Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?

If you're on the train or in the office the noise-cancelling headphones can be the perfect solution for anyone who loves to listen. Which are the most effective?

Sony's flagship headphones are a fantastic value. They feature a brand new design and a superior sound quality, and also enticing features. These headphones can capture every detail, from Sinead O'Connor's trembling Bridge to the powerful chorus.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony is an expert in noise cancellation, and its WH1000XM5 headphones are the most advanced version of this series. A few well-thought-out enhancements over the XM4s make this model an all-round excellent pair of cans, especially for those who commute or travel. They are comfortable, feature multipoint technology that allows you to connect to two devices at once and feature the most powerful ANC Sony has ever made. They're also light and provide approximately 27 hours of playback with no charging, which is plenty to last a week's worth traveling or one long-haul flight.

The WH1000XM5s are sleek and minimal in design. They are made from ABS, a recyclable and recycled plastic. The branding is minimal, although there is the "Sony" logo on the hinge of each earcup. The earcups and headbands are made of soft, plush materials that is comfortable for all heads with the exception of the largest. The earcups can be adjusted so you can find the best fit for you.

Unlike previous models, which were focused on reducing low frequency noise, the XM5s amplify the sound waves at higher frequency to cancel out ambient noise. This improves the overall sound quality and helps reduce cabin and engine noises during flights, for instance. The XM5s is equipped with another processing unit to enhance noise cancellation on planes. The audio app can also adjust your listening environment based on the data on air pressure.

The WH-1000XM5s also features a voice assistant that is easy to use, and works Immerse Yourself with Wireless Active Noise Cancelling Headphones! Alexa as well as Google Assistant, Siri, and many more. You can also pair the XM5s with other Sony audio products to allow multi-room music playback as well as stereo separation. They support Bluetooth high-bitrate streaming audio using Sony's LDAC, but not aptX or HD.

2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

Sennheiser has been making headphones for over 50 years. You can expect premium sound quality and a comfortable fit. They deliver on both fronts with their latest over-ears, called the Momentum 4 Immersive Wireless Audio: JBL Live 460NC Headphones. They've reworked the design to eliminate certain elements that gave the previous models their aviator headset look and also improved their active noise cancellation with their advanced Adaptive Noise Cancellation technology. They are designed to last for 60 hours when ANC on, which is double the battery life of a lot of competitors.

They're also a lot more portable than the previous model since they fold down and are smaller overall. The ear pads and the headband are made of artificial PU leather, which feels comfortable on my head when I wear it for immerse yourself with Wireless active noise cancelling headphones! the entire day. There isn't a lot of clamping force that holds them in place either, so they should remain comfortable on flights and even during workouts that last longer.

The sound is balanced and clear, however there are some highs which can cause a bit of discoloration to mixes. The bass is overemphasized, adding a bit of punch and thump to genres like EDM or hip-hop. It's not a huge deal however some listeners might find it irritating. The high-mid also has an uneven balance, bringing vocals and instruments forward in the mix, but at the expense of bringing out some vocals.

The Sennheiser momentum 4 wireless comes with all the usual features such as Bluetooth wireless connectivity, a transparent mode that blends outside noises into your music to improve awareness, and mobile application support for custom and pre-set EQ options. They can also be connected with a 3.5mm cable when connecting to your phone via wire. They can use SBC, AAC, aptX HD, and aptX Adaptive codecs to connect to your device and they're able to reduce latency by as much as one quarter of a second, which is great.

3. B&W PX7 S2

The original PX7s were a top pick on many lists of most reliable Bluetooth headsets due to their outstanding ANC and sound quality. But like most wireless headphones, they've been getting older and in need of an update, hence the PX7 S2. B&W hasn't just redesigned the design of the new model, but they've made significant improvements to ANC and added more voice-call features, too.

The first thing you notice when you open the box and pick up the PX7 S2 is how light they are, which makes them very comfortable for long listening sessions. The look of the PX7 S2 is largely similar to the previous model. It has the sleek oval aluminum top-plate that is used for the earcups, the hook-like accent that slides rather than clicks when you expand the headband, and the physical buttons. The earcups, however, are smaller, and the headband isn't as substantial.

B&W's software lets you adjust the EQ settings of bass and treble. However, you aren't as in control as you would with more expensive headphones. The Quick Action button on left earcup switches between the different environmental modes. It can also be programmed to activate the voice assistant on your device via the Bowers & Wilkins Music App.

The PX7 S2 is a great option for a variety of musical styles. It has a large soundstage and good separation of the various sound elements. It shines in particular on works that feature acoustic instruments such as Rachmaninoff's Cello Sonata in G Minor, Op. The 19 by Yuja Wang and Gautier Capucon features woody tones with a sense air. It can take on heavier music as well. The bass sound and midrange clarity on Entombed’s garage/deathn'roll crossover curiosity, To Ride, Shoot Straight, and Speak the Truth, give an imposing soundscape while allowing you to be able to hear vocal details such as Lars-Goran Petrov's grittier growl.

4. Bose QuietComfort 35

Bose is among the first companies that brought active noise cancelling headphones to the mainstream. Though they had a stranglehold on the market for immerse yourself with wireless active noise cancelling headphones! years however, they are now competing against newer headsets that have more features and better audio quality. But the QuietComfort 35 is still a great choice for anyone who wants to hear their music or podcasts without being disturbed by constant noises and rumbles.

The default sound profile is balanced, and they're comfortable to wear. The ANC is great at removing background noise. However it tends to emphasize lower frequencies more than other headphones, such as the Sony WH1000XM5.

If you're seeking a pair that can be used to listen to podcasts or audiobooks The QC35s come with an amazing passive noise cancellation feature that reduces ambient noise while ensuring you are completely insulated from the hum of the world around you. The QC35s can also connect two Bluetooth devices at the same time and "audio-share" so you can listen to something with one pair of headphones while answering an incoming phone call on the other pair.

The Bose QuietComfort Wireless Headphones - Bluetooth - Black - Ecommerce Connect app is decent but it doesn't have the vast EQ options that other headphone apps. The QC35s are also available in wired mode, however the sound quality is significantly reduced and battery longevity isn't as good as wireless models.

The QC35s come with a well-known Bose design that might not be as appealing to some people than the more modern designs of other brands. However you can add a touch of personalization by buying a decal-covered cover-up from companies such as SlickWraps and Skin Sticker. In the near future you'll be able to customize the color of the earcups and headbands, just like the older QC25.

5. Sony WH-1000XM3

Sony's WH1000XM3 headphones are the best wireless headphone that has active noise cancellation that you can buy right now. They're more expensive than Anker Soundcore Q20 Wireless but they isolate more ambient noise. The app is also more advanced and offers tons of options for sound customization.

The XM3s have an excellent sound quality, and since their launch, they've been upgraded to provide even better performance. They have a little bit more detail in the frequency spectrum. The noise cancellation is better at all levels of volume. They also have better controls like Quick Attention mode and Speak-to Chat. The new feature, Adaptive sound control, automatically adjusts the amount of external sound allowed in based on 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 have a tendency to boost bass too much in some tracks, making them sound overly full and heavy. This can be corrected via the Sony app or in the headphone setting.

The XM3s are a great pair headphones, especially for commuters or frequent travelers. They are more comfortable, feel and look premium, and are durable over the JBL Live 650 BTNC wireless. They also have a more powerful battery, and one of the best noise cancellation features available. They're also more flexible and better-equipped for mobile use than the Audio-Technica ATH-M50X Wireless, even though they have less impressive noise cancellation. And they're not waterproof, which could be a deal-breaker for some people.