Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?

The noise-cancelling headphones can be an absolute blessing for anyone who enjoys listening, whether you're in the office or in the train. Which are the best?

With a brand new design with superior sound quality and a wealth of features, Sony's latest flagship headphones offer great value. From the forceful chorus to Sinead O'Connor's trembling bridge, these headphones provide incredible clarity and authenticity.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony is a master at noise cancellation, and its WH1000XM5 headphones are the most advanced version of this line. A few well-thought-out upgrades over the XM4s make these headphones an all-round excellent pair of headphones, specifically for those who commute and travel. They are comfortable, feature multipoint tech to connect to two devices at once and offer the best ANC Sony has ever made. They're also lightweight and provide around 27 hours of playback without charging, which is enough to last a week's worth traveling or one long-haul flight.

The WH-1000XM5s feature a sleek minimalist design and are made from recycled and recyclable plastic known as acrylonitrile butadiene (ABS). The branding is minimal, but you'll see a tiny "Sony" logo on each hinge of each earcup. The earcups and the headband are cushioned with plush soft material that feels comfortable on all heads. The earcups are also adjustable so that you can find the ideal fit for your needs.

Unlike previous models that focused on reducing low-frequency noise, the XM5s amplify high-frequency sound waves to cancel out background noise. This improves the overall sound quality and can help drown out engine and cabin noises during flights. The XM5s are equipped with another processor to increase noise cancellation more for airplanes and the audio app can also automatically adjust your listening environment based on data on air pressure.

Other features of the WH1000XM5s include an enhanced voice assistant that's simple to use and integrates with Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri and many more. The XM5s can be connected with other Sony audio devices to provide stereo separation and multi-room music. They support Bluetooth high-bitrate streaming audio via Sony's LDAC but not HD or aptX.

2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

If an organization has been producing headphones for as long as Sennheiser is a top brand, you can expect superior audio quality and a comfortable fit. With their new over-ears, called Momentum 4 Wireless, they deliver on both fronts. They've redesigned their design to remove some characteristic elements that gave their original models the look of an aviator. They also upgraded active noise cancellation with their newest Adaptive Noise Cancellation Technology. The headphones are designed to last 60 hours with ANC on this, which is more than double the battery life of a lot of rivals.

The new model is more portable, as it folds up and is smaller. They're made with artificial leather that can be used to make the replaceable headband and ear pads that are comfortable on my noggin even when I wear them for the entire working. They're also not extremely tight, so you can wear them on long flights or during your workout.

The sound is clear and well-balanced There are a few high-pitched peaks in the mid- and high-mid, which can cause slight muddiness in mixes. The bass is a little overemphasized, which adds a little impact and thump to genres such as EDM or hip-hop. It's not an issue, but some listeners may find it annoying. The high-mid also has an uneven balance in bringing instruments and vocals forward in the mix but at the cost of bringing out some sibilants.

The Sennheiser momentum 4 wireless comes with all the standard features that include Bluetooth wireless connectivity, a translucent mode that blends outside noises into your music for better awareness, and mobile application support for pre-set and custom EQ options. You can also connect a 3.5mm cord to connect your phone. They can connect to your device using SBC, best active noise cancelling over ear Headphones AAC HD, and aptX Adaptive codes and are able to reduce the latency by up to a quarter second.

3. B&W PX7 S2

The original PX7s were a top choice on many lists of the best active noise cancelling over ear headphones Bluetooth headsets, thanks to their outstanding ANC and the sound quality. The PX7s, just like other wireless headphones, were getting old and required a refresh. This is why the PX7S2. B&W didn't just change the design however, they also made improvements to ANC, and added more features for voice calls.

The PX7 S2 headphones are incredibly light, making them comfortable for long listening sessions. The overall design is the same as the previous model, like the sleek oval aluminum earcup top and the hook-like accent on the headband, which glides instead of clicking as you expand it, and finally the actual physical buttons. The earcups are a bit smaller, but the headband is a bit less substantial overall.

The software of B&W lets you adjust EQ settings for treble and bass, however, you don't have as much control over the mix between these two elements as you would on higher-priced headphones. A Quick Action button on the left earcup toggles modes for the environment and can be adjusted within the Bowers & Wilkins Music app to call the voice assistant on your device.

The PX7 S2 is a great choice for all musical styles. It offers a wide soundstage and a good separation of the various sound elements. It shines especially on selections that feature acoustic instruments such as Rachmaninoff's Cello Sonata in G Minor Op. 19, composed by pianist Yuja Wang and cellist Gautier Capucon, with a woody tone and a sense of air. It can also handle heavier songs too. The bass sound and midrange clarity on Entombed's garage/deathn'roll crossover To Ride, Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth The album is an imposing soundscape while allowing you to discern vocal nuances like Lars-Goran Petrov’s gritty growl.

4. bose quietcomfort 35 ii over ear noise cancelling bluetooth headphones QuietComfort 35

Bose was one of the first companies to introduce active noise cancelling headphones to the mainstream. They held the market for years but now they have to compete with newer headsets which offer more features and better audio quality. QuietComfort 35 remains a great choice for those who want to listen to their podcasts or music without hums or rumbles.

The default sound profile is balanced, and they're comfortable to wear. The ANC is great at removing background noise. However it tends to emphasize lower frequencies more than other headphones like the Sony WH1000XM5.

If you're looking for a pair that can be used to listen to audiobooks or podcasts, the QC35s have an impressive noise cancellation mode that reduces ambient sounds while keeping you adrift from the sounds of the world around you. The QC35s let you connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and also "audio-share" to ensure that you can listen to a song with one set of headphones while answering an incoming phone call from the other set of headphones.

The Bose Connect App is decent however it lacks the vast EQ features of other headphone apps. The QC35s can also be used in wired mode, but the quality of sound is diminished and battery life is not as good as wireless models.

The QC35s are a Bose product, which may not be for all. Other manufacturers have sleeker designs. You can add some personalization to your headphones by purchasing a decal cover from companies like SlickWraps or Skin Sticker. In the coming year you'll be able to alter the color of the earcups as well as the headband, just like with the earlier QC25.

5. Sony WH-1000XM3

Sony's WH1000XM3 are the most effective wireless headphones that have active noise cancelling you can get today. They're more expensive than Anker Soundcore Q20 Wireless but they isolate more background noise. The app is also better and has a wide range of sound-related options for customization.

The XM3s' excellent sound quality is one of their biggest draws, and they've been upgraded since their introduction to provide the best performance. They have a little bit more depth in the frequency spectrum. The noise cancellation is better at all levels of volume. They also have improved controls, such as Quick Attention mode and Speak-to-Chat. They also have a brand new feature called Adaptive Sound Control that automatically adjusts how much external sound is allowed in, based on the location you are and what you're doing.

They're not without their own problems, however. The midrange can sound a bit recessed and the treble can sometimes be too loud. They are still prone to boost the bass too much on some tracks, making them sound heavy and full. You can correct this issue by using the Sony app or in the headphone setting.

The XM3s make a great pair of headphones, particularly for those who commute or are frequent travelers. They are more comfortable, feel and look premium, and are more durable in comparison to the JBL Live 650 BTNC wireless. They also have a more powerful battery and one of the most effective noise cancellation features available. They're also more flexible and more suitable for use on mobile devices than the Audio-Technica ATH M50X Wireless, despite having less impressive noise cancellation. And they're not waterproof which could be a deal-breaker for some people.