Sony Headphones Review - The Best Noise Cancelling Headphones

The fifth-generation model of Sony's noise-cancelling headphones looks a bit different to the previous version but they sound as excellent. They're lightweight, comfortable and feature a variety of features like Quick Attention mode, Speak-to-Chat wear detection, AI-powered DSEE Extreme audio upscaling.

The ANC is extremely powerful and reduces train noise to a low rumble. The option to pass-through allows you to hear outside sounds when needed.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony's headphones are consistently among the best in the industry in the field of noise cancellation. The fifth generation of WH1000XM5s are not an exception. They offer one of the most impressive audio experiences that we've had. When you put on a pair and enabling noise cancellation is like stepping into a veritable cone of silence: Engine sounds and the whirring of HVAC systems, the creaking metal, and even conversations with neighbors are all muted to an uncanny degree.

The XM5s also stand out on the audio front, with an expansive soundstage that can give all elements of a track space to breathe and shine. For instance, on Billie Eilish's Bad Guy, the drums are pounding with a satisfying force and heft as soaring vocals harmonise across the mix.

The XM5s stand out because of their smart interaction with your smart device. They can detect the moment they are removed from the head and stop the music. They can also note that you are on a noisy highway and automatically reduce the noise cancelling volume.

The WH-1000XM5s also have a low environmental impact. They are made of recycled plastic and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), with a headband made from high-end fabric. They come with a collapsible case that folds into itself, forming a compact pouch. Also included is an 3.5mm to 3.5mm aux cable so that you can listen in passive mode. The ear noise cancelling headphones cups are removable for easy cleaning. The XM5s also come with rechargeable batteries that can provide up to 20-hours of playtime. They are also equipped with a quick charging system that is twice as fast as traditional USB headphones.

2. Bose QuietComfort 35

The Bose QuietComfort 35 II/QC35 II Wireless 2018 are more versatile than the Audio-Technica ATH-DSR9BT Wireless headphones due to their incredibly comfortable fit, a well-balanced sound profile and ANC feature that blocks a large amount of background noise. The Bose headphones come with 20 hours of battery life, and are more convenient to charge and can be used with a mobile even when the battery is empty. This makes them a better option for those looking for headphones that can be used as commuter or travel headphones.

These premium Bose headphones come with a Google Assistant button, which activates the assistant to play music, answer questions and read notifications on your smartphone. These headphones have excellent noise cancellation capabilities. They're old-fashioned in comparison to the standards of 2020 but you can get amazing bargains.

The QC35s, along with other Bose ANC headsets, do excellent job of blocking out ambient noise. Their noise reduction technology has also improved over ear headphones noise cancelling wireless time. However, they're not the best ANC headphones on the market in comparison to contemporary counterparts and audiophiles should look elsewhere for better sound quality.

Similar to the Sonys the QC35s also connect to two devices simultaneously and "audio share" one of them with a person who is a friend. This is useful when you want to listen to music in one around ear noise cancelling headphones while talking to another. They are also popular among frequent flyers, and have that classic Bose design that many people love. SlickWraps or Skin Sticker covers for decals are available at a reasonable cost for those who want to personalize your QC35s.

3. Sony WH-1000XM4

Sony's WH-1000XM4s don't offer much in terms of design or comfort improvements from the M3s, however its noise cancelling is an entirely new beast. Sony has replaced the old system-on chip (SoC) with a new one that, according to the company, around Ear Noise cancelling headphones will enable it to listen and respond more precisely to ambient audio in real-time while reducing mid- and high-frequency noises thanks to its Dual Noise Sensor around ear noise cancelling headphones technology.

Two feedforward microphones in each earcup capture ambient sound. This is then processed by the QN1 noise-cancelling process to reduce it as fast as is possible without affecting the quality of your music. The result is a level of noise reduction that is comparable to the top headphones available at this price.

There's a sensitivity dial that allows you to adjust the noise cancellation to suit your preferences. When you're in public for instance, you might want a little bit of ambient sound to be filtered through in the background, while at home you'll want a more private listening experience. This feature uses geo-location to apply the correct setting based on your destination.

The WH-1000XM4s are able to be used to make calls hands-free and come with an impressive 30 hours of battery life, along with quick charging capabilities. They also boast a robust Bluetooth 5.0 connection, with support for multipoint and NFC. In my testing I discovered that the remastering of Paul McCartney’s Flaming pie was dynamic and clear with rough mixes, and recordings from home also sounded clear and crisp.

Download the Sony Headphones Connect companion app to get the most from these headphones. You can alter the EQ and enjoy features that make it easy such as Bluetooth multipoint. It also unlocks cool new stuff, like Sony's 360 Reality Audio immersive sound mastering process.

4. Sony WH-CH720N

If you're looking for headphones that can provide top-quality active noise cancellation at a budget-friendly price the Sony WHCH720N are a great choice. They improve on their predecessor, the 710N Wireless, offering better ANC performance and a better audio quality. They also feature a lighter design and up to 35 hours of battery life.

These headphones aren't for you if you want flagship features like LDAC Bluetooth and Smart Listening that incorporates voice assistants. They don't have a carrying case, auto-pause feature or foldable earcups which makes them difficult to take on a trip with.

The WH-CH720N's build quality is decent, but not as impressive as the 1000XM5. The headband and earcups are made of plastic. They are light and comfortable for long periods of time, but they won't withstand rigorous use or a few drops on hard surfaces. The design is also quite bulky and the earcups are likely to creak when you move your head. The controls are simple to use, though, with tactile buttons that provide excellent feedback via clicks. The ANC is toggled on and off by a single push of the power switch. Pressing and holding the button activates Sony's Adaptive audio Control. This feature allows you select the appropriate profile based on your location or how you use the headphones.

The WH-CH720N noise cancelling beats wireless noise cancelling headphones headphones are among the most affordable on the market. For the money, you get great ANC and excellent sound quality, lightweight comfort and up to 35 hours of 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 are perfect for calling and music and their ANC technology blocks a lot of noise without making your ears feel like they are being suffocated. They also come with numerous features you can find on other headphones that cost twice as much or more.

The earbuds have a pronounced bass range which adds rumble and punch to most tracks, while keeping the lead vocals and instruments clear and clear. This makes them perfect for a variety of content. However, they might seem a bit loud to some. They have a very uniform frequency response, meaning that they sound exactly the same no matter what you are listening to.

We listened to Missy Elliott's Get Ur Freak On, and the earbuds did an amazing job of celebrating the track's bass-heavy opening with fervor and enthusiasm. Stormzy's Vossi Bop was a similarly agile listen with the treble playing off the layered vocals as well as drums.

Voice quality is excellent even in noisy environments. The earbuds feature the latest Qualcomm chip that ensures background noises, clicks, and other distractions are kept to bay. This is the case even when talking on the London Underground during rush hour.

The earbuds' Bluetooth connectivity is also excellent with no issues during our tests. They connect and pair quickly and with minimal latency on iOS and Android devices. They are IPX5 waterproof, so you can use them for exercise or rain. However they shouldn't be submerged in water. They come with a case that can hold two quarters and two quarters of charges. This is great for traveling.