The Best Over-Ear headphones that block out noise

Over-ear noise-canceling headphones can make a huge difference if you commute in a noisy public transportation system, have a chatty work environment, or simply want to listen music without being distracted by outside noise cancelling head phones. We analyzed the top headphones for over-ear use that combine amazing sound quality with active noise cancellation.

Mpow Over-Ear Headphones

These Bluetooth headphones from Mpow have a good, sturdy build and feature excellent audio quality that is impressive for their price range. They are designed as over-ear headsets with ear cups that comfortably fit over the ears to block out noise from the outside. The earpads consist of a moderately thick cushion that shields your ears to block out a significant portion of environmental sounds but they don't have active noise canceling capability. The earpads are a little heavier than 11 ounces but they are comfortable to wear for long periods of time.

These Mpow headphones have a simple design that isn't too far removed from most other models of over-ear headphones available. The headband that connects the two cups is hinged, allowing them to fold up into a compact package for transport and storage. The left ear cup contains the controls for power, volume and noise cancellation. A microphone is housed in the right ear cup for hands-free phone calls.

The sound quality of the Mpow headphones is excellent but they don't have the bass power of Bose or the clarity of the Sony WH-1000XM5. The PRTF accuracy and activation scores are higher than average among Bluetooth headphones. This should result in a large and wide soundstage when listening to music. However, their PRTF distance score is lower than average, which means they will sound more closed in and less open than headphones with more open-back, larger earcups.

They also have a decent amount of treble extension which should give you a clear and crisp sound that is able to handle all kinds of music. The mids of Sony headphones are more pronounced, giving them an even more lively sound. This is ideal for music with a variety of instruments. Some users find the bass to be slightly too loud however you can adjust this to your preference by changing the equalizer settings in your audio player.

The Mpow headphones have a fairly long battery life and can be utilized in wired mode when your charge runs out. The headphones come with an USB charger as well as an audio cable, which means you can enjoy your favourite music without interruption. The manufacturer offers a 45 day refund warranty, along with an 18-month warranty for these headphones. Their customer service is also renowned for its responsiveness.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 are the latest over-ear headphones to grace the Bowers & Wilkins catalog. The PX7 is replaced by the PX7 S2 and they are part of a larger range of wireless headphones, which also includes the PI5 and PI7. The design of these headphones immediately feels elegant when they are unboxed. The use of metals and textures on the ear cups gives them a high-end feel. They also feel comfortable on the head and ears even though they weigh a bit more than their counterparts. The ear pads snap on and off easily which means they can be replaced when they wear out.

Like many of the best headphones, these cans have active noise cancellation, which reduces the sound of outside sounds while allowing you to hear the music. The technology isn't perfect, but it does a great job of keeping plane engines and train sounds from your ear canals without altering the balance between music and other sounds.

The soundstage of the PX7 S2 is what makes it stand out from its competition. It provides plenty of space between the sound elements and offers a distinct separation. This provides clarity to music that can't be found on other Bluetooth headphones.

The PX7 S2s might not be as portable as their competitors but they do come with a fantastic carry case. The case is cushioned and the headphones can fold flat when not in use.

The earcups are made of the appearance of leather, a soft and soft material that feels luxurious to the touch. They're also light which makes them ideal for long listening sessions. The headband is designed for maximum comfort and doesn't over-stretch. This helps to prevent headaches.

The headphones have a range of features that include Bluetooth multipoint which lets them pair with two devices at the same time. They support all of the well-known Bluetooth codecs as well as hi-res audio if your streaming service supports it. They also come with an audio amplifier that gives you extra boost when you use them with low-powered electronics like laptops.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH1000XM5 is a new model in Sony’s premium noise cancelling over Ear Headphones noise cancelling wireless-ear headphones. These headphones are a great improvement to their predecessors, WH1000XM2s and the WH1000XM4. Sony has enhanced its already impressive active noise cancellation. For instance, the fifth generation headphones are now able to block out low-frequency sounds like plane engines and subway car rumbles. They also know the location of your head and adjust the ambient sound control settings to suit your location.

You can still make use of voice-activated assistants to control your music or get directions. The microphones inside the earphones have been upgraded, meaning they can be used for hands-free calls and Siri/Google Assistant commands. The headphones are also Bluetooth 5.0 which means they are faster in pairing and connection speeds.

The WH-1000XM5 has received top scores in our tests of comfort, ease-of-use and sound quality. The lightweight headset is comfortable for long listening sessions, and the ear cup can be adjusted to accommodate different head sizes. The headphones fold flat making them easy to put into a suitcase or backpack.

The ears have a slight curvature, and the headband is more refined. This makes it easier to conceal points of assembly. They're covered with a brand new synthetic leather material, which provides more durability and a luxurious look. The ear cup's chamber is also bigger and fits more snugly to the ear. This may cause a little pressure on the head when worn for extended periods of time.

Some of the core features of the WH-1000XM4s have been carried over to the XM5. You can swipe and tap the right earcup to switch songs, pause your audio and open Ambient Sound Mode. You can place your hands on the right earcup to temporarily lower the music and amp up ambient sounds. This is useful if you need to hear things around you.

The XM5s come with some minor improvements which make them an excellent choice for noise-canceling headsets. The new ANC provides greater isolation from low-frequency noise, and the headphones will pause your music when lifted from your head in order to save power. Transparent listening mode lets in more outside sound. A new battery-power-consumption algorithm gives the XM5s the same 30-hour battery life rating as their predecessor, and a quick press of the power button will alert you to your remaining charge.

Skullcandy ATH-ADX700

For over ear headphones noise cancelling wireless those that are looking to get a set of headphones for gaming, the ATH-ADX700 is a great choice. They are comfortable and offer high-quality sound. They are also light and over ear headphones noise cancelling wireless won't feel heavy on your head and ears. They feature a self-adjusting 3D wing that adapts to your head, and eliminates pressure. They also have a detachable cord that is simple to connect to your audio source.

Open-air headphones with a distinctive design, these headphones have large earcups that reveal the drivers. The unique design helps them stand out from the crowd, but it's not the only thing that sets them apart. The self-adjusting wing support structure and the new 53mm drivers that feature bobbin-wound CCAW voice coils, and the aluminum casing that is lightweight and honeycomb are the reasons why these headphones are unique and worth the extra investment.

The ATH-ADX700 features an impressively wide frequency response that provides a clear and natural midrange and treble. The sound isn't as bassy as other pairs because they are designed for an average music lover who isn't one to be surrounded by low frequencies. They're a great pair of headphones for gamers because they let you hear the voices of your friends and NPCs without being muffled by a loud bass.

The ATH-ADX700 headphones have an impedance rating of 32 ohms. However, they still require an amp of a good quality to perform optimally. When used with a portable player it's not an issue, but an amplifier for headphones will make it easier to control the sound and enjoy the full range of sound.

The ATH-ADX700 comes with a 9.84-foot cable with a gold-plated 1/8-inch connector and an elastic TPE sheath to prevent tangling and damage. The ATH-ADX700 includes a 1/4" adapter for mobile devices. The earpads are made of velvety velour, which feels soft and is initially itchy but will break over time. The earpads are also composed of a soft, raised material that increases comfort and durability.