The Best Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones
You require the most effective headphones that block out noise for your needs, whether you need to block out the hum from your HVAC system or you want to fight the roar of jet engine noises. The new Sony WH1000XM5s are the kings of active sound cancellation. Their predecessors were also great.
We've taken into account adjustable ANC control buttons, touch controls, and on-ear detection (for pausing music when you take off your headphones). Our top picks have high-resolution audio and comfortable, spacious earphones.
1. Sony WH-1000XM5
The fifth generation of Sony flagship headphones is an impressive improvement over the previous generation, featuring improved noise cancellation and audio quality. Its impressive ANC creates a virtual cone over your head, absorbing an astonishing amount of low-frequency sounds. The earcups block out noises in the mid-treble range, such as passenger chatter and creaking metal.
Unlike some noise cancelling headphones that sound hollow or unnatural, the WH-1000XM5s are extremely natural sounding. They can reproduce the rise and fall of Billie's drums with astonishing depth, while keeping edges clean and clear. They're a joy to listen to on the commute or during a long flight.
A capacitive touch-screen on the right ear cup handles the most frequently used controls, including play/pause, volume up/down, and skip forwards/backwards. It can also stop and answer calls, and switch between ANC mode and ambient sound. Alternatively, you can press and hold the power button for a few minutes to hear a voice message indicating the remaining battery life.
Another notable improvement on the XM5s is its new QN1 microphone, which is designed to capture high-quality audio while making podcasts and videos. The microphone is more sensitive than previous models and also has a wider audio range that makes it easier to hear your voice.
Other features from the XM4s have been incorporated into the XM5 and include an adaptive ANC system that automatically optimizes performance based on the environment. The "Wearing Detection" feature detects when the headset is removed, and will pause music or video. It will then resume it as soon as they are put back on. It's compatible with Sony's DSEE Extreme Engine, which increases the quality of compressed music to nearly high-res resolution.
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 the same amount of active noise cancellation as the WH-1000XM5s, they still provide top-of-the-line performance. The WH-1000XM4s boast a stronger Bluetooth connection as well as a more efficient noise cancellation algorithm. They also come with an audio chip that upscales music to HD quality, as well as advanced voice controls.
The biggest improvement in this latest generation is that Sony has made the WH-1000XM4s more comfortable than ever before by putting padding on the headband, and moving the microphones to the outside of the ears. This makes them more comfortable to listen to for long periods of time.
They're also more flexible, allowing you to switch between five audio modes based on your environment. You can even tailor your EQ settings by using the Sony headphones app. The app allows you to track your activity, and then automatically adjust the settings. They are a great choice for those who travel.
Another significant improvement is the WH-1000XM4's sound cancellation, which has been made more effective by enhancing the sensitivity and improving how it eliminates low frequencies. You can check this out by taking a look at a graph similar to the one above, where higher peaks indicate that more sounds are being blocked out. The WH1000XM4s also do better at reducing low-frequency noises such as the hum from an air conditioning unit, or the constant rumble of an airplane engine.
noise cancelling headset with mic -1000XM4s have many great features which include batteries that last up to 30 hours and a USB-C charging port built-in. They also come with Quick Alert, which lets users touch the right earcup to reduce the music and turn on transparency mode; Speak To Chat can pause media when you speak (and works well, though it may not always detect taps), and Sony's Smart Listening technology, which can recognize and analyze your environment to deliver superior audio.
3. Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II
The Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II (or QC35 Wireless 2018) are over-ear headphones that were released in September 2017. They were replaced with the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 701, which will be released in 2021. However, they are still popular and affordable.
The QC35 II is a great pair for mixed-use wireless headphones. They provide a comfortable fit and a neutral sound quality by default. They also provide exceptional noise isolation. They are ideal for travel or in noisy environments and last for more than a day on a single charge. They also work with a variety of smart assistants and are activated by the use of a specific button. You can ask them to play music or answer trivia questions, or read notifications from your smartphone.
They feature a wide opening in the padding around your ears that can fit most types of ear sizes and shapes. They also are lightweight. The hinges of the housings can be folded down to make them easier to store in a bag or a backpack. The controls on the right side of the headphones are intuitively placed and comfortable to use. Playback can be controlled by a series of taps which include rewinding or skipping 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 drum beats and piano notes. The QC35 II delivers crisp, clear audio with a smooth and detailed sound. They reveal subtleties in the vocals, for instance Paul McCartney's irregular timing when he's building to the chorus, or Gerard Way's snarl as he laments teenage individualism on Teenagers.
The QC35 II can be connected to up to two devices at once and is compatible with the majority of smart assistants. The QC35 II comes with a carry bag and a USB charging cable.
4. Sony WH-CH720N
Sony is a household name for its great headphones for a affordable cost. The budget-friendly WHCH720N earphones from Sony aren't any different. These headphones have many of the same features as the flagship WH1000XM5 headphones, but in an affordable design. These headphones provide a lot of active noise cancellation for a low cost.
Similar to the WH1000XM5 headphones, these headphones feature 30mm dynamic drivers which provide plenty of bass and clear high frequencies. They also have an even tuning to make them sound great with a variety of genres of music. They also have a wide soundstage that helps you feel immersed in your listening.
The WH-CH720N headphones come with buttons instead of the gestures or touch controls that are used by the XM5 headphones. This can be a bit of an issue as the buttons are initially confusing. The controls are strategically placed and have clear labels. Double press of the '+' button pause and play audio. A single press lowers the volume. Pressing and holding the button launches voice assistants, and also rejects calls.
These headphones last for up to 35 hours with ANC on. This is one of the best battery performances we've seen in over-ear headphones. They also feature a standby mode to aid in conserving battery.
Bluetooth allows you to connect the WH-CH720N headphones to Android and iOS devices. They are compatible with LDAC which lets them play high-resolution audio on compatible devices. They're also compatible with PlayStation consoles that use 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 customize your headphones with an EQ slider and presets, multipoint connectivity, as well as secure listening.
5. B&W PX7 S2
The PX7 S2 follow on from an extremely successful predecessor, but are by no means an unfinished update riding on its coattails. With a sleeker design and a brand new app that delivers on the promise of high-end build quality, delivering audio designed to faithfully express artistic intention. They are also extremely comfortable to wear throughout the day.
They don't offer the same noise cancellation capabilities as the Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II or the Sony WH1000XM5, but they are effective at blocking out ambient sounds so you can concentrate on your podcasts or music. They feature a six-strong mic setup (four for noise cancelling and two for voice pickup) and a revised algorithm that reduces ambient sound by 30 decibels. These are also one of only a few Bluetooth headphones that we've tested that can be used as passive headphones and allow users to listen to their content without having to power up the drive units.
The B&W Music app is also compatible with the free download that provides a variety of features that complement the great noise cancellation. This includes a Quick Action button that cycles through the three environmental modes that display battery life and can be set to launch your device's voice assistant. It's annoying to have to press and hold it for a long time. A single press is more intuitive and simpler.
The PX7 S2 are an impressive pair of headphones which will delight all music enthusiasts. They're not quite as appropriate for the high-quality music of genres such as rock and metal, which tend to favour bass-heavy production and muddy low frequency, like they are to classics, folk, and Acoustic music, but will still impress those who appreciate audiophile cred that's also practical and convenient.