Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?

Whether you're on the train or at work Noise-cancelling headphones are a godsend for those who love to listen. But which ones are the best?

Sony's flagship headphones are a fantastic value. They feature a brand new design and superior sound quality, as well as enviable features. From the forceful chorus to Sinead O'Connor's trembling bridge, these headphones provide superb detail and realism.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony is an expert in noise cancellation, and its WH1000XM5 headphones are the best iteration of this series. A few well-thought-out enhancements over the XM4s make this model an all-round excellent pair of headphones, specifically for commuters and travelers. They're comfortable, feature multipoint technology to connect two devices simultaneously, and are the most advanced ANC Sony has made to date. They're also lightweight and provide about 27 hours of playback time without charging, which is enough for a week's worth of commuting or one long-haul flight.

The WH1000XM5s are sleek and minimal in design. They are made of ABS which is a recyclable and recycled plastic. The branding is minimal, although you'll see the tiny "Sony" logo on each hinge of each earcup. The earcups and headbands are made of a soft, plush material that is comfortable for all head sizes apart from the biggest. The earcups can be adjusted so that they fit you perfectly.

Contrary to previous models which focused on reducing low-frequency noise, the XM5s amplify high-frequency sound waves in order to block out background noise. This improves the overall quality of sound and helps to block out engine and cabin noise during flights, for instance. The XM5s has a second processing unit to increase noise cancellation on planes. The Hi-Res Audio Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones app can also automatically adjust the sound environment you are listening to based on the pressure of the air.

Other features of the WH1000XM5s include an enhanced voice assistant that's easy to use and can be used with Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri and more. The XM5s can be connected with other Sony audio devices to provide stereo separation and multi-room music. They can support Bluetooth high-bitrate streaming audio via Sony's LDAC however they do not support HD or aptX.

2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

If an organization has been producing headphones for as long as Sennheiser is a top brand, you can expect superior headphonesshop sound quality and a comfortable fit. With their latest headphones, dubbed Momentum 4 Wireless, they deliver on both fronts. They've updated the design to eliminate some of the distinctive elements that gave the previous models their aviator headset look and have also enhanced the active noise cancellation by using their advanced Adaptive Noise Cancellation technology. They are designed to last for 60 hours when ANC on, which is double the battery life of other competitors.

The new model is more portable, as it folds up and is a bit smaller. They're made with artificial PU leather for the re-usable ear pads and headband which feel comfortable on my head even when I wear them for the entire day at work. There isn't a lot of clamping force that keeps them in place either, so they should remain comfortable on flights and even during more intense workouts.

The sound is smooth and clear, however there are some peaks that can add a bit of confusion to the mixes. The bass can be a bit overemphasised, adding some extra impact and thump to genres such as EDM or hip-hop. It's not an issue however it could be a problem for some listeners. The high-mid also isn't balanced that brings instruments and vocals forward in the mix but at the expense of bringing out a few vocal sibilants.

The Sennheiser momentum 4 wireless has all of the usual features that include Bluetooth wireless connectivity, a clear mode that blends outside sounds into your music to improve awareness, and mobile application support for pre-set and custom EQ options. You can also connect a 3.5mm cord to connect your phone. They can make use of SBC, AAC, aptX HD and aptX Adaptive codecs to connect to your device and they're able to reduce the latency to as little as a quarter of a second, which is great.

3. B&W PX7 S2

The original PX7s were a top pick on many lists of top Bluetooth headsets, thanks to their excellent ANC and audio quality. The PX7s, as with many wireless headphones, were getting old and needed a refresh. Hence the PX7S2. B&W didn't just change the design however, they also made improvements to ANC and added voice-calling features.

The PX7 S2 headphones are extremely light, making them ideal for long listening sessions. A lot of the design is reminiscent of the previous model, including the cool oval aluminium earcup top-plate and the hook-like accent on the headband that glides instead of clicking as you expand it, and the actual buttons. The earcups are smaller but the headband feels a little less substantial overall.

The software of B&W lets you tweak EQ settings for bass and treble, but you don't get as much control over the mix between these two elements as you do with higher-end headphones. The Quick Action button on left earcup switches between the different modes of the environment. It can also be programmed to summon the voice assistant on your device through the Bowers & Wilkins Music App.

The PX7 S2 is a great choice for most music styles. It has a wide soundstage and a good separation of the various sound elements. It shines particularly on pieces featuring acoustic instruments such as 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's also capable of handling heavier songs as well, thanks to the bass sound and midrange clarity of Entombed's garage/death-n'roll crossover curiosity To Ride and Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth creating a wall of sound while allowing to be able to discern the vocals of Lars-Goran Petrov's gritty growl.

4. Bose QuietComfort 35

Bose was one of the first companies to introduce active noise cancelling headphones to the mainstream. Though they had an unwavering position in the market for years however, they are now competing against newer headsets with more features and better sound quality. QuietComfort 35 remains a great choice for those who want to listen to music or podcasts without sound rumbles or hums.

They're also comfortable to wear and feature a a well-balanced default sound profile. The ANC does a fantastic job of eliminating background noise, though it tends to emphasize lower frequencies more than modern headphones, such as the Sony WH-1000XM5.

If you're looking for a pair that can be used to listen to podcasts or audiobooks The QC35s feature an amazing passive noise cancellation feature which reduces ambient noises while keeping you adrift from the sound of the environment around you. The QC35s allow you to connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and also "audio-share" which means you can listen to music on one set of headphones and answer an incoming call on the other.

The Bose Connect app is decent but doesn't provide the full EQ options that other headphone apps. The QC35s are also used in wired mode with a cable, but the sound quality takes a major drop and they don't offer the same level of battery life as wireless models.

The QC35s have an established Bose look that might not be as appealing to some people as the sleeker designs of other brands. However you can add a touch of personalization by purchasing a decal cover-up from companies like SlickWraps and Headphonesshop Skin Sticker. You'll also be able change the color of the ear cups and the headband later this 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 cancelling you can buy today. They're more expensive than Anker Soundcore Q20 Wireless but they isolate more ambient noise. They also have a premium companion app that gives you many sound customization options.

The XM3s' excellent sound quality is one of the main reasons why they're popular, and they've been upgraded since their release to provide even better performance. They're a bit more depth in the frequency spectrum. The noise cancellation is superior at all levels of volume. They also have improved features like Quick Attention mode and Speak-to chat. The latest feature, Adaptive sound control, automatically adjusts the amount of external sound allowed in based on where you are and what you are doing.

They're not without their own issues, however. The mid-range can sound too recessed, and the treble could sometimes be too loud. They tend to boost bass too much in some tracks, which makes them sound too full and heavy. But that's something you can fix through the headphone settings or via EQ adjustment within the Sony app.

The XM3s are an excellent pair of headphones, particularly for frequent travelers or commuters. They are more comfortable, appear and feel premium, and last longer than the JBL Live 650 BTNC wireless. They also have a better battery and one of the best features for noise cancellation available. They are also more versatile and more suited for use on the go than Audio-Technica's ATH-M50X wireless, though their noise isolation is less impressive. They're not waterproof, which could be a deal breaker for some.