The best over ear headphones without noise cancelling active noise cancelling over ear headphones - top article - Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones

Whether you're battling the roar of jet engines or just want to block out the hum of your HVAC system at home, you need the most effective noise-cancelling over-ear headphones. The new Sony WH-1000XM5s are among the latest top of the line in active noise cancellation and their predecessors are also fantastic.

We've considered the adjustability of ANC and touch controls, as well as on-ear ear detection for pausing music when your headphones are removed. Our top picks feature high-quality audio as well as comfortable, spacious ear cups.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

The fifth generation of Sony's flagship headphones is a major upgrade over its predecessor, with better noise cancellation and enhanced audio quality. Its impressive ANC performance creates an illusion of silence over your head and blocks out a surprising amount of low-frequency noise. The ear cups also block mid- to treble range sounds such as passenger chatter or the creaking of metal, as well as clanging dishware.

Unlike some noise cancelling headphones that sound hollow or unnatural, the WH-1000XM5s are very natural-sounding. They can reproduce the beats of Billie Eilish in stunning clarity and keep the edges clean and pristine. They're an absolute pleasure to listen to during the commute or during a long flight.

A capacitive touch-surface in the right earcup handles the most commonly used controls, including play/pause, volume up/down, and skip forwards/backwards. It also lets you end or answer calls and switch between ANC mode and ambient sound. You can also hold the power key for several seconds to hear a voice telling you how much battery capacity is left.

Another notable improvement on the XM5s model is its new QN1 microphone, which is designed to capture high-quality audio while making podcasts and videos. The microphone is more sensitive and has a greater audio range than earlier models which makes it easier to hear your own voice.

Other features from the XM4s are been transferred to the XM5 including its adaptive ANC system that automatically optimizes performance based on your environment. Its "Wearing Detection is now able to detect when you remove the headset and stops playing music or video and then restarts it when you put them back on. It also works with Sony's DSEE Extreme engine, which claims to enhance compressed music to near-high-resolution quality.

2. Sony WH-1000XM4

The WH1000XM4s from Sony are the most recent version of their industry-leading over-ear headphones. They feature top-of-the-line performance although they don't have the same active noise cancellation features as the WH1000XM5s. Alongside the improved Bluetooth and an improved noise-canceling algorithm, the WH-1000XM4s boast a new audio chip that boosts 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 softer than before by putting padding on the headband, and moving the microphones to the outer edges of the ear. This makes them more comfortable to listen to for longer periods of time.

You can also switch between five different sound settings based on the environment. Sony headphones have an app that lets you to customize your EQ settings. They're a great option for travelers and the app lets you track your activities and automatically adjust their settings on the fly.

Another significant improvement is the WH1000XM4's noise cancellation that has been made more effective by increasing the sensitiveness and improving the way it filters out low frequencies. It can be evaluated by looking at graphs similar to the one above. The higher the peaks, more sounds are canceled out. The WH-1000XM4s are also better at reducing low-frequency sounds, such as the sound of an air conditioner or the constant rumble of a plane engine than any other pair of noise-canceling headphones that we've tested.

The WH-1000XM4s continue to have a great set of features, including batteries that last up to 30 hours and a built-in USB-C charging port. They also come with Quick Alert, which lets you touch the right earcup to reduce the music and turn on transparency mode; Speak To Chat pauses media when you speak (and works well, although it may not always detect taps) and Sony's Smart Listening technology, which can analyze and detect 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've been replaced by the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 701, which will be released in 2021. However they remain popular and affordable.

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

They have a large opening in the padding around your ears that will fit most ear shapes and sizes and are lightweight. The hinges on the housings fold down making them easy to fit into backpacks or bags. The controls on the right side of the headphones are well placed and comfortable to use. A series of taps will control playback, including the ability to rewind and skip songs.

We heard The Beatles' Let It Be and the drum and piano beats. The QC35 II delivers crisp, clear audio with a well-rounded and detail sound. They can pick up subtleties such as Paul McCartney’s inconsistent timing as he builds to the chorus, or Gerard Way's snarl as he laments teenage personalism in teenagers.

The QC35 II can be connected to up to two devices simultaneously and is compatible with the majority of smart assistants. The QC35 II also come with a carry case and a USB cable that is quick to charge.

4. Sony WH-CH720N

Sony is known for making great headphones for a affordable cost. The budget-friendly WHCH720N earphones from Sony aren't any different. They carry many of features that make the flagship WH-1000XM5 headphones great, but with a more budget-friendly design. These headphones offer a lot of active noise cancellation for an affordable price.

Like the WH-1000XM5 headphones, these headphones feature 30mm dynamic drivers that provide plenty of bass and clear high frequencies. These headphones have an unbalanced sound that works well with different genres of music. They also feature a huge, encompassing soundstage.

The WH-CH720N headphones utilize buttons for controls instead of the gestures and touch controls of the XM5 headphones. This is a little more of a problem since the buttons can be a bit confusing at first. Fortunately, the headphones have clearly labeled controls and are placed intelligently. Double presses of the '+' button can pause and play audio. A single press reduces the volume. Pressing and holding the button launches voice assistants and rejects calls.

With ANC enabled the headphones will last for around 35 hours before running out of power. This is the best battery performance we've ever seen in headphones that are over-ear. They also have a standby mode to help conserve battery.

The WH-CH720N headphones can be connected to Android phones and iOS devices via Bluetooth. They support LDAC which lets them play high-quality audio on compatible devices. The headphones are also compatible with PlayStation consoles with an analog 1/8"TRS cable. They can also be used on computers using the included USB dongle. The Sony Headphones Connect App lets you personalize your headphones with 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 riding on its coattails. With a sleeker design and a brand new app, they deliver on the promise of top-quality build, delivering audio designed to faithfully express artistic intention. They are also extremely comfortable to wear throughout the day.

They don't have the same noise cancellation capabilities as the Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II, or the Sony WH1000XM5, however, they are effective at blocking out ambient sounds so you can concentrate on your podcasts or music. They use a six-strong microphone setup (four to cancel noise and two for Best Active Noise Cancelling Over Ear Headphones voice pick-up) and a revised algorithm that cuts ambient sound by 30dB. They are also among the only a handful of Bluetooth headphones that we've tested that can be used as passive headphones which allows users to listen to their music without the need to power the drive units.

The B&W Music app is also compatible with the free download that offers a range of features that compliment the excellent noise cancellation. The Quick Action button can be programmed to activate the voice assistant on your device and cycle through three environmental settings and display battery life. It's a pain to press and hold it for a while. A one-press would be more intuitive and simple.

The PX7 S2 are an impressive pair of headphones, that will please the majority of music lovers. They're not as well suitable for the raucous music of genres like rock and metal that are known to favor heavy bass and muddy low frequencies as they are for classics, folk and Acoustic music, but will still impress those who appreciate the audiophile ethos that's also practical and comfortable.