The Best Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones

You'll need the top noise-cancelling over-ear headphones regardless of whether you wish to block out the hum from your HVAC system or need to block the sound of jet engine noises. The WH1000XM5s from Sony are the kings of active noise cancellation. Their predecessors were great.

We've taken into account adjustments for ANC, touch controls and on-ear detection (for pausing music when you take your headphones off). 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 previous generation, featuring enhanced quality of audio and noise cancellation. Its remarkable ANC performance creates an illusion of silence that covers your head and blocks out a surprising amount of low-frequency noise. The earcups block out noises in the mid-treble range like chatter from passengers and creaking metal.

The WH-1000XM5s sound very natural, in contrast to noise cancelling headsets that sound hollow. They're able to reproduce the rise and fall of Billie's drums with astonishing depth and clarity, while also keeping edges clean and clear. It's a pleasure to listen to them during a long flight or commute.

The most common controls are controlled by a capacitive touch surface located on the right ear cup such as play/pause, volume up/down, as well being able to skip forwards and backwards. It can also stop or answer calls and switch between ANC mode and ambient sound. You can also hold the power button for several seconds to get a voice telling you how much battery life you have left.

Another notable improvement on the XM5s is the new QN1 microphone that is designed to capture high-quality audio when making podcasts and videos. The microphone is more sensitive than the previous models and has a greater audio range which makes it easier to hear your voice.

The XM5 also carries certain features that were XM4's including the adaptive ANC system that automatically optimizes performance based upon your surroundings. The 'Wearing Detection" feature detects when the headset is removed and pauses video or music. It will restart it once they return to. It also works 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 latest version of their industry-leading over-ear headphones. They feature top-of-the-line performance, even though they don't have the same active noise cancellation that is available on the WH1000XM5s. The WH-1000XM4s boast a stronger Bluetooth connection and an improved noise cancellation algorithm. They also have an upgraded audio chip that upscales music to HD quality, and advanced voice controls.

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

They're also more flexible and allow you to switch between five different modes of sound depending on the surroundings. Sony headphones have an app that allows you to alter your EQ settings. They're an excellent choice for those who travel and the app lets you monitor your activities and automatically adjust the settings as you go.

The WH-1000XM4 has also enhanced its noise cancellation. It's now more effective due to its higher sensitivity and better filtering of low frequencies. You can examine this by looking at a graph like the one above, where higher peaks indicate more sounds are being cancelled out. The WH1000XM4s are also better at reducing low-frequency noises such as the hum from an air conditioner, or the constant rumble of a plane engine.

The WH1000XM4s have a number of great features, including a 30-hour battery life and a USB-C charging port. They also come with Quick Alert, a feature that allows you to tap the right earcup to dampen the sound to enable transparency mode. Speak to Chat, for instance, pauses media when you speak (and it works great, although sometimes it fails to register taps), as well as Sony's Smart Listening Technology, which can detect your environment and provide better audio.

3. Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II

The Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II (or QC35 Wireless 2018) are earbuds that were launched in September 2017. While they have been succeeded by the 2021-released Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 They are still popular and affordable, and are worth a look if you're looking for a noise cancelling wireless headset-cancelling active headphone.

The QC35 II are a great pair of mixed usage wireless headphones that provide an incredibly comfortable fit with a neutral sound profile, and outstanding noise isolation. They can be used in noisy areas as well as while on the move and last for more than a full day on a single charge. They also work with most smart assistants and can be activated by pressing a dedicated button. You can ask the assistant to play music, answer trivia or read your smartphone notifications.

They have a large opening in the ear padded that will fit most ear shapes and sizes and are lightweight. The hinges on the housings fold down making them easy to fit into a bag or backpack. The controls are placed on the right-hand side Bowers And Wilkins PX7 S2 Wireless Headphones are simple to use. Playback is controlled by a series of taps that allow you to rewind or skip songs.

We were listening to The Beatles' Let It Be as well as the drum beats and piano. The QC35 II deliver crisp, clear audio that is full-bodied and detailed. They can pick up subtleties such as Paul McCartney’s unsteady timing as he builds up to the chorus or Gerard Way's snarl as he laments teenage personalism in 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 as well as a USB charging cable.

4. Sony WH-CH720N

Sony has a reputation for building excellent headphones that cost a small amount. The budget-friendly WHCH720N headphones by Sony aren't any different. These headphones have many of the same features of the flagship WH1000XM5 headphones, but in a more budget friendly design. These headphones provide a lot of active noise cancellation for an affordable price.

These headphones feature powerful drivers that measure 30mm in size. They provide crisp high frequencies and a full bass. They also have an even tuning that makes them sound great with a variety of music genres, and they have a wide soundstage that helps you get a sense of being immersed in the music.

The WH-CH720N headphones come Immerse Yourself with Wireless Active Noise Cancelling Headphones! buttons instead of the gestures or touch controls employed by the XM5 headphones. This is a little more of a problem, as the buttons can be confusing at first. The controls are well-placed and clearly labeled. Double pressing of the+' button can 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 turned down.

With ANC enabled the headphones will last for around 35 hours before they run out of power. This is the most efficient battery life we've seen in headphones that are over-ear. They have a standby mode to conserve battery.

Bluetooth allows you to connect the WH-CH720N headphones to Android and iOS devices. They support LDAC which allows them to play high-quality audio on compatible devices. They are also compatible with PlayStation consoles that use an analog 1/8"TRS cable. They can also be connected to computers using the included USB dongle. The Sony Headphones Connect App lets you personalize your headphones with an EQ slider, presets, Noise Cancelling Wireless Headset and multipoint connectivity.

5. B&W PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 follow on from an extremely successful predecessor, but are by no means a half-baked update riding on its own. They have a sleeker design and a brand-new application. They deliver on their promise of top-quality build with audio that faithfully expresses artistic intention. They are also extremely comfortable to wear all day.

Although they aren't as good as the noise cancellation of the Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II or the Sony WH-1000XM5 but they do a excellent job of blocking out the sounds of the environment and ensuring you can focus on your music, podcasts or gaming on your handheld without distractions. They feature a six-microphone setup (four for the noise cancellation and two for voice pickup) and a new algorithm which reduce ambient sound by 30dB. These are also one of only a few Bluetooth headphones that we've tested that can be used in a passive manner and allow users to listen to their content without the need to power the drive units.

They're also compatible with the B&W Music app, a free download that provides many features that go along with the great noise cancellation. The Quick Action button can be set to activate the device's voice assistant to cycle through three environmental settings, and display battery life. It is annoying to have to press the button and hold it for Noise cancelling Wireless Headset a while. A single press would be more intuitive and simpler.

The PX7 S2 is an excellent pair of headphones that will please music lovers. The PX7 S2 are not suitable for extreme music genres like metal and rock, which favor bass-heavy productions and muddy low frequencies as they are to folk, classical and acoustic. However, they will still impress those who appreciate audiophile credentials that is also practical and convenient.