The Best Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones
You need the best noise-cancelling over-ear headphones for your needs, whether you need to block out the hum from your HVAC system or you need to block the roar of jet engine noises. The latest Sony WH-1000XM5s are among the latest leaders in active noise cancellation, and their predecessors are equally excellent.
We've taken into consideration the 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-resolution audio, comfortable ear cups and large earcups.
1. Sony WH-1000XM5
The fifth generation of Sony flagship headphones provides an impressive improvement over the previous models, offering enhanced noise cancellation and superior audio quality. Its impressive ANC creates a virtual cone over your head, absorbing the most shocking amount of low-frequency sound. The earphones block out mid- to treble range sounds such as passenger chatter or the creaking of metal, as well as the clanging of dishware.
The WH-1000XM5s sound natural, unlike some noise cancelling headphones that sound hollow. They're able to render the rising and falling of the drums of Billie Eilish with incredible depth and clarity, while also keeping edges clean and pristine. They're an absolute pleasure to listen to during a commute or long flight.
A capacitive touch-surface on the right earcup handles the most common controls, such as play/pause, volume up/down, skip forwards/backwards and skip. It also lets you end and answer calls, and switch between ANC mode and ambient sound. You can also press and hold the power button for several seconds to get an audio message telling you how much battery life you have left.
Another notable improvement over the XM5s model is its new QN1 microphone that is designed to record high-quality audio when recording videos and podcasts. The microphone is more sensitive than the previous models and also has a wider audio range that makes it easier to pick up your voice.
Other features of the XM4s have carried over to the XM5 and include an adaptive ANC system that automatically optimizes performance based on your surroundings. The 'Wearing Detection" feature detects when the headset is removed and stops playing video or music. It will then resume it once they return to. It's also compatible with Sony's DSEE Extreme engine, which claims to boost compressed music to near-hi-res quality.
2. Sony WH-1000XM4
The WH1000XM4s from Sony are the most recent version of their industry-leading over-ear headphones. They feature top-of-the-line performance although they don't feature the same active noise cancellation as the WH1000XM5s. The WH-1000XM4s feature a more powerful Bluetooth connection and an improved noise cancellation algorithm. They also have a new audio chip which upscales music to HD quality, and 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 shifting the microphones closer to the outer edges of the ear. This makes them more comfortable to listen to for longer periods of time.
You can also choose between five different sound settings based on the environment. You can also customize your EQ settings by using the Sony headphones app. The app lets you keep track of your activities and automatically optimize the settings. They are a great option for travelers.
Another significant improvement is the WH1000XM4's noise cancellation which is now more effective by increasing the sensitivity and improving how it eliminates low frequencies. This can be verified by looking at graphs like the one shown above. Higher peaks indicate that more sounds are canceled out. The WH1000XM4s are also better in reducing low-frequency sounds such as the hum from an air conditioning unit or the constant rumble from an airplane engine.
The WH1000XM4s have a number of amazing features, including a 30-hour battery life and a USB-C charging port. They also have Quick Alert, a feature that lets you press the right earcup to dampen music to enable transparency mode. Speak to Chat, meanwhile, pauses media when your voice is raised (and it works great but sometimes it fails to register taps) and Sony's Smart Listening Technology, which can detect your environment and provide better audio.
3. Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II
The Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II headphones (or QC35 Wireless 2018, as they're also referred to) were released in September 2017. They've been replaced by the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 701 that will be available in 2021. However they're still very popular and affordable.
The QC35 II is a great pair of headphones that can be used for both mixed and regular use. They offer a comfortable fit as well as a neutral sound profile that is default. They also offer exceptional noise isolation. They are suitable for traveling or in noisy environments and last for more than a day on a single charge. They also work with most smart assistants, and are activated via a dedicated button. You can ask them to play music and answer trivia questions or even read notifications from your smartphone.
The padding around the ears is wide and will fit most types of ear. They are also light. The hinges of the housings can be folded down to allow them to be easily packed in a bag or a backpack. The controls on the right side of the headphones are well placed and comfortable to use. Playback can be controlled by a series of taps that allow you to rewind or skip songs.
We listened to The Beatles' Let It Be, as well as the drum beats and piano. The QC35 II deliver crisp, clear audio that's full-bodied and detailed. They can pick up subtleties such as Paul McCartney’s unsteady timing as he builds to the chorus or Gerard Way's snarl when his lyrics praising teenage-personalism in teenagers.
The QC35 II is compatible with the majority of smart assistants. It can connect to two devices at once. The QC35 II comes with a carry bag and USB charging cable.
4. Sony WH-CH720N
Sony is renowned for building excellent headphones that cost relatively little. The budget-friendly WHCH720N headphones by Sony aren't any different. over the ear headphones with noise cancelling come with many of the same features of the WH1000XM5 flagship headphones, but with a more budget friendly design. These headphones provide a lot of active noise cancellation, but at a low cost.
These headphones have powerful drivers that measure 30mm in size. They deliver crisp high frequencies and a full bass. They also have a balanced tuning to make them sound great with a variety of music genres, and they have a large soundstage that helps you get a sense of being immersed in the music.
The WH-CH720N headphones utilize buttons for controls instead of the gestures and touch controls of the XM5 headphones. This is a more of a problem because the buttons are at first difficult to understand. The controls are intelligently placed and have clear labels. A single press of the '-' button lowers the volume, while double presses stop and play audio. Pressing and holding the button will launch voice assistants and rejects calls.
These headphones can last up to 35 hours with ANC on. This is one of the most efficient battery performance we've seen on over-ear headphones. They also feature a standby mode to help conserve battery.
Bluetooth allows users to connect the WH-CH720N headphones to Android and iOS devices. They are compatible with LDAC which allows them to play high-resolution audio on compatible devices. They are also compatible with PlayStation consoles using an analog 1/8"TRS cable. They can also be connected to a computer with the included USB dongle. The Sony Headphones Connect app lets you personalize your headphones with an EQ slider and presets, multipoint connectivity, as well as secure listening.
5. B&W PX7 S2
The PX7 S2 is a follow-up to a wildly popular predecessor however, it's not an unfinished update. They have a sleeker design and a brand-new application. They fulfill their promise of top-quality build with audio that faithfully communicates artistic intent. They are also extremely comfortable to wear throughout the day.
They don't have 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 that you can focus on your podcasts or music. They use a six-strong microphone setup (four to cancel noise and two for voice pickup) and a new algorithm that reduces ambient sound by 30 decibels. These are also one of only a handful of Bluetooth headphones that we've tested that can be used passively and allow users to listen to their media without the need to power the drive units.
They also work with the B&W Music app, a free download that delivers a wide range of features that go along with the great noise cancelling. This includes the Quick Action button that cycles through three different modes of environmental that display battery life and can be set to launch your device's voice assistant. Annoyingly, you have to press and hold the button for a while - pressing it once would be more efficient and intuitive.
The PX7 S2 are a very impressive pair of headphones which will delight all music enthusiasts. The PX7 S2 are not so well-suited to the demanding music genres such as metal and rock that favor bass-heavy productions and muddy low frequencies as they are to folk, classical and acoustic. But, they will still impress those who value audiophile credentials that is also practical and convenient.