The Best Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones

You need the best noise-cancelling over-ear headphones regardless of whether you wish to block out the hum of your HVAC system, or need to block the sound of jet engine noises. The latest Sony WH-1000XM5s are the new kings of active noise cancellation and their predecessors are also fantastic.

We've considered the adjustability of ANC control buttons, touch controls, and on-ear detection (for pausing music when you take off your headphones). Our top picks include high-quality audio as well as comfortable, spacious earphones.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

The fifth generation of Sony's flagship headphones is a major upgrade over the previous model, featuring better noise cancellation and enhanced audio quality. Its impressive ANC performance creates a virtual cone of silence over your head. It also blocks out a surprising amount of low-frequency sounds. The earphones block out mid- and treble-range sounds like chatter from passengers, creaking metal and clanging dishware.

The WH-1000XM5s sound natural, in contrast to noise cancelling headsets that can sound hollow. They can reproduce the rise and fall of Billie Eilish's drums with astonishing depth and clarity, while keeping edges clear and pristine. It's a pleasure to listen to them on long flights or during commutes.

A capacitive touch-surface on the right earcup controls the most commonly used controls, including play/pause, volume up/down, and skip forwards/backwards. It also lets you end and answer calls, and switch between ANC mode and ambient sound. You can also press and hold the power button for several seconds to get an indicator of how much battery capacity is left.

Another notable improvement over the XM5s is its new QN1 microphone that is designed to record high-quality audio while recording videos and podcasts. The microphone is more sensitive and has a greater audio range than previous models which makes it easier to pick up your own voice.

The XM5 has also carried over certain features that were XM4's including the adaptive ANC system which automatically optimizes performance in accordance with the environment. Its 'Wearing Detection' feature now detects when you remove the headset and pauses music or video and then restarts it as soon as you put them back on. It's compatible with Sony's DSEE Extreme Engine, which enhances compressed music to close to high-res quality.

2. Sony WH-1000XM4

The WH1000XM4s of Sony are the most recent version of their industry-leading over-ear headphones. They offer class-leading performance although they don't feature the same active noise cancellation that is available on the WH1000XM5s. The WH-1000XM4s boast a stronger Bluetooth connection as well as an improved noise cancellation algorithm. They also have a new audio chip which enhances music to HD quality, as well as advanced voice controls.

Sony has upgraded the WH1000XM4s in the most recent version by adding padding to the headband, and extending the microphones to the outside. This makes them more comfortable to listen to for long periods.

They're also more flexible and allow you to switch between five different modes of sound depending on your environment. You can also adjust your EQ settings by using the Sony headphones app. They're a great choice for those who travel and the app lets you track your activities and automatically adjust the settings as you go.

Another significant improvement is the WH1000XM4's noise cancellation which has been improved by enhancing the sensitivity and improving how it eliminates low frequencies. It can be evaluated by looking at graphs similar to the one shown above. Higher peaks indicate that more sounds are being canceled out. The WH-1000XM4s can also be more effective at reducing low-frequency sounds like the sound of an air cooling unit or the constant rumble of a plane engine over any other pair of noise-canceling headphones we've tried.

The WH-1000XM4s have many great features, including a battery that lasts up to 30 hours and an integrated USB-C charging port. They also come with Quick Alert, a feature that lets you tap the right earcup and dampen music to enable transparency mode. Speak to Chat, for instance, pauses media when you speak (and it works but sometimes it does not recognize taps) and 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 headphones (or QC35 Wireless 2018, as they're also known) were released in September 2017. They were replaced with the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 701 to be released in 2021. However, they are still popular and affordable.

The QC35 II are a great pair of mixed usage wireless headphones that provide an incredibly comfortable fit and a neutral sound profile and excellent noise isolation. They can be used for best noise cancelling headphones under £100 uk travel or in noisy environments and last more than a day on a single charge. They can also be used with a variety of smart assistants and are activated via an individual button. You can ask them to play music or answer trivia questions, or read notifications from your smartphone.

The padding around the ears is wide and can fit most types of ear. They are also light. The hinges on the housings fold down making them easy to fit into bags or backpacks. The controls are located on the right-hand side of the headphones and are simple to use. Playback can be controlled by tapping repeatedly which include rewinding or skipping songs.

We heard The Beatles' Let It Be, and the piano and drum beats. The QC35 II delivers crisp, clear audio with a smooth and detailed sound. They can pick up subtleties like Paul McCartney's inconsistent timing as he builds to the chorus, or Gerard Way's snarl as his lyrics praising teenage-personalism in teenagers.

The QC35 II can be connected to up to two devices simultaneously and are compatible with all smart assistants. The QC35 II comes with a carry bag as well as a USB charging cable.

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. These headphones come with many of the same features as the flagship WH1000XM5 headphones, but with a more budget friendly design. These headphones offer a lot of active noise cancellation, best noise cancelling headphones under £100 uk but at an affordable price.

These headphones feature powerful drivers that measure 30mm in size. They deliver crisp high frequencies and plenty of bass. They also feature an even tuning to make them sound great with various genres of music. They also have a large soundstage that lets you get a sense of being immersed in the music.

The WH-CH720N headphones use buttons for controls instead of the touch controls and gestures of the XM5 headphones. This is a little bit of a downside, as the buttons are at first difficult to understand. Luckily, the headphones have clearly labeled controls and are arranged intelligently. A single press of the button with the '-' lowers the volume, while double presses stop and play audio. Pressing and holding the button launches voice assistants, and also rejects calls.

With ANC enabled, these headphones can last about 35 hours before running out of juice. This is the Best noise cancelling headphones under £100 uk battery performance we've ever witnessed in headphones that are over-ear. They have a standby function to help conserve battery.

The WH-CH720N can be connected to Android phones and iOS devices using Bluetooth. They support LDAC which allows them to play high-quality 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 personalize your headphones using an EQ slider and presets, multipoint connectivity, and secure listening.

5. B&W PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 is a follow-up to the success of its predecessor, but it's not an unfinished upgrade. They have a sleeker design and a brand new application. They fulfill their promise of high-end build quality and sound that accurately conveys artistic intent. They're also extremely comfortable and enjoyable to wear throughout the day.

While they're not as effective as the noise cancellation of the Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II or the Sony WH-1000XM5, they do a very good over ear noise cancelling headphones job of keeping out the sounds of the environment and ensuring you are able to concentrate on your music, podcasts or handheld gaming without distractions. They have a six-microphone setup (four for noise cancellation and two for voice pick-up) and a redesigned algorithm that reduce ambient sound by 30dB. They're also among the few Bluetooth headphones we've reviewed that can be used in a passive mode, allowing users to listen to content on your own without power being connected to the drive units.

They're also compatible with the B&W Music app, a free download that delivers an array of features to complement the excellent noise cancelling. The Quick Action button can be set to turn on your device's voice assistance, cycle through the three settings for the environment and show battery life. Annoyingly, you have to press and hold the button - a single press would be more efficient and intuitive.

The PX7 S2 is a pair of headphones that will delight music lovers. They're not suitable for the raucous music of genres like rock and metal that are known to favor bass-heavy production and muddy low frequency, as they are for classics, folk, and Acoustic music, but will still be awe-inspiring to those who appreciate audiophile credentials that's also practical and convenient.