Best Over-Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones
If you travel on a noisy public transportation or work in a noisy office with chatty colleagues Noise cancelling headphones provide the sonic buffer you require to remain focused. We examined the comfort, the sound quality, as well as the ability to block high-frequency continuous sounds such as restaurant chatter or incidental noises of short duration such as ringing phone or clacking keys.
Sony WH-1000XM5
If you’re looking for premium ANC headphones, Sony’s flagship WH-1000XM5 is a go-to. It was first released in the year 2016 in the WH-1000XM5 model, it is among the top choices for those who wants to listen to their favourite music or podcasts without distractions. This latest version of the series marks its first major redesign and comes with a variety of exciting features. The headphones are also environmentally friendly, with no packaging made of plastic. They offer excellent noise cancellation and crisp audio.
When it is enabled, the WH1000XM5’s sennheiser noise cancelling headphones cancellation is unbeatable. Strapping on a pair of headphones creates a cone of silence, which blocks out the noise of subway and train engines as well as other conversations. These headphones are also among the best ANCs to block out low-frequency drones, bass hums, and other sounds.
Another great feature is Ambient Sound Control, which adjusts the audio balancing according to the environment you’re in. For example, if you’re at home listening to your favorite album the WH-1000XM5 will change to an immersive listening experience. If you’re walking down the street, they’ll change to more focused profiles to help you be more aware of the surrounding.
The earcups on the WH1000XM5 feature a touchscreen controls that are sensitive to gestures on the right side. It can be used to change tracks, pause and play music. You can also use the voice assistant to adjust the volume or search for content, and make phone calls that are hands-free. The headphones have an remarkable frequency response consistency and provide a full, rich stereo image. They also have an incredibly accurate group delay, which helps them maintain an even soundstage.
Another plus is the possibility of connecting the WH-1000XM5s to two devices simultaneously. This is particularly useful if you’re using your laptop to listen to music while taking phone calls on your smartphone. They have a built-in mic and an USB-C port to charge. The headphones include a cable that allows for direct analog playback. The battery life is around 30 hours. This can last you one week or more, and even a long flight.
Bose QuietComfort 45
The Bose QuietComfort 45 is the latest update to the premium headphones maker’s flagship model. It launched in September 2021 and undercuts the WH-1000XM4 from Sony and its 700 sibling by about PS320 / $329 / $439 AUD. In terms of performance it has top-of-the-line active noise cancellation, as well as features such as voice assistant support as well as automatic pause when you remove the headphones. The design is also a lot more comfortable than previous models. However, there are a few things you should know. The buttons on the back of the ear cups are now touch-sensitive and require pressure to activate, so it may be difficult for some to get used to. You can adjust ANC and toggle an “aware” mode which allows ambient sounds, you cannot completely shut off the audio.
The headsets are still a great buy for anyone searching for premium headphones to wear on trains or on a plane or at home while working. They feature a long-lasting battery, excellent noise cancellation, and clear sound. They also come with multipoint Bluetooth, which means they can be linked to two devices at the same time and jump between them with just a touch. They also have an app that’s not as customizable as the other apps but it still has a lot of useful features.
The QC45s come with a highly effective active noise cancellation feature. It can be too loud at times. However, the passive EQ modes are better balanced and give you more control over the music’s sound characteristic. If you’re listening to music that has a lot of cymbal shimmer, you might find the headphones grating slightly, but this is easily fixed by reducing 3-20kHz in the EQ settings of your music player.
The QC45s offer top-notch ANC at a reasonable price. Some users may be disappointed with the omissions of certain features like adjustable ANC/transparency, EQ and some slight decreases in the quality of calls. They are also comfortable to wear for a long time and have fast charging with a USB-C port.
Shure Aonic 50
Shure’s Aonic 50 headphones are premium headphones that focus on audio. Their drivers utilize a massive 50mm dynamic driver and they’re packed with high-resolution codecs to give the best quality music playback over Bluetooth. The headphones have a balanced sound that is full of detail across the frequency range and they have a natural sense space and location, so that you can feel the reverberation of each note and the reverberation of music around you.
They’re a bit heavier than the other models at 334g but they still are comfortable enough for long listening sessions. The headband sits on top of your head without putting too much pressure and the earcups are well-padded, making them very comfortable. They’re also fairly mobile – they fold down and can be stored in the carry case that’s an excellent feature.
There’s a basic set of controls located on the right earcup, including playback, volume and power/pairing. A slider near the top allows you to change between noise cancellation, a neutral mode and what Shure calls “Environment Mode”. The Environment Mode permits more outside noise to pass through. This can be beneficial when you want to be conscious of your surroundings. The controls are good however there is some delay between pressing the buttons and when it happens (i.e. If you press the play button while on a phone call, you might end up blasting music in your ears instead of calling mom. The phones don’t come with microphones, but they do have an audio response by Google Assistant. Their mics can also be used to filter out background noise while on the phone.
They are powered by one battery that can last for up to 20 hours, which should suffice for most. They do come with a USB cable that connects to your phone for charging however it’s not as easy as using Bluetooth, but it’s a great feature to have and ensures you can play your music back after recharging. They’re also compatible with most audio devices with a 2.5mm port, so you can use them when you’re on the move.
Monoprice BT600ANC
The Monoprice BT-600ANC Bluetooth over ear noise cancelling headphones wireless cancelling headphones include all the features you need in a pair of wireless headphones for a fraction of the price. They feature high-quality Qualcomm aptX HD Audio, a cutting-edge version of Active Noise Cancelling as well as an easy-to-fold design that makes them easy to put in bags for backpacks or in a carry bag. They are an excellent choice for students or commuters. They come with a long battery life that allows you to listen all throughout the day. The headphones noise cancelling also come with convenient touch controls, which allow you to swipe or tap to change the volume and skip tracks.
The BT-600ANC headphones have a minimalistic design that reminds us of the Monoprice M1000ANC headphone we have reviewed last year. The headsets are gray in color, barely branded, and do not really stand out in the crowd. However, they offer an incredibly soft and comfortable fit that is suitable for most ears. Their compact size and carrying case make them perfect for travel.
The ear cups are covered in leatherette, and offer excellent isolation through passive. The headband is also comfortable and provides plenty of adjustability, without being too bulky or slouchy. The headbands are wide enough to accommodate glasses wearers. They are suitable for most people.
Monoprice’s ANC is effective and doesn’t sound tinny like other brands. They have a slight boost between 100-200Hz, which gives a fuller sound to bass notes. The first track, Good 4 U, by Olivia Rodrigo, shows a full response. They have a sharp drop off in the upper frequencies above ten kHz. therefore shakers and cymbals won’t sound as clear and crisp.
It is possible to switch between three ANC modes: low, medium and higher. The low setting is ideal for blocking out most ambient noise, but it will not keep out traffic or conversations that are loud. The medium setting is suitable for most environments, and the high setting will keep you isolated from all other sounds, noise cancelling headphones Wireless except your own. The earcups have sensitive controls that require some getting used to. Swiping up and down on the pad controls volume, while tapping the pad or swiping it left right switches tracks. Double-taps can also be used to stop or answer a phone. This system takes some practice to get used to, but once you get the hang of it you will be able to use it.