 S2 are not as well suited to extreme music genres like metal and rock which favour bass-heavy productions and muddy low frequency as they are to classical, folk and Acoustic. However, they'll still impress those who value the audiophile credential, which is also practical and convenient.