Think You're Cut Out For Doing Noise Cancelling Headphones? Check…

Best Over-Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones

Noise cancelling headphones are a great method to keep your focus no matter if you're on a train with a loud hum or in a workplace filled with chatty colleagues. We looked at the comfort, audio quality, and 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

Sony's WH1000XM5 headphones are a top option for premium ANC. The WH-1000XM5 was first released in 2016 and is a great option for anyone who wants to listen to their favorite podcasts or music without distractions. This latest model of the series marks its first major redesign and comes with a variety of exciting features. The headphones are also environmentally friendly, with no plastic packaging. They provide excellent noise cancellation and clear audio.

The WH-1000XM5 is unmatched in its noise cancellation when enabled. The act of putting on a pair headphones creates the illusion of silence, which blocks out the noise of subway and train engines, as well as neighboring conversations. These headphones are also some of the best ANCs to block out low-frequency drones, bass hums, and other noises.

Another feature that is great is Ambient Sound Control, which adjusts the acoustic balancing based on the environment you're in. For example, if you're at home listening to your favorite album, the WH-1000XM5 will switch to a more immersive listening experience. On the other side in the event that you're walking down the streets, they'll switch to an enhanced sound profile to give you greater awareness of your surroundings.

The earcups on the WH1000XM5 feature a an earpiece that can be controlled by gestures on the right side. It can be used to switch tracks or play music, as well as pause and pause. You can also use the voice assistant to adjust volume or search for content, and make phone calls that are hands-free. The headphones have an impressive frequency response consistency and provide an immersive, full stereo image. They also have an precise group delay that helps them maintain a consistent soundstage.

The WH-1000XM5s is able to be connected to two devices simultaneously. This is especially helpful when you're using your laptop to listen to music while making phone calls on your smartphone. They come with a built-in microphone and USB-C ports for charging. They also come with a cable for direct analog playback. The battery lasts for about 30 hours. It can last for a week or even a long trip.

Bose QuietComfort 45

The Bose QuietComfort 45 is the latest update to the premium headphones manufacturer's flagship model. It was released in September 2021 and it is priced lower than the Sony WH1000XM4 by about PS320, $329, or AU$439 compared to its 700-sibling. It offers the best active noise cancellation and features such as voice assistant support, automatic pausing and automatic pausing when you take off the headphones. The design is also more comfortable than previous models. However, there are some things to be aware of. Some users may be unable to adjust to the touch-sensitive buttons on sides of the earcups, which require pressure in order to activate. You can adjust ANC, and toggle a "aware" setting which allows ambient sound to be heard. However, you can't remove the audio.

The headphones are an excellent choice for those searching for high-end headphones to wear in trains or on a plane or at home when working. They come with an extended battery life with excellent noise cancellation as well as clear audio. They also have multipoint Bluetooth which allows them to be paired to two devices at once and switch between them with the press of a button. They also have an app that isn't quite as customizable as other competitors but it still has a lot of useful features.

The QC45s also come with an active noise cancelling feature that's very efficient. In my tests, it can be somewhat loud at times. However, the passive EQ modes are more balanced and offer greater control over ear headphones with noise cancelling (on the main page) your music's sound characteristic. If you listen to songs that contain high levels of cymbal shimmer you might notice that your headphones are irritating. This can be easily fixed by lowering the frequency of 3-20kHz on your music player's equalizer.

The QC45s offer top-notch ANC at a reasonable price. Some might be disappointed with the omissions of some features, such as adjustable ANC/transparency and EQ, as well as an occasional drop in quality of calls. They are comfortable to wear and come with a USB-C charging port.

Shure Aonic 50

Shure's Aonic 50 are a premium pair of headphones that place an emphasis on audio quality. They use a 50mm dynamic driver, and are packed with high-resolution code to provide the best possible Bluetooth music playback. The headphones offer a balanced sound with rich detail across the frequency range. They also have a natural sense space and location, so that you can feel the vibrancy of each note and the movement of the sounds around you.

The headphones are a little heavier than their competitors at 334g, however they're comfortable to wear for long listening sessions. The headband is placed on the top of your head without applying too much pressure. Additionally, the earcups are well-padded, making them extremely comfortable. They're also very portable. They fold flat and easily be put away in the carrying case.

On the right earcup are the usual controls, including playback, volume, and power/pairing. You can toggle between noise-cancelling mode, neutral mode and what Shure calls "Environment Mode" by using a slider at the top. Environment mode allows more noise from outside to pass through it, which is useful in situations where you have to be aware of your surroundings. The controls are good, but there is some time between pressing the buttons and what happens (i.e. If you press play while on a phone call, you might end up playing music in your ears instead of calling mom. The phones don't have microphones, but they do have an audio response by Google Assistant. Their mics can also be used to filter out background noise when calling.

They operate on one battery that lasts for up to 20 hours, which should suffice for most. The USB cable is included to charge your phone. It's not as convenient as Bluetooth but you can listen to your music while you recharge. They are also compatible with audio devices with 2.5mm ports, so you can take them on the road.

Monoprice BT600ANC

The Monoprice B-600ANC Bluetooth over ear wireless headphones noise cancelling-ear noise cancelling headphones include all the features you want in a pair of wireless headphones at less than the cost. They feature high-quality Qualcomm aptX HD Audio, an advanced type of Active Noise Cancelling and the ability to fold down for portable use that makes them easy to put in the backpack or carry bag. The headphones are great for students and commuters because they feature an extremely long-lasting battery that lets you to listen throughout the day. The headphones also feature comfortable touch controls that allow users to swipe or tap to alter the volume or skip tracks.

The BT-600ANC headphones sport an uncluttered design that reminds us of the Monoprice M1000ANC headphone we looked at last year. They are matte gray and not branded, and do not stand out in public, however they feature an incredibly soft comfortable fit that will appeal to most ears. The compact size of these headphones and the included carrying case makes them perfect for traveling.

They are lightweight and offer excellent passive isolation with the ear cups encased in leatherette. The headband is also soft and provides plenty of adjustability without being too bulky or slouchy. The headbands are large enough to accommodate glasses-wearers. They will fit most people.

Monoprice's ANC is reliable and doesn't sound as tinny as other brands. It has a slight boost between 100-200Hz, which gives a fuller sound to bass notes. The opening track of Good 4 U, by Olivia Rodrigo, shows a full response. However they have a noticeable drop-off in the higher frequencies that go above 10kHz, over ear noise cancelling headphones meaning that the shaker and cymbal sound won't be as crisp and clear as other headsets.

You can switch between three ANC modes: low, medium and higher. The low setting is great for reducing ambient noise, but it does not block out traffic and loud conversations. The medium setting works in a variety of environments. The high setting will keep you insulated from everything except your music. The control buttons on the earcups can be a bit difficult to operate at first. Swiping upwards or downwards on the pad controls the volume, while tapping or shifting left or right alters the track. You can also double-tap to play a pause or answer a call. It takes time to get used to this system, but once you do you will find it very useful.