Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?

If you're on the train or at work the noise-cancelling headphones can be an absolute must for anyone who likes to listen. Which are the best?

With a brand new design with superior sound quality and a wealth of features, Sony's newest flagship headphones offer exceptional value. These headphones can capture every detail, from Sinead'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 series. A few well-thought-out improvements over the XM4s make this model an all-round excellent pair of cans, especially for those who commute or travel. They're comfortable, have multipoint technology to connect to two devices at once and feature the most powerful ANC Sony has produced yet. They're also lightweight and offer around 27 hours of playback without charging, which is plenty for a week's worth of traveling or one long-haul flight.

The WH-1000XM5s feature a sleek minimalist design and are made of recycled and recyclable plastic, known as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). Branding is minimal, though you'll find the 'Sony' logo on the hinge of each earcup. The earcups and the headband are cushioned by a plush soft material that feels comfortable on all heads. The earcups can be adjusted so that you can find the perfect fit for you.

In contrast to previous models, which were focused on reducing low frequency noise, the XM5s amplify the sound waves at higher frequencies to cancel out background noise. This improves the overall quality of sound and helps reduce the noise of engines and cabins on flights, for example. The XM5s come with an additional processor that can increase noise cancellation further on airplanes and the audio app can also automatically adapt your listening environment using the data from your air pressure.

The WH-1000XM5s comes with an assistant for voice that is easy to use, and works with Alexa as well as Google Assistant, Siri, and many more. The XM5s are compatible with other Sony audio devices to provide stereo separation and multi-room music. They support Bluetooth high-bitrate streaming audio using Sony's LDAC however they do not support HD or aptX.

2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

If a company has been manufacturing headphones for longer than Sennheiser is a top brand, you can expect superior audio quality and a comfortable fit. They deliver on both fronts with their latest pair of over-ears named the Momentum 4 Wireless. They've redesigned their design to eliminate some trademark elements that gave their original models their aviator-style headset look. They also improved active noise cancellation using their advanced Adaptive Noisy Cancellation Technology. They've evaluated these headphones to last 60 hours of listening with ANC enabled, which is more than double the battery life of their major other competitors.

They're also much more mobile than the previous model because they fold up and are smaller overall. They're made from synthetic leather that can be used to make the replaceable headband and ear pads which feel comfortable on my head even when I wear them for the entire working. There's not a lot of clamping force that keeps them in place either and they'll be comfortable on flights and during longer workouts.

The sound is well-balanced and clear, however there are some peaks that can add a bit of muddiness to mixes. The bass is overemphasized, adding a bit of energy and thump to genres such as EDM or hip-hop. It's not a major issue, but it may bother some listeners. The high-mid is a bit of an uneven balance which pushes instruments and vocals towards the front of the mix but at the expense of bringing out sibilants within some songs.

The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless is equipped with all the usual features including bluetooth wireless connectivity, a transparency mode that blends outside sounds into your music to increase awareness, and mobile apps that support custom and preset EQ options. You can also connect a 3.5mm cord to connect your phone. They can use SBC, AAC, aptX HD, and aptX Adaptive codecs to connect to your device, and they can reduce the latency to as little as one quarter of a second which is fantastic.

3. B&W PX7 S2

Since their release in the year 2000, the original PX7s have appeared on countless lists of the top Bluetooth headphones, and have been ranked high in many cases thanks to their outstanding ANC and high-quality sound. The PX7s, just like other wireless headphones, were becoming old and needed a refresh. This is why the PX7S2. B&W not only changed the design however, they also made improvements to ANC and added voice-calling features.

The first thing you will notice when you open the box and pick up the PX7 S2 is how light they are, which makes them extremely comfortable for long listening sessions. The design of the PX7 S2 is largely identical to the previous model. It has the sleek oval aluminum top-plate that is used for the earcups, the hook-like accent that slides rather than clicks when you expand the headband and the physical buttons. The earcups are smaller however, and the headband is a bit less large overall.

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

The PX7 S2 sounds great for all musical styles, and has a soundstages that have ample width and great separation between the various sounds. It's especially impressive for music that has acoustic instrumentation such as Rachmaninoff's Cello Sonata, Op. 19, by pianist Yuja Wang and cellist Gautier Capeucon, with acoustic instrumental tones that give an airy feel. It's also able to handle heavier songs as well, thanks to the bass power and mid-range clarity on Entombed's crossover of death-n'-rock and garage to Ride, Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth providing an overwhelming soundscape while allowing to be able hear vocal details such as Lars-Goran Petrov's gritty growl.

4. Bose QuietComfort 35

Bose is among the first companies that brought active noise cancelling headphones uk cancelling headphones into the mainstream. While they held a stranglehold on the market for years however, noise cancelling headphones uk they are now competing with newer headsets that have more features and superior sound quality. QuietComfort 35 remains a great choice for anyone looking to listen to music or podcasts without noise or rumbles.

The default sound profile is balanced, and they're comfortable to wear. The ANC does a fantastic job of removing background noise, although it tends to focus on low frequencies more than the latest headphones such as the Sony WH-1000XM5.

If you're looking for a pair that can be used to listen to audiobooks or podcasts The QC35s feature an impressive noise cancellation mode that reduces ambient noises while keeping you adrift from the sounds of the world around you. The QC35s also let you connect two Bluetooth devices at the same time and "audio-share" so that you can play something on one pair of headphones and then answer an incoming call from the other.

The Bose Connect app is decent but doesn't provide the full EQ options offered by other headphone apps. The QC35s are also available in wired mode, but the sound quality is significantly diminished and battery life isn't as great as with wireless models.

The QC35s have an established Bose design that might not be as appealing to some as the more sleek designs of other manufacturers. However, you can add a bit of personalization by purchasing a decal-covered cover-up from companies such as SlickWraps and Skin Sticker. You'll also be able customize the color of the earcups and headband later this year, much like you can with the older QC25 model.

5. Sony WH-1000XM3

Sony's WH-1000XM3 are among the top wireless headphones that have active noise cancelling you can buy right now. They're a bit more expensive than the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless, but they isolate a lot more ambient noise and feel much better-built. They also come with a superior companion app that gives you numerous sound-related features that can be customized.

The XM3's excellent audio quality is one of their biggest draws and they've been upgraded since their release to provide the best performance. They have a little more detail across the spectrum of frequencies The noise cancelling function works better at all volumes and they've improved controls for things like Quick Attention mode, voice control, and Speak-to-Chat. They also have a brand new feature called Adaptive Sound Control that adjusts automatically the amount of external sound allowed in based on where you are and what you're doing.

However, they are not without imperfections. The midrange can sound recessed and the treble can sometimes be too loud. And they still tend to boost bass too much in some tracks, which makes the sound seem too loud and heavy. This can be corrected via the Sony app or in the headphone setting.

The XM3s are an excellent pair of headphones, particularly for frequent travelers or commuters. They're more comfortable, stylish and premium and durable than the JBL Live 650 BTNC Wireless and have a superior battery and one of the best noise cancellation features available on the market. They're also more versatile and more suitable for use on the go than Audio-Technica's ATH-M50X wireless, although their noise cancelling is less impressive. They're not waterproof, and that could be a deal breaker for some.