The Best Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones

If you're fighting the engine noise of jet engines or simply want to block out the sound of your HVAC system at home, you'll need the top noise cancelling over-ear headphones. The new Sony WH1000XM5s are the top of the line in active noise cancellation. The predecessors were excellent.

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

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

The fifth generation of Sony flagship headphones offers an impressive improvement over their predecessors, with enhanced quality of audio and noise cancellation. Its impressive ANC performance creates an illusion of silence that covers your head and blocks out a surprising amount of low-frequency sounds. The earphones also block mid-treble and high-treble sounds like chatter from passengers or the creaking of metal, as well as the clanging of dishware.

Contrary to some noise cancelling headphones that can sound hollow or unnatural, the WH-1000XM5s sound very natural. They are able to render the drums of Billie Eilish with astonishing clarity and keep the edges clean and clear. They're great to listen to on a commute or long flight.

A capacitive touch-surface in the right earcup handles the most frequently used controls, including play/pause volume up/down, skip forwards/backwards and skip. It also allows you to answer and end calls, and switch between ANC and ambient sound mode. You can also press and hold the power button for several seconds to hear a voice telling you how much battery life you have left.

The new QN1 microphone is another significant improvement over the XM5s. It was designed to record high-quality audio when recording videos and podcasts. The microphone is more sensitive and has a greater audio range than the previous models, making it easier to pick up your own voice.

Other features from the XM4s are been incorporated into the XM5, such as its adaptive ANC system that automatically optimizes performance based on your surroundings. Its "Wearing Detection feature now detects when you take off the headset, and then pauses videos or music and then restarts it as soon as you put them back on. It also works with Sony's DSEE Extreme engine, which claims to enhance the quality of compressed music to a near-hi-res resolution.

2. Sony WH-1000XM4

The WH1000XM4s of Sony are the latest version of their industry-leading over ear noise cancelling headphones wireless (https://cadplm.co.kr/bbs/board.php?bo_table=free&wr_id=3810433)-ear headphones. They provide top-quality performance however they don't come with the same active noise cancellation that is available on the WH1000XM5s. In addition to stronger Bluetooth and a more efficient noise-canceling algorithm, the WH-1000XM4s also boast a new audio chip that can boost music files to HD quality and has more advanced voice controls.

Sony has upgraded the WH1000XM4s in the latest generation by adding padding to the headband and extending the microphones to the outside. This makes them more comfortable to listen to for longer periods of time.

They're also more flexible and allow you to switch between five modes of sound depending on the environment. Sony headphones have an app that allows you to alter your EQ settings. The app lets you track your activity, and then automatically adjust the settings. They are a great choice for travelers.

Another big improvement is the WH1000XM4's noise cancellation which is now more effective by increasing the sensitiveness and improving the way it filters out low frequencies. This can be verified by looking at graphs similar to the one shown above. The higher the peaks, more sounds are being canceled out. The WH-1000XM4s can also be more effective at reducing low-frequency sounds such as the hum of an air conditioner or the constant rumble of a plane engine than any other pair of noise-canceling headsets we've tested.

The WH-1000XM4s have a great set of features such as the battery that can last up to 30 hours, and a USB-C charging port built-in. They also have Quick Alert, which lets users touch the right earcup to reduce music and activate transparency mode; Speak to Chat can pause media when you raise your voice (and works well, although it may not always register taps), and Sony's Smart Listening technology, which can analyze and detect the surrounding environment to provide superior audio.

3. Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II

The Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II headphones (or QC35 wireless headphones noise cancelling 2018, as they're also referred to) were released in September 2017. They've been replaced by the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 701, which will be released in 2021. However, they are still popular and affordable.

The QC35 II is a great pair for mixed-use wireless headphones. They provide a comfortable fit as well as a neutral sound quality by default. They also provide outstanding noise isolation. They are suitable for travel or in noisy environments and last more than a day on a single battery charge. They are also compatible with most smart assistants and can be activated by pressing the use of a specific button. You can ask the assistant to play music, answer trivia or read notifications from your smartphone.

They feature a wide opening in the ear padding that can accommodate a variety of types of ear sizes and shapes. They also are lightweight. The hinges on the housings fold down making them easy to fit into backpacks or bags. The controls are located on the right-hand side of the headphone and are simple to use. A series of taps will control playback, such as the ability to rewind and skip songs.

For a good example of the quality you can expect from these Bose headphones We played The Beatles' Let It Be and listened to the drum beats and piano parts. The QC35 II deliver crisp, clear audio that is smooth and precise. They can detect subtleties, like Paul McCartney's inconsistent timing as he builds to the chorus or Gerard Way’s snarl when his lyrics praising teenage-personalism in teenagers.

The QC35 II can be connected to up to two devices simultaneously and are compatible with most smart assistants. The QC35 II also come with the carry case as well as a USB cable that charges quickly.

4. Sony WH-CH720N

Sony is renowned for building excellent headphones that are priced at a reasonable price. Its budget-friendly WH-CH720N headphones are not an exception. They have many of the same features as the flagship WH1000XM5 headphones, but with a more budget friendly design. They also offer a decent amount of active noise cancellation at a low price.

Similar to the WH1000XM5 headphones, these headphones have 30mm dynamic drivers that deliver plenty of bass and clear high frequencies. They also feature an even tuning to make them sound good with different genres of music. They also have a wide soundstage that allows you to get a sense of being immersed in the music.

The WH-CH720N headphones utilize buttons for controls instead of the gestures and touch controls of the XM5 headphones. This can be a bit of a disadvantage, as the buttons are initially confusing. Luckily, the headphones come with clear labels and the controls are placed intelligently. A single press of the '-' button lowers the volume, while double presses stop and play audio. By pressing and holding the button the button, voice assistants are activated and calls are canceled.

With ANC enabled, these headphones can last about 35 hours before running out of power. This is the highest battery performance we've ever witnessed in over-ear headphones. They also have a standby mode to assist in preserving battery.

The WH-CH720N can be connected to Android phones and iOS devices using Bluetooth. They support LDAC which allows them to play high-res audio on compatible devices. They also work with PlayStation consoles that use an analog 1/8" TRS cable and can be used as wired headphones on a PC using the included USB dongle. The Sony Headphones Connect app lets you personalize your headphones with an adjustable EQ slider and Over Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones Wireless presets as well as multipoint connectivity, and secure listening.

5. B&W PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 follow on from an extremely successful predecessor, but are not an unfinished update riding on its own. They feature a more sleek design and a brand-new application. They fulfill their promise of premium build-quality, delivering audio that faithfully expresses artistic intention. They're also incredibly comfortable and a treat to wear all day long.

Although they aren't as good as the noise cancellation of the Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II or the Sony WH-1000XM5, they do a very excellent job of blocking out environmental sounds and ensuring you are able to concentrate on your music, podcasts or gaming handheld without interruptions. They have a six-strong microphone setup (four for noise cancellation and two for voice pick-up) and a new algorithm that reduces ambient sound by 30dB. These are also one of only a few Bluetooth headphones that we've tested that can be used passively and allow users to listen to their media without having to power up the drive units.

They're also compatible with the B&W Music app, a free download that provides an array of features to complement the excellent noise cancellation. The Quick Action button can be programmed to activate the device's voice assistant, cycle through the three environmental settings and display the battery's life. It's a pain to press and hold it for a while. A single press is more intuitive and simpler.

The PX7 S2 are an remarkable pair of headphones which should delight most music enthusiasts. The PX7 S2 aren't suitable for extreme music genres like metal and rock which favour bass-heavy productions and muddy low-frequency as they are to folk, classical, and Acoustic. However, they will still impress those who value audiophile credentials, and Over Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones Wireless are practical and easy to use.