The Best Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones

You require the most effective headphones that block out noise regardless of whether you wish to block out the hum from your HVAC system or you need to block the background noise of jet engines. The latest Sony WH-1000XM5s have become the new leaders in active noise cancellation, and their predecessors are also excellent.

We've considered the adjustable ANC as well as touch controls and on-ear detection (for pausing music when you take your headphones off). Our top picks feature high-resolution audio and comfortable, spacious ear cups.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

The fifth generation of Sony's top headphones is a major improvement over its predecessor, offering improved noise cancellation and audio quality. Its remarkable ANC performance creates an enveloping cone of silence that covers your head and blocks out a surprising amount of low-frequency noise. The earphones also block out mid- and treble-range sounds like passenger chatter or the creaking of metal, as well as clanging dishesware.

In contrast to other noise cancelling headphones, which can sound hollow or unnatural, the WH1000XM5s are extremely natural sounding. They can reproduce the drums of Billie Eilish with astonishing clarity, while keeping the edges clean and clear. They're an absolute pleasure to listen to on an airplane ride or on a commute.

A capacitive touch-surface in the right ear cup handles the most common controls, including play/pause, Headphonesshop.uk volume up/down and skip forwards/backwards. It also lets you end and answer calls, and switch between ANC mode and ambient sound. You can also hold the power key for a few seconds to hear an audio message telling you how much battery life you have left.

Another notable improvement on the XM5s is the new QN1 microphone, which is designed to record high-quality audio while making podcasts and videos. The microphone is more sensitive and has a wider audio range than previous models, making it easier to recognize your own voice.

The XM5 has also brought over the ear headphones with noise cancelling certain features that were XM4's, such as the adaptive ANC system that automatically optimizes performance in accordance with the environment. Its "Wearing Detection feature now detects when you remove the headset, and then pauses videos or music and then restarts it when you put them back on. It's compatible with Sony's DSEE Extreme Engine, which enhances compressed music to close to hi-res quality.

2. Sony WH-1000XM4

The WH1000XM4s of Sony are the most recent version of their industry-leading over-ear headphones. They feature top-of-the-line performance, even though they don't come with the same active noise cancellation as the WH1000XM5s. In addition to having stronger Bluetooth and a better noise cancelling algorithm, the WH1000XM4s boast a new audio chip that upscales music files to HD quality and more advanced voice controls.

The biggest improvement in this latest generation is that Sony has made the WH-1000XM4s more comfortable than ever before by putting padding on the headband and moving the microphones to the outside of the ears. This makes them more comfortable to listen to for long periods.

They're also more versatile and allow you to switch between five modes of sound depending on the environment. Sony headphones come with an app that lets you to alter your EQ settings. The app lets you monitor your activity and automatically optimize the settings. They are an excellent choice for travelers.

Another significant improvement is the WH1000XM4's noise cancellation that is now more effective by increasing the sensitivity and improving how it filters out low frequencies. You can check this out by taking a look at a graph similar to the one below, where higher peaks indicate that more sounds are being cancelled out. The WH-1000XM4s are also better at reducing low-frequency sounds like the sound of an air cooling unit or the constant rumble of a plane engine than any other pair of noise-canceling headsets we've tested.

The WH-1000XM4s are still equipped with a many great features, including batteries that last up to 30 hours and a built-in USB-C charging port. They also come with Quick Alert, a feature that allows you to tap the right earcup to dampen music to enable transparency mode. Speak to Chat, in turn it stops media when your voice is raised (and it works but sometimes it does not recognize taps) in addition to Sony's Smart Listening Technology, which can detect your surroundings and deliver better audio.

3. Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II

The Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II (or QC35 Wireless 2018) are over-ear headphones which were released in September 2017. While they've been replaced by the 2021-released Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 They are still popular and affordable and are worth a look for a noise-cancelling active headphone.

The QC35 II is a great pair of wireless headphones for mixed-use. They offer a comfortable fit as well as a neutral sound profile that is default. They also provide exceptional noise isolation. They are suitable for travel or in noisy settings and last more than a day on a single charge. They also work with a variety of smart assistants and can be activated with the use of a specific button. You can ask them to play music, answer trivia questions or even read notifications from your smartphone.

They feature a wide opening in the ear padding that can accommodate a variety of types of ear sizes and shapes. They also are lightweight. The hinges on the housings fold down and make them easy to fit into backpacks or bags. The controls on the right side of the headphone are easily placed and comfortable to use. A series of taps will control playback, like the ability to rewind and skip songs.

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

The QC35 II is compatible with the majority of smart assistants and can connect to up to 2 devices at once. 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 known for producing high-quality headphones that cost relatively little. The budget-friendly WHCH720N earphones from Sony aren't any different. These headphones have many of the same features as the flagship WH1000XM5 headphones, but with an affordable design. They also come with a decent amount of active noise cancelling for a reasonable price.

These headphones feature powerful drivers that measure 30mm in size. They deliver crisp high frequencies and ample bass. These headphones have an even sound that blends well with a variety of genres of music. They also feature a huge, encompassing soundstage.

The WH-CH720N headphones use buttons for controls instead of the gestures and touch controls of the XM5 headphones. This could be a bit of an issue as the buttons can be confusing at first. The controls are well-placed and have clear labels. Double press of the '+' button will pause and play audio. A single press decreases the volume. Pressing and holding the button activates voice assistants, and also rejects calls.

With ANC turned on the headphones will last for about 35 hours before they run out of juice. This is the best battery performance we've ever seen in over-ear headphones. They have a standby function to help conserve battery.

The WH-CH720N headphones are connected to Android phones and iOS devices via Bluetooth. They support LDAC which allows them to play high-quality audio on compatible devices. The headphones also work with PlayStation consoles with an analog 1/8"TRS cable. They can also be used on computers with the included USB dongle. The Sony Headphones Connect App lets you customize your headphones by using an EQ slider, presets, and multipoint connectivity.

5. B&W PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 follow on from a successful predecessor but are not a half-baked update that rides on its coattails. They have a sleeker design and a new application. They live up to their promise of top-quality build with audio that faithfully conveys artistic intent. They are also extremely comfortable to wear all day.

While they don't match the noise cancellation of the Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II or the Sony WH-1000XM5, they do a very good job of keeping out environmental sounds and ensuring you're able to focus on your music, podcasts or shinhwaspodium.com gaming on your handheld without distractions. They use a six-strong microphone setup (four to cancel noise and two for voice pickup) and a new algorithm that cuts ambient sound by 30dB. They're also among the few Bluetooth headphones we've reviewed that can be used in a passive mode, allowing users to listen to content on your own without power being connected to the drive units.

They also work with the B&W Music app, a free download that provides many features to complement the excellent noise cancelling. This includes a Quick Action button that cycles through the three environmental modes, displays battery life and can be configured to launch your device's voice assistant. It is annoying to have to press the button and hold it. A one-press would be more intuitive and simpler.

The PX7 S2 is an excellent pair of headphones that will please music lovers. They're not as well appropriate for the high-quality music of genres like metal and rock, which tend to favour heavy bass and muddy low frequencies, like they are to classics, folk, and Acoustic music, but they can still impress those who appreciate the audiophile ethos which is also practical and easy to use.