The Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear noise-canceling headphones can be a big help when you travel on a noisy public transport system, work with colleagues who are chatty, or simply want to listen music without being distracted by outside noise. We reviewed the best headphones that offer excellent sound quality and active noise cancellation.

Mpow Over-Ear Headphones

These Bluetooth headphones from Mpow have a good robust and sturdy design. They also offer excellent audio quality that is impressive for their price. They are designed as over ear headphones noise cancelling-ear headsets with Ear cups that sit comfortably over the ear to block ambient noise. The earpads are a moderately thick cushion which effectively shields the ears to block out a significant amount of noises from the outside. However they don't have an active noise cancellation feature. They weigh about 11 ounces and are comfortable to wear for extended durations of time.

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

The Mpow headphones offer a good sound quality, however they do not have the bass power 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 over the ear headphones wireless Noise cancelling wide soundstage when listening to music. Their PRTF distance score is lower than average. This means they will sound more closed-in and less open than headphones with larger, more open-backed earcups.

They also have a good amount of treble extension which will provide an uncluttered and clear sound that is able to handle all music genres. The mids are a bit more pronounced in comparison to the Sony headphones which creates a somewhat more dynamic sound that is perfect for instrument-rich music. Some people find the bass slightly too loud, but you can adjust it to your preference by altering 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 as well as the cable, so you can enjoy your favourite music without interruption. 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 quick and responsive.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 are the most recent headphones that are over-ear to be featured in the Bowers & Wilkins catalog. They replace the PX7 model and are part of a wider collection of wireless headphones which also includes the PI5 and PI7. Unboxed, design of these headphones instantly evokes an impression of luxury. The use of metals and materials with textured surfaces on the ear cups and headband gives them an impeccably put together feel. They also are comfortable on the head and ear although they are slightly heavier than their counterparts. The Ear pads snap off and on easily and can be replaced when they wear out.

Like many of the best headphones, these models feature active noise cancellation that minimizes the impact of external sounds while allowing you to listen to your music. The technology isn't perfect however it does a great job of keeping plane engines and train noises out of your canals, without affecting the balance between music tracks.

One thing that makes the PX7 S2 apart from their rivals is their soundstage which provides plenty of space and great separation between the various audio elements. This gives clarity to music that can't be heard on other Bluetooth headphones.

The PX7 S2s may not be as portable as other models but they do come with a superb carry case. The case is cushioned and the headphones can fold flat when not in use.

The earcups are made of an enveloping, soft leather that is quite luxurious to the touch. They're also light which makes them ideal for long listening sessions. The headband was designed for maximum comfort and doesn't over-stretch. This helps prevent headaches.

The headphones are equipped with a variety of features that include Bluetooth multipoint that allows them to connect to two devices simultaneously. They support all of the most popular Bluetooth codecs, as well as high-resolution audio, if your streaming service allows it. They also have an amplifier for headphones that can give you an extra boost when using them with devices that aren't powered, such as laptops.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH1000XM5 is a new model in Sony’s premium noise cancelling headphones for over the ear headphones wireless noise cancelling-ear use. They're a great upgrade from their predecessors, the WH-1000XM2s and WH-1000XM4. Sony has improved its already impressive active noise cancelling. The fifth-generation headphones, for instance can now muffle low-frequency sounds, such as plane engines and subway car rumbles. They also know where you are, and adjust the Ambient sound control settings in line with your location.

You can still use a voice-activated assistant to control your music, get directions, and much more. The microphones that are in the ear cups are upgraded, which means they can be used for calls that are hands-free and Siri/Google Assistant commands. The headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible which means that they can connect and pair faster.

The WH-1000XM5 has received high marks in our tests of comfort, user-friendliness and sound quality. The lightweight headset is comfortable to wear for long listening sessions, and the earcup can be adjusted to suit various head sizes. The headphones are foldable and flat, making them easy to fit into a suitcase or backpack.

The ear cups are a bit curvier than their predecessors, and the headband has more refined curves that help conceal assembly points. The new synthetic leather adds durability and luxury. The ear cup cavities are also a bit bigger and are more comfortable against the ears. This can cause some pressure to the head after wearing them for prolonged periods of time.

A few of the features of the WH1000XM4s are transferred to the XM5. You can swipe and tap the right earcup to change the music, pause your audio and switch to Ambient Sound Mode. You can even place your hands over the left ear cup to temporarily reduce the volume of your music volume and boost the ambient sound, which can be useful when you need to hear what's going on around you.

The XM5s are equipped with a few small improvements that make them a good option for headphones that block out noise. The new ANC provides better isolation for low-frequency sounds and the headphones will stop your music when you remove them from your head in order to save energy. You can also select an unobtrusive listening mode to let 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 looking to purchase a set of headphones for their gaming setup the ATHXX700 is a great option. They are comfortable and have superior audio. They are lightweight so you won't feel them on your head or ears. They come with self-adjusting 3D wing that can relieve the pressure and adjust to the shape of your head. They also have a detachable cord that is simple to connect to your audio source.

Open-air headphones with a unique design, these headphones feature large earcups that reveal the drivers. The unique design makes these headphones stand out, but that's not all they have to provide. The self-adjusting wing support construction and the new 53mm drivers that feature bobbin-wound CCAW voice coils and the aluminum casing that is lightweight and honeycomb are the reasons why these headphones are special and worth the investment.

The ATH ADX700 has a broad frequency response that allows for an unmistakably natural, crisp treble. The sound isn't as deep as other headphones, but that's because they're designed for the general music lover who isn't looking to be sprayed by excessive low frequencies. These headphones are great for gamers as they allow you to hear your teammates and other NPCs without being obstructed.

The ATH ADX700 headphones have an impedance rating of 32 ohms. However, they still require an amp of a good quality to operate at its best. When using them with a portable player, it's not a problem, but a headphone amplifier will make it easier to manage the sound and enjoy its full range.

The ATH-ADX700 comes with a 9.84-foot cable that features 1/8-inch connector that is gold-plated and an elastic TPE sheath that helps resist tangling and damage. The ATH-ADX700 comes with a 1/4" adapter for mobile devices. The earpads are made of velvety velour, which feels soft and initially itchy but will break eventually. The earpads are also made of a soft, elevated material that improves the comfort and durability.