How Over-Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones Can Make Your Music Sound Amazing

If you're on the move or at home, noise cancelling headphones can make your music sound incredible. There are a variety of options available including Apple's AirPods Max to long-time heavyweights like Bose.

The factors to consider when buying over ear noise cancelling headphones include: comfort, sound quality, active noise cancellation and battery life. We also recommend checking if they come with high-quality audio codecs like aptX and AAC.

Comfort

If you plan on listening for long periods of time the comfort of your ears is a key consideration. You need headphones that fit comfortably and are lightweight. Look for designs that offer soft padding and adjustable headbands so you can adjust the headband to suit your needs. The ear cups should also be sealed well enough to prevent the leakage of sound and unwanted ambient noise.

Over-ear headphones are typically more comfortable than noise cancelling headphones that are in-ear. There are instances where headphones can be more practical for fitness or audio applications that are on the on the go. Wireless earbuds are the ideal choice for these situations because they provide a perfect balance of comfort and performance.

It is also important to be aware of the audio codecs the headphones use. Apt-X, LDAC and other high-performance Bluetooth headset codescs can provide CD-like sound quality. They're compatible with most Android phones and some Apple devices, but not the iPhone. Apple's AAC codec which is exclusive to Apple and isn't as good. It's best to stay clear of it.

Apart from the excellent sound quality active noise cancellation is an important benefit of premium headphones. These headphones use microphones and speakers to sense external noise and generate opposing sounds to block it out creating a more quiet listening experience. Some of the top headphones on the market feature this technology, including our top picks.

The Sony WH-1000XM5s is our top choice for noise cancelling headphones that are wireless with a stunning audio performance, exceptional comfort and a range of other features that make the headphones ideal for frequent travelers. They're able to block out distracting environmental noise including the squeak of your seat's air conditioning to the rumble from subways and trains during your commute. They come with unique features like Quick Attention mode which pauses ambient audio and music when you're talking or trying to understand what's happening around you.

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 are the most expensive headphones we've reviewed however, they're also some of the most strikingly designed. They have genuine leather earpads and push-button controls for easy operation. They're not the most comfortable for everyday wear, but they're very lightweight and pack serious audio clout. They have amazing bass, high-quality midrange, and crystal clear highs. In our testing, they performed well in all environments, though train noise was audible at higher volumes and the cymbals became somewhat harsh at higher volume.

Sound Quality

Noise cancelling headphones aren't only about suffocating the surrounding world. They also have to be able to reproduce music with high quality. The quality of sound produced by any headphone is dependent on the design and the software that runs the headphones. Due to their bigger drivers, headphones with over-ears offer a superior audio experience than on-ear models. This allows for more air movement and a richer, more immersive sound.

On-ear headphones can deliver good audio if they are designed well and come with the appropriate software and drivers for sound. They're not going to provide the same fullness as headphones with over-ears.

If you're looking to get most value from your headphones, consider buying headphones that are compatible with high-quality audio codecs like AAC or aptX. These codecs guarantee that the audio doesn't get compressed and can be transmitted via Bluetooth at higher rates than older versions.

The Bose QC45 headphones are a excellent choice for the majority of users. They offer excellent sound quality, and an ergonomic design. Their ANC is pretty effective in blocking background noise but still allows for some ambient sounds to pass through like the wind or the voices of people nearby. They also have an option to alter the amount of the outside world you can hear, which is useful to tune back in without taking off your headphones or turning off your music.

Another alternative is the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones, which offer excellent noise cancellation and excellent audio reproduction. They're actually the best headphones we've tested. They have plenty of advantages: they can produce impressively clear vocals, block out external noise, and come with features such as Quick Attention mode, voice assistant integration and DSEE Extreme upscaling.

They're not the most compact option, due to their bulky ear cups and bulky dimensions making them unsuitable for travel or storage in a bag. They also require a power cord which could cause issues in certain situations. Despite these shortcomings, the WH1000XM5 headphones are an excellent pair wireless headphones that cancel out noise. They will allow you to focus in noisy offices, and also take a quiet rest on the plane.

Noise Cancellation

When you're listening music or podcasts on a flight, over ear noise cancelling Headphones train commute, or even at home, noise cancelling headphones allow you to concentrate on your music without distraction. While there are a variety of headphones that can cut out background noise, the best headphones feature active noise cancellation capabilities which make them stand out from the rest.

Active noise cancellation is a method of sampling ambient sound using tiny built-in mics and creating sound waves that are opposite to the original sound, thereby cancelling it out. It's not perfect, but it should be close to making your music the only sound you hear. Ideally, you'll also be able to turn down' the noise cancelling when you wish to hear your surroundings.

Passive isolation is an essential component of a quality headphone, and this means that you require an earphone that is well-fitted that forms a tight seal around your ears. This typically means earbuds which are comfortable to wear or over-ear headphones that completely seal your ears. Earbuds that don't fully seal your ears will let in a large amount of ambient noise. Likewise, over-ear headphones that don't fit properly can become uncomfortable very quickly.

The best headphones are usually comfortable to wear and feature good passive insulation. The most comfortable headphones come with a button that lets you to return to the sounds around you. This can be very helpful on noisy transport where the train's rumble or your coworkers voices is crucial to ensure security.

The top headphones will feature features that draw in audiophiles. This could include extra features like touch controls or high-quality audio codec support or it could be a sign of top-quality finishes and a sleeker design which makes them more appealing to wear.

You can find excellent headphones for less by shopping around. The Monoprice BT600ANC over-ear headphones are a great example of this, and offer an excellent ANC experience for a fraction of the cost of Bose and Sony's flagship models. The Monoprice BT-600ANC headphones are a great example of this, giving an excellent ANC experience at half the price of Bose and Sony's flagship models.

Battery Life

The active noise control circuitry in most headphones requires power. Typically this is powered by a battery which will need to be recharged or replaced regularly. This can add to the overall weight, size and cost of the headphone. It may also cause headphones to emit high-frequency hiss as well as other audio anomalies that might not be heard by other listeners, but could be distracting for certain.

Noise-cancelling headphones are ideal for upgrading your listening experience on an airplane, commute or at work. You can also use them to shield your ears from noise pollution at home, like the whirr of your HVAC or your neighbor's mower. You can also put on a pair of headphones to help you sleep or meditate.

Over-ear noise cancelling headphones are available in many styles from Bose, Sony, Sennheiser and many more. Target has a variety of brands that offer features such as hands-free, bluetooth over ear headphones noise cancelling and around-ear. You can also choose from a range of price points, comfort levels and color choices.

The most recent models in this category have improved the quality of audio, noise cancellation and battery life compared to their predecessors. Bose QC 700 headphones are 30% smaller, lighter, and more ergonomic and yet offer the same ANC performance. Other improvements include a more refined sound signature, a faster attention mode, a smart voice activation with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant and DSEE Extreme scaling.

Another set of highly rated headphones that cancel out noise is the Sony WH-1000XM5s with a long battery life and excellent sound quality that earned them the top position in our ratings. They have a premium feel and are comfortable for long wear periods and fold down into small cases that fit easily into bags of all sizes. They also come with a range of useful extras like ambient sound control, over ear noise cancelling Headphones Speak to Chat as well as Quick Attention mode and wear detection.

The WH950NB are a high-value pair of headphones from Edifier that compete well against more expensive models from major manufacturers. They are extremely comfortable, have long battery life (you can last for a week before needing a charge) and fold flat to make it easy to transport.