Best Over-Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones

Noise cancelling headphones are an excellent way to maintain focus, whether you're on a noisy train or in a workplace filled with chatty colleagues. We looked at the comfort, audio quality, and the ability to block out high-frequency continuous sounds like restaurant chatter, or short-duration incidental noises like ringing phone or clacking keys.

Sony WH-1000XM5

When it comes to premium ANC headphones, Sony's WH-1000XM5 is a go-to. The WH-1000XM5 came out in 2016 and is an excellent choice for anyone looking to listen to their favorite podcasts or music without distractions. This latest version of the series marks its first major revision and features a number of exciting new features. They are also environmentally sustainable, without plastic packaging. They provide excellent noise cancellation and crisp audio.

When enabled, the WH-1000XM5's wireless noise cancelling headphones (Highly recommended Reading) cancellation is unbeatable. Strapping on a pair of headphones creates an enveloping silence which blocks out the sounds of trains and subway engines as well as other conversations. They're also among the top ANC headphones for blocking out low-frequency drones and bass hums.

Another excellent feature is Ambient Sound Control, which adjusts the headphones' acoustic balancing based on the environment you're in. For example, if you're at home listening to your favourite album, the WH-1000XM5 will switch to a more immersive listening experience. On the other the other hand in the event that you're walking down a busy street, they'll switch to an enhanced sound profile to give you greater awareness of the surroundings.

The WH1000XM5's earcups have touchscreen controls that are sensitive to gestures on the right side. This can be used to change tracks and play music. You can also pause or pause the music. You can also make use of a voice assistant to search for content, adjust volume and make calls hands-free. The headphones feature a clear stereo image and an even frequency response. They also have an incredibly precise group delay, which ensures a consistent soundstage.

Another plus is the possibility of connecting the WH-1000XM5s to two devices at once. This is particularly useful when you're using your laptop to listen to music while you make phone calls using your smartphone. They have built-in microphones and a USB-C charging port. They also come with a cable for direct analog playback. Battery life is about 30 hours, which is enough to last for the week of commuting, or the long distance flight.

bose quietcomfort 35 ii over ear noise cancelling bluetooth headphones QuietComfort 45

The Bose QuietComfort 45, the top model of the premium headphones manufacturer, is the latest update. It was launched in September 2021, and it is less expensive than the WH-1000XM4 from Sony and its sibling 700 by around PS320, $329 or AU$439. In terms of features, it offers top-tier active noise cancellation and features such as voice assistant support as well as automatic pausing when you take off the headphones. The design is also much more comfortable than previous versions. However, there are a few things to know. Some people might be unable to adjust to the touch-sensitive buttons on sides of the earcups, which require pressure to activate. You can adjust ANC and switch on an "aware" setting that allows ambient sounds to be heard. However, you can't turn off the audio.

The headsets are still an excellent option for anyone who is looking for a pair of premium headphones to wear on the train or plane, or at home while working. They have a long-lasting battery, excellent noise cancellation, and clear sound. They also come with multipoint Bluetooth, which means they can be linked to two devices simultaneously and switch between them at just a touch. They also have an app that isn't quite as customizable as other competitors however, it does offer numerous useful features.

The QC45s have a very effective active noise cancellation feature. It can be too loud at times. However the passive EQ modes are better balanced and offer more control over ear noise cancelling headphones the music's sound signature. If you're listening to music with a lot of cymbal shimmer, you might find the headphones slightly grating, but this is easily fixed by reducing 3-20kHz in the EQ settings of your music player.

The QC45s offer top-notch ANC at a reasonable price. Some may be disappointed with the absence of certain features like adjustable ANC/transparency and EQ, as well as some slight decreases in the quality of calls. They are comfortable to wear and feature a USB-C charging port.

Shure Aonic 50

Shure's Aonic 50 are a premium pair of headphones with the focus on audio quality. They have a dynamic 50mm driver, and come with high-resolution codes to deliver the best possible Bluetooth music playback. The headphones have an even sound and rich clarity across the frequency range and they have a natural sense of space and location which allows you to feel the vibrancy of every note and the movement of the music around you.

The headphones are a bit heavier than other models at 334g, but they're still comfortable to wear for long listening sessions. The headband sits on the top of your head without putting too much pressure and the earcups are padded to make them very comfortable. They are also extremely mobile. They can fold flat and be stored in the accompanying carrying case.

There's a basic set of controls arranged around the right earcup, including playback, volume and power/pairing. A slider near the top lets you change between noise cancellation, a neutral mode and what Shure calls 'Environment Mode'. Environment mode allows more ambient noise to leak through it, which is useful when you need to keep track of your surroundings. The controls are well-designed however there is a slight lag between pressing them and the actions they take (i.e. when you play the play button while you're on a call, you'll likely end up blasting your ears with music, instead of calling up your mom). They don't have any built-in microphones to provide voice command support however, they do have an audio response from Google Assistant and their mics are great at filtering out background noise in phone conversations.

The battery is expected to last for up to 20 hours for the majority of people. The USB cable is included to charge your phone. It's not as user-friendly as Bluetooth but you can listen to your music as you charge. They're also compatible with most audio devices that have a 2.5mm port, meaning you can use them when you travel.

Monoprice BT-600ANC

The Monoprice BT600ANC Bluetooth noise-cancelling over ear headphones come with all the features that you need in a pair, but at a fraction the price. They feature high-quality Qualcomm aptX HD Audio, a cutting-edge type of Active Noise Cancelling and the ability to fold down for wireless noise cancelling headphones portable use that makes them easy to put in a backpack or carry bag. These headphones are great for commuters and students, since they come with a long-lasting battery which allows you to listen for the entire day long. They also come with handy control buttons that allow you to swipe or tap to change the volume, skip tracks, and answer calls.

The BT-600ANC headphones sport an uncluttered design that is reminiscent of the Monoprice M1000ANC headphones we have reviewed last year. They're matte gray and barely branded and do not stand out in public but they have an incredibly soft and comfortable fit that appeals to the majority of ears. Their small size and carrying case make them perfect for travel.

The ear cups are encased with leatherette, which provides excellent isolation through passive. The headband is also comfortable and offers ample adjustability without feeling too slouchy or bulky. The headband is wide enough to accommodate glasses wearers, so they'll work for a majority of people.

Monoprice's ANC is effective and doesn't sound tinny as some other brands. They have a slight increase between 100 and 200Hz, which provides a fuller sound to bass notes. The first track, Good 4 U, by Olivia Rodrigo, shows a full response. They have a sharp drop in the upper frequencies that go above ten kHz, therefore shakers and cymbals won't sound as clear and crisp.

You can cycle through three ANC modes: low, medium and higher. The low setting is ideal for blocking out the majority of ambient noise, but it won't block out loud conversations or traffic. The medium setting is suitable for most environments, and the high mode will keep you isolated from everything except your music. The earcups are equipped with touch-sensitive controls which take some time to get used to. Swiping upwards and downwards on the pad controls volume, while tapping the pad or moving it left or right switches tracks. Double-taps can be used to stop the music or answer to a phone call. It takes some time to master, but once you have the hang of it, you will find it very useful.