Sony Headphones Review - The Best Noise Cancelling Headphones

The fifth-generation Sony noise cancelling headphones are different from the previous model, however, they sound as good. The headphones are light and comfortable, and have many features such as Speak-to -Chat and Quick Attention mode. They also feature wear detection and AI-powered DSEE Extreme upscaling audio.

The ANC is very powerful and reduces train noise to a quiet rumble. The pass-through option lets you to hear external sounds when needed.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony's headphones are regularly among the best in the business in the field of noise cancellation. The fifth generation of WH1000XM5s are no exception, offering one of the best experiences we've had using noise cancelling headphones in recent times. When you put on the headphones and enable noise cancellation, you're walking into a cone of silence. Engine noises, HVAC systems, creaking metal and even neighboring conversations all become muted.

The XM5s also stand out on the audio side with an impressive soundstage that gives the various elements of a track room to breathe and shine. On Billie Eilish’s Bad Guy for example, the drums pound with a satisfying amount of force and power, while soaring vocals harmonise throughout the mix.

The XM5s stand out for their intelligent interaction with your smartphone. They will detect the moment they are removed from the head and pause the music. They also can detect that you are on a busy highway and automatically lower the noise cancelling level.

The WH-1000XM5s also are eco-friendly. They are made of recycled plastic and acrylonitrile styrene (ABS) with the headband being made of high-end fabric. They also come with a collapsible carry case that folds to form a small bag, as well as an 3.5mm-to-3.5mm aux cable for listening in a quiet mode. The ear cups can be removed for easy cleaning. The XM5s also have rechargeable batteries that provide up to 20-hours of playtime. They are also equipped with a rapid charging system that charges twice as fast as traditional USB headphones.

2. Bose QuietComfort 35

The Bose QuietComfort 35 I/QC35 II Wireless, with their comfortable fit with a balanced sound profile and ANC technology that blocks a significant amount of background noise they are more versatile than the Audio-Technica Wireless Headphones ATH-DSR9BT. The Bose headphones come with a battery that lasts for 20 hours, they are easier to charge, and can be used with a mobile when the battery is out. This makes them a great choice for those who are looking for headphones that can be used as commuter headphones or travel headphones.

These premium Bose headphones come with a button that activates Google Assistant, which will play music and answer trivia questions and even read your phone notifications. They are a great noise cancelling capabilities, and even though they are getting a bit long by 2020 standards (and have successors in their line of siblings, the QC35), you can still find fantastic deals on them.

As with other Bose ANC headphones, the QC35s do a solid job of cancelling out ambient noise, and their noise reduction technology has improved over the years. However they're not the most effective ANC headphones on the market particularly when compared to more recent competitors, and audiophiles should look elsewhere for better sound quality.

The QC35s can also be used to connect to two devices simultaneously and "audio share" with a friend. This is a great feature if you'd like to listen to music while talking with another person. These headphones are popular with frequent flyers, and have that classic Bose design that a lot of people adore. SlickWraps or Skin Sticker covers with decals are available for purchase at a reasonable price when you wish to personalize your QC35s.

3. Sony WH-1000XM4

The WH-1000XM4s made by Sony don't change much in terms of comfort or aesthetics however their noise cancellation technology is a completely new device. The company has replaced the older system-on-chip (SoC) with a brand new one that it claims will enable it to listen and react more accurately to ambient sound in real-time while reducing mid- and high-frequency noises thanks to its Dual Noise Sensor technology.

Two feedforward microphones inside each earcup absorb ambient sound, which is then processed by the QN1 noise canceling processor to reduce it as quickly as possible without altering the quality of your music. The result is an amount of noise reduction that is comparable to the best headphones available at this price.

There's even a sensitivity knob that lets you adjust the level of noise cancellation according to your preferences. You may, for instance wish to listen to the sounds of the city while at home, or you might prefer a more closed off listening experience. This feature makes use of geo-location to apply the right setting based on your destination.

The WH1000XM4s have the capability of making hands-free phone calls. They also come with 30 hours of battery life and fast charging capabilities. The WH-1000XM4s come with a robust Bluetooth connection that supports multipoint and Over Ear headphones Noise cancelling wireless NFC support. In my tests I noticed that the remastering of Paul McCartney’s Flaming pie was dynamic and clear, while rough mixes and recordings from the home also sounded crisp.

To get the most enjoyment of these headphones, it is necessary to download the companion Sony Headphones Connect app. You can customize the EQ and enjoy features that make it easy such as Bluetooth multipoint. It also unlocks some cool new features, like Sony's 360 Reality Audio immersive sound mastering process.

4. Sony WH-CH720N

The Sony WH-CH720N headphones are a great option if you're looking to purchase headphones that provide excellent active noise cancellation at an affordable price. The 710N wireless headphones noise cancelling is a step up over ear headphones noise cancelling wireless its predecessor, offering improved ANC performance and superior sound quality. The 710N Wireless also has a lighter design with a battery life of up to 35 hours.

These headphones aren't the best for you if you expect premium features such as LDAC Bluetooth and Smart Listening, which integrates voice assistants. Also, they don't come with a carrying case or auto-pause function, and the earcups aren't foldable, which may make them difficult to travel with.

The build quality of the WH-CH720N is decent but not as good as the aforementioned 1000XM5. The earcups and headband are made of plastic, which is light and comfortable to wear for long periods of time but will not stand up to rigorous use or the occasional tumble on hard surfaces. The design is also a little bulky and the earcups can creak when you move your head. The controls are simple to use, however they have tactile buttons that offer good clicky feedback. A single touch of the power button toggles ANC on and off, while pressing and holding the button prompts you to turn on Sony's Adaptive Audio Control functionality. This feature lets you select the preset audio profile based on how you're using the headphones (e.g., "Staying at Work" or "Running") or your current location (with your phone granted permission to decide this).

The WH-CH720N is one of the best-value headphones for wireless noise cancelling headphones on the market. For the money, you get great ANC and excellent sound quality, lightweight comfort and up to 35 hours of battery life. If you're a frequent commuter these headphones are worth checking out.

5. Earfun Air Pro

The Air Pro is no different. Earfun headsets and earbuds are well-known for their excellent value. They're effective in calling and thrilling for music, while their SoundPEATS A6 Hybrid ANC Bluetooth Headphones: Shop Now! blocks a good amount of sound without making you feel as if your ears are drowned. They also come with many features that are available on competing headphones that cost more or twice as much.

The earbuds have a lot of emphasis in the bass area which can create a rumble on many tracks. Instruments and lead vocals remain clear and bright. This makes them ideal for a variety of music. However, they could seem a bit loud to some. The frequency response is extremely consistent, which means they sound the same no matter the music you are listening to.

We played Missy Elliott's Get Ur Freak On, and the earbuds did an amazing job of celebrating the song's bass-heavy introduction with fervor and enthusiasm. Stormzy's Vossi Bop had a similar fluid sound with the treble accentuating the vocals and percussion.

On the phone, voice quality is excellent, even in noisy environments. The earbuds are equipped with the latest Qualcomm chip to maintain the clarity of calls, with background noises and clicks kept at bay, even when speaking next to the London Underground at rush hour.

The Bluetooth connectivity of the earbuds are also excellent, with only a few issues in our testing. They connect quickly and with low latency to iOS and Android devices. They're also IPX5 water-resistant, so they're perfect for rain and workouts, but you shouldn't put them in water. They come with an enclosure that can hold two quarters and two quarters of charges. This is perfect for traveling.