Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?

On the train or in the office Noise-cancelling headphones are an absolute must for anyone who likes to listen. But which ones are the most effective?

Sony's flagship headphones are a great value. They offer a new design and a superior audio quality, as well as enviable features. They can capture every detail, from Sinead O'Connor's shaking Bridge to the intense chorus.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony is the king of noise cancellation and its WH1000XM5 headphones represent the best version of this model. A few well-thought-out improvements over the XM4s make these headphones an all-round excellent pair of headphones, specifically for those who commute or travel. They're comfortable, feature multipoint technology to connect two devices at once and feature the best ANC Sony has made to date. They are lightweight and can run for up to 27 hours with no charging. This is enough for a week of daily commutes or long-haul flights.

The WH1000XM5s look sleek and minimalist in appearance. They are made from ABS which is an eco-friendly and recycled plastic. The branding is minimal, although you'll find the 'Sony' logo on the hinge of each earcup. The headband and earcups feature soft, plush materials that is comfortable for all heads with the exception of the largest. The earcups can be adjusted to fit you perfectly.

Unlike previous models that focused on reducing low-frequency noise the XM5s amplify high-frequency sound waves in order to block out background noise. This improves the overall sound quality and helps to block out cabin and engine noises during flights, for instance. The XM5s have another processor to enhance noise cancellation further on airplanes and the audio app will also automatically adjust your listening environment based on the data from your air pressure.

The WH-1000XM5s also has a voice assistant that is simple to use and works with Alexa as well as Google Assistant, Siri, and more. The XM5s can be connected with other Sony audio devices to provide stereo separation and multi-room music. They're compatible with Bluetooth high-bitrate audio streaming through LDAC, which Sony's codec is based on but they're not compatible with 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 and a comfortable fit. They deliver on both fronts with their latest over-ears, named the Momentum 4 Wireless. They've revamped their design to eliminate some trademark elements that gave their previous models their aviator-style headset look. They also upgraded active noise cancellation using their latest Adaptive Noisy Cancellation Technology. They've evaluated these headphones to last for 60 hours of listening time with ANC enabled, which doubles the battery life of many other competitors.

They're also much more mobile than the previous model since they fold down and are smaller overall. They're made from synthetic PU leather for the re-usable ear pads and headband which feel comfortable on my head even if I wear them for the entire working. There isn't a lot of clamping force that keeps them in place which means they'll remain comfortable on flights and even during workouts that last longer.

The sound is well-balanced and clear However, there are a few peaking in the low-mid and high-mid that cause a slight muddying in the mixes. The bass can be a bit overemphasized, adding a bit of impact and thump to genres like EDM or hip-hop. It's not a major issue however some listeners may find it annoying. The high-mid also isn't balanced, bringing vocals and instruments forward in the mix but at the expense of bringing out a few vocals.

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

3. B&W PX7 S2

Since their launch, the original PX7s have been featured on numerous lists of the best Bluetooth headphones, and have been ranked high in many instances due to their impressive ANC and high-quality sound. But like most wireless headphones, they've become older and needed an update which is why the PX7 S2. B&W not only changed the design and design, but also made enhancements to ANC, and added more features for voice calls.

The PX7 S2 headphones are extremely light, making them comfortable for long listening sessions. The look of the PX7 S2 is largely identical to the previous model. It has the sleek oval aluminum top-plate that is used 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 however, and the headband is a bit less bulky overall.

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

The PX7 S2 is a great choice for most music styles. It offers a wide soundstage and good separation of the various sound elements. It's particularly impressive on music that has acoustic instrumentation such as Rachmaninoff's Cello Sonata, Op. 19 by pianist Yuja Wang and cellist Gautier Capucon, with a woody tone and the feeling of air. It's also capable of handling heavier songs as well, thanks to the bass power and mid-range clarity on Entombed's garage/death-n'roll crossover curiosity To Ride and Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth providing a wall of sound while keeping things clear enough to be able hear the vocals of Lars-Goran Petrov's grittier growl.

4. Bose QuietComfort 35

Bose is among the first companies to introduce active noise cancelling headphones to the mainstream. They held a stranglehold for years but now they must compete with more modern headsets that offer more features and superior audio quality. That said, the QuietComfort 35 is still a excellent option for anyone looking to listen to their podcasts and music without being disturbed by continuous noises and rumbles.

The default sound profile is balanced, and they're comfortable to wear. The ANC is excellent at eliminating 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 to listen to audiobooks and podcasts. They have an active noise cancellation feature that blocks out ambient sounds while still keeping you isolated from the surrounding. The QC35s can also connect two Bluetooth devices at the same time and "audio-share" so you can listen to music on one pair of headphones while answering an incoming call from the other pair.

The Bose Connect app is decent but doesn't offer the extensive EQ options of some other headphone apps. The QC35s are also available in wired mode, but the quality of sound is reduced and the battery life is not as good as wireless models.

The QC35s come with a well-known Bose look that might not appeal to some consumers as the sleeker designs of other manufacturers. You can add some personalization to your headphones by purchasing a decal cover from companies such as SlickWraps or Skin Sticker. You'll also be able customize the color of the earcups and headband later this year, just like you can do with the previous QC25 model.

5. Sony WH-1000XM3

Sony's WH-1000XM3 are among the top wireless headphones that have active noise cancellation you can buy right now. They're a bit more expensive than the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless, but they block out a lot more ambient noise and feel more durable. The app is also better and has a wide range of sound customization options.

The XM3s have an excellent sound quality, and since their launch, they've been upgraded to give the best performance. They have a little bit more depth in the frequency spectrum. The noise cancellation is more effective at all levels of volume. They also have upgraded features like Quick Attention mode and Speak-to chat. The new feature, Adaptive sound control, automatically adjusts the amount of external sound let in based the location of your body and the activities you're doing.

However, they're not without flaws. The treble may be a little overpowering at times and the midrange can sound a bit receding. They also tend to boost bass too much in certain tracks, over ear noise cancelling headphones making the sound seem too loud and heavy. However, this is something you can fix in the headphone settings or by using EQ adjustment within the Sony app.

The XM3s are an excellent pair headphones, especially for commuters or frequent travelers. They are more comfortable, appear and feel premium, and are durable in comparison to the JBL Live 650 BTNC wireless. They also have a more powerful battery and one of the most effective features for noise cancellation available. They're also more flexible and more suited for use on the go than Audio-Technica's ATH M50X beats wireless noise cancelling headphones, although their noise cancellation isn't as impressive. They're also not waterproof, which could be a problem for some.