The Best Over-Ear Headphones

If you travel on public transportation, work in an office with a lot of chattering colleagues or just want to listen to your music with no interruptions of outside distractions, over-ear noise-canceling headphones can make all the difference. We analyzed the top headphones that offer excellent sound quality and active noise cancellation.

Mpow Over Ear Headphones

These Bluetooth headphones by Mpow are built well and provide excellent audio quality for the price. They are designed to be over-ear headphones with ear cups that comfortably fit over the ear to block ambient sennheiser noise cancelling headphones. The earpads feature a moderately thick cushion that insulates the ears well enough to muffle a good portion environmental sounds. However they don't have an active noise cancellation feature. They weigh slightly more than 11 ounces and are fairly comfortable to wear for long durations of time.

These Mpow headphones have an elegant design that's not too different from other models of over-ear headphones on the market. The headband that connects the two cups is hinged, which allows them to fold into a compact unit to transport and store. The left earcup houses the controls for volume, power and noise cancellation. The right ear cup has a microphone for hands-free calls.

The Mpow headphones offer a good sound quality, however they don't have the bass punch or clarity of the Sony WH1000XM5. The PRTF accuracy and activation score are above average for Bluetooth headphone models. This will result in a wide and wide soundstage when listening to music. However they're PRTF distance score is lower than average, meaning they will sound closed in and less open than headphones with more open-back, larger earcups.

They also have a decent amount of treble expansion, which will provide an uncluttered and clear sound that can handle most music genres. Their mids are a little more prominent than those from the Sony headphones and give them an energizing sound that is perfect for music with lots of instruments. The bass can be excessive for some people however it's an individual preference that can be adjusted by changing the equalizer settings on your audio player.

The Mpow headphones are a great option for those who want to listen to their favorite music without interruptions. They feature a long-lasting battery and can also be utilized in wired mode if the battery is exhausted. They come with a cable and USB charger in the box, which means you can continue to enjoy your music without interruptions. The manufacturer offers a 45-day return guarantee and a warranty of 18 months for these headphones and their customer support is known to be quick and responsive.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 is the newest over ear headphones noise cancelling bluetooth-ear headphone to grace Bowers & Wilkins' catalog. They replace the PX7 model and are part of a wider collection of wireless headphones which also includes the PI5 and PI7. Unboxed, the style of these headphones immediately evokes a sense of luxuriousness. The use of metals and soft materials on the ear cups give them a high-end feel. The headphones are also more comfortable on the head and ears, despite being slightly heavier. The ear pads are removable and can be replaced if they become worn out.

Like a lot of the top headphones, these cans feature active noise cancellation, which reduces the sound of outside sounds while allowing you to hear your music. The technology isn't perfect however it does a good job of keeping the whirring of an aircraft engine or the train's rumble out of your ears while not affecting the balance of music passages that could be in the same frequencies.

The PX7 S2's soundstage is what really sets it apart from its competition. It has plenty of space between the sound elements and a strong separation. This clarity is not always present in other Bluetooth headphones.

While the PX7 S2s aren't as portable as their competition but they come with a great carry case. It's also well-padded and the headphones fold flat for easy storage when not in use.

The ear cups are covered with a soft, leather-like material that's quite indulgent to the sensation. The ear cups are lightweight, which makes them comfortable to wear for long listening sessions. The headband is designed for maximum comfort and doesn't over-stretch. This helps to prevent headaches.

The headphones have various features, including Bluetooth multipoint, which allows them to be paired with two devices simultaneously. They support all the well-known Bluetooth codecs and also high-resolution audio in the event that your streaming service supports it. They have a headphone amplifier that gives them an additional boost when used with low-powered electronic devices like laptops.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH-1000XM5 are the latest in the line of Sony's top headphones that are over-ear and noise cancelling. They're an excellent upgrade over their predecessors, the WH1000XM2s and the WH-1000XM4. Sony has enhanced its already impressive active noise cancellation. The fifth-generation headphones, as an example can now muffle low-frequency sounds such as plane engines and subway car rumbles. They can also detect your location and automatically adjust the Ambient Sound Control settings to match.

You can still make use of a voice-activated assistant in order to control your music, get directions and more. The microphones that are in the ear cups have been upgraded, so they can be used for over Ear headphones noise cancelling Bluetooth hands-free calls and Siri/Google Assistant commands. The headphones are also Bluetooth 5.0, which means they can be used with faster pairing and connection speeds.

In our laboratory tests, the WH-1000XM5 have earned the top marks for comfort, user-friendliness and sound quality. The lightweight headset can be worn for long listening sessions without feeling too tight on the head, and the ear cups are adjustable to accommodate various head sizes. The headphones are able to be carried around and their flat foldable design makes them able to easily fit in the backpack or a suitcase.

The ear cups are a bit curvier than their predecessors, and the headband is fitted with more refined curves to help to conceal the assembly points. The new synthetic leather provides durability and a luxurious. The earcups are also a bit larger and fit more comfortably against the ear, which may add a little pressure to the head when worn for long periods of time.

Some of the core features of the WH1000XM4s are carried over to the XM5. You can still swipe and tap on the right earcup to switch songs or pause the audio and switch to Ambient Sound Mode. You can even place your hand over the right earcup to temporarily reduce the volume of the volume of your music and increase ambient sound. This is beneficial when you want to hear what's happening around you.

The XM5s come with a few minor enhancements that make them a great choice for headsets that can block noise. The new ANC offers better isolation of low-frequency sounds, and the headphones will pause music when you take them off your head in order to save energy. Transparent listening mode lets in more outside sound. A new battery-power-consumption algorithm gives the XM5s the same 30-hour battery life rating as their predecessor, and a quick press of the power button will alert you to your remaining charge.

Skullcandy ATH-ADX700

The ATH ADX700 headphones are a great option for those who want to purchase a pair of gaming headphones. They are comfortable and offer high-quality sound. They are lightweight so you will not feel them on your head or ear. They come with self-adjusting 3D wing that can relieve the pressure and adjust to fit your head. The headphones come with an audio cable that can be easily connected to your audio source.

Open-air headphones with a unique design, these headphones have large earcups which reveal the drivers. The unique design makes them stand out from the rest but it's not their only thing that sets them apart. They are distinctive because of their self-adjusting wing-support construction, the new 53mm driver that has bobbin wound CCAW voice coils and the lightweight honeycomb aluminium casing.

The ATH ADX700 features a wide frequency response that allows for a crisp, natural treble. The sound is not as bassy as some other headphones because they are designed for a general music listener that doesn't like to be bombarded by low frequencies. These headphones are great for gamers because they allow you to hear your friends and other NPCs without being obstructed.

The ATH ADX700 headphones have an impedance rating of 32 ohms. However, they still require a decent amp to perform optimally. If you are using them with a portable player, it's not a problem, but an amplifier for headphones will make it easier to control the sound and enjoy the full range of sound.

The ATH-ADX700 comes with 9.84-foot cable that has an 1/8-inch gold-plated connector as well as an elastic TPE sheath that helps prevent tangling and damage. The ATH ADX700 comes with a 1/4" adapter for mobile devices. The earpads are made of soft velour that is soft and is initially itchy but will break over time. They also feature a flexible fabric that is raised to increase comfort and durability.