Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?

If you're on the train or in the office the noise-cancelling headphones can be an absolute must for anyone who likes to listen. Which are the best, though?

With a fresh design, superior sound quality and a plethora of features, Sony's latest flagship headphones offer great value. They can capture every detail, from Sinead O'Connor's shaking Bridge to the intense chorus.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony is the leader in noise cancellation, and its WH1000XM5 headphones are among the most advanced version of this model. A few well-thought-out improvements over the ear headphones with noise cancelling the XM4s make these headphones an excellent all-round pair of cans, especially for commuters and travelers. They're comfortable, feature multipoint technology to connect to two devices simultaneously, and are the most powerful ANC Sony has ever created. They are lightweight and can play for up to 27 hours with no charging. This is enough time to get through a week of commutes or an extended flight.

The WH1000XM5s look sleek and minimalist in appearance. They are made from ABS which is a recyclable and recycled plastic. The branding is minimal, but you'll find the tiny 'Sony' logo on the hinge of each earcup. The headband and earcups feature a soft, plush material that is comfortable for all types of heads apart from the biggest. The earcups can be adjusted to fit you perfectly.

Unlike previous models, which focused on reducing low frequency noise, the XM5s amplify sound waves at high frequency to cancel out ambient noise. This improves the overall sound quality and can help reduce engine and cabin noises on flights. The XM5s are equipped with an additional processor that can increase noise cancellation more for airplanes and the audio app will also automatically adjust the listening environment to air pressure data.

Other features of the WH-1000XM5s include an enhanced voice assistant that's easy to use and works with Alexa, around ear Noise cancelling headphones Google Assistant, Siri and more. The XM5s can be connected with other Sony audio devices to provide stereo separation and multi-room music. They are compatible with Bluetooth high-bitrate streaming audio via Sony's LDAC but not HD or aptX.

2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

Sennheiser has been manufacturing headphones for over 50 years. You can expect a superior sound quality, and a cosy fit. With their latest headphones, dubbed Momentum 4 Wireless, they deliver on ear noise cancelling headphones both fronts. They've updated the design to eliminate some of the distinctive elements that gave the original models their aviator headset look and have also enhanced the active noise cancellation with their advanced Adaptive Noise Cancellation technology. They are designed to last for 60 hours when ANC on this, which is more than double the battery life of many rivals.

They're also much more mobile than the previous model as they fold down and are smaller overall. The ear pads and headband are made of synthetic PU leather that feels comfortable on my head when I wear it for the entire day. There isn't a lot of clamping force that keeps them in place which means they'll remain comfortable on flights and even during more intense workouts.

The sound is smooth and clear, but there are some peaks which can cause a bit of discoloration to mixes. The bass is too loud with a lot of energy and thump in genres like EDM or hip hop. It's not a huge deal however some listeners might find it irritating. The high-mid has a bit of an uneven balance that pushes instruments and vocals towards the front of the mix but at the expense of bringing out sibilants in certain songs.

The Sennheiser momentum 4 wireless comes with all the usual features such as Bluetooth wireless connectivity, a transparent mode that blends outside sounds into your music for better awareness, as well as mobile application support for pre-set and custom EQ options. They can also be used with a 3.5mm cable for connecting to your phone via wire. 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 pick on many lists of the top Bluetooth headsets, thanks to their outstanding ANC and the sound quality. The PX7s, like most wireless headphones, were getting old and required a refresh. Hence the PX7S2. B&W hasn't just tweaked the design of the new model, but they've made substantial improvements to ANC and also added voice-call features, too.

The PX7 S2 headphones are very lightweight, which makes them comfortable for long listening sessions. The overall design is carried over from the previous model, such as the sleek oval aluminium earcup top-plate and the hook-like accent on the headband, which glides rather than clicks as you expand it, and the actual buttons. The earcups, however, are smaller and the headband around ear noise cancelling headphones is less substantial.

The software from B&W lets you adjust the EQ settings of the bass and treble. However, you do not have as much control as you do with higher-priced headphones. A Quick Action button on the left earcup switch on the modes for the environment and can be adjusted in the Bowers & Wilkins Music app to activate the voice assistant on your device.

The PX7 S2 sounds great for all musical styles, and has a a soundstage that offers plenty of width and good separation between the various sound elements. It is particularly impressive on pieces that have acoustic instruments, such as Rachmaninoff’s Cello Sonata, Op. The 19 by Yuja Wang and Gautier Capucon has woody tones and a sense of air. It's also capable of handling heavier music, too, with the bass punch and midrange clarity on Entombed's crossover of death-n'-rock and garage to Ride, Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth providing an overwhelming soundscape while keeping things clear enough to be able hear vocal details such as Lars-Goran Petrov's gritty growl.

4. Bose QuietComfort 35

Bose is one of the first companies to introduce active noise cancelling headphones to the mainstream. They held a stranglehold for years but now they have to compete against newer headsets that offer more features and a better sound quality. QuietComfort 35 remains a great choice for anyone looking to listen to their 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 newer headphones like the Sony WH-1000XM5.

The QC35s are an excellent pair of headphones for listening to podcasts and audiobooks. They feature a noise cancellation mode that is passive that reduces ambient noise but still allowing you to be completely isolated from the world Around Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones you. The QC35s let you connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and "audio-share" which means you can listen to a song with one set of headphones and answer an incoming call on the other set of headphones.

The Bose Connect app is decent but it doesn't have the vast EQ options that other headphone apps. The QC35s can also be utilized in wired mode by using an audio cable, however the quality of sound takes a huge drop and they don't offer the same battery life as wireless models.

The QC35s are a Bose product, but it may not appeal to all. Other brands offer more sleek designs. However, you can add a bit of personalization by buying a decal-covered cover-up from companies such as SlickWraps and Skin Sticker. In the coming year you'll be able to alter the color of the earcups as well as the headbands, just like the older QC25.

5. Sony WH-1000XM3

Sony's WH-1000XM3 are the best wireless headphones that have active noise cancellation that you can get today. They're more expensive than Anker Soundcore Q20 Wireless but they isolate more background noise. The app is also better and has a wide range of sound customization options.

The XM3's excellent sound quality is one of the main reasons why they're popular and they've been improved since their introduction to provide an even better experience. They have a little more clarity across the spectrum of frequencies, their noise cancelling works better at all levels of volume, and they have improved controls for things like Quick Attention mode, voice control, and Speak-to-Chat. The latest feature, Adaptive sound control, automatically adjusts the amount of external sound that is let in based where you are and what you are doing.

However, they're not without their imperfections. The midrange can sound receding, and the treble may sometimes be too loud. They have a tendency to increase bass too much in certain tracks, which makes them sound too full and heavy. However, this is something you can correct in the headphone settings or via EQ adjustment within the Sony app.

The XM3s are an excellent pair of headphones, particularly for frequent travelers and commuters. They are more comfortable, look and feels premium, and last longer over the JBL Live 650 BTNC wireless. They also have a more powerful battery and one of the most effective noise cancellation features available. They're also more adaptable and more mobile-friendly than the Audio-Technica's ATH-M50X Wireless, despite having less impressive noise cancellation. They're also not waterproof which could be a deal-breaker for some people.