Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?

On the train or at work, noise-cancelling headphones are an absolute must for those who love to listen. Which are the best?

Sony's flagship headphones are a fantastic value. They come with a fresh design and superior sound quality, and also enticing features. These headphones can capture every detail, from Sinead O'Connor's bridge that trembles to the booming chorus.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony is the king of noise cancellation, and its WH1000XM5 headphones are among the best version of this model. This model is a fantastic pair of headphones, particularly for those who commute or travel. They're comfortable and feature multipoint technology that allows you to connect to two devices at once and have the best ANC Sony's ever produced. They're light and can run for up to 27 hours without charging. This is enough time to get through a week of commutes or long-haul flights.

The WH-1000XM5s sport an elegant minimalist design. They are made of recycled and recyclable plastic referred to as acrylonitrile butadiene (ABS). Branding is minimal, though there is a tiny 'Sony' logo on the hinge of each earcup. The headband and earcups have soft, plush materials that is comfortable for beats studio3 wireless noise cancelling over ear headphones all heads apart from the biggest. The earcups are also adjustable to ensure that you get the perfect fit for you.

Contrary to previous models which focused on reducing low-frequency noise, the XM5s amplify high-frequency sound waves, which cancels out ambient noise. This improves the overall quality of the sound, and helps to reduce engine and cabin noises during flights. The XM5s come with a second processor to dial up noise cancellation even more on planes and the audio app will also automatically adjust your listening environment based on air pressure data.

Other features of the WH-1000XM5s include an enhanced voice assistant that is easy to use and works with Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri and more. You can also pair the XM5s with other Sony audio products to allow multi-room music playback as well as stereo separation. They are compatible with Bluetooth high-bitrate streaming audio via Sony's LDAC, but not aptX or HD.

2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

When a company has been making headphones for as long as Sennheiser you can expect top-of-the-line audio quality and a comfortable fit. They deliver on both fronts with their latest headphones, named the Momentum 4 Wireless. They've revamped the design to remove some of the distinctive elements that gave the original models the look of a aviator headset and also improved their active noise cancellation with their advanced Adaptive over-ear noise cancelling headphones Cancellation technology. They've evaluated these headphones to last for 60 hours of listening with ANC enabled, which is more than double the battery life of most rivals.

They're also much more portable than the previous model since they fold down and are smaller overall. They're made of synthetic leather that can be used to make the replaceable headband and earpads which feel comfortable on my noggin even when I wear them for the entire working. There's not much clamping force that keeps them in place and they'll be comfortable during flights and during workouts that last longer.

The sound is clear and well-balanced, though there are some high-pitched peaks in the mid- and high-mid, which can cause slight muddiness in mixes. The bass is too loud which adds extra punch and thump in genres such as EDM or hip hop. It's not a big deal but it might annoy some listeners. The high-mid also has an uneven balance that brings instruments and vocals forward in the mix but at the expense of bringing out some sibilants.

The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless comes with all the usual features including bluetooth wireless connectivity, a translucent mode which blends outside sounds into your music to improve awareness and mobile app support for custom and preset EQ options. They can also be used with an 3.5mm cable for connecting to your phone via wire. They are able to connect to your device via SBC, AAC HD, and aptX Adaptive codes and can cut down the latency by as much as one quarter second.

3. B&W PX7 S2

The original PX7s were top of the line on many lists of the most reliable Bluetooth headsets due to their superior ANC and audio quality. The PX7s, like most wireless headphones, were becoming old and needed a refresh. Therefore, the PX7S2. B&W hasn't merely tweaked the design for this new version, but has made considerable improvements to ANC and added more voice-call features, too.

The first thing you notice when you open the box and pick up the PX7 S2 is just how lightweight they are, which makes them comfortable for long listening sessions. The overall design is carried over from the previous model, including the elongated aluminum earcup top as well as the hook-like design on the headband that glides rather than clicks when you expand it, and finally the actual buttons. The earcups are a bit smaller, though, and the headband is a bit less substantial overall.

B&W's software allows you to adjust EQ settings for treble and bass, but you don't get as much control over the mix of the two components like you do on more expensive headphones. A Quick Action button on the left earcup toggles various modes of the environment. It can also be configured within the Bowers & Wilkins Music app to summon the voice assistant on your device.

The PX7 S2 sounds great for all musical styles, and has a soundstages that have plenty of width and good separation between the various sounds. It shines particularly on pieces that feature acoustic instruments like Rachmaninoff's Cello Sonata in G Minor Op. 19 by pianist Yuja Wang and cellist Gautier Capucon, with woody instrumental tones and a sense of air. It can take on heavier music too. The bass punch and midrange clarity on Entombed's crossover of garage and deathn'roll, To Ride, Shoot Straight, and Speak the Truth provide an imposing soundscape while allowing you to hear vocal details like Lars-Goran Petrov’s gritty growl.

4. Bose QuietComfort 35

Bose is among the first companies to introduce active noise cancelling headphones to the mainstream. They held a stranglehold for a long time, but now they have to compete with newer headsets that offer more features and better audio quality. However the QuietComfort 35 is still a great choice for anyone who wants to hear their podcasts and music without being interrupted by constant buzzing and rumbles.

The default sound profile is balanced, and they're comfortable to wear. The ANC does a great job of removing background noise, but it tends to emphasize low frequencies more than the latest headphones, such as the Sony WH-1000XM5.

The QC35s are an excellent pair of headphones to listen to podcasts and audiobooks. They feature an active noise cancelling headphones wireless cancellation feature that blocks out ambient sounds yet still keeps you secluded from your surroundings. The QC35s can also connect two Bluetooth devices at the same time and "audio-share" so you can play something on one pair of headphones while answering an incoming phone call on the other.

The Bose Connect app is decent but it doesn't have the vast EQ options offered by other headphone apps. The QC35s are also used in wired mode with cables, but the sound quality takes a major drop and they don't offer the same level of battery life as wireless models.

The QC35s sport a classic Bose look that might not appeal to some consumers as the more sleek designs of other brands. You can personalize your headphones by purchasing a decal-covered cover from companies like SlickWraps or Skin Sticker. Later this year you'll be able to customize the color of the earcups as well as the headband, similar to the older QC25.

5. Sony WH-1000XM3

Sony's WH1000XM3 are the most effective wireless headphones with active noise cancellation you can get today. They're a bit more expensive than the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless, but they block out a lot more ambient noise and feel much more durable. The app is also superior and comes with a variety of options for sound customization.

The XM3s' excellent audio quality is one of the main reasons why they're popular and they've been improved since their release to provide the best performance. They have a little more clarity across the frequency spectrum The noise cancelling function works better at all volume levels and they've added improved controls for things like Quick Attention mode, beats studio3 Wireless noise cancelling over ear headphones voice control and Speak-to-Chat. They also have a brand new feature called Adaptive Sound Control that adjusts automatically the amount of external sound allowed in based on where you're at and what you're doing.

There are some issues, however. The treble can sound a little overpowering at times and the midrange can sound a bit more recessed. They have a tendency to increase bass too much in certain tracks, which makes the sound seem too loud and heavy. But this is something you can address by changing the settings for your headphone or by using EQ adjustment in the Sony app.

The XM3s are a fantastic pair of headphones, especially for frequent travelers and commuters. They're more comfortable, comfortable, and appear superior and more durable than the JBL Live 650 BTNC beats studio3 wireless Noise cancelling over ear headphones and also have a much superior battery and one of our top noise cancellation features in the business. They are also more versatile and better-equipped to use on the go than Audio-Technica's ATH M50X wireless, but their noise cancelling is less impressive. They're not waterproof, and that could be a deal breaker for some.