Sony Headphones Review - The Best Over Ear Headphones Noise-Cancelling Noise Cancelling Headphones

The fifth-generation Sony noise cancelling headphones are a little different from the previous model, however, they sound as good. They're comfy, lightweight and best over ear headphones noise-cancelling feature a variety of features, including Speak-to -Chat mode, Quick Attention mode wear detection, AI-powered DSEE Extreme audio upscaling.

The ANC is powerful, reducing train noise to an ambient rumble. The pass-through option lets you to hear sounds from outside, if necessary.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony's headphones are regularly among the top of the line in the market in terms of noise cancelling. The fifth generation of WH1000XM5s is the same. They offer one of the most impressive noise cancelling experiences we've experienced. When you put on your headphones and enable noise cancellation, you're entering a world of silence. Engine sounds as well as HVAC systems, creaking metal and even neighboring conversations all go out of the window.

The XM5s are also impressive in the realm of audio with an impressive soundstage that gives all elements of a track the space to breathe and shine. For instance, on Billie Eilish's Bad Guy, the drums pound with a satisfying force and heft as high-pitched vocals blend into the mix.

The XM5s also stand out because of their smart interaction with your smartphone. They can sense the moment they are removed from the head and then pause the music. They also can detect that you are driving on a noisy highway and automatically reduce the noise cancellation level.

The WH-1000XM5s also are environmentally friendly. They are made of recycled plastic and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and a headband made of premium fabric. They come with a case that folds into itself, creating a compact pouch. Also included is an 3.5mm to 3.5mm aux cable so that you can listen in a passive mode. The ear cups are removable for easy cleaning. In addition, the XM5s are powered by rechargeable batteries that can provide up to 20 hours of playtime when on a full charge. They're also equipped with an adaptive speed charging system that charges twice the speed of conventional USB headphones.

2. Bose QuietComfort 35

The Bose QuietComfort 35/QC35 II Wireless 2018 are more versatile than the Audio-Technica's ATH-DSR9BT Wireless headphones because of their incredibly comfortable fit, well-balanced sound profile and ANC feature that blocks a lot of background noise. The Bose headphones also come with longer battery life of 20 hours and take less time to charge, and can be wired with a phone even when the battery is dead and makes them a good option for those looking for a pair of headphones that can be used as commuting headphones, or travel headphones.

These premium Bose headphones have a dedicated button that activates Google Assistant, which will play music as well as answer trivia questions and also read notifications from your smartphone. They are a great noise cancelling capabilities, and although they are getting a bit long by 2020 standards (and have successors in their sibling line the QC35), you can still get great bargains on the headphones.

The QC35s, along with other Bose ANC headsets, do well at blocking out ambient noise. Their noise reduction technology has been improved over time. They're not the most effective ANC headphone on the market particularly when compared to the latest models. Audiophiles may want to look elsewhere for better sound.

The QC35s can also be used to connect to two devices at the same time, and can "audio share" with a friend. This is great for those who like listening to music while conversing with someone else. They're also a popular option for frequent flyers, and they have that classic Bose look that many people love. SlickWraps or Skin Sticker decal covers are available at a reasonable cost for those who want to personalize your QC35s.

3. Sony WH-1000XM4

The WH-1000XM4s made by Sony do not change much in terms of aesthetics or comfort, but their noise cancelling technology is a totally new device. The company has swapped the old system-on chip (SoC) for a new one that claims to allow it to more precisely listen to and react to ambient audio in real-time, reducing high- and mid-frequency sounds through its Dual Noise Sensor technology.

Two feedforward microphones inside each earcup capture ambient sound. This is then processed by the QN1 noise-cancelling process to cut it down as quickly as is possible without affecting the quality of your music. The result is an amazing level of noise cancelling headphones wireless reduction that easily competes with the best headphones in this price range.

There's even a sensitivity knob which lets you alter the noise cancelling headphones microphone cancellation to your requirements. You may, for instance wish to hear ambient sounds in public while at home, you might prefer a more secluded off listening experience. This feature utilizes geo-location to automatically apply the appropriate setting based on where you are.

The WH1000XM4s are capable of making calls using hands-free technology. They also come with a 30 hour battery life and fast charging capabilities. The WH-1000XM4s come with an impressive Bluetooth connection with multipoint and NFC support. In my testing, I found that a quick remastering of Paul McCartney’s Flaming pie sounded lively and clear as well as rough mixes and recordings from home also sound clear.

Download the Sony Headphones Connect companion app to maximize the performance of these headphones. This lets you customize the EQ settings and provides convenience features like Bluetooth multipoint, as well as allowing you to access some of the most exciting new features, such as access to Sony's 360 Reality Audio immersive surround-sound mastering process that breathes life into older music.

4. Sony WH-CH720N

If you're looking for headphones that can provide top-quality active noise cancellation at cost-effective prices, the Sony WH-CH720N are a great option. They are a step up from their predecessor model, the 710N Wireless, with more efficient ANC performance and better audio quality. The 710N Wireless also features an elongated design and battery lasting up to 35 hours.

These headphones aren't the best suitable for those who want top-of-the-line features like LDAC Bluetooth and Smart Listening, which integrates voice assistants. They don't come with a carrying case, auto-pause feature, or earcups that fold up and are therefore difficult to travel with.

The build quality of the WH-CH720N is decent, but not as impressive as the 1000XM5. The headband and earcups are made of plastic. They're light and comfortable for long periods of time, but they won't withstand rigorous use or a few drops on hard surfaces. The design is also quite bulky and the earcups are likely to creak when you move your head. The controls are easy to use, though, with tactile buttons that offer an excellent click-based feedback. The ANC can be switched on and off with a single press of the power switch. Pressing and holding the button will activate Sony's Adaptive audio Control. This feature lets you select a preset profile that is based on the location you are in or how you use the headphones.

The WH-CH720N wireless noise cancelling headphones are one of the cheapest on the market. For the money, you get great ANC and excellent sound quality and comfort, as well as up to 35 hours of battery life. These headphones are worth considering for if you frequently commute.

5. Earfun Air Pro

Earfun's headsets and earbuds are renowned for their value, and the Air Pro is no exception. They're great for calls and music and their ANC technology blocks a significant amount of noise without making your ears feel like they are being suffocated. These headphones also have numerous features that you can find in headphones that cost nearly twice as more.

The earbuds are over-emphasized in the bass section which can create a rumble on many tracks. The lead vocals and instruments remain bright and clear. This makes them ideal for a variety of music. However, they could sound a bit stuttery to some. They have a uniform frequency response, meaning that they sound the same no matter the music you are listening to.

We cued up Missy Elliott's Get Ur Freak On, and the earbuds did a fantastic job of showcasing the song's bass-heavy introduction with energy and zeal. Stormzy's Vossi Bop had a similar dynamic sound with the treble accentuating the vocals and percussion.

On the phone, voice quality is excellent, even in noisy environments. The earbuds feature the most recent Qualcomm chip to maintain the clarity of calls with background noises and clicks being kept to a minimum even when talking in the vicinity of the London Underground at rush hour.

The earbuds' Bluetooth connectivity is also excellent, with little to no issues during our tests. They pair and connect quickly with a minimal amount of latency for iOS and Android devices. They are IPX5 waterproof, so they are suitable for rain or workouts. However, they should not be submerged in water. They come with a case that can hold two quarters and two quarters of charges. This is ideal to take on trips.