The Best Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones

You'll need the top noise-cancelling over-ear headphones, whether you want to block out the hum of your HVAC system, or want to fight the roar of jet engine noises. The WH1000XM5s from Sony are the kings of active noise cancellation. Their predecessors were also excellent.

We've analyzed the adjustability of ANC and touch controls, as well as on-ear detection for paused music when headphones are removed. Our top picks include high-quality audio and comfortable, spacious ear cups.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

The fifth generation of Sony's top headphones is a major improvement over its predecessor, with better noise cancellation and enhanced audio quality. Its impressive ANC performance creates an illusion of silence over ear headphones noise cancelling your head and blocks out a shocking amount of low-frequency noise. The ear cups block out sounds that fall in the mid-to-treble spectrum like chatter from passengers and creaking metal.

Contrary to some noise cancelling headphones that sound hollow or unnatural, the WH-1000XM5s sound very natural. They can reproduce the rise and fall of the drums of Billie Eilish with astonishing depth, while keeping edges clean and pristine. They're a joy to listen to on the commute or during a long flight.

A capacitive touch-screen on the right ear cup handles the most frequently used controls, including play/pause volume up/down, and skip forwards/backwards. It also lets you end and answer calls, and switch between ANC mode and ambient sound. You can also hold the power button for a few minutes to hear a voice warning of the battery's remaining life.

The new QN1 mic is another significant improvement over the XM5s. It is designed to capture high quality audio while recording podcasts and videos. The microphone is more sensitive than previous models and also has a wider audio range that makes it easier for you to pick up your voice.

Other features from the XM4s have carried over to the XM5, such as its adaptive ANC system that automatically optimizes performance based on your surroundings. Its 'Wearing Detection is now able to detect when you take off the headset and pauses video or music and then restarts it when you put them back on. It's compatible with Sony's DSEE Extreme Engine, which upscales compressed music to near high-res resolution.

2. Sony WH-1000XM4

The WH-1000XM4s are a new iteration of Sony's industry-leading over-ear headphones, and although they don't have as much active noise cancellation as the WH-1000XM5s, they still provide top-of-the-line performance. In addition to having stronger Bluetooth and a more efficient noise-canceling algorithm, the WH-1000XM4s also feature a new audio chip that upscales music files to HD quality and more advanced voice controls.

The most significant improvement in this new generation is that Sony has made the WH-1000XM4s softer than before by adding padding around the headband and Noise cancelling Over ear headphones shifting the microphones to the outer edges of the ears. This makes them more comfortable to listen to for long periods of time.

You can also switch between five different sound settings depending on the surrounding. Sony headphones have an app that lets you to modify your EQ settings. They're an excellent choice for those who travel and the app allows you to track your activity and automatically adjust the settings as you go.

Another significant improvement is the WH1000XM4's noise cancellation that has been made more effective by enhancing the sensitiveness and improving the way it blocks out low frequencies. This can be verified by looking at graphs like the one shown above. Higher peaks mean that more sounds are canceled out. The WH-1000XM4s can also be more effective at reducing low-frequency sounds like the sound of an air conditioning unit or the constant rumble of a plane engine over any other pair of noise-canceling headphones that we've tried.

The WH-1000XM4s continue to have many great features which include a battery that lasts up to 30 hours, and an integrated USB-C charging port. They also have Quick Alert, a feature that allows you to tap the right earcup and then dampen music to enable transparency mode. Speak to Chat, in turn it stops media when you speak (and it works great, although sometimes it does not recognize taps) and Sony's Smart Listening Technology, noise cancelling over ear headphones which can detect your surroundings and provide better sound.

3. Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II

The Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II (or QC35 Wireless 2018) are over-ear headphones which were released in September 2017. They have been replaced by the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 701 to be released in 2021. However, they are still popular and affordable.

The QC35 II is a great pair for mixed-use wireless headphones. They offer a comfortable fit as well as a neutral sound profile that is default. They also provide exceptional noise isolation. They are ideal for travel or in noisy environments and last for more than a day on a single battery charge. They are also compatible with a variety of smart assistants and can be activated by pressing a dedicated button. You can ask them to play music and answer trivia questions or read your smartphone notifications.

They have a wide opening in the ear padded that can accommodate a variety of ears and shapes. They are light. The hinges on the housings fold down, making them easy to fit into bags or backpacks. The controls are located on the right-hand side of the headphones and are simple to use. Playback can be controlled with tapping the buttons which include rewinding or skipping songs.

To show the quality you can expect from these Bose headphones we played The Beatles' Let It Be and listened to drum beats and piano parts. The QC35 II deliver crisp, clear audio that is well-rounded and detailed. They dig up subtleties in the vocals, like Paul McCartney's erratic timing when building up to the chorus, or Gerard Way's snarl when he laments the individualism of teenagers. Teenagers.

The QC35 II is compatible with the majority of smart assistants. It can connect to up to 2 devices at once. The QC35 II also come with an accessory case for carrying and a USB cable that can be charged quickly.

4. Sony WH-CH720N

Sony has a reputation for building excellent headphones that are priced at a reasonable price. The budget-friendly WHCH720N headphones from Sony aren't any different. These headphones come with many of the same features as the flagship WH1000XM5 headphones, but in a more budget friendly design. These headphones provide a lot of active noise cancellation, but at an affordable price.

These headphones feature powerful drivers that measure 30mm in size. They provide crisp high frequencies and plenty of bass. They also have an even tuning to make them sound good with different genres of music, and they have a wide soundstage that lets you be immersed in your music.

The WH-CH720N headphones utilize buttons instead of the touch controls and gestures of the XM5 headphones. This is a more of a problem since the buttons can be confusing at first. Fortunately, the headphones have clearly labeled controls and are arranged in a smart way. Double press of the '+' button can pause and play audio. A single press lowers the volume. Pressing and holding the button launches voice assistants and rejects calls.

With ANC turned on the headphones will last for about 35 hours before they run out of power. This is the best battery performance we've ever witnessed in over-ear headphones. They also come with a standby mode that can help conserve battery.

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

5. B&W PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 follow on from an extremely successful predecessor, but are by no means a half-baked update that rides on its own. They sport a sleeker style and a new application. They fulfill their promise of premium build-quality, delivering audio that faithfully expresses artistic intention. They're also incredibly comfortable and enjoyable to wear all day.

While they're not as effective as the Noise cancelling Over ear Headphones cancellation of the Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II or the Sony WH-1000XM5 but they do a good job of removing the sounds of the environment and ensuring you are able to concentrate on your music, podcasts or gaming on your handheld without distractions. They feature a six-microphone setup (four for noise cancellation and two for voice-recording) and a new algorithm that reduce ambient sound by 30dB. They're also among the few Bluetooth headphones we've tested that can be used in passive mode, allowing you to listen to your content on your own without power being connected to the drive units.

They also work with the B&W Music app, a free download that provides many features that go along with the great noise cancelling. It includes a Quick Action button that cycles through three modes for environmental use that display battery life and can be set to launch your device's voice assistant. It's annoying to have to press the button and hold it for a long time. A single press is more intuitive and simple.

The PX7 S2 are a very remarkable pair of headphones that will please the majority of music lovers. The PX7 S2 are not so well-suited to the challenging music genres like metal and rock which favour bass-heavy productions and muddy low frequencies as they are for folk, classical, and Acoustic. However, they will still impress those who value audiophile credentials that is also practical and convenient.