Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?

Noise-cancelling headphones can be a godsend to anyone who enjoys listening regardless of whether they're in the office or in the train. Which ones are the best, though?

With a fresh design with superior sound quality and a plethora of features, Sony's latest flagship headphones offer great value. From the powerful chorus to Sinead O'Connor's shaking bridge, these headphones deliver superb detail and realism.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony is a pro at noise cancelling headphones uk cancellation, and its WH-1000XM5 headphones are the best iteration of this series. A few well-thought-out upgrades over the XM4s make this model an excellent all-round pair of headphones, specifically for those who commute or travel. They're comfortable, feature multipoint technology to connect to two devices simultaneously and have the best ANC Sony has produced yet. They're also lightweight and provide about 27 hours of playback with no charging, which is plenty for a week's worth commuting or one long-haul flight.

The WH-1000XM5s feature a sleek minimalist design and are made of a recycled and recyclable plastic referred to as acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS). The branding is minimalist. There's tiny Sony logo on each hinge of the earcup. The headband and earcups have a soft, plush material that is comfortable for all types of heads with the exception of the largest. The earcups are also adjustable so you can find the best fit for you.

Contrary to previous models which focused on reducing low-frequency noise the XM5s amplify high-frequency sound waves in order to block out ambient sounds. That improves overall sound quality and helps to block out the noise of engines and cabins on flights, for example. The XM5s have a second processor to increase noise cancellation more for airplanes, and the audio app will also automatically adjust the listening environment to data on air pressure.

The WH-1000XM5s also features an integrated voice assistant that is simple to use, and it works with Alexa as well as Google Assistant, Siri, and more. You can also pair the XM5s to other Sony audio products to allow stereo and multi-room music playback separation. They're compatible with Bluetooth high-bitrate audio streaming via LDAC codec from Sony but they're not compatible with the aptX or aptX HD.

2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

Sennheiser has been manufacturing headphones for more than 50 years. You can expect premium sound quality as well as a comfortable fit. They deliver on both fronts with their latest pair of over-ears called the Momentum 4 Wireless. They've redesigned their design to eliminate some trademark elements that gave their previous models the look of an aviator. They also improved active noise cancellation by using their advanced Adaptive Noisy Cancellation Technology. They are designed to last 60 hours with ANC on, which is double the battery life of a lot of rivals.

The new model is also more portable, as it folds up and is smaller. The ear pads and headband are made of synthetic PU leather, which feels comfortable on my head when I wear it all day. They're also not extremely tight, so you can wear them for long flights or even during workouts.

The sound is well-balanced and clear, though there are some peaking in the low-mid and high-mid which cause slight muddiness in mixes. The bass is too loud, adding extra punch and thump in genres such as EDM or hip hop. It's not an issue however some listeners might find it irritating. The high-mid also isn't balanced in bringing instruments and vocals forward in the mix but at the expense of bringing out some vocal sibilants.

The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless comes with all the standard features like bluetooth wireless connectivity, a transparency mode that blends outside sounds into your music to improve awareness and mobile application support for custom and preset EQ options. They can also be connected with an 3.5mm cable when connecting your phone to it via wire. They can make use of SBC, AAC, aptX HD and aptX Adaptive codecs to connect to your device, and they're able to reduce latency by up to 25, which is great.

3. B&W PX7 S2

Since their release in the year 2000, the original PX7s have been on numerous lists of the top Bluetooth headphones, How to noise cancelling headphones work atop them in many cases thanks to their impressive ANC and excellent sound quality. The PX7s, as with many wireless headphones, were getting old and needed a refresh. Hence the PX7S2. B&W hasn't just redesigned the design for this new model, but they've made considerable improvements to ANC and also added more voice-calling features, too.

The first thing you notice when you open the box and take out the PX7 S2 is just how to Noise cancelling headphones work lightweight they are, which makes them extremely comfortable for long listening sessions. The overall design is carried over from the previous model, including the elongated aluminium earcup top-plate, the hook-like accent on the headband that glids instead of clicking as you expand it, and the actual buttons. The earcups, however are smaller, and the headband is less substantial.

The software from B&W lets you tweak EQ settings for treble and bass but you don't get as much control over the mix between these two elements as you do with higher-end headphones. The Quick Action button on left earcup toggles the environmental modes. It can also be programmed to call the voice assistant of your device through the Bowers & Wilkins Music App.

The PX7 S2 is a great choice for all musical styles. It has a large soundstage and a good over ear noise cancelling headphones separation of different sound elements. It shines particularly on pieces that showcase acoustic instruments, such as Rachmaninoff's Cello Sonata in G Minor, Op. 19, composed by pianist Yuja Wang and cellist Gautier Capucon, with a woody tone and a sense of air. It can also handle heavier music, too, with the bass sound and midrange clarity of Entombed's fusion of garage and death-n'-roll, Ride and Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth giving a wall of sound while still allowing to hear the vocals, such as Lars-Goran Petrov's gritty growl.

4. Bose QuietComfort 35

Bose is among the first companies to bring active noise cancelling headphones to the mainstream. They had a stranglehold for years but now they must compete with more modern headsets that offer more features and better audio quality. QuietComfort 35 remains a great option for anyone who wants to listen to their music or podcasts with no sound rumbles or hums.

The default sound profile is balanced and they're comfortable to wear. The ANC does a great job of eliminating background noise, but it tends to focus on low frequencies more than newer headphones like the Sony WH-1000XM5.

If you're seeking a pair that can be used to listen to podcasts or audiobooks, the QC35s have an amazing passive noise cancellation feature that cuts down on ambient noises while keeping you adrift from the hum of the surrounding environment. The QC35s can also connect two Bluetooth devices at once and "audio-share" which allows you to play something on one pair of headphones and then answer an incoming call on the other.

The Bose Connect App is decent however it lacks the extensive EQ features of other headphone apps. The QC35s can be used in wired mode using cables, but the quality of sound takes a huge hit and they don't have the same level of battery longevity as wireless models.

The QC35s are a Bose product, and it might not be for all. Other brands offer more sleek designs. However you can add a bit of personalization by buying a decal-covered cover-up from companies like SlickWraps and Skin Sticker. You'll also be able alter the color of the ear cups and headband later this year, just like you could with the earlier QC25 model.

5. Sony WH-1000XM3

Sony's WH1000XM3 is the best wireless headphone that has active noise cancellation you can buy today. They're a bit more expensive than the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless, but they are able to block out more ambient noise and feel more sturdy. They also have a premium companion app that gives you many sound customization options.

The XM3's outstanding sound quality is one of their biggest draws and they've been upgraded since their launch to offer even better performance. They're equipped with a little more detail 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. They also have a brand new feature called Adaptive Sound Control that automatically adjusts how much external sound is allowed in based on where you're at and what you're doing.

However, they're not without flaws. 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, making them sound overly full and heavy. But this is something you can address by changing the settings for your headphone or by using EQ adjustment within the Sony app.

The XM3s are a great pair of headphones, especially for those who commute and frequent travel. They're more comfortable, look and feel premium and durable than the JBL Live 650 BTNC Wireless and have a superior battery and one of our favorite noise cancelling features available on the market. They're also more adaptable and more mobile-friendly than the Audio-Technica's ATH-M50X Wireless, although they have less impressive noise isolation. They're also not waterproof, and that could be a major issue for some.