The Best Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones

You require the most effective headphones that block out noise, whether you want to block out the hum from your HVAC system or you want to fight the sound of jet engine noises. The latest Sony WH-1000XM5s are the new top of the line in active noise cancellation and their predecessors are also fantastic.

We've taken into consideration the adjustments for ANC as well as touch controls and on-ear detection (for pausing music when you take off your headphones). Our top picks feature high-quality audio, comfortable ear cups and ear cups that are spacious.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

The fifth generation of Sony's top headphones is a major improvement over its predecessor, with better noise cancellation and improved audio quality. Its remarkable ANC creates a virtual cone over your head, bluetooth over ear Headphones noise cancelling absorbing the most shocking amount of low-frequency sound. The earcups block sounds that fall in the mid-to-treble spectrum like chatter from passengers and creaking metal.

Contrary to some noise cancelling headphones that can sound hollow or unnatural, the WH-1000XM5s sound very natural. They're able to reproduce the rise and fall of Billie Eilish's drums with incredible depth, while keeping edges clean and clear. It's a pleasure to listen to them on an extended flight or on a commute.

The most common controls are operated by a capacitive touch surface located on the right ear cup such as play/pause, volume up/down as well being able to skip forwards and backwards. It also lets you make calls end and answer and switch between ANC and ambient sound mode. Alternately, hold and press the power button for a few seconds to hear a warning of the battery's remaining life.

The QN1 microphone is another significant improvement over the XM5s. It was designed to capture high quality audio while recording podcasts and videos. The microphone is more sensitive and has a wider audio range than the previous models, making it easier to recognize your own voice.

The XM5 has also brought over certain features that were XM4's, such as the adaptive ANC system that automatically optimizes performance in accordance with the environment. The 'Wearing Detection" feature detects when the headset is removed, and will pause music or video. It will resume it once the headset is put back on. It's compatible with Sony's DSEE Extreme Engine, which increases the quality of compressed music to nearly hi-res quality.

2. Sony WH-1000XM4

The WH-1000XM4s are the most recent version of Sony's market-leading over-ear headphones. And even though they don't feature as much active noise cancellation as the WH-1000XM5s do, they provide top-of-the-line performance. The WH-1000XM4s boast a stronger bluetooth over ear headphones noise cancelling (fapset.com) connection as well as a more efficient noise cancellation algorithm. They also feature an audio chip that increases the sound quality to HD quality, as well as advanced voice controls.

The most significant improvement in this latest generation is that Sony has made the WH-1000XM4s more comfortable than ever before by putting padding on the headband and shifting the microphones closer to the outer edges of the ear. This makes them more comfortable for long listening sessions.

They're also more versatile and allow you to switch between five audio modes based on the environment. Sony headphones come with an app that allows you to alter your EQ settings. They're an excellent choice for travelers and the app allows you to track your activity and automatically adjust the settings as you go.

Another significant improvement is the WH-1000XM4's sound cancellation which has been improved by adding more sensitiveness and improving the way it filters out low frequencies. You can check this out by taking a look at a graph similar to the one below, where higher peaks indicate that more sounds are being cancelled out. The WH1000XM4s also do better in reducing low-frequency sounds like the hum of an air conditioner or the constant rumble from an airplane engine.

The WH-1000XM4s are still equipped with a many great features such as batteries that last up to 30 hours, and an integrated USB-C charging port. They also have Quick Alert, which lets you touch the right earcup to dampen the sound and activate transparency mode; Speak To Chat stops media when you raise your voice (and works well, though it may not always register taps), and Sony's Smart Listening technology, which can analyze and detect the surrounding environment to provide superior audio.

3. Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II

The Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II headphones (or QC35 Wireless 2018, as they are also known) were released in September 2017. They were replaced with the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 701 that will be available in 2021. However they remain popular and affordable.

The QC35 II is a great pair of headphones that can be used for both mixed and regular use. They offer an incredibly comfortable fit and neutral sound profile by default. They also offer exceptional noise isolation. They can be used in noisy environments or while traveling and they last for more than a full day on a single charge. They are also compatible with the majority of smart assistants. They can be activated by pressing an individual button. You can ask the assistant to play music, answer trivia questions or read your smartphone notifications.

They feature a wide opening in the padding around your ears that can accommodate a variety of ears and shapes. They are lightweight. The hinges of the housings can be folded down to make them easier to store in a bag or a backpack. The controls are located on the right-hand side and are easy to use. Playback can be controlled by tapping the buttons, including rewinding or skipping songs.

We listened to The Beatles' Let It Be, as well as the drum beats wireless noise cancelling headphones and piano. The QC35 II deliver crisp, clear sound that is smooth and precise. They can pick up subtleties like Paul McCartney's irregular timing as he builds up to the chorus, or Gerard Way’s snarl when he rants about the teen-like persona in Teenagers.

The QC35 II is compatible with the majority of smart assistants and is able to connect to up to 2 devices at once. The QC35 II comes with a carry bag as well as a USB charging cable.

4. Sony WH-CH720N

Sony is a brand known for producing excellent headphones at a relatively low cost. The WH-CH720N budget headphones are no exception. They have many of the same features of the flagship WH1000XM5 headphones, but in an affordable design. These headphones offer a lot of active noise cancellation for an affordable price.

These headphones have dynamic drivers of 30mm that provide crisp high frequencies and a full bass. These headphones have an even sound that blends well with a variety of genres of music. They also have a large, immersive soundstage.

The WH-CH720N headphones use buttons for controls instead of the gestures and touch controls of the XM5 headphones. This can be a bit of an issue as the buttons can be confusing at first. Luckily, the headphones come with clearly labeled controls and are arranged intelligently. A single pressing of the button with the '-' lowers the volume, and double pressing pauses and plays audio. By pressing and holding the button the button, voice assistants are activated and calls are canceled.

These headphones last for up to 35 hours with ANC on. This is one of the best battery performances we've seen on headphones with over-ears. They also feature a standby mode to assist in preserving battery.

The WH-CH720N headphones are connected to Android phones and iOS devices using Bluetooth. They support LDAC which allows them to play high-quality audio on compatible devices. They're also compatible with PlayStation consoles that use an analog 1/8" TRS cable and can be used as wired headphones on a PC using the included USB dongle. The Sony Headphones Connect app lets you personalize your headphones with an adjustable EQ slider and presets as well as multipoint connectivity, and safe listening.

5. B&W PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 follow on from a successful predecessor but aren't a half-baked update that rides on its own. They have a sleeker design and a brand-new application. They live up to their promise of premium build-quality with audio that faithfully communicates artistic intent. They are also extremely comfortable to wear throughout the day.

While they're not as effective as the noise cancellation of the Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II or the Sony WH-1000XM5, they do a very good job of keeping out environmental sounds and ensuring you're able to focus on your music, podcasts or handheld gaming without distractions. They use a six-strong microphone setup (four for noise cancellation and two for voice pick-up) and a revised algorithm that cuts ambient sound by 30 decibels. They're also among the few Bluetooth headphones we've reviewed that can be used in passive mode, allowing users to listen to content on your own without putting power to the drive units.

The B&W Music app is also compatible with the free download that offers a range of features to complement the outstanding noise cancellation. The Quick Action button can be set to turn on the device's voice assistant and cycle through three settings for the environment and display battery life. The annoying thing is that you have to press and hold the button for a while - pressing it once is more convenient and intuitive.

The PX7 S2 are an remarkable pair of headphones that will please the majority of music fans. They're not suitable for the raucous music of genres like metal and rock that are known to favor heavy bass and muddy low frequencies, as they are to classics, folk, and Acoustic music, but they will still be awe-inspiring to those who appreciate audiophile cred which is also practical and easy to use.