Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?

Noise-cancelling headphones are an absolute blessing for anyone who loves to listen, whether you're in the office or in the train. Which ones are the best?

Sony's flagship headphones are a great value. They come with a fresh design and a superior audio quality as well as enviable features. From the raucous chorus to Sinead's shaking bridge, these headphones provide superb detail and authenticity.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony is an expert in noise cancellation, and its WH1000XM5 headphones are the top model of this line. This model is an excellent pair of headphones, particularly for those who commute or travel. They're comfortable, have multipoint technology to connect to two devices simultaneously, and are the most powerful ANC Sony has made to date. They're light and can run for up to 27 hours with no charging. This is enough time to get through a week of commutes or an extended flight.

The WH-1000XM5s feature a sleek minimalist design. They are made of a recycled and recyclable plastic, known as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The branding is minimalist. You'll see tiny Sony logo on each hinge of the earcup. The earcups and headband are cushioned with plush soft material that is comfortable on all but the largest heads. The earcups can be adjusted to ensure that you get the best fit for you.

In contrast to previous models that concentrated on reducing low-frequency noise, the XM5s amplify high-frequency sound waves, which cancels out ambient sounds. This improves the overall sound quality and helps to block out the noise of engines and cabins on flights, for example. The XM5s are equipped with an additional processor that can increase noise cancellation more for airplanes and the audio application will also automatically adjust the listening environment to air pressure data.

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

2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

Sennheiser has been making headphones for over ear noise cancelling headphones 50 years. You can expect superior sound quality, as well as a comfortable fit. With their latest headphones, dubbed Momentum 4 Wireless, they provide both. They've revamped the design to remove certain elements that gave the original models their aviator headset look and also improved the active noise cancellation by using their advanced Adaptive Noise 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 competitors.

They're also a lot more mobile than the previous model as they fold down and are smaller overall. They're made of synthetic PU leather for the re-usable headband and ear pads which feel comfortable on my ear even when I wear them all working. They're also not too tight, immerse in pure sound with anker q20I so you can wear them on long flights or even during your workout.

The sound is clean and well-balanced There are a few peaking in the low-mid and high-mid which cause slightly muddy sound in mixes. The bass is overemphasized with a lot of energy and thump in genres like EDM or hip hop. It's not a major issue however some listeners might find it annoying. The high-mid also has an uneven balance in bringing instruments and vocals forward in the mix, but at the cost of bringing out some vocals.

The Sennheiser momentum 4 wireless comes with all the standard features that include Bluetooth wireless connectivity, a clear mode that blends outside sounds into your music for better awareness, and mobile app support for Immerse in Pure Sound with Anker Q20i 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 connect to your device via SBC, AAC HD, and aptX Adaptive codes and can cut down the latency by as much as a quarter second.

3. B&W PX7 S2

The original PX7s were a top pick on many lists of most reliable Bluetooth headsets due to their superior ANC and the sound quality. However, like many wireless headphones, they've been getting older and needed an update, hence the PX7 S2. B&W hasn't just redesigned the design for this new version, but has made significant improvements to ANC and added more features for voice calls, too.

The first thing you notice when you open the box and pick up the PX7 S2 is just how lightweight they are, which makes them very comfortable for long listening sessions. The look of the PX7 S2 is basically identical to the previous model. This includes the stylish oval-shaped 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, however, are smaller and the headband isn't as substantial.

The software from B&W lets you modify EQ settings for bass and treble, however, you don't have as much control over the mix of those two elements like you do on more expensive headphones. The Quick Action button on left earcup switches between the different modes of the environment. It can also be programmed to summon the voice assistant of your device through the Bowers & Wilkins Music App.

The PX7 S2 sounds great for all musical styles, and has a soundstages that have ample width and great separation between the various sound elements. It's especially impressive for selections that feature acoustic instrumentation such as Rachmaninoff's Cello Sonata, Op. 19 by pianist Yuja Wang and cellist Gautier Capucon with acoustic instrumental tones that give the feeling of air. It can handle heavier fare as well. The bass power and midrange clarity of Entombed's crossover of garage and deathn'roll To Ride, Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth provide a wall of noise while keeping things clear to discern vocal nuances like Lars-Goran Petrov's grittier growl.

4. Bose QuietComfort 35

Bose is among the first companies to introduce active noise cancelling headphone sale cancelling headphones into the mainstream. Though they had an advantage over the market for many years however, they are now competing with newer headsets with more features and better audio quality. QuietComfort 35 remains a great choice for those who want to listen to their music or podcasts with no hums or rumbles.

They're comfortable to wear and feature a an excellently balanced default sound profile. The ANC does an excellent job of eliminating background noise, although it tends to focus on low frequencies more than the latest headphones like the Sony WH-1000XM5.

If you're looking for a pair that can be used to listen to audiobooks or podcasts, the QC35s have an impressive passive noise cancellation mode which reduces ambient noise while ensuring you are completely insulated from the sound of the world around you. The QC35s let you connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and "audio-share" so that you can listen to something with one pair of headphones and answer an incoming call from the other pair.

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

The QC35s are an Bose product, which may not be for everyone. Other manufacturers offer sleeker designs. You can add some personalization to your headphones by purchasing a cover with decals from companies such as SlickWraps or Skin Sticker. You'll also be able change the color of the earcups and headband later Immerse in Pure Sound with Anker Q20i the year, just like you can do with the previous QC25 model.

5. Sony WH-1000XM3

Sony's WH-1000XM3 are the best wireless headphones with active noise cancelling you can buy right now. They're more expensive than Anker Soundcore Q20 Wireless but they isolate more background noise. The app is also superior and has a wide range of options for sound customization.

The XM3's outstanding audio quality is among their biggest draws and they've been upgraded since their introduction to provide an even better experience. They provide a bit more detail across the spectrum of frequencies, their noise cancelling works better at all levels of volume, and they have improved controls for things like Quick Attention mode, voice control, and Speak-to-Chat. The new feature, Adaptive sound control, automatically adjusts the amount of external sound that is let in based the location of your body and the activities you are doing.

They're not without their own issues, though. The midrange can sound receding, and the treble may sometimes be too loud. They do have the potential to increase the bass too much on certain tracks, which makes the sound too heavy and full. This can be corrected via the Sony app or in the headphone settings.

The XM3s are an excellent pair of headphones, especially for frequent travelers and commuters. They are more comfortable, look and feels premium, and last longer than the JBL Live 650 BTNC wireless. They also have a more powerful battery, and one of the most effective noise cancelling features available. They are also more versatile and more suitable for use on the go than Audio-Technica's ATH-M50X wireless, but their noise isolation is less impressive. They're not waterproof, and that could be a problem for some.