The Best Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones

Whether you're battling the roar of jet engines or Over Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones Wireless simply want to block out the sound of your HVAC system at home, you'll require the top noise cancelling over-ear headphones. The new Sony WH1000XM5s are the top of the line in active noise cancellation. Their predecessors were fantastic.

We've considered the adjustability of ANC control buttons, touch controls, and on-ear detection (for pausing music when you take off your headphones). Our top picks include high-resolution audio and comfortable, spacious earphones.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

The fifth generation of Sony's flagship headphones is a significant upgrade over its predecessor, with better noise cancellation and improved audio quality. Its remarkable ANC creates an enveloping cone over your head, blocking out an astonishing amount of low-frequency sounds. The earcups block sounds that fall in the mid-to-treble spectrum including chatter from the passengers and creaking metal.

The WH-1000XM5s sound very natural, unlike other noise cancelling headsets that sound hollow. They can render Billie Eilish’s drums with remarkable clarity, while keeping the edges clean and clear. They're a joy to listen to during the commute or during a long flight.

A capacitive touch-screen on the right ear cup handles the most common controls, including play/pause volume up/down, Over Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones Wireless skip forwards/backwards and skip. It can also end and answer calls, and switch between ANC mode and ambient sound. You can also hold the power button for a few minutes to hear a voice warning of the battery's remaining life.

The QN1 microphone is another notable improvement to the XM5s. It is designed to capture high quality audio when recording videos and podcasts. The microphone is more sensitive than previous models and has a larger audio range which makes it easier for you to pick up your voice.

Other features from the XM4s have carried over ear noise cancelling headphones wireless to the XM5, such as its adaptive ANC system that automatically optimizes performance based on your environment. Its "Wearing Detection feature now detects when you take off the headset, and then pauses videos or music and then restarts it once you put them back on. It's compatible with Sony's DSEE Extreme Engine, which enhances compressed music to close to hi-res quality.

2. Sony WH-1000XM4

The WH1000XM4s of Sony are the latest version of their top-of-the-line over-ear headphones. They feature top-of-the-line performance although they don't feature the same active noise cancellation as the WH1000XM5s. In addition to having stronger Bluetooth and a more efficient noise-canceling algorithm, the WH-1000XM4s also have a brand new audio chip that upscales music files to HD quality and more advanced voice controls.

The biggest improvement in the latest model is that Sony has made the WH-1000XM4s softer than before by putting padding around the headband and moving the microphones closer to the outside of the ear. This makes them more comfortable to listen to for longer periods of time.

They're also more versatile with the ability to switch between five sound modes depending on the environment. You can also adjust your EQ settings by using the Sony headphones app. The app lets you track your activity, and automatically optimize the settings. They are a great option for travelers.

The WH-1000XM4 also has improved its noise cancelling over ear headphones cancellation. It is more effective due to its increased sensitivity and better filtering of low frequencies. You can examine this by studying a graph similar to the one below, where the higher peaks mean that more sounds are being blocked out. The WH1000XM4s also do better in reducing low-frequency sounds like the hum of an air conditioning unit or the constant rumble of a plane engine.

The WH-1000XM4s are still equipped with a an impressive set of features, including the battery that can last up to 30 hours and a built-in USB-C charging port. They also come with Quick Alert, a feature that allows you to tap the right earcup to dampen the sound to enable transparency mode. Speak to Chat, for instance, pauses media when your voice is raised (and it works well but sometimes it does not recognize taps) in addition to 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 headphones (or QC35 Wireless 2018, as they're also referred to) were released in September 2017. They were replaced with the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 701 to be released in 2021. However they're still very popular and affordable.

The QC35 II are a great pair of mixed usage wireless headphones that offer an incredibly comfortable fit and a neutral sound profile and exceptional noise isolation. They can be used in noisy environments or while traveling and they last for more than a full day on one charge. They are also compatible with a variety of smart assistants and can be turned on by an individual button. You can ask the assistant to play music, answer trivia questions or read notifications from your smartphone.

They feature a wide opening in the ear padded that will fit most ear shapes and sizes and are lightweight. The hinges on the housings fold down and make them easy to put in backpacks or bags. The controls are located on the right-hand side of the headphones and are easy to use. Playback can be controlled by tapping the buttons which include rewinding or skipping songs.

We were listening to The Beatles' Let It Be as well as the drum and piano beats. The QC35 II deliver crisp, clear audio that's full-bodied and detailed. They can detect subtleties such as Paul McCartney’s unsteady timing as he builds to the chorus, or Gerard Way's snarl when he rants about the teen-like persona in Teenagers.

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

4. Sony WH-CH720N

Sony is a brand known for producing excellent headphones at a relatively low cost. The budget-friendly WHCH720N headphones from Sony are no exception. They have many of the features that make the top WH-1000XM5 models so good however, they have an affordable design. They offer a great deal of active noise cancellation at an affordable price.

Similar to the WH-1000XM5 headphones these headphones feature 30mm dynamic drivers that provide plenty of bass and clear high frequencies. They have a balanced sound that works well with various genres of music. They also feature a huge, encompassing soundstage.

The WH-CH720N headphones come with buttons instead of the gestures or touch controls that are used by the XM5 headphones. This can be a bit of a downside since the buttons can be confusing at first. The controls are intelligently placed and are clearly labeled. Double presses of the '+' button will pause and play audio. A single press reduces the volume. Pressing and holding the button will launch voice assistants, and also rejects calls.

With ANC enabled the headphones will last about 35 hours before they run out of juice. This is the best battery life we've seen in over-ear headphones. They also come with a standby mode that can help conserve battery.

Bluetooth allows users to connect the WH-CH720N headphones to Android and iOS devices. They support LDAC which lets them play high-resolution audio on compatible devices. They are also compatible with PlayStation consoles with an analog 1/8"TRS cable. They can also be connected to computers using the included USB dongle. The Sony Headphones Connect app lets you personalize your headphones with an EQ slider and presets, multipoint connectivity, and secure listening.

5. B&W PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 follow on from a successful predecessor but are by no means an unfinished update riding on its coattails. With a sleeker design and a new application that delivers on the promise of high-end build quality and sound that is that is designed to accurately express the artist's vision. They're also extremely comfortable and a treat to wear all day.

Although they aren't as good as the noise cancellation of the Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II or the Sony WH-1000XM5, they do a very excellent job of blocking out the sounds of the environment and ensuring you are able to concentrate on your music, podcasts or gaming handheld without interruptions. They use a six microphone setup (four for the noise cancellation and two for voice-recording) and a new algorithm that reduce ambient sound by 30dB. They're also among the few Bluetooth headphones we've tested that can be used in a passive mode, which allows users to listen to content on their own, without power being connected to the drive units.

They're also compatible with the B&W Music app, a free download that offers many features to complement the excellent noise cancelling. It includes the Quick Action button that cycles through three different modes of environmental, displays battery life and can be configured to launch your device's voice assistant. It is annoying to have to press the button and hold it for a while. A single press would be more intuitive and simpler.

The PX7 S2 are a very remarkable pair of headphones which will delight all music enthusiasts. The PX7 S2 are not as well suited to challenging music genres like metal and rock which favour bass-heavy productions and muddy low-frequency as they are for classical, folk and acoustic. However, they will still be awe-inspiring to those who appreciate audiophile credentials, and are practical and comfortable.