The Best Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones

If you're fighting the sound of jet engines, or just want to block out the hum of your HVAC system at home, you need the top noise cancelling headphones for over-ear use. The newest Sony WH-1000XM5s have become the new leaders in active noise cancellation and their predecessors were equally excellent.

We've taken into account adjustable ANC as well as touch controls and on-ear detection (for pausing music when you take your headphones off). Our top picks include high-quality audio and comfortable, spacious ear cups.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

The fifth generation of Sony flagship headphones is significant improvements over the previous models, offering improved quality of audio and noise cancellation. Its impressive ANC performance creates an enveloping cone of silence over your head and blocks out a surprising amount of low-frequency sounds. The ear cups block out sounds that fall in the mid-to-treble spectrum, such as passenger chatter and creaking metal.

The WH-1000XM5s sound natural, in contrast to noise cancelling headsets that sound hollow. They can reproduce the rising and falling of Billie Eilish's drums with incredible depth and clarity, while also keeping edges clean and pristine. They're great to listen to on a commute or long flight.

A capacitive touch-surface on the right earcup handles the most frequently used controls, including play/pause volume up/down and skip forwards/backwards. It can also stop and answer calls, and switch between ANC mode and ambient sound. You can also hold the power button for several minutes to hear a voice message indicating the remaining battery life.

The new QN1 microphone is another significant improvement over the XM5s. It was designed to record high-quality audio when recording videos and podcasts. The microphone is more sensitive and has a larger audio range than previous models which makes it easier to recognize your own voice.

The XM5 also carries certain features from the XM4s including the adaptive ANC system which automatically optimizes performance based upon your surroundings. The 'Wearing Detection" feature detects when the headset is removed and pauses music or video. It will then resume it as soon as they return to. It's also compatible with Sony's DSEE Extreme engine, which claims to enhance the quality of compressed music to a near-hi-res resolution.

2. Sony WH-1000XM4

The WH1000XM4s of Sony are the most recent version of their top-of-the-line over-ear headphones. They feature top-of-the-line performance although they don't feature the same active noise cancellation that is available on the WH1000XM5s. In addition to having stronger Bluetooth and an improved noise-canceling algorithm, the WH-1000XM4s also feature a new audio chip that can boost music files to HD quality and offers more advanced voice controls.

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

You can also switch between five different sound settings depending on the environment. Sony headphones that block out noise come with an app that lets you to modify your EQ settings. The app lets you monitor your activity and then automatically adjust the settings. They are a great option for travelers.

Another big improvement is the WH-1000XM4's noise cancellation which has been made more effective by enhancing the sensitivities and improving how it blocks out low frequencies. You can examine this by studying a graph similar to the one above, with higher peaks indicate that more sounds are being cancelled out. The WH1000XM4s are also better in reducing low-frequency sounds like the hum of an air conditioning unit, or the constant rumble from a plane engine.

The WH1000XM4s come with a variety of amazing features, including a 30-hour battery life and a USB-C charging port. They also come with Quick Alert, which lets users touch the right earcup to reduce music and activate the transparency mode; Speak to Chat pauses media when you speak (and works well, although it sometimes fails to detect taps), and Sony's Smart Listening technology, which can detect and analyze the surrounding environment to provide superior audio.

3. Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II

The Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II headphones (or QC35 Wireless 2018, as they are also known) were released in September 2017. They've been replaced by the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 701, which will be released in 2021. However they remain popular and affordable.

The QC35 II is a great pair for mixed-use wireless headphones. They offer a comfortable fit as well as a neutral sound quality by default. They also provide outstanding noise isolation. They can be used in noisy settings or when traveling, and they last for more than a full day on a single charge. They also work with most smart assistants, and are activated by a dedicated button. You can ask the assistant to play music, answer trivia questions or even read your notifications from your smartphone.

The padding around the ears is large and can fit most ears. They are also lightweight. The housings' hinges can be folded down to make them easier to store in a bag or a backpack. The controls on the right side of the headphones are intuitively placed and comfortable to use. A series of taps can control playback, such as rewinding and 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 Buy Beats Studio Pro Wireless Headphones Online and piano notes. The QC35 II deliver crisp, clear audio that is well-rounded and detailed. They can pick up subtleties such as Paul McCartney’s inconsistent timing as he builds to the chorus, or Gerard Way's snarl as he laments teenage personalism in teenagers.

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 is quick to charge.

4. Sony WH-CH720N

Sony is known for building excellent headphones that cost a small amount. The budget-friendly WHCH720N headphones from Sony are no exception. These headphones have many of the same features of the WH1000XM5 flagship headphones, but in a more budget friendly design. They also come with a decent amount of active noise cancelling at a low price.

Like the WH-1000XM5 headphones, these headphones feature 30mm dynamic drivers that provide plenty of bass and clear high frequencies. They have an even sound that blends well with different genres of music. They also feature a large, immersive soundstage.

The WH-CH720N headphones use buttons instead of the gestures and touch controls of the XM5 headphones. This can be a an issue, since the buttons are initially confusing. Luckily, the headphones have clearly labeled controls and are arranged in a smart way. One press of the button '-' lowers the volume, and double pressing pauses and plays audio. By pressing and holding the button the button, voice assistants will be launched and calls are turned down.

With ANC activated the headphones will last for around 35 hours before they run out of juice. This is among the best battery performances we've seen in over-ear headphones. They have a standby function to help conserve battery.

The WH-CH720N can be connected to Android phones and iOS devices using Bluetooth. They are compatible with LDAC which allows them to play high-resolution audio on compatible devices. They are also compatible with PlayStation consoles that use an analog 1/8"TRS cable. They can also be used on computers using the included USB dongle. The Sony Headphones Connect app lets you personalize your headphones using an adjustable EQ slider and presets as well as multipoint connectivity, and secure listening.

5. B&W PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 follow on from a successful predecessor but are by no means an unfinished update riding on its coattails. They sport a sleeker style and a brand-new application. They fulfill their promise of top-quality build with audio that faithfully conveys artistic intent. They're also incredibly comfortable and enjoyable to wear all day.

They don't have the same noise cancellation capabilities as the Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II or the Sony WH1000XM5, however, they're effective of blocking out ambient noise so that you can focus on your music or podcasts. They feature a six-microphone setup (four for the noise cancelling Headphones wireless, www.headphonesshop.uk, cancellation and two for voice pickup) and a revised algorithms which reduce ambient sound by 30dB. They're also among the few Bluetooth headphones we've tested that can be used in passive mode, allowing you to listen to your content by themselves, without putting power to the drive units.

They're also compatible with the B&W Music app, a free download that provides a wide range of features to complement the excellent noise cancelling. It includes the Quick Action button that cycles through three different modes of environmental that display battery life and noise cancelling headphones wireless can be configured to launch your device's voice assistant. It is annoying to have to press the button and hold it for a long time. 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 suitable for challenging 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 will still impress those who value audiophile credentials, and are practical and convenient.