Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?

Noise-cancelling headphones are an absolute blessing for those who love to listen whether in the office or in the train. Which ones are the best, though?

With a brand new design that is a step up in sound quality, and a wealth of features, Sony's new flagship headphones offer exceptional value. From the powerful chorus to Sinead O'Connor's trembling bridge, these headphones deliver amazing clarity and realism.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony is the leader in noise cancellation and its WH1000XM5 headphones are among the most advanced version of this model. A few well-thought-out upgrades over ear headphones with noise cancelling the XM4s makes this model an all-around excellent pair of headphones, particularly for commuters and travelers. They are comfortable, feature multipoint technology to connect two devices simultaneously, and offer the Best Noise Cancelling Over Ear Headphones ANC Sony has ever made. They're also lightweight and offer approximately 27 hours of playback with no charging, which is enough for a week's worth commutes or a long-haul flight.

The WH-1000XM5s have an elegant minimalist design and are made of a recycled and recyclable plastic known as acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS). The branding is minimal, although you'll find the tiny 'Sony' logo on the hinge of each earcup. The earcups and headband are cushioned with plush soft material that is comfortable on all heads. The earcups can be adjusted so that they be perfectly sized for you.

In contrast to previous models, which focused on reducing low frequency noise, the XM5s amplify sound waves with high frequencies to block out background noise. This improves the overall sound quality and helps to reduce engine and cabin noises during flights. The XM5s have another processor to enhance noise cancellation more on planes and the audio app can also automatically adapt the listening environment to data on air pressure.

The WH-1000XM5s also has an integrated voice assistant that is simple to use, and works with Alexa as well as Google Assistant, Siri, and many more. The XM5s can be paired with other Sony audio devices to provide stereo separation and multi-room music. They are compatible with Bluetooth high-bitrate streaming audio using Sony's LDAC but not aptX or HD.

2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

If a company has been manufacturing headphones for longer than Sennheiser, you expect class-leading sound quality and a comfy fit. With their new over ear noise cancelling headphones wireless-ears, called Momentum 4 Wireless, they deliver on both fronts. They've updated the design to remove some of the distinctive elements that gave the original models their aviator headset look 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.

The new model is also more portable, since it folds up and is a bit smaller. The earpads and headband are made of synthetic PU leather, which feels comfortable on my head when I wear it throughout the day. They're also not extremely tight, which means you can wear them for long flights, or even during your workouts.

The sound is smooth and clear, however there are some highs which can cause a bit of discoloration to mixes. The bass is overemphasized, adding a bit of energy and thump to genres like EDM or hip-hop. It's not an issue, but some listeners may find it annoying. The high-mid also has a sloppy balance that brings instruments and vocals forward in the mix, but at the cost of bringing out some sibilants.

The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless is equipped with all the usual features including bluetooth wireless connectivity, a transparent mode that mixes outside sounds into your music to increase awareness and mobile application support for custom and preset EQ options. You can also connect a 3.5mm cord to connect your phone. They can connect to your device using SBC, AAC HD, and aptX Adaptive codes, and they can cut down the latency by as much as one quarter second.

3. B&W PX7 S2

Since their release, the original PX7s have been on numerous lists of the top Bluetooth headphones, topping them in many cases thanks to their exceptional ANC and strong sound quality. The PX7s, as with many wireless headphones, were becoming old and needed a refresh. Therefore, the PX7S2. B&W hasn't just redesigned the design of the new version, but has made substantial improvements to ANC and also added more voice-calling features, too.

The PX7 S2 headphones are extremely light, making them comfortable for long listening sessions. A lot of the design is reminiscent of the previous model, such as the sleek oval aluminum earcup top-plate and the hook-like accent on the headband that glids instead of clicking as you expand it, and the actual buttons. The earcups, however are smaller, and the headband isn't as substantial.

The software of B&W lets you alter the EQ settings for bass and treble. However you do not have as much control as you do with more expensive headphones. The Quick Action button on left earcups switches the modes of the environment. It can also be set to activate the voice assistant of your device through the Bowers & Wilkins Music App.

The PX7 S2 sounds great for the majority of musical styles, with a soundstages that have plenty of space and excellent separation between the various sounds. It shines particularly on pieces featuring acoustic instruments such as Rachmaninoff's Cello Sonata in G Minor Op. The 19 by Yuja Wang and Gautier Capucon, which has woody tones with a sense air. It can take on heavier music too. The bass punch and midrange clarity on Entombed's crossover of garage and deathn'roll To Ride, Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth The album is a wall of noise cancelling over ear headphones while allowing you to be able to hear vocal details such as Lars-Goran Petrov’s gritty growl.

4. Bose QuietComfort 35

Bose is among the first companies to bring active noise cancelling headphones to the mainstream. They held the market for years, but they now must compete with more modern headsets which offer more features and best noise cancelling over ear headphones better sound quality. QuietComfort 35 remains a great choice for anyone looking to listen to their music or podcasts without hums or rumbles.

They're also comfortable to wear and come with a an excellently balanced default sound profile. The ANC does a fantastic job of removing background noise cancelling headphones wireless, although it tends to focus on low frequencies more than the latest headphones such as the Sony WH-1000XM5.

The QC35s are a fantastic pair of headphones that can be used to listen to podcasts and audiobooks. They have a passive noise cancellation mode that blocks out ambient sounds while still keeping you isolated from your surroundings. The QC35s let you connect two Bluetooth devices at the same time and "audio-share" which allows you to listen to something with one pair of headphones and answer an incoming phone call on the other.

The Bose Connect App is decent but it doesn't offer the extensive EQ features of other headphone apps. The QC35s can also be used in wired mode, but the sound quality is significantly reduced and the battery longevity isn't as good as with wireless models.

The QC35s are an Bose product, which may not appeal to everyone. Other manufacturers offer sleeker designs. However, you can add a bit of personalization by buying a decal-covered cover-up from companies such as SlickWraps and Skin Sticker. You'll also be able to change the color of the earcups and headband later this year, similar to what you could with the earlier QC25 model.

5. Sony WH-1000XM3

Sony's WH1000XM3 is among the top wireless headphone that has active noise cancellation you can buy right now. They're a bit more costly than the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless, but they isolate a lot more ambient noise and feel more sturdy. They also have a premium companion app that provides numerous sound-related features that can be customized.

The XM3s have a great sound quality, and ever since their release they've been improved to deliver an even better experience. They're equipped with a little more detail in the frequency spectrum. Their noise cancelling is better at all levels of volume. They also have upgraded controls like Quick Attention mode and Speak-to-Chat. They also have a new feature called Adaptive Sound Control that automatically adjusts the amount of external sound let in based on where you are and what you're doing.

However, they are not without their flaws. The treble may be occasionally a bit overpowering and the midrange is slightly more recessed. They tend to boost bass too much in some tracks, which makes the sound seem too loud and heavy. This can be corrected by using the Sony app or in the headphone setting.

The XM3s make a great pair headphones, especially for commuters or frequent travelers. They are more comfortable, appear and feel premium, and are more durable over the JBL Live 650 BTNC wireless. They also have a more powerful battery, and one of the best features for noise cancellation available. They are also more versatile and more suitable for use on the go than Audio-Technica's ATH-M50X wireless, although their noise isolation is less impressive. They're also not waterproof, which could be a problem for some.