Sony Headphones Review - The Best Noise Cancelling Headphones

The fifth-generation Sony noise cancelling Over ear Headphones cancelling headphones are different from the previous model, but sound just as great. The headphones are light and comfortable, and feature many features, including Speak-to -Chat and Quick Attention mode. They also feature wear detection, as well as AI-powered DSEE Extreme upscaling audio.

The ANC is very powerful and reduces train noise to a minimal rumble. The option to pass-through allows you to hear outside sounds when needed.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony's headphones are always among the best in the market when it comes to noise cancellation. And the fifth generation of WH-1000XM5s are not an exception, providing one of the best experiences we've had with noise cancelling headphones in recent years. When you put on your headphones and enable noise cancellation, it's like walking into a cone of silence. Engine noises, HVAC systems, creaking metal, and even conversations with neighbors are all muted.

The XM5s are also awe-inspiring on the audio front with an impressive soundstage that can give all elements of a track room to breathe and shine. On Billie Eilish's Bad Guy for example, the drums are pounding with a pleasing amount of force and power and soaring vocals are a perfect fit throughout the mix.

Other features that make the XM5s standout are their smart interactions with your smartphone. They can detect when they are being removed from the head and then pause the music. They can also detect that you are driving on a noisy highway and automatically reduce the noise cancelling level.

The WH-1000XM5s have also a low environmental impact. They are made from recycled plastic and acrylonitrile styrene (ABS), with a headband made from premium fabric. They come with a collapsible carry case that folds to form a compact pouch, and a 3.5mm-to-3.5mm audio cable that can be used in a quiet mode. The ear noise cancelling headphones cups can be removed for easy cleaning. The XM5s run on a rechargeable battery that provides up to 20 hours of playtime on full charge. Additionally, they're equipped with an adaptive speed charging system that charges at twice the speed of conventional USB headphones.

2. Bose QuietComfort 35

The Bose QuietComfort 35 II/QC35 II Wireless 2018 are more flexible than the Audio-Technica ATH-DSR9BT Wireless headphones thanks to their extremely comfortable fit, well-balanced audio profile and ANC feature that blocks out a significant amount of background noise. The Bose headphones come with 20 hours of battery life, and are more convenient to charge and can still be used with a mobile even when the battery is empty. This makes them an ideal choice for those looking for headphones that can be used as commuter or as travel headphones.

These premium Bose headphones come with a Google Assistant button, which activates the assistant to play music, answer trivia and read notifications from your smartphone. These headphones are incredibly quiet with excellent noise cancelling headphones work cancellation abilities. They're a bit old-fashioned in comparison to the standards of 2020 but you can get amazing deals.

The QC35s, along with other Bose ANC headsets, do a good job at blocking out ambient noise. Their noise reduction technology has been improved over time. However they're not the most effective ANC headphones available in comparison to newer competitors and audiophiles should consider looking elsewhere for a better sound experience.

The QC35s also have the ability to connect to two devices at once, and can "audio share" with a friend. This is great if you'd like to listen to music while conversing with another person. These headphones are also popular among frequent flyers, and have the classic Bose design that many people adore. If you're looking to dress up the QC35s with a touch of personalization, cover-ups for decals such as SlickWraps and Skin Sticker are available at affordable prices.

3. Sony WH-1000XM4

Sony's WH-1000XM4s aren't a lot in the way of aesthetic or comfort changes from the M3s, noise cancelling over ear headphones but its noise cancelling technology is an entirely new beast. The company has swapped out the old system-on-chip (SoC) for a new one that claims to allow it to more accurately listen and react to ambient sounds in real-time, reducing high- and mid-frequency sounds by using its Dual Noise Sensor technology.

Two feedforward microphones inside each earcup record ambient sound. This is then processed by the QN1 noise cancellation processor to reduce it rapidly without impacting the quality of your audio. The result is an amount of noise reduction that rivals the best headphones available at this price.

There's a sensitivity dial that allows you to alter the noise cancellation to fit your needs. You might, for instance wish to hear ambient sounds in public when you're at home, but you might prefer a more closed off listening experience. This feature utilizes geo-location to apply the correct setting based on where you are.

The WH-1000XM4s can be utilized for hands-free calls and Noise Cancelling Over Ear Headphones come with an impressive 30 hours of battery life along with quick charging capabilities. The WH-1000XM4s also feature a robust Bluetooth connection with multipoint and NFC support. In my testing I discovered that the remastering of Paul McCartney’s Flaming pie was dynamic and clear, while rough mixes and home recordings also sounded crisp.

To get the most out of these headphones, it is necessary to download the companion Sony Headphones Connect app. You can adjust the EQ and enjoy convenience features like Bluetooth multipoint. It also unlocks cool new features, like Sony's 360 Reality Audio immersive sound mastering process.

4. Sony WH-CH720N

The Sony WH-CH720N headphones are ideal choice for those looking to buy a pair that offers excellent active noise cancellation for affordable prices. They're a step up from their predecessor, the 710N Wireless, offering better ANC performance and better audio quality. The 710N Wireless is also equipped with a slimmer design with battery life of up to 35 hours.

However, if you're looking for flagship-level features like LDAC Bluetooth support and Smart Listening with voice assistant integration these headphones aren't made suitable for you. They also do not come with a carrying case or auto-pause functionality and the earcups aren't foldable and can make them tough to carry around.

The WH-CH720N's build quality is decent but not as great as the aforementioned 1000XM5. The headband and earcups are made of plastic. They're light and comfortable for long periods, but they're not built to withstand intense use or a few drops on hard surfaces. The design is quite bulky and the earcups can creak when you move your head. The controls are simple to use, however they feature tactile buttons that provide an excellent click-based feedback. A single touch of the power button toggles ANC on and off, while pressing and holding it prompts you to activate Sony's Adaptive Audio Control functionality. This feature lets you select the preset audio profile depending on the way you're using the headphones (e.g., "Staying at Work" or "Running") or the current location (with your phone granted permission to decide this).

The WH-CH720N wireless noise cancellation headphones are one of the most affordable models on the market. It offers excellent ANC for the price, lightweight comfort and up to 35 hours of battery life. If you're a frequent commuter these headphones are worth checking out.

5. Earfun Air Pro

Earfun's headsets and earbuds are known for their value, and the Air Pro is no exception. They are great for music and calls, and their ANC technology blocks a large amount of noise, without making your ears feel uncomfortable. They also come with a lot of features found on rival headphones that cost more or twice as much.

The earbuds are characterized by an over-emphasized bass range that adds rumble and punch to the majority of tracks, while keeping the lead vocals and instruments clear and clear. This makes them suitable for a broad variety of content, though they might sound a bit boomy for some. Their frequency response is extremely consistent, which means they sound exactly the same no matter the music you are listening to.

We played Missy Elliott's Get Ur Freak On and the earbuds were enthralled by the track's bassy opening with enthusiasm and enthusiasm. Stormzy's Vossi Bop had a similar dynamic sound and the treble was a highlight of the vocals and percussion.

The quality of voice is superb even in noisy environments. The earbuds are equipped with the latest Qualcomm chip to maintain call clarity with background noises and clicks kept at bay, even when speaking in the vicinity of the London Underground at rush hour.

The earbuds' Bluetooth connectivity is also very good, with little to any issues during our testing. They connect quickly and with minimal latency to iOS and Android devices. They are IPX5 waterproof, meaning you can use them in exercise or rain. However they shouldn't be submerged in water. They also come with a movable case that can hold two and a half batteries, which is great to take on trips.