The Best Over-Ear Headphones

If you travel on public transportation or work in a noisy office with noisy coworkers or just want to enjoy your music without a lot of distractions from outside, then headphones that block out noise can make all the difference. We reviewed the best headphones that offer great sound quality with impressive active noise cancellation.

Mpow Over Ear Headphones

These Bluetooth headphones by Mpow are sturdy and provide excellent audio quality for the price. They are designed to be over-ear headphones with Ear cups that sit comfortably over the ear to block ambient noise. The earpads consist of a modestly thick cushion that shields your ears well enough to block out a significant portion of environmental sounds, though they do not come with a noise canceling feature. They weigh about 11 ounces and are fairly comfortable to wear for long durations of time.

The Mpow headphones are simple and not too different from other over-ear headphone designs on the market. The headband that connects the two earcups is hinged and can be folded up to store or transport. The left earcup houses the controls for power, volume and noise cancellation. A microphone is housed in the right ear cup to allow hands-free phone calls.

The sound quality from the Mpow headphones is very good but they don't have the bass power of Bose or the clarity of the Sony WH-1000XM5. The PRTF accuracy and activation scores are above average among Bluetooth headphones. This should result in a spacious and wide soundstage when listening to music. However they're PRTF distance score is lower than average, meaning they will sound closed in and less open than headphones with large, open-back earcups.

The treble extension is excellent, so you can have a clear and crisp sound that can be used with most music genres. The mids of the Sony headphones are a bit more prominent, which gives them more of a dynamic sound. This is ideal for music with a variety of instruments. Some users find the bass to be a bit too strong, but you can alter this to your personal preference by altering the equalizer settings of your audio player.

The Mpow headphones are a good option for those looking to listen to their favorite music without interruptions. They have an extended battery life and can be utilized in wired mode if the charge runs out. They come with a cable and a USB charger included in the box, which means you can continue to enjoy your music without interruptions. The manufacturer offers a 45-day money back warranty, along with an 18-month guarantee on these headphones. Their customer service is also known for being responsive.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 are the latest over-ear headphones to grace the Bowers & Wilkins catalog. The PX7 is replaced by the PX7 S2 and they are part of a larger collection of wireless headphones which also includes the PI5 and PI7. Unboxed, design of these headphones instantly invokes the feeling of luxuriousness. The use of metals and materials with textured surfaces on the earcups and headband give them an exquisitely put together feel. The headphones are also more comfortable on the head and ears even though they are slightly heavier. The ears are easy to snap on and off, and can be replaced as they wear out.

Like a lot of the top headphones, these cans come with active noise cancellation that reduces the sound of outside sounds while allowing you to listen to your music. The technology isn't perfect however, it does a fantastic job of keeping train and plane sounds from your ear canals without altering the balance between music and other sounds.

The PX7 S2's soundstage is what sets it apart from the rest of the competition. It provides plenty of space between sound elements and a strong separation. This clarity isn't always found in other Bluetooth headphones.

The PX7 S2s may not be as portable as other models but they do come with a fantastic carry case. It's also well-padded and the headphones can fold flat for easy storage when not in use.

The earcups are covered in a soft, leather-like fabric which is very luxurious to the sensation. The ear cups are lightweight, jbl which makes them comfortable to wear for long listening sessions. The headband is designed to be as comfortable as is possible and doesn't cinch too tightly, which can help prevent headaches over time.

The headphones have many features like Bluetooth multipoint which allows them to be paired with two devices simultaneously. They support all the popular Bluetooth codecs, as well as hi-res audio when your streaming service supports it. They also come with a headphone amplifier that gives you extra boost when using them with low-powered electronics like laptops.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH-1000XM5 are the newest model in the premium line of headphones for over-ear noise cancellation. These headphones are a great improvement to their predecessors, the WH1000XM2s or the WH1000XM4. Sony has improved on its already impressive active noise cancellation. For instance, the fifth generation headphones are now able to eliminate low-frequency sounds, such as subway car rumbles and plane engine rumbles. They can also detect your location and automatically adjust the Ambient Sound Control settings to match.

You can still make use of voice-activated assistants to control your music and receive directions. The microphones in the earcups have been upgraded so that they can be used to make calls using hands-free technology and Siri/Google Assistant commands. The headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible which means that they can be connected and pair faster.

The WH-1000XM5 was awarded top marks in our lab tests for comfort, user-friendliness and sound quality. The lightweight headset can be worn for long listening sessions without feeling tight on the head. The ear cups can be adjusted to fit different sizes of heads. The headphones are portable, and their flat foldable design makes them able to be easily tucked away in a backpack or a suitcase.

The ears have a slight curvature, and the headband is more refined. This makes it easier to conceal points of assembly. They're covered in a new synthetic leather material that adds more durability and a luxurious look. The ear cup's space is also larger and is more comfortable to the ears. This could cause a slight pressure on the head when worn for long periods of time.

The XM5 keeps certain of the features of the WH1000XM4s. You can still swipe or tap the right earcup in order to change music, pause audio and access Ambient sound mode. You can put your hand on the right earcup to temporarily turn off the music and boost ambient sounds. This is useful if you want to hear sounds around you.

The XM5s have a few small improvements that make them a good over ear noise cancelling headphones choice for noise-canceling headsets. The new ANC gives greater isolation from low-frequency noise, and the headphones will stop your music when you remove them from your head to save energy. Transparent listening mode lets in more outside 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 ADX700

If you're looking to get a set of headphones to accompany their gaming setup The ATH-ADX700 is a great option. They are comfortable and offer superior sound. They are also lightweight and won't feel heavy on your head or ears. They feature a self-adjusting 3D wings that eliminate pressure and adapt to fit your head. The headphones include an audio cable that can be easily connected to your audio source.

Open-air headphones with a distinctive design, these headphones come with large earcups which reveal the drivers. The unique design is what makes these headphones stand out but they also have a lot to offer. They are distinctive because of their self-adjusting wing-support construction, the brand new 53mm driver that has bobbin wound CCAW voice coils and the lightweight honeycomb aluminum casing.

The ATH ADX700 has a wide frequency response, JBL which allows for an unmistakably natural, crisp treble. The sound is not as bassy as other models because they are designed for the general 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 come with an impedance rating of 32 ohms but still require a high-quality amp to function optimally. It's not a problem using them on a portable device however, it will be much easier to manage and enjoy the full range of sound when they are paired with a headphone amp that is suitable.

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. It also includes a 1/4-inch adapter for mobile devices. The earpads have a plush velvet material that initially squishy and soft, but will eventually break into. They also come with a flexible, raised fabric that increases comfort and durability.