Best Over-Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones

If you travel on a noisy public transportation or work in a noisy office with noisy colleagues, noise cancelling headphones can provide the sonic buffer you need to remain focused. We evaluated the quality of sound, comfort and the ability to block out continuous high-frequency sounds like restaurant chatter, and short-duration incidental sounds like ringing phone or clacking keyboards.

Sony WH-1000XM5

When it comes to the best ANC headphones, Sony's WH1000XM5 is the best budget noise cancelling headphones choice. The WH-1000XM5 came out in 2016 and is a great choice for anyone looking to listen to their favorite music or podcasts without distractions. This latest model of the series is its first major revision and comes with a variety of exciting features. Alongside a sleek design and sustainability efforts (including the absence of plastic packaging) The headphones provide excellent noise cancellation, clear audio, and natural-sounding ambient audio.

The WH-1000XM5 has no rival in its ability to cancel out noise when activated. The act of putting on a pair headphones creates an enveloping silence which can block out the noise of subway and train engines and also neighboring conversations. These headphones are also some of the most effective ANCs to block out low-frequency drones, bass hums, and other sounds.

Another feature that is great is Ambient Sound Control, which adjusts the acoustic balancing based on your environment. If you are at home and listening to your favorite music the WH1000XM5 will change to a more immersive experience. On the other hand, if you're walking on the streets it will switch to an enhanced sound profile to give you more awareness of your surroundings.

The WH-1000XM5's ear cups have touch-sensitive gesture controls on the right side, which can be used to play, pause, and switch tracks. You can also make use of the voice assistant to adjust volume or search for content, and make calls using hands-free technology. The headphones provide a full stereo image and Noise Cancelling an even frequency response. They also have an extremely accurate group delay, which allows them to maintain the same soundstage.

Another great feature is the possibility of connecting the WH-1000XM5s to two devices at the same time. This is particularly useful if you want to listen to music on your laptop while making phone calls from your phone. They have a built-in mic and USB-C ports for charging. The headphones come with a cable that permits direct playback of analog. The battery life is approximately 30 hours, which will get you through one week of commute or a long-haul flight.

Bose QuietComfort 45

The Bose QuietComfort 45 is the most recent update to the premium headphones maker's flagship model. It was launched in September 2021 and it is priced lower than the Sony WH1000XM4 by around PS320 or $329 or $439 when compared to its 700-related sibling. In terms of features it has top-of-the-line active noise cancellation and features like voice assistant support and automatic pause when you take off the headphones. The design is also more comfortable than the previous versions. However, there are some things to know. Some users may find it difficult to adjust to the touch-sensitive buttons on backs of the ear cups that require pressure to activate. And while you can adjust ANC and switch to an "aware" mode which allows ambient sounds, you cannot completely turn off the audio.

Nevertheless, the headsets deliver excellent performance and are a solid purchase for anyone seeking a high-end pair of headphones to wear on a plane, train or while working from home. They have an extended battery life with excellent noise cancellation as well as clear audio. They also come with multipoint Bluetooth which allows them to pair up with two devices simultaneously and switch between them by pressing the button. They also have a separate application, which isn't as customizable as some competitors but offers a variety of useful features.

The QC45s also have an active noise cancelling feature that's very efficient. It can be too loud at times. The passive EQ modes are however more balanced and let you be more in control of the sound quality of your music. If you listen to songs that contain a lot of cymbal sparkle it is possible that the headphones are grating. This can be easily fixed by lowering the frequency of 3-20kHz on your music player's equalizer.

The QC45s offer top-notch ANC at a reasonable price. Some might be disappointed with the omissions of certain features such as adjustable ANC/transparency, EQ and some slight decreases in the quality of calls. They are also comfortable to wear for long periods of time and feature fast-charging with USB-C ports.

Shure Aonic 50

Shure's Aonic 50 are a premium pair of headphones with an emphasis on audio quality. Their drivers utilize a massive 50mm dynamic driver, noise cancelling and are equipped with high-resolution codecs that deliver the best possible audio playback through Bluetooth. The headphones have a well-balanced sound, with deep detail in all frequencies. They also have a natural feel of space and positioning.

The headphones are a bit heavier than their competitors at 334g, but they're comfortable to wear for long listening sessions. The headband is placed on top of your head, without applying too much pressure and the earcups are well-padded, making them very comfortable. They are also extremely lightweight. They can fold flat and be stored in the accompanying carrying case.

There's a basic set of controls that are arranged on the right earcup, including playback, volume and power/pairing. You can toggle between noise-cancelling mode, neutral mode, and what Shure calls "Environment Mode" using a slider near the top. The Environment Mode allows more outside noise to pass through. This can be beneficial for those who need to remain conscious of your surroundings. The controls are excellent however there's a slight delay between pressing the buttons and when it happens (i.e. If you play the button while you're on a call and you're on a call, you'll end up blaring your ears with music rather than picking up your mom). The phones don't have microphones, but they do have an audio response by Google Assistant. Their mics can also be used to filter out background noise while calling.

They operate on one battery that can last for up to 20 hours, which would suffice for most. The USB cable is included to charge your phone. It's not as user-friendly as Bluetooth but you get to listen to your music while you charge. They're also compatible with most audio devices with a 2.5mm port, which means you can use them when you're traveling.

Monoprice BT-600ANC

The Monoprice BT-600ANC Bluetooth over-ear noise cancellation headphones come with all the features you require in a pair of wireless headphones at a fraction of the price. The headphones come with high-quality Qualcomm HD Audio and Active Noise Cancelling. They are also portable foldable, lightweight, and simple to pack into a backpack or bag. These headphones are an excellent choice for commuters or students and come with a long battery life that allows you to listen for the entire the day. The headphones also come with comfortable touch controls that allow you to swipe or tap to alter the volume or skip tracks.

The BT600ANC headsets have an elegant design that is reminiscent of the Monoprice M1000ANC headphones we have reviewed last year. They're a matte gray color and not branded, and aren't noticeable in public, however they feature an incredibly soft and comfortable fit that will appeal to the majority of ears. The small dimensions of these headphones and the included carrying case make them ideal for taking on the road.

These headphones are lightweight and offer excellent passive isolation thanks to the ear cups encased in leatherette. The headband has a lot of adjustability and is soft without feeling bulky or soft and slouchy. The headband is wide enough to accommodate glasses wearers, which means they'll fit most people.

Monoprice's ANC is effective and doesn't sound as tinny as other brands. They have a slight increase between 100-200Hz, which gives a fuller sound to bass notes. This can be heard in the opening of Good 4 U by Olivia Rodrigo with a clear and clear response. They have a dramatic drop in the higher frequencies above ten kHz, therefore shakers and cymbals won't sound as clear and crisp.

There are three ANC modes to cycle through three modes: low, medium and high. The low mode is good over ear noise cancelling headphones for reducing ambient noise, but it won't block out traffic or loud conversations. The medium setting works in a variety of environments. The high setting will keep you insulated from everything but your music. The earcups are equipped with touch-sensitive controls which take some time to get used to. Swiping up or down on the pad regulates the volume, and tapping or moving left or right switches the track. Double tapping can be used to stop the music or answer to a phone call. It takes time to get used to this system however once you get used to it, you will find it to be extremely useful.