Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?

On the train or in the office, noise-cancelling headphones are the perfect solution for those who love to listen. Which ones are the best, though?

With a new design with superior sound quality and a plethora of features, Sony's newest flagship headphones offer great value. These headphones can capture every detail, from Sinead O'Connor's trembling Bridge to the powerful chorus.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony is a master at noise cancellation, and its WH1000XM5 headphones are the most advanced version of this series. A few well-thought-out upgrades over the XM4s makes this model an excellent all-round pair of cans, especially for those who commute or travel. They're comfortable, feature multipoint technology to connect two devices simultaneously, and are the best ANC Sony has made to date. They're also lightweight and provide approximately 27 hours of playback with no charging, which is sufficient for a week's worth of commuting or one long-haul flight.

The WH-1000XM5s have a sleek minimalist design. They are made of recycled and recyclable plastic known as acrylonitrile butadiene (ABS). Branding is minimal, though there is the "Sony" logo on the hinge of each earcup. The earcups and headband are cushioned with a plush soft material that feels comfortable on all heads. The earcups can be adjusted so you can find the best fit for you.

Contrary to previous models that were focused on reducing low frequency noise, the XM5s amplify sound waves with high frequencies to cancel out ambient noise. That improves overall sound quality and helps to block out cabin and engine noises on flights, for example. The XM5s comes with an additional processing unit that helps improve noise cancellation on planes. The audio app can also adjust the sound environment you are listening to based on air pressure data.

Other features of the WH-1000XM5s are an enhanced voice assistant that's simple to use and integrates with Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri and more. You can also pair the XM5s with other Sony audio products to enable multi-room music playback and stereo separation. They are compatible with Bluetooth high-bitrate streaming audio through Sony's LDAC but not HD or aptX.

2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

If a company has been manufacturing headphones for as long as Sennheiser is a top brand, you can expect superior sound quality and a comfortable fit. With their latest over-ears dubbed Momentum 4 Wireless, they provide both. They've redesigned their design to eliminate a few trademark elements that gave their previous models their aviator-style headset look. They also enhanced active noise cancellation using their latest Adaptive Noisy Cancellation Technology. These headphones are rated to last 60 hours with ANC on this, which is more than double the battery life of other rivals.

The new model is more portable, as it folds up and is smaller. The ear pads and headband are made of artificial PU leather, which is comfortable on my head when I wear it all day. They're also not extremely tight, so you can wear them for long flights, or even during your workouts.

The sound is well-balanced and clear, however there are some highs that can add a bit of muddiness to mixes. The bass can be a bit overemphasized, which adds a little punch and thump to genres such as EDM or hip-hop. It's not a big deal but it might annoy some listeners. The high-mid is a bit of an uneven balance too that pushes instruments and bose over ear noise cancelling headphones vocals towards the front of the mix however at the expense of bringing out sibilants into certain songs.

The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless has all the usual features including bluetooth wireless connectivity, a transparency mode which blends outside sounds into your music to improve awareness, and mobile apps that support custom and preset EQ options. You can also use a 3.5mm cord to connect your phone. They can connect to your phone using SBC, AAC HD, and aptX Adaptive codes, and they can cut down the latency by up to a quarter second.

3. B&W PX7 S2

The original PX7s were top of the line on many lists of best Bluetooth headsets, thanks to their outstanding ANC and audio quality. The PX7s, like most wireless headphones, were becoming old and required a refresh. This is why the PX7S2. B&W hasn't just redesigned the design for this new model, but they've made substantial improvements to ANC and also added features for voice calls, too.

The first thing you will notice when you open the box and get the PX7 S2 is just how light they are, which makes them extremely comfortable for long listening sessions. The design of the PX7 S2 is largely identical to the model before it. It has the cool oval aluminium top-plate that is used for the earcups, bose over ear noise cancelling headphones the hook-like accent that slides instead of clicks when you expand the headband and the physical buttons. The earcups are a bit smaller, but the headband is less bulky overall.

The software of B&W lets you alter the EQ settings of the bass and treble. However you do not have as much control as you do with more expensive headphones. The Quick Action button on left earcups switches the modes of the environment. It can also be configured to summon the voice assistant on your device via the Bowers & Wilkins Music App.

The PX7 S2 is a great choice for all musical styles. It offers a wide soundstage, and good separation of different sound elements. 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 features woody tones with a sense air. It can handle heavier fare as well. The bass punch and midrange clarity on Entombed's garage/deathn'roll crossover To Ride and Shoot Straight, and Speak the Truth provide an overwhelming sound while keeping things clear to discern vocal nuances like Lars-Goran Petrov's grittier growl.

4. bose over ear noise cancelling headphones QuietComfort 35

Bose was one of the first companies to bring active noise cancelling headphones to the mainstream. While they held a stranglehold on the market for years however, they are now competing against newer headphones that offer more features and higher audio quality. QuietComfort 35 remains a great choice for anyone looking to listen to podcasts or music without sound rumbles or hums.

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.

The QC35s are a great pair of headphones to listen to podcasts and audiobooks. They come with an active noise cancellation feature which reduces ambient sounds, but still allowing you to be completely isolated from the world around you. The QC35s permit you to connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and also "audio-share" to ensure that you can listen to music on one set of headphones and answer an incoming call with the other set of headphones.

The Bose Connect App is decent, but it doesn't have the vast EQ features of other headphone apps. The QC35s are also available in wired mode, however the sound quality is drastically reduced and battery life is not as good as with wireless models.

The QC35s come with a well-known Bose style that may not be as appealing to some as the sleeker designs of other manufacturers. However you can add a bit of personalization by buying a decal-covered cover-up from companies like SlickWraps and Skin Sticker. Later this year you'll be able to alter the color of the earcups and headband, similar to the earlier QC25.

5. Sony WH-1000XM3

Sony's WH1000XM3 headphones are the best wireless headphone with active noise cancellation you can buy 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 more durable. The app is also superior and has a wide range of options for sound customization.

The XM3's excellent audio quality is one of their main draws and they've been upgraded since their release to provide even better performance. They offer a little more clarity across the frequency spectrum and their noise cancelling functions better at all volume levels and they've improved controls for things like Quick Attention mode, voice control and Speak-to-Chat. They also have a brand new feature called Adaptive Sound Control that automatically adjusts the amount of external sound let in based on where you are and what you're doing.

There are some problems, however. The treble can be occasionally a bit overpowering and the midrange can sound a bit recessed. They also tend to boost the bass too much in certain tracks, which can make them sound overly full and heavy. You can correct this issue by using the Sony app or in the headphone setting.

The XM3s are an excellent pair of headphones, particularly for those who commute and frequent travel. They are more comfortable, appear and feel premium, and are durable in comparison to the jbl live 660nc over ear noise cancelling bluetooth headphones black Live 650 BTNC wireless. They also have a more powerful battery, and one of the most effective features for noise cancellation available. They're also more adaptable and better-equipped for mobile use than the Audio-Technica ATH M50X Wireless, even though they have less impressive noise cancellation. They're also not waterproof which could be a deal-breaker for some people.