The Best Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones

You need the best headphones for noise cancellation regardless of whether you wish to block out the hum of your HVAC system or are looking to combat the background noise of jet engines. The WH1000XM5s from Sony are the top of the line in active noise cancellation. Their predecessors were also great.

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

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

The fifth generation of Sony flagship headphones provides significant improvements over the previous models, offering improved quality of audio and noise cancellation. Its impressive ANC creates an enveloping cone over your head, blocking out a surprising amount low-frequency sound. The ear cups block out sounds in the mid-to-treble range like chatter from passengers and creaking metal.

Contrary to some noise cancelling headphones that sound hollow or unnatural, the WH1000XM5s sound very natural. They can reproduce the rising and falling of Billie's drums with remarkable depth and clarity, while also keeping edges clean and crystal clear. It's an absolute pleasure listening to them during a long flight or commute.

The most common controls are controlled by a capacitive touch surface on the right ear cup that can play/pause and volume up/down, as well as skip forwards and backwards. It can also stop and answer calls, and switch between ANC mode and ambient sound. You can also hold and press the power button for several seconds to hear a message indicating the remaining battery life.

The new QN1 microphone is another notable improvement to the XM5s. It was designed to capture high-quality audio while recording podcasts and videos. The microphone is more sensitive and has a greater audio range than previous models, making it easier to pick up your own voice.

The XM5 also carries certain features that were XM4's including the adaptive ANC system which automatically optimizes performance based upon the environment. The "Wearing Detection" feature detects when the headset is removed, and will pause music or video. It will restart it as soon as they return to. It's compatible with Sony's DSEE Extreme Engine, which increases the quality of compressed music to nearly high-res quality.

2. Sony WH-1000XM4

The WH1000XM4s of Sony are the latest version of their top-of-the-line over-ear headphones. They offer class-leading performance although they don't have the same active noise cancellation that is available on the WH1000XM5s. In addition to stronger Bluetooth and an improved noise-canceling algorithm, the WH1000XM4s have a brand new audio chip that boosts music files to Premium Sennheiser HD 450BT Wireless Headphones with ANC quality and more advanced voice controls.

Sony has improved the WH1000XM4s in the latest generation by adding padding to the headband and extending the microphones to the outside. This makes them more comfortable to listen to for longer periods of time.

You can also select between five different sound settings based on the surrounding. Sony headphones have an app that allows you to customize your EQ settings. The app allows you to keep track of your activities and then automatically adjust the settings. They are a great option for Wireless those who travel.

Another major improvement is the WH-1000XM4's sound cancellation which has been made more effective by increasing the sensitiveness and improving the way it blocks out low frequencies. This can be tested by looking at graphs like the one shown above. Higher peaks mean that more sounds are being blocked out. The WH1000XM4s are also superior at reducing low-frequency noises like the hum of an air conditioning unit, or the constant rumble of an airplane engine.

The WH-1000XM4s are still equipped with a a great set of features such as the battery that can last up to 30 hours, and a USB-C charging port built-in. They also feature Quick Alert, which lets you tap the right earcup to dampen the music and turn on the transparency mode; Speak to Chat pauses media when you raise your voice (and is effective, even though it may not always register taps) and Sony's Smart Listening technology, which can recognize and analyze your surroundings to provide superior 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. They have been replaced by the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 701, which will be released in 2021. However, they are still popular and affordable.

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 provide outstanding noise isolation. They can be used in noisy environments or while traveling and they last for more than a full day on a single charge. They are also compatible with most smart assistants and can be turned on by an individual button. You can ask the assistant to play music, answer trivia questions or read notifications from your smartphone.

The padding around the ears is a good size and can fit most types of ear. They are also lightweight. The housings' hinges can be folded down to make them easier to store in a bag or a backpack. The controls on the right side of the headphone are easily placed and feel good to use. A series of taps can control playback, like rewinding and skipping songs.

For a good example of the quality you can expect from these Bose headphones we played The Beatles' Let It Be and listened to drum beats and piano notes. The QC35 II deliver crisp, clear audio that is smooth and precise. They uncover subtleties in the vocals, such as Paul McCartney's irregular timing when he's building to the chorus, or Gerard Way's snarl while he laments teenage individualism on teens.

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

4. Sony WH-CH720N

Sony is known for making high-quality headphones that cost a small amount. The budget-friendly WH-CH720N headphones from Sony are no exception. These headphones carry over many of features that make the flagship WH-1000XM5 headphones great however, they have a more budget-friendly design. They also provide a good amount of active noise cancelling for a reasonable price.

These headphones feature high-performance drivers of 30mm that deliver crisp high frequencies and plenty of bass. They offer a balanced sound that works well with various genres of music. They also feature an expansive, immersive soundstage.

The WH-CH720N headphones feature buttons instead of the gestures or touch controls employed by the XM5 headphones. This can be a an issue, since the buttons are initially confusing. The controls are intelligently placed and are clearly labeled. Double press of the '+' button can pause and play audio. A single press reduces 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 among the best battery performance we've seen on over-ear headphones. They come with a standby feature to help conserve battery.

Bluetooth allows users to connect the WHCH720N headphones to Android and iOS devices. They are compatible with LDAC which lets them play high-resolution 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 PC using the included USB dongle. The Sony Headphones Connect app lets you customize your headphones with an EQ slider and presets, multipoint connectivity, as well as secure listening.

5. B&W PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 follow on from an extremely successful predecessor, but are by no means an unfinished update that rides on its own. With a more modern design and a new application and a new app, they fulfill the promise of top-quality build and sound that is designed to faithfully express the artist's vision. They are also extremely comfortable to wear all day.

They don't offer the same noise cancellation features as the Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II, or the Sony WH1000XM5, but they are effective in blocking out background noises so that you can focus on your music or podcasts. They use a six microphone setup (four for the noise cancellation and two for voice pickup) and a revised algorithms that cut down on ambient noise by 30dB. They are also among the only a handful of Bluetooth headphones we've tested that can be used as passive headphones and allow users to listen to their media without the need to power the drive units.

The B&W Music app is also compatible with the free download that provides a variety of features to complement the great noise cancellation. This includes the Quick Action button that cycles through three different modes of environmental that display battery life and can be configured to launch your device's voice assistant. It's a pain to press the button and hold it for a while. A one-press would be more intuitive and easier.

The PX7 S2 are a very remarkable pair of headphones which should delight most music fans. The PX7 S2 headphones aren't suitable for extreme music genres like metal and rock that favor bass-heavy productions and muddy low frequencies as they are to classical, folk, and Acoustic. However, they'll still impress those who value audiophile credentials, and are practical and comfortable.