The Best Over The Ear Headphones Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones

If you travel on public transport, work in an office with noisy coworkers or simply want to listen to your music without the distraction of outside distractions, over-ear noise-canceling headphones can make all the difference. We analyzed the top over ear headphones that combine amazing sound quality with active noise cancellation.

Mpow Over-Ear Headphones

These Bluetooth headphones from Mpow have a good, sturdy build and feature high-quality audio that is impressive for their price. They are designed as over-ear headphones with ear cups that fit comfortably over the ear to block out ambient noise. The earpads consist of a modestly thick cushion that encases your ears sufficiently to muffle out a good portion of ambient sounds but they don't have a noise cancellation feature that is active. They weigh slightly more than 11 ounces, and are comfortable to wear for extended durations of time.

These Mpow headphones have an elegant design that's not too far removed from most other models of over-ear headphones on the market. The headband that connects the two ear cups is hinged, which allows them to fold up into a compact package for transport and storage. The left ear cup is home to the controls for power, volume and noise cancellation. A microphone is built into the right ear cup for hands-free phone calls.

The Mpow headphones offer a good sound quality, but they don't have the bass power or clarity of the Sony WH1000XM5. The PRTF accuracy and the activation score are above average for Bluetooth headphone models. This should result in a spacious and wide soundstage when listening music. However they're PRTF distance score is lower than average, meaning they will sound closed in and less open than headphones that have large, open-back earcups.

They also have a decent amount of treble extension which will provide a clear and crisp sound that can handle most music genres. The mids of the Sony headphones are a bit more distinct, which creates an even more lively sound. This is ideal for music that has a lot of instruments. The bass can be excessive for some people but this is an individual preference that can be adjusted by altering the equalizer settings in your audio player.

The Mpow headphones have a fairly long battery life, and can be used in wired mode for when your battery runs out. The headphones come with a USB charger and the cable, so you can enjoy your favourite music without interruption. The manufacturer offers a 45-day refund guarantee as well as an 18-month warranty for these headphones. Their customer service is also renowned for its speedy response.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 are the latest over-ear headphones to grace the Bowers & Wilkins catalog. The PX7 is replaced by the PX7 S2 and are part of a larger range of Beats Studio3 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones - Blue: Superior Sound and Style headphones, which also includes the PI5 & PI7. Unboxed, the style of these headphones instantly evokes an impression of luxuriousness. The use of metals and soft materials on the ear cups gives them a high-end feel. They also feel comfortable on the head and ear even though they weigh a bit more than their counterparts. The ear pads are easy to snap on and off, so they can be replaced if they wear out.

As with many of the top headphones, these ones have active noise cancellation that minimizes the impact of external sounds while allowing you to hear your music. The technology isn't perfect, but it does a fantastic job of keeping train and plane engine sounds from your ear canals without altering the balance between music and other sounds.

One thing that sets the PX7 S2 apart from their rivals is their soundstage which provides plenty of space and great separation between the various components of sound. This gives clarity to songs that can't always be found on other Bluetooth headphones.

While the PX7 S2s aren't as portable as some of their competitors however, they come with a fantastic carry case. The case is cushioned and the noise-cancelling headphones can fold flat when not in use.

The ear cups have an enveloping, soft leather that is quite luxurious to the touch. They're also very lightweight which makes them ideal for long listening sessions. The headband is designed to provide maximum comfort and doesn't squeeze too tight. This helps avoid headaches.

The headphones have many features like Bluetooth multipoint which allows them to be paired with two devices simultaneously. They support all the popular Bluetooth codecs, as well as hi-res audio if your streaming service supports it. They also have a headphone amplifier that gives you extra boost when using them with devices that aren't powered like laptops.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH-1000XM5 are the latest in the premium line of over-ear noise cancelling headphones. They're an excellent upgrade from their predecessors, the WH1000XM2s and the WH-1000XM4. Sony has improved its already impressive active noise cancelling. For instance, the fifth generation headphones are now able to eliminate low-frequency sounds like subway car rumbles and plane engine rumbles. They can also detect your location and automatically adjust the Ambient Sound Control settings accordingly.

You can still make use of a voice-activated assistant in order to control your music, find directions and more. The microphones in the earcups have been upgraded so that they can be used to make hands-free phone calls and also to control Siri/Google Assistant. The headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible which means they can be connected and pair faster.

The WH-1000XM5 received high marks in our lab tests for comfort, ease of use and audio quality. The lightweight headset can be worn for long listening sessions without feeling tight on the head, and the ear cups can be adjusted to accommodate different head sizes. The headphones are able to be carried around, and their flat foldable design makes them able to easily fit into a backpack or a suitcase.

The ear cups are a bit more curly than their predecessors, and the headband has more refined curves that help to conceal the assembly points. They're covered with a brand new synthetic leather material that adds additional durability and luxury. The ear cup's space is also larger and more comfortably fits the ears. This could cause a slight pressure on the head if worn for long periods of time.

The XM5 has some of the core features of the WH1000XM4s. You can still swipe and tap on the right earcup to change songs or pause the audio and open Ambient Sound Mode. You can also place your hands over the right earcup to temporarily lower your music and boost ambient sound. This is beneficial when you want to hear what's happening around you.

There are a few subtle enhancements to the XM5s which make them a great purchase for headphones that block noise. The new ANC provides greater isolation from low-frequency noise and the headphones will pause your music when lifted from your head in order to save power. You can also switch to an unobtrusive listening mode that lets in more exterior 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 ATH-ADX700

If you're seeking a pair of headphones for gaming, the ATH-ADX700 is a fantastic choice. They provide excellent sound quality and are comfortable to wear for a long period of time. They are lightweight so you will not feel them on your ears or head. They have self-adjusting 3D wing that adapts to your head and reduces pressure. They also come with a detachable cable that is simple to connect to your audio source.

These are open-air headphones which look very unique, due to their large earcups and black honeycomb covers that reveal the driver inside. The unique design is what makes these headphones stand out, but it's not all they have to provide. These headphones are unique because of their self-adjusting wing-support construction, the new 53mm driver featuring bobbin wound CCAW voice coils, and the lightweight honeycomb aluminium casing.

The ATH-ADX700 features an impressively wide frequency response, which allows for a crisp and natural midrange and treble. The sound isn't as deep as some other pairs but that's because they're aimed at a more general music listener who does not want to be blasted by excessive low frequencies. They're a great pair of headphones for gamers since they allow you to hear the voices of your fellow gamers and NPCs without being obstructed by a booming bass.

The ATH-ADX700 headphones come with an impedance rating of 32 ohms, best over the ear headphones noise cancelling but still require a decent amp to function optimally. This is not a problem when using them from a portable player however it will be much easier to control and enjoy their full range of sound when paired with a headphone amp that is suitable.

The ATH ADX700 includes a 9.84 foot cable with a gold-plated connector 1/8 inches and an elastic TPE sheath that is resistant to damaging and tangling. The ATH ADX700 comes with a 1/4" adapter for mobile devices. The earpads are made from velvety velour, which feels soft and soft at first, but will break in over time. The earpads are also composed of a soft, raised material that increases the comfort and durability.