Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?

The noise-cancelling headphones can be a godsend to anyone who loves to listen, whether you're at work or commuting on the train. Which ones are the best?

With a new design, superior sound quality and a wealth of features, Sony's latest flagship headphones are a great value. From the forceful chorus to Sinead O'Connor's shaking bridge, these headphones deliver amazing clarity and realism.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony is the master of noise cancellation and its WH1000XM5 headphones represent the top model in this model. A few well-thought-out upgrades over the XM4s make this model an excellent all-round pair of cans, especially for commuters and travelers. They are comfortable, feature multipoint tech to connect to two devices simultaneously, and feature the most powerful ANC Sony has ever made. They are lightweight and can run for up to 27 hours with no charging. This is enough time for a week of commutes or long-haul flights.

The WH-1000XM5s sport a sleek minimalist design. They are made of a recycled and recyclable plastic referred to as acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS). The branding is minimal, but you'll see the tiny "Sony" logo on each hinge of each earcup. The headband and earcups feature soft, plush materials that is comfortable for all head sizes except the largest. The earcups can be adjusted so that they perfect fit your head.

Contrary to previous models that focused on reducing low frequency noise, the XM5s amplify sound waves with high frequency to cancel out ambient noise. That improves overall sound quality and helps to block out the noise of engines and cabins on flights, for instance. The XM5s come with another processor to increase noise cancellation more for airplanes and the audio app can also automatically adjust your listening environment based on the data from your air pressure.

Other features of the WH-1000XM5s include an enhanced voice assistant that's simple to use and can be used with Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri and more. You can also pair the XM5s with other Sony audio products to allow stereo and multi-room music playback separation. They are compatible with bluetooth over ear headphones noise cancelling high-bitrate streaming audio via Sony's LDAC but not HD or aptX.

2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

Sennheiser has been making headphones for over 50 years. You can expect a high-quality sound, and a comfortable fit. They've delivered on both counts with their latest headphones, called the Momentum 4 Wireless. They've revamped their design to eliminate a few characteristic elements that gave their previous models the look of an aviator. They also improved active noise cancellation by using their newest Adaptive Noisy Cancellation Technology. These headphones are rated to last 60 hours with ANC on this, which is more than double the battery life of a lot of competitors.

The new model is also more portable, as it folds down and is a bit smaller. They're made with artificial leather that can be used to make the replaceable headband and earpads which feel comfortable on my head even if I wear them all day at work. They're also not too tight, which means you can wear them on long flights or during workouts.

The sound is well-balanced and clear, but there are some highs that can add a bit of confusion to the mixes. The bass is overemphasized which adds extra energy and thump in genres like EDM or hip hop. It's not a major issue, but some listeners may be annoyed. The high-mid is a little uneven balance which pushes instruments and vocals towards the front of the mix however at the expense of bringing out sibilants into certain songs.

The Sennheiser momentum 4 wireless comes with all of the usual features that include Bluetooth wireless connectivity, a clear mode that blends outside noises into your music for better awareness, as well as mobile application support for pre-set and custom EQ options. You can also connect a 3.5mm cord to connect your phone. They can utilize SBC, AAC, aptX HD, and aptX Adaptive codecs to connect to your device, and they're able to cut down the latency to as little as a quarter of a second which is fantastic.

3. B&W PX7 S2

The original PX7s were top of the line on a variety of lists of the best Bluetooth headsets, thanks to their outstanding ANC and audio quality. The PX7s, as with many wireless headphones, were getting old and needed a new look. Therefore, the PX7S2. B&W hasn't just tweaked the design for the new version, but has made substantial improvements to ANC and also added more voice-call features, too.

The PX7 S2 headphones are extremely lightweight, which makes them comfortable for long listening sessions. A lot of the design is the same as the previous model, such as the sleek oval aluminum earcup top and the hook-like accent on the headband that glids rather than clicks when you expand it, and headphones noise Cancel finally the actual buttons. The earcups are a bit smaller, however, and the headband is a bit less substantial overall.

The software from B&W lets you tweak EQ settings for bass and treble, but you don't get as much control over the mix between those two elements like you do on more expensive headphones. The Quick Action button on left earcup switches between the different modes of the environment. It can also be programmed to summon the voice assistant on your device in the Bowers & Wilkins Music App.

The PX7 S2 is a great choice for all music styles. It has a wide soundstage and good separation of different sound elements. It shines in particular on works featuring 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 also handle heavier fare, too, with the bass power and mid-range clarity on Entombed's crossover of death-n'-rock and garage to Ride the Straight, Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth creating an overwhelming soundscape while allowing to be able to discern the vocals, such as Lars-Goran Petrov's gritty growl.

4. Bose QuietComfort 35

Bose is one of the first companies to introduce active noise cancelling headphones to the mainstream. Though they had an advantage over the market for a long time, they are now competing against newer headphones that offer more features and higher sound quality. But, the QuietComfort 35 is still a great option for those who want to listen to podcasts or music without being disturbed by constant rumbles and hums.

The default sound profile is balanced, and they're comfortable to wear. The ANC is excellent at eliminating background noise. However it tends to focus on lower frequencies more than other headphones like the Sony WH1000XM5.

The QC35s are an excellent pair of headphones to listen to audiobooks and podcasts. They have a passive noise cancellation mode which reduces ambient sounds, while still keeping you isolated from the surrounding. The QC35s also let you connect two Bluetooth devices at the same time and "audio-share" which allows you to play something on one pair of headphones and answer an incoming phone call on the other pair.

The Bose Connect App is decent however it lacks the full EQ features of other headphone apps. The QC35s can be used in wired mode with an audio cable, however the quality of sound takes a huge drop and they don't offer the same level of battery longevity as wireless models.

The QC35s are a Bose product, and it might not be for everyone. Other brands offer more sleek designs. You can personalize your headphones by purchasing a cover with decals from companies like SlickWraps or Skin Sticker. You can also alter the color of the ear cups and headband later in the year, much like you can do with the previous QC25 model.

5. Sony WH-1000XM3

Sony's WH1000XM3 are the most effective wireless headphones with active noise cancellation you can purchase today. They're more expensive than Anker Soundcore Q20 Wireless but they isolate more background noise. They also come with a superior companion app that gives you many sound customization options.

The XM3s' excellent audio quality is among their biggest draws, and they've been upgraded since their introduction to provide an even better experience. They provide a bit more clarity across the frequency spectrum and their noise cancelling functions better at all volume levels and they've improved controls for things like Quick Attention mode, voice control and Speak-to-Chat. The new feature, Adaptive sound control, automatically adjusts the amount of external sound let in based where you are and what you're doing.

However, they aren't without flaws. The treble can sound a little overpowering at times and the midrange is slightly more recessed. They are still prone to boost the bass too much on certain tracks, making them sound too heavy and full. This can be corrected via the Sony app or in the headphone settings.

The XM3s are a great pair of Headphones noise Cancel, particularly for those who commute and frequent travel. They are more comfortable, appear and feel premium, and are durable over the JBL Live 650 BTNC wireless. They also have a larger battery and one of the top features for noise cancel headphone cancellation available. They're also more flexible and more mobile-friendly than the Audio-Technica ATH M50X Wireless, even though they have less impressive noise cancellation. And they're not waterproof which can be a major issue for some.