Noise Cancelling Over Ear Headphones: It's Not As Difficult As Yo…

The Best Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones

When you're trying to block out the roar of jet engines or just want to block out the noise of your HVAC at home, you need the top noise cancelling over-ear headphones. The latest Sony WH-1000XM5s have become the new leaders in active noise cancellation and their predecessors were also fantastic.

We've taken into consideration the adjustability of ANC as well as touch controls and on-ear detection (for pausing music when you take off your headphones). Our top picks have high-resolution audio, comfortable ear cups and spacious ear cups.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

The fifth generation of Sony's flagship headphones is a major upgrade over its predecessor, with better noise cancellation and improved audio quality. Its impressive ANC creates a virtual cone on top of your head, suffocating an astonishing amount of low-frequency sounds. The earphones block mid- to treble range sounds such as passenger chatter or the creaking of metal, as well as clanging dishware.

The WH-1000XM5s sound very natural, unlike other noise cancelling headphones that sound hollow. They can render Billie Eilish’s drums with remarkable clarity, while keeping the edges clear and clean. It's a pleasure to listen to them on long flights or during commutes.

A capacitive touch-screen on the right earcup controls the most frequently used controls, including play/pause volume up/down and Bose over ear noise cancelling Headphones skip forwards/backwards. It can also stop and answer calls and switch between ANC mode and ambient sound. You can also hold the power button for a few seconds to hear a message indicating the remaining battery life.

The new QN1 microphone is a significant improvement over the XM5s. It was designed to capture high-quality audio when recording videos and podcasts. The microphone is more sensitive and has a greater audio range than previous models making it easier to hear your own voice.

Other features from the XM4s are carried over to the XM5 including its adaptive ANC system that automatically optimizes performance based on the environment. The 'Wearing Detection" feature detects when the headset is removed and pauses music or video. It will restart it once they are 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 WH-1000XM4s are a new iteration of Sony's industry-leading over-ear headphones, and although they don't have the same amount of active noise cancellation as the WH-1000XM5s, they provide superior performance. Alongside the improved Bluetooth and a more efficient noise-canceling algorithm, the WH1000XM4s boast a new audio chip that boosts music files to HD quality and more advanced voice controls.

The most significant improvement in this latest generation is that Sony has made the WH-1000XM4s softer than before by putting padding on the headband, and moving the microphones towards the outer edges of the ear. This makes them more comfortable to listen to for long periods.

They're also more flexible with the ability to switch between five modes of sound depending on the environment. Sony headphones have an app that lets you to alter your EQ settings. The app lets you keep track of your activities and then automatically adjust the settings. They are a great choice for those who travel.

Another major improvement is the WH-1000XM4's noise cancellation which has been made more effective by increasing the sensitiveness and improving the way it filters out low frequencies. You can check this out by studying a graph similar to the one below, where higher peaks indicate more sounds are being cancelled out. The WH-1000XM4s also better attenuate low-frequency sounds like the sound of an air cooling unit or the constant rumble of an airplane engine more than any other pair of noise-canceling headphones that we've tried.

The WH-1000XM4s have an impressive set of features, including a battery that lasts up to 30 hours and a built-in USB-C charging port. They also have Quick Alert, a feature that lets you press the right earcup to dampen music to activate transparency mode. Speak to Chat, in turn it pauses the media when you speak (and it works, although sometimes it does not recognize taps) in addition to Sony's Smart Listening Technology, which can detect your surroundings and deliver better audio.

3. Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II

The Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II (or QC35 Wireless 2018) are over-ear headphones which were released in September 2017. They have been replaced by the bose over ear noise cancelling headphones Noise Cancelling Headphones 701, which will be released in 2021. However they're still very popular and affordable.

The QC35 II is a great pair of headphones noise that can be used for both mixed and regular use. They provide a comfortable fit and a neutral sound profile by default. They also provide outstanding noise isolation. They can be used for travel or in noisy environments and last for more than a day on a single battery charge. They can also be used with a variety of smart assistants and are activated via the use of a specific button. You can ask them to play music and answer trivia questions or read notifications from your smartphone.

The padding around the ears is wide and will fit most ear shapes. They are also lightweight. The hinges on the housings fold down, making them easy to pack into backpacks or bags. The controls on the right side of the headphones are well placed and feel good to use. Playback can be controlled with tapping the buttons that allow you to rewind or skip songs.

For a good example of the quality you can expect from these Bose headphones, we played The Beatles' Let It Be and listened to drum beats and piano parts. The QC35 II deliver crisp, clear sound that is smooth and precise. They uncover subtleties in the vocals, for instance Paul McCartney's inconsistent timing when building up to the chorus, or Gerard Way's snarl while he sighs about the lack of individuality among Teenagers.

The QC35 II is compatible with the majority of smart assistants and can connect to two devices at once. The QC35 II also come with a carry case and a USB cable that can be charged quickly.

4. Sony WH-CH720N

Sony is known for making high-quality headphones that cost relatively little. The budget-friendly WHCH720N headphones from Sony are no exception. These headphones have many of the same features as the flagship WH1000XM5 headphones, but in a more budget friendly design. They also come with a decent amount of active noise cancelling at a very low cost.

Like the WH-1000XM5 headphones, these headphones have 30mm dynamic drivers that deliver ample bass and crisp high frequencies. These headphones have an even sound that blends well with a variety of genres of music. They also feature an expansive, immersive soundstage.

The WH-CH720N headphones have buttons instead of the gestures and touch controls of the XM5 headphones. This can be a of a drawback because the buttons can be confusing at first. The controls are strategically placed and clearly labeled. Double press of the '+' button pause and play audio. A single press reduces the volume. By pressing and holding the button the button, voice assistants will be launched and calls are turned down.

With ANC enabled the headphones will last for around 35 hours before they run out of power. This is the highest battery life we've seen in over-ear headphones. They have a standby function to help conserve battery.

The WH-CH720N headphones are connected to Android phones and iOS devices via Bluetooth. They are compatible with LDAC which allows them to play high-resolution audio on compatible devices. They're also compatible with PlayStation consoles that have an analog 1/8" TRS cable. They can be used as wired headphones on a computer using the included USB dongle. The Sony Headphones Connect app lets you personalize your headphones with an adjustable EQ slider, presets, multipoint connectivity, and secure listening.

5. B&W PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 follow on from an extremely successful predecessor, but aren't a half-baked update riding on its coattails. They sport a sleeker style and a brand-new application. They fulfill their promise of high-end build quality and sound that accurately communicates artistic intent. They are also extremely comfortable to wear all day.

Although they aren't as good as the noise cancellation of the Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II or the Sony WH-1000XM5, they do a very good job of keeping out environmental sounds and ensuring you're able to focus on your music, podcasts or gaming handheld without interruptions. They have a six-strong microphone setup (four to cancel noise and two for voice pick up) and a revised algorithm that reduces ambient sound by 30 decibels. They're also one of the few Bluetooth headphones we've tested that can be used in a passive mode, which allows you to listen to your 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 offers a range of features that complement the outstanding noise cancellation. The Quick Action button can be set to turn on your device's voice assistance and cycle through three environmental settings and display the battery's life. Annoyingly, you have to press and hold the button for a while - one press would be easier and more intuitive.

The PX7 S2 are a very remarkable pair of headphones that will please the majority of music lovers. They're not as well suited to the demanding music of genres such as rock and metal that are known to favor heavy bass and muddy low frequencies as they are to classics, folk, and acoustic music, but can still impress those who appreciate the audiophile ethos which is also practical and easy to use.