The Best Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones
If you're fighting the sound of jet engines, or simply want to block out the hum of your HVAC system at home, you'll require the best noise cancelling over-ear headphones. The newest Sony WH-1000XM5s are the new top of the line in active noise cancellation, and their predecessors are also fantastic.
We've considered the adjustability of ANC and touch controls as well as on-ear detection for paused music when headphones are removed. Our top picks feature high-quality audio as well as comfortable, spacious earphones.
1. Sony WH-1000XM5
The fifth generation of Sony's top headphones is a significant upgrade over its predecessor, with better noise cancellation and improved audio quality. Its impressive ANC performance creates a virtual cone of silence over your head. It also blocks out a shocking amount of low-frequency noise. The ear cups also block mid- to treble range sounds such as passenger chatter as well as the sound of creaking metal and clanging dishware.
Contrary to some noise cancelling headphones that can sound hollow or unnatural, the WH1000XM5s are extremely natural sounding. They're able to reproduce the rise and fall of Billie's drums with incredible depth and clarity, while keeping edges clear and clear. They're a joy to listen to on an airplane ride or on a commute.
The most common controls are operated by a capacitive touch surface on the right earcup that can play/pause and volume up/down as well as skip forwards/backwards. It can also answer and end calls and switch between ANC and ambient sound mode. You can also hold the power button for a few seconds to hear a voice telling you how much battery life you have left.
Another notable improvement over the XM5s model is its new QN1 microphone that is designed to record high-quality audio while recording podcasts and videos. The microphone is more sensitive than previous models and has a greater audio range which makes it easier to pick up your voice.
The XM5 also carries certain features from the XM4s including the adaptive ANC system which automatically optimizes performance based on your surroundings. Its 'Wearing Detection feature now detects when you take off the headset and stops playing music or video and resumes it as soon as you put them back on. It also works with Sony's DSEE Extreme engine, which claims to boost compressed music to near-high-resolution quality.
2. Sony WH-1000XM4
The WH-1000XM4s are the most recent iteration of Sony's industry-leading over-ear headphones. And although they don't have as much active noise canceling as the WH-1000XM5s, they provide top-of-the-line performance. Alongside the improved Bluetooth and an improved noise-canceling algorithm, the WH1000XM4s have a brand new audio chip that can boost music files to HD quality and more advanced voice controls.
Sony has improved the WH1000XM4s of the most recent version by adding padding to the headband and extending the microphones to the outside. This makes them more comfortable for long listening sessions.
You can also select between five different sound settings based on the environment. Sony headphones come with an app that lets you to modify your EQ settings. The app allows you to track your activity, and automatically optimize the settings. They are a great choice for travelers.
The WH-1000XM4 has also improved its noise cancellation. wireless noise cancelling headphones 's now more effective due to the greater sensitivity and improved filtering of low frequencies. You can check this out by looking at a graph like the one below, where the higher peaks mean that more sounds are being cancelled out. The WH1000XM4s also do better at reducing low-frequency noises such as the hum from an air conditioner or the constant rumble from an airplane engine.
The WH1000XM4s are equipped with a range of amazing features, including a 30 hour battery life and a USB-C charging port. They also come with Quick Alert, which lets users touch the right earcup to reduce music and activate transparency mode; Speak to Chat can pause media when you raise your voice (and works well, although it can sometimes fail to register taps) and Sony's Smart Listening technology, which can recognize and analyze your surroundings to provide better audio.
3. Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II
The Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II (or QC35 Wireless 2018) are headphones for over-ear use which were released in September 2017. They've been replaced by the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 701 that will be available in 2021. However they're still very popular and affordable.
The QC35 II is a great pair of wireless headphones for mixed-use. They provide a comfortable fit as well as a neutral sound quality by default. They also provide outstanding noise isolation. They can be used in noisy environments or while traveling and they last for more than a full day on one charge. They also work with most smart assistants and can be activated with the use of a specific button. You can ask them to play music or answer trivia questions, or read your smartphone notifications.
The padding around the ears is a good size and can accommodate a variety of ear shapes. They are also light. The hinges of the housings can be folded down to make them easier to pack into a bag or backpack. The controls on the right side of the headphones are well placed and feel good to use. A series of taps can control playback, such as skipping and rewinding songs.
To show the quality you can expect from these Bose headphones We played The Beatles' Let It Be and listened to piano parts and drum beats. The QC35 II deliver crisp, clear audio that's smooth and precise. They uncover subtleties in the vocals, for instance Paul McCartney's erratic timing when he's building to the chorus, or Gerard Way's snarl as he sighs about the lack of individuality among Teenagers.
The QC35 II is compatible with the majority of smart assistants. It can connect to up to two devices at once. The QC35 II also come with an accessory case for carrying and a USB cable that is quick to charge.
4. Sony WH-CH720N
Sony has a reputation for making high-quality headphones that cost relatively little. The budget-friendly WHCH720N earphones from Sony aren't any different. They have many of the same features of the WH1000XM5 flagship headphones, but with a more budget friendly design. They offer a great deal of active noise cancellation, but at the price of a small.
Similar to the WH1000XM5 headphones, these cans feature 30mm dynamic drivers that provide ample bass and crisp high frequencies. They also have an even tuning that makes them sound great with a variety of genres of music. They also have a wide soundstage that lets you be immersed in your music.
The WH-CH720N headphones come with buttons instead of the touch controls or gestures used by the XM5 headphones. This can be a bit of a downside, as the buttons can be confusing at first. Luckily, the headphones come with clear labels and the controls are arranged in a smart way. A single press of the button with the '-' lowers the volume, and double presses stop and play audio. By pressing and holding the button the button, voice assistants are activated and calls are rejected.
These headphones last for up to 35 hours with ANC on. This is among the best battery performances we've seen on over-ear headphones. They have a standby mode to conserve battery.
Bluetooth allows you to connect the WH-CH720N headphones to Android and iOS devices. They support LDAC which allows them to play high-quality audio on compatible devices. They're also compatible with PlayStation consoles with an analog 1/8" TRS cable. They can also be used as wired headphones on a PC with the included USB dongle. The Sony Headphones Connect App lets you personalize your headphones with an EQ slider, presets and multipoint connectivity.
5. B&W PX7 S2
The PX7 S2 follow on from the success of their predecessor, but aren't a half-baked update that rides on its own. They have a sleeker design and a new application. They deliver on their promise of premium build-quality with audio that faithfully conveys artistic intent. They are also extremely comfortable to wear throughout the day.
While they don't match the noise cancellation of the Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II or the Sony WH-1000XM5 however, they do a excellent job of blocking out environmental sounds and ensuring you're able to focus on your music, podcasts, or gaming handheld without interruptions. They have a six-microphone setup (four for noise cancellation and two for voice pick-up) and a new algorithm which reduce ambient sound by 30dB. These are also one of only a handful of Bluetooth headphones we've tested that can be used passively, allowing users to listen to their content without the need to power the drive units.
They're also compatible with the B&W Music app, a free download that delivers an array of features to complement the excellent noise cancellation. This includes the Quick Action button that cycles through the three environmental modes and displays battery life. It can be configured to launch your device's voice assistant. The annoying thing is that you have to press and hold the button for a while - one press would be more efficient and intuitive.
The PX7 S2 is a pair of headphones that will delight lovers of music. The PX7 S2 aren't suitable for extreme music genres like metal and rock that favor bass-heavy productions and muddy low frequencies as they are to folk, classical, and Acoustic. However, they will still impress those who value audiophile credentials, and are practical and convenient.