Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?

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

With a new design with superior sound quality and a plethora of features, Sony's latest flagship headphones offer exceptional value. They can capture every detail, from Sinead's bridge that trembles to the booming chorus.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony is the leader in noise cancellation and its WH1000XM5 headphones represent the best version of this model. A few well-thought-out upgrades over the XM4s make these headphones an all-around excellent pair of headphones, specifically for those who commute and travel. They are comfortable, feature multipoint technology to connect two devices simultaneously, and feature the most powerful ANC Sony has ever created. They're lightweight and can play for up to 27 hours with no charging. This is enough time for a week of commutes or a long-haul flight.

The WH1000XM5s are sleek and minimal in design. They are made from ABS which is a recyclable and recycled plastic. The branding is very minimal. You'll see tiny Sony logo on each hinge of the earcup. The headband and earcups have soft, plush material that is comfortable for all heads apart from the biggest. The ears can be adjusted to fit you perfectly.

Contrary to previous models that focused on reducing low frequency noise, the XM5s amplify sound waves with high frequencies to block out ambient noise. This improves the overall quality of sound and helps reduce the noise of engines and cabins on flights, for example. The XM5s has a second processing unit to increase noise cancellation on planes. The audio app is also able to automatically adjust your listening environment according to the data on air pressure.

The WH-1000XM5s comes with an integrated voice assistant that is simple to use and works with Alexa as well as Google Assistant, Siri, and many more. You can also pair the XM5s to other Sony audio products to enable stereo and multi-room music playback separation. They're compatible with Bluetooth high-bitrate audio streaming through LDAC codec from Sony but they're not compatible with the aptX or aptX HD.

2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

Sennheiser has been making headphones for over 50 years. You can expect Premium Edifier WH700NB Noise Cancelling Headphones Bluetooth sound quality and a cosy fit. They deliver on both fronts with their latest pair of over-ears dubbed the Momentum 4 Wireless. They've reworked the design to eliminate certain elements that gave the original models the look of an aviator headset and also improved the active noise cancellation by using their advanced Adaptive Noise Cancellation technology. They've evaluated these headphones to last for 60 hours of listening with ANC enabled, which is more than double the battery life of most rivals.

They're also much more mobile than the previous model because they fold down and are much smaller overall. They're made with artificial PU leather for the replaceable headband and ear pads that are comfortable on my noggin even when I wear them for the entire working. They are also not very tight, which means you can wear them on long flights or even during your workout.

The sound is balanced and clear, however there are some peaks that can cause a little discoloration to mixes. The bass is overemphasised, adding some extra punch and thump to genres such as EDM or hip-hop. It's not a big deal however it could be a problem for some listeners. The high-mid also has an uneven balance that brings instruments and vocals forward in the mix, but at the cost of bringing out some vocal sibilants.

The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless is equipped with all the standard features like bluetooth wireless connectivity, a translucent mode that mixes outside sounds into your music to improve awareness, and mobile apps that support custom and preset EQ options. You can also use a 3.5mm cord to connect your phone. They are able to connect to your device by using SBC, AAC HD, and aptX Adaptive codes and can cut down the latency by up to a quarter second.

3. B&W PX7 S2

Since their launch in 2004, the original PX7s have appeared on countless lists of the top Bluetooth headphones, topping them in a lot of cases due to their outstanding ANC and strong sound quality. But, like all wireless headphones, they've been getting older and needed to be refreshed, hence the PX7 S2. B&W did not just alter the design, but also made improvements to ANC, and added more features for voice calling.

The PX7 S2 headphones are very light, headphonesshop making them comfortable for long listening sessions. A lot of the design is carried over from the previous model, such as the elongated aluminum earcup top, the hook-like accent on the headband that glids instead of clicking as you expand it and the actual buttons. The earcups, however are smaller, and the headband is less substantial.

B&W's software allows you to adjust EQ settings for treble and bass but you don't get as much control over the mix of the two components as you would on higher-priced headphones. The Quick Action button on left earcup toggles the environmental modes. It can also be configured to summon the voice assistant of your device through the Bowers & Wilkins Music App.

The PX7 S2 sounds great for most musical styles, with the soundstage offering ample width and great separation between the various elements of sound. It's especially impressive for pieces that have acoustic instruments such as Rachmaninoff's Cello Sonata, Op. The 19 by Yuja Wang and Gautier Capucon features woody tones that have a touch 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, Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth provide a wall of noise while allowing you to discern vocal nuances like Lars-Goran Petrov’s gritty growl.

4. Bose QuietComfort 35

Bose is among the first companies to bring active noise cancelling headphones into the mainstream. They had a stranglehold for years but now they have to compete with newer headsets that have more features and a better sound quality. However, the QuietComfort 35 is still a ideal choice for anyone who wants to hear their music or podcasts without being disturbed by continuous buzzing and rumbles.

They're also comfortable to wear and have a well-balanced default sound profile. The ANC does a great job of eliminating background noise, though it tends to emphasize low frequencies more than newer headphones, such as the Sony WH-1000XM5.

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

The Bose Connect App is decent, but it doesn't have the extensive EQ features of other headphone apps. The QC35s can be used in wired mode with a cable, but the quality of sound takes a huge loss and they don't have the same level of battery life as wireless models.

The QC35s have an established Bose style that may not appeal to some people as the sleeker designs of other brands. You can personalize your headphones by purchasing a decal cover from companies like SlickWraps or Skin Sticker. In the near future you'll be able to alter the color of the earcups and headband, similar to the older QC25.

5. Sony WH-1000XM3

Sony's WH1000XM3 are the most effective wireless headphones with active noise cancellation that you can buy right now. They're more expensive than Anker Soundcore Q20 Wireless but they isolate more ambient noise. They also come with a superior companion app that provides many sound customization options.

The XM3's excellent audio quality is one of their main draws, and they've been upgraded since their release to provide even better performance. They're a bit more clarity in the frequency spectrum. The noise cancellation is better at all levels of volume. They also have better features like Quick Attention mode and Speak-to Chat. They also have a brand new feature called Adaptive Sound Control that adjusts automatically the amount of external sound let in based on where you are and what you're doing.

They're not without their own issues, however. The midrange can sound a bit too recessed, and the treble could sometimes be too loud. They do have the potential to boost the bass too much on some tracks, making them sound too heavy and full. This can be corrected in the Sony app or in the headphone settings.

The XM3s are a great pair of headphones, particularly for HeadphonesShop frequent travelers or commuters. They're more comfortable, stylish and superior and more durable than the JBL Live 650 BTNC Wireless, and they have a more powerful battery, and one of our top noise cancelling features available in the market. They are also more versatile and more suitable for use on the go than Audio-Technica's ATH-M50X wireless, though their noise cancellation isn't as impressive. They're also not waterproof, and that could be a problem for some.