The Best Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones

You'll need the top headphones that block out noise for your needs, whether you need to block out the hum from your HVAC system, or want to fight the sound of jet engine noises. The WH1000XM5s from Sony are the kings of active sound cancellation. Their predecessors were fantastic.

We've analyzed 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 have high-resolution audio and comfortable, spacious ear cups.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

The fifth generation of Sony flagship headphones offers significant improvements over the ear headphones noise cancelling the previous models, offering enhanced noise cancellation and audio quality. Its remarkable ANC creates a virtual cone on top of your head, absorbing the most shocking amount of low-frequency sound. The earcups block sounds that fall in the mid-to-treble spectrum like chatter from passengers and creaking metal.

Unlike some noise cancelling headphones, which can sound hollow or unnatural, the WH-1000XM5s are extremely natural sounding. They can reproduce the rise and fall of the drums of Billie Eilish with astonishing depth and clarity, while also keeping edges clean and clear. They're a joy to listen to on an airplane ride or on a commute.

The most common controls are controlled by a capacitive touch surface located on the right ear cup that can play/pause and volume up/down, Over the ear headphones noise cancelling as well as skip forwards and backwards. It can also end and answer calls and switch between ANC mode and ambient sound. Alternatively, you can press and hold the power button for a few seconds to hear a warning of the battery's remaining life.

The QN1 microphone is another notable improvement to the XM5s. It was designed to record high-quality audio while recording podcasts and videos. The microphone is more sensitive and has a greater audio range than the previous models, making it easier to pick up 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 surroundings. The "Wearing Detection" feature detects when the headset is removed, and will pause music or video. It will then resume it once they return to. It's compatible with Sony's DSEE Extreme Engine, which increases the quality of compressed music to nearly high-res resolution.

2. Sony WH-1000XM4

The WH1000XM4s by Sony are the latest version of their industry-leading over-ear headphones. They feature top-of-the-line performance, even though they don't feature the same active noise cancellation as the WH1000XM5s. The WH-1000XM4s feature a more powerful Bluetooth connection and an improved noise cancellation algorithm. They also come with an audio chip that upscales music to HD quality, as well as advanced voice controls.

Sony has upgraded the WH1000XM4s in the latest generation by adding padding to the headband and moving the microphones outwards. This makes them more comfortable for long listening sessions.

They're also more flexible and allow you to switch between five different modes of sound depending on the environment. You can also customize your EQ settings by using the Sony headphones app. The app lets you monitor your activity and automatically optimize the settings. They are a great choice for those who travel.

Another significant improvement is the WH1000XM4's noise cancellation, which has been made more effective by increasing the sensitivity and improving how it blocks out low frequencies. This can be tested by looking at graphs similar to the one shown above. The higher the peaks, more sounds are being canceled out. The WH-1000XM4s also better attenuate low-frequency sounds like the hum of an air cooling unit or the constant rumble of an airplane engine than any other pair of noise-canceling headsets we've tried.

The WH1000XM4s are equipped with a range of great features, including a 30-hour battery life and a USB-C charging port. They also have Quick Alert, a feature that allows you to tap the right earcup to dampen music to activate transparency mode. Speak to Chat, in turn it stops media when your voice is raised (and it works well but sometimes it does not recognize taps) and Sony's Smart Listening Technology, which can detect your environment and deliver better audio.

3. Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II

The Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II (or QC35 Wireless 2018) are over-ear headphones that were launched in September 2017. They were replaced with the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 701 to be released in 2021. However they remain popular and affordable.

The QC35 II is a great pair of headphones that can be used for both mixed and regular use. They offer a comfortable fit as well as a neutral sound profile by default. They also offer exceptional noise isolation. They are ideal for traveling or in noisy environments and last more than a full day on a single charge. They are also compatible with the majority of smart assistants and are activated via a dedicated button. You can ask them to play music and answer trivia questions or read your smartphone notifications.

They have a wide opening in the ear padding that can accommodate a variety of ear shapes and sizes and are lightweight. The housings' hinges can be folded down to make them easier to store in a bag or a backpack. The controls are placed on the right-hand side of the headphone and are easy to use. A series of taps can be used to control playback, such as skipping and rewinding songs.

To show 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 delivers crisp, clear audio that is well-rounded and detail sound. They dig up subtleties in the vocals, for instance Paul McCartney's inconsistent timing when building up to the chorus, or Gerard Way's snarl as he sighs about the lack of individuality among teens.

The QC35 II can be connected to up to two devices at once and are compatible with all smart assistants. The QC35 II also come with the carry case as well as a USB cable that can be charged quickly.

4. Sony WH-CH720N

Sony is known for building excellent headphones that cost relatively little. Its budget-friendly WH-CH720N headphones are no exception. These headphones have many of the same features as the flagship WH1000XM5 headphones, but in an affordable design. These headphones provide a lot of active noise cancellation, but at a low cost.

These headphones feature powerful drivers that measure 30mm in size. They provide crisp high frequencies and plenty of bass. They also feature a balanced tuning to make them sound great with a variety of genres of music. They also have a large soundstage that allows you to get a sense of being immersed in the music.

The WH-CH720N headphones have buttons instead of the gestures or touch controls employed by the XM5 headphones. This can be a bit of an issue as the buttons initially seem confusing. Luckily, the headphones come with clearly labeled controls and are arranged in a smart way. A single pressing of the '-' button lowers the volume, while double presses pauses and plays audio. Pressing and holding the button activates voice assistants, and also rejects calls.

With ANC activated the headphones will last about 35 hours before running out of power. This is among the best noise cancelling headphones battery performances we've seen on headphones with over-ears. They also feature a standby mode to assist in preserving battery.

The WH-CH720N headphones can be connected to Android phones and iOS devices via Bluetooth. They support 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 with 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 aren't an unfinished update that rides on its own. Featuring a sleeker look and a new application and a new app, they fulfill the promise of premium build quality and sound that is that accurately conveys 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, however, they're effective in blocking out background noises so that you can focus on your music or podcasts. They feature a six-microphone setup (four for the noise cancellation and two for voice pick-up) and a revised algorithms that reduce ambient sound by 30dB. They're also among the few Bluetooth headphones we've tested that can be used in a passive mode, allowing you to listen to your content by themselves, without putting power to the drive units.

They're also compatible with the B&W Music app, a free download that offers a wide range of features that go along with the great noise cancellation. It includes a Quick Action button that cycles through three modes for environmental use that display battery life and can be configured to launch your device's voice assistant. It is annoying to have to press the button and hold it for a long time. A single press is more intuitive and simple.

The PX7 S2 are a very impressive pair of headphones, which should delight most music enthusiasts. The PX7 S2 headphones aren't suitable for extreme music genres like metal and rock which favour bass-heavy productions and muddy low-frequency as they are to folk, classical and acoustic. However, they'll still be awe-inspiring to those who appreciate audiophile credentials that is also practical and comfortable.