Best Over-Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones

Noise cancelling headphones are an excellent way to stay focused no matter if you're on a train with a loud hum or in an office full of chatty co-workers. We examined comfort, sound quality, as well as the ability to block out high-frequency continuous sounds like chatter in restaurants or incidental sounds of short duration like the ringing of a phone or clacking keys.

Sony WH-1000XM5

When it comes to the best ANC headphones, Sony's WH1000XM5 is a top choice. It was first released in the year 2016 the WH-1000XM5 is one of the top choices for anyone who wants to enjoy their favorite music or podcasts without distractions. This latest version of the series marks the first major overhaul since its original release and includes a number of new and exciting features. Alongside sleek design and environmental efforts (including no plastic packaging), the headphones deliver excellent noise cancellation, clear audio, and natural ambient audio.

When it is enabled, the WH1000XM5's noise cancelling is simply unmatched. Attaching a pair of headphones to your head creates an entire cone of silence that can block out engine noises on subways and trains, the whir of HVAC systems, and even neighboring conversations. These headphones are also among the best budget noise cancelling headphones ANCs to block out low-frequency drones, bass hums, and other sounds.

Ambient Sound Control is another excellent feature. It adjusts the headphones acoustic balance depending on the surrounding. For example, if you're at home listening to your favorite album, the WH-1000XM5 will switch to an immersive listening experience. On the other hand when you're walking along the streets the WH-1000XM5 will change to a more focused sound profile to provide you with greater awareness of the surroundings.

The earcups of the WH-1000XM5 have touchscreen-sensitive gesture controls on the right that can be used to play, pause and switch tracks. You can also use a voice assistant to search for content, adjust volume, and make hands-free calls. The headphones feature a clear stereo image and a consistent frequency response. They also have an accurate group delay, which helps them maintain an even soundstage.

Another great feature is the possibility of connecting the WH-1000XM5s with two devices at once. This is especially useful when you want to listen to music on your laptop while making phone calls with your smartphone. They come with a built-in mic and a USB-C charging port. The headphones include a cable that allows for direct analog playback. Battery life is solid at about 30 hours, which can last for a week of commuting or the long distance flight.

Bose QuietComfort 45

The Bose QuietComfort 45, the flagship model of the premium headphones manufacturer, is the most recent version. It was launched in September 2021 and it undercuts the new Sony WH1000XM4 by about PS320 / $329 / AU$439 compared to its 700-sibling. In terms of performance it comes with top-of-the-line active noise cancellation and features such as voice assistant support and automatic pausing when you take off the headphones. The design is also much more comfortable than the previous versions. However, there are a few things to be aware of. The buttons on the side of the earcups are now touch-sensitive and require pressure to activate, so it may be difficult for some to adjust to. While you can adjust ANC and toggle an "aware" mode which allows ambient sounds, you cannot completely turn off the audio.

The headphones are an excellent choice for those seeking a pair of high-end headphones to wear in trains or Best Budget Noise Cancelling Headphones on a plane, or at home while working. They feature a long battery life as well as excellent noise cancellation and clear audio. They also come with multipoint Bluetooth which means that they can be paired with two devices at the same time and jump between them with a flick of a button. They also have an app that isn't quite as flexible as some of their competitors but it still has many useful features.

The QC45s have an active noise cancelling feature which is extremely effective. It can be too loud at times. However, the passive EQ modes are more balanced and give you more control over your music's distinctive. If you are listening to music that has lots of cymbal sparkle it is possible that you will find the headphones slightly grating, but it is fixable by reducing the frequency range of 3-20kHz within the EQ settings of your music player.

Although some may be disappointed by the omission of some features, like adjustable ANC/transparency, an EQ, and a small drop in call quality The QC45s overall are an excellent choice for anyone looking for top-tier ANC at a low cost. They are also comfortable to wear for hours and feature fast-charging with the USB-C port.

Shure Aonic 50

Shure's Aonic 50 are a premium pair of headphones with an emphasis on audio quality. Their drivers use a huge 50mm dynamic driver, and are equipped with high-resolution codecs that provide the highest quality audio playback through Bluetooth. The headphones have a balanced sound, with deep detail across all frequencies. They also provide a natural sense of space and positioning.

They're heavier than the competition at 334g but they still are comfortable enough for long listening sessions. The headband is placed on the top of your head without putting too much pressure. Additionally, the earcups are padded to make them very comfortable. They are also extremely portable. They fold flat and easily be stored in the accompanying carrying case.

There are a standard assortment of controls arranged around the right earcup including playback, volume and power/pairing. A slider near the top lets you switch between noise-cancelling, neutral mode and what Shure calls 'Environment Mode'. Environment mode allows more ambient noise to be heard, which could be useful for those who need to keep track of your surroundings. The controls work well however there is a slight lag between pressing them and the action they perform (i.e. If you play the play button while on a call, you'll likely end up blasting your ears with music instead of picking up your mom). They don't have built-in microphones for voice commands support however they do come with an audio response from Google Assistant and their mics are great at removing background noise in phone conversations.

They run on a single battery that lasts for up to 20 hours, which should be enough for the majority of people. They come with a USB cable that can be connected to your phone for charging, which isn't as convenient as using Bluetooth but it's a great feature to have and means you can play your music back when charging. They also work with audio devices that have 2.5mm ports, so you can take them with you on the road.

Monoprice BT600ANC

The Monoprice BT600ANC Bluetooth noise cancelling over ear headphones come with all the features that you would want in a pair, but at just a fraction of the cost. The headphones feature high-quality Qualcomm HD Audio and Active Noise Cancelling. They are also lightweight foldable, lightweight, and easy to put in bags or backpacks. These headphones are an excellent choice for students or commuters. They have a long-lasting battery that allows you to listen for the entire day. The headphones also have comfortable touch controls that allow you to swipe or tap to change the volume and skip tracks.

The BT600ANC headphones have an elegant design that recalls the Monoprice M1000ANC headphone that we reviewed last year. The headsets are gray in color, barely branded, and aren't particularly noticeable in public. However, they have an incredibly soft and comfortable fit that will appeal for most ears. The small dimensions of these headphones and the included carrying case make them ideal for travel.

The headphones are light and offer excellent passive isolation thanks to the ear cups wrapped in leatherette. The headband is soft and has ample adjustability without being too bulky or slouchy. The headbands are wide enough to fit glasses-wearers. They are comfortable for the majority of people.

Monoprice ANC is a great choice and does not sound as tinny as other brands. They offer a slight boost of 100-200Hz, which provides a more full sound for bass notes. This is evident in the opening of Good 4 U by Olivia Rodrigo with a full and clear response. They have a dramatic drop in the higher frequencies that go above ten kHz, therefore shakers and cymbals won't sound as clear and crisp.

There are three ANC modes to choose from high, medium and low. high. The low mode is ideal for suppressing most ambient noise but does not block out traffic and loud conversations. The medium setting is suitable for most environments, while the high mode will keep you away from everything except your music. The earcups feature touch-sensitive controls that take some time to get used to. Swiping up and down on the pad controls the volume and tapping the pad or swiping it left right changes tracks. You can also double-tap to pause or answer a call. It takes some time to get used to but once you have the hang of it you will find it extremely useful.