The Best Over-Ear Headphones

If you travel on public transport or work in a noisy office with noisy coworkers or simply want to listen to your music without the distraction of outside noise, headphones that block out noise can make all the difference. We reviewed the best headphones that offer great sound quality with impressive active noise cancellation.

Mpow Over-Ear Headphones

These Bluetooth headphones from Mpow have a good, sturdy build and feature premium audio that is remarkable for their price range. They are designed as over-ear headphones with ear cups that comfortably fit over your ears to block out ambient beats noise cancelling over ear headphones. The earpads have a moderately thick cushion that effectively shields the ears to block a large portion of environmental sounds. However, they do not have the ability to cancel out noise. They weigh about 11 ounces, and are comfortable to wear for extended periods of time.

The Mpow headphones feature a simple design that isn't too far removed from most other over-ear headphone models on the market. The headband connecting the two earcups has a hinge and can be folded in for storage or transport. The left earcup houses the controls for power, volume and noise cancellation. A microphone is integrated into the right earcup for hands-free calls.

The Mpow headphones offer very good sound quality, but they don't have the bass punch or clarity of the Sony WH1000XM5. Their PRTF accuracy and activation scores are above average for Bluetooth headphone models, which should provide an expansive and wide soundstage when listening to music. Their PRTF distance score, however, is below average. This means that they will sound more closed-in and less open when compared to headphones with larger, open-backed earcups.

The treble extension is decent, so you should have a clear and crisp sound that is compatible with all genres of music. The mids of Sony headphones are a bit more prominent, which gives them an even more lively sound. This is great for music that has a lot of instruments. The bass can be overpowering for some people however it's a personal preference that can be corrected by changing the equalizer settings of your audio player.

The Mpow headphones have a long battery life, and can be used in wired mode when the battery is exhausted. They come with a cable and a USB charger in the box, allowing you to continue to enjoy your favorite tunes without any interruptions. The manufacturer provides a 45-day money-back guarantee and a warranty of 18 months for the headphones and their customer support is known to be responsive.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 are the most recent over-ear headphones to grace the Bowers & Wilkins catalog. They replace the PX7 model and are part of a larger line of wireless headphones Noise that also includes the PI5 and PI7. The design of these headphones feels immediately elegant when they are unboxed. The use of metals and soft materials on the ear cups give them a luxurious feel. The headphones are also more comfortable on the ears and head although they weigh a bit more. The ear pads are easily removed and replaceable when they are worn out.

Like many of the best headphones, these ones feature active noise cancellation, which reduces external sounds while still allowing you to hear your music. The technology isn't flawless, but it does a great job of keeping the whirring of an aircraft engine or the rumble of a train out of your ears, while not affecting the balance of music pieces that could be in the same frequencies.

The soundstage of the PX7 S2 is what distinguishes it from the rest. It provides ample space between sound elements and offers a distinct separation. This provides clarity to songs that can't be found on other Bluetooth headphones.

The PX7 S2s might not be as lightweight as their competitors, but they do come with a superb carry case. It's also well-padded and the headphones fold flat to make it easy to store when not in use.

The earcups are covered in soft, leather-like material which is very luxurious to the sensation. The ear cups are lightweight, which makes them comfortable to wear during long listening sessions. The headband is designed for maximum comfort and doesn't squeeze too tight. This helps to prevent headaches.

The headphones are equipped with a variety of features, including Bluetooth multipoint which lets them connect with two devices at once. They support all popular Bluetooth codecs and high-res audio, when your streaming service allows it. They also have an amplifier for headphones that gives you extra boost when you use them with low-powered electronics, such as laptops.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH1000XM5 is the latest in the line of premium noise-cancelling over-ear headphones. They're a great upgrade over their predecessors, the WH-1000XM2s and the WH-1000XM4. Sony has enhanced its already impressive active noise cancellation. For instance, the fifth generation headphones are now able to eliminate low-frequency sounds, such as plane engines and subway car rumbles. They also can detect your location and automatically adjust the Ambient Sound Control settings accordingly.

You can still make use of a voice-activated assistant in order to control your music, find directions and more. The microphones inside the ear cups have been upgraded, meaning they can be used for hands-free calls and Siri/Google Assistant commands. The headphones are Bluetooth 5.0, which means they are faster in connecting and pairing speeds.

In our lab evaluations, the WH-1000XM5 have earned high marks for comfort, ease of use and the sound quality. The lightweight headset is comfortable enough to wear for long listening sessions without feeling too tight on the head. The ear cups can be adjusted to fit different sizes of heads. The headphones are able to be carried around, and their flat foldable design allows them to easily fit in the backpack or suitcase.

The ear cups have a slight curvature, and the headband is more refined. This allows for a more subtle appearance. points of assembly. They're covered in a new synthetic leather material, which provides additional durability and luxury. The ear cup cavity is also larger and is more comfortable to the ears. This could cause a slight pressure on the head if worn for long periods of time.

Some of the core features from the WH-1000XM4s are carried over to the XM5. You can swipe or tap the right ear cup to switch music, pause audio and access Ambient sound mode. You can even place your hands over the right ear cup to temporarily reduce the volume of your music and boost ambient sound. This is beneficial when you want to hear what's happening around you.

There are some subtle enhancements to the XM5s which make them a great buy for noise-canceling headphones. The new ANC provides better isolation for low-frequency sounds, and the headphones will pause your music when you remove them from your head in order to save energy. You can also choose an unobtrusive listening mode that lets in more external 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 ADX700

The ATH ADX700 headphones are a excellent choice for those looking to buy a set of gaming headphones. They are comfortable and have high-quality audio. They are also light and won't feel heavy on your head and ears. They come with self-adjusting 3D wing that can relieve the pressure and adjust to the shape of your head. The headphones come with an audio cable that can be easily connected to your audio source.

These are open-air headphones that appear quite unique, thanks to their large earcups and black honeycomb covers which reveal the drivers inside. The unique design is what makes these headphones stand out, but that's not all they have to provide. These headphones are unique because of their self-adjusting wing-support construction, the new 53 mm driver with bobbin wound CCAW voice coils, and the lightweight honeycomb aluminum casing.

The ATH-ADX700 has an impressively wide frequency response that gives a crisp and natural treble and midrange. The sound isn't as booming as some other pairs but that's because they're designed for a more general music listener who isn't looking to be sprayed by excessive low frequencies. They are an excellent pair of headphones for gamers as they let you hear the voices of your teammates and NPCs without being obstructed by a heavy bass.

Although the ATHXX700 has an impedance of 32 Ohms, they still require a good amplifier to achieve the best performance. When used with a portable player, it's not a problem, however using a headphone amplifier makes it easier to manage the sound and enjoy its full range.

The ATH ADX700 comes with a 9.84-foot cable that has a gold-plated 1/8-inch connector and an elastic TPE sheath that helps resist tangling and damage. It also comes with a 1/4-inch adapter for mobile devices. The earpads are constructed of velvety velour, which feels soft and Headphones Noise is initially itchy, but will break in the end. They also come with a flexible, raised fabric that improves comfort and durability.