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The Best Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones
You need the best headphones that block out noise, whether you want to block out the hum from your HVAC system or you need to block the background noise of jet engines. The new Sony WH1000XM5s are the best in active noise cancellation. Their predecessors were excellent.
We've looked at the possibility of adjusting ANC and touch controls as well as on-ear detection for pausing music when your headphones are removed. Our top picks feature high-quality audio, comfortable earcups and large earcups.
1. Sony WH-1000XM5
The fifth generation of Sony's flagship headphones is a significant upgrade over the previous model, featuring better noise cancellation and enhanced audio quality. Its remarkable ANC performance creates an illusion of silence that covers your head and blocks out a surprising amount of low-frequency noise. The ear cups block out noises in the mid-treble range like chatter from passengers and creaking metal.
The WH-1000XM5s sound natural, unlike other noise cancelling headsets that can sound hollow. They can render the beats of Billie Eilish in stunning detail and keep the edges clean and pristine. They're great to listen to on the commute or during a long flight.
A capacitive touch-screen on the right ear cup handles the most common controls, including play/pause volume up/down, and skip forwards/backwards. It also lets you end or answer calls and switch between ANC mode and ambient sound. Alternately, press and hold the power button for a few minutes to hear a voice message indicating the remaining battery life.
Another significant improvement to the XM5s is the new QN1 microphone, which is designed to record high-quality audio while making podcasts and videos. The microphone is more sensitive than previous models and has a larger audio range, making it easier for you to hear your voice.
Other features of the XM4s have been incorporated into the XM5 and include an adaptive ANC system that automatically optimizes performance based on your environment. The "Wearing Detection" feature detects when the headset is removed and pauses video or music. It will resume it once they are put back on. It's compatible with Sony's DSEE Extreme Engine, which increases the quality of compressed music to nearly hi-res quality.
2. Sony WH-1000XM4
The WH1000XM4s of Sony are the latest version of their industry-leading over-ear headphones. They feature top-of-the-line performance however they don't have the same active noise cancellation that is available on the WH1000XM5s. The WH-1000XM4s feature a more powerful Bluetooth connection as well as an improved noise cancellation algorithm. They also come with an upgraded audio chip that increases the sound quality to HD quality, and advanced voice controls.
The biggest improvement in the new generation is that Sony has made the WH-1000XM4s more comfortable than ever before by putting padding on the headband and shifting the microphones towards the outer edges of the ears. This makes them more comfortable to listen to for long periods of time.
They're also more versatile, allowing you to switch between five sound modes depending on the environment. You can also adjust your EQ settings using the Sony headphones app. They're a great option for travelers and the app lets you track your activity and automatically adjust the settings as you go.
Another big improvement is the WH-1000XM4's noise cancellation that has been improved by increasing the sensitivity and improving how it eliminates low frequencies. wireless noise cancelling headphones can test this by looking at a graph like the one above, with the higher peaks mean that more sounds are being cancelled out. The WH-1000XM4s also better attenuate low-frequency sounds such as the hum of an air conditioning unit or the constant rumble of a plane engine than any other pair of noise-canceling headphones we've tested.
The WH1000XM4s come with a variety of excellent features, including a 30-hour battery life and a USB-C charge port. They also feature Quick Alert, which lets you touch the right earcup in order to deflect music and activate transparency mode; Speak to Chat stops media when you raise your voice (and works well, though it can sometimes fail to detect taps) and Sony's Smart Listening technology, which can recognize and analyze the surrounding environment 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 were replaced with the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 701 that will be available in 2021. However, they are still popular and affordable.
The QC35 II are a great pair of mixed usage wireless headphones that offer a comfortable fit with a neutral sound profile, and outstanding noise isolation. They can be used in noisy settings or when traveling, and they last for more than a full day on one charge. They also work with a variety of smart assistants and can be activated by pressing the use of a specific button. You can ask them to play music and answer trivia questions or read your smartphone notifications.
They have a large opening in the ear padding that can accommodate a variety of ears and shapes. They are lightweight. The hinges of the housings can be folded down to make them easier to store into a bag or backpack. The controls are on the right-hand side and are simple to use. Playback is controlled by tapping the buttons that allow you to rewind or skip songs.
For an example of the quality you can expect from these Bose headphones we played The Beatles' Let It Be and listened to drum beats and piano parts. The QC35 II deliver crisp, clear audio that's well-rounded and detailed. They can detect subtleties, like Paul McCartney's irregular timing as he builds up to the chorus, or Gerard Way's snarl as his lyrics praising teenage-personalism in Teenagers.
The QC35 II is compatible with the majority of smart assistants and is able to connect to up to two devices simultaneously. The QC35 II also come with the carry case as well as a USB cable that charges quickly.
4. Sony WH-CH720N
Sony is a household name for its excellent headphones at a relatively low price. Its budget-friendly WH-CH720N headphones are not an exception. They carry many of the features that make the top WH-1000XM5 models so good however, they have a more budget-friendly design. They also provide a good amount of active noise cancelling at a low price.
These headphones have high-performance drivers of 30mm that offer crisp high-frequency sound and a full bass. They also have an even tuning to make them sound great with a variety of genres of music, and they have a wide soundstage that lets you be immersed in your music.
The WH-CH720N headphones have buttons instead of the touch controls or gestures employed by the XM5 headphones. This can be a more of a problem, as the buttons can be a bit confusing at first. Fortunately, the headphones have clearly labeled controls and are arranged intelligently. A single press of the button '-' reduces the volume, and double presses pauses and plays audio. Pressing and holding the button will launch voice assistants and blocks calls.
The headphones can last up to 35 hours with ANC on. This is among the best battery performances we've seen on over-ear headphones. They also have a standby mode to aid in conserving battery.
Bluetooth allows you to connect the WH-CH720N headphones to Android and iOS devices. They are compatible with LDAC, which lets them play high-res audio on compatible devices. The headphones also work with PlayStation consoles using an analog 1/8"TRS cable. They can also be connected to computers with the included USB dongle. The Sony Headphones Connect App lets you customize your headphones by using an EQ slider, presets, and multipoint connectivity.
5. B&W PX7 S2
The PX7 S2 is a follow-up to the success of its predecessor, but it's not an unfinished update. With a sleeker design and a new app, they deliver on the promise of top-quality build, delivering audio that is designed to accurately express artistic intent. They are also extremely comfortable to wear throughout the day.
They don't offer the same noise cancellation as the Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II, or the Sony WH1000XM5, however, they are effective of blocking out ambient noise so that you can focus on your podcasts or music. They feature a six-microphone setup (four for the noise cancellation and two for voice pick-up) and a revised algorithms that reduce ambient sound by 30dB. They're also one of the few Bluetooth headphones we've tested that can be used in passive mode, allowing users to listen to content by themselves, with no power being applied to the drive units.
They also work with the B&W Music app, a free download that provides many features that go along with the great noise cancelling. The Quick Action button can be set to turn on your device's voice assistance and cycle through three environmental settings and display battery life. The annoying thing is that you have to press and hold the button to activate it - pressing it once would be easier and more intuitive.
The PX7 S2 is an excellent pair of headphones that will please music lovers. The PX7 S2 headphones aren't as well suited to extreme music genres like metal and rock that favor bass-heavy productions and muddy low frequency as they are to classical, folk and acoustic. However, they'll still impress those who value the audiophile credential, which is also practical and comfortable.