The Best Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones

Whether you're battling the roar of jet engines or just want to block out the hum of your HVAC system at home, you need the top noise cancelling over-ear headphones. The latest Sony WH-1000XM5s have become the new leaders in active noise cancellation and their predecessors are also excellent.

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

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

The fifth generation of Sony's flagship headphones is a significant upgrade over its predecessor, with better noise cancellation and improved audio quality. Its impressive ANC performance creates an illusion of silence that covers your head and blocks out a surprising amount of low-frequency sounds. The earcups block noises in the mid-treble range, such as passenger chatter and creaking metal.

Unlike some noise cancelling headphones that sound hollow or unnatural, the WH-1000XM5s are very natural-sounding. They can reproduce Billie Eilish’s drums with remarkable detail while keeping the edges clean and pristine. They're great to listen to during the commute or during a long flight.

The most common controls are controlled by a capacitive touchscreen surface on the right earcup such as play/pause, volume up/down, as well being able to skip forwards and backwards. It also lets you make calls end and answer and switch between ANC and ambient sound mode. You can also hold the power key for several seconds to get an indicator of how much battery life you have left.

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

Other features from the XM4s have been transferred to the XM5 and include an adaptive ANC system that automatically optimizes performance based on your environment. The "Wearing Detection" feature detects when the headset is removed, and will pause music or video. It will then resume it once they are put back on. It's compatible with Sony's DSEE Extreme Engine, which upscales compressed music to near high-res resolution.

2. Sony WH-1000XM4

The WH-1000XM4s are a new version of Sony's market-leading over-ear headphones. And even though they don't feature as much active noise cancellation as the WH-1000XM5s, they still offer class-leading performance. The WH-1000XM4s have a stronger Bluetooth connection as well as a more efficient noise cancellation algorithm. They also come with a new audio chip which increases the sound quality to HD quality and has advanced voice controls.

Sony has improved the WH1000XM4s with the latest version by adding padding to the headband, and extending the microphones to the outside. This makes them more comfortable to listen to for long periods of time.

They're also more versatile, allowing you to switch between five modes of sound depending on the environment. You can also customize your EQ settings by using the Sony headphones app. The app lets you monitor your activity and www.headphonesshop.uk automatically optimize the settings. They are a great option for travelers.

Another big improvement is the WH-1000XM4's noise cancellation which is now more effective by enhancing the sensitivity and improving how it eliminates low frequencies. It can be evaluated by looking at graphs similar to the one shown above. Higher peaks mean that more sounds are canceled out. The WH-1000XM4s are also better at reducing low-frequency sounds, such as the hum of an air conditioner or the constant rumble of an airplane engine over any other pair of noise-canceling headsets we've tried.

The WH-1000XM4s continue to have many great features, including the battery that can last up to 30 hours, and a USB-C charging port built-in. They also feature Quick Alert, which lets you tap 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 sometimes fails to detect taps) and Sony's Smart Listening technology, which can recognize and analyze your environment to deliver superior audio.

3. Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II

The Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II (or QC35 Wireless 2018) are headphones for over-ear use that were released in September 2017. While they've been replaced by the 2021-released Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700, they remain popular and affordable, and are worth considering if you're looking for a noise-cancelling active headphone.

The QC35 II is a great pair for mixed-use INFURTURE Q1 Wireless Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Headphones headphones. They provide a comfortable fit as well as a neutral sound profile by default. They also provide outstanding noise isolation. They can be used in noisy settings as well as while on the move and last for hwajung.kr more than a full day on one charge. They also work with a variety of smart assistants and can be activated by pressing the use of a specific button. You can ask them to play music and answer trivia questions or read your smartphone notifications.

The padding around the ears is large and can accommodate a variety of ears. They are also lightweight. The housings' hinges can be folded down to make them easier to pack into a bag or backpack. The controls on the right side of the headphones are well placed and feel good to use. A series of taps will control playback, web018.dmonster.kr including skipping and rewinding songs.

We heard The Beatles' Let It Be, as well as the drum beats and piano. The QC35 II delivers crisp, clear audio with a well-rounded and detailed sound. They can detect subtleties such as Paul McCartney’s inconsistent timing as he builds to the chorus or Gerard Way's snarl as he rants about the teen-like persona in teenagers.

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

4. Sony WH-CH720N

Sony is known for producing high-quality headphones that cost a small amount. The budget-friendly WHCH720N headphones by Sony are no exception. These headphones carry over many of the features that make the top WH-1000XM5 models so good however, they have an affordable design. They also offer a decent amount of active noise cancelling headphones wireless cancellation at a very low cost.

These headphones feature powerful drivers that measure 30mm in size. They provide crisp high frequencies and plenty of bass. They have an even sound that blends well with different genres of music. They also feature a huge, encompassing soundstage.

The WH-CH720N headphones have buttons instead of the gestures and touch controls of the XM5 headphones. This is a little of a drawback, as the buttons can be confusing at first. Luckily, the headphones have clearly labeled controls and are arranged in a smart way. One press of the button with the '-' lowers the volume, while double pressing pauses and plays audio. When you press and hold the button the button, voice assistants are activated and calls are rejected.

With ANC enabled, these headphones can last for around 35 hours before running out of power. This is the most efficient battery life we've seen in over-ear headphones. They come with a standby feature to conserve battery.

Bluetooth allows users to connect the WHCH720N headphones to Android and iOS devices. They are compatible with LDAC which allows them to play high-quality audio on compatible devices. The headphones also work 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 customize your headphones with an EQ slider and presets, multipoint connectivity, as well as secure listening.

5. B&W PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 is a follow-up to a wildly popular predecessor, but it's not a half baked update. They feature a more sleek design and a brand new application. They fulfill their promise of high-end build quality with audio that faithfully expresses artistic intention. They are also extremely comfortable to wear throughout the day.

They don't have the same noise cancellation capabilities as the Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II or the Sony WH1000XM5, however, they're effective at blocking out ambient sounds to let you concentrate on your podcasts or music. They feature a six-strong mic setup (four for noise cancelling and two for voice pickup) and a redesigned algorithm that reduces ambient sound by 30dB. They're also among the few Bluetooth headphones we've reviewed that can be used in passive mode, allowing you to listen to your content by themselves, without putting power to the drive units.

The B&W Music app is also compatible, a free download which includes a variety of features that compliment the great noise cancellation. The Quick Action button can be set to activate your device's voice assistance, cycle through the three environmental settings and display the battery's life. It is annoying to have to press and hold it. A single press is more intuitive and simple.

The PX7 S2 are a very remarkable pair of headphones that will please the majority of music fans. The PX7 S2 aren't so well-suited to the extreme music genres like metal and rock which favour bass-heavy productions and muddy low-frequency as they are to folk, classical and Acoustic. But, they will still impress those who appreciate the audiophile credential, which is also practical and comfortable.