Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?

Noise-cancelling headphones are an ideal solution for anyone who enjoys listening regardless of whether they're in the office or in the train. Which are the best?

Sony's flagship headphones are a fantastic value. They offer a new design and superior audio quality as well as impressive features. From the powerful chorus to Sinead's shaking bridge, these headphones offer amazing clarity and authenticity.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony is an expert in noise cancellation, and its WH-1000XM5 headphones are the most advanced version of this line. A few well-thought-out enhancements over the XM4s makes this model an excellent all-round pair of headphones, specifically for those who commute and travel. They're comfortable and feature multipoint technology that allows you to connect to two devices at once and feature the most powerful ANC Sony has ever created. They're also light and provide around ear noise cancelling headphones (a knockout post) 27 hours of playback with no charging, which is enough for a week's worth commutes or a long-haul flight.

The WH-1000XM5s sport a sleek, minimalist design and are made of recycled and recyclable plastic, known as acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS). The branding is minimalist. There's tiny Sony logo on each hinge of the earcup. The headband and earcups are cushioned with a plush soft material that is comfortable on all heads. The earcups are also adjustable to ensure that you get the perfect fit for you.

Unlike previous models that focused on reducing low-frequency noise, the XM5s amplify high-frequency sound waves in order to block out ambient noise. That improves overall sound quality and helps reduce cabin and engine noises on flights, for example. The XM5s come with an additional processor that can increase noise cancellation more on planes, and the audio app can also automatically adjust your listening environment based on air pressure data.

Other features of the WH-1000XM5s include an enhanced voice assistant that's easy to use and works with Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri and many more. You can also pair the XM5s with other Sony audio products to allow multi-room music playback and stereo separation. They can support Bluetooth high-bitrate streaming audio via Sony's LDAC however they do not support HD or aptX.

2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

Sennheiser has been manufacturing headphones for over 50 years. You can expect a high-quality sound, and a cosy fit. They've delivered on both counts with their latest over-ears, named the Momentum 4 Wireless. They've reworked the design to remove certain elements that gave the earlier models their aviator headset look and also improved their active noise cancellation using their advanced Adaptive Noise Cancellation technology. They've evaluated these headphones to last for 60 hours of listening time when ANC enabled, doubling the battery life of their major other competitors.

The new model is also more portable, as it folds down and is smaller. They're made from synthetic PU leather for Around Ear Noise cancelling Headphones the re-usable headband and ear pads that feel comfortable on my noggin even if I wear them all working. They're also not too tight, so you can wear them for long flights, or even during your workouts.

The sound is balanced and clear, but there are some peaks which can cause a bit of discoloration to mixes. The bass can be a bit overemphasised, adding some extra energy and thump to genres such as EDM or hip-hop. It's not an issue however some listeners may find it annoying. The high-mid has a little uneven balance, pushing vocals and instruments to the forefront of mixes, but at the cost of bringing out sibilants into certain songs.

The Sennheiser momentum 4 wireless has all the standard features such as Bluetooth wireless connectivity, a translucent mode that blends outside noises into your music to improve awareness, and mobile application support for pre-set and custom EQ options. You can also use a 3.5mm cord to connect your phone. They can make use of SBC, AAC, aptX HD, and aptX Adaptive codecs to connect to your device, and they can reduce the latency to as little as 25 which is fantastic.

3. B&W PX7 S2

The original PX7s were a top choice on many lists of top bluetooth over ear headphones noise cancelling headsets, thanks to their outstanding ANC and the sound quality. The PX7s, as with many wireless headphones, were getting old and needed a refresh. Hence the PX7S2. B&W hasn't just redesigned the design of the new version, but it's made substantial improvements to ANC and also added features for voice calls, too.

The first thing you notice when you open the box and take out the PX7 S2 is just how light they are. This makes them extremely comfortable for long listening sessions. The look of the PX7 S2 is mostly the same as the model before it. It has the sleek oval aluminum top-plate for the earcups, the hook-like accent that slides instead of clicks when you expand the headband and the physical buttons. The earcups are smaller, however, and the headband is less bulky overall.

B&W's software allows you to modify EQ settings for treble and bass, however, you don't have as much control over the mix of the two components as you would on higher-priced headphones. A Quick Action button on the left earcup toggles environmental modes and can be configured within the Bowers & Wilkins Music app to call your device's voice assistant.

The PX7 S2 sounds great for the majority of musical styles, with a a soundstage that offers plenty of space and excellent separation between the various sounds. It's particularly impressive on pieces that have acoustic instruments such as Rachmaninoff's Cello Sonata, Op. 19 by pianist Yuja Wang and cellist Gautier Capucon with a woody tone and an airy feel. It's also able to handle heavier music and has the bass sound and midrange clarity of Entombed's crossover of death-n'-rock and garage to Ride and Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth giving an overwhelming soundscape while still allowing to be able to discern the vocals, such as Lars-Goran Petrov's gritty growl.

4. Bose QuietComfort 35

Bose was one of the first companies to introduce active noise cancelling headphones to the mainstream. Although they held an unwavering position in the market for a long time however, they are now competing with more modern headphones that offer more features and better audio quality. QuietComfort 35 remains a great choice for those who want to listen to their podcasts or music without hums or rumbles.

They're comfortable to wear and come with a an incredibly balanced default sound profile. The ANC does a fantastic job of eliminating background noise, though it tends to emphasize low frequencies more than newer headphones, such as the Sony WH-1000XM5.

If you're looking for a pair of headphones that can be used to listen to podcasts or audiobooks The QC35s come with an impressive noise cancellation mode that cuts down on ambient sounds while keeping you adrift from the sound of the surrounding environment. The QC35s allow you to connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and "audio-share" which means you can listen to music with one set of headphones while taking an incoming call with the other pair.

The Bose Connect App is decent but it doesn't offer the extensive EQ features of other headphone apps. The QC35s are also available in wired mode, but the sound quality is drastically reduced and the battery life isn't as great as with wireless models.

The QC35s sport a classic Bose design that might not appeal to some as the sleeker designs of other brands. However you can add a touch of personalization by buying a decal cover-up from companies like SlickWraps and Skin Sticker. You'll also be able to change the color of the ear cups and headband later in the year, much like you can with the older QC25 model.

5. Sony WH-1000XM3

Sony's WH1000XM3 is the best wireless headphone that has active noise cancellation you can buy today. They're more expensive than Anker Soundcore Q20 Wireless but they isolate more background noise. They also come with a superior companion app that provides many sound customization options.

The XM3s have a great sound quality, and ever since their release, they've been enhanced to give the best performance. They provide a bit more detail across the frequency spectrum and their noise cancelling functions better at all levels of volume and they've 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 automatically adjusts how much external sound is allowed in based on where you are and what you're doing.

There are some problems, however. The midrange can sound a bit too recessed, and the treble could sometimes be too loud. They still have the tendency to increase the bass too much on certain tracks, making the sound too heavy and full. This can be corrected in the Sony app or in the headphone setting.

The XM3s are a fantastic pair of headphones, specifically for commuters and frequent travelers. They are more comfortable, feel and look premium, and are durable than the JBL Live 650 BTNC wireless. They also have a more powerful battery, and one of the top noise cancellation features available. They're also more flexible and more suitable for use on the go than Audio-Technica's ATH M50X wireless, although their noise isolation is less impressive. They're also not waterproof which is a problem for some.