The Best Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones

You need the best noise-cancelling over-ear headphones regardless of whether you wish to block out the hum of your HVAC system, or need to block the background noise of jet engines. The new Sony WH-1000XM5s have become the new leaders in active noise cancellation, and their predecessors are also fantastic.

We've taken into account adjustable ANC, touch controls and on-ear detection (for pausing music when you take off your headphones). Our top picks include high-quality audio as well as comfortable, spacious ear cups.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

The fifth generation of Sony flagship headphones provides significant improvements over the previous generation, beats noise Cancelling over Ear headphones featuring improved noise cancellation and audio quality. Its impressive ANC creates an enveloping cone over your head, blocking out the most shocking amount of low-frequency sound. The earcups block out sounds in the mid-to-treble range, such as passenger chatter and creaking metal.

Contrary to some noise cancelling headphones, which can sound hollow or unnatural, the WH1000XM5s are very natural-sounding. They can render the beats of Billie Eilish in stunning detail and keep the edges clear and clean. They're a joy to listen to during a commute or long flight.

A capacitive touch-surface on the right earcup handles the most commonly used controls, such as play/pause, volume up/down and skip forwards/backwards. It can also call and end calls and switch between ANC and ambient sound mode. You can also hold the power button for several minutes to hear a voice prompt of remaining battery life.

The new QN1 microphone is another significant improvement over the XM5s. It is designed to record high-quality audio while recording podcasts and videos. The microphone is more sensitive than previous models and also has a wider audio range, making it easier for you to hear your voice.

The XM5 also carries certain features that were XM4's, such as the adaptive ANC system which automatically optimizes performance based on your surroundings. The "Wearing Detection" feature detects when the headset is removed, and will pause video or music. It will resume it when they are put back on. It's compatible with Sony's DSEE Extreme Engine, which increases the quality of compressed music to nearly high-res resolution.

2. Sony WH-1000XM4

The WH-1000XM4s are the latest version of Sony's market-leading over-ear headphones, and even though they don't offer the same amount of active noise cancellation as the WH-1000XM5s, they still provide superior performance. The WH-1000XM4s have a stronger Bluetooth connection and an improved noise cancellation algorithm. They also feature an audio chip that enhances music to HD quality and has advanced voice controls.

The biggest improvement in the new generation is that Sony has made the WH-1000XM4s more comfortable than ever before by putting padding around the headband, and moving the microphones closer to the outside of the ear. This makes them more comfortable for long listening sessions.

You can also choose between five different sound settings based on the surroundings. Sony headphones come with an app that lets you to customize your EQ settings. They're an excellent choice for travelers, and the app lets you monitor your activity and automatically optimize their settings on the fly.

The WH-1000XM4 also has improved its noise cancellation. It is now more effective due to its greater sensitivity and improved filtering of low frequencies. This can be verified by looking at graphs like the one above. Higher peaks mean that more sounds are being blocked out. The WH-1000XM4s can also be more effective at reducing low-frequency sounds, such as the hum of an air cooling unit or the constant rumble of an airplane engine over any other pair of noise-canceling headphones that we've tested.

The WH1000XM4s come with a variety of great features, including a 30-hour battery life and a USB-C charge port. They also have Quick Alert, a feature that lets you tap the right earcup and dampen the sound to activate transparency mode. Speak to Chat, in turn it stops media when you speak (and it works great but sometimes it fails to recognize taps) in addition to Sony's Smart Listening Technology, which can detect your environment and provide better sound.

3. Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II

The Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II headphones (or QC35 Wireless 2018, as they are also known) were released in September 2017. While they have been succeeded by the 2021-released Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 They're still a hit and affordable and are well worth a look if you're looking for a noise-cancelling active headphone.

The QC35 II is a great pair of headphones that can be used for both mixed and regular use. They offer an incredibly comfortable fit and neutral sound profile that is default. They also provide outstanding noise isolation. They are suitable for travel or in noisy settings and last for more than a day with a single charge. They are also compatible with the majority of smart assistants and are activated via an individual button. You can ask the assistant to play music, answer trivia questions or even read your notifications from your smartphone.

They have a wide opening in the padding around your ears that can fit most ears and shapes. They are extremely light. The housings' hinges can be folded down to make them easier to store into a bag or backpack. The controls on the right side of the headphones are well placed and feel good to use. Playback can be controlled by tapping the buttons, including rewinding or skipping songs.

To show the quality you can expect from these bose noise cancelling headphones 700 over ear headphones we played The Beatles' Let It Be and listened to drum beats noise cancelling over ear headphones, click this site, and piano parts. The QC35 II deliver crisp, clear audio that's smooth and precise. They can detect subtleties, like Paul McCartney's inconsistent timing as he builds up to the chorus or Gerard Way’s snarl when he rants about the teen-like persona in Teenagers.

The QC35 II can be connected to up to two devices simultaneously and are compatible with all smart assistants. The QC35 II comes with a carry bag and a USB charging cable.

4. Sony WH-CH720N

Sony has a reputation for producing high-quality headphones that cost a small amount. The budget-friendly WHCH720N headphones by Sony aren't any different. These headphones have many of the same features of the flagship WH1000XM5 headphones, but in an affordable design. They also provide a good amount of active noise cancelling at a low price.

Similar to the WH1000XM5 headphones, these headphones have 30mm dynamic drivers that deliver great bass and crisp high frequencies. They have an unbalanced sound that works well with a variety of genres of music. They also have a huge, encompassing soundstage.

The WH-CH720N headphones use buttons for controls instead of the gestures and touch controls of the XM5 headphones. This is a little more of a problem, Beats Noise Cancelling Over Ear Headphones as the buttons are at first difficult to understand. The controls are well-placed and are clearly labeled. One press of the button with the '-' reduces the volume, and double pressing pauses and plays audio. Pressing and holding the button launches voice assistants, and also rejects calls.

With ANC enabled the headphones will last about 35 hours before they run out of juice. This is among the best battery performance we've seen on headphones with over-ears. They come with a standby feature to conserve battery.

Bluetooth allows users to connect the WHCH720N headphones to Android and iOS devices. They are compatible with LDAC, which lets them play high-res audio on compatible devices. They also work with PlayStation consoles that have an analog 1/8" TRS cable. They can also be used as wired headphones on a PC using 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 follow on from a successful predecessor but are by no means an unfinished update that rides on its own. With a sleeker design and a new app, they deliver on the promise of high-end build quality, delivering audio that accurately conveys artistic intention. They're also extremely comfortable and are a delight to wear all day long.

They don't have the same noise cancellation as the Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II, or the Sony WH1000XM5, but they do a good job of blocking out ambient noise so that you can focus on your music or podcasts. They feature a six-microphone setup (four for noise cancellation and two for voice-recording) and a new algorithm that reduce ambient sound by 30dB. They're also one of the few Bluetooth headphones we've tested that can be used in a passive mode, allowing users to listen to content by themselves, with no power being applied to the drive units.

They're also compatible 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 the voice assistant on your device and cycle through three environmental settings and display the battery's life. It is annoying to have to press the button and hold it. A single press would be more intuitive and simple.

The PX7 S2 are an remarkable pair of headphones which should delight most music enthusiasts. The PX7 S2 are not suitable for challenging music genres like metal and rock that favor bass-heavy productions and muddy low-frequency as they are to folk, classical and acoustic. But, they will still be awe-inspiring to those who appreciate audiophile credentials, and are practical and convenient.