The Best Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones

You require the most effective headphones for noise cancellation regardless of whether you wish to block out the hum from your HVAC system, or are looking to combat the background noise of jet engines. The newest Sony WH-1000XM5s are among the latest leaders in active noise cancellation and their predecessors were equally excellent.

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

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

The fifth generation of Sony's top headphones is a major upgrade over its predecessor, offering better noise cancellation and improved audio quality. Its impressive ANC creates an enveloping cone over your head, suffocating an astonishing amount of low-frequency sounds. The earphones also block mid- to treble range sounds such as passenger chatter or the creaking of metal, as well as the clanging of dishware.

In contrast to other noise cancelling headphones that sound hollow or unnatural, the WH-1000XM5s sound very natural. They are able to render Billie Eilish’s drums with remarkable clarity while keeping the edges clear and clean. It's an absolute pleasure listening to them during long flights or during commutes.

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

The new QN1 mic is a significant improvement over the XM5s. It was designed to capture high-quality audio when recording videos and podcasts. The microphone is more sensitive than previous models and has a greater audio range that makes it easier to hear your voice.

The XM5 has also carried over ear headphones bluetooth noise cancelling some features from the XM4s, such as the adaptive ANC system which automatically optimizes performance based on your surroundings. The "Wearing Detection" feature detects when the headset is removed, and will pause video or music. It will resume it when they return to. It's compatible with Sony's DSEE Extreme Engine, which increases the quality of compressed music to nearly high-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 feature the same amount of active noise cancellation as the WH-1000XM5s, they provide superior performance. The WH-1000XM4s feature a more powerful Bluetooth connection as well as an improved noise cancellation algorithm. They also have a new audio chip which increases the sound quality to HD quality and has advanced voice controls.

Sony has upgraded the WH1000XM4s of the latest generation by adding padding to the headband and moving the microphones outwards. This makes them more comfortable to listen to for long periods of time.

They're also more flexible and allow you to switch between five sound modes depending on the environment. You can also customize your EQ settings using the Sony headphones app. The app lets you keep track of your activities and automatically optimize the settings. They are a great option for those who travel.

Another major improvement is the WH-1000XM4's noise cancellation, which is now more effective by adding more sensitivities and improving how it filters out low frequencies. You can check this out by studying a graph similar to the one above, where higher peaks indicate that more sounds are being blocked out. The WH1000XM4s are also superior in reducing low-frequency noises, like the hum of an air conditioner or the constant rumble from a plane engine.

The WH1000XM4s come with a variety of excellent features, including a 30 hour battery life and a USB-C charging port. They also have Quick Alert, which lets you touch the right earcup in order to deflect music and activate the transparency mode; Speak to Chat can pause media when you raise your voice (and is effective, even though it may not always detect taps), and Sony's Smart Listening technology, which can recognize and analyze your environment to deliver superior audio.

3. Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II

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

The QC35 II are a great pair of wireless headphones that offer a comfortable fit and a neutral sound profile and exceptional noise isolation. They can be used in noisy environments as well as while on the move and last for more than a day on one charge. They are also compatible with the majority of smart assistants and are activated by a dedicated button. You can ask them to play music or answer trivia questions, or read your smartphone notifications.

They have a wide opening in the ear padding that can fit most ears and shapes. They are extremely light. The hinges of the housings can be folded down to allow them to be easily packed in a bag or a backpack. The controls are placed on the right-hand side of the headphones and are easy to use. Playback can be controlled with a series of taps which include rewinding or skipping songs.

We were listening to The Beatles' Let It Be, and the drum and piano beats. The QC35 II delivers crisp, clear audio that is well-rounded and detailed sound. They can detect subtleties such as Paul McCartney’s inconsistent timing as he builds up to the chorus, or Gerard Way's snarl as he rants about the teen-like persona in teenagers.

The QC35 II can be connected to up to two devices at once and is compatible with the majority of smart assistants. The QC35 II also come with the carry case as well as a USB cable that can be charged quickly.

4. Sony WH-CH720N

Sony is renowned for producing high-quality headphones that are priced at a reasonable price. The budget-friendly WHCH720N earphones from Sony are no exception. They have many of the same features as the flagship WH1000XM5 headphones, but with an affordable design. They offer a great deal of active noise cancellation for the price of a small.

These headphones have high-performance drivers of 30mm that offer crisp high-frequency sound and ample bass. They also have a balanced tuning to make them sound great with a variety of genres of music, and they have a large soundstage that helps you be immersed in your music.

The WH-CH720N headphones use buttons for controls instead of the touch controls and gestures of the XM5 headphones. This could be a an issue as the buttons can be confusing at first. The controls are intelligently placed and are clearly labeled. One press of the button with the '-' lowers the volume, while double presses pauses and plays audio. When you press and hold the button the button, voice assistants are activated and calls are rejected.

The headphones can last for up to 35 hours with ANC on. This is the most efficient battery performance we've ever seen in over-ear headphones. They have a standby function to save battery.

Bluetooth allows users to connect the WHCH720N headphones to Android and iOS devices. They support LDAC which lets them play high-quality audio on compatible devices. They're also compatible with PlayStation consoles that have an analog 1/8" TRS cable and can be used as wired headphones on a computer with the included USB dongle. The Sony Headphones Connect App lets you customize your headphones using an EQ slider, presets and multipoint connectivity.

5. B&W PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 follow on from a successful predecessor but are by no means a half-baked update riding on its own. With a sleeker design and a new application that delivers on the promise of premium build quality and sound that is that is designed to accurately express the artist's vision. They're also incredibly comfortable and enjoyable to wear throughout the day.

While they're not as effective as the noise cancellation of the Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II or the Sony WH-1000XM5 but they do a excellent job of blocking out ambient noises and ensuring that you can focus on your music, podcasts, or gaming on your handheld without distractions. They have a six-strong microphone setup (four for noise cancelling and two for voice pick up) and a revised algorithm that reduces ambient noise by 30 decibels. They're also among the few Bluetooth headphones we've tested that can be used in passive mode, allowing users to listen to content on your own without putting power to the drive units.

They're also compatible with the B&W Music app, a free download that provides many features that complement the superior noise cancelling. The Quick Action button can be set to turn on the device's voice assistant and cycle through three environmental settings and show battery life. It's a pain to press and hold it for a long time. A single press would be more intuitive and easier.

The PX7 S2 is an audiophile pair that will delight lovers of music. The PX7 S2 aren't suitable for demanding music genres such as metal and rock that favor bass-heavy productions and muddy low-frequency as they are for classical, folk and Acoustic. However, they will still be awe-inspiring to those who appreciate audiophile credentials, and are practical and easy to use.