The Best Over-Ear Headphones

If you travel on public transit or work in an office with chatty co-workers or simply want to listen to your music without a lot of distractions from outside, then headphones with noise cancellation on the ear can make all the difference. We've reviewed the best headphones for over-ear use that combine great audio quality with active noise cancellation.

Mpow Over Ear Headphones

These Bluetooth headphones from Mpow are well-built and offer premium audio quality for the price. They are designed as over-ear headphones with Ear cups that sit comfortably over the ear to block ambient noise canceling headphones. The earpads feature a moderately thick cushion that protects the ears sufficiently to muffle a good portion noises from the outside. However, they do not have an active noise cancellation capability. They weigh just over 11 ounces and are fairly comfortable to wear for extended durations of time.

These Mpow headphones have simple design that's not too far removed from most other models of over-ear headphones available. The headband connecting the two earcups is hinged, and can be folded up for storage or transport. The left earcup contains the controls for power, volume and noise cancellation. A microphone is built into the right earcup for hands-free calls.

The Mpow headphones offer a good sound quality, but they don't have the bass punch or clarity of the Sony WH1000XM5. The PRTF accuracy and activation score are higher than average among Bluetooth headphones. This should result in a large and wide soundstage when listening to music. However they're PRTF distance score is below average, meaning they will sound closed in and less open than headphones that have more open-back, larger earcups.

They also have a decent amount of treble expansion, which should give you a clear and crisp sound that is able to handle all music genres. The mids of Sony headphones are a bit more prominent, which gives them a more dynamic sound. This is perfect for music with lots of instruments. The bass can be overpowering for some people but this is a personal preference that can be adjusted by altering the equalizer settings in your audio player.

The Mpow headphones have a fairly long battery life and can be used in wired mode when your battery runs out. They come with a cable and USB charger included in the box, allowing you to continue to enjoy your favorite tunes without any interruptions. The manufacturer offers a 45-day money-back guarantee, as well as an 18-month guarantee on these headphones. Their customer service is also known for its speedy response.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 is the most recent over ear headphones noise cancelling-ear headphone to grace Bowers & Wilkins' catalog. The PX7 is replaced by the PX7 S2 and they are part of a wider collection of wireless noise cancelling headphones headphones which includes the PI5 and PI7. The design of these headphones feels immediately elegant once they are removed from the box. The use of metals and textured materials on the ear cups give them a luxurious feel. The headphones are also more comfortable on the ears and head, despite being slightly heavier. The Ear pads snap off and on easily so they can be replaced when they wear out.

Like many of the best headphones, these models feature active noise cancellation, which reduces the sound of outside sounds while allowing you to hear your music. The technology isn't flawless however, it does a great job in keeping the whir of a plane engine or the rumble of a train out of your ears while not altering the balance of music pieces that might be on the same frequency.

One thing that really makes the PX7 S2 apart from their competitors is the soundstage they provide that provides ample space and a strong separation between the various components of sound. This clarity is not always present in other Bluetooth headphones.

While the PX7 S2s aren't as lightweight as their rivals, they come with a nice carry case. The case is cushioned and the headphones can be folded flat when not in use.

The ear cups are made of an enveloping, soft leather that is extremely luxurious to touch. The earcups are lightweight, which makes them comfortable to wear for long listening sessions. The headband is designed for maximum comfort and doesn't squeeze too tightly. This helps prevent headaches.

The headphones come with various features, including Bluetooth multipoint, which allows them to be connected with two devices simultaneously. They support all popular Bluetooth codecs as well as high-resolution audio, in the event that your streaming service supports it. They also come with an amplifier for headphones that gives you extra boost when using headphones with electronics that are not powered like laptops.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH1000XM5 is the latest in Sony's premium noise cancelling headphones for over-ear use. They're an excellent upgrade over their predecessors, the WH1000XM2s and WH-1000XM4. Sony has improved its already impressive active noise cancellation. The fifth-generation headphones, for example can now block low-frequency sounds, such as plane engines and subway car rumbles. They can also detect where you are, and adjust the Ambient sound control settings accordingly.

You can still use a voice-activated assistant to control your music, get directions, and much more. The microphones in the ear cups are upgraded so that they can be used to make calls using hands-free technology and also to control Siri/Google Assistant. The headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible, which means that they can pair and connect more quickly.

The WH-1000XM5 has received top scores in our tests of comfort, ease of use and audio quality. The lightweight headset is comfortable to wear for long listening sessions, and the earcup can be adjusted to accommodate different sizes of heads. The headphones are lightweight, and their flat foldable design allows them to easily fit into a backpack or a suitcase.

The ear cups are slightly more curly than their predecessors, and the headband is fitted with more refined curves that to conceal the assembly points. They're covered with a brand new synthetic leather material that adds more durability and a luxurious look. The ear cup cavities are also larger and fit more comfortably against the ear, which could cause a bit of pressure to the head after wearing them for extended durations.

The XM5 has some of the basic features of the WH1000XM4s. You can still swipe or tap the right ear cup in order to change songs, pause audio, and access the Ambient Sound mode. You can even hold your fingers over the right earcup to temporarily turn down your music volume and boost ambient sound. This is useful when you need to hear what's happening around you.

The XM5s are equipped with a few minor enhancements that make them a good choice for headsets that can block noise. The new ANC offers better isolation for low-frequency sounds and the headphones will pause your music when lifted from your head in order to save power. Transparent listening mode lets in more external 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 ADX700

The ATH-ADX700 headphones are a great option for those looking to purchase a pair of gaming headphones. They are comfortable and offer high-quality audio. They are also lightweight and won't feel heavy on your head or ears. They come with a self-adjusting 3D wings that can adjust to your head, and eliminates pressure. The headphones include an audio cable that can be easily connected to your audio source.

These are open-air headphones which look very unique, due to their huge earcups and honeycomb covers made of black that reveal the drivers inside. The unique design is what makes these headphones stand out, but it's not all they have to provide. The self-adjusting wing structure and the new 53mm drivers that feature bobbin-wound CCAW voice coils, and the aluminum casing made of honeycomb are what make these headphones so unique and worth the extra investment.

The ATH ADX700 has a broad frequency response that allows for natural, clear treble. The sound is not as bassy as other models since they are geared towards the general music lover who does not like being bombarded by low frequencies. They are an excellent pair of headphones for gamers as they let you hear the voices of your fellow gamers and NPCs without being muffled by a heavy bass.

The ATH ADX700 headphones have an impedance rating of 32 ohms, but still require an amp of a good quality to function optimally. It's not a problem when using them on a portable player however it will be much easier to manage and enjoy the full range of sound when used with an appropriate headphone amp.

The ATH ADX700 comes with a 9.84 feet cable that has a gold-plated connector wireless Noise cancelling Headphones 1/8 inches and a flexible TPE sheath that is resistant to tangling and damage. The ATH ADX700 comes with a 1/4" adapter for mobile devices. The earpads are made from plush velour that feels soft and soft at first, but will break in the end. They also feature a flexible raised fabric that increases comfort and durability.