Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?

Noise-cancelling headphones are an ideal solution for those who love to listen whether in the office or on the train. Which ones are the best?

Sony's flagship headphones are an excellent value. They offer a new design and a superior audio quality as well as impressive features. From the forceful chorus to Sinead's unstable bridge, these headphones deliver superb detail and realism.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony is a master at noise cancellation, and its WH1000XM5 headphones are the best iteration of this series. A few well-thought-out improvements over ear headphones noise cancelling the XM4s make these headphones an all-around excellent pair of headphones, particularly for those who commute or travel. They're comfortable and feature multipoint technology that allows you to connect to two devices at once and feature the most advanced ANC Sony has made to date. They are lightweight and can run up to 27 hours with no charging. This is enough for a week of daily commutes or long-haul flights.

The WH1000XM5s are sleek and minimal in appearance. They are made of ABS, a recyclable and recycled plastic. The branding is very minimal. You'll find the tiny Sony logo on each hinge of the earcup. The earcups and headband are cushioned with a plush, soft material that's comfortable on all but the largest heads. The earcups can be adjusted so that they perfect fit your head.

Contrary to previous models which focused on reducing low-frequency noise the XM5s amplify high-frequency sound waves to cancel out ambient sounds. This improves the overall quality of sound and helps reduce engine and cabin noise on flights, for instance. The XM5s have another processor to increase noise cancellation more for airplanes, and the audio app can also automatically adjust your listening environment using air pressure data.

The WH-1000XM5s also has an assistant for voice 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're compatible with Bluetooth high-bitrate audio streaming via Sony's LDAC codec however they don't support the aptX or aptX HD.

2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

Sennheiser has been manufacturing headphones for over 50 years. You can expect premium sound quality and a cosy fit. They deliver on both fronts with their latest pair of over-ears named the Momentum 4 Wireless. They've revamped the design to eliminate some of the trademark elements that gave the earlier models their aviator headset look and also improved their active noise cancellation with their advanced Adaptive Noise Cancellation technology. They are designed to last for 60 hours with ANC on, which is double the battery life of other rivals.

They're also more portable than the previous model because they fold up and are smaller overall. The ear pads and the headband are made of artificial PU leather, which feels comfortable on my head when I wear it for the entire day. They are also not very tight, so you can wear them on long flights, or even during your workouts.

The sound is well-balanced and clear, though there are some peaks in the low-mid and high-mid, which can cause slight muddying in the mixes. The bass is overemphasized which adds extra punch and thump in genres like EDM or hip hop. It's not a major issue, but some listeners may find it irritating. The high-mid also has an uneven balance, bringing vocals and instruments forward in the mix but at the expense of bringing out some vocal sibilants.

The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless comes with all the usual features including 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. They can also be used with an beats studio 3 wireless bluetooth noise cancelling headphones.5mm cable when connecting to your phone via wire. They can connect to your phone via SBC, AAC HD, and aptX Adaptive codes, and they can cut down the latency by up to a quarter second.

3. B&W PX7 S2

The original PX7s were a top pick on many lists of the best Bluetooth headsets due to their superior ANC and the sound quality. However, like many wireless headphones, the PX7s have been getting older and required a refresh and hence the PX7 S2. B&W hasn't just redesigned the design for the new version, but has made substantial improvements to ANC and also added voice-calling features, too.

The PX7 S2 headphones are incredibly light, making them ideal for long listening sessions. A lot of the look is carried over from the previous model, including the elongated aluminum earcup top as well as the hook-like design on the headband that glids rather than clicks as you expand it, and finally the actual buttons. The earcups are smaller and the headband isn't as substantial.

B&W's software lets you adjust the EQ settings for the bass and Beats Studio 3 Wireless Bluetooth Noise Cancelling Headphones treble. However you don't have as much control as you do with headphones that cost more. The Quick Action button on left earcup switches between the different environmental modes. It can also be set to activate the voice assistant on your device via the Bowers & Wilkins Music App.

The PX7 S2 sounds great for all musical styles, and has a a soundstage that offers plenty of width and good separation between the various sounds. It is particularly impressive on music that has acoustic instrumentation like Rachmaninoff's Cello Sonata, Op. 19 by pianist Yuja Wang and cellist Gautier Capeucon, with acoustic instrumental tones that give a sense of air. It can take on heavier music too. The bass sound and midrange clarity on Entombed's crossover of garage and deathn'roll, To Ride and Shoot Straight, and Speak the Truth The album is a wall of noise while keeping things clear to hear vocal details like Lars-Goran Petrov's gritty growl.

4. Bose QuietComfort 35

Bose is among the first companies to introduce active noise cancelling headphones to the mainstream. They held the market for years but now they must compete with more modern headsets that have more features and better audio quality. That said the QuietComfort 35 is still a ideal option for those who want to listen to music or podcasts without being disturbed by constant rumbles and hums.

They're also comfortable to wear and come with a an excellently balanced default sound profile. The ANC does a fantastic job of removing background noise, but it tends to emphasize low frequencies more than modern headphones such as the Sony WH-1000XM5.

If you're looking for a pair that can be used to listen to audiobooks or podcasts The QC35s feature an impressive noise cancellation mode that reduces ambient sounds while keeping you adrift from the hum of the environment around you. The QC35s let you connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and "audio-share" which means you can listen to a song on one pair of headphones while answering an incoming call on the other pair.

The Bose Connect App is decent, but it doesn't have the full EQ features of other headphone apps. The QC35s can also be used in wired mode, however the sound quality is significantly reduced and the battery longevity isn't as good as wireless models.

The QC35s come with a well-known Bose design that might not be as appealing to some consumers as the more sleek designs of other brands. You can add some personalization to your headphones by purchasing a cover with decals from companies such as SlickWraps or Skin Sticker. You can also change the color of the ear cups and headband later this year, just like you can with the older QC25 model.

5. Sony WH-1000XM3

Sony's WH1000XM3 are the most effective wireless headphones that have active noise cancellation that you can buy today. They're a bit more expensive than the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless, but they isolate a lot more ambient noise and feel more sturdy. They also have a premium companion app that offers tons of sound customization features.

The XM3s have a great sound quality, and ever since their release they've been improved to deliver the best performance. They're equipped with a little more clarity in the frequency spectrum. Their noise cancellation is more effective at all levels of volume. They also have upgraded features like Quick Attention mode and Speak-to chat. The new feature, Adaptive sound control, automatically adjusts the amount of external sound allowed in based on where you are and what you are doing.

They're not without some problems, however. The treble can be sometimes a bit loud and the midrange can sound a bit receding. They do have the potential to boost the bass too much on some tracks, making them sound heavy and full. But this is something you can fix by changing the settings for your headphone or via EQ adjustment within the Sony app.

The XM3s are a great pair of headphones, especially for those who commute and frequent travel. They're more comfortable, stylish and more durable and premium than the JBL Live 650 BTNC Wireless and also have a far more powerful battery, and one of the best noise cancellation features available in the market. They're also more flexible and more suitable for use on the go than Audio-Technica's ATH M50X wireless, but their noise isolation is less impressive. They're not waterproof, which could be a problem for some.