The Best Over-Ear Headphones

If you travel on public transportation, work in an office with noisy coworkers or simply want to listen to your music without a lot of outside distractions, over-ear noise-canceling headphones can make all the difference. We've reviewed the top headphones that offer superior audio quality and active BBTKCARE Pink Baby Noise Cancelling Headphones: Parent's Essential cancellation.

Mpow Over-Ear Headphones

These Bluetooth headphones from Mpow have a good, sturdy build and feature excellent audio quality that is impressive considering their price. They are designed as over-ear headphones with Ear cups that sit comfortably over the ear to block ambient noise. The earpads are constructed of a moderately padded cushion that encases your ears sufficiently to muffle out a good portion of environmental sounds but they don't have active noise canceling capability. They weigh about 11 ounces, and are comfortable to wear for long durations of time.

These headphones are a simple design that isn't too far removed from most other models of over-ear headphones available. The headband that connects the two ear cups is hinged, allowing them to fold into a compact unit to transport and store. The left ear cup is home to the controls for volume, power and noise cancellation. The right ear cup has an audio microphone for hands-free calls.

The sound quality from the Mpow headphones is excellent, although they do not have the bass power of Bose or the clarity of the Sony WH-1000XM5. Their PRTF accuracy and activation scores are well above average for Bluetooth headphones, which should provide an expansive and wide soundstage when listening to music. However, their PRTF distance score is below average, which means that they will sound more closed in and less open than headphones that have larger, open-back earcups.

They also have a decent amount of treble expansion, which will give you an uncluttered and clear sound that is able to handle all kinds of music. Their mids are a bit more pronounced in comparison to the Sony headphones and give them an energizing sound that is ideal for instrument-rich music. The bass is a little too loud for some but it's an individual preference that can be redressed by changing the equalizer settings in your audio player.

The Mpow headphones are a good option for those looking to enjoy their favorite music without interruptions. They feature an extended battery life and can also be used in wired mode when the charge runs out. The headphones come with a USB charger as well as an audio cable, which means you can listen to your favorite music without interruption. The manufacturer offers a 45-day refund guarantee, as well as an 18-month guarantee on these headphones. Their customer service is also known for its speedy response.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 are the most current headphones for over-ears that have graced the Bowers & Wilkins catalog. They replace the PX7 model and are part of a larger line of wireless headphones that also includes the PI5 and PI7. Unboxed, the design of these headphones instantly evokes a sense of luxuriousness. The use of metals and textures on the ear cups gives them a luxurious feel. They also feel comfortable on the head and ear even though they weigh a bit more than the other models. The ear pads snap on and off easily so they can be replaced when they wear out.

As with many of the top headphones, these cans feature active noise cancellation that reduces the sound of outside sounds while allowing you to listen to your music. The technology isn't perfect, but it does a fantastic job of keeping train and plane engine rumbles out of your ear canals without altering the balance between music tracks.

The PX7 S2's soundstage is what really distinguishes it from the rest of the competition. It provides ample space between sound elements and a strong separation. This clarity is not always present in other Bluetooth headphones.

While the PX7 S2s aren't as movable as their rivals but they come with a great carry case. It's also well-padded, and the headphones fold flat for easy storage when not in use.

The ear cups are encased with a soft, leather-like fabric which is very luxurious to the touch. They're also light, making them comfortable for long listening sessions. The headband is designed to provide maximum comfort and doesn't over-stretch. This helps avoid headaches.

The headphones come with a variety of features including bluetooth over ear headphones noise cancelling multipoint that allows them to be paired with two devices simultaneously. They support all of the well-known Bluetooth codecs as well as hi-res audio if your streaming service supports it. They come with an audio amplifier which gives them an additional boost when used with low-powered electronic devices such as laptops.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH-1000XM5 are the latest in Sony's premium over-ear noise cancelling headphones. These headphones are a great upgrade to their predecessors, the WH1000XM2s or WH1000XM4. Sony has enhanced its already impressive active noise cancellation. For instance, the fifth-generation headphones are now able to block out low-frequency sounds such as plane engines and subway car rumbles. They can also detect where you are, and adjust the ambient sound control settings to suit your location.

You can still make use of voice-activated assistants to control your music or get directions. The microphones in the earphones have been upgraded so that they can be used to make calls using hands-free technology and also to control Siri/Google Assistant. The headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible, which means that they can be connected and pair quicker.

In our lab evaluations the WH-1000XM5 has earned top scores for comfort, user-friendliness and audio quality. The lightweight headset is comfortable for long listening sessions and the ear cup can be adjusted to suit different head sizes. The headphones are foldable and flat which makes them easy to fit into backpacks or suitcases.

The Ear cups have a slight curvature and the headband is more refined. This allows for a more subtle appearance. places of assembly. The new synthetic leather adds durability and luxury. The ear cup space is also larger and is more comfortable to the ears. This can cause little pressure on the head when worn for extended periods of time.

Some of the core features from the WH-1000XM4s are transferred to the XM5. You can still swipe and tap on the right ear cup to change the music, pause your audio and switch to Ambient Sound Mode. You can even hold your hand over the left ear cup to temporarily turn down the volume of your music and increase ambient sound, which is helpful when you need to hear what's happening around you.

There are a few subtle improvements to the XM5s which make them a great purchase for headphones that block noise. The new ANC improves the isolation of low-frequency sounds and the headphones will stop music when you take them off your head in order to conserve energy. You can also switch to an unobtrusive listening mode to let in more external sound. A new battery-power-consumption algorithm gives the XM5s the same 30-hour battery life rating as their predecessor, and a quick press of the power button will alert you to your remaining charge.

Skullcandy ADX700

For those that are looking to get a set of headphones for gaming the ATHXX700 is a fantastic choice. They are comfortable and offer excellent sound. They are light, so you don't feel them on your head or ears. They come with self-adjusting 3D design that will relieve the pressure and adjust to the shape of your head. They also have a detachable cord that is easy to connect to your audio source.

These are open-air headphones that look very unique, due to their massive earcups as well as honeycomb covers in black which reveal the drivers inside. The unique design makes these headphones stand out, but that's not all they have to provide. The self-adjusting wing support construction and the brand new 53 mm drivers with bobbin-wound CCAW voice coils, and the aluminum casing made of honeycomb are the main reasons these headphones are special and worth the investment.

The ATH ADX700 has a broad frequency response that allows for a crisp, natural treble. The sound is not as bassy as other pairs because they're designed for a general music listener that does not like being bombarded by low frequencies. These headphones are great for gamers because they let you hear your friends and other NPCs, without being muffled.

The ATH-ADX700 headphones have an impedance rating of 32 ohms, but still require a decent amp to function optimally. It's not a problem when using them with a portable player, but it will be much easier to control and Ear noise cancelling headphones enjoy their full range of sound when paired with a headphone amp that is suitable.

The ATH-ADX700 comes with a 9.84-foot cable that features an 1/8-inch gold-plated connector as well as an elastic TPE sheath to resist tangling and damage. The ATH ADX700 comes with a 1/4" adapter for mobile devices. The earpads have a plush Velour material that initially squishy and soft, but then breaks into. The earpads are also composed of a soft, higher-quality material that enhances the comfort and durability.