Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?

If you're on the train or at work the noise-cancelling headphones can be a godsend for those who love to listen. Which are the best?

Sony's flagship headphones are a fantastic value. They come with a fresh design and a superior audio quality as well as enviable features. From the powerful chorus to Sinead O'Connor's shaking bridge, these headphones provide amazing clarity and real-world realism.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony is the king of noise cancellation and its WH1000XM5 headphones are the best noise cancelling headphones version of this line. This model is a great pair of headphones, specifically for commuters or travelers. They are comfortable, feature multipoint technology to connect two devices at once and offer the Best noise cancelling over ear Headphones ANC Sony's ever produced. They're light and can play for up to 27 hours without charging. This is enough time to get through a week of commutes or a long-haul flight.

The WH1000XM5s are sleek and minimal in appearance. They are made from ABS, an eco-friendly and recycled plastic. The branding is minimal. You'll see a tiny Sony logo on each hinge of the earcup. The headband and earcups are cushioned by a plush soft material that is comfortable on all heads. The earcups are also adjustable to ensure that you get the perfect fit for you.

Contrary to previous models which focused on reducing low-frequency noise the XM5s amplify high-frequency sound waves, which cancels out background noise. This improves the overall sound quality and helps reduce the noise of engines and cabins on flights, for instance. The XM5s is equipped with another processing unit to enhance noise cancellation on planes. The audio app is also able to automatically adjust your listening environment based on the pressure of the air.

The WH-1000XM5s comes with an integrated voice assistant that is easy to use and works with Alexa as well as Google Assistant, Siri, and many more. The XM5s are compatible with other Sony audio devices for stereo separation and multi-room music. They are compatible with Bluetooth high-bitrate streaming audio using Sony's LDAC but not aptX or HD.

2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

When a company has been making headphones for longer than Sennheiser, you expect class-leading sound quality and a comfy fit. With their latest over-ears dubbed Momentum 4 Wireless, they offer both. They've updated the design to remove some of the trademark elements that gave the previous models the look of a aviator headset and also improved the active noise cancellation by using their advanced Adaptive Noise Cancellation technology. The headphones are designed to last 60 hours with ANC on this, which is more than double the battery life of a lot of rivals.

The new model is more portable, since it folds up and is a bit smaller. They're made with artificial PU leather for the re-usable headband Best Noise Cancelling over ear headphones and earpads that are comfortable on my head even if I wear them for the entire working. They're also not too tight, which means you can wear them on long flights or during your workouts.

The sound is smooth and clear, however there are some peaks which can cause a bit of discoloration to mixes. The bass can be a bit overemphasized, which adds a little energy and thump to genres such as EDM or hip-hop. It's not a huge deal however some listeners might find it irritating. The high-mid also has an uneven balance in bringing instruments and vocals forward in the mix but at the expense of bringing out some sibilants.

The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless comes with all the standard features, including bluetooth wireless connectivity, a translucent mode that blends outside sounds into your music to improve awareness, and mobile app support for custom and preset EQ options. They can also be used with a 3.5mm 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 one quarter second.

3. B&W PX7 S2

Since their introduction in 2004, the original PX7s have appeared on countless lists of the best Bluetooth headphones, atop them in a lot of cases due to their impressive ANC and strong sound quality. However, like many wireless headphones, they've been getting older and in need of to be refreshed which is why the PX7 S2. B&W didn't just change the design, but also made improvements to ANC, and added more voice-calling features.

The PX7 S2 headphones are extremely light, making them ideal for long listening sessions. The overall design 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 physical buttons. The earcups are smaller and the headband is less 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 mix between these two elements like you do on more expensive headphones. A Quick Action button on the left earcup toggles modes for the environment and can be configured in the Bowers & Wilkins Music app to activate the voice assistant on your device.

The PX7 S2 is a great option for a variety of musical styles. It offers a wide soundstage and good separation of the various sound elements. It's especially impressive for selections that feature acoustic instrumentation, such as Rachmaninoff’s Cello Sonata, Op. The 19 by Yuja Wang and Gautier Capucon features woody tones with a sense air. It's also capable of handling heavier fare, too, with the bass sound and midrange clarity of Entombed's crossover of death-n'-rock and garage to Ride, Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth creating an overwhelming soundscape while keeping things clear enough to be able 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. They held the market for years, but they now must compete with more modern headsets that have more features and superior audio quality. QuietComfort 35 remains a great option for anyone who wants to listen to podcasts or music without sound rumbles or hums.

The default sound profile is balanced and they're comfortable to wear. The ANC does a fantastic job of eliminating background noise, though it tends to emphasize lower frequencies more than modern headphones such as the Sony WH-1000XM5.

The QC35s are an excellent pair of headphones that can be used to listen to audiobooks and podcasts. They come with an active noise cancellation feature which reduces ambient sounds, while still keeping you isolated from the surrounding. 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 while answering an incoming phone call on the other pair.

The Bose Connect App is decent but it doesn't offer the vast EQ features of other headphone apps. The QC35s can be utilized in wired mode by using a cable, but sound quality takes a big loss and they don't have the same battery longevity as wireless models.

The QC35s have an established Bose style that may not appeal to some people as the sleeker designs of other manufacturers. You can personalize your headphones by purchasing a cover with decals from companies such as SlickWraps or Skin Sticker. You'll also be able to change the color of the ear cups and headband later in the year, similar to what you can do with the previous QC25 model.

5. Sony WH-1000XM3

Sony's WH1000XM3 is among the top wireless headphone that has active noise cancellation you can purchase right now. They're more expensive than Anker Soundcore Q20 Wireless but they isolate more ambient noise. They also have a premium companion app that gives you tons of sound customization features.

The XM3's excellent audio quality is one of the main reasons why they're popular and they've been upgraded since their launch to offer the best performance. They have a little bit more depth in the frequency spectrum. The noise cancellation is better at all levels of volume. They also have upgraded controls like Quick Attention mode and Speak-to Chat. They also have a new feature called Adaptive Sound Control that adjusts automatically how much external sound is allowed in, based on the location you're at and what you're doing.

However, they aren't without their imperfections. The midrange can sound recessed and the treble can sometimes be too loud. They also have a tendency to boost the bass too much in certain tracks, which makes them sound overly full and heavy. This can be corrected via the Sony app or in the headphone setting.

The XM3s are a great pair of headphones, especially for frequent travelers and commuters. They are more comfortable, feel and look premium, and are more durable than the JBL Live 650 BTNC wireless. They also have a larger battery, and best Noise cancelling over ear headphones one of the top features for noise cancellation available. They're also more flexible and more mobile-friendly than the Audio-Technica ATH M50X Wireless, even though they have less impressive noise cancellation. They're also not waterproof, which could be a deal breaker for some.