Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?

If you're on the train or in the office Noise-cancelling headphones are a godsend for those who love to listen. Which ones are the most effective?

Sony's flagship headphones are an excellent value. They feature a brand new design and superior audio quality and also enticing features. From the powerful chorus to Sinead O'Connor's trembling bridge, these headphones deliver incredible clarity and realism.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony is a pro at noise cancellation, and its WH1000XM5 headphones are the most advanced version of this line. This model is a fantastic pair of headphones, especially for those who commute or travel. They're comfortable and feature multipoint technology to connect two devices simultaneously and have the most advanced ANC Sony has ever created. They're also light and provide around 27 hours of playback with no charging, which is sufficient for a week's worth of traveling or one long-haul flight.

The WH1000XM5s look sleek and minimalist in design. They are made from ABS which is a recyclable and recycled plastic. The branding is minimalist. You'll find the tiny Sony logo on every hinge of the earcup. The earcups and headband are cushioned by a plush soft material that feels comfortable on all heads. The earcups can be adjusted so that you can find the ideal fit for your needs.

Contrary to previous models which focused on reducing low-frequency noise the XM5s amplify high-frequency sound waves to cancel out ambient noise. This improves overall sound quality, and helps to reduce engine and cabin noises on flights. The XM5s comes with an additional processing unit that helps enhance noise cancellation on planes. The audio app can also automatically alter the listening environment in accordance with the data on air pressure.

Other features of the WH-1000XM5s include an enhanced voice assistant that's easy to use and integrates 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 through Sony's LDAC however they do not support aptX or HD.

2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

When a company has been making Headphones noise cancelling for many years, including Sennheiser, you expect class-leading sound quality and a comfy fit. They've got both with their latest over-ears, called the Momentum 4 Wireless. They have reworked their design to eliminate a few trademark elements that gave their original models the look of an aviator. They also improved active noise cancellation by using their advanced Adaptive Noisy Cancellation Technology. The headphones are designed to last 60 hours with ANC on, which is double the battery life of a lot of rivals.

They're also a lot more mobile than the previous model since they fold down and are smaller overall. They're made of synthetic PU leather for the re-usable ear pads and headband that are comfortable on my head even when I wear them all day at work. There isn't a lot of clamping force to keep them in place either and they'll be comfortable during flights and during more intense workouts.

The sound is well-balanced and clear However, there are a few peaking in the low-mid and high-mid which cause slightly muddy sound in mixes. The bass is too loud, adding extra punch and thump in genres such as EDM or hip hop. It's not a major issue, but some listeners may find it irritating. The high-mid has a bit of an uneven balance which pushes instruments and vocals to the forefront of mixes, but at the cost of bringing out sibilants within some songs.

The Sennheiser momentum 4 wireless comes with all the standard features that include Bluetooth wireless connectivity, a transparent mode that blends outside noises into your music for improved awareness, as well as mobile application support for custom and pre-set EQ options. They can also be connected with an 3.5mm cable when connecting your phone to it via wire. They can utilize SBC, AAC, aptX HD and aptX Adaptive codecs to connect to your device and they can reduce the latency to as little as a quarter of a second, which is great.

3. B&W PX7 S2

Since their launch, the original PX7s have been on numerous lists of the top Bluetooth headphones, topping them in many instances due to their outstanding ANC and high-quality sound. However, like many wireless headphones, they've been getting older and needed to be refreshed, hence the PX7 S2. B&W hasn't merely tweaked the design for the new version, but it's made considerable improvements to ANC and also added voice-calling features, too.

The PX7 S2 headphones are incredibly lightweight, which makes them comfortable for long listening sessions. The look of the PX7 S2 is largely similar to the model before it. It has the cool oval aluminium top-plate for the earcups, the hook-like accent that slides rather than clicks when you expand the headband and the physical buttons. The earcups are smaller, but the headband is a bit less substantial overall.

The software of B&W lets you modify EQ settings for treble and bass, but you don't get as much control over the mix between the two components as you would on higher-priced headphones. A Quick Action button on the left earcup toggles modes for the environment and can be set within the Bowers & Wilkins Music app to summon your device's voice assistant.

The PX7 S2 is a great choice for most music styles. It has a wide soundstage and good over ear noise cancelling headphones separation of different sound elements. 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, which has woody tones that have a touch of air. It can take on heavier music as well. The bass sound and midrange clarity on Entombed's crossover of garage and deathn'roll, To Ride, Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth The album is an overwhelming sound while still allowing listeners to discern vocal nuances like Lars-Goran Petrov's gritty growl.

4. Bose QuietComfort 35

Bose was among the first companies to bring active noise cancelling headphones to the mainstream. Although they held an unwavering position in the market for years, they are now competing with more modern headphones that offer more features and higher audio quality. However the QuietComfort 35 is still a excellent option for those who want to listen to their podcasts and music without being disturbed by constant rumbles and hums.

They're also comfortable to wear and feature a an excellently balanced default sound profile. The ANC does a great job of removing background noise, although it tends to emphasize low frequencies more than newer headphones like the Sony WH-1000XM5.

The QC35s are a fantastic pair of headphones to listen to audiobooks and podcasts. They come with a passive noise cancellation mode that reduces ambient noise but still allowing you to be completely isolated from your surroundings. The QC35s let you connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and "audio-share", so you can listen to something on one set of headphones while taking an incoming call with the other pair.

The Bose Connect app is decent but doesn't offer the extensive EQ options offered by other headphone apps. The QC35s are also used in wired mode using cables, but the quality of sound takes a huge loss and they don't have the same battery life as wireless models.

The QC35s are an Bose product, but it may not be a favorite for all. Other brands offer more sleek designs. However you can add a bit of personalization by purchasing a decal cover-up from companies such as SlickWraps and Skin Sticker. You can also alter the color of the earcups and the headband later this year, similar to what you can with the older QC25 model.

5. Sony WH-1000XM3

Sony's WH-1000XM3 are the best noise cancelling over ear headphones wireless headphones with active noise cancellation that you can purchase today. They're a bit more costly than the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless, but they are able to block out more ambient noise and feel more sturdy. They also have a premium companion app that provides tons of sound customization features.

The XM3s' excellent audio quality is one of their main draws and they've been improved since their introduction to provide an even better experience. They offer a little more clarity across the spectrum of frequencies and their noise cancelling functions better at all volume levels, and they have improved controls for things like Quick Attention mode, voice control 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.

However, they aren't without shortcomings. The treble may be a little overpowering at times and the midrange can sound a bit more recessed. They do have the potential to boost the bass too much on certain tracks, which makes them sound too heavy and full. This can be corrected via the Sony app or in the headphone setting.

The XM3s are a great pair headphones, especially for frequent travelers or commuters. They're more comfortable, look and feel premium and durable than the JBL Live 650 BTNC Wireless and also have a much more powerful battery, and one of our top noise cancelling features available on the market. They're also more versatile and better-equipped for mobile use than the Audio-Technica's ATH-M50X Wireless, despite having less impressive noise isolation. And headphones noise cancelling they're not waterproof, which can be a major issue for some people.