The Best Over-Ear Headphones

If you travel on public transit, work in a noisy office with chatty co-workers or just want to enjoy your music without the distraction of distractions from outside, then headphones with noise cancellation on the ear can make all the difference. We've reviewed the best noise cancelling over ear headphones over-ear headphones that combine excellent audio quality with active noise cancellation.

Mpow Over Ear Headphones

These Bluetooth headphones from Mpow are well-built and offer premium audio quality for the price. The headphones are designed to be worn over ear headphones noise cancelling the ears, and come with earcups that are comfortable to wear over your ears. This helps to block out background noise. The earpads are made of a modestly thick cushion that encases your ears to block out a significant part of the sounds that surround you however, over Ear headphones noise cancelling bluetooth they do not come with a noise canceling feature. The earpads are heavier than 11 ounces however, they are comfortable to wear over long periods of time.

The Mpow headphones feature an elegant design that's not too far removed from most other over-ear headphone models on the market. The headband which connects the two ear cups is hinged, allowing them to fold down into a compact size to be transported and stored. The left earcup houses controls for power, volume and noise cancellation. The right earcup houses a microphone that allows hands-free calling.

The Mpow headphones offer a good sound quality, but they don't have the bass punch or clarity of the Sony WH1000XM5. Their PRTF accuracy and activation scores are higher than average for Bluetooth headphones, which should provide an expansive and wide soundstage when listening to music. However their PRTF distance score is lower than average, which means they will sound closed in and less open than headphones that have large, open-back earcups.

The treble extension is excellent, so you can enjoy a clear and crisp sound that is compatible with a wide range of genres. The mids of Sony headphones are more distinct, which creates an even more lively sound. This is great for music with lots of instruments. The bass can be a bit too loud for some however this is a personal preference that can be adjusted by changing the equalizer settings of your audio player.

The Mpow headphones have a fairly long battery life, and can be used in wired mode for when the battery is exhausted. The headphones come with an USB charger and an audio cable, which means you can listen to your favorite music without interruption. The manufacturer offers a 45-day money-back guarantee, as well as an 18-month warranty for these headphones. Their customer service is also known for its speedy response.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 is the newest over-ear headphone to grace Bowers & Wilkins' catalog. They replace the PX7 model and are part of a larger line of wireless headphones that also includes the PI5 and PI7. The design of these headphones feels immediately elegant when they are unboxed. The use of metals and textured materials on the ear cups as well as the headband give them an exquisitely put together feel. The headphones are also more comfortable on the head and ear although they weigh a bit more. The ear pads are easily removable and can be replaced if they become worn out.

These headphones come with active noise cancellation. This reduces external sounds but still allows you to listen to your music. The technology isn't flawless, but it does a great job of keeping the whir of a plane engine or the train's rumble out of your ears, while not altering the balance of music passages that may occupy the same frequencies.

One thing that really makes the PX7 S2 apart from their competitors is the soundstage they provide that provides plenty of space and great separation between individual sound elements. This gives clarity to music that cannot be found on other Bluetooth headphones.

The PX7 S2s might not be as lightweight as their counterparts however they come with a fantastic carry case. It's also well-padded, and the headphones can fold flat for easy storage when not in use.

The earcups are made of an enveloping, soft leather that is quite luxurious to touch. The ear cups are lightweight, which makes them comfortable to wear for long listening sessions. The headband is designed to be as comfortable as it can and doesn't hold too tightly, which can help to avoid headaches over time.

The headphones have many features like Bluetooth multipoint that allows them to be paired with two devices simultaneously. They support all of the well-known Bluetooth codecs as well as hi-res audio in the event that your streaming service supports it. They also come with an amplifier for headphones that can give you an extra boost when using them with devices that aren't powered like laptops.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH-1000XM5 are the newest model in the premium line of Over Ear Headphones Noise Cancelling Bluetooth-ear noise cancelling headphones. These headphones are a great upgrade to their predecessors, WH1000XM2s and the WH1000XM4. Sony has enhanced its already impressive active noise cancelling. The fifth-generation headphones, for example can now muffle 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 to match.

You can still use a voice-activated assistant to control your music, find directions, and much more. The microphones on the earcups have been upgraded so that they can be used to make hands-free calls and Siri/Google Assistant command. The headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible which means that they can connect and pair quicker.

The WH-1000XM5 was awarded high scores in our tests of comfort, ease-of-use and the quality of its sound. The lightweight headset is comfortable for long listening sessions, and the ear cup can be adjusted to accommodate different sizes of heads. The headphones are foldable and flat, making them easy to fit into a suitcase or backpack.

The ear cups are slightly curvier than their predecessors, and the headband has more refined curves that to conceal the assembly points. They're covered in a new synthetic leather material that adds additional durability and luxury. The earcup chamber is also bigger and is more comfortable to the ears. This may cause a little pressure on the head when worn for extended periods of time.

The XM5 keeps some of the core features of the WH1000XM4s. You can swipe and tap the right ear cup to change songs or pause the audio and open Ambient Sound Mode. You can even place your hands over the right earcup to temporarily lower your music volume and boost the ambient sound, which can be helpful when you need to hear what's happening around you.

The XM5s come with a few small improvements that make them a great option for headphones that block out noise. The new ANC offers better isolation for low-frequency noise, and the headphones will pause your music when lifted from your head to save power. Transparent listening mode 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 ATH-ADX700

For those that are seeking a pair of headphones for gaming, the ATH-ADX700 is a great choice. They are comfortable and provide excellent sound. They are also lightweight, so they won't feel heavy on your head or ears. They come with self-adjusting 3D design that will relieve pressure and adjust to fit your head. The headphones include a cable that is easily connected to your audio source.

These are open-air headphones that appear quite unique, thanks to their massive earcups as well as honeycomb covers made of black that reveal the driver inside. The unique design makes them stand out from the rest however it's not the only thing that sets them apart. These headphones are unique due to their self-adjusting wing-support construction, the brand new 53mm driver featuring bobbin wound CCAW voice coils, and the aluminum casing made of honeycomb that is lightweight.

The ATH-ADX700 has an impressively broad frequency response, which gives a crisp and natural treble and midrange. The sound isn't as deep as some other pairs, but that's because they're designed for the general music lover who doesn't want to be blasted by excessive low frequencies. These headphones are ideal for gamers, as they allow you to hear your friends and other NPCs without being muffled.

Although the ATHXX700 has an impedance of 32 Ohms, they still require a decent amplifier to ensure optimal performance. It's not a problem using them with a portable player however it will be much easier to control and enjoy the full range of sound when used with an appropriate headphone amp.

The ATH ADX700 comes with a 9.84 foot cable with a gold-plated connector 1/8 inches and an elastic TPE sheath that is resistant to damaging and tangling. The ATH-ADX700 includes a 1/4" adapter for mobile devices. The earpads have a plush velour material that is initially itchy and feels soft, but eventually breaks in. The earpads are also made of a flexible raised material that increases comfort and durability.