The Best Over-Ear Headphones

If you commute on noisy public transport or work in an office with a lot of chattering colleagues or simply want to listen to your music without the distraction of outside distractions, headphones that block out noise can make all the difference. We reviewed the top headphones that offer excellent sound quality and active noise cancellation.

Mpow over ear headphones with noise cancelling-Ear Headphones

These Bluetooth headphones from Mpow have a nice solid build and offer high-quality audio that is impressive for their price. They are designed as over-ear headphones with Ear cups that sit comfortably over the ear to block out noise from the outside. The earpads feature a moderately thick cushion that insulates the ears well enough to block out a significant amount of environmental sounds. However they do not come with an active noise cancellation capability. They weigh about 11 ounces and over-ear noise cancelling headphones are comfortable to wear for extended periods of time.

These Mpow headphones have a simple design that isn't too far removed from most other models of over ear headphones noise cancelling-ear headphones available. The headband connecting the two earcups is hinged and can be folded up for storage or transportation. The left earcup houses the controls for power, over-ear Noise cancelling Headphones volume and noise cancellation. The right earcup houses a microphone for hands-free calls.

The Mpow headphones offer very good sound quality, but they don't have the bass power or clarity of the Sony WH1000XM5. The PRTF accuracy and activation scores are above average among Bluetooth headphones. This should result in a spacious and wide soundstage while listening to music. Their PRTF distance score, however, is lower than average. This means that they sound more closed in and less open than headphones with earcups that are larger and open.

They also have a decent amount of treble extension, which will provide an uncluttered and clear sound that will be able to handle the majority of music genres. The mids of Sony headphones are a bit more distinct, which creates an even more lively sound. This is ideal for music that has a lot of instruments. The bass is a little excessive for some people however this is a personal preference that can be redressed by altering the equalizer settings in your audio player.

The Mpow headphones are a good choice for those who want to listen to their music without interruptions. They feature an extremely long-lasting battery that can be used in wired mode when the battery runs out. They come with a cable and USB charger included in the box, so you can continue to listen to your music without interruptions. The manufacturer offers a 45-day return guarantee and 18-month warranty for these headphones and their customer support is known to be responsive.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 are the most recent over-ear headphones to grace the Bowers & Wilkins catalog. The PX7 is replaced by the PX7 S2 and they are part of a wider collection of wireless headphones which includes the PI5 & PI7. The design of these headphones is immediately elegant when they are unboxed. The use of metals and textured materials on the ear cups and headband give them a perfectly designed and constructed feel. The headphones are also more comfortable on the head and ears even though they are slightly heavier. The ear pads are easily removable and can be replaced in the event that they wear out.

These headphones are equipped with active noise cancellation. This reduces external sounds, while still allowing for you to listen to your music. The technology isn't perfect however it does a great job of keeping train and plane engine sounds from your ear canals, without affecting the balance between music passages.

One thing that really sets the PX7 S2 apart from their competitors is the soundstage they provide, which offers plenty of space and great separation between distinct components of sound. This clarity isn't often found in other Bluetooth headphones.

The PX7 S2s might not be as lightweight as other models but they do come with a superb carry case. It's also well-padded and the headphones fold flat to make it easy to store 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 possible and doesn't hold too tightly, which can help to avoid headaches over time.

The headphones have a range of features, including Bluetooth multipoint which lets them connect with two devices simultaneously. They are compatible with all the most popular Bluetooth codecs, and also high-resolution audio in the event that your streaming service supports it. They have an amplifier for headphones that gives them an extra boost when used with low-powered electronics like laptops.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH-1000XM5 are the latest in the premium line of over-ear noise cancelling headphones. These headphones are an excellent upgrade to their predecessors, WH1000XM2s or WH1000XM4. Sony has improved its already impressive active noise cancellation. The fifth-generation headphones, as an example can now muffle low-frequency sounds such as plane engines and subway car rumbles. They can also recognize your location and automatically adjust the Ambient Sound Control settings to match.

You can still make use of voice-activated assistants to control your music and get directions. The microphones in the earphones 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 they can be connected and pair faster.

The WH-1000XM5 has received high scores in our lab tests for 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 suit various head sizes. The headphones are lightweight and their flat foldable design makes them able to easily fit into a backpack or suitcase.

The ear cups have a slight curvature and the headband is more refined. This allows for a more subtle appearance. places of assembly. They're covered in a modern synthetic leather material that adds extra 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 long periods of time.

Some of the key features of the WH1000XM4s are transferred to the XM5. You can swipe or tap the right ear cup to switch songs, pause audio and access Ambient sound mode. You can even place your fingers over the left ear cup to temporarily turn down your music volume and boost ambient sound, which is useful when you need to hear what's going on around you.

The XM5s are equipped with some minor improvements that make them a great option for headphones that block out noise. The new ANC provides better isolation of low-frequency sounds, and the headphones will pause music when lifted off your head to save energy. You can also select a transparent listening mode that lets in more outside 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

If you're looking to get a set of headphones for their gaming setup The ATH-ADX700 is a great option. They offer high-quality sound and are comfortable to wear for a long period of time. They are also lightweight and won't feel heavy on your head and ears. They come with self-adjusting 3D wings that eliminate the pressure and adjust to accommodate your head. The headphones include an audio cable that can be easily connected to your audio source.

These are open-air headphones that look very unique, due to their huge earcups and honeycomb covers made of black which reveal the drivers inside. The unique design is what makes these headphones stand out but it's not all they have to offer. These headphones are unique due to their self-adjusting wing-support construction, the new 53mm driver that has Bobbin wound CCAW voice coils and the lightweight honeycomb aluminum casing.

The ATH-ADX700 features an impressively wide frequency response that gives a crisp and natural midrange and treble. The sound isn't as bassy 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 ideal for gamers as they allow you to hear your teammates and other NPCs, without being muffled.

The ATH-ADX700 headphones have an impedance rating of 32 ohms, but still require a high-quality amp to operate at its best. It's not a problem using them with an audio player that is portable 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 9.84-foot cable with a gold-plated 1/8-inch connector and an elastic TPE sheath to resist tangling and damage. It also comes with a 1/4" adapter for mobile devices. The earpads are constructed of plush velour that feels soft and soft at first but will break eventually. The earpads are also composed of a pliable, raised material that increases comfort and durability.