Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?

The noise-cancelling headphones can be an absolute blessing for anyone who loves to listen regardless of whether they're at work or in the train. Which ones are the most effective?

With a fresh design that is a step up in sound quality, and a wealth of features, Sony's new flagship headphones offer great value. From the powerful chorus to Sinead's unstable bridge, these headphones offer superb detail and realism.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony is the king of noise cancelling headphones wireless cancellation and its WH1000XM5 headphones are among the most advanced version of this model. A few well-thought-out upgrades over the XM4s make this model an all-round excellent pair of cans, especially for those who commute or travel. They are comfortable, feature multipoint tech to connect to two devices at once and feature the most powerful ANC Sony has ever created. They're also lightweight and offer around 27 hours of playback with no charging, which is plenty to last a week's worth commuting or one long-haul flight.

The WH-1000XM5s sport an elegant minimalist design and are made of a recycled and recyclable plastic, known as acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS). The branding is very minimal. There's the tiny Sony logo on every hinge of the earcup. The earcups and headband are cushioned with plush soft material that is comfortable on all but the largest heads. The earcups can be adjusted to be perfectly sized for you.

Unlike previous models that focused on reducing low-frequency noise the XM5s amplify high-frequency sound waves, which cancels out background noise. This improves the overall quality of sound and helps reduce cabin and engine noises on flights, for instance. The XM5s is equipped with another processing unit to increase noise cancellation on planes. The audio app can also adjust your listening environment according to the pressure of the air.

The WH-1000XM5s also has a voice assistant that is simple to use, and works with Alexa as well as Google Assistant, Siri, and many more. You can also pair the XM5s with other Sony audio products to enable stereo and multi-room music playback separation. They can support Bluetooth high-bitrate streaming audio through Sony's LDAC, but not aptX or HD.

2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

If a company has been making headphones for as long as Sennheiser is a top brand, you can expect superior sound quality and a comfy fit. They've delivered on both counts with their latest pair of over-ears named the Momentum 4 Wireless. They've redesigned their design to eliminate a few trademark elements that gave their earlier models the look of an aviator. They also improved active noise cancellation with their latest Adaptive Noisy Cancellation Technology. They are designed to last for 60 hours when 1MORE SonoFlow ANC Headphones: Hi-Res Audio - 70H Playtime on, which is double the battery life of many rivals.

They're also a lot more portable than the previous model because they fold up and are smaller overall. The ear pads and the headband are made of artificial PU leather, which feels comfortable on my head when I wear it for the entire day. There's not a lot of clamping force to keep them in place and they'll be comfortable on flights and even during more intense workouts.

The sound is clean and well-balanced There are a few high-pitched peaks in the mid- and high-mid that cause a slightly muddy sound in mixes. The bass is overemphasized, adding a bit of energy and thump to genres like EDM or hip-hop. It's not a major issue, but it may bother some listeners. The high-mid also isn't balanced that brings instruments and vocals forward in the mix, but at the expense of bringing out some vocals.

The Sennheiser momentum 4 wireless comes with all the usual features, including Bluetooth wireless connectivity, a transparent mode that blends outside sounds into your music for improved awareness, and mobile application support for custom and pre-set EQ options. You can also use a 3.5mm cord to connect your phone. They are able to connect to your device by using SBC, AAC HD, and aptX Adaptive codes, and they can reduce delay by as much as a quarter second.

3. B&W PX7 S2

Since their release in 2004, the original PX7s have appeared on countless lists of the best Bluetooth headphones, and have been ranked high in a lot of cases due to their impressive ANC and strong sound quality. But like most wireless headphones, the PX7s have been getting older and required a refresh and hence the PX7 S2. B&W didn't just change the design, but also made improvements to ANC, and added more voice-calling features.

The first thing you will notice when you open the box and get the PX7 S2 is just how light they are. This makes them very comfortable for long listening sessions. A lot of the design is reminiscent of the previous model, such as the cool oval aluminium earcup top-plate, the hook-like accent on the headband that glids rather than clicks as you expand it and the actual physical buttons. The earcups are smaller, though, and the headband is a bit less bulky overall.

The software from B&W lets you adjust the EQ settings of bass and treble. However you aren't as in control as you would with headphones that cost more. The Quick Action button on left earcup toggles the environmental modes. It can also be set to call the voice assistant of your device through the Bowers & Wilkins Music App.

The PX7 S2 is a great choice for most music styles. It has a large soundstage, and good separation of the various sound elements. It shines particularly on pieces that showcase acoustic instruments, such as Rachmaninoff's Cello Sonata in G Minor, Op. The 19 by Yuja Wang and Gautier Capucon has woody tones and a sense of air. It can take on heavier music too. The bass sound and midrange clarity on Entombed’s garage/deathn'roll crossover curiosity To Ride, Shoot Straight, and Speak the Truth The album is an imposing soundscape while keeping things clear to be able to hear vocal details such as Lars-Goran Petrov's gritty growl.

4. Bose QuietComfort 35

Bose is one of the first companies to bring active noise cancelling headphones into the mainstream. Though they had an unwavering position in the market for many years but they are now competing with newer headphones that offer more features and superior sound quality. But, the QuietComfort 35 is still a great option for anyone looking to listen to their music or podcasts without being disturbed by constant buzzing and rumbles.

They're also comfortable to wear and have a well-balanced default sound profile. The ANC does a great job of eliminating background noise, but it tends to emphasize low frequencies more than the latest headphones like the Sony WH-1000XM5.

If you're seeking a pair that can be used to listen to audiobooks or podcasts, the QC35s have an amazing passive noise cancellation feature which reduces ambient noises while keeping you adrift from the sounds of the surrounding environment. The QC35s permit you to connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and also "audio-share", so you can listen to a song with one set of headphones Shop while taking an incoming call on the other.

The Bose Connect app is decent but doesn't provide the full EQ options that other headphone apps. The QC35s can also be used in wired mode, however the quality of sound is diminished and battery life isn't as great as wireless models.

The QC35s are a Bose product, and it might not appeal to everyone. Other manufacturers offer sleeker designs. However you can add a bit of personalization by buying a decal cover-up from companies such as SlickWraps and Skin Sticker. You'll also be able to alter the color of the earcups and headband later this year, similar to what you can do with the previous QC25 model.

5. Sony WH-1000XM3

Sony's WH-1000XM3 are among the top wireless headphones with active noise cancellation that you can buy right now. They're more expensive than Anker Soundcore Q20 Wireless but they isolate more ambient noise. They also have a superior companion app that gives you many sound customization options.

The XM3's outstanding audio quality is among the main reasons why they're popular, and they've been upgraded since their introduction to provide the best performance. They provide a bit more clarity across the spectrum of frequencies, their noise cancelling works better at all volume levels and they've added improved controls for things like Quick Attention mode, voice control and Speak-to-Chat. They also have a new feature called Adaptive Sound Control that adjusts automatically how much external sound is let in based on where you're at and what you're doing.

There are some problems, however. The treble can sound sometimes a bit loud and the midrange is slightly more recessed. They also have a tendency to increase the bass too much in certain tracks, Headphones Shop which makes them sound too full and heavy. You can fix this by using the Sony app or in the headphone setting.

The XM3s are a fantastic pair of headphones, particularly for those who commute and frequent travel. They are more comfortable, appear and feel premium, and are more durable than the JBL Live 650 BTNC wireless. They also have a better battery, and one of the most effective features for noise cancellation available. They are also more versatile and more suited for use on the go than Audio-Technica's ATH M50X wireless, but their noise cancellation isn't as impressive. They're also not waterproof, which can be a major Headphones Shop issue for some people.