Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?

On the train or in the office, noise-cancelling headphones are an absolute must for anyone who likes to listen. But which ones are the best?

With a new design that is a step up in sound quality, and an enviable list of features, Sony's new flagship headphones are a great value. From the powerful chorus to Sinead O'Connor's shaking bridge, these headphones provide superb detail and realism.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony is a master at noise cancellation, and its WH-1000XM5 headphones are the most advanced version of the series. A few well-thought-out improvements over the XM4s make these headphones an all-round excellent pair of cans, especially for those who commute and travel. They're comfortable, have multipoint technology that allows you to connect to two devices simultaneously and feature the most powerful ANC Sony's ever produced. They are lightweight and can play for up to 27 hours with no charging. This is enough for a week of commutes or long-haul flights.

The WH-1000XM5s feature an elegant, minimalist design and are made of a recycled and recyclable plastic, known as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The branding is very minimal. There's a tiny Sony logo on each hinge of the earcup. The earcups and the headband are cushioned with plush soft material that feels comfortable on all heads. The earcups can be adjusted so that you can find the perfect fit for you.

Contrary to previous models which focused on reducing low-frequency noise the XM5s amplify high-frequency sound waves in order to block out ambient sounds. This improves the overall sound quality, and can help reduce cabin and engine noise on flights. The XM5s has an additional processing unit that helps increase noise cancelling over ear headphones cancellation on planes. The audio app is also able to automatically adjust your listening environment in accordance with the pressure of the air.

The WH-1000XM5s also has an integrated voice assistant that is simple to use and works with Alexa as well as Google Assistant, Siri, and many more. The XM5s can be connected with other Sony audio devices to provide stereo separation and multi-room music. They're compatible with Bluetooth high-bitrate audio streaming via Sony's LDAC codec however they don't support the aptX or aptX HD.

2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

When a company has been making headphones for longer than Sennheiser, you expect class-leading sound quality and a comfy fit. They deliver on both fronts with their latest headphones, dubbed the Momentum 4 Wireless. They've revamped their design to eliminate a few trademark elements that gave their original models the look of an aviator. They also upgraded active noise cancellation with their newest Adaptive Noisy Cancellation Technology. These headphones are rated to last for 60 hours when ANC on this, which is more than double the battery life of other competitors.

They're also more mobile than the previous model since they fold down and are much smaller overall. They're made from synthetic leather that can be used to make the replaceable headband and ear pads that feel comfortable on my head even when I wear them all day at work. They are also not very tight, so you can wear them on long flights or during workouts.

The sound is clean and well-balanced There are a few peaks in the low-mid and high-mid, which can cause slight muddying in the mixes. The bass is too loud with a lot of energy and thump in genres such as EDM or hip hop. It's not a major issue however some listeners might find it irritating. The high-mid area has a little uneven balance too that pushes instruments and vocals towards the front of the mix, but at the cost of bringing out sibilants in some songs.

The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless is equipped with all the usual features including bluetooth wireless connectivity, a transparent mode which blends outside sounds into your music to improve awareness, and mobile application support for custom and preset EQ options. You can also use a 3.5mm cord to connect your phone. They are able to connect to your device via SBC, AAC HD, and aptX Adaptive codes, and they can cut down the latency by as much as one quarter second.

3. B&W PX7 S2

The original PX7s were a top choice on many lists of best Bluetooth headsets due to their outstanding ANC and sound quality. However, like many wireless headphones, they've become older and required to be refreshed, hence the PX7 S2. B&W hasn't merely tweaked the design for this new version, but it's made considerable improvements to ANC and also added more voice-calling features, too.

The first thing you will notice when you open the box and get the PX7 S2 is how light they are, which makes them comfortable for long listening sessions. The design of the PX7 S2 is mostly identical to the previous model. This includes the sleek oval aluminum top-plate for the earcups, the hook-like accent that slides rather than clicks when you expand the headband, and the physical buttons. The earcups, however, are smaller and the headband is less substantial.

B&W's software lets you adjust the EQ settings of bass and treble. However you don't have as much control as you would with more expensive headphones. The Quick Action button on left earcup switches between the different environmental modes. It can also be programmed to summon the voice assistant of your device in the Bowers & Wilkins Music App.

The PX7 S2 sounds great for all musical styles, and has a soundstages that have plenty of width and good separation between the various elements of sound. It shines especially on selections that showcase acoustic instruments, like Rachmaninoff's Cello Sonata in G Minor, Op. 19, composed by pianist Yuja Wang and cellist Gautier Capucon with a woody tone and an airy feel. It can take on heavier music as well. The bass punch and midrange clarity on Entombed's garage/deathn'roll crossover To Ride and Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth The album is an overwhelming sound while keeping things clear to hear vocal details like Lars-Goran Petrov's grittier growl.

4. Bose QuietComfort 35

Bose was one of the first companies to introduce active noise cancelling headphones into the mainstream. While they held an advantage over the market for years, they are now competing with more modern headsets with more features and better sound quality. QuietComfort 35 remains a great option for anyone who wants to listen to their podcasts or music without sound rumbles or hums.

They're comfortable to wear and feature a a well-balanced default sound profile. The ANC does a fantastic job of eliminating background noise, although it tends to emphasize low frequencies more than newer headphones, such as the Sony WH-1000XM5.

If you're seeking a pair that can be used to listen to audiobooks or podcasts The QC35s come with an impressive noise cancellation mode that reduces ambient noises while keeping you adrift from the hum of the world around you. The QC35s can also connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and "audio-share" which allows you to listen to music on one pair of headphones and answer an incoming phone call on the other pair.

The Bose Connect App is decent but it doesn't offer the full EQ features of other headphone apps. The QC35s are also used in wired mode using a cable, but the quality of sound takes a huge hit and they don't have the same level of battery longevity as wireless models.

The QC35s are a Bose product, but it may not be for everyone. Other manufacturers offer sleeker designs. You can add some personalization to your headphones by purchasing a decal cover from companies such as SlickWraps or Skin Sticker. In the near future you'll be able to alter the color of the earcups and beats studio3 wireless noise cancelling Over ear headphones headband, just like with the earlier QC25.

5. Sony WH-1000XM3

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

The XM3s have an excellent audio quality, and since their release, they've been enhanced to give an even better experience. They're equipped with a little more detail in the frequency spectrum. Their noise cancellation is better at all levels of volume. They also have upgraded features like Quick Attention mode and Speak-to-Chat. They also have a new feature called Adaptive Sound Control that adjusts automatically the amount of external sound allowed in based on where you're at and beats studio3 wireless noise cancelling Over ear headphones what you're doing.

They're not without some issues, though. The midrange can sound receding, and the treble may sometimes be too loud. They are still prone to boost the bass too much on certain tracks, which makes the sound too heavy and full. But this is something you can fix by changing the settings for your headphone or via EQ adjustments in the Sony app.

The XM3s make a great pair headphones, especially for commuters or frequent travelers. They're more comfortable, comfortable, and appear superior and more durable than the JBL Live 650 BTNC Beats Studio3 Wireless Noise Cancelling Over Ear Headphones, and they have a much superior battery and one of our favorite noise cancelling features in the business. They're also more versatile and more suited for use on the go than Audio-Technica's ATH-M50X wireless, but their noise cancellation isn't as impressive. They're not waterproof, which could be a deal breaker for some.