The Best Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones

When you're trying to block out the sound of jet engines, or simply want to block out the sound of your HVAC system at home, you need the most effective noise-cancelling headphones for over-ear use. The WH1000XM5s from Sony are the kings of active sound cancellation. Their predecessors were also excellent.

We've taken into account adjustments for ANC control buttons, touch controls, beats studio 3 wireless Bluetooth noise cancelling headphones and on-ear detection (for pausing music when you take off your headphones). Our top picks have high-resolution audio, comfortable earcups and spacious ear cups.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

The fifth generation of Sony's top headphones is a major improvement over its predecessor, offering better noise cancellation and enhanced audio quality. Its remarkable ANC creates an enveloping cone over your head, blocking out an astonishing amount of low-frequency sounds. The ear cups block out sounds in the mid-to-treble range including chatter from the passengers and creaking metal.

The WH-1000XM5s sound very natural, unlike some noise cancelling headsets that sound hollow. They're able to render the rise and fall of Billie's drums with remarkable depth and clarity, while also keeping edges clean and pristine. They're a joy to listen to on the commute or during a long flight.

A capacitive touch-screen on the right earcup handles the most commonly used controls, such as play/pause, volume up/down and skip forwards/backwards. It can also 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 a voice telling you how much battery capacity is left.

The QN1 microphone is another notable improvement to the XM5s. It is designed to record high-quality audio while recording podcasts and videos. The microphone is more sensitive than the previous models and has a greater audio range, making it easier for you to pick up your voice.

Other features of the XM4s have carried over to the XM5 including its adaptive ANC system that automatically optimizes performance based on your surroundings. The "Wearing Detection" feature detects when the headset is removed, and will pause video or music. It will resume it when they return to. It also works with Sony's DSEE Extreme engine, which claims to upscale compressed music to near-high-resolution quality.

2. Sony WH-1000XM4

The WH-1000XM4s are a new iteration of Sony's industry-leading over ear headphones, and even though they don't feature as much active beats noise cancelling over ear headphones canceling as the WH-1000XM5s do, they offer class-leading performance. The WH-1000XM4s have a stronger Bluetooth connection and an improved noise cancellation algorithm. They also feature a new audio chip which increases the sound quality to HD quality and has advanced voice controls.

Sony has improved the WH1000XM4s of the most recent version by adding padding to the headband, and moving the microphones outwards. This makes them more comfortable to listen to for longer periods of time.

You can also switch between five different sound settings based on the surroundings. Sony headphones have an app that allows you to customize your EQ settings. They're an excellent choice for travelers and the app lets you monitor your activity and automatically adjust the settings as you go.

The WH-1000XM4 has also enhanced its noise cancellation. It is more effective due to the higher sensitivity and better filtering of low frequencies. It can be evaluated by looking at graphs such as the one above. Higher peaks indicate that more sounds are being blocked out. The WH1000XM4s also do better in reducing low-frequency sounds such as the hum from an air conditioning unit, or the constant rumble of the engine of a plane.

The WH1000XM4s have a number of excellent features, including a 30 hour battery life and a USB-C charging port. They also come with Quick Alert, which lets you tap the right earcup in order to deflect the music and turn on the transparency mode; Speak to Chat can pause media when you speak (and works well, although it can sometimes fail to detect taps) and Sony's Smart Listening technology, which can recognize and analyze the surrounding environment to provide better audio.

3. Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II

The Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II headphones (or QC35 beats studio3 wireless true wireless noise cancelling over ear headphones 2018, as they're also referred to) were released in September 2017. They have been replaced by the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 701, which will be released in 2021. However they remain popular and affordable.

The QC35 II are a great pair of wireless headphones that offer a comfortable fit, a neutral default sound profile and excellent noise isolation. They are ideal for travel or in noisy environments and last for more than a full day on a single 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 and answer trivia questions or read your smartphone notifications.

The padding around the ears is wide and will fit most ears. They are also light. The housings' hinges can be folded down to make them easier to store in a bag or a backpack. The controls are placed on the right-hand side of the headphones and are simple to use. Playback is controlled by tapping the buttons that allow you to rewind or skip songs.

For a good example of the quality you can expect from these Bose headphones, we played The Beatles' Let It Be and listened to the piano parts and drum Beats studio 3 wireless bluetooth noise cancelling Headphones. The QC35 II deliver crisp, clear audio that's well-rounded and detailed. They reveal subtleties in the vocals, for instance Paul McCartney's inconsistent timing when he's building to the chorus, or Gerard Way's snarl when he laments teenage individualism on teens.

The QC35 II is compatible with the majority of smart assistants and can connect to up to 2 devices simultaneously. The QC35 II comes with a carry bag as well as a USB charging cable.

4. Sony WH-CH720N

Sony is a brand known for producing top-quality headphones at a affordable price. The budget-friendly WH-CH720N headphones from Sony are not a different. They carry a lot of the features that make top WH-1000XM5 models so good, but with a more budget-friendly design. They offer a great deal of active noise cancellation, but at a low cost.

These headphones have high-performance drivers of 30mm that provide crisp high frequencies and plenty of bass. They also have a balanced tuning to make them sound good with different genres of music. They also have a wide soundstage that lets you be immersed in your music.

The WH-CH720N headphones feature buttons instead of the gestures or touch controls employed by the XM5 headphones. This can be a bit of an issue as the buttons initially seem confusing. The controls are well-placed and have clear labels. A single pressing of the button '-' lowers the volume, while double presses stop and play audio. By pressing and holding the button the button, voice assistants will be launched and calls are turned down.

With ANC enabled the headphones will last for about 35 hours before running out of power. This is among the best battery performances we've seen in over-ear headphones. They also feature a standby mode to aid in conserving battery.

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

5. B&W PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 is a follow-up to a successful predecessor and isn't an unfinished upgrade. With a more modern design and a new app, they deliver on the promise of high-end build quality and sound that is designed to faithfully express the artist's vision. They're also incredibly comfortable and a treat to wear throughout the day.

They don't have the same noise cancellation capabilities as the Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II, or the Sony WH1000XM5, however, they are effective at blocking out ambient sounds to let you concentrate on your podcasts or music. They have a six-microphone setup (four for noise cancellation and two for voice-recording) and a new algorithm that cut down on ambient noise by 30dB. They are also among the only a handful of Bluetooth headphones we've tested that can be used in a passive manner and allow users to listen to their music without powering up the drive units.

The B&W Music app is also compatible with a free download that provides a variety of features that compliment the excellent noise cancellation. The Quick Action button can be programmed to activate the device's voice assistant and cycle through three environmental settings, and display battery life. The annoying thing is that you have to press and hold the button for a while - one press is more convenient and intuitive.

The PX7 S2 is a pair of headphones that will delight lovers of music. The PX7 S2 aren't as well suited to challenging music genres like metal and rock which favour bass-heavy productions and muddy low frequency as they are for classical, folk and acoustic. But, they will still impress those who value audiophile credentials, and are practical and convenient.