The Best Over-Ear Headphones

If you commute on noisy public transportation or work in a noisy office with noisy coworkers or just want to enjoy your music without a lot of outside noise, headphones that block out noise can make all the difference. We've reviewed the top headphones for over-ear use that combine great sound quality with active noise cancellation.

Mpow Over-Ear Headphones

These Bluetooth headphones by Mpow are sturdy and provide premium audio quality for the price. These headphones are designed to be worn over the ears, and come with earcups that comfortably fit over your ears. This will help block out noise from the outside. The earpads consist of a modestly thick cushion that shields your ears well enough to muffle out a good portion of environmental sounds, though they do not have active noise canceling capability. They weigh just over 11 ounces, and are comfortable to wear for long durations of time.

The Mpow headphones have simple and similar to other headphone designs for over-ear on the market. The headband that connects the two earcups has a hinge and can be folded in for storage or transport. The left earcup houses controls for volume, power and noise cancellation. The right earcup has an audio microphone for hands-free calls.

The sound quality from the Mpow headphones is very good, although they do not have the bass power of Bose or the clarity of the Sony WH-1000XM5. The PRTF accuracy and the activation score are above average among Bluetooth headphones. This should result in a spacious and wide soundstage when listening music. Their PRTF distance score is lower than average. This means that they will sound more closed-in and less open than headphones with earcups that are larger and open.

The treble extension is also good, and you will get a crisp and clear sound that is compatible with all genres of music. The mids of Sony headphones are more prominent, which gives them more of a dynamic sound. This is ideal for music with a variety of instruments. The bass is a little overpowering for some people but this is an individual preference that can be redressed by altering the equalizer settings on your audio player.

The Mpow headphones have a long battery life and can be used in wired mode for when your charge runs out. They come with a cable and a USB charger in the box, which means you can continue to listen to your favorite tunes without any interruptions. The manufacturer offers a 45-day money-back guarantee as well as an 18-month warranty for these headphones. Their customer service is also renowned for its responsiveness.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 are the latest headphones for over-ears that have graced the Bowers & Wilkins catalog. The PX7 is replaced by the PX7 S2 and are part of a larger line of wireless headphones, that includes the PI5 & PI7. The design of these headphones is immediately elegant once they are removed from the box. The use of metals and textured materials on the earcups gives them a luxurious feel. They also are comfortable on the head and ear even though they weigh a bit more than the other models. The earpads are easily removed and can be replaced in the event that they wear out.

These headphones come with active noise cancellation. This reduces external sounds but still allows you to listen to your music. The technology isn't flawless however it does a good job of keeping the whirring of an airplane engine or the rumble of a train out of your ears, while not altering the balance of music pieces that could be in the same frequencies.

One thing that makes the PX7 S2 apart from their competitors is the soundstage they offer which provides ample space and a strong separation between the various audio elements. This clarity is not always found in other Bluetooth headphones.

Although the PX7 S2s aren't as movable as some of their competitors, they come with a fantastic carry case. The case is well-padded and the headphones can fold flat when not in use.

The earcups are covered with soft, leather-like material which is very luxurious to the feel. They're also light and comfortable for long listening sessions. The headband is designed to be as comfortable as possible and doesn't hold too tightly, which can help keep headaches at bay over time.

The headphones have various features, including Bluetooth multipoint which allows them to be used with two devices simultaneously. They support all of the most popular Bluetooth codecs, as well as high-resolution audio, when your streaming service allows it. They also have a headphone amplifier which gives them an additional boost when used with electronics that aren't powered such as laptops.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH1000XM5 is the newest model in the line of premium noise cancelling over-ear headphones. These headphones are a great upgrade to their predecessors, noise WH1000XM2s or WH1000XM4. Sony has enhanced its already impressive active noise cancelling. The fifth-generation headphones, as an example can now muffle low-frequency sounds, such as plane engines and subway car rumbles. They also know where you are and adjust the Ambient sound control settings accordingly.

You can still make use of voice-activated assistants to control your music and receive directions. The microphones inside the ear cups have been upgraded, meaning they can be used for calls that are hands-free and Siri/Google Assistant commands. The headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible which means that they can pair and connect faster.

In our lab tests the WH1000XM5 received the top marks for comfort, ease of use and sound quality. The lightweight headset is comfortable to wear for long listening sessions and the earcup can be adjusted to accommodate various head sizes. The headphones are lightweight, and their flat foldable design makes them able to easily fit into a backpack or suitcase.

The earcups are slightly larger than their predecessors and the headband features more refined curves that hide points of assembly. They're covered with a brand new synthetic leather material that adds extra durability and luxury. The ear cup cavities are also a bit larger and sit more snugly against the ears. This may add a little pressure to the head when worn for long periods of time.

The XM5 keeps some of the core features of the WH1000XM4s. You can still swipe and tap on the right earcup to change songs or pause the audio and noise access Ambient Sound Mode. You can place your hands on the right earcup to temporarily lower the music and boost ambient sounds. This is helpful if you need to hear things around you.

The XM5s come with a few small improvements that make them a good choice for headsets that can block noise cancelling headphones sales. The new ANC improves the isolation of low-frequency sounds and the headphones will stop music when lifted off your head in order to conserve energy. You can also choose an unobtrusive listening mode to let in more outside 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 ATH-ADX700

The ATH-ADX700 headphones are a excellent choice for those who want to purchase a pair of gaming headphones. They are comfortable and provide superior sound. They are also lightweight and don't feel heavy on your head and ears. They feature a self-adjusting 3D wings that eliminate pressure and adjust to fit your head. The headphones include an audio cable that can be easily connected to your audio source.

Open-air headphones that have a unique design, these headphones feature large earcups that show the drivers. The unique design helps them stand out from the rest, but it's not the only thing that sets them apart. These headphones are unique because of their self-adjusting wing-support construction, the brand new 53mm driver that has Bobbin wound CCAW voice coils, and the aluminum casing made of honeycomb that is lightweight.

The ATH ADX700 has a wide frequency response that allows for natural, clear treble. The sound is not as bassy as other models because they are designed for the general music lover who how does noise cancelling headphones work 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 obstructed.

Although the ATH-ADX700 has an impedance of 32 ohms they require a high-quality amplifier for optimal performance. It's not a problem when using them on a portable device, but it will be much more manageable and enjoy the full range of sound when used with a headphone amp that is suitable.

The ATH ADX700 comes with a 9.84-foot cable with 1/8-inch connector that is gold-plated and an elastic TPE sheath that helps prevent tangling and damage. It also comes with a 1/4" adapter for mobile devices. The earpads are made from plush velour that feels soft and initially itchy, but will break in the end. The earpads are made of a flexible higher-quality material that enhances the comfort and durability.