The best over ear headphones Noise-cancelling Over-Ear Headphones
If you commute on noisy public transportation or work in an office with noisy coworkers or just want to listen to your music without a lot of distractions from outside, then headphones that block out noise can make all the difference. We’ve reviewed the top headphones for over-ear use that combine great sound quality with active noise cancellation.
Mpow Over-Ear Headphones
These Bluetooth headphones by Mpow are sturdy and provide premium audio quality for the price. They are designed to be over-ear headphones with ear cups that comfortably fit over your ears to block out noise from the outside. The earpads have a moderately thick cushion that insulates the ears well enough to muffle a good portion ambient sounds. However they do not come with an active noise cancellation capability. They weigh just over 11 ounces, and are comfortable to wear for extended durations of time.
The Mpow headphones are simple and similar to other headphone designs for over-ear on the market. The headband connecting the two earcups has a hinge and can be folded in to store or transport. The left earcup houses controls for power, volume and noise cancellation. The right ear cup has a microphone that allows hands-free calling.
The Mpow headphones have a very good sound quality, but they don’t have the bass power or clarity of the Sony WH1000XM5. Their accuracy in the PRTF and activation scores are well above average for Bluetooth headphones, which should provide large and expansive soundstage when listening to music. Their PRTF distance score, however, is below average. This means they sound more closed-in and less open than headphones with larger, more open-backed earcups.
They also have a good amount of treble extension, which will provide an uncluttered and clear sound that is able to handle all genres of music. The mids are a slightly more distinct than those from the Sony headphones and give them an overall more lively sound that is ideal for instrument-rich music. Some users find the bass to be a bit too strong however you can alter this to your preference by altering the equalizer settings in your audio player.
The Mpow headphones are a great choice for those who want to enjoy their favorite music without interruptions. They come with an extremely long-lasting battery that can be used in wired mode after the battery is exhausted. The headphones come with a USB charger as well as the cable, so you can enjoy your favourite music without interruption. The manufacturer offers a 45 day money-back guarantee as well as an 18-month warranty on these headphones. Their customer service is also renowned for its responsiveness.
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2
The PX7 S2 is the most recent over-ear headphones to be found in Bowers & Wilkins’ catalog. The PX7 is replaced by the PX7 S2 and are part of a wider range of wireless headphones, that includes the PI5 & PI7. The design of these headphones is immediately elegant once they are removed from the box. The use of metals and textures on the earcups gives them a high-end feel. They also are comfortable on the ears and head, despite being slightly heavier than their counterparts. The ears snap off and on easily which means they can be replaced if they wear out.
Like many of the best headphones, these cans have active noise cancellation that minimizes the impact of external sounds while allowing you to listen to the music. The technology isn’t perfect, but it does a decent job of keeping the whirring of a plane engine or the rumble of a train out of your ears while not altering the balance of music passages that might be on the same frequencies.
The PX7 S2’s soundstage is what distinguishes it from its competition. It provides plenty of space between sound elements and provides a clear separation. This clarity isn’t always present in other Bluetooth headphones.
The PX7 S2s might not be as compact as other models, but they do come with a fantastic carry case. It’s also well-padded, and the headphones fold flat for easy storage when not in use.
The ear cups are made of the appearance of leather, a soft and soft material that is extremely luxurious to touch. The earcups are lightweight, which makes them comfortable to wear for long listening sessions. The headband is designed for maximum comfort and doesn’t squeeze too tight. This helps to prevent headaches.
The headphones come with a variety of features that include Bluetooth multipoint which lets them pair with two devices at the same time. They support all the popular Bluetooth codecs as well as hi-res audio in the event that your streaming service supports it. They also have an amplifier for headphones that gives you extra boost when you use them with low-powered electronics, such as laptops.
Sony WH-1000XM5
The WH-1000XM5 are the newest model in Sony’s premium headphones for best over ear headphones Noise-cancelling over-ear noise cancellation. These headphones are a great improvement to their predecessors, the WH1000XM2s or the WH1000XM4. Sony has enhanced its already impressive active noise cancelling. For instance, the fifth-generation headphones are now able to eliminate low-frequency sounds like plane engines and subway car rumbles. They also know where you are and adjust the Ambient sound control settings accordingly.
You can still make use of a voice-activated assistant in order to control your music, get directions and more. The microphones inside the earphones are upgraded, which means they can be used for hands-free calls and Siri/Google Assistant commands. The headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible which means that they can pair and connect quicker.
In our lab tests the WH1000XM5 received high scores for comfort, ease of use and audio quality. The lightweight headset is comfortable to wear for long listening sessions, and the earcup can be adjusted to suit various head sizes. The headphones fold flat which makes them easy to pack into a suitcase or backpack.
The Ear cups have a slight curvature and the headband is more refined. This helps to hide places of assembly. The new synthetic leather adds durability and luxury. The earcup cavities are also a bit larger and sit more snugly against the ear, which could cause a bit of pressure to the head after wearing them for extended periods of time.
Some of the core features of the WH1000XM4s are transferred to the XM5. You can still swipe or tap the right earcup in order to change songs, pause audio and access the Ambient sound mode. You can also place your fingers over the right earcup to temporarily lower your music volume and boost the ambient sound, which can be beneficial when you want to hear what’s going on around you.
There are some subtle improvements to the XM5s that make them an excellent purchase for noise-canceling headphones. The new ANC offers better isolation of low-frequency sounds, and the headphones will pause music when you take them off your head in order to save energy. You can also select an unobtrusive listening mode to let in more exterior sound. A new battery-power-consumption algorithm gives the XM5s the same 30-hour battery life rating as their predecessor, and a quick press of the power button will alert you to your remaining charge.
Skullcandy ATH-ADX700
The ATH-ADX700 headphones are great option for those who want to purchase a pair of gaming headphones. They are comfortable and have high-quality audio. They are light, so you will not feel them on your ears or head. They feature a self-adjusting 3D wing that adapts to your head and eliminates pressure. The headphones include a cable that is easily connected to your audio source.
These are open-air headphones that look quite unique, thanks to their massive earcups as well as black honeycomb covers that reveal the driver inside. The unique design makes these headphones stand out, but that’s not all they have to provide. The self-adjusting wing support structure and the brand new 53 mm drivers with bobbin-wound CCAW voice coils as well as the lightweight honeycomb aluminum casing are the reasons why these headphones are special and worth the investment.
The ATH-ADX700 has an impressively broad frequency response, which provides a clear and natural treble and midrange. The sound isn’t as bassy as other headphones, but that’s because they are aimed at an audience of general music lovers who does not want to be blasted by excessive low frequencies. They’re an excellent pair of headphones for gamers since they let you hear the voices of your friends and NPCs without being masked by a booming bass.
The ATH-ADX700 headphones have an impedance rating of 32 ohms. However, they still require an amp of a good quality to operate at its best over ear headphones without noise cancelling. If you are using them with a portable device, this is not an issue, but using a headphone amplifier makes it easier to manage the sound and enjoy its full range.
The ATH ADX700 comes with a 9.84 foot cable with a gold-plated connector 1/8 inch and a TPE sheath, which is resistant to the possibility of tangling and damaging. The ATH-ADX700 includes a 1/4″ adapter for mobile devices. The earpads have a plush velvet material that initially squishy and soft, but then breaks in. They also feature a flexible raised fabric that improves the comfort and durability.