The Best Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones

You need the best noise-cancelling over the ear headphones with noise cancelling-ear headphones regardless of whether you wish to block out the hum from your HVAC system, or want to fight the sound of jet engine noises. The latest Sony WH-1000XM5s are among the latest top of the line in active noise cancelling over ear headphones cancellation, and their predecessors are also fantastic.

We've looked at the possibility of adjusting ANC and touch controls as well as on-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's flagship headphones is a significant upgrade over the previous model, Noise Cancelling Over Ear Headphones featuring better noise cancellation and enhanced audio quality. Its impressive ANC performance creates an illusion of silence that covers your head and blocks out a shocking amount of low-frequency noise. The earphones also block mid-treble and high-treble sounds such as passenger chatter, creaking metal and clanging dishware.

The WH-1000XM5s sound natural, in contrast to noise cancelling headphones that sound hollow. They are able to render the beats of Billie Eilish in stunning clarity while keeping the edges clean and pristine. It's enjoyable listening to them during long flights or during commutes.

The most popular controls are controlled by a capacitive touchscreen surface on the right ear cup such as play/pause, volume up/down as well being able to skip forwards and backwards. It can also call and end calls as well as switch between ANC and ambient sound mode. You can also hold the power button for a few seconds to hear an audio message telling you how much battery capacity is left.

Another notable improvement over the XM5s model is its new QN1 microphone, which is designed to record high-quality audio when making podcasts and videos. The microphone is more sensitive and has a greater audio range than earlier models, making it easier to pick up your own voice.

Other features of the XM4s have been incorporated into the XM5 including its adaptive ANC system that automatically optimizes performance based on the environment. Its 'Wearing Detection' feature now detects when you remove the headset, and then pauses music or video, and restarts it when you put them back on. It's compatible with Sony's DSEE Extreme Engine, which enhances compressed music to close to high-res quality.

2. Sony WH-1000XM4

The WH1000XM4s of Sony are the most recent version of their top-of-the-line over-ear headphones. They offer class-leading performance, even though they don't come with the same active noise cancellation as the WH1000XM5s. In addition to having stronger Bluetooth and an improved noise-canceling algorithm, the WH-1000XM4s also boast a new audio chip that boosts music files to HD quality and more advanced voice controls.

Sony has upgraded the WH1000XM4s of the latest generation by adding padding to the headband, and extending the microphones to the outside. This makes them more comfortable to listen to for long periods.

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

The WH-1000XM4 also has improved its noise cancellation. It's now more effective thanks to its higher sensitivity and better filtering of low frequencies. It can be evaluated by looking at graphs like the one above. The higher the peaks, more sounds are canceled out. The WH1000XM4s are also superior in reducing low-frequency sounds such as the hum from an air conditioning unit, or the constant rumble of the engine of a plane.

The WH1000XM4s have a number of excellent features, including a 30-hour battery life and a USB-C charging port. They also have Quick Alert, a feature that lets you press the right earcup to dampen the sound to enable transparency mode. Speak to Chat, in turn it stops media when your voice is raised (and it works well but sometimes it fails to register taps), as well as Sony's Smart Listening Technology, which can detect your environment and provide 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've been replaced by the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 701 that will be available in 2021. However they're still very popular and affordable.

The QC35 II are a great pair of mixed usage wireless headphones that offer a comfortable fit with a neutral sound profile and excellent noise isolation. They can be used for travel or in noisy settings and last more than a full day on a single charge. They also work with a variety of smart assistants and are activated via an individual button. You can ask them to play music and answer trivia questions or even read notifications from your smartphone.

The padding around the ears is wide and can fit most ears. They are also light. The hinges on the housings fold down making them easy to fit into backpacks or bags. The controls are located on the right-hand side of the headphone and are simple to use. Playback can be controlled with tapping repeatedly which include rewinding or skipping songs.

We were listening to The Beatles' Let It Be and the drum and piano beats. The QC35 II delivers crisp, clear audio with a well-rounded and detailed sound. They dig up subtleties in the vocals, such as Paul McCartney's inconsistent timing as he builds up to the chorus, or Gerard Way's snarl as he sighs about the lack of individuality among teens.

The QC35 II is compatible with the majority of smart assistants and can connect to up to 2 devices at once. The QC35 II also come with an accessory case for carrying and a USB cable that is quick to charge.

4. Sony WH-CH720N

Sony is a household name for its top-quality headphones at a affordable cost. The WH-CH720N budget headphones are not a different. These headphones carry over many of features that make the top WH-1000XM5 models so good but in a more budget-friendly design. These headphones provide a lot of active noise cancellation, but at the price of a small.

Similar to the WH-1000XM5 headphones these headphones have 30mm dynamic drivers which provide ample bass and crisp high frequencies. They also have a balanced tuning to make them sound great with various genres of music, and they have a wide soundstage that helps you be immersed in your music.

The WH-CH720N headphones feature buttons instead of the touch controls or gestures used by the XM5 headphones. This can be a of a drawback because the buttons are at first difficult to understand. Luckily, the headphones have clear labels and the controls are arranged in a smart way. A single pressing of the button '-' lowers the volume, and double presses stop and play audio. Pressing and holding the button activates voice assistants, and also rejects calls.

With ANC activated, these headphones can last for around 35 hours before they run out of power. This is one of the most efficient battery performance we've seen on over-ear headphones. They also feature a standby mode to help conserve battery.

Bluetooth allows users to connect the WHCH720N headphones to Android and iOS devices. They are compatible with LDAC which allows them to play high-quality audio on compatible devices. The headphones also work with PlayStation consoles with an analog 1/8"TRS cable. They can also be connected to computers 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 an extremely successful predecessor, but are by no means a half-baked update that rides on its coattails. They have a sleeker design and a brand new application. They fulfill their promise of top-quality build with audio that faithfully expresses artistic intention. They're also incredibly comfortable and a treat to wear throughout the day.

While they're not as effective as the noise cancellation of the Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II or the Sony WH-1000XM5 but they do a good job of removing environmental sounds and ensuring you are able to concentrate on your music, podcasts, or gaming on your handheld without distractions. They have a six-microphone setup (four for the noise cancellation and two for voice pick-up) and a redesigned algorithm that cut down on ambient noise 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 on their own, without putting power to the drive units.

The B&W Music app is also compatible, a free download which includes a variety of features that complement the great noise cancellation. This includes a Quick Action button that cycles through three different modes of environmental, displays battery life and can be set to launch your device's voice assistant. It's a pain to press the button and hold it for a long time. A single press is more intuitive and easier.

The PX7 S2 is a pair of headphones that will delight lovers of music. The PX7 S2 headphones aren't as well suited to demanding music genres such as metal and rock which favour bass-heavy productions and muddy low frequency as they are to classical, folk and Acoustic. But, they will still be awe-inspiring to those who appreciate audiophile credentials that is also practical and easy to use.