Best Over-Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones

Noise cancelling headphones are a great method to keep your focus, whether you're on a noisy train or in an office full of chatty co-workers. We analyzed the quality of sound, comfort and the ability to block out continuous high-frequency sounds like restaurant chatter, and short-duration incidental sounds like ringing phone or clacking keyboards.

Sony WH-1000XM4 Silver Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones WH-1000XM5

Sony's WH1000XM5 headphones are a great choice for high-end ANC. The WH-1000XM5 was first released in 2016 and is an excellent option for those who want to listen to their preferred music or podcasts without distractions. This latest model of the series is its first major overhaul and features a number of exciting new features. In addition to sleek design and environmental efforts (including no plastic packaging) the headphones offer excellent noise cancellation, clear audio, and a natural-sounding ambient audio.

The WH-1000XM5 is unmatched in its noise cancellation capabilities when it is enabled. Attaching a pair of headphones to your head creates a veritable cone of silence that can block out engine noises on trains and subways as well as the whirr of HVAC systems, and even neighbouring conversations. These headphones are also some of the best ANCs for blocking out low-frequency drones, bass hums and other noises.

Another excellent feature is Ambient Sound Control, which adjusts the headphones' audio balancing according to the surrounding environment. If you're in your home listening to your favourite music the WH1000XM5 can switch to an experience that is more immersive. If you're walking down an avenue that is busy, they will switch to an energised profile to help you be more aware of your surroundings.

The earcups of the WH-1000XM5 have touch-sensitive controls on the right side that can be used to play, pause, and change tracks. You can also use a voice assistant to search for content, adjust volume and make calls hands-free. The headphones feature a clear stereo image and a consistent frequency response. They also feature an incredibly precise group delay. extremely precise, which helps maintain a consistent soundstage.

Another great feature is the possibility of connecting the WH-1000XM5s to two devices simultaneously. This is particularly useful for those who want to listen to music on your laptop and make phone calls using your smartphone. They have a built-in mic and USB-C ports for charging. The headphones come with a cable that allows for direct analog playback. Battery life is about 30 hours. It can last for a week or even a long trip.

Bose QuietComfort 45

The Bose QuietComfort 45, the most popular model from the premium headphones manufacturer, is the most recent update. It was launched in September 2021 and undercuts the new Sony WH-1000XM4 as well as its 700 sibling by about PS320, $329, or $439 AUD. It has the most active noise cancellation and features such as voice assistant support as well as automatic pausing and pause when you remove the headphones. The design is also a lot more comfortable than previous models. There are a few things to keep in mind, however. The buttons on the back of the ear cups are now sensitive to pressure and require pressure to activate, which means it could be difficult for some to get used to. You can adjust ANC and switch on an "aware" setting that allows ambient sound to be heard. However, you cannot disable the audio.

However, the headphones provide excellent performance and are a solid purchase for anyone seeking an expensive pair of headphones to wear on a train, plane or even while working from home. They feature a long-lasting battery, excellent noise cancellation, and clear sound. They also have multipoint Bluetooth which allows them to pair to two devices at once and switch between them by pressing the button. They also have a dedicated app, which isn't as customizable as some competitors but provides plenty of useful features.

The QC45s also come with an active noise cancelling feature that is very efficient. In my testing it was slightly loud at times. However the passive EQ modes are better balanced and offer more control over ear headphones noise cancelling wireless the music's sound characteristic. If you are listening to music with lots of cymbal sparkle it is possible that you will find the headphones slightly grating. However, this is easily fixed by reducing the frequency range of 3-20kHz within the EQ of your music player.

While some may be disappointed by the omission of certain features, like adjustable ANC/transparency or EQ, and a slight dip in call quality, overall the QC45s are an excellent choice for those looking for top-quality ANC at an affordable price. They are also comfortable to wear for long periods of time and come with fast-charging via a USB-C port.

Shure Aonic 50

Shure's Aonic 50 are a premium pair of headphones that place an emphasis on sound quality. Their drivers utilize a massive 50mm dynamic driver, and are equipped with high-resolution codecs that give the best quality music playback via Bluetooth. The headphones have an even sound and rich clarity across the frequency range. They also have a natural sense of space and positioning to them and allow you to feel the reverberation of each note and the movement of the music around you.

They're a little heavier than the competition at 334g but they still are comfortable enough for long listening sessions. The headband sits on the top of your head without applying too much pressure and noise Reducing headphones the earcups are well-padded, making them very comfortable. They're also pretty portable - they fold flat and can be put away in their carry case which is an excellent feature.

On the right earcup are the usual controls, including playback, volume, and power/pairing. A slider at the top allows you to switch between noise-cancelling, a neutral mode, and what Shure calls "Environment Mode". The Environment Mode permits more outside sound to leak through. This can be beneficial if you need to stay conscious of your surroundings. The controls are great however there is a slight delay between pressing the buttons and what happens (i.e. If you press the play button when you're on a phone call, you may end up playing music in your ears, instead of picking up mom. The phones do not have microphones, but they have an audio response provided by Google Assistant. Their mics are also great for filtering out background noise when you're on the phone.

The battery is expected to last for up to 20 hours for most people. The USB cable is included to charge your phone. It's not as convenient as Bluetooth, but you still can listen to your music while you recharge. They're also compatible with a lot of audio devices that have a 2.5mm port, so you can use them when you're on the move.

Monoprice BT-600ANC

The Monoprice BT600ANC Bluetooth over ear Noise reducing Headphones cancelling headphones come with all the features you require in a pair of wireless headphones at just a fraction of the cost. The headphones come with high-quality Qualcomm HD Audio and Active Noise Cancelling. They are also portable foldable, lightweight, and easy to put in a backpack or bag. The headphones are a great choice for commuters or students and have a long battery life that allows you to listen for the entire day. They also have convenient touch controls that let you swipe or tap to alter the volume, skip tracks, and answer calls.

The BT-600ANC headphones have an elegant design that reminds us of the Monoprice M1000ANC headphones we have reviewed last year. They are matte gray and not branded, and aren't noticeable in public, however they feature an incredibly soft and comfortable fit that appeals to most ears. Their compact size and included carrying case make them ideal for travel.

The ear cups are encased in leatherette and provide excellent isolation via passive. The headband is also comfortable and offers plenty of adjustability without being too bulky or slouchy. The headbands are wide enough to accommodate glasses wearers. They will fit most people.

Monoprice's ANC is reliable and doesn't sound tinny like some other brands. They have a slight increase between 100-200Hz, which gives a fuller sound to bass notes. The opening of Good 4 U, by Olivia Rodrigo, shows a full response. They have a steep drop off in the upper frequencies above ten kHz, therefore shakers and cymbals won't sound as crisp and clear.

You can switch between three ANC modes including medium, low and higher. The low mode is good for suppressing most ambient noise, but will not block out traffic or loud conversations. The medium setting will work in all situations. The high setting will keep you insulated from everything but your music. The earcups feature sensitive controls that require some time to get used to. Swiping upwards and downwards on the pad controls the volume, while tapping the pad or swiping it left or right alters the tracks. Double-taping can be used to pause the music or answer the phone. It takes some time to become familiar with this system but once you are, you will find it very useful.