Sony Headphones Review - The Best Noise Cancelling Headphones

The fifth-generation Sony noise cancelling headphones are a little different from the previous model however, they sound as good over ear noise cancelling headphones. They're comfy, lightweight and come with a variety of features, including Quick Attention mode, Speak-to-Chat, wear detection and AI-powered DSEE Extreme audio upscaling.

The ANC is powerful, cutting train noises to an ambient rumble. The pass-through option lets you to hear sounds from outside, if necessary.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony's headphones are consistently among the top in the industry when it comes to noise cancelling. The fifth generation of WH-1000XM5s is no exception, offering one of the best experiences we've had with noise cancellation headphones in recent times. Strapping a pair on and activating noise cancellation is like stepping into a veritable cone of silence: Engine sounds as well as the whir of HVAC systems, creaking metal, even conversations with your neighbors are muted to an incredible degree.

The XM5s also shine on the audio front. Their large soundstage lets every element of a song to shine and breathe. On Billie Eilish’s Bad Guy for example, the drums pound with a pleasing amount of power and weight while the soaring vocals blend throughout the mix.

The XM5s stand out because of their smart interaction with your smartphone. They can detect when they are being removed from the head and stop the music. They also can detect that you are on a noisy highway and automatically reduce the noise cancellation level.

The WH-1000XM5s are also very green. The WH-1000XM5s consist of recycled plastics and butadiene, acrylonitrile and styrene. The headband is constructed from premium fabric. They include a collapsible case that folds into itself, creating the compact pouch. Also included is an 3.5mm to 3.5mm aux cable so that you can listen in a passive mode. The ear cups can be removed for simple cleaning. The XM5s run on a rechargeable battery that provides up to 20 hours of playtime on full charge, and they're equipped with an adaptive fast charging system that charges twice the speed of traditional USB headphones.

2. Bose QuietComfort 35

The Bose QuietComfort35 II/QC35 II Wireless 2018 with their comfortable fit with a balanced sound profile and ANC technology that blocks a great deal of background noise, are more versatile than Audio-Technica ATH-DSR9BT Wireless Headphones. The Bose headphones come with a battery that lasts for 20 hours, they are much easier to charge and can still be used with a mobile even if the battery is dead. This makes them a great choice for those who are looking for headphones that can be used as commuter or travel headphones.

These premium Bose headphones come with a Google Assistant button, which allows the assistant to play music, respond to trivia and read notifications from your smartphone. They are a great noise cancelling capabilities, and even though they are getting a bit long by 2020 standards (and have successors in their sibling line the QC35), you can still find great deals on the headphones.

Like other Bose ANC headphones, the QC35s are capable in reducing ambient noise, and their noise reduction technology has advanced over the years. They're not the most effective ANC headphone available particularly when compared to newer competitors. Audiophiles may want to consider other options for better audio quality.

Like the Sonys The QC35s are able to connect to two devices simultaneously and "audio share" one of them with a companion, which is great if you're looking to listen to music with one ear while talking to another. These headphones are popular with frequent flyers, and have that classic Bose design that people love. SlickWraps or Skin Sticker covers with decals are readily available at a reasonable price if you want to personalize your QC35s.

3. Sony WH-1000XM4

Sony's WH-1000XM4s don't offer much in terms of aesthetic or comfort improvements from the M3s, however its noise cancelling is a whole new beast. Sony has replaced the system-on-chip (SoC) for a new one, which it claims allows it to more precisely listen and react to ambient sound in real-time, reducing mid- and high-frequency sounds by using its Dual Noise Sensor technology.

Two feedforward microphones in each earcup capture ambient sound. The sound is processed by QN1 noise cancelling processor to reduce it rapidly without affecting the quality of your audio. The result is an impressive level of noise cancellation that easily beats out the top headphones in this price range.

There's a sensitivity dial that lets you adjust the noise cancellation to fit your needs. You may, for instance prefer to listen to the sounds of the city when you're at home, but you may prefer a more closed off listening experience. This feature also makes use of geo-location to automatically apply the correct setting based on where you're headed.

The WH1000XM4s can be used for making hands-free phone calls. They also come with a 30 hour battery life and rapid charging capabilities. The WH-1000XM4s also have an impressive Bluetooth Over Ear Headphones Noise Cancelling connection that supports multipoint and NFC support. In my testing, a quick remaster of Paul McCartney's Flaming Pie was clear and lively as well as rough mixes and home recordings sounded crisp and full.

Download the Sony Headphones Connect companion app to maximize the performance of these headphones. It lets you alter the EQ settings and also provides convenience features such as Bluetooth multipoint, while allowing you to access some of the latest cool stuff - such as access to Sony's 360 Reality Audio immersive surround-sound mastering process that breathes new life into the older music.

4. Sony WH-CH720N

The Sony WH-CH720N headphones are excellent choice if you're looking to buy a pair that offers outstanding active noise cancellation at affordable prices. They're a step up from their predecessor model, the 710N Wireless, with a higher ANC performance and superior sound quality. The 710N Wireless also has a lighter design with a battery lifespan of up to 35 hours.

These headphones aren't the best for you if you want flagship features like LDAC Bluetooth and Smart Listening which incorporates voice assistants. They don't come with a carrying case, auto-pause feature, or earcups that fold and are therefore difficult to carry around.

The build quality of the WH-CH720N is decent but not as great as the 1000XM5. The headband and earcups are constructed of plastic. They are light and comfortable for long periods, but they're not built to withstand intense use or a few falls on hard surfaces. The design is a bit heavy, bluetooth over ear headphones noise Cancelling and the earcups squeak when you move them. The controls are easy to use, with tactile buttons that provide good clicky feedback. The ANC can be switched on and off with a single press of the power switch. Pressing and holding the button activates Sony's Adaptive audio Control. This feature allows you to select an audio profile that is preset based on how you're using the headphones (e.g., "Staying at Work" or "Running") or the current location (with your phone granted permission to make this determination).

The WH-CH720N wireless noise cancelling headphones are among the most affordable on the market. You get top ANC for the price, a lightweight design, and up to 35-hour battery life. If you're a frequent commuter, these headphones are worth checking out.

5. Earfun Air Pro

Earfun's headsets and earbuds are renowned for their value and the Air Pro is no exception. They're effective for calls and enthralling for music, while their ANC blocks a good amount of sound without making you feel like your ears are suffocated. These headphones also have a lot of features that are available in headphones that cost up to twice as much.

The earbuds are over-emphasized in the bass section and adds a rumble to most tracks. The lead vocals and instruments remain clear and bright. This makes them perfect for a wide range of content. However, they might seem a bit loud to some. They have a uniform frequency response, meaning that they sound the same no matter the content you are listening.

We played Missy Elliott's Get Ur Freak On and the earbuds embraced the track's booming intro with zeal and energy. Stormzy's Vossi Bop had a similar agile sound, with the treble highlighting the vocals and percussion.

On the phone, the voice quality is very good even in noisy environments. The earbuds feature the latest Qualcomm chip that ensures background noises, clicks and other distractions are kept to the bare minimum. This is true even when talking on the London Underground during rush hour.

The earbuds' Bluetooth connectivity is also excellent, with little to no issues during our testing. They pair and connect quickly, with minimal latency with iOS and Android devices. They are IPX5 waterproof, which means you can use them in rain or workouts. However they shouldn't be submerged in water. They come with a case that can hold two and a quarter charges. This is ideal for travel.