Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?

Noise-cancelling headphones are an absolute blessing for those who love to listen whether at work or in the train. Which are the best, though?

Sony's flagship headphones are a fantastic value. They feature a brand new design and superior audio quality and also enticing features. They can capture every detail, from Sinead's bridge that trembles to the booming chorus.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony is the master of noise cancellation, and its WH1000XM5 headphones are the most advanced version of this series. This model is an excellent pair of headphones, particularly for those who commute or are traveling. They're comfortable, have multipoint technology to connect two devices simultaneously and have the best ANC Sony has ever created. They're also lightweight and provide approximately 27 hours of playback with no charging, which is enough to last a week's worth traveling or one long-haul flight.

The WH-1000XM5s have a sleek, minimalist design and are made from a recycled and recyclable plastic known as acrylonitrile butadiene (ABS). The branding is minimal. There's tiny Sony logo on each hinge of the earcup. The headband and earcups feature soft, plush material that is comfortable for all head sizes except the largest. The earcups are also adjustable to ensure that you get the best fit for you.

Contrary to previous models which focused on reducing low-frequency noise cancel headphones the XM5s amplify high-frequency sound waves in order to block out background noise. This improves overall quality of the sound, and can help drown out engine and cabin noises during flights. The XM5s has an additional processing unit that helps improve noise cancellation on planes. The audio app can also adjust the sound environment you are listening to based on the pressure of the air.

The WH-1000XM5s also has an integrated voice assistant that is easy to use, and works with Alexa as well as Google Assistant, Siri, and many more. The XM5s can be paired with other Sony audio devices for stereo separation and multi-room music. They are compatible with Bluetooth high-bitrate streaming audio using Sony's LDAC, but not HD or aptX.

2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

Sennheiser has been making headphones for more than 50 years. You can expect a premium sound quality and a cosy fit. With their latest over-ears dubbed Momentum 4 Wireless, they provide both. They've redesigned their design to eliminate some trademark elements that gave their earlier models their aviator-style headset look. They also upgraded active noise cancellation with their latest Adaptive Noise Cancellation Technology. They've evaluated these headphones to last 60 hours of listening time when ANC enabled, doubling the battery life of many other competitors.

They're also much more mobile than the previous model as they fold down and are much smaller overall. The ear pads and the headband are made of synthetic PU leather, which is comfortable on my head even when I wear it all day. There's not a lot of clamping force that holds them in place and they'll be comfortable on flights and during workouts that last longer.

The sound is clear and well-balanced, though there are some peaking in the low-mid and high-mid which cause slight muddying in the mixes. The bass is overemphasized, Noise cancel Headphones adding a bit of punch and thump to genres such as EDM or hip-hop. It's not a big deal, but it may bother some listeners. The high-mid has a little uneven balance too, pushing vocals and instruments towards the front of the mix, but at the cost of bringing out sibilants within some songs.

The Sennheiser momentum 4 wireless has all the usual features such as Bluetooth wireless connectivity, a clear mode that blends outside noises into your music for better awareness, and mobile app support for pre-set and custom EQ options. You can also connect 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 phone, and they're able to cut down latency by as much as one quarter of a second, which is great.

3. B&W PX7 S2

Since their introduction, the original PX7s have appeared on countless lists of the best Bluetooth headphones, topping them in many cases thanks to their impressive ANC and high-quality sound. The PX7s, like most wireless headphones, were becoming old and needed a new look. Hence the PX7S2. B&W did not just alter the design and design, but also made enhancements to ANC, and added more voice-calling features.

The PX7 S2 headphones are very light, making them ideal for long listening sessions. The design of the PX7 S2 is mostly similar to the previous model. This includes the cool oval aluminium 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 a bit smaller, however, and the headband is less large overall.

The software of B&W lets you alter the EQ settings of bass and treble. However you aren't as in control as you would with higher-priced headphones. A Quick Action button on the left earcup switch on the modes for the environment and can be set in the Bowers And Wilkins PX7 S2 Wireless Headphones & Wilkins Music app to activate the voice assistant on your device.

The PX7 S2 sounds great for all musical styles, and has a soundstages that have plenty of width and good separation between the various sound elements. It shines especially on selections featuring acoustic instruments such as Rachmaninoff's Cello Sonata in G Minor, Op. 19 by pianist Yuja Wang and cellist Gautier Capucon with a woody tone and the feeling of air. It's also capable of handling heavier fare as well, thanks to the bass punch and midrange clarity on Entombed's garage/death-n'roll crossover curiosity To Ride, Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth creating an overwhelming soundscape while still allowing to hear the vocals, such as Lars-Goran Petrov's gritty growl.

4. Bose QuietComfort 35

Bose is one of the first companies that brought active noise cancelling headphones to the mainstream. They held a stranglehold for years but now they must compete with more modern headsets that have more features and better audio quality. That said, the QuietComfort 35 is still a great choice for anyone who wants to listen to podcasts and music without being disturbed by constant rumbles and hums.

The default sound profile is balanced and they're comfortable to wear. The ANC is great at removing background noise. However, it tends to emphasize lower frequencies more than other headphones, such as the Sony WH1000XM5.

If you're looking for a pair that can be used to listen to podcasts or audiobooks The QC35s come with an impressive passive noise cancellation mode which reduces ambient noise while keeping you isolated from the hum of the environment around you. The QC35s let you connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and "audio-share" which allows you to listen to music on one pair of headphones while answering an incoming call from the other pair.

The Bose Connect app is decent but it doesn't have the vast EQ options of some other headphone apps. The QC35s can also be used in wired mode using an audio cable, however sound quality takes a big drop and they don't offer the same battery longevity as wireless models.

The QC35s have an established Bose look that might not appeal to some people than the more modern designs of other brands. You can personalize your headphones by purchasing a decal-covered cover from companies like SlickWraps or Skin Sticker. In the coming year you'll be able to alter the color of the earcups and headbands, just like the earlier QC25.

5. Sony WH-1000XM3

Sony's WH-1000XM3 are the best wireless headphones that have active noise cancellation that you can purchase right now. They're more expensive than Anker Soundcore Q20 Wireless but they isolate more ambient noise. The app is also superior and has a wide range of sound-related options for customization.

The XM3s have an excellent audio quality, and since their release they've been improved to provide an even better experience. They're a bit more depth in the frequency spectrum. Their noise cancelling is superior at all levels of volume. They also have improved controls like Quick Attention mode and Speak-to Chat. The latest feature, Adaptive sound control, automatically adjusts the amount of external sound allowed in, based on the location of your body and the activities you're doing.

They're not without their own issues, however. The midrange can sound a bit recessed and the treble can sometimes be too loud. They also tend to boost the bass too much in certain tracks, which can make them sound too full and heavy. But that's something you can fix in the headphone settings or through EQ adjustment in the Sony app.

The XM3s make a great pair of headphones, particularly for frequent travelers or commuters. They are more comfortable, appear and feel premium, and are durable in comparison to the JBL Live 650 BTNC wireless. They also have a better battery and one of the best features for noise cancellation available. They're also more versatile and more suited for use on the go than Audio-Technica's ATH M50X wireless, although their noise isolation is less impressive. And they're not waterproof which can be a major issue for some.