Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?

Noise-cancelling headphones can be an ideal solution for those who love to listen, whether you're at work or in the train. Which are the most effective?

Sony's flagship headphones are a great value. They come with a fresh design and a superior audio quality and also enticing features. These headphones are able to capture every detail, from Sinead O'Connor's bridge that trembles to the booming chorus.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony is the master of noise cancellation and its WH1000XM5 headphones are the top model in this line. This model is a fantastic pair of headphones, especially for those who commute or travel. They're comfortable, have multipoint technology to connect two devices at once and feature the most powerful ANC Sony has ever made. They're also light and provide about 27 hours of playback with no charging, which is enough for a week's worth commutes or a long-haul flight.

The WH-1000XM5s have a sleek minimalist design. They are made of a recycled and recyclable plastic known as acrylonitrile butadiene (ABS). Branding is minimal, though there is a tiny "Sony" logo on each hinge of each earcup. The headband and earcups feature soft, plush materials that is comfortable for all types of heads except the largest. The earcups can be adjusted so that they be perfectly sized for you.

Unlike previous models, which focused on reducing low frequency noise, the XM5s amplify sound waves at high frequencies to block out background noise. That improves overall sound quality and helps reduce the noise of engines and cabins during flights, for instance. The XM5s have a second processor to increase noise cancellation more for airplanes, and the audio app can also automatically adjust your listening environment using air pressure data.

Other features of the WH-1000XM5s are an enhanced voice assistant that's simple to use and integrates with Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri and many more. The XM5s can be connected with other Sony audio devices to provide stereo separation and multi-room music. They're compatible with Bluetooth high-bitrate audio streaming via LDAC codec from Sony but they're not compatible with the aptX or aptX HD.

2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

Sennheiser has been manufacturing headphones for over 50 years. You can expect a high-quality sound, and a comfortable fit. With their new over-ears, called Momentum 4 Wireless, they offer both. They have reworked their design to eliminate a few characteristic elements that gave their previous models their aviator-style headset look. They also enhanced active noise cancellation using their advanced Adaptive Noisy Cancellation Technology. They've rated these headphones to last 60 hours of listening with ANC enabled, doubling the battery life of many competitors.

The new model is also more portable, since it folds up and is smaller. They're made of synthetic PU leather for the re-usable headband and earpads which feel comfortable on my ear even if I wear them all day at work. There isn't a lot of clamping force that holds them in place, so they should remain comfortable during flights and during longer workouts.

The sound is clean and well-balanced There are a few high-pitched peaks in the mid- and high-mid, which can cause slight muddying in the mixes. The bass is overemphasized which adds extra punch and thump in genres such as EDM or hip hop. It's not a huge deal, but some listeners may find it annoying. The high-mid has some uneven balance too which pushes instruments and vocals to the forefront of mixes but at the expense of bringing out sibilants within certain songs.

The Sennheiser momentum 4 wireless has all the standard features such as Bluetooth wireless connectivity, a transparent mode that blends outside noises into your music to improve awareness, and mobile app support for pre-set and custom EQ options. You can also use a 3.5mm cord to connect your phone. They can connect to your device by using SBC, AAC HD, and aptX Adaptive codes and are able to reduce the latency by up to one quarter second.

3. B&W PX7 S2

The original PX7s were a top choice on many lists of most reliable Bluetooth headsets, thanks to their superior ANC and the sound quality. But, like all wireless headphones, they've become older and required a refresh, hence the PX7 S2. B&W hasn't merely tweaked the design of the new version, but it's made significant improvements to ANC and added more voice-calling features, too.

The PX7 S2 headphones are incredibly light, making them ideal for long listening sessions. A lot of the design is reminiscent of the previous model, like the sleek oval aluminum earcup top-plate and the hook-like accent on the headband that glids rather than clicks as you expand it, and the actual buttons. The earcups, however are smaller and the headband isn't as substantial.

The software of B&W lets you tweak EQ settings for treble and bass however, you don't have as much control over the mix between the two components as you do with higher-end headphones. A Quick Action button on the left earcup switches between various modes of the environment. It can also be adjusted within the Bowers & Wilkins Music app to call your device's voice assistant.

The PX7 S2 sounds great for the majority of musical styles, with a soundstages that have plenty of space and excellent separation between the various sounds. It's particularly impressive on pieces that have acoustic instruments such as Rachmaninoff's Cello Sonata, Op. The 19 by Yuja Wang and Gautier Capucon, which has woody tones that have a touch of air. It can handle heavier fare too. The bass sound and midrange clarity on Entombed’s garage/deathn'roll crossover curiosity To Ride and Shoot Straight, and Speak the Truth The album is a wall of noise while allowing you to be able to hear vocal details such as Lars-Goran Petrov's grittier growl.

4. Bose QuietComfort 35

Bose is one of the first companies to bring active noise cancelling headphones into the mainstream. They had a stranglehold for years, but they now must compete with more modern headsets that have more features and better sound quality. QuietComfort 35 remains a great choice for those who want to listen to podcasts or music without noise or rumbles.

The default sound profile is balanced and they're comfortable to wear. The ANC does an excellent job of removing background noise, but it tends to emphasize lower frequencies more than the latest headphones like the Sony WH-1000XM5.

The QC35s are a great pair of headphones for listening to audiobooks and podcasts. They come with an active noise cancellation feature that reduces ambient noise but still allowing you to be completely isolated from the surrounding. The QC35s also let you connect two Bluetooth devices at the same time and "audio-share" so that you can play something on one pair of headphones and then answer an incoming call on the other pair.

The Bose Connect App is decent but it doesn't offer the full EQ features of other headphone apps. The QC35s are also available in wired mode, however the sound quality is significantly reduced and the battery life isn't as great as wireless models.

The QC35s are a Bose product, but it may not appeal to everyone. Other manufacturers have sleeker designs. You can add some personalization to your headphones by purchasing a decal cover from companies such as SlickWraps or Skin Sticker. You'll also be able to change the color of the ear cups and headband later in the year, similar to what you can with the older QC25 model.

5. Sony WH-1000XM3

Sony's WH1000XM3 is the best active noise cancelling over ear headphones wireless headphone with active noise cancellation you can purchase right now. They're a bit more costly than the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless, but they block out a lot more ambient noise and feel more durable. The app is also superior Noise Cancelling Headphones and has a wide range of options for sound customization.

The XM3s offer a fantastic audio quality, and since their release they've been improved to give an even better experience. They offer a little more clarity across the frequency spectrum, their noise cancelling works better at all volume levels and they've improved controls for things like Quick Attention mode, voice control, and Speak-to-Chat. They also have a brand new feature called Adaptive Sound Control that automatically adjusts the amount of external sound let in based on where you are and what you're doing.

There are some problems, however. The treble can sound sometimes a bit loud and the midrange is slightly more recessed. They tend to boost bass too much in certain tracks, which can make them sound overly full and heavy. This can be corrected via the Sony app or in the headphone setting.

The XM3s are a fantastic pair of headphones, specifically for commuters and frequent travelers. They're more comfortable, look and feel premium and durable than the JBL Live 650 BTNC Wireless and have a much better battery and one of the best noise cancelling features in the business. They're also more flexible and more suitable for use on the go than Audio-Technica's ATH M50X wireless, though their noise isolation is less impressive. They're not waterproof, which could be a major issue for some.