Noise Cancelling Over Ear Headphones: 11 Thing You're Forgetting To Do
The Best Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones
You need the best headphones for noise cancellation for your needs, whether you need to block out the hum of your HVAC system, or want to fight the sound of jet engine noises. The WH1000XM5s from Sony are the kings of active noise cancellation. The predecessors were excellent.
We've considered the adjustability of ANC and touch controls as well as on-ear ear detection for pausing music when your headphones are removed. Our top picks feature high-quality audio and comfortable, spacious earphones.
1. Sony WH-1000XM5
The fifth generation of Sony flagship headphones provides a significant upgrade over the previous generation, featuring enhanced noise cancellation and audio quality. Its remarkable ANC performance creates an enveloping cone of silence over your head. It also blocks out a surprising amount of low-frequency sounds. The ear cups block out sounds that fall in the mid-to-treble spectrum, such as passenger chatter and creaking metal.
Contrary to some noise cancelling headphones that sound hollow or unnatural, the WH-1000XM5s sound very natural. They can render Billie Eilish’s drums with remarkable clarity while keeping the edges clean and pristine. It's a pleasure to listen to them during a long flight or commute.
The most common controls are operated by a capacitive touch surface on the right ear cup such as play/pause, volume up/down as well as skip forwards and backwards. It can also call and end calls and switch between ANC and ambient sound mode. You can also hold the power key for several seconds to hear an audio message telling you how much battery capacity is left.
The QN1 microphone is a significant improvement over the XM5s. noise cancelling headphones with mic is designed to record high-quality audio when recording videos and podcasts. The microphone is more sensitive and has a larger audio range than earlier models which makes it easier to hear your own voice.
Other features from the XM4s are carried over to the XM5, such as its adaptive ANC system that automatically optimizes performance based on your environment. The "Wearing Detection" feature detects when the headset is removed, and will pause music or video. It will restart it once the headset is put back on. It's compatible with Sony's DSEE Extreme Engine, which increases the quality of compressed music to nearly high-res quality.
2. Sony WH-1000XM4
The WH-1000XM4s are a new iteration of Sony's industry-leading over ear headphones, and even though they don't feature as much active noise canceling as the WH-1000XM5s, they offer class-leading performance. The WH-1000XM4s have a stronger Bluetooth connection and an improved noise cancellation algorithm. They also have an audio chip that upscales music to HD quality, and advanced voice controls.
Sony has improved the WH1000XM4s of the latest generation by adding padding to the headband and also moving the microphones forward. This makes them more comfortable for long listening sessions.
They're also more flexible and allow you to switch between five different modes of sound depending on the environment. Sony headphones have an app that lets you to modify your EQ settings. They're a great option for travelers and the app allows you to track your activities and automatically adjust the settings as you go.
Another big improvement is the WH-1000XM4's noise cancellation that has been improved by enhancing the sensitiveness and improving the way it eliminates low frequencies. It can be evaluated by looking at graphs such as the one shown above. Higher peaks mean that more sounds are being blocked out. The WH1000XM4s also do better in reducing low-frequency sounds such as the hum from an air conditioner or the constant rumble from the engine of a plane.
The WH-1000XM4s are still equipped with a many great features which include batteries that last up to 30 hours and an integrated USB-C charging port. They also have Quick Alert, a feature that lets you press the right earcup to dampen music to activate transparency mode. Speak to Chat, in turn it pauses the media when your voice is raised (and it works well, although sometimes it fails to recognize taps), as well as Sony's Smart Listening Technology, which can detect your surroundings and provide better sound.
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. While they have been succeeded by the 2021-released Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700, they remain popular and affordable, and are worth a look for a noise-cancelling active headphone.
The QC35 II are a great pair of wireless headphones that provide an incredibly comfortable fit with a neutral sound profile, and outstanding noise isolation. They can be used in noisy areas or while traveling and they last for more than a full day on a single charge. They are also compatible with a variety of smart assistants and can be activated by pressing an individual 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 ears and shapes. They are light. The hinges of the housings can be folded down to make them easier to store into a bag or 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, like the ability to rewind and 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 the drum beats and piano parts. The QC35 II delivers crisp, clear audio that is well-rounded and detailed sound. They can detect subtleties such as Paul McCartney’s irregular timing as he builds up to the chorus, or Gerard Way’s snarl when his lyrics praising teenage-personalism in Teenagers.
The QC35 II can be connected to up to two devices simultaneously and is compatible with the majority of smart assistants. The QC35 II also come with the carry case as well as a USB cable that can be charged quickly.
4. Sony WH-CH720N
Sony is renowned for making high-quality headphones that cost a small amount. The budget-friendly WH-CH720N headphones from Sony are not an exception. They have a lot of the features that make the flagship WH-1000XM5 headphones great however, they have an affordable design. They also come with a decent amount of active noise cancelling at a low price.
Similar to the WH1000XM5 headphones, these cans feature 30mm dynamic drivers that provide plenty of bass and clear high frequencies. These headphones have an unbalanced sound that works well with various genres of music. They also feature a large, immersive soundstage.
The WH-CH720N headphones have buttons instead of the touch controls and gestures of the XM5 headphones. This can be a bit of a disadvantage, as the buttons initially seem confusing. Luckily, the headphones have clear labels and the controls are placed intelligently. A single pressing of the '-' button lowers the volume, while double presses pauses and plays audio. When you press and hold the button the button, voice assistants will be launched and calls are turned down.
With ANC turned on, these headphones can last about 35 hours before they run out of power. This is the most efficient battery life we've seen in headphones that are over-ear. They have a standby function to conserve battery.
The WH-CH720N can be connected to Android phones and iOS devices using Bluetooth. They are compatible with LDAC which allows them to play high-res audio on compatible devices. They're also compatible with PlayStation consoles that use an analog 1/8" TRS cable. They can be used as wired headphones on a computer with the included USB dongle. The Sony Headphones Connect app lets you customize your headphones with an adjustable EQ slider and presets as well as multipoint connectivity, and secure listening.
5. B&W PX7 S2
The PX7 S2 is a follow-up to a wildly popular predecessor however, it's not a half baked update. With a more modern design and a brand new app and a new app, they fulfill the promise of top-quality build, delivering audio designed to faithfully express artistic intention. They are also extremely comfortable to wear all day.
They don't offer the same noise cancellation features as the Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II, or the Sony WH1000XM5, however, they're effective in blocking out background noises to let you concentrate on your podcasts or music. They have a six-microphone setup (four for noise cancellation and two for voice pick-up) and a new algorithm that cut down on ambient noise by 30dB. These are also one of only a few Bluetooth headphones we've tested that can be used as passive headphones and allow users to listen to their music without powering up the drive units.
The B&W Music app is also compatible with the free download that includes a variety of features that compliment the great noise cancellation. It includes a Quick Action button that cycles through three different modes of environmental, displays battery life and can be set to launch your device's voice assistant. It is annoying to have to press and hold it for a long time. A one-press would be more intuitive and simpler.
The PX7 S2 is a pair of headphones that will delight music lovers. They're not as well suited to the demanding music of genres such as rock and metal that tend to favor heavy bass and muddy low frequencies, as they are to classical, folk and acoustic music, but will still impress those who appreciate the audiophile ethos that's also practical and comfortable.