The Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear noise cancelling headsets can make a huge difference if you commute in a noisy public transportation system, work with chatty colleagues or simply want to listen to music without being distracted by external noise. We've reviewed the top headphones for over-ear use that combine great audio quality with active Beats Noise Cancelling Over Ear Headphones cancellation.

Mpow Over Ear Headphones

These Bluetooth headphones from Mpow feature a great solid build and offer high-quality audio that is impressive for their price. These headphones are designed to be worn over the ears and have ear cups that are comfortable to wear over your ears. This helps block out ambient noise. The earpads are constructed of a modestly thick cushion that shields your ears to block out a large portion of environmental sounds but they don't come with a noise canceling feature. They weigh slightly more than 11 ounces and are comfortable to wear for long durations of time.

The Mpow headphones are a simple design, not too different from other designs of over ear wireless headphones noise cancelling-ear headphones available. The headband that connects the two ear cups is hinged, which allows them to fold up into a compact package for transport and storage. The left earcup houses the controls for volume, power and noise cancellation. A microphone is built into the right ear cup for hands-free calling.

The sound quality of the Mpow headphones is excellent, although they do not 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 headphone models. This should result in a large and wide soundstage when listening music. However their PRTF distance score is below average, meaning they will sound more closed in and less open than headphones that have larger, open-back earcups.

They also have a decent amount of treble extension which will provide a clear and crisp sound that can handle most music genres. The mids are a slightly more distinct than those from the Sony headphones which creates a somewhat more dynamic sound that is perfect for instrument-rich music. Some people find the bass a bit too strong however, you can alter this to your personal preference by altering the equalizer settings on your audio player.

The Mpow headphones come with a long battery life and can be used in wired mode for when your battery runs out. The headphones come with an USB charger as well as a cable, so you can enjoy your favorite music without interruption. The manufacturer offers a 45-day money back guarantee, as well as an 18-month warranty on these headphones. Their customer service is also known for its speedy response.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 are the most recent 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 includes the PI5 & PI7. The design of these headphones is immediately elegant when they are unboxed. The use of metals and textured materials on the earcups gives them a luxurious feel. They also are comfortable on the head and ears although they are slightly heavier than their counterparts. The ears are easy to snap on and off, which means they can be replaced as they wear out.

As with many of the top headphones, these cans come with active noise cancellation that reduces external sounds while still allowing you to hear your music. The technology isn't flawless however, it does a decent job of keeping the whir of an airplane engine or the train's rumble out of your ears, while not altering the balance of music pieces that may occupy the same frequencies.

One thing that really distinguishes the PX7 S2 apart from their rivals is the soundstage they provide that provides ample space and a strong separation between distinct audio elements. This gives clarity to songs that can't always be heard on other Bluetooth headphones.

The PX7 S2s may not be as lightweight as their counterparts, but they do come with a great carry case. It's also well-padded and the headphones can fold flat for easy storage when not in use.

The ear cups are encased in a soft, leather-like fabric that is very indulgent to the touch. The ear cups are light, making them comfortable to wear during long listening sessions. The headband is designed to provide maximum comfort and doesn't over-stretch. This helps to prevent headaches.

The headphones are equipped with a variety of features, including Bluetooth multipoint which lets them connect to two devices simultaneously. They are compatible with all the popular Bluetooth codecs, as well as high-res audio when your streaming service allows it. They also have an audio amplifier that can give you an extra boost when using them with low-powered electronics like laptops.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH-1000XM5 are the latest in the line of Sony's top headphones that are over-ear and noise cancelling. They're an excellent upgrade from their predecessors, the WH-1000XM2s and WH-1000XM4. Sony has improved its already impressive active noise cancelling. The fifth-generation headphones, as an example can now block low-frequency sounds such as plane engines and subway car rumbles. They also know where you are, and adjust the Ambient sound control settings accordingly.

You can still make use of a voice-activated assistant to control your music, find directions, and much more. The microphones on the earphones have been upgraded to allow them to be used to make calls using hands-free technology and also to control Siri/Google Assistant. The headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible which means that they can be connected and pair more quickly.

The WH-1000XM5 was awarded top marks in our lab tests for comfort, ease of use and the quality of its sound. The lightweight headset can be worn for long listening sessions without feeling tight on the head, and the ear cups can be adjusted to accommodate various head sizes. The headphones are foldable and flat which makes them easy to pack into a suitcase or backpack.

The ear cups have a slight curvature, and the headband is more refined. This allows for a more subtle appearance. the assembly points. They're covered in a new synthetic leather material that adds more durability and a luxurious look. The ear cup cavities are also a bit bigger and fit more comfortably against the ear, which could cause a bit of pressure to the head after wearing them for extended durations of time.

A few of the features of the WH-1000XM4s have been transferred to the XM5. You can still swipe and tap the right earcup to change the music or pause the audio and access Ambient Sound Mode. You can hold your hand on the right earcup to temporarily turn off the music and boost ambient sounds. This is useful when you want to hear sounds around you.

The XM5s come with some minor improvements that make them a great option for headphones that block out noise. The new ANC provides better isolation of low-frequency sounds and the headphones will stop music when you take them off your head to conserve energy. You can also choose an open listening mode to let in more external 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 ADX700

For those that are looking to get a set of headphones for their gaming setup, the ATH-ADX700 is a great choice. They provide superior sound quality and are comfortable to wear for a long period of time. They are lightweight, which means you will not feel them on your head or ear. They feature a self-adjusting 3D wing that can relieve the pressure and adjust to accommodate your head. The headphones come with an audio cable that can be easily connected to your audio source.

These are open-air headphones which look quite unique, thanks to their massive earcups as well as black honeycomb covers which reveal the drivers inside. The unique design makes these headphones stand out, but that's not all they have to provide. These headphones are unique because of their self-adjusting wing-support construction, the new 53mm driver that has bobbin wound CCAW voice coils and the aluminum casing made of honeycomb that is lightweight.

The ATH-ADX700 has an impressively wide frequency response, which allows for Beats noise cancelling over ear headphones a crisp and natural midrange and treble. The sound is not as bassy as other pairs since they are geared towards a general music listener that does not like being bombarded by low frequencies. These headphones are ideal for gamers, as they let you hear your teammates and other NPCs without being muffled.

The ATH-ADX700 headphones come with an impedance rating of 32 ohms. However, they still require a high-quality amp to perform optimally. It's not a problem when using them with a portable device however, it will be much easier to control and enjoy the full range of sound when they are paired with a headphone amp that is suitable.

The ATH ADX700 comes with a 9.84-foot cable that features a gold-plated 1/8-inch connector and an elastic TPE sheath that helps resist tangling and damage. The ATH ADX700 comes with a 1/4" adapter for mobile devices. The earpads have a plush Velour material that initially squishy and soft, but eventually breaks in. They also have a flexible raised fabric that improves the comfort and durability.