The Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear noise-canceling headsets can make a big difference for those who commute on noisy public transport, have a chatty work environment, or simply want to listen music without being distracted by external noise. We have reviewed the best over-ear headphones that combine excellent audio quality and active noise cancellation.

Mpow Over-Ear Headphones

These Bluetooth headphones by Mpow are built well and provide high-quality audio for their price. These headphones are designed to be worn over the ears and feature ear cups that comfortably fit over your ears. This helps to block out background noise. The earpads are constructed of a moderately padded cushion that shields your ears sufficiently to block out a significant portion of ambient sounds however, they do not come with a noise canceling feature. The earpads weigh a bit heavier than 11 ounces, but they're comfortable to wear over long periods.

The Mpow headphones have a simple design, similar to other designs of over-ear headphones available. The headband connecting the two earcups is hinged, and can be folded up to store or transport. The left earcup houses controls for volume, power and noise cancellation. The right earcup has a microphone that allows hands-free calling.

The Mpow headphones offer very good sound quality, but they don't have the bass power or clarity of the Sony WH1000XM5. The PRTF accuracy and activation scores are higher than average among Bluetooth headphones. This should result in a large and wide soundstage while listening to music. However their PRTF distance score is below average, which means they will sound closed in and less open than headphones that have larger, open-back earcups.

The treble extension is also good, and you will get a crisp and clear sound that is compatible with a wide range of genres. The mids of Sony headphones are more distinct, which creates more of a dynamic sound. This is ideal for music with lots of instruments. The bass is a little too loud for some, but it's an individual preference that can be adjusted by altering the equalizer settings on your audio player.

The Mpow headphones come with a long battery life, ear noise cancelling headphones and can be utilized in wired mode when the battery is exhausted. The headphones come with an USB charger and an audio cable, which means you can enjoy your favourite music without interruption. The manufacturer offers a 45-day refund warranty, along with an 18-month warranty for these headphones. Their customer service is also known for its speedy response.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 are the most current headphones for over-ears that have graced the Bowers & Wilkins catalog. The PX7 is replaced by the PX7 S2 and they are part of a wider range of INFURTURE Q1 Wireless Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Headphones headphones, which also includes the PI5 & PI7. The design of these headphones immediately feels luxurious when unboxed. The use of metals and textured materials on the ear cups gives them a luxurious feel. The headphones are also more comfortable on the head and ears even though they are slightly heavier. The Ear pads snap on and off easily which means they can be replaced if they wear out.

These headphones are equipped with active noise cancellation. This reduces external sounds and allows you to enjoy your music. The technology isn't perfect however it does an excellent job of keeping train and plane rumbles out of your ear canals, without affecting the balance between music passages.

One thing that makes the PX7 S2 apart from their competition is the soundstage they provide, which offers plenty of space and strong separation between distinct components of sound. This gives clarity to songs that can't be found on other Bluetooth headphones.

Although the PX7 S2s aren't as portable as some of their competitors however, they come with a great carry case. The case is well-padded and the headphones fold flat when not in use.

The earcups are covered in a soft, leather-like material that is very indulgent to the feel. They're also light, making them comfortable for long listening sessions. The headband is designed to be as comfortable as is possible and it doesn't clamp too tightly, which helps keep headaches at bay over time.

The headphones come with a variety of features that include Bluetooth multipoint that allows them to pair with two devices simultaneously. They are compatible with all the most well-known Bluetooth codes, as well as hi-res audio in the event that your streaming service supports it. They also come with an amplifier for headphones that provides extra power when you use headphones with electronics that are not powered, such as laptops.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH-1000XM5 are the latest in the line of Sony's top over-ear noise cancelling headphones. These headphones are a great upgrade to their predecessors, WH1000XM2s or WH1000XM4. Sony has made improvements to its already impressive active noise cancellation. For instance, the fifth generation headphones can now melt away low-frequency sounds like plane engines and subway car rumbles. They can also detect your location and automatically adjust the Ambient Sound Control settings to match.

You can still make use of a voice-activated assistant in order to control your music, find directions and more. The microphones on the earphones have been upgraded so that they can be used to make calls using hands-free technology and also to control Siri/Google Assistant. The headphones are also Bluetooth 5.0 which means they can be used with faster pairing and connection speeds.

The WH-1000XM5 was awarded top marks in our lab tests for comfort, user-friendliness and the quality of its sound. The lightweight headset can be worn for long listening sessions without feeling tight on the head, and the ears can be adjusted to accommodate various head sizes. The headphones are foldable and flat making them easy to fit into backpacks or suitcases.

The ears have a slight curvature, and the headband is more refined. This makes it easier to conceal the assembly points. The new synthetic leather provides durability and a luxurious. The ear cup cavities are also larger and sit more snugly against the ears, which may add a little pressure to the head after wearing them for extended durations of time.

The XM5 has some of the core features of the WH1000XM4s. You can swipe and Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones tap the right ear cup to change the music, pause your audio and access Ambient Sound Mode. You can also place your hand over the right earcup to temporarily turn down the volume of your music and increase the ambient sound, which can be useful when you need to hear what's happening around you.

The XM5s come with a few small improvements which make them an excellent choice for noise-canceling headsets. The new ANC gives greater isolation from low-frequency noise, and the headphones will stop the music when removed from your head to save energy. You can also switch to an unobtrusive listening mode that lets in more external 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 ideal choice for those who want to purchase a pair of gaming headphones. They are comfortable and have excellent sound. They are lightweight, which means you don't feel them on your head or ear. They feature a self-adjusting 3D wing that can relieve pressure and adjust to the shape of your head. The headphones come with an audio cable that can be easily connected to your audio source.

These are open-air headphones which look quite unique, thanks to their large earcups and honeycomb covers in black which reveal the drivers inside. The unique design is what makes these headphones stand out but it's not all they have to provide. They stand out because of their self-adjusting wing-support construction, the brand new 53mm driver that has Bobbin wound CCAW voice coils and a lightweight honeycomb aluminum casing.

The ATH ADX700 has a wide frequency response, which allows for a crisp, natural treble. The sound is not as bassy as other pairs because they are designed for an average music lover who does not like being bombarded by low frequencies. These headphones are great for gamers because they let you hear your friends and other NPCs, without being muffled.

The ATH ADX700 headphones have an impedance rating of 32 ohms but still require an amp of a good quality to function optimally. When used with a portable player, it's not a problem, but a headphone amplifier will make it easier to control the sound and experience its full range.

The ATH ADX700 includes a 9.84 feet cable that has a gold-plated connector 1/8 inches and a TPE sheath that is resistant to the possibility of tangling and damaging. It also comes with a 1/4-inch adapter for mobile devices. The earpads are constructed of soft velour that is soft and initially itchy but will break over time. The earpads are made of a soft, higher-quality material that enhances the comfort and durability.