The Best Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones

You'll need the top headphones for noise cancellation, whether you want to block out the hum of your HVAC system, or around ear noise cancelling Headphones need to block the sound of jet engine noises. The newest Sony WH-1000XM5s have become the new top of the line in active noise cancellation and their predecessors were also excellent.

We've taken into consideration the adjustments for ANC, touch controls and on-Around ear noise cancelling Headphones detection (for pausing music when you take off your headphones). Our top picks feature high-resolution audio, comfortable ear cups and spacious ear cups.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

The fifth generation of Sony's flagship headphones is a major upgrade over the ear headphones with noise cancelling its predecessor, with better noise cancellation and improved audio quality. Its impressive ANC performance creates a virtual cone of silence over your head. It also blocks out a surprising amount low-frequency noise. The ear cups also block out mid- and treble-range sounds like passenger chatter or the creaking of metal, as well as clanging dishesware.

The WH-1000XM5s sound very natural, in contrast to noise cancelling headsets that can sound hollow. They're able to reproduce the rising and falling of Billie Eilish's drums with remarkable depth and clarity, while keeping edges clear and crystal clear. It's a pleasure to listen to them on long flights or during commutes.

A capacitive touch-screen on the right earcup handles the most common controls, such as play/pause, volume up/down, skip forwards/backwards and skip. It also allows you to make calls end and answer as well as switch between ANC and ambient sound mode. You can also hold the power button for several seconds to get an indicator of how much battery life is left.

Another notable improvement over the XM5s is its new QN1 microphone, which is designed to record high-quality audio while making podcasts and videos. The microphone is more sensitive than the previous models and also has a wider audio range, making it easier to hear your voice.

Other features from the XM4s have been incorporated into the XM5, such as its adaptive ANC system that automatically optimizes performance based on your surroundings. The 'Wearing Detection" feature detects when the headset is removed, and will pause music or video. It will resume it as soon as they are put back on. It's compatible with Sony's DSEE Extreme Engine, which enhances compressed music to close to high-res quality.

2. Sony WH-1000XM4

The WH1000XM4s from Sony are the latest version of their industry-leading over-ear headphones. They feature top-of-the-line performance, even though they don't feature the same active noise cancellation features as the WH1000XM5s. The WH-1000XM4s boast a stronger Bluetooth connection as well as an improved noise cancellation algorithm. They also have an upgraded audio chip that upscales music to HD quality and has advanced voice controls.

The biggest improvement in the new generation is that Sony has made the WH-1000XM4s softer than before by putting padding on the headband and shifting the microphones towards the outside of the ear. This makes them more comfortable for long listening sessions.

They're also more flexible, allowing you to switch between five different modes of sound depending on the surroundings. You can also customize your EQ settings by using the Sony headphones app. They're a great choice for travelers and the app lets you monitor your activity and automatically adjust their settings on the fly.

The WH-1000XM4 also has improved its noise cancellation. It is more effective due to its greater sensitivity and improved filtering of low frequencies. You can check this out by taking a look at a graph similar to the one below, where higher peaks indicate more sounds are being blocked out. The WH1000XM4s are also superior in reducing low-frequency noises, like the hum of an air conditioning unit, or the constant rumble from an airplane engine.

The WH1000XM4s are equipped with a range of excellent features, including a 30 hour battery life and a USB-C charging port. They also come with Quick Alert, which lets you tap the right earcup to reduce the music and turn on transparency mode; Speak to Chat can pause media when you speak (and works well, although it may not always detect taps) and Sony's Smart Listening technology, which can analyze and detect your surroundings to provide better audio.

3. Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II

The Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II headphones (or QC35 Wireless 2018, as they're also known) were released in September 2017. While they have been succeeded by the 2021-released bose quietcomfort 35 ii over ear noise cancelling bluetooth headphones Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 They are still popular and affordable, and are worth considering if you're looking for a noise cancelling headphone.

The QC35 II are a great pair of wireless headphones that provide an incredibly comfortable fit, a neutral default sound profile and excellent noise isolation. They can be used in noisy environments or when traveling, and they last for more than a day on a single charge. They can also be used with the majority of smart assistants and can be activated with an individual button. You can ask the assistant to play music, answer trivia or read notifications from your smartphone.

They have a wide opening in the ear padded that can fit most ears and shapes. They are extremely light. The hinges on the housings fold down making them easy to fit into bags or backpacks. The controls on the right side of the headphone are easily placed and comfortable to use. A series of taps can be used to control playback, like the ability to rewind and skip songs.

We listened to The Beatles' Let It Be as well as the drum and piano beats. The QC35 II deliver crisp, clear sound that is well-rounded and detailed. They are able to detect subtleties such as Paul McCartney’s unsteady timing as he builds up 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. It can connect to two devices at once. The QC35 II comes with a carry bag and a USB charging cable.

4. Sony WH-CH720N

Sony is a household name for its great headphones for a affordable price. Its budget-friendly WH-CH720N headphones are not an exception. They carry many of the features that make top WH-1000XM5 models so good, but with an affordable design. These headphones provide a lot of active noise cancellation, but at a low cost.

These headphones have high-performance drivers of 30mm that deliver crisp high frequencies and ample bass. These headphones have an even sound that blends well with a variety of genres of music. They also have a large, immersive soundstage.

The WH-CH720N headphones have buttons instead of the gestures or touch controls used by the XM5 headphones. This can be a an issue, since the buttons initially seem confusing. The controls are strategically placed and are clearly labeled. Double press of the '+' button can pause and play audio. A single press decreases the volume. Pressing and holding the button will launch voice assistants and rejects calls.

With ANC activated the headphones will last for about 35 hours before they run out of power. This is the most efficient battery life we've seen in over-ear headphones. They also come with a standby mode that can help conserve battery.

Bluetooth allows users to connect the WHCH720N headphones to Android and iOS devices. They support LDAC which allows them to play high-res audio on compatible devices. They are also compatible with PlayStation consoles with an analog 1/8"TRS cable. They can also be used on computers with the included USB dongle. The Sony Headphones Connect App lets you customize your headphones by using an EQ slider, presets and multipoint connectivity.

5. B&W PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 follow on from an extremely successful predecessor, but are by no means a half-baked update riding on its own. They sport a sleeker style and a brand new application. They deliver on their promise of high-end build quality with audio that faithfully expresses artistic intention. They are also extremely comfortable to wear all day.

They don't have the same noise cancellation as the Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II, or Around ear noise cancelling headphones the Sony WH1000XM5, however, they're effective at blocking out ambient sounds so you can concentrate on your podcasts or music. They have a six-strong microphone setup (four for noise cancelling and two for voice pick up) and a revised algorithm that cuts ambient sound by 30dB. They're also one of only a few Bluetooth headphones we've tested that can be used in a passive manner, allowing users to listen to their music without having to power up the drive units.

The B&W Music app is also compatible with the free download that offers a range of features that compliment the excellent noise cancellation. It includes the Quick Action button that cycles through the three environmental modes that display battery life and can be configured to launch your device's voice assistant. The annoying thing is that you have to press and hold the button - pressing it once would be more efficient and intuitive.

The PX7 S2 is an excellent pair of headphones that will delight lovers of music. They're not suitable for the raucous music of genres such as metal and rock that are known to favor bass-heavy production and muddy low frequencies like they are to classical, folk and Acoustic music, but they will still be awe-inspiring to those who appreciate the audiophile ethos that's also practical and convenient.