Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?

The noise-cancelling headphones can be a godsend to those who love to listen regardless of whether they're in the office or in the train. Which ones are the best?

Sony's flagship headphones are an excellent value. They offer a new design and superior audio quality and also enticing features. From the powerful chorus to Sinead's shaking bridge, these headphones deliver incredible clarity and real-world realism.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony is the king of noise cancellation and its WH1000XM5 headphones represent the top model in this series. This model is an excellent pair of headphones, especially for those who commute or are traveling. They're comfortable, feature multipoint technology to connect two devices at once and feature the best over ear noise cancelling headphones ANC Sony has ever created. They're lightweight and can run for up to 27 hours without charging. That's enough time for a week of commutes or long-haul flights.

The WH1000XM5s are sleek and minimalist in appearance. They are made of ABS which is an eco-friendly and recycled plastic. The branding is minimal, but there is the 'Sony' logo on the hinge of each earcup. The earcups and headband are cushioned by a plush soft material that is comfortable on all heads. The earcups can be adjusted to perfect fit your head.

In contrast to previous models that concentrated on reducing low-frequency noise the XM5s amplify high-frequency sound waves in order to block out ambient sounds. This improves overall quality of the sound, and can help reduce cabin and engine noise on flights. The XM5s has another processing unit to increase noise cancellation on planes. The audio app is also able to automatically adjust the sound environment you are listening to according to the pressure of the air.

The WH-1000XM5s also features an assistant for voice that is simple to use, and it works with Alexa as well as Google Assistant, Siri, and more. The XM5s can be paired with other Sony audio devices for stereo separation and multi-room music. They're compatible with Bluetooth high-bitrate audio streaming via Sony's LDAC codec, but don't support the aptX codec or aptX HD.

2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

Sennheiser has been manufacturing headphones for more than 50 years. You can expect a high-quality sound, and a cosy fit. They've delivered on both counts with their latest headphones, named the Momentum 4 Wireless. They've revamped their design to eliminate a few distinctive elements that gave their original models their aviator-style headset look. They also enhanced active noise cancellation by using their advanced Adaptive Noisy Cancellation Technology. These headphones are rated to last for 60 hours with ANC on which is twice the battery life of other competitors.

The new model is also more portable, as it folds up and is smaller. They're made of synthetic PU leather for the replaceable ear pads and headband that feel comfortable on my noggin even if I wear them for the entire working. There's not a lot of clamping force that holds them in place either and they'll be comfortable on flights and during longer workouts.

The sound is well-balanced and clear There are a few high-pitched peaks in the mid- and high-mid which cause slightly muddy sound in mixes. The bass is overemphasized, adding extra energy and thump in genres such as EDM or hip hop. It's not an issue but it might annoy some listeners. The high-mid has some uneven balance too, pushing vocals and instruments towards the front of the mix but at the expense of bringing out sibilants within certain songs.

The Sennheiser momentum 4 wireless comes with all the standard features such as Bluetooth wireless connectivity, a clear mode that blends outside noises into your music to improve awareness, and mobile application support for pre-set and custom EQ options. They can also be connected with an 3.5mm cable if you're connecting your phone to it via wire. They can utilize SBC, AAC, aptX HD and aptX Adaptive codecs to connect to your device and they're able to cut down latency by up to one quarter of a second, which is great.

3. B&W PX7 S2

Since their launch in 2004, the original PX7s have been featured on numerous lists of the top Bluetooth headphones, atop them in many instances due to their outstanding ANC and high-quality sound. The PX7s, just like other wireless headphones, were becoming old and required a refresh. This is why the PX7S2. B&W hasn't just redesigned the design of the new model, but they've made substantial improvements to ANC and added more voice-call features, too.

The first thing you notice when you open the box and get the PX7 S2 is just how light they are, which makes them very comfortable for long listening sessions. The look 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 smaller and the headband is less substantial.

B&W's software allows you to tweak EQ settings for treble and bass, however, you don't have as much control over the mix of these two elements as you would on higher-priced headphones. The Quick Action button on left earcup toggles the environmental modes. It can also be configured to summon the voice assistant of your device in the Bowers & Wilkins Music App.

The PX7 S2 is a great choice for all musical styles. It has a large soundstage and good over ear noise cancelling headphones separation of different sound elements. It shines in particular on works featuring acoustic instruments such as Rachmaninoff's Cello Sonata in G Minor, Op. 19, composed by pianist Yuja Wang and cellist Gautier Capucon, with acoustic instrumental tones that give a sense of air. It's also capable of handling heavier music and has the bass punch and midrange clarity on Entombed's crossover of death-n'-rock and garage to Ride the Straight, Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth giving an overwhelming soundscape while still allowing to hear the vocals of Lars-Goran Petrov's sharp growl.

4. Bose QuietComfort 35

Bose is one of the first companies that brought active noise cancelling headphones into the mainstream. While they held an advantage over the market for a long time however, they are now competing with newer headsets that have more features and higher sound quality. QuietComfort 35 remains a great choice for anyone looking to listen to music or podcasts with no noise or rumbles.

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.

The QC35s are an excellent pair of headphones for listening to audiobooks and podcasts. They come with a noise cancellation mode that is passive which reduces ambient sounds, but still allowing you to be completely isolated from your surroundings. The QC35s permit you to connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and "audio-share", so you can listen to a song with one set of headphones and answer an incoming call on the other.

The Bose Connect App is decent, but it doesn't have the full EQ features of other headphone apps. The QC35s are also available in wired mode, but the quality of sound is reduced and battery life is not as good as wireless models.

The QC35s are a Bose product, which may not be for everyone. Other manufacturers have sleeker designs. You can personalize your headphones by purchasing a decal cover from companies such as SlickWraps or Skin Sticker. Later this year, you'll be able customize the color of the earcups and headbands, just like the QC25 model from earlier.

5. Sony WH-CH710N Wireless Headphones - White - Noise Cancelling, visit their website, WH-1000XM3

Sony's WH1000XM3 is among the top wireless headphone with active noise cancellation you can buy right now. They're a bit more costly than the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless, but they block out a lot more ambient noise and feel much more sturdy. The app is also better and Sony WH-CH710N Wireless Headphones - White - Noise Cancelling comes with a variety of sound-related options for customization.

The XM3s have a great audio quality, and since their release, they've been enhanced to give even better performance. They offer a little more clarity across the spectrum of frequencies, their noise cancelling works better at all volume levels, and they have improved controls for things like Quick Attention mode, Sony WH-CH710N Wireless Headphones - White - Noise Cancelling voice control, and Speak-to-Chat. They also have a new feature called Adaptive Sound Control that adjusts automatically the amount of external sound allowed in, based on the location you're at and what you're doing.

However, they aren't without flaws. The treble may be occasionally a bit overpowering and the midrange can sound a bit recessed. They do have the potential to boost the bass too much on certain tracks, which makes them sound heavy and full. You can fix this by using the Sony app or in the headphone settings.

The XM3s are a fantastic pair of headphones, especially for commuters and frequent travelers. They are more comfortable, appear and feel premium, and last longer than 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 better-equipped to use on the go than Audio-Technica's ATH M50X wireless, though their noise isolation is less impressive. They're not waterproof, and that could be a deal breaker for some.