The Best Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones

You require the most effective headphones for noise cancellation, whether you want to block out the hum of your HVAC system or want to fight the roar of jet engine noises. The new Sony WH-1000XM5s are the new top of the line in active noise cancellation and their predecessors are also excellent.

We've analyzed the adjustability of ANC and touch controls, as well as on-ear detection for paused music when headphones are removed. Our top picks include high-quality audio and comfortable, spacious ear cups.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

The fifth generation of Sony's flagship headphones is a significant upgrade over the previous model, featuring better noise cancellation and enhanced audio quality. Its impressive ANC creates a virtual cone over your head, blocking out the most shocking amount of low-frequency sound. The earphones also block mid- and treble-range sounds like chatter from passengers, creaking metal and the clanging of dishware.

The WH-1000XM5s sound very natural, unlike some noise cancelling headsets that can sound hollow. They are able to render the drums of Billie Eilish with astonishing detail, while keeping the edges clear and clean. They're great to listen to on a commute or long flight.

A capacitive touch-screen on the right ear cup handles the most commonly used controls, such as play/pause, volume up/down, and skip forwards/backwards. It can also make calls end and answer, and switch between ANC and ambient sound mode. Alternately, hold the power button for a few seconds to hear a voice prompt of remaining battery life.

The QN1 microphone is another notable improvement to the XM5s. It is designed to record high-quality audio while recording podcasts and videos. The microphone is more sensitive than the previous models and has a greater audio range that makes it easier to pick up your voice.

Other features of the XM4s have been transferred to the XM5, such as its adaptive ANC system that automatically optimizes performance based on your surroundings. Its "Wearing Detection' feature now detects when you remove the headset and stops playing video or music and then restarts it when 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 WH-1000XM4s are the most recent version of Sony's market-leading over-ear headphones. And even though they don't offer as much active noise cancelling headphones Sales cancellation as the WH-1000XM5s, they offer class-leading performance. Alongside the improved Bluetooth and a better noise cancelling algorithm, the WH-1000XM4s also have a brand new audio chip that upscales music files to HD quality and has more advanced voice controls.

Sony has upgraded the WH1000XM4s in the most recent version by adding padding to the headband, and moving the microphones outwards. 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 sound modes depending on the surroundings. Sony headphones come with an app that lets you to customize your EQ settings. The app allows you to monitor your activity and automatically optimize the settings. They are a great choice for those who travel.

Another major improvement is the WH-1000XM4's sound cancellation that is now more effective by adding more sensitivity and improving how it blocks out low frequencies. This can be tested by looking at graphs similar to the one shown above. The higher the peaks, more sounds are being blocked out. The WH-1000XM4s also better attenuate low-frequency sounds such as the sound of an air conditioner or the constant rumble of an airplane engine more than any other pair of noise-canceling headphones we've tried.

The WH-1000XM4s continue to have an impressive set of features which include batteries that last up to 30 hours, and a USB-C charging port built-in. They also come with Quick Alert, a feature that allows you to tap the right earcup to dampen music to activate transparency mode. Speak to Chat, meanwhile it pauses the media when your voice is raised (and it works, although sometimes it fails to register taps), as well as Sony's Smart Listening Technology, which can detect your environment and provide better audio.

3. Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II

The Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II (or QC35 Wireless 2018) are earbuds that were released in September 2017. While they have been succeeded by the 2021-released Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700, they remain 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 and a neutral sound profile and excellent noise isolation. They are ideal for traveling or in noisy environments and last more than a day on a single battery charge. They are also compatible with a variety of smart assistants and are activated via a dedicated button. You can ask them to play music and answer trivia questions or read your smartphone notifications.

The padding around the ears is wide and will fit most ears. They are also lightweight. The hinges of the housings can be folded down to make them easier to pack in a bag or a backpack. The controls on the right side of the headphones are intuitively placed and comfortable to use. Playback is controlled by tapping the buttons which include rewinding or skipping songs.

We were listening to The Beatles' Let It Be as well as the piano and drum beats. The QC35 II deliver crisp, clear audio that's well-rounded and detailed. They can detect subtleties, like Paul McCartney's inconsistent timing as he builds to the chorus or Gerard Way's snarl as his lyrics praising teenage-personalism in Teenagers.

The QC35 II is compatible with the majority of smart assistants and can connect to two devices simultaneously. The QC35 II also come with an accessory case for carrying and a USB cable that can be charged quickly.

4. Sony WH-CH720N

Sony is known for making high-quality headphones that cost relatively little. The budget-friendly WH-CH720N headphones from Sony are not an exception. These headphones carry over ear noise cancelling headphones a lot of the features that make premium WH-1000XM5 headphones so great, but with an affordable design. These headphones offer a lot of active noise cancellation for an affordable price.

Like the WH-1000XM5 headphones, these headphones feature 30mm dynamic drivers that deliver plenty of bass and clear high frequencies. They also have an even tuning to make them sound great with a variety of music genres, and they have a wide soundstage that lets you feel immersed in your listening.

The WH-CH720N headphones have buttons for controls instead of the touch controls and gestures of the XM5 headphones. This can be a of a drawback since the buttons are at first difficult to understand. The controls are strategically placed and are clearly labeled. Double presses of the '+' button will pause and play audio. A single press decreases the volume. By pressing and holding the button the button, voice assistants are activated and calls are turned down.

With ANC enabled the headphones will last about 35 hours before they run out of power. This is among the best battery performance we've seen on headphones with over-ears. They also come with a standby mode that can aid in conserving 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 with 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 using an adjustable EQ slider, presets, multipoint connectivity, and secure listening.

5. B&W PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 follow on from a successful predecessor but are not an unfinished update that rides on its coattails. They have a sleeker design and a brand new application. They fulfill their promise of high-end build quality and sound that accurately communicates artistic intent. They are also extremely comfortable to wear all day.

They don't offer the same noise cancellation features as the Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II, or the Sony WH1000XM5, however, they're effective in blocking out background noises to let you concentrate on your music or podcasts. They feature a six-microphone setup (four for noise Cancelling headphones sales noise cancellation and two for voice pickup) and a new algorithm that cut down on ambient noise by 30dB. They're also among the few Bluetooth headphones we've tested that can be used in passive mode, allowing users to listen to content by themselves, without putting power to the drive units.

The B&W Music app is also compatible with the free download that provides a variety of features to complement the excellent noise cancellation. It includes a Quick Action button that cycles through three different modes of environmental that display battery life and can be configured to activate your device's voice assistant. It's a pain to press and hold the button for a while - one press is more convenient and intuitive.

The PX7 S2 is an audiophile pair that will delight lovers of music. The PX7 S2 headphones aren't so well-suited to the demanding music genres such as metal and rock, which favor bass-heavy productions and muddy low-frequency as they are to classical, folk and Acoustic. But, they will still be awe-inspiring to those who appreciate the audiophile credential, which is also practical and comfortable.