The Best Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones

When you're trying to block out the sound of jet engines, or just want to block out the noise of your HVAC at home, you need the most effective noise-cancelling over the ear headphones noise cancelling-ear headphones. The newest Sony WH-1000XM5s have become the new top of the line in active noise cancellation, and their predecessors are also excellent.

We've taken into account adjustable ANC as well as touch controls and on-ear detection (for noise cancelling Over ear headphones pausing music when you take off your headphones). Our top picks feature high-resolution audio and comfortable, spacious ear cups.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

The fifth generation of Sony flagship headphones is a significant upgrade over their predecessors, with improved noise cancellation and audio quality. Its impressive ANC performance creates an illusion of silence over ear noise cancelling headphones wireless your head and blocks out a shocking amount of low-frequency sounds. The ear cups block out sounds that fall in the mid-to-treble spectrum including chatter from the passengers and creaking metal.

In contrast to other noise cancelling headphones that sound hollow or unnatural, the WH-1000XM5s are very natural-sounding. They can render the beats of Billie Eilish in stunning detail while keeping the edges clean and pristine. It's an absolute pleasure listening to them on an extended flight or on a commute.

The most popular controls are controlled by a capacitive touchscreen surface on the right earcup such as play/pause, volume up/down as well being able to skip forwards and backwards. It can also end and answer calls and switch between ANC mode and ambient sound. Alternately, hold and press the power button for several minutes to hear a voice message indicating the remaining battery life.

The new QN1 mic is a significant improvement over the XM5s. It was designed to capture high quality audio while recording podcasts and videos. The microphone is more sensitive and has a greater audio range than earlier models making it easier to recognize your own voice.

The XM5 has also carried over some features from the XM4s like the adaptive ANC system which automatically optimizes performance in accordance with your surroundings. The "Wearing Detection" feature detects when the headset is removed and stops playing video or music. It will then resume it once they are put back on. It's also compatible with Sony's DSEE Extreme engine, which claims to upscale the quality of compressed music to a near-hi-res resolution.

2. Sony WH-1000XM4

The WH1000XM4s of Sony are the latest version of their industry-leading over-ear headphones. They feature top-of-the-line performance, even though they don't have the same active noise cancellation that is available on the WH1000XM5s. The WH-1000XM4s have a stronger Bluetooth connection as well as a more efficient noise cancellation algorithm. They also come with a new audio chip which upscales music to HD quality, and advanced voice controls.

Sony has improved the WH1000XM4s of the most recent version by adding padding to the headband and extending the microphones to the outside. This makes them more comfortable to listen to for long periods.

You can also choose between five different sound settings depending on the surroundings. Sony headphones have an app that lets you to customize your EQ settings. They're an excellent choice for travelers and the app lets you track your activity and automatically adjust the settings as you go.

The WH-1000XM4 has also improved its noise cancellation. It's now more effective due to its greater sensitivity and improved filtering of low frequencies. It can be evaluated by looking at graphs like the one above. Higher peaks mean that more sounds are being canceled out. The WH-1000XM4s also better attenuate low-frequency sounds like the sound of an air conditioner or the constant rumble of a plane engine than any other pair of noise-canceling headphones we've tested.

The WH1000XM4s come with a variety of great features, including a 30-hour battery life and a USB-C charging port. They also have Quick Alert, which lets you touch the right earcup in order to deflect music and activate the transparency mode; Speak to Chat pauses media when you speak (and is effective, even though it may not always register taps), and Sony's Smart Listening technology, which can detect and analyze your surroundings to provide better audio.

3. Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II

The Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II (or QC35 Wireless 2018) are headphones for over-ear use that were released in September 2017. They were replaced with the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 701, which will be released in 2021. However they remain popular and affordable.

The QC35 II are a great pair of wireless headphones that provide an incredibly comfortable fit, a neutral default sound profile and exceptional noise Cancelling Over ear headphones isolation. They can be used in noisy environments or while traveling and they last for more than a full day on a single charge. They also work with most smart assistants, and are activated via the use of a specific button. You can ask the assistant to play music, answer trivia or even read your notifications from your smartphone.

The padding around the ears is large and can fit most ears. They are also lightweight. The housings' hinges can be folded down to make them easier to pack in a bag or a backpack. The controls are placed on the right-hand noise cancelling over ear headphones side and are simple to use. Playback can be controlled by tapping the buttons that allow you to rewind or skip songs.

We listened to The Beatles' Let It Be, and the piano and drum beats. The QC35 II deliver crisp, clear audio that is well-rounded and detailed. They dig up subtleties in the vocals, like Paul McCartney's inconsistent timing when he's building to the chorus or Gerard Way's snarl as he laments teenage individualism on teens.

The QC35 II can be connected to up to two devices simultaneously and are compatible with most smart assistants. The QC35 II also come with a carry case and a USB cable that can be charged quickly.

4. Sony WH-CH720N

Sony is a brand known for producing top-quality headphones at a affordable cost. The budget-friendly WH-CH720N headphones from Sony are no exception. They have many of features that make the flagship WH-1000XM5 headphones great but in a more budget-friendly design. These headphones provide a lot of active noise cancellation at the price of a small.

Similar to the WH-1000XM5 headphones these headphones feature 30mm dynamic drivers that deliver ample bass and crisp high frequencies. They also feature an even tuning that makes them sound great with various genres of music, and they have a large soundstage that allows you to be immersed in your music.

The WH-CH720N headphones have buttons for controls instead of the gestures and touch controls of the XM5 headphones. This is a bit of a downside, as the buttons can be a bit confusing at first. The controls are strategically placed and clearly labeled. Double pressing of the+' button will pause and play audio. A single press lowers the volume. By pressing and holding the button, voice assistants are launched and calls are turned down.

With ANC turned on, these headphones can last for around 35 hours before running out of power. This is the best battery performance we've ever seen in headphones that are over-ear. They also come with a standby mode that can aid in conserving battery.

Bluetooth allows users to connect the WH-CH720N headphones to Android and iOS devices. They are compatible with LDAC which allows them to play high-resolution audio on compatible devices. The headphones also work with PlayStation consoles using an analog 1/8"TRS cable. They can also be connected to a computer with 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 a successful predecessor but aren't a half-baked update riding on its own. Featuring a sleeker look and a new application, they deliver on the promise of top-quality build, delivering audio designed to faithfully express the artist's vision. They're also extremely comfortable and are a delight to wear all day.

They don't offer the same noise cancellation capabilities as the Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II or the Sony WH1000XM5, however, they do a good job at blocking out ambient sounds so you can concentrate on your podcasts or music. They have a six-microphone setup (four for noise cancellation and two for voice pick-up) and a new algorithm which reduce ambient sound by 30dB. They're also one of the few Bluetooth headphones we've reviewed that can be used in passive mode, allowing you to listen to your content on their own, without power being connected to the drive units.

They also work with the B&W Music app, a free download that provides a wide range of features that go along with the great noise cancelling. This includes a Quick Action button that cycles through the three environmental modes, displays battery life and can be configured to activate your device's voice assistant. It is annoying to have to press the button and hold it. A single press would be more intuitive and easier.

The PX7 S2 is an audiophile pair that will please music lovers. They're not suited to the demanding music of genres such as rock and metal that tend to favor bass-heavy production and muddy low frequencies as they are to classical, folk and Acoustic music, but will still impress those who appreciate audiophile cred that's also practical and comfortable.