Sony Headphones Review - The Best Noise Cancelling Headphones

The fifth-generation model of Sony's noise-cancelling headphones looks a bit different than the previous version but they're just as great. They're lightweight, comfortable and feature a variety of features including Speak-to-Chat, Quick Attention mode, wear detection and AI-powered DSEE Extreme audio upscaling.

The ANC is powerful, cutting train noise into an ambient rumble. The pass-through option lets you to hear sounds from outside in the event of a need.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony's headphones are regularly among the top in the industry in terms of noise cancellation. The fifth generation of WH-1000XM5s is the same, providing one of the best over the ear headphones noise Cancelling experiences we've had with noise cancellation headphones in recent years. When you put on a pair and enabling noise cancellation is like walking into a symphony of silence: The sound of engines, the whir of HVAC systems, the rumbling metal, even conversations with your neighbors are quiet to an unimaginable degree.

The XM5s also shine on ear noise cancelling headphones the audio front. Their wide soundstage allows every element of a song to shine and breathe. For instance, on Billie Eilish's Bad Guy, the drums pound with a satisfying power and weight as the singing voices soaring reverberate across the mix.

The XM5s are also notable for their intelligent interaction with your smart device. They can sense when they are being removed from the head and pause the music. They can also note that you are driving on a noisy highway and automatically lower the noise cancelling volume.

The WH-1000XM5s are also very eco-friendly. The WH-1000XM5s are made of recycled plastics and butadiene, acrylonitrile and styrene. Their headband is made from premium fabric. They include a collapsible case that can be folded into itself, creating an incredibly compact pouch. Also included is an 3.5mm to 3.5mm aux cable so that you can listen in a passive mode. The ear cups are washable and removable for easy cleaning. In addition, best over the ear Headphones noise cancelling the XM5s are powered by a rechargeable battery that provides up to 20 hours of playtime on a full charge. They're also equipped with an adaptive fast charging system that charges twice the speed of traditional USB headphones.

2. Bose QuietComfort 35

The Bose QuietComfort 35/QC35 II Wireless 2018 are more adaptable than the Audio-Technica ATH-DSR9BT Wireless headphones due to their extremely comfortable fit, a well-balanced sound profile, and ANC feature that blocks a large amount of background noise. The Bose headphones have a 20-hour battery, are more convenient to charge, and can be used with a smartphone even when the battery is empty. This makes them a better option to those looking for headphones that can be used as commuter or travel headphones.

These premium Bose headphones feature a dedicated Google Assistant button, which will allow the assistant to play music, respond to questions, and read notifications from your smartphone. They have outstanding noise cancellation capabilities, and even though they're getting long in the tooth by 2020 standards (and have successors in their line of siblings, the QC35), Best Over The Ear Headphones Noise Cancelling you can still get great bargains on these headphones.

Like other Bose ANC headphones, the QC35s do an excellent job of cancelling out ambient noise and their noise reduction technology has advanced over the years. They're not the best ANC headphone on the market, especially when compared to more recent competitors. Audiophiles should look elsewhere for better sound.

Similar to the Sonys the QC35s also connect to two devices at once and "audio share" one of them with a companion, which is useful if you're looking to listen to music with one ear while talking to someone else. They're also a popular choice for frequent flyers, and they have the classic Bose appearance that a lot of people love. SlickWraps or Skin Sticker decal covers are readily available at a reasonable price if you want to personalize your QC35s.

3. Sony WH-1000XM4

The WH-1000XM4s of Sony do not change much in terms of comfort or aesthetics however their noise cancellation technology is a completely new beast. The company has replaced its old system-on chip (SoC) with a brand new one, which it claims will enable it to listen and respond more precisely to ambient audio in real-time by reducing mid- and high-frequency noises with its Dual Noise Sensor technology.

Two microphones that feed forward into each earcup capture ambient sound. The sound is processed by QN1 noise cancelling processor to reduce it rapidly without impacting the quality of your audio. The result is a level of noise reduction that is comparable to the best headphones at this price point.

There's even a sensitivity control that allows you to adjust the noise cancellation to your requirements. When you're in public for instance you may want to allow a bit of ambient sound to filter through in the background, while at home you'll prefer a more closed-off listening experience. This feature utilizes geo-location to automatically apply the correct setting based on your destination.

The WH-1000XM4s can be utilized to make calls hands-free and come with an impressive 30 hours of battery life, with fast charging capabilities. They also feature a strong Bluetooth 5.0 connection, with support for multipoint as well as NFC. In my tests, a quick remaster of Paul McCartney's Flaming Pie was clear and dynamic, while even rough mixes and home recordings sound clear and full.

Download the Sony Headphones Connect companion app to get the most from these headphones. This lets you customize the EQ settings and also provides convenience features like Bluetooth multipoint, while allowing you to access some of the cooler new features, such as access to Sony's 360 Reality Audio immersive surround-sound mastering technique that breathes life into the older music.

4. Sony WH-CH720N

The Sony WH-CH720N headphones make a great option if you're looking to purchase headphones that offer excellent active noise cancellation for affordable costs. The 710N Wireless is an improvement over its predecessor and offers more efficient ANC performance and superior audio quality. The 710N Wireless is also equipped with a slimmer design with battery life of up to 35 hours.

These headphones are not for you if you want top-of-the-line features like LDAC Bluetooth and Smart Listening, which integrates voice assistants. They don't come with a carry case, auto-pause feature or earcups that fold up which makes them difficult to carry around.

The quality of the WH-CH720N's construction is decent but not as impressive as the 1000XM5. The headband and earcups are made of plastic. They are light and comfortable for long periods, but they're not built to withstand intense use or even a few falls on hard surfaces. The design is somewhat bulky, and the earcups tend to creak when you move your head. The controls are simple to use and have tactile buttons that provide good clicky feedback. One press of the power button switches ANC on and off, whereas pressing and holding it prompts you to turn on Sony's Adaptive Audio Control feature. This feature lets you select a preset profile based on your location or the way you use the headphones.

The WH-CH720N wireless noise cancelling headphones are one of the most affordable on the market. You get top ANC for the price, plus lightweight comfort and up to 35-hour battery life. These headphones are worth checking for if you frequently commute.

5. Earfun Air Pro

Earfun's headsets and earbuds are known for their value and the Air Pro is no exception. They are perfect for calls and music and their ANC technology blocks a lot of noise without making your ears feel uncomfortable. They also come with numerous features you can find on other headphones that cost twice or more.

The earbuds have an overemphasized bass range which adds rumble and punch to the majority of tracks while keeping the the lead vocals and instruments clear and present. This makes them suitable for a broad range of music, even though they might sound a bit boomy for some. They have a consistent frequency response, so they sound the same no matter the music you are listening to.

We played Missy Elliott's Get Ur Freak On and the earbuds were enthralled by the song's bassy intro with enthusiasm and enthusiasm. Stormzy's Vossi Bop was a similarly fluid listen with the treble playing off the various layered vocals and drums.

The quality of voice is superb, even in noisy environments. The earbuds use the latest Qualcomm chip to maintain call clarity, with background noises and clicks minimized, even when speaking in the vicinity of the London Underground at rush hour.

The Bluetooth connectivity of the earbuds is excellent, with very few issues during our tests. They connect quickly and with minimal latency to iOS and Android devices. They are IPX5 waterproof, which means they are suitable for exercise or rain. However they shouldn't be submerged in water. They come with a case that can hold two quarters and two quarters of charges. This is perfect to take on trips.