Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?

Noise-cancelling headphones can be an absolute blessing for anyone who loves to listen regardless of whether they're at work or in the train. Which ones are the best, though?

With a brand new design that is a step up in sound quality, and a plethora of features, Sony's newest flagship headphones are a great value. They can capture every detail, from Sinead's shaking Bridge to the intense chorus.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony is an expert in noise cancellation, and its WH1000XM5 headphones are the best iteration of the series. This model is a great pair of headphones, especially for those who commute or are traveling. They're comfortable, have multipoint tech to connect to two devices simultaneously and feature the most powerful ANC Sony has ever made. They're also light and provide approximately 27 hours of playback with no charging, which is sufficient for a week's worth traveling or one long-haul flight.

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

Unlike previous models that focused on reducing low-frequency noise, the XM5s amplify high-frequency sound waves, which cancels out background noise. This improves overall quality of the sound, and can help reduce engine and cabin noises during flights. The XM5s are equipped with another processor to increase noise cancellation more for airplanes and the audio app will also automatically adjust your listening environment using the data from your air pressure.

Other features of the WH-1000XM5s are an enhanced voice assistant that is easy to use and can be used with Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri and many more. The XM5s can be paired with other Sony audio devices for stereo separation and multi-room music. They are compatible with Bluetooth high-bitrate streaming audio via Sony's LDAC, but not HD or aptX.

2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

When a company has been manufacturing headphones for many years, including Sennheiser you can expect top-of-the-line sound quality and a comfy fit. They've delivered on both counts with their latest over-ears, called the Momentum 4 Wireless. They've revamped the design to eliminate some of the trademark elements that gave the original models the look of a aviator headset and have also enhanced the active noise cancellation by using their advanced Adaptive Noise Cancellation technology. They've rated these headphones to last 60 hours of listening with ANC enabled, which doubles the battery life of their major competitors.

The new model is more portable, as it folds up and is a bit smaller. They're made from synthetic PU leather for the re-usable ear pads and headband that feel comfortable on my head even if I wear them all day at work. They're also not extremely tight, so you can wear them for long flights or even during workouts.

The sound is clear and well-balanced However, there are a few peaks in the low-mid and high-mid that cause a slight muddiness in mixes. The bass can be a bit overemphasised, adding some extra energy and thump to genres such as EDM or hip-hop. It's not a major issue but it might annoy some listeners. The high-mid also has an uneven balance in bringing instruments and vocals forward in the mix, but at the cost of bringing out some vocal sibilants.

The Sennheiser Momentum 4 BAndW PX8 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones - Premium Quality is equipped with all the standard features like bluetooth wireless connectivity, a transparency mode that blends outside sounds into your music to enhance awareness and mobile application support for custom and preset EQ options. They can also be used with a 3.5mm cable if you're connecting to your phone via wire. They can utilize SBC, AAC, aptX HD and aptX Adaptive codecs to connect to your phone, and they can reduce the latency to as little as a quarter of a second, which is great.

3. B&W PX7 S2

The original PX7s were a top pick on many lists of top Bluetooth headsets, thanks to their excellent ANC and audio quality. But like most wireless headphones, they've been getting older and required an update and hence the PX7 S2. B&W didn't just change the design and design, but also made enhancements to ANC and added voice-calling features.

The PX7 S2 headphones are very lightweight, which makes them comfortable for long listening sessions. A lot of the look is the same as the previous model, such as the cool oval aluminum earcup top and the hook-like accent on the headband that glids instead of clicking as you expand it, and finally the actual physical buttons. The earcups are smaller and the headband isn't as substantial.

B&W's software lets you adjust the EQ settings for bass and treble. However you do not have as much control as you do with headphones that cost more. A Quick Action button on the left earcup switch on the modes for the environment and can be adjusted within the Bowers & Wilkins Music app to activate the voice assistant on your device.

The PX7 S2 sounds great for all musical styles, and has a the soundstage offering plenty of space and excellent separation between the various elements of sound. It shines particularly on pieces featuring acoustic instruments such as Rachmaninoff's Cello Sonata in G Minor Op. The 19 by Yuja Wang and Gautier Capucon has woody tones with a sense air. It can also handle heavier fare and has the bass power and mid-range clarity on Entombed's crossover of death-n'-rock and garage to Ride the Straight, Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth creating an impressive sound wall while still allowing to be able hear the vocals, such as Lars-Goran Petrov's gritty growl.

4. Bose QuietComfort 35

Bose is among the first companies to introduce active noise cancelling headphones into the mainstream. While they held an advantage over the market for a long time however, they are now competing against newer headsets with more features and higher audio quality. But the QuietComfort 35 is still a excellent option for anyone looking to listen to their music or podcasts without being disturbed by constant noises and rumbles.

The default sound profile is balanced and they're comfortable to wear. The ANC is great at removing background noise cancelling headphones with mic. However it tends to emphasize lower frequencies more than other headphones such as the Sony WH1000XM5.

If you're seeking a pair that can be used to listen to podcasts or audiobooks The QC35s come with an impressive noise cancellation mode that reduces ambient sounds while ensuring you are completely insulated from the sound of the environment around you. The QC35s can also connect two Bluetooth devices at once and "audio-share" so that you can play something on one pair of headphones while answering an incoming call from the other.

The Bose Connect app is decent but doesn't offer the extensive EQ options that other headphone apps. The QC35s can be utilized in wired mode by using cables, but the sound quality takes a major hit and they don't have the same level of battery longevity as wireless models.

The QC35s are a Bose product, but it may not appeal to everyone. Other manufacturers have sleeker designs. You can add some personalization to your headphones by purchasing a decal cover from companies like SlickWraps or Skin Sticker. You'll also be able to change the color of the ear cups and the headband later this year, similar to what you could with the earlier QC25 model.

5. Sony WH-1000XM3

Sony's WH-1000XM3 are the best wireless headphones with active noise cancellation that you can buy today. They're more expensive than the Anker Soundcore Q45 ANC Headphones: Unbeatable 98% Noise Reduction Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless, but they isolate a lot more ambient noise and feel better-built. The app is also better and has a wide range of options for sound customization.

The XM3s offer a fantastic sound quality, and since their release, they've been enhanced to provide the best performance. They have a little bit more clarity in the frequency spectrum. Their noise cancelling is more effective at all levels of volume. They also have improved features 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 where you are and what you're doing.

They're not without some issues, however. The midrange can sound too recessed, and the treble could sometimes be too loud. They also have a tendency to boost bass too much in certain tracks, which makes the sound seem too loud and heavy. You can correct this issue by using the Sony app or in the headphone settings.

The XM3s are a fantastic pair of headphones, particularly for commuters and frequent travelers. They're more comfortable, look and feel superior and more durable than the JBL Live 650 BTNC Wireless, and they have a superior battery and Anker Soundcore Q45 ANC Headphones: Unbeatable 98% Noise Reduction one of the best noise cancelling features available in the market. They're also more adaptable and more suitable for use on mobile devices than the Audio-Technica ATH-M50X Wireless, despite having less impressive noise cancellation. They're also not waterproof, which could be a deal breaker for some.