Sony Headphones Review - The Best Noise Cancelling Headphones

The fifth generation model of Sony's noise cancelling headphones look a little different to the previous version but they're just as great. They're comfortable, lightweight and come with a variety of features including Speak-to -Chat mode, Quick Attention mode, wear detection and AI-powered DSEE Extreme audio upscaling.

The ANC is powerful, cutting train noise to the background rumble. The pass-through option lets you to hear sounds from outside in the event of a need.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony headphones are among the best when it comes noise cancellation. The fifth generation of WH1000XM5s is the same. They offer one of the most impressive noise cancelling experiences we've ever had. When you put on your headphones and turn on noise cancellation, it's like walking into a cone of silence. Engine sounds as well as HVAC systems, creaking metal and even neighboring conversations all become muted.

The XM5s also excel on the audio aspect. Their expansive soundstage allows all elements of a song to breathe and shine. For instance, on Billie's Bad Guy, the drums are pounding with a satisfying weight and drive as high-pitched vocals blend into the mix.

The XM5s are also notable because of their smart interaction with your smartphone. They can detect the moment they are removed from the head and stop the music. They also can detect that you are driving on a noisy highway and automatically lower the noise cancellation level.

The WH-1000XM5s are also very eco-friendly. They are made of recycled plastic and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and a headband made of premium fabric. They also come with a collapsible carrying case that folds to form a small bag, as well as an 3.5mm-to-3.5mm aux cable for listening in passive mode. The earcups are removable to make it easy to clean. Additionally, the XM5s run on a rechargeable battery that provides up to 20 hours of playtime on full charge. They're also equipped with an adaptive speed charging system that charges twice the speed of standard USB headphones.

2. Bose QuietComfort 35

The Bose QuietComfort 35 II/QC35 II Wireless with their comfortable fit with a balanced sound profile and ANC technology that blocks a great deal of background noise they are more versatile than Audio-Technica ATH-DSR9BT Wireless Headphones. The Bose QuietComfort Wireless Headphones - Bluetooth - Black - Ecommerce headphones come with a battery that lasts for 20 hours, they are more convenient to charge and can still be used with a smartphone even if the battery is dead. This makes them a better option for those who are looking for headphones that can be used as commuter headphones or as travel headphones.

These premium Bose headphones have a dedicated button that activates Google Assistant, which will play music and answer trivia questions and also read notifications from your smartphone. These headphones have excellent noise cancellation capabilities. They're old-fashioned in comparison to the standards of 2020 however, you can enjoy excellent bargains.

Like other Bose ANC headphones, the QC35s do a solid job of cancelling out ambient noise cancelling head phones, and their noise reduction technology has advanced over the years. They're not the top ANC headphone on the market particularly when compared to more recent competitors. Audiophiles may want to consider other options for better audio quality.

The QC35s also have the ability to connect to two devices simultaneously and "audio share" with a person. This is a great feature for those who want to listen to music while conversing with someone else. They're also a favorite choice for frequent flyers, and they have that classic Bose appearance that a lot of people appreciate. If you're looking to dress up the QC35s with a little personalization, cover-ups for decals such as SlickWraps and Skin Sticker are available for a reasonable price.

3. Sony WH-1000XM4

The WH-1000XM4s made by Sony aren't much different in terms of design or comfort however, their noise cancellation technology is a completely new beast. The company has swapped the old system-on-chip (SoC) for a brand new one, which it claims allows it to more accurately detect and respond to ambient sound in real-time, and reduce high- and mid-frequency sounds with its Dual Noise Sensor technology.

Two feedforward microphones in each earcup capture ambient sound. This is then processed by the QN1 noise cancellation processor to reduce it rapidly without affecting the quality of your audio. The result is a level of noise reduction that is comparable to the best headphones at this price point.

There's even a sensitivity knob that allows you to adjust the noise cancellation according to your requirements. If you're in a public space for instance you may want to allow a bit of ambient noise to be blocked out in the background, while at home you'll prefer a more closed-off listening experience. This feature uses geo-location to automatically apply the appropriate setting based on the location you're at.

The WH1000XM4s can be used for making hands-free phone calls. They also have a 30 hour battery life and rapid charging capabilities. They also feature a strong Bluetooth 5.0 connection that supports for multipoint and NFC. In my tests, a quick remaster of Paul McCartney's Flaming Pie sounded clear and vibrant as well as rough mixes and recordings made at home sounded crisp and full.

To get the most value out of these headphones, it is necessary to download the companion Sony Headphones Connect app. You can alter the EQ and enjoy features that make it easy such as Bluetooth multipoint. It also unlocks amazing new features, such as Sony's 360 Reality Audio immersive sound mastering process.

4. Sony WH-CH720N

The Sony WH-CH720N headphones are a great option if you're looking to buy a pair that offers excellent active noise cancellation for affordable prices. The 710N Wireless is an improvement over its predecessor and offers better ANC performance, and superior audio quality. The 710N Wireless also features an elongated design and battery life of up to 35 hours.

If you're looking for top-of-the-line features such as LDAC Bluetooth support and Smart Listening with voice assistant integration These headphones aren't the best choice for you. They don't come with a carrying case, auto-pause feature or foldable earcups and are therefore difficult to carry around.

The WH-CH720N's build quality is decent, but not as impressive as the 1000XM5. The earcups and noise cancelling head phones headband are made of plastic which is light and comfortable to wear for long periods but will not stand up to rigorous use or some tumbling on hard surfaces. The design is a bit bulky, and the earcups creak when you move. The controls are easy to use, though they feature tactile buttons that provide good clicky feedback. The ANC can be turned off and on with a single press of the power switch. Pressing and holding the button triggers Sony's Adaptive audio Control. This feature allows you select a preset profile that is based on the location you are in or how you use the headphones.

The WH-CH720N wireless noise cancellation headphones are among the most affordable on the market. For the price you get top ANC with a great sound, lightweight comfort and up to 35 hours of battery life. If you're a frequent commuter, these headphones are worth checking out.

5. Earfun Air Pro

The Air Pro is no different. Earfun headsets and earbuds are known for their great value. They're effective for calls and noise Cancelling head phones exciting for music, while their ANC blocks a significant amount of noise without making you feel like your ears are drowned. They also come with a lot of features that are available in headphones that cost up to twice as much.

The earbuds have an overemphasized bass range that adds rumble and a punch to the majority of tracks and keeps the lead vocals and instruments clear and present. This makes them ideal for a variety of content, though they may sound a little boomy for some. They have a consistent frequency response, so they sound the same regardless of what you are listening to.

We cued up Missy Elliott's Get Ur Freak On, and the earbuds did a great job of highlighting the song's bass-heavy introduction with fervor and enthusiasm. Stormzy's Vossi Bop had a similar dynamic sound, with the treble highlighting the vocals and percussion.

Voice quality is top-notch even in noisy surroundings. The earbuds come with the most recent Qualcomm chip which ensures background noises, clicks and other distractions are kept at low levels. This is true even when talking on the London Underground during rush hour.

The Bluetooth connectivity of the earbuds is also excellent, with very few issues in our testing. They connect and pair quickly with a minimal amount of latency for iOS and Android devices. They are IPX5 waterproof, so you can use them in rain or for workouts. However they shouldn't be submerged in water. They come with a case that can accommodate two and a quarter charges. This is ideal for travel.