The Best Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones
Whether you’re battling the sound of jet engines, or just want to block out the noise of your HVAC at home, you’ll need the best noise cancelling headphones for over-ear use. The new Sony WH1000XM5s are the best in active sound cancellation. Their predecessors were fantastic.
We’ve taken into account adjustable ANC as well as touch controls and on-ear detection (for pausing music when you take your headphones off). Our top picks feature high-quality audio, comfortable ear cups and ear cups that are spacious.
1. Sony WH-1000XM5
The fifth generation of Sony flagship headphones provides an impressive improvement over the previous models, offering improved noise cancellation and noise Cancelling over ear headphones superior audio quality. Its remarkable ANC creates a virtual cone over your head, blocking out the most shocking amount of low-frequency sound. The ear cups also block out mid- to treble range sounds such as passenger chatter as well as the sound of 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’re able to reproduce the rising and falling of Billie Eilish’s drums with astonishing depth and clarity, while also keeping edges clean and clear. It’s enjoyable listening to them during an extended flight or on a commute.
A capacitive touch-surface in the right ear cup handles the most commonly used controls, including play/pause, volume up/down, skip forwards/backwards and skip. It also allows you to call and end calls as well as switch between ANC and Noise cancelling over ear headphones ambient sound mode. You can also hold the power button for a few seconds to hear a voice telling you how much battery life is left.
The QN1 microphone is a significant improvement over the ear noise cancelling headphones the XM5s. It was 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 which makes it easier to pick up your own voice.
The XM5 has also brought over certain features from the XM4s, such as the adaptive ANC system which automatically optimizes performance based on your surroundings. Its “Wearing Detection is now able to detect when you remove the headset, and then pauses video or music and then restarts it as soon as you put them back on. It’s compatible with Sony’s DSEE Extreme Engine, which upscales compressed music to near high-res quality.
2. Sony WH-1000XM4
The WH1000XM4s by Sony are the latest version of their industry-leading over-ear headphones. They offer class-leading performance although they don’t come with the same active noise cancellation as the WH1000XM5s. The WH-1000XM4s boast a stronger Bluetooth connection and an improved noise cancellation algorithm. They also feature an audio chip that increases the sound quality to HD quality, as well as advanced voice controls.
The biggest improvement in the latest model is that Sony has made the WH-1000XM4s more comfortable than before by putting padding on the headband and moving the microphones towards the outside of the ears. This makes them more comfortable to listen to for long periods of time.
You can also switch between five different sound settings depending on the environment. Sony headphones have an app that lets you to modify your EQ settings. They’re an excellent choice for those who travel and the app allows you to track your activity and automatically optimize the settings as you go.
The WH-1000XM4 has also enhanced its noise cancellation. It is now more effective due to its greater sensitivity and improved filtering of low frequencies. You can examine this by looking at a graph like the one above, with higher peaks indicate that more sounds are being blocked out. The WH-1000XM4s can also be more effective at reducing low-frequency sounds such as the hum of an air conditioning unit or the constant rumble of a plane engine than any other pair of noise-canceling headsets we’ve tested.
The WH-1000XM4s are still equipped with a many great features which include the battery that can last up to 30 hours and an integrated USB-C charging port. They also come with Quick Alert, a feature that lets you press the right earcup and then dampen music to enable transparency mode. Speak to Chat, in turn, pauses media when your voice is raised (and it works great but sometimes it fails to recognize taps) and Sony’s Smart Listening Technology, which can detect your environment and deliver better audio.
3. Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II
The Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II (or QC35 Wireless 2018) are earbuds which were released in September 2017. While they have been succeeded by the 2021-released Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 They’re still a hit and affordable, and are worth a look if you’re looking for an active noise cancelling headphone.
The QC35 II are a great pair of mixed usage wireless headphones that provide a comfortable fit and a neutral sound profile and excellent noise isolation. They are ideal for travel or in noisy environments and last more than a day on a single charge. They also work with the majority of smart assistants and can be activated with a dedicated button. You can ask them to play music and answer trivia questions or read your smartphone notifications.
The padding around the ears is wide and can fit most types of ear. They are also lightweight. The hinges on the housings fold down making them easy to fit into bags or backpacks. The controls are placed on the right-hand side of the headphones and are easy to use. A series of taps will control playback, including skipping and rewinding songs.
We heard The Beatles’ Let It Be as well as the drum and piano beats. The QC35 II delivers crisp, clear audio with a well-rounded and detailed sound. They can pick up subtleties such as Paul McCartney’s unsteady timing as he builds up 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 is compatible with the majority of smart assistants. The QC35 II also come with an accessory case for carrying and a USB cable that charges quickly.
4. Sony WH-CH720N
Sony is a brand known for producing excellent headphones at a relatively low price. The budget-friendly WHCH720N earphones from Sony aren’t any different. These headphones come with many of the same features of the flagship WH1000XM5 headphones, but in a more budget friendly design. They also offer a decent amount of active noise cancelling at a very low cost.
These headphones feature powerful drivers that measure 30mm in size. They deliver crisp high frequencies and plenty of bass. They also feature an even tuning to make them sound great with a variety of genres of music. They also have a large soundstage that allows you to get a sense of being immersed in the music.
The WH-CH720N headphones have buttons instead of the touch controls and gestures of the XM5 headphones. This could be a bit of an issue as the buttons are initially confusing. Luckily, the headphones have clear labels and the controls are placed intelligently. Double presses of the ‘+’ button can pause and play audio. A single press lowers the volume. When you press and hold the button the button, voice assistants will be launched and calls are turned down.
With ANC enabled, these headphones can last about 35 hours before running out of power. This is the highest battery life we’ve seen in headphones that are over-ear. They come with a standby feature to help conserve battery.
Bluetooth allows users to connect the WHCH720N headphones to Android and iOS devices. They support LDAC which allows them to play high-quality audio on compatible devices. They are also compatible with PlayStation consoles with an analog 1/8″TRS cable. They can also be used on a computer with the included USB dongle. The Sony Headphones Connect app lets you personalize your headphones using an adjustable EQ slider and presets as well as multipoint connectivity, and secure listening.
5. B&W PX7 S2
The PX7 S2 follow on from an extremely successful predecessor, but are by no means an unfinished update that rides on its coattails. With a more modern design and a new application and a new app, they fulfill the promise of premium build quality and sound that is that accurately conveys artistic intention. They are also extremely comfortable to wear all day.
They don’t offer the same noise cancellation as the Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II or the Sony WH1000XM5, however, they are effective of blocking out ambient noise so you can concentrate on your music or podcasts. They use a six-strong microphone setup (four for Noise cancelling over ear Headphones cancellation and two for voice pick up) and a revised algorithm that cuts ambient sound by 30dB. They’re also one of the few Bluetooth headphones we’ve tested that can be used in a passive mode, allowing users to listen to content by themselves, with no power being applied to the drive units.
The B&W Music app is also compatible with a free download that includes a variety of features that compliment the excellent noise cancellation. It includes the Quick Action button that cycles through the three environmental modes, displays battery life and can be configured to launch your device’s voice assistant. It’s a pain to press and hold it for a while. A single press is more intuitive and easier.
The PX7 S2 are an remarkable pair of headphones which should delight most music fans. They’re not as well suited to the demanding music of genres like metal and rock, which tend to favour heavy bass and muddy low frequencies like they are to classics, folk, and Acoustic music, but can still impress those who appreciate the audiophile ethos that’s also practical and comfortable.