Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the best over ear noise cancelling Headphones?

Whether you're on the train or at work Noise-cancelling headphones are an absolute must for those who love to listen. Which ones are the best, though?

Sony's flagship headphones are an excellent value. They offer a new design and superior audio quality, as well as impressive features. From the powerful chorus to Sinead O'Connor's unstable bridge, these headphones offer superb detail and realism.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony is the master of noise cancellation, and its WH1000XM5 headphones are among the best version of this model. A few well-thought-out upgrades over the XM4s make these headphones an all-round excellent pair of headphones, specifically for those who commute or travel. They're comfortable, have multipoint technology to connect two devices simultaneously and offer the best ANC Sony has ever created. They are lightweight and can play for up to 27 hours without charging. That's enough time for a week of daily commutes or long-haul flights.

The WH-1000XM5s feature a sleek minimalist design. They are made from recycled and recyclable plastic referred to as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The branding is minimal. You'll find tiny Sony logo on every hinge of the earcup. The headband and earcups feature a soft, plush material that is comfortable for all types of heads apart from the biggest. The earcups can be adjusted to ensure that you get the perfect fit for you.

Unlike previous models, which were focused on reducing low frequency noise, the XM5s amplify sound waves at high frequencies to cancel out ambient noise. This improves the overall quality of sound and helps to block out cabin and engine noises on flights, for instance. The XM5s come with an additional processor that can increase noise cancellation more on planes and the audio app can also automatically adapt the listening environment to data on air pressure.

The WH-1000XM5s comes with an integrated voice assistant that is simple to use, and it works with Alexa as well as Google Assistant, Siri, and more. You can also pair the XM5s with other Sony audio products for multi-room music playback and stereo separation. They can support Bluetooth high-bitrate streaming audio using Sony's LDAC however they do not support aptX or HD.

2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

When a company has been manufacturing headphones for as long as Sennheiser, you expect class-leading sound quality and a comfortable fit. With their latest headphones, dubbed Momentum 4 Wireless, they deliver on both fronts. They've revamped the design to remove some of the distinctive elements that gave the earlier models their aviator headset look and also improved their active noise cancellation using their advanced Adaptive Noise Cancellation technology. These headphones are rated to last for 60 hours when ANC on, which is double the battery life of other rivals.

The new model is also more compact, since it folds up and is a bit smaller. They're made with artificial PU leather for the re-usable headband and earpads that are comfortable on my ear even if I wear them all day at work. There isn't a lot of clamping force that keeps them in place, so they should remain comfortable on flights and even during workouts that last longer.

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

The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless is equipped with all the standard features, including bluetooth wireless connectivity, a transparency mode that blends outside sounds into your music to improve awareness, and mobile application support for custom and preset EQ options. You can also use a 3.5mm cord to connect your phone. They are able to connect to your device by using SBC, AAC HD, and aptX Adaptive codes and can cut down the latency by up to a quarter second.

3. B&W PX7 S2

The original PX7s were a top choice on many lists of top Bluetooth headsets due to their outstanding ANC and sound quality. But like most wireless headphones, they've been getting older and required an update which is why the PX7 S2. B&W hasn't just redesigned the design for this new version, but has made considerable improvements to ANC and also added voice-calling features, too.

The PX7 S2 headphones are very light, making them ideal for long listening sessions. A lot of the look is the same as the previous model, such as the sleek oval aluminum earcup top-plate and the hook-like accent on the headband, which glides instead of clicking as you expand it, and finally the actual buttons. The earcups, however, are smaller and the headband isn't as substantial.

The software of B&W lets you alter the EQ settings of the bass and treble. However you do not have as much control as you would with more expensive headphones. A Quick Action button on the left earcup toggles modes for the environment and can be configured within the Bowers & Wilkins Music app to call the voice assistant on your device.

The PX7 S2 is a great choice for most musical styles. It offers a wide soundstage and good separation of different sound elements. It shines particularly on pieces that feature acoustic instruments like Rachmaninoff's Cello Sonata in G Minor, Op. 19, composed by pianist Yuja Wang and cellist Gautier Capucon, with acoustic instrumental tones that give the feeling of air. It can take on heavier music as well. The bass punch and midrange clarity on Entombed's garage/deathn'roll crossover, To Ride and Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth The album is an imposing soundscape while allowing you to be able to hear vocal details such as Lars-Goran Petrov’s gritty growl.

4. Bose QuietComfort 35

Bose was one of the first companies to introduce active noise cancelling headphones into the mainstream. They held the market for best over Ear Noise cancelling headphones years, but they now have to compete with newer headsets that offer more features and better audio quality. That said the QuietComfort 35 is still a excellent option for those who want to hear their podcasts and music without being interrupted by constant rumbles and hums.

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

The QC35s are a fantastic pair of headphones to listen to audiobooks and podcasts. They have a passive noise cancellation mode which reduces ambient sounds, yet still keeps you secluded from the surrounding. The QC35s also let you connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and "audio-share" so that you can listen to music on one pair of headphones while answering an incoming phone call on the other pair.

The Bose Connect App is decent however it lacks the vast EQ features of other headphone apps. The QC35s can be used in wired mode using a cable, but the quality of sound takes a huge hit and they don't have the same battery longevity as wireless models.

The QC35s are an Bose product, but it may not be a favorite for all. Other manufacturers have sleeker designs. However you can add a touch of personalization by purchasing a decal-covered cover-up from companies such as SlickWraps and Skin Sticker. You can also customize the color of the ear cups and headband later in the year, just like you could with the earlier QC25 model.

5. Sony WH-1000XM3

Sony's WH-1000XM3 are the best wireless headphones with active noise cancellation that you can buy today. They're more expensive than the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless, but they isolate a lot more ambient noise and feel more durable. They also come with a superior companion app that offers tons of sound customization features.

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

They're not without their own issues, though. The mid-range can sound receding, and the treble may sometimes be too loud. They also tend to boost the bass too much in certain tracks, which makes the sound seem too loud and heavy. However, this is something you can correct in the headphone settings or via EQ adjustment within the Sony app.

The XM3s are an excellent pair of headphones, particularly for frequent travelers and commuters. They're more comfortable, look and feel premium and durable than the JBL Live 650 BTNC Wireless, and they have a much better battery and one of the best noise cancelling headphones under £100 uk noise cancelling features available on the market. They are also more versatile and more suitable for use on the go than Audio-Technica's ATH-M50X wireless, although their noise cancellation isn't as impressive. They're not waterproof, which could be a major issue for some.