Sony Headphones Review - The Best Noise Cancelling Headphones

The fifth-generation model of Sony's noise-cancelling headphones look a little different than the previous version but they sound as excellent. The headphones are lightweight, comfortable, and have a variety of features such as Quick Attention mode and Speak-to-Chat. They also feature wear detection, and AI-powered DSEE Extreme upscaling audio.

The ANC is powerful, reducing train noise into an ambient rumble. A "pass through" option lets you hear outside sounds, if you need.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony headphones are among the top when it comes noise cancellation. The fifth generation of WH1000XM5s is not an exception. They provide one of the best noise cancelling experiences we've experienced. When you put on your headphones and enable noise cancellation, you're entering a world of silence. Engine sounds and HVAC systems, squeaking metal, and even conversations with neighbors all become muted.

The XM5s also impress on the audio aspect. Their large soundstage lets the entire song to breathe and shine. On Billie Eilish’s Bad Guy for example, the drums are pounding with a satisfying amount of power and weight while the soaring vocals blend throughout the mix.

The XM5s are also notable because of their smart interaction with your smart device. They can detect when they are removed from the head and then pause the music. They also can detect that you are on a noisy highway and automatically reduce the noise cancellation level.

The WH-1000XM5s also are environmentally friendly. The WH-1000XM5s are made from recycled plastics and acrylonitrile, butadiene, styrene. Their headband is made of high-quality fabric. They come with a collapsible case that folds into itself, creating the compact pouch. Also included is an 3.5mm to 3.5mm aux cable, so you can listen in a passive mode. The earcups are removable for easy cleaning. In addition, the XM5s run on a rechargeable battery that provides up to 20 hours of playtime when on a full charge, and they're equipped with an adaptive speed charging system that charges twice the speed of conventional USB headphones.

2. Bose QuietComfort 35

The Bose QuietComfort 35/QC35 II Wireless 2018 are more flexible than the Audio-Technica ATHDR9BT Wireless headphones thanks to their extremely comfortable fit, well-balanced sound profile and Headphones Shop ANC feature that blocks out a large amount of background noise. The Bose headphones come with a battery that lasts for 20 hours, they are more convenient to charge and can still be used with a mobile even if the battery is dead. This makes them a better option for those looking for headphones that can be used as commuter headphones or as travel headphones.

These premium Bose headphones feature a dedicated Google Assistant button, which will allow the assistant to play music, answer trivia and read notifications from your smartphone. They have great noise cancelling capabilities. They are a bit old-fashioned in comparison to the standards of 2020, but you can still find excellent deals.

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 time. They're not the best ANC headphone on the market in particular when compared with more recent competitors. Audiophiles will want to consider other options for better sound.

Similar to the Sonys the QC35s also connect to two devices at once and "audio share" one of them with a person who is a friend. This is useful when you're looking to listen music with one ear while talking to another. These headphones are popular with frequent flyers, and have the classic Bose design that a lot of people love. If you're looking for a way to spice up your QC35s by adding a touch of personalization, cover-ups for decals such as SlickWraps and Skin Sticker are available at affordable prices.

3. Sony WH-1000XM4

Sony's WH1000XM4s offer nothing in the way of aesthetic or comfort changes in comparison to the M3s, but its noise cancellation head phones cancelling is an entirely new beast. The company has replaced its old system-on chip (SoC) with a new one that, according to the company, will allow it to listen and react more accurately to ambient sound in real-time, reducing high and mid-frequency noises thanks to its Dual Noise sensor technology.

Two feedforward microphones inside each earcup absorb ambient sounds, which are then processed by the QN1 noise-cancelling processor to reduce it as quickly as possible, without affecting the quality of your music. The result is an audio quality that rivals the best headphones in this price range.

There's also a sensitivity knob that allows you to adjust the noise cancellation to your preferences. You may, for instance wish to hear ambient sounds in public while at home, you might prefer a more closed off listening experience. This feature uses geo-location to determine the appropriate setting based on the location you're at.

The WH1000XM4s have the capability of making hands-free phone calls. They also have 30 hours of battery life and quick charging capabilities. They also feature a strong Bluetooth 5.0 connection, with support for multipoint as well as NFC. In my testing I discovered that an instant Remastering of Paul McCartney's Flaming pie was dynamic and clear with rough mixes, and recordings from the home also sound clear.

To get the most out of these headphones, you'll need to download the companion Sony Headphones Shop Connect app. This lets you customize the EQ settings and also provides convenience features like Bluetooth multipoint, while allowing you to access some of the cooler new features, such as access to Sony's 360 Reality Audio immersive surround-sound mastering technique that breathes life into the older music.

4. Sony WH-CH720N

The Sony WH-CH720N headphones make a great option if you're seeking headphones that provide excellent active noise cancellation at an affordable price. The 710N Wireless is a step up over its predecessor with improved ANC performance and better sound quality. They also feature an elongated design and up to 35 hours of battery life.

If you're looking for premium features like LDAC Bluetooth support and Smart Listening with voice assistant integration These headphones aren't the best choice suitable for you. They don't come with a carry case, auto-pause feature or earcups that fold and are therefore difficult to take on a trip with.

The WH-CH720N's build quality is decent but not as impressive as the 1000XM5. The earcups and the 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 quite bulky and the earcups are likely to creak when you move your head. The controls are simple to use, however they have tactile buttons that provide excellent feedback via clicks. The ANC can be switched off and on by a single push of the power switch. Pressing and holding the button activates Sony's Adaptive audio Control. This feature lets you select a preset profile that is based on your location or how you use the headphones.

The WH-CH720N is one the best-value pairs of wireless noise cancelling headphones available on the market. For the money you'll get excellent ANC and excellent sound quality, lightweight comfort and up to 35 hours of battery life. These headphones are worth a look for if you frequently commute.

5. Earfun Air Pro

The Air Pro is no different. Earfun headsets and earbuds are well-known for their excellent value. They're great for calls and enthralling for music, while their Anker Soundcore Q45 ANC Headphones: Unbeatable 98% Noise Reduction block a lot of sound without making you feel like your ears are being suffocated. They also have numerous features you can find on other headphones that cost twice or more.

The earbuds have an overemphasized bass range which adds rumble and punch to most tracks while keeping the instruments and lead vocals clear and alive. This makes them ideal for a variety of content, though they might sound a bit too loud for certain. Their frequency response is also extremely consistent, which means they sound the same regardless of what you're listening to.

We played Missy Elliott's Get Ur Freak On and the earbuds were enthralled by the song's bassy intro with zeal and Headphones Shop energy. Stormzy's Vossi Bop was a similarly agile listen with the treble shining through the various layered vocals and the percussion.

The quality of voice is superb even in noisy environments. The earbuds feature the latest Qualcomm chip which ensures background noises, clicks and other distractions are kept to bay. This is especially true when talking on the London Underground during rush hour.

The Bluetooth connectivity of the earbuds is also excellent, with a small number of issues during our tests. They connect and pair quickly and with minimal latency on iOS and Android devices. They are IPX5 waterproof, which means they are suitable for rain or workouts. However, they should not be submerged in water. They also come with a carry-on case that can hold two and a half charges which is ideal for travelling.