The Best Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones

You'll need the top headphones for noise cancellation, whether you want to block out the hum of your HVAC system or you need to block the background noise of jet engines. The new Sony WH1000XM5s are the kings of active noise cancelling headphones cancellation. The predecessors were fantastic.

We've taken into account adjustability of ANC as well as touch controls and on-ear detection (for HeadphonesShop pausing music when you take off your headphones). Our top picks feature high-quality audio, comfortable ear cups and spacious ear cups.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

The fifth generation of Sony flagship headphones is a significant upgrade over their predecessors, with improved quality of audio and noise cancellation. Its impressive ANC creates a virtual cone on top of your head, absorbing the most shocking amount of low-frequency sound. The earphones also block out mid- and treble-range sounds like chatter from passengers, creaking metal and the clanging of dishware.

The WH-1000XM5s sound very natural, in contrast to noise cancelling headsets that can sound hollow. They are able to render Billie Eilish’s drums with remarkable detail and keep the edges clear and clean. They're an absolute pleasure to listen to on a commute or long flight.

A capacitive touch-screen on the right ear cup handles the most common controls, including 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. You can also press and hold the power button for a few seconds to hear a voice prompt of remaining battery life.

Another significant improvement to the XM5s is its new QN1 microphone, which is designed to capture high-quality audio while recording podcasts and videos. The microphone is more sensitive and has a greater audio range than the previous models making it easier to hear your own voice.

Other features from the XM4s are been transferred to the XM5, such as its adaptive ANC system that automatically optimizes performance based on your surroundings. The "Wearing Detection" feature detects when the headset is removed and pauses video or music. It will then resume it when they are put back on. It also works with Sony's DSEE Extreme engine, which claims to enhance compressed music to near-high-resolution quality.

2. Sony WH-1000XM4

The WH1000XM4s by Sony are the latest version of their top-of-the-line over-ear headphones. They feature top-of-the-line performance however they don't come with the same active noise cancellation as the WH1000XM5s. In addition to stronger Bluetooth and a better noise cancelling algorithm, the WH-1000XM4s have a brand new audio chip that can boost music files to HD quality and offers more advanced voice controls.

The biggest improvement in the latest model is that Sony has made the WH-1000XM4s more comfortable than ever before by adding padding around the headband and shifting the microphones closer to the outer edges of the ears. This makes them more comfortable to listen to for long periods.

You can also select between five different sound settings based on the environment. You can also customize your EQ settings by using the Sony headphones app. They're an excellent choice for travelers and the app lets you track your activities and automatically adjust the settings as you go.

The WH-1000XM4 has also improved its noise cancellation. It's now more effective due to its higher sensitivity and better filtering of low frequencies. This can be tested by looking at graphs such as the one above. Higher peaks indicate that more sounds are canceled out. The WH1000XM4s also do better in reducing low-frequency sounds such as the hum from an air conditioner, or the constant rumble from the engine of a plane.

The WH-1000XM4s are still equipped with a many great features which include a battery that lasts up to 30 hours and an integrated USB-C charging port. They also come with Quick Alert, HeadphonesShop a feature that lets you tap the right earcup to dampen the sound to enable transparency mode. Speak to Chat, in turn it pauses the media when your voice is raised (and it works however it sometimes does not recognize 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 headphones for over-ear use that were released in September 2017. While they've been replaced by the 2021-released Bose noise cancelling head phones Cancelling Headphones 700, they remain popular and affordable and are worth a look if you're looking for a noise-cancelling active headphone.

The QC35 II is a great pair of wireless headphones for mixed-use. They offer a comfortable fit and a neutral sound profile that is default. They also offer exceptional noise isolation. They can be used in noisy settings or while traveling and they last for more than a day on a single charge. They can also be used with the majority of smart assistants and are activated by a dedicated button. You can ask the assistant to play music, answer trivia or even read your notifications from your smartphone.

They have a wide opening in the ear padding that can fit most ear shapes and sizes and are extremely light. The hinges of the housings can be folded down to make them easier to pack into a bag or backpack. The controls on the right side of the headphones are well placed and comfortable to use. Playback can be controlled with tapping the buttons, including rewinding or skipping songs.

We listened to The Beatles' Let It Be and the drum beats and piano. The QC35 II delivers crisp, clear audio that is well-rounded and detail sound. They dig up subtleties in the vocals, such as Paul McCartney's irregular timing when he's building to the chorus, or Gerard Way's snarl when he sighs about the lack of individuality among teens.

The QC35 II is compatible with the majority of smart assistants and is able to connect to two devices simultaneously. The QC35 II comes with a carry bag and USB charging cable.

4. Sony WH-CH720N

Sony has a reputation for building excellent headphones that cost relatively little. The budget-friendly WHCH720N headphones by Sony aren't any different. These headphones carry over a lot of the features that make premium WH-1000XM5 headphones so great, but with an affordable design. They also provide a good amount of active noise cancellation for a reasonable price.

These headphones have powerful drivers that measure 30mm in size. They deliver crisp high frequencies and ample bass. They also feature an even tuning to make them sound great with various music genres, and they have a wide soundstage that helps you get a sense of being immersed in the music.

The WH-CH720N headphones have buttons instead of the touch controls and gestures of the XM5 headphones. This can be a a disadvantage, as the buttons are initially confusing. Fortunately, the headphones have clearly labeled controls and are arranged in a smart way. A single press of the '-' button lowers the volume, and double pressing pauses and plays audio. When you press and hold the button, voice assistants are launched and calls are rejected.

The headphones can last for up to 35 hours with ANC on. This is the best battery performance we've ever witnessed in over-ear headphones. They also have a standby mode to aid in conserving battery.

Bluetooth allows users to connect the WH-CH720N headphones to Android and iOS devices. They support LDAC which allows them to play high-res audio on compatible devices. They're also compatible with PlayStation consoles that have an analog 1/8" TRS cable. They can be used as wired headphones on a computer with the included USB dongle. The Sony Headphones Connect app lets you personalize your headphones with an adjustable EQ slider and presets as well as multipoint connectivity, as well as secure listening.

5. B&W PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 follow on from the success of their predecessor, but are by no means a half-baked update riding on its coattails. They have a sleeker design and a brand new application. They deliver on their promise of high-end build quality and sound that accurately expresses artistic intention. They're also incredibly comfortable and are a delight to wear all day long.

They don't have the same noise cancellation features as the Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II, or the Sony WH1000XM5, but they do a good job of blocking out ambient noise so you can concentrate on your podcasts or music. They use a six microphone setup (four for noise cancellation and two for voice-recording) and a redesigned algorithm that reduce ambient sound by 30dB. They're also one of only a few Bluetooth headphones we've tested that can be used in a passive manner and allow users to listen to their content without having to power up the drive units.

They're also compatible with the B&W Music app, a free download that delivers a wide range of features that complement the superior noise cancelling. It includes a Quick Action button that cycles through three modes for environmental use and displays battery life. It can be set to launch your device's voice assistant. It's a pain to press and hold the button to activate it - pressing it once would be more efficient and intuitive.

The PX7 S2 are an impressive pair of headphones that will please the majority of music fans. 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. But, they will still impress those who appreciate audiophile credentials, and are practical and easy to use.