Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?

If you're on the train or at work Noise-cancelling headphones are the perfect solution for those who love to listen. Which ones are the best?

Sony's flagship headphones are an excellent value. They come with a fresh design and a superior sound quality, as well as enviable features. From the powerful chorus to Sinead's unstable bridge, these headphones noise deliver incredible clarity and authenticity.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony is the leader in noise cancellation, and its WH1000XM5 headphones are among the best version of this model. This model is an excellent pair of headphones, particularly for those who commute or travel. They're comfortable and feature multipoint tech to connect to two devices simultaneously and offer the best ANC Sony has ever created. They're also light and provide about 27 hours of playback without charging, which is enough to last a week's worth commuting or one long-haul flight.

The WH-1000XM5s sport a sleek, minimalist design and are made of a recycled and recyclable plastic known as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The branding is minimal. You'll see tiny Sony logo on every hinge of the earcup. The headband and earcups are cushioned by a plush soft material that is comfortable on all but the largest heads. The earcups can be adjusted so that you can find the ideal fit for your needs.

Unlike previous models, which were focused on reducing low frequency noise, the XM5s amplify the sound waves at higher frequencies to block out background noise. This improves the overall sound quality and helps drown out the noise of engines and cabins during flights, for instance. The XM5s has another processing unit to increase noise cancellation on planes. The audio app can also automatically adjust the sound environment you are listening to according to air pressure data.

The WH-1000XM5s comes with an integrated voice assistant that is easy to use, and works with Alexa as well as Google Assistant, Siri, and many more. The XM5s can be paired with other Sony audio devices to provide stereo separation and multi-room music. They're compatible with Bluetooth high-bitrate audio streaming using LDAC, which Sony's codec is based on however they don't support the aptX or Around Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones aptX HD.

2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

Sennheiser has been manufacturing headphones for more than 50 years. You can expect a high-quality sound, as well as a comfortable fit. They've delivered on both counts with their latest headphones, dubbed the Momentum 4 Wireless. They've revamped their design to remove some characteristic elements that gave their previous models the look of an aviator. They also improved active noise cancellation with their advanced Adaptive Noisy Cancellation Technology. These headphones are rated to last for 60 hours with ANC on this, which is more than double the battery life of many rivals.

They're also more portable than the previous model because they fold up and are much smaller overall. They're made from synthetic leather that can be used to make the replaceable around ear noise cancelling headphones pads and headband that are comfortable on my head even when I wear them for the entire day at work. There isn't a lot of clamping force to keep them in place either and they'll be comfortable during flights and during longer workouts.

The sound is well-balanced and clear, however there are some highs that can add a bit of confusion to the mixes. The bass is overemphasised, adding some extra impact and thump to genres like EDM or hip-hop. It's not an issue however some listeners may be annoyed. The high-mid also has an uneven balance, bringing vocals and instruments forward in the mix but at the expense of bringing out a few sibilants.

The Sennheiser momentum 4 wireless comes with all the standard features that include Bluetooth wireless connectivity, a transparent mode that blends outside noises into your music for improved awareness, and mobile application support for pre-set and custom EQ options. You can also use a 3.5mm cord to connect your phone. They can utilize SBC, AAC, aptX HD and aptX Adaptive codecs to connect to your phone, and they're able to cut down latency by up to a quarter of a second, which is great.

3. B&W PX7 S2

Since their release in the year 2000, the original PX7s have been on numerous lists of the top Bluetooth headphones noise cancelling, atop them in a lot of cases due to their impressive ANC and high-quality sound. However, like many wireless headphones, they've been getting older and needed to be refreshed and hence the PX7 S2. B&W hasn't merely tweaked the design of the new version, but has made substantial improvements to ANC and added more voice-call features, too.

The PX7 S2 headphones are extremely light, making them comfortable for long listening sessions. The design of the PX7 S2 is largely identical to the previous model. This includes the stylish oval-shaped aluminium top-plate for the earcups the hook-like accent that slides instead of clicks when you expand the headband, and the physical buttons. The earcups are smaller however, and the headband is less substantial overall.

The software from B&W lets you adjust the EQ settings for the bass and treble. However you don't have as much control as you do with higher-priced headphones. A Quick Action button on the left earcup toggles modes for the environment and can be configured within the Bowers & Wilkins Music app to call the voice assistant on your device.

The PX7 S2 sounds great for all musical styles, and has a the soundstage offering ample width and great separation between the various elements of sound. It's particularly impressive on selections that feature acoustic instrumentation such as Rachmaninoff's Cello Sonata, Op. The 19 by Yuja Wang and Gautier Capucon has woody tones with a sense air. It's also able to handle heavier fare and has the bass punch and midrange clarity on Entombed's fusion of garage and death-n'-roll, Ride and Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth creating an overwhelming soundscape while still allowing to be able to discern the vocals, such as Lars-Goran Petrov's gritty growl.

4. Bose QuietComfort 35

Bose is one of the first companies that brought active noise cancelling headphones into the mainstream. They held the market for years but now they have to compete with newer headsets that offer more features and a better audio quality. QuietComfort 35 remains a great option for anyone who wants to listen to their podcasts or music without sound rumbles or hums.

The default sound profile is balanced, and they're comfortable to wear. The ANC does an excellent job of removing background noise, though it tends to emphasize low frequencies more than newer headphones such as the Sony WH-1000XM5.

The QC35s are a fantastic pair of headphones for listening to podcasts and audiobooks. They feature a passive noise cancellation mode which reduces ambient sounds, but still allowing you to be completely isolated from the surrounding. The QC35s let you connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and also "audio-share", so you can listen to a song with one set of headphones while answering an incoming phone call from the other pair.

The Bose Connect app is decent but it doesn't have the vast EQ options offered by other headphone apps. The QC35s can also be utilized in wired mode by using cables, but sound quality takes a big drop and they don't offer the same level of battery life as wireless models.

The QC35s have an established Bose style that may not be as appealing to some people as the sleeker designs of other brands. You can add some personalization to your headphones by purchasing a decal cover from companies like SlickWraps or Skin Sticker. In the near future, you'll be able customize the color of the earcups as well as the headband, just like with the older QC25.

5. Sony WH-1000XM3

Sony's WH-1000XM3 are among the top wireless headphones with active noise cancellation that you can purchase today. They're a bit more costly than the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless, but they block out a lot more ambient noise and feel much more sturdy. The app is also better and comes with a variety of options for sound customization.

The XM3s offer a fantastic audio quality, and since their release, they've been enhanced to give the best performance. They offer a little more clarity across the frequency spectrum The noise cancelling function works better at all volumes and they've added improved controls for things like Quick Attention mode, voice control, and Speak-to-Chat. The new feature, Adaptive sound control, automatically adjusts the amount of external sound that is let in based the location of your body and the activities you're doing.

However, they're not without their shortcomings. The midrange can sound a bit receding, and the treble may sometimes be too loud. They also have a tendency to boost bass too much in some tracks, which can make them sound overly full and heavy. You can fix this via the Sony app or in the headphone setting.

The XM3s make a great pair of headphones, especially for commuters or frequent travelers. They are more comfortable, look and feels premium, and last longer than the JBL Live 650 BTNC wireless. They also have a more powerful battery, and one of the most effective noise cancelling features available. They're also more flexible and more suitable for use on the go than Audio-Technica's ATH M50X wireless, though their noise cancellation isn't as impressive. They're not waterproof, and that could be a major issue for some.