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Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?

Noise-cancelling headphones are an absolute blessing for anyone who enjoys listening whether in the office or commuting on the train. Which ones are the best over ear headphones noise-cancelling, though?

Sony's flagship headphones are an excellent value. They feature a brand new design and superior audio quality as well as impressive features. From the forceful chorus to Sinead's trembling bridge, bose quietcomfort 35 ii over ear noise cancelling bluetooth headphones these headphones provide incredible clarity and realism.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony is a pro at noise cancellation, and its WH1000XM5 headphones are the best iteration of this line. This model is an excellent pair of headphones, particularly for those who commute or travel. They're comfortable, feature multipoint technology to connect to two devices at once and feature the most advanced ANC Sony has produced yet. They're also lightweight and offer about 27 hours of playback with no charging, which is enough for a week's worth commutes or a long-haul flight.

The WH-1000XM5s sport an elegant, minimalist design and are made of a recycled and recyclable plastic known as acrylonitrile butadiene (ABS). The branding is minimal, although you'll find the 'Sony' logo on the hinge of each earcup. The earcups and headbands are made of a soft, plush material that is comfortable for all types of heads apart from the biggest. The ears can be adjusted to fit you perfectly.

In contrast to previous models, which were focused on reducing low frequency noise, the XM5s amplify the sound waves at higher frequencies to cancel out background noise. That improves overall sound quality and helps to block out engine and cabin noise on flights, for example. The XM5s come with an additional processor bose quietcomfort 35 ii over ear noise cancelling bluetooth headphones that can increase noise cancellation more for airplanes, and the audio app can also automatically adapt your listening environment using air pressure data.

The WH-1000XM5s also has an assistant for voice that is easy to use, and it works with Alexa as well as Google Assistant, Siri, and many more. The XM5s can be connected with other Sony audio devices to provide stereo separation and multi-room music. They're compatible with Bluetooth high-bitrate audio streaming using LDAC codec from Sony, but don't support aptX or aptX HD.

2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

Sennheiser has been manufacturing headphones for more than 50 years. You can expect superior sound quality, and a comfortable fit. They deliver on both fronts with their latest headphones, dubbed the Momentum 4 Wireless. They've updated the design to remove some of the trademark elements that gave the previous models the look of an aviator headset and also improved their active noise cancellation using their advanced Adaptive Noise Cancellation technology. The headphones are designed to last for 60 hours with ANC on, which is double the battery life of a lot of competitors.

They're also more mobile than the previous model as they fold up and are much smaller overall. The earpads and headband are made of artificial PU leather that feels comfortable on my head even when I wear it throughout the day. They're also not extremely tight, which means you can wear them on long flights, or even during your workouts.

The sound is smooth and clear, however there are some highs that can add a bit of muddiness to mixes. The bass is overemphasised, adding some extra energy and thump to genres like EDM or hip-hop. It's not a big deal, but it may bother some listeners. The high-mid also isn't balanced in bringing instruments and vocals forward in the mix but at the expense of bringing out some vocals.

The Sennheiser momentum 4 wireless has all the usual features such as Bluetooth wireless connectivity, a translucent mode that blends outside noises into your music to improve awareness, and mobile application support for pre-set and custom EQ options. They can also be connected with a 3.5mm cable if you're connecting your phone to it via wire. They can use SBC, AAC, aptX HD, and aptX Adaptive codecs to connect to your device and they're able to cut down the latency to as little as 25 and that's a huge benefit.

3. B&W PX7 S2

The original PX7s were a top pick on many lists of the best Bluetooth headsets due to their excellent ANC and sound quality. The PX7s, like most wireless headphones, were becoming old and needed a refresh. Therefore, the PX7S2. B&W not only changed the design however, they also made improvements to ANC, and added more features for voice calling.

The PX7 S2 headphones are very light, making them comfortable for long listening sessions. A lot of the look is reminiscent of the previous model, like the cool oval aluminium earcup top-plate, the hook-like accent on the headband that glids rather than clicks as you expand it and the actual buttons. The earcups are smaller though, and the headband is less bulky overall.

The software of B&W lets you alter the EQ settings for the bass and treble. However you don't have as much control as you do with more expensive headphones. A Quick Action button on the left earcup toggles environmental modes and can be configured within the Bowers & Wilkins Music app to activate your device's voice assistant.

The PX7 S2 sounds great for most musical styles, with the soundstage offering plenty of width and good separation between the various sound elements. It is particularly impressive on selections that feature acoustic instrumentation, such as Rachmaninoff’s Cello Sonata, Op. The 19 by Yuja Wang and Gautier Capucon, which has woody tones and a sense of air. It's also able to handle heavier songs and has the bass sound and midrange clarity of Entombed's fusion of garage and death-n'-roll, Ride, Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth providing an impressive sound wall while keeping things clear enough to be able hear the vocals, such as Lars-Goran Petrov's sharp growl.

4. Bose QuietComfort 35

Bose was one of the first companies to bring active noise cancelling headphones into the mainstream. They had a stranglehold for years, but they now have to compete with newer headsets which offer more features and superior audio quality. However, the QuietComfort 35 is still a great option for anyone looking to hear their podcasts or music without being interrupted by constant buzzing and rumbles.

They're comfortable to wear and come with a an excellently balanced default sound profile. The ANC is great at removing background noise. However, it tends to emphasize lower frequencies more than other headphones such as the Sony WH1000XM5.

If you're seeking a pair that can be used to listen to audiobooks or podcasts, the QC35s have an impressive passive noise cancellation mode that reduces ambient noise while keeping you adrift from the sounds of the surrounding environment. The QC35s permit you to connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and also "audio-share", so you can listen to something on one set of headphones while taking an incoming call with the other.

The bose quietcomfort 35 ii over ear noise cancelling bluetooth headphones Connect app is decent but it doesn't have the vast EQ options that other headphone apps. The QC35s are also used in wired mode with a cable, but the quality of sound takes a huge loss and they don't have the same battery life as wireless models.

The QC35s come with a well-known Bose style that may not be as appealing to some people than the more modern designs of other manufacturers. You can personalize your headphones by purchasing a decal cover from companies like SlickWraps or Skin Sticker. In the coming year you'll be able to customize the color of the earcups and headbands, just like the older QC25.

5. Sony WH-1000XM3

Sony's WH1000XM3 are the most effective wireless headphones that have active noise cancellation you can get today. They're more expensive than Anker Soundcore Q20 Wireless but they isolate more background noise. They also have a superior companion app that provides numerous sound-related features that can be customized.

The XM3s have a great sound quality, and ever since their launch, they've been upgraded to provide the best performance. They have a little bit more detail in the frequency spectrum. The noise cancellation is more effective at all levels of volume. They also have improved controls, such as Quick Attention mode and Speak-to chat. They also have a new feature called Adaptive Sound Control that automatically adjusts how much external sound is allowed in based on where you're at and what you're doing.

However, they aren't without their shortcomings. The midrange can sound receding, and the treble may sometimes be too loud. They also have a tendency to boost the bass too much in certain tracks, making them sound overly full and heavy. But that's something you can correct in the headphone settings or by using EQ adjustment within the Sony app.

The XM3s are a great pair of headphones, especially for commuters and frequent travelers. They are more comfortable, look and feels premium, and are more durable in comparison to the JBL Live 650 BTNC wireless. They also have a better battery and one of the best noise cancelling features available. They're also more adaptable and more suitable for use on mobile devices than the Audio-Technica's ATH-M50X Wireless, although they have less impressive noise cancellation. They're not waterproof, and that could be a problem for some.