Sony Headphones Review - The Best Noise Cancelling Headphones

The fifth-generation Sony noise cancelling headphones are a little different from the previous model, however, they sound as good. They're lightweight, comfortable and come with a variety of features including Quick Attention mode, Speak-to-Chat wear detection, AI-powered DSEE Extreme audio upscaling.

The ANC is powerful, cutting train noise to an ambient rumble. The option to pass-through allows you to hear outside sounds when needed.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony headphones are among the top in the field of noise cancellation. The fifth generation of WH-1000XM5s are no exception, offering one of the best over the ear headphones noise cancelling experiences we've had with noise cancellation headphones in recent memory. When you put on your headphones and enable noise cancellation, it's like walking into a cone of silence. Engine noises and HVAC systems, squeaking metal, and even conversations with neighbors are all muted.

The XM5s also stand out on the audio front, with an expansive soundstage that gives every element of a track room to breathe and shine. For instance, on Billie's Bad Guy, the drums are pounding with a satisfying weight and drive as singing voices soaring reverberate across the mix.

Other features that make the XM5s stand out are their intelligent interactions with your smartphone. They will detect when they're being removed from your head and play music, they can detect that you're traveling on a busy road and automatically dial down the noise cancelling volume and they can also connect to two devices simultaneously to switch between them, depending on what you need more urgently.

The WH-1000XM5s are also very green. The WH-1000XM5s consist of recycled plastics and acrylonitrile, butadiene, styrene. The headband is made of premium fabric. They come with a case that folds into itself, forming the compact pouch. Also included is a 3.5mm to 3.5mm aux cable so that you can listen in passive mode. The earcups are removable for easy cleaning. The XM5s are powered by a rechargeable battery that provides up to 20 hours of playtime on a full charge. Additionally, they're equipped with an adaptive fast charging system that charges at twice the speed of standard USB headphones.

2. Bose QuietComfort 35

The Bose QuietComfort 35 I/QC35 II Wireless, with their comfortable fit, balanced sound profile, and ANC technology that blocks out a large amount of background noise, are more versatile than Audio-Technica ATH-DSR9BT Wireless Headphones. The Bose headphones also have longer battery life of 20 hours, take less time to charge and can be connected to a smartphone even when the battery is not fully charged, making them a better choice for those who need a pair of headphones that can serve as commuting headphones, or travel headphones.

These premium Bose headphones have a dedicated button that activates Google Assistant, which will play music, answer trivia questions, and read your smartphone notifications. They are a great noise cancelling capabilities, and even though they're getting long by 2020 standards (and have successors to their sibling line, the QC35), you can still get great bargains on these headphones.

As with other Bose ANC headphones, the QC35s do a solid job of blocking out background noise and noise reduction technology has advanced over time. They're not the most effective ANC headphone on the market particularly when compared to newer competitors. Audiophiles will want to look elsewhere for better sound.

The QC35s can also be used to connect to two devices simultaneously, and can "audio share" with a person. This is great if you'd like to listen to music while conversing with someone else. These headphones are popular with frequent flyers, Noise Cancelling and have the classic Bose design that many people adore. If you're looking to spruce up the QC35s with some personalization, cover-ups for decals such as SlickWraps and Skin Sticker are available for affordable prices.

3. Sony WH-1000XM4

The WH-1000XM4s from Sony don't change much in terms of aesthetics or comfort, but their noise cancelling technology is a completely new beast. The company has replaced its old system-on chip (SoC) with a new one that it claims will allow it to detect and respond more precisely ambient audio in real-time, reducing high and mid-frequency noises with its Dual Noise Sensor technology.

Two feedforward microphones inside each earcup record ambient sound. The sound is processed by the QN1 noise cancelling processor to reduce it quickly without affecting the quality of your audio. The result is an incredibly impressive level of noise neutralization that easily competes with the top headphones at this price.

There's also a sensitivity knob which lets you alter the noise cancellation to your requirements. For instance, if you prefer to listen to ambient sounds in public when you're at home, but you might prefer a more secluded off listening experience. This feature also makes use of geo-location to automatically select the appropriate setting depending on where you're going.

The WH1000XM4s are capable of making hands-free phone calls. They also have 30 hours of battery life and fast charging capabilities. The WH-1000XM4s also feature an extremely robust Bluetooth connection with multipoint and NFC support. In my testing I noticed that a quick Remastering of Paul McCartney's Flaming pie was dynamic and clear as well as rough mixes and recordings from the home also sounded clear and crisp.

Download the Sony Headphones Connect companion app to get the most from these headphones. This lets you customize the EQ settings and provides convenience features such as Bluetooth multipoint, while allowing you to access some of the latest cool things - like access to Sony's 360 Reality Audio immersive surround-sound mastering technique that breathes life into the older music.

4. Sony WH-CH720N

The Sony WH-CH720N headphones make a excellent choice if you're looking to purchase headphones that offer outstanding active noise cancellation at affordable prices. The 710N Wireless is an improvement over its predecessor and offers more efficient ANC performance, and superior sound quality. The 710N Wireless also has a slimmer design with battery lifespan of up to 35 hours.

These headphones aren't suitable for those who want flagship features like LDAC Bluetooth and Smart Listening, which integrates voice assistants. They don't come with a carry case, auto-pause feature or earcups that fold and are therefore difficult to carry around.

The quality of the construction of the WHCH720N is decent however, it's not as great as a 1000XM5. The headband and earcups are constructed of plastic. They're light and comfortable for long periods, but they're not built to withstand intense use or a few drops on hard surfaces. The design is a bit heavy, and the earcups squeak when you move them. The controls are easy to use with tactile buttons which provide a good clicky feedback. A single press of the power button toggles ANC on and off, whereas pressing and holding the button prompts you to activate Sony's Adaptive Audio Control feature. This feature lets you select an audio profile that is preset according to the type of headphones you're using the headphones (e.g., "Staying at Work" or "Running") or your current location (with your phone's permission to determine this).

The WH-CH720N is among the most cost-effective headphones for wireless noise cancelling headphones on the market. You get great ANC for the price, plus lightweight comfort, and up to 35-hour battery life. These headphones are worth a look when you travel frequently.

5. Earfun Air Pro

The Air Pro is no different. Earfun headsets and earbuds are known for their great value. They're great for calls and enthralling for music, while their ANC block a lot of sound without making you feel as if your ears are squeezed. These headphones also have a lot of features that are found in headphones that cost up to twice as more.

The earbuds have an overemphasized bass range which adds rumble and punch to the majority of tracks and keeps lead vocals and instruments bright and clear. This makes them ideal for a variety of content. However, they might seem a bit loud to some. They have a constant frequency response, which means they sound the same regardless of the content you are listening.

We played Missy Elliott's Get Ur Freak On and the earbuds embraced the track's bassy opening with enthusiasm and enthusiasm. Stormzy's Vossi Bop had a similar fluid sound and the treble was a highlight of the vocals and percussion.

The quality of voice is superb even in noisy environments. The earbuds feature the latest Qualcomm chip, which ensures that background noises, clicks and other distractions are kept at the bare minimum. This is true even when you are talking to London Underground during rush hour.

The Bluetooth connectivity of the earbuds are also excellent, with a small number of issues we encountered during our testing. They connect quickly and with low latency to iOS and Android devices. They're also IPX5 water resistant, so they're fine for rain and workouts - although you shouldn't immerse them in water. They also come with a portable case that holds two and a half batteries which is ideal to take on trips.