Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?

The noise-cancelling headphones can be an absolute blessing for anyone who enjoys listening regardless of whether they're in the office or in the train. Which ones are the most effective?

Sony's flagship headphones are a fantastic value. They come with a fresh design and superior audio quality and also enticing features. From the raucous chorus to Sinead O'Connor's trembling bridge, these headphones deliver amazing clarity and real-world realism.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony is a pro at noise cancellation, and its WH1000XM5 headphones noise cancelling are the best over ear noise cancelling headphones iteration of the series. A few well-thought-out improvements over the XM4s make this model an all-round excellent pair of cans, especially for commuters and travelers. They're comfortable and feature multipoint tech to connect to two devices simultaneously, and feature the most powerful ANC Sony has ever made. They're also lightweight and offer about 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 appearance. They are made of ABS which is which is a recyclable and recycled plastic. The branding is minimal, Headphones noise cancelling but you'll find the "Sony" logo on each hinge of each earcup. The earcups and headbands are made of soft, plush materials that is comfortable for all heads apart from the biggest. The earcups are also adjustable to ensure that you get the ideal fit for your needs.

Unlike previous models, which were focused on reducing low frequency noise, the XM5s amplify sound waves at high frequencies to cancel out ambient noise. That improves overall sound quality and helps reduce engine and cabin noise on flights, for instance. The XM5s has another processing unit to increase noise cancellation on planes. The audio app can also adjust your listening environment according to the pressure of the air.

Other features of the WH-1000XM5s include an enhanced voice assistant that's simple to use and integrates with Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri and more. The XM5s are compatible with other Sony audio devices for stereo separation and multi-room music. They're compatible with Bluetooth high-bitrate audio streaming through LDAC codec from Sony, but don't support the aptX codec or aptX HD.

2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

Sennheiser has been manufacturing headphones for more than 50 years. You can expect a premium sound quality and a cosy fit. With their latest over-ears dubbed Momentum 4 Wireless, they deliver on both fronts. They've redesigned their design to remove some trademark elements that gave their original models their aviator-style headset look. They also improved active noise cancellation using their latest Adaptive Noisy Cancellation Technology. They've evaluated these headphones to last for 60 hours of listening with ANC enabled, which is more than double the battery life of many other competitors.

The new model is also more compact, since it folds down and is smaller. They're made of synthetic PU leather for the replaceable headband and ear pads which feel comfortable on my noggin even if I wear them all working. They're also not extremely tight, which means you can wear them on long flights or even during workouts.

The sound is clear and well-balanced, though there are some high-pitched peaks in the mid- and high-mid that cause a slight muddiness in mixes. The bass is overemphasized, adding a bit of punch and thump to genres like EDM or hip-hop. It's not a major issue, but some listeners may find it irritating. The high-mid also isn't balanced that brings instruments and vocals forward in the mix but at the expense of bringing out a few vocals.

The Sennheiser momentum 4 wireless has all the usual features, including Bluetooth wireless connectivity, a translucent mode that blends outside sounds into your music for better awareness, and mobile app support for pre-set and custom EQ options. You can also use a 3.5mm cord to connect your phone. They can use SBC, AAC, aptX HD, and aptX Adaptive codecs to connect to your phone, and they're able to reduce latency by up to 25 and that's a huge benefit.

3. B&W PX7 S2

Since their launch, the original PX7s have been on numerous lists of the top Bluetooth headphones, and have been ranked high in a lot of cases due to their impressive ANC and high-quality sound. The PX7s, like most wireless headphones, were getting old and needed a new look. Hence the PX7S2. B&W hasn't just redesigned the design for this new version, but it's made substantial improvements to ANC and added more voice-calling features, too.

The PX7 S2 headphones are very light, making them ideal for long listening sessions. The overall design is reminiscent of the previous model, like the elongated aluminium earcup top-plate and the hook-like accent on the headband that glids instead of clicking as you expand it, and finally the actual buttons. The earcups are smaller though, and the headband is a bit less bulky overall.

B&W's software lets you adjust the EQ settings of the bass and treble. However, you don't have as much control as you do with higher-priced headphones. The Quick Action button on left earcup toggles the environmental modes. It can also be configured to activate the voice assistant of your device in the Bowers & Wilkins Music App.

The PX7 S2 is a great choice for all music styles. It has a large soundstage and good separation of different sound elements. It shines particularly on pieces that feature acoustic instruments such as Rachmaninoff's Cello Sonata in G Minor, Op. 19 by pianist Yuja Wang and cellist Gautier Capeucon, with woody instrumental tones and a sense of air. It can also handle heavier fare and has the bass punch and midrange clarity on Entombed's crossover of death-n'-rock and garage to Ride, Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth providing an impressive sound wall while allowing to hear the vocals of Lars-Goran Petrov's grittier growl.

4. Bose QuietComfort 35

Bose was among the first companies to bring active noise cancelling headphones into the mainstream. Although they held an advantage over the market for years however, they are now competing with newer headphones that offer more features and better audio quality. But the QuietComfort 35 is still a excellent option for those who want to listen to podcasts or music without being disturbed by constant rumbles and hums.

The default sound profile is balanced, and they're comfortable to wear. The ANC is great at removing background noise. However it tends to emphasize lower frequencies more than other headphones such as the Sony WH1000XM5.

The QC35s are a great pair of headphones to listen to audiobooks and podcasts. They come with a noise cancellation mode that is passive that blocks out ambient sounds yet still keeps you secluded from the world around you. The QC35s let you connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and also "audio-share", so you can listen to music on one pair of headphones and answer an incoming phone call from the other pair.

The Bose Connect App is decent however it lacks the extensive EQ features of other headphone apps. The QC35s are also available in wired mode, but the sound quality is significantly reduced and battery life isn't as great as with wireless models.

The QC35s have an established Bose style that may not appeal to some people as the more sleek designs of other manufacturers. However, you can add a touch of personalization by purchasing a decal-covered cover-up from companies like SlickWraps and Skin Sticker. You'll also be able change the color of the ear cups and headband later this year, much like you can with the older QC25 model.

5. Sony WH-1000XM3

Sony's WH1000XM3 are the most effective wireless headphones that have active noise cancellation you can get today. They're more expensive than the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless, but they are able to block out more ambient noise and feel more durable. They also have a premium companion app that provides tons of sound customization features.

The XM3s have a great sound quality, and ever since their launch, they've been upgraded to deliver even better performance. They're equipped with a little more clarity in the frequency spectrum. Their noise cancelling is more effective at all levels of volume. They also have improved controls, such as Quick Attention mode and Speak-to chat. They also have a brand new feature called Adaptive Sound Control that adjusts automatically the amount of external sound let in based on where you are and what you're doing.

However, they are not without their imperfections. The midrange can sound receding, and the treble may sometimes be too loud. They also have a tendency to boost the bass too much in certain tracks, which makes them sound overly full and heavy. You can correct this issue via the Sony app or in the headphone settings.

The XM3s are a great pair of headphones, particularly for frequent travelers and commuters. They're more comfortable, look and feel superior and more durable than the JBL Live 650 BTNC Wireless, and they have a more powerful battery, and one of our favorite noise cancelling features in the business. They're also more adaptable and more suitable for headphones noise cancelling use on mobile devices than the Audio-Technica's ATH-M50X Wireless, even though they have less impressive noise cancellation. They're also not waterproof, which could be a deal-breaker for some people.