Good Over Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones
If you want to turn the world off and focus on your music, great headphones that cancel out noise are essential. No matter if you're flying or taking your commute, or working at home.
We've reviewed all the options to help you make a decision. These are our top picks based on the most important criteria to us and to our testers:.
1. Comfort
The most effective over-ear headphones for noise cancellation can comfortably fit over your head and remain in place when you move around. They must also have enough padding to keep the ear cups to your ears, keeping you away from the outside noise. This is crucial for those who listen to music, audiobooks and podcasts while on the move or at home. The earcup pads must be supple and flexible to accommodate different head sizes and shapes, while the headband should have enough padding to be comfortable for all-day wear.
The best noise-canceling headphones depend on your budget and needs. Apple's AirPods Max has quickly taken a market share from the long-time market leaders like Bose, Sony and Sony. And then there are budget options from monoprice and other brands that provide many of the same features as higher-end models at less than half the cost.
For example the monoprice model BT-600ANC comes with active noise cancellation and ambient awareness modes, touch controls, and high-quality audio codec support for your most popular audio applications. Their earcups are smaller than Bose's most recent models, so they should be suitable for the majority of people. They're also incredibly affordable at around the same price as a quality pair of noise-canceling headphones that are wired.
If you're willing to pay more than the Bowers & Wilkins PX8 S2 will impress you with their quality of construction and sound. They blend elegance with subtlety in a way that no other headphones can, with die-cast aluminum arms and diamond-cut bright metal details that make the headphones appear as stunning as they feel.
Their noise-canceling capabilities are a little less robust than the most highly-rated Bose QC35 II and QC45 but our Lab Assistant found them very comfortable to wear for prolonged periods of time. They were able reduce the noise of trains, an airplane engine tracks, and other loud sounds, but not the squealing of brakes or the squealing of other passengers. They also didn't have the passive isolation that we look for in our best headphones to block out office chatter and other distracting background sounds at home.
2. Sound
Noise cancelling headphones can block out the din around you and make it easier to concentrate in a noisy office or get some rest on a plane. The quality of sound that is coming through the headphones is important. In the ideal scenario, you'll be able to enjoy music and podcasts in a peaceful space with the audio coming through as clear and full as you can.
The ear cups or buds which seal your ears into the headphone also play a part in this: a good isolation is the best method to ensure that outside noises are not disrupting your audio experience. You can get this done by wearing headphones with active noise cancelation, which have built-in mics that create opposing sounds to neutralize ambient sound. Earbuds that don't have active noise cancellation are not as isolating but they do provide good sound isolation because of their design and the snug fit you can achieve when they fit properly.
We look at a variety of aspects to determine the best noise cancelling headphones. These include their ability to block low-frequency ambient noises like the drone or hum of an aircraft, and high-frequency sounds like chatter or conversations. We also evaluate the sound quality of the headphones, such as bass, midrange, and treble clarity, and whether or not they offer a natural distinction between voices and instruments.
Our top pick is the Sony WH-1000XM5, which have excellent noise cancellation that effectively reduces the sound of a plane, or the noise of a subway vehicle without sucking out the sound of your playlist or movie. They also offer excellent passive isolation and come with a variety of useful extras including the ability to automatically stop your media when you remove them from your ears or multipoint Bluetooth pairing for listening to multiple devices simultaneously.
Bose's QuietComfort headphones have the same sound, with crisp highs and mids. They're slightly more expensive than the XM4s, however not enough that they're not worth a look. They do have a few minor issues, however. They don't let you alter the amount of active noise cancellation. It's either off or on. Also, you can't activate the transparency mode, which lets in some outside sound, and they lack on-ear sensors that tell your phone to switch to the headset when you remove them.
3. Noise Cancellation
Noise cancelling is a crucial feature for anyone planning to wear headphones for long periods of time, whether working remotely from home, catch up on reading or podcasts, or listen to music and movies on a train or plane. However, the best noise cancelling headphones must provide more than blocking out the background sound. In our tests we analyzed the noise-canceling capabilities of headphones by using analysis of the audio spectrum as well as subjective listening tests.
We also sought out headphones that were comfortable, of high-quality construction, and had excellent audio performance. We also analyzed the effectiveness of their ability to block sounds of a short duration, like the whirrr of a lawnmower or computer next door, as well as noises of higher frequency. We also considered the isolation provided by headphones and whether the earcups would effectively block out sound.
Over-ear headphones are superior in noise cancellation than earbuds due to the fact that they cover your ears completely and isolate them from outside noise. We have compared the ANC performance of several over-ear headphones including models from Bose, Sony and more to see which pair best eliminated external distractions while still providing excellent audio quality.
In our review of the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones we discovered that they combine of high-quality sound and comfort with superior noise cancellation. They also support the high-resolution audio codec, LDAC for a more immersive listening experience. They also come with a physical button which lets you switch between three preset levels of ANC on any device.
The Monoprice's BT-600ANC are a lightweight low-cost headphones that offer an excellent quality of audio and noise reduction. The headphones aren't comfortable to wear for long periods of time, however they do a fantastic job of shielding you from the surrounding noise.
If you're looking to purchase a top set of noise-canceling headsets at a much more attractive price point take a look at the Sony WH-XB910N. The "XB", in the name, is a reference to extra bass. Although they can deliver that promise however, we prefer the Bose ANC performance and overall feel of the WH1000XM5 headphones.
4. Battery Life
If you're spending a couple hundred dollars on a pair headphones that block noise, make sure they'll last. A good pair of over-ear noise cancelling headphones come with a battery longevity that can get you through the duration of a long flight or week of commuting. We always test wireless headphones for battery life.
During our testing We found that the best ANC headsets have battery life of at least 30 hours. That's more than enough to get you through a long, international flight or a full workweek of commutes and meetings. Many models go over that threshold. Some models can even provide 60 hours of active noise cancellation.
While there are some headphones that are able to last longer, it is important to be aware that the quality of your sound will diminish when the battery in your headphone diminishes. best over ear noise cancelling headphones will be noticeable when the sound gets muffled, and the bass is less punchy. The majority of people won't notice the difference, but it is noticeable when listening to podcasts or quiet music.
The latest Sennheiser Momentum over-ear headphones are designed to offer the features that top-of-the-line audio headset buyers are looking for. They are focused on comfort, style and essential features. They include upgraded ANC, a useful control app and great sound quality. They are less expensive than the price of Sony's flagship models, so you can get a excellent ANC without the costly price of the flagship models.
Monoprice BT600ANC over-ear headphones are another pair worth considering. They're budget-friendly, but provide top-quality performance. The headphones are lightweight and comfortable with a headband that is easy on the ears. They come with touch controls and aptX and AAC support for high-quality audio on iOS and Android devices. These headphones aren't as good as the Bose QuietComfort 45 but they're an excellent choice for those on a tight budget.
Noise-canceling headphones are a great purchase for frequent travelers, office workers and anyone who wants an unobstructed environment to listen to their audiobook or podcast. They can be more expensive, but they're worth it when you're constantly on the move.