The Best Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones

If you're fighting the sound of jet engines, or just want to block out the noise of your HVAC at home, you'll need the most effective noise-cancelling over ear headphones Noise Cancelling bluetooth-ear headphones. The new Sony WH1000XM5s are the kings of active sound cancellation. Their predecessors were also fantastic.

We've considered the adjustable ANC control buttons, touch controls, and on-ear detection (for pausing music when you take off your headphones). Our top picks include high-quality audio as well as comfortable, spacious earphones.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

The fifth generation of Sony's flagship headphones is a major improvement over the previous model, featuring better noise cancellation and enhanced audio quality. Its remarkable ANC performance creates an illusion of silence over your head and blocks out a shocking amount of low-frequency sounds. The ear cups block out sounds that fall in the mid-to-treble spectrum like chatter from passengers and creaking metal.

In contrast to other noise cancelling headphones that sound hollow or unnatural, the WH1000XM5s sound very natural. They can reproduce the rise and fall of the drums of Billie Eilish with astonishing depth and clarity, while keeping edges clear and crystal clear. It's an absolute pleasure listening to them during long flights or during commutes.

The most common controls are operated by a capacitive touch surface on the right ear cup such as play/pause, volume up/down, aswell as skip forwards and backwards. It can also end and answer calls and switch between ANC mode and ambient sound. Alternatively, you can hold and press the power button for over ear headphones noise cancelling bluetooth a few minutes to hear a voice warning of the battery's remaining life.

Another significant improvement to the XM5s is the new QN1 microphone that is designed to capture high-quality audio while recording videos and podcasts. The microphone is more sensitive than previous models and has a larger audio range that makes it easier to pick up your voice.

Other features from the XM4s are been incorporated into the XM5 including its adaptive ANC system that automatically optimizes performance based on the environment. The "Wearing Detection" feature detects when the headset is removed, and will pause music or video. It will restart it when they return to. It also works with Sony's DSEE Extreme engine, which claims to boost compressed music to near-hi-res quality.

2. Sony WH-1000XM4

The WH1000XM4s of Sony are the latest version of their top-of-the-line over-ear headphones. They offer class-leading performance although they don't feature the same active noise cancellation features as the WH1000XM5s. In addition to stronger Bluetooth and an improved noise-canceling algorithm, the WH1000XM4s boast a new audio chip that boosts music files to HD quality and offers more advanced voice controls.

The biggest improvement in this new generation is that Sony has made the WH-1000XM4s more comfortable than before by putting padding on the headband and shifting the microphones closer to the outside of the ear. This makes them more comfortable to listen to for long periods.

You can also select between five different sound settings based on the environment. You can also customize your EQ settings by using the Sony headphones app. The app lets you keep track of your activities and then automatically adjust the settings. They are a great choice for travelers.

The WH-1000XM4 has also enhanced its noise cancellation. It's more effective due to the greater sensitivity and improved filtering of low frequencies. You can examine this by looking at a graph like the one above, with the higher peaks mean that more sounds are being blocked out. The WH-1000XM4s are also better at reducing low-frequency sounds like the hum of an air conditioner or the constant rumble of a plane engine than any other pair of noise-canceling headsets we've tested.

The WH1000XM4s come with a variety of excellent features, including a 30-hour battery life and a USB-C charging port. They also come with Quick Alert, a feature that allows you to tap the right earcup and then dampen music to activate transparency mode. Speak to Chat, for instance, pauses media when you speak (and it works well but sometimes it does not recognize taps), as well as Sony's Smart Listening Technology, which can detect your environment and provide better sound.

3. Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II

The Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II headphones (or QC35 Wireless 2018, as they're also known) were released in September 2017. Although they've been replaced by the 2021-released Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700, they remain popular and over ear headphones noise cancelling bluetooth affordable, and are worth a look for a noise cancelling headphone.

The QC35 II is a great pair of wireless headphones for mixed-use. They offer a comfortable fit as well as a neutral sound profile that is default. They also provide exceptional noise isolation. They are ideal for travel or in noisy environments and last more than a full day on a single battery charge. They are also compatible with most smart assistants and can be turned on by the use of a specific button. You can ask the assistant to play music, answer trivia or even read your notifications from your smartphone.

The padding around the ears is large and can fit most types of ear. They are also lightweight. The hinges of the housings can be folded down to make them easier to store in a bag or a backpack. The controls are placed on the right-hand side and are simple to use. Playback can be controlled with tapping repeatedly that allow you to rewind or skip songs.

We heard The Beatles' Let It Be as well as the drum and piano beats. The QC35 II deliver crisp, clear audio that is full-bodied and detailed. They dig up subtleties in the vocals, like Paul McCartney's erratic timing when building up to the chorus, or Gerard Way's snarl as he sighs about the lack of individuality among Teenagers.

The QC35 II is compatible with the majority of smart assistants. It can connect to up to 2 devices simultaneously. The QC35 II comes with a carry bag and USB charging cable.

4. Sony WH-CH720N

Sony has a reputation for producing high-quality headphones that cost relatively little. The budget-friendly WHCH720N headphones from Sony aren't any different. These headphones carry over a lot of features that make the flagship WH-1000XM5 headphones great, but with a more budget-friendly design. These headphones offer a lot of active noise cancellation, but at the price of a small.

These headphones feature high-performance drivers of 30mm that provide crisp high frequencies and plenty of bass. They also feature a balanced tuning to make them sound great with a variety of music genres, and they have a wide soundstage that helps you get a sense of being immersed in the music.

The WH-CH720N headphones use buttons for controls instead of the gestures and touch controls of the XM5 headphones. This is a more of a problem since the buttons are at first difficult to understand. Luckily, the headphones have clear labels and the controls are placed intelligently. Double pressing of the+' button will pause and play audio. A single press reduces the volume. Pressing and holding the button will launch voice assistants, and also rejects calls.

With ANC turned on the headphones will last for around 35 hours before running out of juice. This is one of the most efficient battery performance we've seen on headphones with over-ears. They come with a standby feature to help conserve battery.

The WH-CH720N can be connected to Android phones and iOS devices via Bluetooth. They are compatible with LDAC which lets them play high-quality audio on compatible devices. The headphones also work with PlayStation consoles using an analog 1/8"TRS cable. They can also be connected to a computer with the included USB dongle. The Sony Headphones Connect App lets you customize your headphones by using an EQ slider, presets and multipoint connectivity.

5. B&W PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 follow on from an extremely successful predecessor, but are by no means a half-baked update that rides on its own. Featuring a sleeker look and a brand new app and a new app, they fulfill the promise of top-quality build and sound that is that accurately conveys artistic intent. They are also extremely comfortable to wear all day.

While they're not as effective as the noise cancellation of the Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II or the Sony WH-1000XM5 but they do a excellent job of blocking out ambient noises and ensuring that you're able to focus on your music, podcasts or handheld gaming without distractions. They use a six-strong microphone setup (four for noise cancellation and two for voice pick up) and a new algorithm that reduces ambient sound by 30dB. They're also among the few Bluetooth headphones we've reviewed that can be used in a passive mode, allowing users to listen to content by themselves, with no power being applied to the drive units.

The B&W Music app is also compatible with the free download that offers a range of features that compliment the great noise cancelling headphones with mic cancellation. It includes a Quick Action button that cycles through the three environmental modes, displays battery life and can be configured to launch your device's voice assistant. The annoying thing is that you have to press and hold the button to activate it - one press is more convenient and intuitive.

The PX7 S2 are a very impressive pair of headphones which should delight most music lovers. The PX7 S2 are not as well suited to demanding music genres such as metal and rock, which favor bass-heavy productions and muddy low-frequency as they are to folk, classical, and Acoustic. However, they will still be awe-inspiring to those who appreciate audiophile credentials, and are practical and convenient.