The Best Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones

Whether you're battling the roar of jet engines or just want to block out the noise of your HVAC at home, you'll need the top noise cancelling over-ear headphones. The new Sony WH-1000XM5s have become the new top of the line in active noise cancellation and their predecessors are equally excellent.

We've taken into consideration the adjustability of ANC as well as touch controls and on-ear detection (for pausing music when you take your Headphones Shop off). Our top picks have high-quality audio, comfortable ear cups and spacious ear cups.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

The fifth generation of Sony's flagship headphones is a significant upgrade over ear headphones noise cancelling wireless its predecessor, offering better noise cancellation and improved audio quality. Its impressive ANC performance creates an illusion of silence over your head. It also blocks out a surprising amount of low-frequency sounds. The earphones block out mid- and treble-range sounds like passenger chatter or the creaking of metal, as well as the clanging of dishware.

The WH-1000XM5s sound very natural, unlike some noise cancelling headsets that sound hollow. They're able to reproduce the rising and falling of Billie Eilish's drums with astonishing depth and clarity, while also keeping edges clean and pristine. They're an absolute pleasure to listen to during an airplane ride or on a commute.

The most commonly used controls are controlled by a capacitive touchscreen surface located on the right earcup, including play/pause and volume up/down, aswell being able to skip forwards and backwards. It can also stop and 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 is left.

The new QN1 microphone is another notable improvement to the XM5s. It is designed to record high-quality audio when recording videos and podcasts. The microphone is more sensitive than previous models and also has a wider audio range which makes it easier for you to pick up your voice.

The XM5 also carries certain features from the XM4s including the adaptive ANC system which automatically optimizes performance in accordance with the environment. The "Wearing Detection" feature detects when the headset is removed and pauses music or video. It will restart it once the headset is put back on. It's compatible with Sony's DSEE Extreme Engine, which enhances compressed music to close to high-res resolution.

2. Sony WH-1000XM4

The WH1000XM4s of Sony are the latest version of their industry-leading over-ear headphones. They offer class-leading performance however they don't have the same active noise cancellation features as the WH1000XM5s. In addition to having stronger Bluetooth and a more efficient noise-canceling algorithm, the WH-1000XM4s boast a new audio chip that upscales music files to HD quality and offers more advanced voice controls.

Sony has upgraded the WH1000XM4s of the latest generation by adding padding to the headband, and moving the microphones outwards. This makes them more comfortable for long listening sessions.

You can also select between five different sound settings depending on the environment. You can also customize your EQ settings using the Sony headphones app. They're a great option for those who travel, and the app allows you to track your activity and automatically optimize their settings on the fly.

Another big improvement is the WH-1000XM4's noise cancellation that has been made more effective by increasing the sensitiveness and improving the way it eliminates low frequencies. You can check this out by studying a graph similar to the one above, where the higher peaks mean that more sounds are being blocked out. The WH1000XM4s are also better in reducing low-frequency noises, such as the hum from an air conditioning unit, or the constant rumble of a plane engine.

The WH1000XM4s have a number of amazing features, including a 30-hour battery life and a USB-C charging port. They also come with Quick Alert, which lets users touch the right earcup to reduce the sound and activate transparency mode; Speak to Chat stops media when you raise your voice (and works well, though it sometimes fails to detect taps), and Sony's Smart Listening technology, headphones shop which can detect and analyze your environment to deliver better audio.

3. Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II

The Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II headphones (or QC35 Wireless 2018, as they're also referred to) were released 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 considering if you're looking for a noise-cancelling active headphone.

The QC35 II is a great pair for mixed-use wireless headphones. They provide an incredibly comfortable fit and neutral sound quality by default. They also offer exceptional noise isolation. They can be used in noisy environments or when traveling, and they last for more than a full day on a single charge. They also work with a variety of smart assistants and can be activated by pressing an individual button. You can ask the assistant to play music, answer trivia or read your smartphone notifications.

They feature a wide opening in the ear padded that will fit most types of ear sizes and shapes. They also are lightweight. The housings' hinges can be folded down to make them easier to pack into a bag or backpack. The controls on the right side of the headphones are intuitively placed and feel good to use. Playback is controlled by tapping the buttons which include rewinding or skipping songs.

For a good example of the quality you can expect from these Bose headphones, we played The Beatles' Let It Be and listened to drum ClearTunes Rose Gold Beats Headphones with Noise Cancelling and piano notes. The QC35 II delivers crisp, clear audio with a well-rounded and detailed sound. They dig up subtleties in the vocals, for instance Paul McCartney's erratic timing when building up to the chorus, or Gerard Way's snarl while he laments teenage individualism on Teenagers.

The QC35 II is compatible with the majority of smart assistants and is able to connect to two devices simultaneously. The QC35 II also come with an accessory case for carrying and a USB cable that charges quickly.

4. Sony WH-CH720N

Sony has a reputation for making high-quality headphones that are priced at a reasonable price. The WH-CH720N budget headphones are no exception. These headphones have many of the same features of the WH1000XM5 flagship headphones, but in an affordable design. They also provide a good amount of active noise cancelling at a very low cost.

Similar to the WH-1000XM5 headphones these cans feature 30mm dynamic drivers that deliver great bass and crisp high frequencies. They offer an even sound that blends well with different genres of music. They also have an expansive, immersive soundstage.

The WH-CH720N headphones have buttons instead of the touch controls or gestures that are used by the XM5 headphones. This could be a a disadvantage, as the buttons are initially confusing. The controls are intelligently placed and clearly labeled. Double presses of the '+' button will pause and play audio. A single press decreases the volume. When you press and hold the button the button, voice assistants will be launched and calls are rejected.

The headphones can last for up to 35 hours with ANC on. This is the best battery performance we've ever seen in over-ear headphones. They come with a standby feature to conserve battery.

The WH-CH720N headphones can be connected to Android phones and iOS devices using Bluetooth. They support LDAC which lets them play high-resolution audio on compatible devices. They're also compatible with PlayStation consoles that use an analog 1/8" TRS cable. They can also be used as wired headphones on a PC with the included USB dongle. The Sony Headphones Connect App lets you personalize your headphones with an EQ slider, presets and multipoint connectivity.

5. B&W PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 is a follow-up to a wildly popular predecessor, but it's not an unfinished update. They have a sleeker design and a new application. They live up to their promise of high-end build quality with audio that faithfully communicates artistic intent. They're also incredibly comfortable and a treat to wear all day.

While they're not as effective as the noise cancellation of the Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II or the Sony WH-1000XM5, they do a very good job of removing the sounds of the environment and ensuring you're able to 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 revised algorithms that reduce ambient sound by 30dB. They're also one of the few Bluetooth headphones we've reviewed that can be used in a passive mode, allowing you to listen to your content by themselves, without power being connected to the drive units.

They also work with the B&W Music app, a free download that offers many features that complement the superior noise cancellation. The Quick Action button can be set to turn on your device's voice assistance to cycle through three settings for the environment and show battery life. It's annoying to have to press the button and hold it for a while. A one-press would be more intuitive and simple.

The PX7 S2 are an impressive pair of headphones, which should delight most music fans. The PX7 S2 are not as well suited to demanding music genres such as metal and rock that favor bass-heavy productions and muddy low frequencies as they are for classical, folk, and acoustic. However, they'll still be awe-inspiring to those who appreciate audiophile credentials that is also practical and easy to use.