Sony Headphones Review - The Best Noise Cancelling Headphones

The fifth-generation model of Sony's noise-cancelling headphones look a little different than the previous version but they sound as excellent. The headphones are light, comfortable, and feature a variety of features such as Quick Attention mode and Speak-to-Chat. They also come with wear detection, and AI-powered DSEE Extreme upscaling audio.

The ANC is powerful, reducing train noise into an ambient rumble. The option to pass through lets you hear outside sounds if needed.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony's headphones are consistently among the best in the industry in terms of noise cancellation. The fifth generation of WH-1000XM5s is the same, providing one of the best experiences we've had with noise cancelling headphones in recent times. When you put on your headphones and enable noise cancellation, you're entering a world of silence. Engine noises as well as HVAC systems, creaking metal and even neighboring conversations are all muted.

The XM5s also impress on the audio front. Their wide soundstage allows every element of a song to breathe and shine. On Billie Eilish’s Bad Guy for example, the drums are pounding with a satisfying amount of force and power, while soaring vocals harmonise throughout the mix.

The XM5s also stand out because of their smart interaction with your smart device. They can detect the moment they're taken off your head and pause music, they can note that you're driving on a noisy road and automatically dial down the noise cancelling level, and they can pair with two devices at once to switch between them based on what you need urgently.

The WH-1000XM5s also have a very low environmental impact. The WH-1000XM5s are made of recycled plastics, butadiene, acrylonitrile and styrene. The headband is constructed of high-quality fabric. They come with a case that can be folded into itself, forming an incredibly compact pouch. Also included is a 3.5mm to 3.5mm aux cable so you can listen in a passive mode. The ear cups are removable for easy cleaning. The XM5s run on rechargeable batteries that provide up to 20 hours of playtime on a full charge. Additionally, they're equipped with an adaptive fast charging system that charges at twice the speed of traditional USB headphones.

2. Bose QuietComfort 35

The Bose QuietComfort35 II/QC35 II Wireless 2018, with their comfortable fit and balanced sound profile and ANC technology that blocks a great deal of background noise They are more adaptable than the Audio-Technica ATHDR9BT Wireless Headphones. The Bose headphones come with a 20-hour battery, are more convenient to charge, and can be used with a phone even when the battery is empty. This makes them a great choice for those looking for headphones that can be used as commuter or as travel headphones.

These premium Bose headphones have a dedicated button that activates Google Assistant, which will play music, answer trivia questions, and even read your phone notifications. These headphones are incredibly quiet with excellent noise cancellation capabilities. They're old-fashioned in comparison to the standards of 2020 however, you can get amazing bargains.

The QC35s, like other Bose ANC headsets, do a good job at blocking out ambient noise. Their noise reduction technology has also improved over time. They're not the top ANC headphone out there in particular when compared with the latest models. Audiophiles may want to consider other options for better audio quality.

The QC35s can also be used to connect to two devices at the same time, and can "audio share" with a person. This is great for those who like listening to music while talking with someone else. These headphones are also popular among frequent flyers, and have the classic Bose design that a lot of people adore. If you're looking for a way to spice up the QC35s with some personalization, decal covers like SlickWraps and Skin Sticker are available at affordable prices.

3. Sony WH-1000XM4

Sony's WH1000XM4s offer nothing in terms of aesthetic or comfort changes in comparison to the M3s, but its noise cancelling is an entirely new beast. Sony has replaced the old system-on chip (SoC) for a brand new one that claims to allow it to more precisely listen to and react to ambient sound in real-time, and reduce high- and Noise reduction headphones mid-frequency sounds by using its Dual Noise Sensor technology.

Two feedforward microphones in each earcup capture ambient sounds. The sound is processed by QN1 noise cancelling processor to cut it down quickly without impacting the quality of your audio. The result is an incredibly impressive level of noise neutralization that is able to compete with the best headphones at this price.

There's a sensitivity knob that lets you adjust the noise cancellation to fit your needs. You may, for instance prefer to listen to the sounds of the city while at home, you might prefer a more closed off listening experience. This feature uses geo-location to apply the correct setting based on the location you're at.

The WH-1000XM4s can be utilized for hands-free calls and boast a staggering 30 hours of battery life, with fast charging capabilities. The WH-1000XM4s come with a robust Bluetooth connection with multipoint and NFC support. In my testing I discovered that the remastering of Paul McCartney’s Flaming pie sounded lively and clear as well as rough mixes and home recordings also sounded crisp.

Download the Sony Headphones Connect companion app to get the most from these headphones. You can customize 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 a ideal choice for those looking to buy a pair that offers excellent active noise cancellation at affordable costs. The 710N BAndW PX7 S2e Wireless Headphones Forest Green is an improvement over its predecessor with more efficient ANC performance and superior audio quality. The 710N Wireless also has a lighter design with a battery life of up to 35 hours.

These headphones aren't for you if you expect top-of-the-line features like LDAC Bluetooth and Smart Listening that incorporates voice assistants. They don't come with a carrying case, auto-pause feature, or foldable earcups and are therefore difficult to take on a trip with.

The WH-CH720N's build quality is decent but not as good 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 a bit heavy, and the earcups creak when you move them. The controls are easy to use, however they have tactile buttons that provide excellent feedback via clicks. The ANC can be turned on and off with a single press of the power switch. Pressing and holding the button will activate Sony's Adaptive audio Control. This feature allows you select a preset profile that is based on the location you are in or how you use the headphones.

The WH-CH720N wireless noise cancellation headphones are among the most affordable models on the market. For the price you'll get excellent ANC with a great sound and comfort, as well as up to 35 hours of battery life. These headphones are worth considering for if you frequently commute.

5. Earfun Air Pro

Earfun's headsets and earbuds are renowned for their value and the Air Pro is no exception. They are perfect for calls and music, and their ANC technology blocks a lot of noise reduction headphones (Full File) without making your ears feel uncomfortable. They also come with many features that are available on other headphones that cost twice or more.

The earbuds have an overemphasized bass range that adds rumble and a punch to the majority of tracks and keeps instruments and lead vocals clear and alive. This makes them suitable for a broad range of music, even though they might sound a bit loud for some. They have a uniform frequency response, meaning that they sound the same regardless of what you are listening to.

We played Missy Elliott's Get Ur Freak On and the earbuds took to the track's bassy opening with enthusiasm and enthusiasm. Stormzy's Vossi Bop had a similar fluid sound with the treble accentuating 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 the clarity of calls, with background noises and clicks minimized, even when speaking in the vicinity of the London Underground at rush hour.

The earbuds' Bluetooth connectivity is also excellent and there were any issues during our testing. They connect quickly and with low latency to iOS and Android devices. They are also IPX5 waterproof, which means they're perfect for rain and exercise - though you shouldn't put them in water. They also come with a portable case that can hold two and a half charge, which is great to take on trips.