The Best Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones

Whether you're battling the engine noise of jet engines or simply want to block out the hum of your HVAC system at home, you need the best over ear headphones without noise cancelling noise cancelling headphones for over-ear use. The newest Sony WH-1000XM5s are the new top of the line in active noise cancellation and their predecessors are equally excellent.

We've taken into account adjustable ANC control buttons, touch controls, and on-ear detection (for pausing music when you take off your headphones). Our top picks feature high-resolution audio, comfortable ear cups and large earcups.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

The fifth generation of Sony flagship headphones offers significant improvements over the previous models, offering enhanced quality of audio and noise cancellation. Its impressive ANC performance creates an illusion of silence over your head and blocks out a surprising amount low-frequency noise. The ear cups also block mid- to treble range sounds like chatter from passengers, creaking metal and the clanging of dishware.

Unlike some noise cancelling headphones that can sound hollow or unnatural, the WH-1000XM5s are very natural-sounding. They can reproduce the rise and fall of Billie's drums with incredible depth and clarity, while keeping edges clear and clear. It's an absolute pleasure listening to them during a long flight or commute.

The most commonly used controls are controlled by a capacitive touchscreen surface located on the right ear cup that can play/pause and volume up/down as well being able to skip forwards and backwards. It also allows you to answer and end calls as well as switch between ANC and ambient sound mode. You can also press and hold the power button for a few seconds to hear a voice telling you how much battery life is left.

The new QN1 mic is another significant improvement over the XM5s. It is designed to record high-quality audio when recording videos and podcasts. The microphone is more sensitive and has a larger audio range than the previous models, making it easier to pick up your own voice.

Other features from the XM4s are been transferred to the XM5 including its adaptive ANC system that automatically optimizes performance based on your surroundings. The 'Wearing Detection" feature detects when the headset is removed, and will pause music or video. It will resume it as soon as the headset is put back on. It's compatible with Sony's DSEE Extreme Engine, which increases the quality of compressed music to nearly hi-res quality.

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 however they don't feature the same active noise cancellation features as the WH1000XM5s. The WH-1000XM4s feature a more powerful Bluetooth connection as well as a more efficient noise cancellation algorithm. They also have an audio chip that enhances music to HD quality and has advanced voice controls.

The most significant improvement in this latest model is that Sony has made the WH-1000XM4s more comfortable than before by adding padding around the headband, and moving the microphones towards the outside of the ears. This makes them more comfortable to listen to for longer periods of time.

You can also select between five different sound settings depending on the surroundings. Sony headphones come with an app that allows you to alter your EQ settings. The app lets you track your activity, and then automatically adjust the settings. They are an excellent choice for travelers.

The WH-1000XM4 also has improved its noise cancellation. It is now more effective thanks to the greater sensitivity and improved filtering of low frequencies. You can test this by taking a look at a graph similar to the one below, where higher peaks indicate more sounds are being blocked out. The WH-1000XM4s are also better at reducing low-frequency sounds like the hum of an air conditioner or the constant rumble of a plane engine than any other pair of noise-canceling headphones that we've tried.

The WH1000XM4s are equipped with a range of excellent features, including a 30-hour battery life and a USB-C charge port. They also feature Quick Alert, which lets users touch the right earcup to reduce the music and turn on transparency mode; Speak To Chat stops media when you speak (and is effective, even though it may not always detect taps), and Sony's Smart Listening technology, which can recognize and analyze your surroundings to provide superior 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've been replaced by the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 701 that will be available in 2021. However they remain popular and affordable.

The QC35 II are a great pair of mixed usage wireless headphones that offer a comfortable fit, a neutral default sound profile, and outstanding noise cancelling over ear headphones isolation. They are ideal for travel or in noisy settings and last for more than a full day on a single battery charge. They are also compatible with most smart assistants, and are activated via a dedicated button. You can ask them to play music, answer trivia questions or read notifications from your smartphone.

The padding around the ears is a good size and will fit most ear shapes. They are also lightweight. The hinges on the housings fold down making them easy to pack into a bag or backpack. The controls are placed on the right-hand side and are simple to use. Playback can be controlled with tapping repeatedly that allow you to rewind or skip songs.

We heard The Beatles' Let It Be as well as the piano and drum beats. The QC35 II delivers crisp, clear audio with a smooth and detailed sound. They are able to detect subtleties such as Paul McCartney’s inconsistent timing as he builds to the chorus or Gerard Way’s snarl when he laments teenage personalism in teenagers.

The QC35 II can be connected to up to two devices at once and are compatible with most smart assistants. The QC35 II also come with a carry case and a USB cable that is quick to charge.

4. Sony WH-CH720N

Sony is known for producing high-quality headphones that are priced at a reasonable price. The budget-friendly WHCH720N earphones from Sony aren't any different. These headphones come with many of the same features of the WH1000XM5 flagship headphones, but in an affordable design. They also offer a decent amount of active noise cancellation at a very low cost.

These headphones feature dynamic drivers of 30mm that offer crisp high-frequency sound and a full bass. These headphones have an unbalanced sound that works well with different genres of music. They also have a large, immersive soundstage.

The WH-CH720N headphones come with buttons instead of the gestures or touch controls used by the XM5 headphones. This could be a bit of an issue, since the buttons initially seem confusing. The controls are intelligently placed and clearly labeled. Double pressing of the+' button can pause and play audio. A single press reduces the volume. By pressing and holding the button, voice assistants are launched and calls are rejected.

The headphones can last for up to 35 hours with ANC on. This is the best battery life we've seen in headphones that are over-ear. They also feature a standby mode to assist in preserving battery.

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

5. B&W PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 follow on from the success of their predecessor, but are not an unfinished update that rides on its own. They sport a sleeker style and a new application. They live up to their promise of top-quality build and sound that accurately conveys artistic intent. They're also incredibly comfortable and a treat to wear throughout the day.

They don't have the same noise cancellation capabilities as the Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II or the Sony WH1000XM5, however, they're effective of blocking out ambient noise so you can concentrate on your podcasts or music. They feature a six-microphone setup (four for the noise cancellation and two for voice pick-up) and a redesigned algorithm which reduce ambient sound by 30dB. They're also one of only a handful of Bluetooth headphones that we've tested that can be used passively which allows users to listen to their music without powering up the drive units.

They also work with the B&W Music app, a free download that delivers an array of features that go along with the great noise cancellation. The Quick Action button can be set to turn on the voice assistant on your device and cycle through three settings for the environment and display battery life. Annoyingly, you have to press and hold the button - pressing it once would be easier and Noise Cancelling Over Ear Headphones more intuitive.

The PX7 S2 is an audiophile pair that will delight lovers of music. The PX7 S2 aren't suitable for extreme music genres like metal and Noise cancelling over ear headphones rock, which favor bass-heavy productions and muddy low frequencies as they are to classical, folk, and Acoustic. However, they will still impress those who appreciate the audiophile credential, which is also practical and easy to use.