The Best Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones

You require the most effective headphones for noise cancellation, whether you want to block out the hum of your HVAC system or are looking to combat the sound of jet engine noises. The latest Sony WH-1000XM5s are the new top of the line Immerse in Pure Sound with Anker Q20i active noise cancellation and their predecessors are also fantastic.

We've taken into account adjustments for ANC control buttons, touch controls, and on-ear detection (for pausing music when you take off your headphones). Our top picks have high-resolution audio, comfortable earcups and large earcups.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

The fifth generation of Sony flagship headphones offers a significant upgrade over the ear noise cancelling headphones the previous generation, featuring improved noise cancellation and audio quality. Its impressive ANC creates an enveloping cone over your head, suffocating an astonishing amount of low-frequency sounds. The earcups block out sounds in the mid-to-treble range, such as passenger chatter and creaking metal.

The WH-1000XM5s sound natural, unlike some noise cancelling headsets that can sound hollow. They're able to reproduce the rising and falling of Billie Eilish's drums with astonishing depth and clarity, while keeping edges clear and pristine. It's an absolute pleasure listening to them on long flights or during commutes.

A capacitive touch-screen on the right earcup controls the most commonly used controls, including play/pause volume up/down and skip forwards/backwards. It also lets you call and end calls and switch between ANC and ambient sound mode. Alternately, hold and press the power button for a few minutes to hear a voice message indicating the remaining battery life.

The QN1 microphone is another notable improvement to the XM5s. It is designed to capture high quality audio while recording podcasts and videos. The microphone is more sensitive and has a wider audio range than earlier models making it easier to pick up your own voice.

The XM5 has also brought over certain features from the XM4s including the adaptive ANC system that automatically optimizes performance in accordance with the environment. Its "Wearing Detection feature now detects when you take off the headset and stops playing videos or music and resumes it when you put them back on. It's compatible with Sony's DSEE Extreme Engine, which enhances compressed music to close to hi-res quality.

2. Sony WH-1000XM4

The WH-1000XM4s are the latest version of Sony's top-of-the-line over-ear headphones, and although they don't have as much active noise cancellation as the WH-1000XM5s do, they offer class-leading performance. In addition to stronger Bluetooth and an improved noise-canceling algorithm, the WH-1000XM4s also boast a new audio chip that boosts music files to HD quality and has more advanced voice controls.

The biggest improvement in this new generation is that Sony has made the WH-1000XM4s more comfortable than before by putting padding on the headband and moving the microphones towards the outer edges of the ear. This makes them more comfortable to listen to for long periods.

You can also switch between five different sound settings based on the environment. You can also customize your EQ settings by using the Sony headphones app. They're a great choice for travelers and the app lets you track your activity and automatically adjust their settings on the fly.

Another major improvement is the WH-1000XM4's noise cancellation which is now more effective by adding more sensitivities and improving how it blocks out low frequencies. You can test this by taking a look at a graph similar to the one above, where higher peaks indicate more sounds are being cancelled out. The WH-1000XM4s are also better at reducing low-frequency sounds like the hum of an air conditioner or the constant rumble of an airplane engine over any other pair of noise-canceling headsets we've test.

The WH1000XM4s are equipped with a range of great features, including a 30-hour battery life and a USB-C charge port. They also come with Quick Alert, a feature that lets you press the right earcup and then dampen music to enable transparency mode. Speak to Chat, in turn it pauses the media when you speak (and it works well but sometimes it fails to register taps) and Sony's Smart Listening Technology, which can detect your surroundings and deliver better audio.

3. Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II

The Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II (or QC35 Wireless 2018) are headphones for over-ear use that were launched 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 worth a look for a noise-cancelling active headphone.

The QC35 II are a great pair of wireless headphones that offer an incredibly comfortable fit, a neutral default sound profile and exceptional noise isolation. They can be used for travel or in noisy environments and last for more than a day on a single charge. They also work with the majority of smart assistants and are activated by the use of a specific button. You can ask the assistant to play music, answer trivia questions or even read your notifications from your smartphone.

They have a wide opening in the padding around your ears that can fit most types of ear sizes and shapes. They also are extremely light. The hinges on the housings fold down, making them easy to put in bags or backpacks. The controls are on the right-hand side of the headphone and are easy to use. A series of taps can be used to control playback, including rewinding and skipping songs.

We listened to The Beatles' Let It Be, as well as the drum beats and piano. The QC35 II delivers crisp, clear audio with a well-rounded and detail sound. They dig up subtleties in the vocals, for instance Paul McCartney's irregular timing when building up to the chorus, or Gerard Way's snarl as he sighs about the lack of individuality among Teenagers.

The QC35 II can be connected to up to two devices at once and are compatible with most smart assistants. The QC35 II comes with a carry bag and USB charging cable.

4. Sony WH-CH720N

Sony is a household name for its great headphones for a affordable cost. Its budget-friendly WH-CH720N headphones are not an exception. They carry a lot of the features that make premium WH-1000XM5 headphones so great, but with an affordable design. These headphones offer a lot of active noise cancellation at a low cost.

These headphones feature dynamic drivers of 30mm that offer crisp high-frequency sound and a full bass. They also have a balanced tuning to make them sound great with a variety of genres of music. They also have a wide soundstage that allows you to get a sense of being immersed in the music.

The WH-CH720N headphones use buttons instead of the touch controls and gestures of the XM5 headphones. This could be a bit of an issue as the buttons initially seem confusing. Fortunately, the headphones have clearly labeled controls and are placed intelligently. A single press of the button '-' lowers the volume, while double presses pauses and plays audio. Pressing and holding the button launches voice assistants, and also rejects calls.

These headphones last for up to 35 hours with ANC on. This is the most efficient battery performance we've ever seen in over-ear headphones. They also feature a standby mode to help conserve battery.

Bluetooth allows users to connect the WHCH720N headphones to Android and iOS devices. They are compatible with LDAC, which lets them play high-res audio on compatible devices. They also work with PlayStation consoles with an analog 1/8" TRS cable and can be used as wired headphones on a computer with the included USB dongle. The Sony Headphones Connect app lets you customize your headphones with an adjustable EQ slider and presets as well as multipoint connectivity, and safe listening.

5. B&W PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 is a follow-up to a successful predecessor and isn't an unfinished update. They feature a more sleek design and a brand-new application. They live up to their promise of top-quality build and sound that accurately conveys artistic intent. They're also extremely comfortable and are a delight to wear all day.

They don't offer the same noise cancellation as the Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II or the Sony WH1000XM5, however, they're effective of blocking out ambient noise to let you concentrate on your music or Immerse in Pure Sound with Anker Q20i podcasts. They have a six-strong microphone setup (four for noise cancellation and two for Immerse in Pure Sound with Anker Q20i voice pickup) and a revised algorithm that cuts ambient sound by 30 decibels. They are also among the only a few Bluetooth headphones that we've tested that can be used as passive headphones which allows users to listen to their content without the need to power the drive units.

They also work with the B&W Music app, a free download that provides an array of features that go along with the great noise cancellation. This includes a Quick Action button that cycles through three modes for environmental use, displays battery life and can be configured to launch your device's voice assistant. It's annoying to have to press and hold it for a long time. A one-press would be more intuitive and easier.

The PX7 S2 is a pair of headphones that will delight music lovers. They're not quite as suited to the demanding music of genres such as metal and rock that tend to favor bass-heavy productions and muddy low frequencies as they are to classics, folk, and Acoustic music, but can still impress those who appreciate audiophile cred that's also practical and convenient.