The Best Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones

You'll need the top headphones for noise cancellation, whether you want to block out the hum of your HVAC system or want to fight the roar of jet engine noises. The new Sony WH1000XM5s are the kings of active noise cancellation. Their predecessors were fantastic.

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

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

The fifth generation of Sony flagship headphones is significant improvements over their predecessors, with enhanced noise cancellation and audio quality. Its impressive ANC creates an enveloping cone over your head, absorbing the most shocking amount of low-frequency sound. The ear cups block out sounds in the mid-to-treble range, such as passenger chatter and creaking metal.

The WH-1000XM5s sound natural, unlike some noise cancelling headsets that sound hollow. They can render Billie Eilish’s drums with remarkable clarity, while keeping the edges clear and clean. It's an absolute pleasure listening to them on an extended flight or on a commute.

A capacitive touch-screen on the right earcup handles the most common controls, such as play/pause, volume up/down, and skip forwards/backwards. It also lets you call and end calls as well as switch between ANC and ambient sound mode. Alternately, hold and press the power button for several seconds to hear a voice prompt of remaining battery life.

Another significant improvement to the XM5s is its new QN1 microphone, which is designed to capture high-quality audio while recording podcasts and videos. The microphone is more sensitive than the previous models and has a larger audio range, making it easier for you to hear your voice.

The XM5 has also carried over certain features from the XM4s like the adaptive ANC system which automatically optimizes performance based upon the environment. The 'Wearing Detection" feature detects when the headset is removed, and will pause video or music. It will then resume it when they return to. It's also compatible with Sony's DSEE Extreme engine, which claims to boost the quality of compressed music to a near-hi-res resolution.

2. Sony WH-1000XM4

The WH-1000XM4s are the latest version of Sony's market-leading over-ear headphones. And even though they don't feature as much active noise canceling as the WH-1000XM5s do, they provide superior performance. The WH-1000XM4s feature a more powerful Bluetooth connection and an improved noise cancellation algorithm. They also feature a new audio chip which enhances music to HD quality, and advanced voice controls.

Sony has upgraded the WH1000XM4s with the latest version by adding padding to the headband and also moving the microphones forward. This makes them more comfortable to listen to for long periods.

You can also choose between five different sound settings based on the environment. You can even tailor your EQ settings using the Sony headphones app. They're an excellent choice for travelers and the app lets you monitor your activity and automatically optimize the settings as you go.

Another big improvement is the WH1000XM4's noise cancellation, which is now more effective by enhancing the sensitivity and improving how it eliminates low frequencies. It can be evaluated by looking at graphs like the one shown above. Higher peaks mean that more sounds are canceled out. The WH1000XM4s are also superior in reducing low-frequency sounds like the hum of an air conditioning unit, or the constant rumble of a plane engine.

The WH1000XM4s come with a variety of great features, including a 30 hour battery life and a USB-C charge port. They also have Quick Alert, which lets you tap the right earcup to dampen music and activate transparency mode; Speak To Chat can pause media when you speak (and is effective, even though it can sometimes fail to register taps), and Sony's Smart Listening technology, which can recognize and analyze your surroundings to provide superior 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 were replaced with the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 701 to be released in 2021. However they remain popular and affordable.

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

The padding around the ears is wide and can accommodate a variety of ears. They are also lightweight. The hinges on the housings fold down, making them easy to fit into bags or backpacks. The controls on the right side of the headphone are easily placed and comfortable to use. Playback is controlled by tapping repeatedly that allow you to rewind or skip songs.

To show the quality you can expect from these Bose headphones we played The Beatles' Let It Be and listened to piano parts and drum beats studio3 wireless true wireless noise cancelling over ear headphones. The QC35 II delivers crisp, clear audio with a smooth and detailed sound. They dig up subtleties in the vocals, such as Paul McCartney's irregular timing when he's building to the chorus, or Gerard Way's snarl when he laments the individualism of teenagers. Teenagers.

The QC35 II can be connected to up to two devices simultaneously and are compatible with most smart assistants. The QC35 II also come with the carry case as well as a USB cable that is quick to charge.

4. Sony WH-CH720N

Sony has a reputation for Running producing high-quality headphones that cost a small amount. The WH-CH720N budget headphones are not a different. They have many of the same features of the flagship WH1000XM5 headphones, but with a more budget friendly design. They also provide a good amount of active noise cancelling at a low price.

These headphones have powerful drivers that measure 30mm in size. They offer crisp high-frequency sound and a full bass. They have an even sound that blends well with various genres of music. They also have a large, immersive soundstage.

The WH-CH720N headphones feature buttons instead of the touch controls or gestures employed by the XM5 headphones. This can be a more of a problem, as the buttons are at first difficult to understand. The controls are strategically placed and clearly labeled. A single pressing of the button '-' lowers the volume, while double presses pauses and plays audio. By pressing and holding the button, voice assistants are launched and calls are rejected.

These headphones can last up to 35 hours with ANC on. This is among the best battery performance we've seen on over-ear headphones. They also feature a standby mode to assist in preserving battery.

Bluetooth allows users to connect the WH-CH720N headphones to Android and iOS devices. They support LDAC which lets them play high-quality audio on compatible devices. They also work with PlayStation consoles that have an analog 1/8" TRS cable. They can also be used as wired headphones on a computer with the included USB dongle. The Sony Headphones Connect App lets you customize your headphones using an EQ slider, presets, and multipoint connectivity.

5. B&W PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 follow on from the success of their predecessor, but are by no means an unfinished update that rides on its own. They have a sleeker design and a new application. They deliver on their promise of top-quality build, delivering audio that faithfully expresses artistic intention. They're also incredibly comfortable and are a delight to wear all day.

While they don't match the noise cancellation of the Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II or the Sony WH-1000XM5 however, they do a good job of removing the sounds of the environment and ensuring you can focus on your music, podcasts, or handheld gaming without distractions. They use a six-strong microphone setup (four for noise cancelling and two for voice pick-up) and a new algorithm that cuts ambient sound by 30 decibels. They're also one of only a few Bluetooth headphones we've tested that can be used passively and allow users to listen to their music without the need to power the drive units.

The B&W Music app is also compatible with the free download that offers a range of features to complement the excellent noise cancellation. The Quick Action button can be programmed to activate the device's voice assistant to cycle through three environmental settings and For running show battery life. It's a pain to press the button and hold it for a while. A single press would be more intuitive and easier.

The PX7 S2 are an impressive pair of headphones, which should delight most music fans. The PX7 S2 are not suitable for demanding music genres such as metal and rock, which favor bass-heavy productions and muddy low-frequency as they are for classical, folk and acoustic. However, they will still impress those who appreciate audiophile credentials, and are practical and convenient.