The Best Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones
Whether you're battling the sound of jet engines, or simply want to block out the sound of your HVAC system at home, you'll need the top noise cancelling over-ear headphones. The WH1000XM5s from Sony are the best in active sound cancellation. Their predecessors were fantastic.
We've looked at the possibility of adjusting ANC and touch controls, and also on-ear detection for paused music when headphones are removed. Our top picks feature high-quality audio, comfortable ear cups and ear cups that are spacious.
1. Sony WH-1000XM5
The fifth generation of Sony flagship headphones provides an impressive improvement over the previous models, offering improved noise cancellation and superior audio quality. Its remarkable ANC performance creates an illusion of silence that covers your head and blocks out a surprising amount low-frequency sounds. The earcups block out noises in the mid-treble range including chatter from the passengers and creaking metal.
The WH-1000XM5s sound very natural, unlike other noise cancelling headphones that sound hollow. They can render the drums of Billie Eilish with astonishing clarity while keeping the edges clean and clear. They're great to listen to during the commute or during a long flight.
A capacitive touch-screen on the right earcup controls the most frequently used controls, including play/pause, volume up/down, skip forwards/backwards and skip. It can also call and end calls and switch between ANC and ambient sound mode. Alternately, press and hold the power button for a few seconds to hear a voice warning of the battery's remaining life.
The new QN1 microphone is another notable improvement to the XM5s. It is designed to capture high-quality audio when recording videos and podcasts. The microphone is more sensitive and has a wider audio range than the previous models making it easier to recognize your own voice.
Other features from the XM4s are been incorporated into the XM5 including its adaptive ANC system that automatically optimizes performance based on your environment. Its "Wearing Detection feature now detects when you take off the headset, and then pauses videos or music and resumes it when you put them back on. noise cancelling over ear headphones with Sony's DSEE Extreme Engine, which enhances compressed music to close to hi-res quality.
2. Sony WH-1000XM4
The WH1000XM4s of Sony are the latest version of their top-of-the-line over-ear headphones. They feature top-of-the-line performance although they don't come with the same active noise cancellation that is available on the WH1000XM5s. In addition to having stronger Bluetooth and an improved noise-canceling algorithm, the WH-1000XM4s also feature a new audio chip that boosts music files to HD quality and has more advanced voice controls.
Sony has upgraded the WH1000XM4s with the latest generation by adding padding to the headband and moving the microphones outwards. This makes them more comfortable to listen to for long periods.
They're also more versatile, allowing you to switch between five modes of sound depending on your environment. Sony headphones have an app that allows you to modify your EQ settings. They're an excellent choice for travelers and the app lets you track your activities and automatically adjust their settings on the fly.
The WH-1000XM4 has also enhanced its noise cancellation. It is now more effective due to its greater sensitivity and improved filtering of low frequencies. You can check this out by studying a graph similar to the one above, where higher peaks indicate more sounds are being cancelled out. The WH1000XM4s are also superior in reducing low-frequency noises, such as the hum from an air conditioner or the constant rumble of the engine of a plane.
The WH1000XM4s are equipped with a range of excellent features, including a 30-hour battery life and a USB-C charging port. They also have Quick Alert, which lets you tap the right earcup in order to deflect the music and turn on the transparency mode; Speak to Chat stops media when you speak (and works well, although it may not always detect taps), and Sony's Smart Listening technology, which can recognize and analyze your environment to deliver better audio.
3. Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II
The Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II headphones (or QC35 Wireless 2018, as they're also known) were released in September 2017. Although they've been replaced by the 2021-released Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 They are still popular and affordable and are worth a look for an active noise cancelling headphone.
The QC35 II are a great pair of mixed usage wireless headphones that offer an incredibly comfortable fit with a neutral sound profile, and outstanding noise isolation. They are suitable for travel or in noisy settings and last more than a full day on a single battery charge. They also work with a variety of smart assistants and can be activated with a dedicated button. You can ask them to play music or answer trivia questions, or read notifications from your smartphone.
They feature a wide opening in the ear padded that can fit most ear shapes and sizes and are lightweight. The hinges of the housings can be folded down to make them easier to pack in a bag or a backpack. The controls are located on the right-hand side of the headphones and are easy to use. A series of taps will control playback, including the ability to rewind and skip songs.
We heard The Beatles' Let It Be as well as the drum beats and piano. The QC35 II delivers crisp, clear audio with a smooth and detailed sound. They can pick up subtleties like Paul McCartney's unsteady timing as he builds to the chorus, or Gerard Way’s snarl when he rants about the teen-like persona in teenagers.
The QC35 II is compatible with the majority of smart assistants. It can connect to two devices simultaneously. The QC35 II comes with a carry bag and USB charging cable.
4. Sony WH-CH720N
Sony is a brand known for producing excellent headphones at a relatively affordable cost. The budget-friendly WHCH720N headphones from Sony aren't any different. They have many of the same features of the flagship WH1000XM5 headphones, but in an affordable design. They also provide a good amount of active noise cancelling at a very low cost.
These headphones have powerful drivers that measure 30mm in size. They offer crisp high-frequency sound and ample bass. They also have a balanced tuning to make them sound good with different genres of music, and they have a large soundstage that allows you to feel immersed in your listening.
The WH-CH720N headphones feature buttons instead of the touch controls or gestures employed by the XM5 headphones. This can be a more of a problem since the buttons can be confusing at first. Luckily, the headphones have clear labels and the controls are placed intelligently. One press of the '-' button lowers the volume, and double presses pauses and plays audio. Pressing and holding the button activates voice assistants, and also rejects calls.
With ANC turned on the headphones will last about 35 hours before running out of power. This is the best battery performance we've ever witnessed in over-ear headphones. They also feature a standby mode to assist in preserving battery.
The WH-CH720N can be connected to Android phones and iOS devices via Bluetooth. They support LDAC which allows them to play high-res audio on compatible devices. They also work with PlayStation consoles that use an analog 1/8" TRS cable and can be used as wired headphones on a computer using 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 an unfinished update riding on its own. With a sleeker design and a new app, they deliver on the promise of premium build quality with audio that is designed to faithfully express artistic intention. They are also extremely comfortable to wear throughout the day.
While they're not as effective as the noise cancellation of the Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II or the Sony WH-1000XM5, they do a very good job of removing ambient noises and ensuring that you can focus on your music, podcasts or gaming on your handheld without distractions. They have a six-microphone setup (four for noise cancellation and two for voice-recording) and a new algorithm that reduce ambient sound by 30dB. They're also among the few Bluetooth headphones we've tested that can be used in a passive mode, which allows you to listen to your content on your own without putting power to the drive units.
The B&W Music app is also compatible, a free download which offers a range of features to complement the great noise cancellation. This includes a Quick Action button that cycles through three modes for environmental use and displays battery life. It can be configured to launch your device's voice assistant. It's annoying to have to press and hold it for a while. A single press is more intuitive and simple.
The PX7 S2 are an impressive pair of headphones, which will delight all music enthusiasts. They're not quite as suitable for the raucous music of genres such as metal and rock that tend to favor bass-heavy productions and muddy low frequencies, like they are to classical, folk and acoustic music, but will still be awe-inspiring to those who appreciate audiophile cred that's also practical and comfortable.