Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?

Noise-cancelling headphones are an ideal solution for anyone who loves to listen regardless of whether they're in the office or in the train. But which ones are the best?

Sony's flagship headphones are a great value. They offer a new design and a superior audio quality, as well as impressive features. They can capture every detail, from Sinead's shaking Bridge to the intense chorus.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony is an expert in noise cancellation, and its WH1000XM5 headphones are the best iteration of this line. This model is a fantastic pair of headphones, particularly for those who commute or travel. They are comfortable, feature multipoint technology that allows you to connect to two devices at once and offer the best ANC Sony has ever created. They're light and can run up to 27 hours without charging. This is enough time for a week of daily commutes or long-haul flights.

The WH1000XM5s are sleek and minimalist in appearance. They are made from ABS, which is a recyclable and recycled plastic. The branding is minimalist. There's tiny Sony logo on each hinge of the earcup. The headband and earcups feature soft, plush material that is comfortable for all types of heads with the exception of the largest. The earcups can be adjusted so that they fit you perfectly.

In contrast to previous models, which were focused on reducing low frequency noise, haim.kr the XM5s amplify the sound waves at higher frequencies to cancel out ambient noise. This improves overall quality of the sound, and helps to reduce engine and cabin noises on flights. The XM5s come with a second processor to dial up noise cancellation even further on airplanes and the audio application can also automatically adapt the listening environment to air pressure data.

The WH-1000XM5s also features an integrated voice assistant that is simple to use and works with Alexa as well as Google Assistant, Siri, and many more. The XM5s can be paired with other Sony audio devices to provide stereo separation and multi-room music. They're compatible with Bluetooth high-bitrate audio streaming through LDAC, which Sony's codec is based on, but don't support the aptX codec or aptX HD.

2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

When a company has been making headphones for as long as Sennheiser is a top brand, you can expect superior sound quality and a comfortable fit. They've delivered on both counts with their latest headphones, dubbed the Momentum 4 Wireless. They've updated the design to remove some of the trademark elements that gave the original models the look of an aviator headset and also improved their active noise cancellation with their advanced Adaptive Noise Cancellation technology. They've evaluated these headphones to last 60 hours of listening time with ANC enabled, doubling the battery life of most other competitors.

The new model is more portable, as it folds down and is smaller. They're made from synthetic leather that can be used to make the replaceable ear pads and headband that feel comfortable on my noggin even when I wear them for the entire working. They're also not extremely tight, which means you can wear them for long flights or even during workouts.

The sound is balanced and clear, however there are some highs that can add a bit of muddiness to mixes. The bass is too loud, adding extra punch and thump in genres such as EDM or hip hop. It's not an issue, but some listeners may find it irritating. The high-mid also has an uneven balance in bringing instruments and vocals forward in the mix, but at the expense of bringing out a few vocal sibilants.

The Sennheiser momentum 4 Kionex KS MAX: Wireless ANC Headphones - Shop Now! has all the standard features such as Bluetooth wireless connectivity, a clear mode that blends outside noises into your music to improve awareness, and mobile app support for custom and pre-set EQ options. You can also use a 3.5mm cord to connect your phone. They can use SBC, AAC, aptX HD and aptX Adaptive codecs to connect to your device, and they're able to reduce the latency to as little as 25 which is fantastic.

3. B&W PX7 S2

Since their launch, the original PX7s have appeared on countless lists of the best Bluetooth headphones, atop them in many cases thanks to their impressive ANC and high-quality sound. The PX7s, as with many wireless headphones, were becoming old and needed a refresh. Therefore, the PX7S2. B&W hasn't just tweaked the design for the new version, but it's made considerable improvements to ANC and added more voice-calling features, too.

The PX7 S2 headphones are incredibly lightweight, which makes them comfortable for long listening sessions. The look of the PX7 S2 is mostly identical to the model before it. It has the cool oval aluminium top-plate for the earcups the hook-like accent that slides rather than clicks when you expand the headband, and the physical buttons. The earcups, however are smaller and the headband is less substantial.

B&W's software allows you to modify EQ settings for treble and bass but you don't get as much control over the mix between these two elements as you do with higher-end headphones. The Quick Action button on left earcup switches between the different modes of the environment. It can also be programmed to activate the voice assistant on your device through the Bowers & Wilkins Music App.

The PX7 S2 is a great option for a variety of musical styles. It offers a wide soundstage and good separation of the different sound elements. It is particularly impressive on music that has acoustic instrumentation such as Rachmaninoff's Cello Sonata, Op. 19 by pianist Yuja Wang and cellist Gautier Capucon, with woody instrumental tones and a sense of air. It can also handle heavier songs and has the bass power and mid-range clarity on Entombed's garage/death-n'roll crossover curiosity To Ride, Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth providing an overwhelming soundscape while allowing to be able to discern the vocals of Lars-Goran Petrov's grittier growl.

4. Bose QuietComfort 35

Bose was one of the first companies to introduce active noise cancelling headphones to the mainstream. Though they had an advantage over the market for years however, they are now competing with newer headsets that have more features and better sound quality. However, the QuietComfort 35 is still a ideal choice for anyone who wants to listen to podcasts and music without being disturbed by constant noises and rumbles.

They're also comfortable to wear and have an excellently balanced default sound profile. The ANC is excellent at eliminating background noise. However it tends to emphasize lower frequencies more than other headphones like the Sony WH1000XM5.

If you're seeking a pair that can be used to listen to podcasts or audiobooks The QC35s feature an impressive noise cancelling headphones uk cancellation mode that reduces ambient noises while keeping you adrift from the sound of the surrounding environment. The QC35s permit you to connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and also "audio-share" which means you can listen to something on one set of headphones while answering an incoming phone call from the other pair.

The Bose Connect App is decent but it doesn't offer the full EQ features of other headphone apps. The QC35s are also utilized in wired mode by using an audio cable, however the quality of sound takes a huge drop and they don't offer the same level of battery longevity as wireless models.

The QC35s come with a well-known Bose look that might not be as appealing to some consumers as the sleeker designs of other brands. You can personalize your headphones by purchasing a cover with decals from companies such as SlickWraps or Skin Sticker. You can also alter the color of the earcups and headband later this year, much like you can with the older QC25 model.

5. Sony WH-1000XM3

Sony's WH-1000XM3 are the best wireless headphones that have active noise cancellation you can get today. They're more expensive than Anker Soundcore Q20 Wireless but they isolate more background noise. The app is also superior and offers tons of options for sound customization.

The XM3s have an excellent sound quality, and since their release, they've been enhanced to give even better performance. They're equipped with a little more detail in the frequency spectrum. Their noise cancellation is more effective at all levels of volume. They also have upgraded features like Quick Attention mode and Speak-to-Chat. The latest feature, Adaptive sound control, automatically adjusts the amount of external sound that is allowed in based on the location you are in and what you are doing.

They're not without some issues, however. The treble can sound occasionally a bit overpowering and the midrange sounds slightly more recessed. They are still prone to increase the bass too much on certain tracks, making them sound heavy and full. However, this is something you can fix by changing the settings for your headphone or through EQ adjustments in the Sony app.

The XM3s are a great pair of headphones, particularly for commuters or frequent travelers. They are more comfortable, appear and feel premium, and last longer in comparison to the JBL Live 650 BTNC wireless. They also have a better battery and one of the top noise cancellation features available. They are also more versatile and more suited for use on the go than Audio-Technica's ATH M50X wireless, although their noise cancellation isn't as impressive. They're also not waterproof, which can be a major issue for some.