Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?

Noise-cancelling headphones can be an absolute blessing for anyone who enjoys listening whether at work or in the train. Which are the best?

With a fresh design that is a step up in sound quality, and an enviable list of features, best Over ear headphones without noise cancelling Sony's latest flagship headphones offer great value. From the powerful chorus to Sinead O'Connor's unstable bridge, these headphones offer amazing clarity and real-world realism.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony is a master at noise cancellation, and its WH-1000XM5 headphones are the best over ear headphones without noise cancelling (linked site) iteration of the series. A few well-thought-out enhancements over the XM4s makes this model an all-round excellent pair of headphones, particularly for those who commute and travel. They're comfortable, have multipoint technology to connect two devices at once and offer the best ANC Sony has ever created. They're also light and provide around 27 hours of playback with no charging, which is enough for a week's worth of commuting or one long-haul flight.

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

Unlike previous models that focused on reducing low-frequency noise the XM5s amplify high-frequency sound waves, which cancels out ambient sounds. This improves the overall sound quality and helps to block out engine and cabin noise on flights, for instance. The XM5s comes with another processing unit to improve noise cancellation on planes. The audio app can also automatically adjust your listening environment based on the data on air pressure.

Other features of the WH-1000XM5s include an enhanced voice assistant that's easy to use and can be used with Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri and many more. You can also pair the XM5s with other Sony audio products to allow multi-room music playback and stereo separation. They're compatible with Bluetooth high-bitrate audio streaming via Sony's LDAC codec, but don't support the aptX codec or aptX HD.

2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

Sennheiser has been manufacturing headphones for more than 50 years. You can expect premium sound quality and a cosy fit. With their latest headphones, dubbed Momentum 4 Wireless, they offer both. They've updated the design to eliminate some of the trademark elements that gave the previous models their aviator headset look and also improved their active noise cancellation using their advanced Adaptive Noise Cancellation technology. They've rated these headphones to last for 60 hours of listening time with ANC enabled, which is more than double the battery life of most other competitors.

They're also much more mobile than the previous model as they fold up and are much smaller overall. They're made of synthetic PU leather for the re-usable headband and ear pads that feel comfortable on my head even if I wear them all day at work. They're also not extremely tight, which means you can wear them on long flights or during your workout.

The sound is clean and well-balanced However, there are a few peaks in the low-mid and high-mid, which can cause slightly muddy sound in mixes. The bass is overemphasized, adding extra impact and thump to genres like EDM or hip hop. It's not an issue, but it may bother some listeners. The high-mid also isn't balanced that brings instruments and vocals forward in the mix, but at the cost of bringing out some vocal sibilants.

The Sennheiser momentum 4 wireless has all the standard features that include Bluetooth wireless connectivity, a clear mode that blends outside noises into your music for improved awareness, as well as mobile application support for pre-set and custom EQ options. You can also use a 3.5mm cord to connect your phone. They can utilize SBC, AAC, aptX HD, and aptX Adaptive codecs to connect to your phone, and they can reduce latency by up to one quarter of a second and that's a huge benefit.

3. B&W PX7 S2

Since their introduction in the year 2000, the original PX7s have appeared on countless lists of the top Bluetooth headphones, topping them in many instances due to their outstanding ANC and high-quality sound. But, like all wireless headphones, the PX7s have been getting older and required a refresh and hence the PX7 S2. B&W hasn't just tweaked the design for this new model, but they've made considerable improvements to ANC and also added features for voice calls, too.

The first thing you will 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. A lot of the design is carried over from the previous model, including the sleek oval aluminum earcup top-plate, the hook-like accent on the headband, which glides instead of clicking as you expand it, and finally the actual physical buttons. The earcups are smaller however, and the headband is a bit less substantial overall.

B&W's software allows you to modify EQ settings for treble and bass but you don't get as much control over the mix of these two elements as you do with higher-end headphones. A Quick Action button on the left earcup switch on the modes for the environment and can be adjusted in the Bowers & Wilkins Music app to call the voice assistant on your device.

The PX7 S2 sounds great for most musical styles, with soundstages that have plenty of width and good separation between the various sounds. It shines particularly on pieces 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 songs too. The bass punch and midrange clarity on Entombed's crossover of garage and deathn'roll To Ride and Shoot Straight, and Speak the Truth The album is a wall of noise while allowing you to discern vocal nuances like 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 a stranglehold on the market for many years however, they are now competing against newer headphones that offer more features and superior audio quality. That said the QuietComfort 35 is still a excellent choice for anyone who wants to listen to their music or podcasts without being disturbed by constant rumbles and hums.

They're comfortable to wear and come with a an incredibly balanced default sound profile. The ANC does a great job of removing background noise, although it tends to emphasize lower frequencies more than modern headphones, such as the Sony WH-1000XM5.

If you're seeking a pair that can be used to listen to podcasts or audiobooks The QC35s feature an amazing passive noise cancellation feature that reduces ambient noise while keeping you adrift from the hum of the world around you. The QC35s allow you to connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and "audio-share", so you can listen to music with one set of headphones and answer an incoming call on the other set of headphones.

The Bose Connect app is decent but it doesn't have the vast EQ options offered by other headphone apps. The QC35s can be used in wired mode with a cable, but the quality of sound takes a huge loss and they don't have the same level of battery longevity as wireless models.

The QC35s are a Bose product, but it may not appeal to everyone. Other manufacturers offer sleeker designs. You can personalize your headphones by purchasing a cover with decals from companies such as SlickWraps or Skin Sticker. You'll also be able to change the color of the earcups and the headband later this year, similar to what you can do with the previous QC25 model.

5. Sony WH-1000XM3

Sony's WH-1000XM3 are among the top wireless headphones that have active noise cancellation you can purchase today. They're a bit more expensive than the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 beats studio3 wireless noise cancelling over ear headphones, but they block out a lot more ambient noise and feel much more sturdy. They also have a superior companion app that provides many sound customization options.

The XM3s offer a fantastic sound quality, and ever since their release, they've been enhanced to give the best performance. They provide a bit more detail across the spectrum of frequencies The noise cancelling function works better at all volume levels and they've improved controls for things like Quick Attention mode, voice control and Speak-to-Chat. They also have a new feature called Adaptive Sound Control that automatically adjusts how much external sound is let in based on where you're at and what you're doing.

However, they aren't without their flaws. The midrange can sound too recessed, and the treble could sometimes be too loud. They have a tendency to increase bass too much in certain tracks, which can make the sound seem too loud and heavy. But that's something you can correct by changing the settings for your headphone or best over ear headphones without noise cancelling via EQ adjustments in the Sony app.

The XM3s are a fantastic pair of headphones, specifically for those who commute and frequent travel. They're more comfortable, comfortable, and appear superior and more durable than the JBL Live 650 BTNC Wireless, and they have a far better battery and one of our favorite noise cancelling features available in the market. They're also more adaptable and better-equipped for mobile use than the Audio-Technica's ATH-M50X Wireless, despite having less impressive noise isolation. They're also not waterproof, and that could be a problem for some.