Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best Over ear headphones noise cancelling?

If you're on the train or in the office, noise-cancelling headphones are a godsend for anyone who likes to listen. Which ones are the best, though?

Sony's flagship headphones are an excellent value. They feature a brand new design and superior audio quality and also enticing features. From the raucous chorus to Sinead's trembling bridge, these headphones provide superb detail and authenticity.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony is the king of noise cancellation and Best Over Ear Headphones Noise Cancelling its WH1000XM5 headphones are among the top model in this line. A few well-thought-out enhancements over the XM4s make these headphones an excellent all-round pair of cans, especially for commuters and travelers. They're comfortable and feature multipoint tech to connect to two devices at once and feature the most powerful ANC Sony has ever made. They're also lightweight and provide around 27 hours of playback with no charging, which is enough for a week's worth of commuting or one long-haul flight.

The WH-1000XM5s have a sleek, minimalist design and are made of recycled and recyclable plastic referred to as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). Branding is minimal, though you'll see a tiny "Sony" logo on each hinge of each earcup. The headband and earcups have a soft, plush material that is comfortable for all types of heads apart from the biggest. The earcups can be adjusted to perfect fit your head.

Contrary to previous models which focused on reducing low-frequency noise, the XM5s amplify high-frequency sound waves in order to block out ambient sounds. This improves the overall quality of the sound, and helps to reduce engine and cabin noises during flights. The XM5s comes with an additional processing unit that helps improve noise cancellation on planes. The audio app can also adjust your listening environment based on the pressure of the air.

The WH-1000XM5s also features an integrated voice assistant that is easy to use, and works with Alexa as well as Google Assistant, Siri, and more. You can also pair the XM5s to other Sony audio products for multi-room music playback as well as stereo separation. They can support Bluetooth high-bitrate streaming audio through Sony's LDAC however they do not support HD or aptX.

2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

Sennheiser has been making headphones for more than 50 years. You can expect a premium sound quality and a cosy fit. With their new over-ears, called Momentum 4 Wireless, they deliver on both fronts. They've revamped their design to eliminate some characteristic elements that gave their earlier models the look of an aviator. They also upgraded active noise cancellation using their advanced Adaptive Noise Cancellation Technology. They've rated the headphones to last 60 hours of listening with ANC enabled, doubling the battery life of most other competitors.

They're also more portable than the previous model as they fold down and are smaller overall. They're made from synthetic PU leather for the re-usable headband and earpads that feel comfortable on my noggin even if I wear them for the entire working. They are also not very tight, so you can wear them for long flights, or even during your workouts.

The sound is well-balanced and clear However, there are a few peaking in the low-mid and high-mid that cause a slight muddiness in mixes. The bass is overemphasized which adds extra punch and thump in genres such as EDM or hip hop. It's not a big deal but it might annoy some listeners. The high-mid also has a sloppy balance in bringing instruments and vocals forward in the mix, but at the expense of bringing out a few sibilants.

The Sennheiser momentum 4 wireless has all the usual features, including Bluetooth wireless connectivity, a clear mode that blends outside sounds into your music for improved awareness, and mobile app support for custom and pre-set EQ options. They can also be connected with an 3.5mm cable when connecting your phone to it via wire. They can make use of SBC, AAC, aptX HD, and aptX Adaptive codecs to connect to your phone, and they're able to cut down latency by up to one quarter of a second which is fantastic.

3. B&W PX7 S2

Since their release in the year 2000, the original PX7s have been on numerous lists of the best over ear headphones noise-cancelling Bluetooth headphones, and have been ranked high in many instances due to their outstanding ANC and high-quality sound. However, like many wireless headphones, they've been getting older and required an update which is why the PX7 S2. B&W hasn't merely tweaked the design for the new model, but they've made substantial improvements to ANC and added more features for voice calls, too.

The PX7 S2 headphones are very light, making them ideal for long listening sessions. A lot of the look is carried over from the previous model, like the cool oval aluminium earcup top-plate, the hook-like accent on the headband, which glides instead of clicking as you expand it, and finally the actual buttons. The earcups, however are smaller, and the headband isn't as substantial.

The software of B&W lets you tweak EQ settings for treble and bass but you don't get as much control over the ear noise cancelling headphones the mix between these two elements like you do on more expensive headphones. The Quick Action button on left earcup switches between the different environmental modes. It can also be configured to activate the voice assistant on your device in the Bowers & Wilkins Music App.

The PX7 S2 is a great choice for all music styles. It offers a wide soundstage, and good separation of the different sound elements. It shines particularly on pieces featuring acoustic instruments like Rachmaninoff's Cello Sonata in G Minor Op. 19, composed by pianist Yuja Wang and cellist Gautier Capucon with woody instrumental tones and a sense of air. It can also handle heavier songs as well. The bass punch and midrange clarity on Entombed's crossover of garage and deathn'roll, To Ride and Shoot Straight, and Speak the Truth provide an overwhelming sound while still allowing listeners to be able to hear vocal details such as Lars-Goran Petrov’s gritty growl.

4. Bose QuietComfort 35

Bose was among the first companies to introduce active noise cancelling headphones into the mainstream. Though they had a stranglehold on the market for a long time but they are now competing with newer headsets with more features and higher audio quality. However, the QuietComfort 35 is still a ideal choice for anyone who wants to hear their podcasts and music without being disturbed by constant buzzing and rumbles.

The default sound profile is balanced, and they're comfortable to wear. The ANC does a great job of removing background noise, although it tends to focus on low frequencies more than the latest headphones like the Sony WH-1000XM5.

If you're looking for a pair that can be used to listen to podcasts or audiobooks The QC35s feature an impressive passive noise cancellation mode which reduces ambient noises while keeping you isolated from the hum of the surrounding environment. The QC35s let you connect two Bluetooth devices at once and "audio-share" which allows you to listen to something with one pair of headphones and answer an incoming phone call on the other.

The Bose Connect App is decent however it lacks the vast EQ features of other headphone apps. The QC35s can also be used in wired mode with an audio cable, however the quality of sound takes a huge hit and they don't have the same level of battery life as wireless models.

The QC35s are an Bose product, but it may not be a favorite for all. Other manufacturers offer sleeker designs. However you can add a touch of personalization by purchasing a decal cover-up from companies like SlickWraps and Skin Sticker. Later this year you'll be able to customize the color of the earcups and headband, similar to the earlier QC25.

5. Sony WH-1000XM3

Sony's WH1000XM3 are the most effective wireless headphones with active noise cancellation you can get today. They're more expensive than the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless, but they block out a lot more ambient noise and feel much better-built. The app is also better and comes with a variety of sound-related options for customization.

The XM3s offer a fantastic audio quality, and since their release they've been improved to give even better performance. They're equipped with a little more depth in the frequency spectrum. Their noise cancelling is better at all levels of volume. They also have better features like Quick Attention mode and Speak-to chat. They also have a new feature called Adaptive Sound Control that adjusts automatically the amount of external sound allowed in based on where you are and what you're doing.

However, they're not without their imperfections. The treble can sound sometimes a bit loud and the midrange sounds slightly recessed. They still have the tendency to boost the bass too much on certain tracks, which makes the sound too heavy and full. You can fix this via the Sony app or in the headphone settings.

The XM3s are an excellent pair of headphones, especially for frequent travelers or commuters. They are more comfortable, feel and look premium, and last longer than the JBL Live 650 BTNC wireless. They also have a better battery and one of the top noise cancellation features available. They're also more flexible and more suitable for use on mobile devices than the Audio-Technica ATH-M50X Wireless, although they have less impressive noise isolation. They're not waterproof, and that could be a major issue for some.