Best Over-Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones

Noise cancelling headphones are a great way to maintain focus regardless of whether you're on a train with a loud hum or in a workplace with a crowded office full of chattering coworkers. We analyzed the quality of sound, comfort and the ability to block out the high-frequency continuous sounds such as restaurant chatter and incidental sounds like ringing phone or keyboards clacking.

Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony's WH1000XM5 headphones are an excellent option for high-end ANC. It was first released in the year 2016, the WH-1000XM5 is one of the top choices for those who wants to enjoy their favorite music or podcasts without distractions. The latest version of the series marks its first major revision and comes with a variety of exciting features. The headphones are also eco friendly, and do not come with packaging made of plastic. They provide excellent noise cancellation and crystal clear audio.

The WH-1000XM5 is unmatched in its ability to cancel out noise when activated. When you put on a pair of headphones creates a cone of silence, which can block out the sound of subway trains and subway engines, as well as neighboring conversations. These headphones are also among the best ANCs for blocking out low-frequency drones, bass hums, and other sounds.

Ambient Sound Control is another excellent feature. It alters the acoustic balance in the headphones in accordance with the surroundings. If you're in your home and listening to your favorite tunes the WH1000XM5 will change over to an experience that is more immersive. If you're walking down a busy street they will change to more focused profiles to make you more aware of the surrounding.

The WH-1000XM5's ear cups have touchscreen-sensitive gesture controls on the right side which can be used to play, pause and change tracks. You can also utilize the voice assistant to adjust volume or search for content, and make phone calls that are hands-free. The headphones offer a rich stereo image and a consistent frequency response. They also have an incredibly precise group delay. incredibly accurate and helps ensure the same soundstage.

Another great feature is the ability to connect the WH-1000XM5s to two devices at the same time. This is particularly useful when you would like to listen to music on your laptop and make phone calls with your smartphone. They come with built-in microphones and a USB-C charge port. They also come with a cable to playback direct analog. The battery lasts for about 30 hours. It can last for one week or more, and even a long trip.

Bose QuietComfort 45

The Bose QuietComfort 45 is the latest update to the premium headphones maker's flagship model. It was launched in September 2021 and undercuts the new Sony WH-1000XM4 as well as its 700 counterpart by approximately PS320, $329 or AU$439. It is the best active noise cancellation and features such as voice assistant support, automatic pausing and automatic pausing when you take off the headphones. The design is also a lot more comfortable than earlier models. There are some things to be aware of, however. Some people may have difficulty adjusting to the touch-sensitive buttons on the back of the earcups that require pressure in order to activate. While you can adjust ANC and switch to an "aware" mode which allows ambient sounds but you can't completely shut off the sound.

The headsets are still a great buy for anyone looking for a pair of high-end headphones to wear in a plane or train or at home while working. They have a long battery lifespan with excellent noise cancellation as well as clear audio. They also feature multipoint Bluetooth which means that they can be paired with two devices simultaneously and jump between them with just a touch. They also have a separate application, which isn't as flexible as other apps, but offers a variety of useful features.

The QC45s have a very efficient active noise cancellation mode. In my testing, it can be somewhat loud at times. However the passive EQ modes are more balanced and offer more control over your music's sound characteristic. If you listen to music that contain high levels of cymbal shimmer you might notice that the headphones are grating. This can be easily resolved by lowering 3-20kHz in the equalizer of your music player.

The QC45s are top-quality ANC at a fair price. Some might be disappointed with the omissions of certain features like adjustable ANC/transparency, EQ, and a slight drop in quality of calls. They are comfortable to wear and feature the USB-C charging port.

Shure Aonic 50

Shure's Aonic 50 are a premium pair of headphones that place an emphasis on audio quality. They feature a 50mm dynamic driver and are stuffed with high-resolution code to provide the highest quality possible Bluetooth music playback. The headphones provide a balanced sound that is full of clarity across the frequency spectrum and have a natural sense of spatiality and position and allow you to feel the reverberation of each note and the movement of the music around you.

The headphones are a little heavier than the ones they compete with at 334g, but they're still comfortable to wear during long listening sessions. The headband is placed on top of the head without putting too much pressure on it and the earcups are well-padded to make them comfortable. They're also fairly portable - they fold flat and can be put away in their accompanying carrying case that's an added bonus.

Around the right earcup are the usual controls, including volume, playback, and power/pairing. The slider on the top allows you to switch between noise-cancelling, a neutral mode, and what Shure calls "Environment Mode". The Environment Mode lets more outside noise to pass through. This is useful for those who need to remain conscious of your surroundings. The controls are excellent, but there is some time between pressing the buttons and when it happens (i.e. when you play the play button while on a phone, you'll likely end up blaring your ears with music rather than picking up your mom). The phones don't come with microphones, but they have an audio response provided by Google Assistant. Their mics can also be used to filter out background noise when on the phone.

They are powered by one battery that lasts for up to 20 hours, which will suffice for most. The USB cable is included to charge your phone. It's not as user-friendly as Bluetooth but you have the ability to listen to your music while you charge. They're also compatible with a lot of audio devices that have a 2.5mm port, HeadphonesShop so you can use them when you're traveling.

Monoprice BT-600ANC

The Monoprice BT600ANC Bluetooth noise cancelling over ear headphones come with all the features that you want in a pair at just a fraction of the cost. They come with premium Qualcomm aptX HD Audio, an advanced type of Active Noise Cancelling and an easy-to-fold design that allows them to be easily stored in the backpack or carry bag. The headphones are an excellent choice for commuters or students and have a long battery life that allows you to listen all day. The headphones also feature easy-to-use touch controls that allow users to swipe or tap in order to alter the volume or skip tracks.

The BT600ANC headsets have a minimalistic look that is similar to the Monoprice M1000ANC headphones we have reviewed last year. They're a matte gray color and not branded, and do not stand out in public, however they feature a soft and HeadphonesShop comfortable fit that appeals to most ears. Their small size and carrying case make them perfect for travel.

The ear cups are encased in leatherette and provide excellent passive isolation. The headband is soft and has plenty of adjustability, without being too bulky or slouchy. The headbands are large enough to accommodate glasses wearers. They will fit most people.

Monoprice ANC is effective and does not sound as tinny as other brands. They offer an a little boost between 100-200Hz, headphonesshop which provides a more full sound for bass notes. The opening track of Good 4 U, by Olivia Rodrigo, shows a full response. However, they have a steep drop-off in the upper frequencies that go above 10kHz, meaning that the shaker and cymbal sounds won't be as crisp and clear as on other headsets.

You can cycle through three ANC modes: low, medium and higher. The low mode is ideal for reducing ambient noise, but it won't block out traffic or loud conversations. The medium setting will work in all environments. The high setting will shield you from everything except your music. The control buttons on the earcups can be a bit difficult to use initially. Swiping up and down on the pad controls volume and the pad's pressure or moving it left or right alters the tracks. Double-taps can be used to put the music on hold or to answer the phone. It takes some practice to get used to, but once you get the hang of it, you will find it very useful.