The Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear noise cancelling headsets can be a big help for those who commute on noisy public transportation system, work with colleagues who are chatty, or simply want to listen music without being distracted by external noise. We've reviewed the best headphones that offer superior audio quality and active noise cancellation.

Mpow Over-Ear Headphones

These Bluetooth headphones from Mpow feature a great solid build and offer excellent audio quality that is impressive considering their price. The headphones are designed to be worn over the ears, and come with earcups that comfortably fit over your ears. This will help block out noise from the outside. The earpads are constructed of a moderately thick cushion that insulates your ears well enough to muffle out a good over ear noise cancelling headphones portion of ambient sounds but they don't have active noise canceling capability. The earpads weigh a bit heavier than 11 ounces, but they are comfortable to wear for long periods of time.

The Mpow headphones have a simple design, not too different from other headphone designs for Over Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones Wireless-ear available. The headband connecting the two earcups is hinged and can be folded for storage or transportation. The left earcup houses the controls for volume, power and noise cancellation. The right ear cup has a microphone for hands-free calls.

The sound quality of the Mpow headphones is excellent, although they do not have the bass power of Bose or the clarity of the Sony WH-1000XM5. Their PRTF accuracy and activation scores are well above average for Bluetooth headphone models that should offer large and expansive soundstage when listening to music. Their PRTF distance score is below average. This means they sound more closed-in and less open compared to headphones with earcups that are larger and open.

The treble extension is also good, and you will enjoy a clear and crisp sound that will work with a wide range of genres. Their mids are a little slightly more distinct than the Sony headphones, which gives them a somewhat more dynamic sound that is great for over ear noise cancelling headphones wireless instrument-rich music. Some users find the bass to be a bit too strong however, you can adjust this to your own preference by changing the equalizer settings in your audio player.

The Mpow headphones are a great choice for those who want to listen to their favorite music without interruptions. They come with an extremely long-lasting battery that can also be utilized in wired mode if the charge runs out. The headphones come with an USB charger as well as the cable, so you can enjoy your favorite music without interruption. The manufacturer offers a 45-day return guarantee and a warranty of 18 months for the headphones and their customer service is known to be responsive.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 are the most current over-ear headphones to grace the Bowers & Wilkins catalog. The PX7 is replaced by the PX7 S2 and they are part of a wider range of wireless headphones, which also includes the PI5 and PI7. Unboxed, the design of these headphones instantly invokes the feeling of luxury. The use of metals and textures on the earcups gives them a luxurious feel. The headphones are also more comfortable on the head and ears although they weigh a bit more. The earpads are easily removed and can be replaced if they become worn out.

The headphones are equipped with active noise cancellation. This helps to block out external sounds but still allows you to listen to your music. The technology isn't perfect, but it does a fantastic job of keeping plane engines and train rumbles out of your ear canals, without affecting the balance between music and other sounds.

One thing that distinguishes the PX7 S2 apart from their competitors is the soundstage they provide which provides ample space and a strong separation between distinct components of sound. This brings a clarity to music that cannot always be found on other Bluetooth headphones.

While the PX7 S2s aren't as lightweight as their competition but they come with a fantastic carry case. The case is well-padded and the headphones can fold flat when not in use.

The earcups are covered in soft, leather-like material which is very luxurious to the touch. They're also very lightweight, making them comfortable for long listening sessions. The headband was designed for maximum comfort and doesn't squeeze too tightly. This helps prevent headaches.

The headphones have a range of features that include Bluetooth multipoint that allows them to pair with two devices at once. They support all the well-known Bluetooth codecs, as well as hi-res audio in the event that your streaming service supports it. They also have a headphone amplifier that can give you an extra boost when you use headphones with electronics that are not powered like laptops.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH-1000XM5 are the newest model in Sony's premium over-ear noise cancelling headphones. These headphones are a great improvement to their predecessors, WH1000XM2s or the WH1000XM4. Sony has improved its already impressive active noise cancellation. For instance, the fifth-generation headphones can now melt away low-frequency sounds like plane engines and subway car rumbles. They can also determine where you are, and adjust the Ambient sound control settings accordingly.

You can still make use of voice-activated assistants to control your music or get directions. The microphones on the ear cups are upgraded to allow them to be used to make hands-free calls and Siri/Google Assistant commands. The headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible which means they can pair and connect quicker.

The WH-1000XM5 received high marks in our tests of comfort, ease-of-use and audio quality. The lightweight headset is comfortable enough to wear for long listening sessions without feeling too tight on the head. The ear cups can be adjusted to accommodate various head sizes. The headphones are portable and their flat design allows them to be easily tucked away in the backpack or a suitcase.

The Ear cups have a slight curvature, over Ear noise Cancelling headphones wireless and the headband is more refined. This allows for a more subtle appearance. points of assembly. They're covered in a modern synthetic leather material, which provides additional durability and luxury. The earcup space is also larger and is more comfortable to the ear. This may cause a slight pressure on the head when worn for extended periods of time.

The XM5 retains some of the basic features of the WH1000XM4s. You can still swipe and tap the right earcup to change songs, pause your audio and access Ambient Sound Mode. You can place your hands on the right earcup and temporarily reduce the volume and boost ambient sounds. This is useful if you need to hear what's happening around you.

There are some subtle improvements to the XM5s which make them a great purchase for headphones that block noise. The new SoundPEATS A6 Hybrid ANC Bluetooth Headphones: Shop Now! improves the isolation of low-frequency sounds and the headphones will pause music when lifted off your head in order to save energy. Transparent listening mode lets in more outside sound. A new battery-power-consumption algorithm gives the XM5s the same 30-hour battery life rating as their predecessor, and a quick press of the power button will alert you to your remaining charge.

Skullcandy ATH-ADX700

For those that are looking to purchase a set of headphones for their gaming setup The ATH-ADX700 is a great option. They are comfortable and offer excellent audio. They are also lightweight and don't feel heavy on your head and ears. They feature a self-adjusting 3D wings that eliminate the pressure and adjust to accommodate your head. The headphones include a cable that can be easily connected to your audio source.

Open-air headphones that have a unique design, these headphones feature large earcups which reveal the drivers. The unique design is what makes these headphones stand out, but they also have a lot to provide. These headphones are unique because of their self-adjusting wings-support construction, the brand new 53 mm driver with Bobbin wound CCAW voice coils and the lightweight honeycomb aluminium casing.

The ATH ADX700 has a wide frequency response that allows for an unmistakably natural, crisp treble. The sound isn't as deep as some other pairs but that's because they're aimed at an audience of general music lovers who does not want to be blasted by excessive low frequencies. These headphones are great for gamers as they allow you to hear your friends and other NPCs without being obstructed.

Although the ATH-ADX700 has an impedance of 32 ohms they still require a decent amplifier for optimal performance. This is not a problem when using them with a portable device however it will be much more manageable and enjoy the full range of sound when they are paired with a suitable headphone amplifier.

The ATH ADX700 includes a 9.84 feet cable that has an gold-plated connector 1/8 inch and an elastic TPE sheath that resists the possibility of tangling and damaging. The ATH-ADX700 comes with an 1/4" adapter for mobile devices. The earpads are made from velvety velour, which feels soft and initially itchy, but will break in over time. They also feature a flexible fabric that is raised to increase the comfort and durability.