The Best Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones

You need the best headphones that block out noise, whether you want to block out the hum from your HVAC system or want to fight the sound of jet engine noises. The new Sony WH-1000XM5s are among the latest leaders in active noise cancellation and their predecessors were also fantastic.

We've considered the adjustability of ANC and touch controls as well as on-ear detection for paused music when headphones are removed. Our top picks feature high-quality audio, comfortable ear cups and large earcups.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

The fifth generation of Sony flagship headphones offers significant improvements over the previous generation, around ear noise cancelling headphones featuring improved noise cancellation and audio quality. Its remarkable ANC performance creates an illusion of silence over your head. It also blocks out a surprising amount of low-frequency noise. The earcups block out sounds that fall in the mid-to-treble spectrum, such as passenger chatter and creaking metal.

Unlike some noise cancelling headphones that can sound hollow or unnatural, the WH1000XM5s sound very natural. They are able to render the drums of Billie Eilish with astonishing clarity while keeping the edges clear and clean. They're an absolute pleasure to listen to on an airplane ride or on a commute.

A capacitive touch-surface on the right earcup handles the most frequently used controls, such as play/pause, volume up/down, skip forwards/backwards and skip. It can also answer and end calls and switch between ANC and ambient sound mode. Alternately, press and hold the power button for several seconds to hear a voice prompt of remaining battery life.

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

Other features from the XM4s have been incorporated into the XM5 and include an adaptive ANC system that automatically optimizes performance based on your environment. Its "Wearing Detection' feature now detects when you take off the headset and stops playing music or video and then restarts it when you put them back on. It's compatible with Sony's DSEE Extreme Engine, which increases the quality of compressed music to nearly high-res quality.

2. Sony WH-1000XM4

The WH-1000XM4s are a new version of Sony's top-of-the-line over-ear headphones, and even though they don't offer as much active noise cancellation as the WH-1000XM5s do, they provide top-of-the-line performance. In addition to having stronger Bluetooth and a more efficient noise-canceling algorithm, the WH1000XM4s boast a new audio chip that can boost music files to HD quality and offers more advanced voice controls.

The most significant improvement in this new generation is that Sony has made the WH-1000XM4s more comfortable than before by putting padding Around Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones the headband, and moving the microphones closer to the outside of the ears. This makes them more comfortable to listen to for longer periods of time.

They're also more flexible, allowing you to switch between five sound modes depending on the surroundings. Sony headphones come with an app that lets you to modify your EQ settings. The app allows you to 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 is now more effective due to the increased sensitivity and better filtering of low frequencies. This can be verified by looking at graphs similar to the one shown above. Higher peaks indicate that more sounds are canceled out. The WH-1000XM4s can also be more effective at reducing low-frequency sounds, such as the sound of an air conditioner or the constant rumble of a plane engine than any other pair of noise-canceling headphones that we've tried.

The WH1000XM4s are equipped with a range of amazing features, including a 30-hour battery life and a USB-C charging port. They also come with Quick Alert, which lets you touch the right earcup to dampen the music and turn on transparency mode; Speak To Chat stops media when you speak (and works well, though it can sometimes fail to detect taps) and Sony's Smart Listening technology, which can analyze and detect the surrounding environment to provide superior audio.

3. Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II

The Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II (or QC35 Wireless 2018) are earbuds that were released in September 2017. They were replaced with the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 701 that will be available in 2021. However they remain popular and affordable.

The QC35 II are a great pair of mixed usage wireless headphones that provide a comfortable fit, a neutral default sound profile and excellent noise isolation. They can be used in noisy areas or while traveling and they last for more than a full day on a single charge. They also work with a variety of smart assistants and can be turned on by a dedicated button. You can ask them to play music, answer trivia questions or even read notifications from your smartphone.

The padding around the ears is wide and will fit most types of ear. They are also light. The hinges on the housings fold down and make them easy to fit into bags or backpacks. The controls are located on the right-hand side and are easy to use. A series of taps can be used to control playback, such as skipping and rewinding songs.

To show the quality you can expect from these Bose headphones We played The Beatles' Let It Be and listened to drum beats noise cancelling over ear headphones and piano notes. The QC35 II deliver crisp, clear sound that is well-rounded and detailed. They are able to detect subtleties, like Paul McCartney's inconsistent timing as he builds up to the chorus, or Gerard Way's snarl when he laments teenage personalism in teenagers.

The QC35 II is compatible with the majority of smart assistants. It can connect to up to two devices at once. The QC35 II comes with a carry bag as well as a USB charging cable.

4. Sony WH-CH720N

Sony is known for making top-quality headphones at a affordable price. The WH-CH720N budget headphones are not an exception. They carry many of the features that make flagship WH-1000XM5 headphones great, but with a more budget-friendly design. These headphones provide a lot of active noise cancellation, but at a low cost.

Like the WH-1000XM5 headphones, these headphones have 30mm dynamic drivers which provide ample bass and crisp high frequencies. They also have an even tuning that makes them sound good with different genres of music, and they have a large soundstage that helps you get a sense of being immersed in the music.

The WH-CH720N headphones have buttons for controls instead of the gestures and touch controls of the XM5 headphones. This can be a bit of a downside because the buttons can be confusing at first. Fortunately, the headphones have clear labels and the controls are arranged intelligently. Double pressing of the+' button will pause and play audio. A single press decreases the volume. By pressing and holding the button the button, voice assistants will be launched and calls are rejected.

These headphones last up to 35 hours with ANC on. This is the most efficient battery life we've seen in headphones that are over-ear. They come with a standby feature to conserve battery.

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

5. B&W PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 is a follow-up to a wildly popular predecessor however, it's not a half baked update. They sport a sleeker style and Around ear noise cancelling Headphones a new application. They fulfill their promise of premium build-quality and sound that accurately communicates artistic intent. They're also extremely comfortable and a treat to wear throughout the day.

While they're not as effective as the noise cancellation of the bose over the ear headphones noise cancelling QuietComfort 35 Series II or the Sony WH-1000XM5 however, they do a good job of removing environmental sounds and ensuring you're able to focus on your music, podcasts, or gaming on your handheld without distractions. They have a six-microphone setup (four for the noise cancellation and two for voice pick-up) and a redesigned algorithm that cut down on ambient noise by 30dB. These are also one of only a handful of Bluetooth headphones we've tested that can be used as passive headphones, allowing users to listen to their music without powering up the drive units.

The B&W Music app is also compatible with a free download that provides a variety of features that compliment the great noise cancellation. The Quick Action button can be programmed to activate the voice assistant on your device and cycle through three environmental settings, and display the battery's life. It's a pain to press the button and hold it for a while. A single press is more intuitive and simpler.

The PX7 S2 are an impressive pair of headphones which should delight most music fans. They're not as well suited to the demanding music of genres like rock and metal that are known to favor heavy bass and muddy low frequencies, as they are for classical, folk and Acoustic music, but can still impress those who appreciate the audiophile ethos which is also practical and easy to use.