Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?

Whether you're on the train or in the office the noise-cancelling headphones can be the perfect solution for anyone who loves to listen. Which are the best?

With a fresh design, superior sound quality and a wealth of features, Sony's latest flagship headphones offer great value. These headphones are able to capture every detail, from Sinead O'Connor's trembling Bridge to the powerful chorus.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony is a master at noise cancelling headphones wireless cancellation, and its WH-1000XM5 headphones are the most advanced version of this series. A few well-thought-out improvements over the XM4s make this model an excellent all-round pair of headphones, particularly for those who commute or travel. They're comfortable, have multipoint technology to connect two devices simultaneously and offer the best ANC Sony has ever created. They're also light and provide around 27 hours of playback time without charging, which is plenty to last a week's worth commuting or one long-haul flight.

The WH-1000XM5s feature an elegant, minimalist design and are made of a recycled and recyclable plastic referred to as acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS). The branding is minimalist. You'll find tiny Sony logo on each hinge of the earcup. The earcups and headbands are made of soft, plush materials that is comfortable for all heads with the exception of the largest. The earcups can be adjusted to ensure that you get the ideal fit for your needs.

In contrast to previous models, which were focused on reducing low frequency noise, the XM5s amplify the sound waves at higher frequency to cancel out ambient noise. That improves overall sound quality and helps drown out the noise of engines and cabins on flights, for example. The XM5s has a second processing unit to improve noise cancellation on planes. The audio app is also able to automatically adjust your listening environment according to air pressure data.

The WH-1000XM5s comes with an integrated voice assistant that is simple to use, and it works with Alexa as well as Google Assistant, Siri, and more. The XM5s can be paired with other Sony audio devices for stereo separation and multi-room music. They can support bluetooth over ear headphones noise cancelling high-bitrate streaming audio using Sony's LDAC but not HD or aptX.

2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

When a company has been manufacturing headphones for as long as Sennheiser is a top brand, you can expect superior sound quality and a comfortable fit. With their latest headphones, dubbed Momentum 4 Wireless, they offer both. They've revamped their design to remove some characteristic elements that gave their original models their aviator-style headset look. They also enhanced active noise cancellation using their latest Adaptive Noisy Cancellation Technology. These headphones are rated to last 60 hours with ANC on this, which is more than double the battery life of other competitors.

They're also a lot more portable than the previous model since they fold up and are much smaller overall. They're made from synthetic leather that can be used to make the replaceable ear pads and headband that feel comfortable on my ear even if I wear them for the entire working. They're also not extremely tight, which means you can wear them on long flights, or even during your workouts.

The sound is balanced and clear, jbl but there are some peaks that can add a bit of confusion to the mixes. The bass is overemphasized which adds extra energy and thump in genres like EDM or hip hop. It's not a major issue however some listeners might find it irritating. The high-mid is some uneven balance too, pushing vocals and instruments towards the front of the mix, but at the cost of bringing out sibilants within some songs.

The Sennheiser momentum 4 wireless has all the standard features such as Bluetooth wireless connectivity, a transparent mode that blends outside noises into your music for improved awareness, and mobile application support for pre-set and custom EQ options. You can also use a 3.5mm cord to connect your phone. They can use SBC, AAC, aptX HD, and aptX Adaptive codecs to connect to your device and they're able to reduce latency by up to a quarter of a second, which is great.

3. B&W PX7 S2

The original PX7s were top of the line on many lists of the top Bluetooth headsets due to their outstanding ANC and sound quality. The PX7s, just like other wireless headphones, were becoming old and needed a new look. This is why the PX7S2. B&W not only changed the design however, they also made improvements to ANC, and added more features for voice calls.

The first thing you will notice when you open the box and pick up the PX7 S2 is just how light they are. This makes them comfortable for long listening sessions. A lot of the look is the same as the previous model, including the elongated aluminum earcup top-plate and the hook-like accent on the headband, which glides instead of clicking as you expand it and the actual buttons. The earcups, however are smaller and the headband is less substantial.

The software from B&W lets you tweak EQ settings for treble and bass however, you don't have as much control over the mix between the two components like you do on more expensive headphones. A Quick Action button on the left earcup switches between modes for the environment and can be adjusted within the Bowers & Wilkins Music app to activate your device's voice assistant.

The PX7 S2 is a great choice for most musical styles. It offers a wide soundstage, and good separation of the different sound elements. It shines especially on selections that feature acoustic instruments such as Rachmaninoff's Cello Sonata in G Minor Op. The 19 by Yuja Wang and Gautier Capucon features woody tones and a sense of air. It's also able to handle heavier music and has the bass power and mid-range clarity on Entombed's crossover of death-n'-rock and garage to Ride the Straight, Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth creating an impressive sound wall while allowing to hear the vocals of Lars-Goran Petrov's sharp growl.

4. Bose QuietComfort 35

Bose was among the first companies to bring active noise cancelling headphones to the mainstream. While they held an unwavering position in the market for years, they are now competing with more modern headphones that offer more features and better sound quality. QuietComfort 35 remains a great choice for those who want to listen to podcasts or music without hums or rumbles.

They're comfortable to wear and come with a a well-balanced default sound profile. The ANC is great at removing background noise. However, it tends to emphasize lower frequencies more than other headphones such as the Sony WH1000XM5.

If you're looking for a pair that can be used to listen to audiobooks or podcasts The QC35s come with an impressive passive noise cancellation mode that cuts down on ambient noise while keeping you adrift from the sound of the world around you. The QC35s can also connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and "audio-share" so you can listen to music on one pair of headphones and answer an incoming call from the other pair.

The Bose Connect App is decent, but it doesn't have the full EQ features of other headphone apps. The QC35s are also used in wired mode with cables, but the sound quality takes a major loss and they don't have the same level of battery life as wireless models.

The QC35s are an Bose product, and it might not be a favorite for all. Other manufacturers offer sleeker designs. You can add some personalization to your headphones by purchasing a decal cover from companies like SlickWraps or Skin Sticker. In the near future, you'll be able customize the color of the earcups as well as the headband, just like with the QC25 model from earlier.

5. Sony WH-1000XM3

Sony's WH1000XM3 is the best wireless headphone that has active noise cancellation you can purchase right now. They're more expensive than Anker Soundcore Q20 Wireless but they isolate more background noise. The app is also better and comes with a variety of sound customization options.

The XM3's outstanding sound quality is one of their main draws, and they've been upgraded since their launch to offer an even better experience. They have a little more detail across the spectrum of frequencies, their noise cancelling works better at all levels of volume, and they have improved controls for things like Quick Attention mode, voice control, and Speak-to-Chat. They also have a brand new feature called Adaptive Sound Control that automatically adjusts the amount of external sound allowed in, based on the location you're at and what you're doing.

There are some problems, however. The treble can be occasionally a bit overpowering and the midrange is slightly receding. They also tend to boost bass too much in some tracks, making them sound too full and heavy. This can be corrected by using the Sony app or in the headphone settings.

The XM3s are a great pair of headphones, particularly for commuters and frequent travelers. They're more comfortable, look and feel more durable and premium than the JBL Live 650 BTNC Wireless, and they have a much more powerful battery, and one of our top noise cancellation features available in the market. They're also more flexible and more mobile-friendly than the Audio-Technica ATH M50X Wireless, although they have less impressive noise isolation. They're not waterproof which could be a deal-breaker for some people.