The Best Over-Ear Headphones

If you travel on public transit, work in an office with noisy coworkers or just want to listen to your music with no interruptions of outside noise, headphones with noise cancellation on the ear can make all the difference. We've reviewed the best headphones for over-ear use that combine great sound quality with active noise cancellation.

Mpow Over Ear Headphones

These Bluetooth headphones by Mpow are well-built and offer premium audio quality for the price. The headphones are designed to be worn over the ears, and come with earcups that comfortably fit over your ears. This helps to block out background noise. The earpads consist of a moderately padded cushion that encases your ears well enough to muffle out a good part of the sounds that surround you, though they do not come with a noise canceling feature. The earpads are heavier than 11 ounces, however, they are comfortable to wear over long periods of time.

The Mpow headphones feature an elegant design that's not too far removed from most other models of over-ear headphones available. The headband that connects the two earcups is hinged and can be folded up for storage or transportation. The left earcup houses the controls for power, volume and noise cancellation. The right ear cup has a microphone that allows hands-free calling.

The Mpow headphones offer very excellent sound quality, however they don't have the bass punch or clarity of the Sony WH1000XM5. The PRTF accuracy and activation score are above average for Bluetooth headphone models. This will result in a wide and wide soundstage when listening music. However, their PRTF distance score is lower than average, meaning they will sound closed in and less open than headphones that have large, open-back earcups.

They also have a good amount of treble extension which should give you a clear and crisp sound that will be able to handle the majority of genres of music. The mids are a slightly more distinct than the Sony headphones, which gives them a somewhat more dynamic sound that is great for music with lots of instruments. The bass can be overpowering for some people however this is a personal preference that can be adjusted by altering the equalizer settings on your audio player.

The Mpow headphones are a good option for those who want to listen to their favorite music without interruptions. They feature an extended battery life and can also be used in wired mode after the battery is exhausted. They come with a cord and USB charger included in the box, which means you can continue to listen to your music without interruptions. The manufacturer offers a 45-day money back warranty, along with an 18-month guarantee on these headphones. Their customer service is also known for its responsiveness.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 is the newest over-ear headphones to be found in Bowers & Wilkins' catalog. The PX7 is replaced by the PX7 S2 and Head phones are part of a larger collection of wireless headphones which includes the PI5 and PI7. The design of these headphones feels immediately elegant when they are unboxed. The use of metals and textured materials on the earcups and headband give them an exquisitely constructed feel. The headphones are also more comfortable on the head and ear even though they are slightly heavier. The ear pads are easily removable and can be replaced when they are worn out.

These headphones are equipped with active noise cancellation. This reduces external sounds, while still allowing for you to listen to your music. The technology isn't perfect, but it does a great job of keeping train and plane engine sounds from your ear canals, without affecting the balance between music tracks.

One thing that distinguishes the PX7 S2 apart from their competitors is the soundstage they offer, which offers plenty of space and great separation between the various sound elements. This clarity isn't always present in other Bluetooth headphones.

Although the PX7 S2s aren't as lightweight as their rivals however, they come with a nice carry case. It's also well-padded, and the headphones can fold flat for easy storage when not in use.

The earcups are made of an enveloping, soft leather that feels luxurious to the touch. The ear cups are lightweight, which makes them comfortable to wear during long listening sessions. The headband is designed to be as comfortable as is possible and it doesn't clamp too tightly, which can help prevent headaches over time.

The headphones come with many features like Bluetooth multipoint which allows them to be connected with two devices simultaneously. They support all the popular Bluetooth codecs as well as hi-res audio in the event that your streaming service supports it. They also have an audio amplifier that gives them an additional boost when used with electronics that aren't powered like laptops.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH1000XM5 is the newest model in Sony’s premium noise cancelling over-ear headphones. These headphones are a great improvement to their predecessors, the WH1000XM2s or WH1000XM4. Sony has improved its already impressive active noise cancellation. The fifth-generation headphones noise, for instance, can now mute low-frequency sounds such as plane engines and subway car rumbles. They also know where you are and adjust the Ambient sound control settings in line with your location.

You can still make use of voice-activated assistants to control your music or get directions. The microphones that are in the ear cups have been upgraded, meaning they can be used for hands-free calls and Siri/Google Assistant commands. The headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible which means that they can pair and connect quicker.

The WH-1000XM5 was awarded high scores in our lab tests for comfort, user-friendliness and sound quality. The lightweight headset is comfortable enough to wear for long listening sessions without feeling tight on the head, and the ears can be adjusted to accommodate various head sizes. The headphones fold flat making them easy to pack into backpacks or suitcases.

The ears have a slight curvature and the headband is more refined. This helps to hide the assembly points. They're covered in a modern synthetic leather that provides additional durability and luxury. The earcup cavities are also a bit larger and sit more snugly against the ears, which can cause some pressure to the head after wearing them for extended periods of time.

The XM5 retains some of the basic features of the WH1000XM4s. You can still swipe or tap the right ear cup to switch between music, pause audio and access the Ambient sound mode. You can also place your fingers over the right ear cup to temporarily reduce the volume of your music and boost ambient sound. This is helpful when you need to hear what's going on around you.

The XM5s come with a few small improvements that make them a good choice for headsets that can block noise cancelling headphones with mic. The new ANC offers better isolation of low-frequency noises, and the headphones will stop music when lifted off your Head Phones in order to save energy. Transparent listening mode lets in more outside 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 purchase a set of headphones for gaming the ATHXX700 is a fantastic choice. They provide high-quality sound and are comfortable to wear for a long period of time. They are lightweight so you don't feel them on your ears or head. They feature a self-adjusting 3D wing that adapts to your head and eliminates pressure. The headphones include an audio cable that can be easily connected to your audio source.

Open-air headphones that have a unique design, these headphones come with large earcups that reveal the drivers. The unique design is what makes these headphones stand out, but that's not all they have to provide. These headphones are unique because of their self-adjusting wings-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 broad frequency response, which provides a clear and natural midrange and treble. The sound isn't as bassy as other models since they are geared towards an average music lover who does not like being bombarded by low frequencies. They are an excellent pair of headphones for gamers as they allow you to hear the voices of your friends and NPCs without being obstructed by a loud bass.

Although the ATH-ADX700 has an impedance of 32 ohms, they still require a decent amplifier to achieve the best performance. It's not a problem when using them with an audio player that is portable, but it will be much easier to manage and enjoy the full range of sound when they are paired with an appropriate headphone amp.

The ATH-ADX700 comes with a 9.84-foot cable with an 1/8-inch gold-plated connector as well as an elastic TPE sheath to resist tangling and damage. The ATH-ADX700 comes with an 1/4" adapter for mobile devices. The earpads are made of a soft Velour material that initially squishy and soft, but eventually breaks into. The earpads are also composed of a soft, higher-quality material that enhances comfort and durability.