The Best Over-Ear Headphones

If you commute on noisy public transportation, work in an office with a lot of chattering colleagues or simply want to listen to your music with no interruptions of outside noise, over ear headphones with noise cancelling-ear noise-canceling headphones can make all the difference. We've reviewed the best headphones for over-ear use that combine great sound quality with active noise cancellation.

Mpow Over-Ear Headphones

These Bluetooth headphones from Mpow are sturdy and provide excellent audio quality for the price. The headphones are designed to be worn over your ears and feature ear cups that are comfortable to wear over your ears. This helps block out ambient noise. The earpads consist of a moderately padded cushion that shields your ears sufficiently to block out a significant portion of environmental sounds, though they do not come with a noise canceling feature. They weigh slightly more than 11 ounces and are fairly comfortable to wear for long periods of time.

The Mpow headphones are simple in design, and not much different from other over-ear headphone designs available. The headband that connects the two earcups has a hinge and can be folded up for storage or transport. The left earcup houses the controls for volume, power and noise cancelling Over ear headphones (te.legra.ph) cancellation. The right earcup has a microphone for hands-free calls.

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

The treble extension is decent, so you should enjoy a clear and crisp sound that is compatible with a wide range of genres. Their mids are a little bit more pronounced than those from the Sony headphones, which gives them an energizing sound that is ideal for music that is instrument-rich. Some people find the bass to be a bit loud, but you can adjust it to your own preference by changing the equalizer settings on your audio player.

The Mpow headphones are a good option for those who want to enjoy their favorite music without interruptions. They have an extended battery life and can also be used in wired mode when the battery is exhausted. The headphones come with a USB charger and an audio cable, which means you can listen to your favorite music without interruption. The manufacturer offers a 45-day refund guarantee as well as an 18-month warranty on these headphones. Their customer service is also renowned for being responsive.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 is the newest over-ear headphones to be found in Bowers & Wilkins' catalog. The PX7 is replaced by the PX7 S2 and they are part of a wider line of wireless headphones, which also includes the PI5 & PI7. Unboxed, the style of these headphones immediately evokes the feeling of luxury. The use of metals and textured materials on the ear cups gives them a luxurious feel. They also are comfortable on the head and ears even though they weigh a bit more than the other models. The earpads are easily removed and replaceable when they are worn out.

The headphones are equipped with active noise cancellation. This helps to block out external sounds and allows you to enjoy your music. The technology isn't perfect however it does a great job of keeping the whirring of a plane engine or the rumble of a train away from your ears while not affecting the balance of music tracks that may occupy the same frequency.

The soundstage of the PX7 S2 is what really distinguishes it from the rest. It provides plenty of space between the sound elements and provides a clear separation. This brings a clarity to music that can't always be heard on other Bluetooth headphones.

While the PX7 S2s aren't as portable as their competition but they come with a nice carry case. The case is well-padded, and the headphones can be folded flat when not in use.

The ear cups are encased with soft, leather-like material that's quite indulgent to the touch. The ear cups are light, making them comfortable to wear during long listening sessions. The headband is designed to be as comfortable as is possible and doesn't hold too tightly, which can help keep headaches at bay over time.

The headphones come with a variety of features, including Bluetooth multipoint, which allows them to connect with two devices simultaneously. They support all of the most popular Bluetooth codecs, as well as high-resolution audio, in the event that your streaming service supports it. They also come with an audio amplifier that provides extra power when using them with devices that aren't powered like laptops.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH1000XM5 is the newest model in Sony's premium noise cancelling over-ear headphones. These headphones are a great upgrade to their predecessors, the WH1000XM2s or WH1000XM4. Sony has enhanced its already impressive active noise cancelling. For instance, the fifth generation headphones can now melt away low-frequency sounds such as subway car and plane engine rumbles. They can also detect where you are and adjust the ambient sound control settings to suit your location.

You can still make use of voice-activated assistants to control your music and receive directions. The microphones that are in the earphones are upgraded, which means they can be used for calls that are hands-free and Siri/Google Assistant commands. The headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible which means that they can be connected and pair more quickly.

In our lab tests the WH-1000XM5 has earned the top marks for comfort, user-friendliness and audio quality. The lightweight headset can be worn for long listening sessions without feeling tight on your head, and the ear cups can be adjusted to accommodate various head sizes. The headphones are portable, and their flat foldable design makes them able to easily fit in the backpack or suitcase.

The ear cups are a bit curvier than their predecessors, and noise Cancelling Over Ear headphones the headband is fitted with more refined curves that help conceal assembly points. The new synthetic leather adds durability and luxury. The ear cup space is also larger and fits more snugly to the ear. This may cause a slight pressure on the head when worn for extended periods of time.

A few of the features from the WH-1000XM4s are carried over to the XM5. You can swipe and tap on the right earcup to change songs, pause your audio and switch to Ambient Sound Mode. You can even place your hands over the left ear cup to temporarily turn down your music and boost the ambient sound, which can be beneficial when you want to hear what's going on around you.

There are some subtle improvements in the XM5s that make them a great purchase for noise-canceling headphones. The new ANC offers better isolation for low-frequency noise and the headphones will pause the music when removed from your head to save power. You can also select an unobtrusive listening mode that lets in more exterior 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 ideal choice for those who want to purchase a set of gaming headphones. They offer superior sound quality and are comfortable to wear for long periods of time. They are also light, so they won't feel heavy on your head or ears. They have self-adjusting 3D design that will relieve the pressure and adjust to the shape of your head. They also have a detachable cord that can be easily connected to your audio source.

Open-air headphones with a unique design, these headphones feature large earcups that show the drivers. The unique design makes these headphones stand out however they also have a lot to provide. They are distinctive because of their self-adjusting wings-support construction, the brand new 53mm driver featuring Bobbin wound CCAW voice coils, and the aluminum casing made of honeycomb that is lightweight.

The ATH ADX700 has a broad frequency response, which allows for natural, clear treble. The sound isn't as deep like other models however, this is because they're aimed at the general music lover who does not want to be blasted by excessive low frequencies. These headphones are ideal for gamers because they let you hear your friends and other NPCs without being obstructed.

Although the ATHXX700 has an impedance of 32 ohms they require a high-quality amplifier for optimal performance. It's not a problem using them on a portable player however, it will be much easier to manage and enjoy the full range of sound when they are paired with a suitable headphone amplifier.

The ATH ADX700 comes with a 9.84-foot cable that features an 1/8-inch gold-plated connector as well as an elastic TPE sheath to prevent tangling and damage. The ATH ADX700 comes with an 1/4" adapter for mobile devices. The earpads are constructed of soft velour that is soft and is initially itchy, but will break in eventually. The earpads are made of a pliable, elevated material that improves comfort and durability.