The Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear noise-canceling headphones can be a big help if you commute in a noisy public transport, work with chatty colleagues or simply want to listen to music without being distracted by external noise. We reviewed the best headphones that offer amazing sound quality with active noise cancelling headphones wireless cancellation.

Mpow Over-Ear Headphones

These Bluetooth headphones from Mpow are sturdy and provide high-quality audio for their price. These headphones are designed to be worn over your ears and feature ear cups that are comfortable to wear over your ears. This will help block out noise from the outside. The earpads are made of a moderately padded cushion that encases your ears well enough to muffle out a good part of the sounds that surround you, though they do not have active noise canceling capability. They weigh slightly more than 11 ounces, and are comfortable to wear for long periods of time.

The Mpow headphones feature a simple design that isn't too far removed from most other models of over-ear headphones on the market. The headband which connects the two ear cups is hinged, which allows them to fold down into a compact package for transport and storage. The left earcup houses the controls for power, volume and noise cancellation. A microphone is built into the right ear cup for hands-free 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 the activation score are higher than average among Bluetooth headphones. This will result in a wide and wide soundstage when listening to music. Their PRTF distance score, however, is lower than average. This means that they will sound more closed-in and less open when compared to headphones with larger, open-backed earcups.

The treble extension is excellent, so you can enjoy a clear and crisp sound that will work with most music genres. Their mids are a slightly more distinct than those from the Sony headphones and give them a somewhat more dynamic sound that is great for music that is instrument-rich. Some people find the bass slightly too loud however, you can adjust 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 have an extended battery life and can also be used in wired mode when the battery runs out. They come with a cord and USB charger included in the box, so you can continue to enjoy your favorite tunes without any interruptions. The manufacturer offers a 45-day money back guarantee as well as an 18-month warranty for these headphones. Their customer service is also renowned for being responsive.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 is the latest over-ear headphones to be found in Bowers & Wilkins' catalog. The PX7 is replaced by the PX7 S2 and they are part of a wider line of wireless headphones, which also includes the PI5 and PI7. The design of these headphones immediately feels elegant when they are unboxed. The use of metals and textured materials on the ear cups and headband give them an exquisitely constructed feel. They also are comfortable on the head and ears, despite being slightly heavier than the other models. The ear pads are easily removed and replaceable in the event that they wear out.

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

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

Although the PX7 S2s aren't as movable as their rivals however, they come with a nice carry case. The case is well-padded and the headphones can fold into a flat position when not in use.

The ear cups are made of an enveloping, soft leather that feels luxurious to the touch. They're also extremely light which makes them ideal 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 various features, including Bluetooth multipoint which allows them to be paired with two devices simultaneously. They are compatible with all the most popular Bluetooth codecs as well as hi-res audio when your streaming service supports it. They have an amplifier for headphones that gives them an additional boost when used with low-powered electronic devices such as laptops.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH-1000XM5 are the newest model in the line of Sony's top over-ear noise cancelling headphones. They're an excellent upgrade over their predecessors, the WH-1000XM2s and WH-1000XM4. Sony has made improvements to its already impressive active noise cancellation. The fifth-generation headphones, for example, can now mute low-frequency sounds, such as plane engines and subway car rumbles. They can also detect your location and automatically adjust the Ambient Sound Control settings accordingly.

You can still make use of a voice-activated assistant to control your music, get directions, and much more. The microphones in the earphones have been upgraded, so they can be used for calls that are hands-free and Siri/Google Assistant commands. The headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible which means that they can be connected and pair faster.

In our lab evaluations, the WH-1000XM5 have earned top marks for comfort, ease of use and the sound quality. The lightweight headset is comfortable to wear for long listening sessions, and the earcup can be adjusted to suit different sizes of heads. The headphones are foldable and flat making them easy to fit into backpacks or suitcases.

The ear cups are slightly more curly than their predecessors, and ear noise cancelling headphones the headband is fitted with more refined curves that to conceal the assembly points. They're covered with a brand new synthetic leather material that adds additional durability and ear noise cancelling headphones luxury. The earcups are also a bit larger and are more comfortable against the ears, which could cause a bit of pressure to the head after wearing them for prolonged periods of time.

A few of the features of the WH1000XM4s are transferred to the XM5. You can still swipe and tap the right ear cup to switch songs or pause the audio and open Ambient Sound Mode. You can also place your hands over the right earcup to temporarily turn down your music volume and boost ambient sound, which is helpful when you need to hear what's going on around you.

There are some subtle improvements to the XM5s that make them a great buy for noise-canceling headphones. The new ANC provides better isolation for low-frequency sounds, and the headphones will pause your music when lifted from your head in order to save energy. You can also switch to an open listening mode that 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

The ATH ADX700 headphones are a excellent choice for those who want to purchase a pair of gaming headphones. They offer high-quality sound and are comfortable to wear for a long period of time. They are lightweight so you will not feel them on your head or ear. They have self-adjusting 3D wings that adjust to your head and reduces pressure. The headphones include an audio cable that can be easily connected to your audio source.

These are open-air headphones noise that look rather unusual, thanks to their large earcups and honeycomb covers in black that reveal the driver inside. The unique design makes them stand out from the crowd, but it's not the only feature that makes them stand out. The self-adjusting wing support structure and the brand new 53 mm drivers with bobbin wound CCAW voice coils as well as the aluminum casing made of honeycomb are the main reasons these headphones are special and worth the cost.

The ATH ADX700 features a wide frequency response that allows for a crisp, natural treble. The sound isn't as bassy as some other headphones because they are designed for an average music lover who doesn't like to be bombarded by low frequencies. These headphones are great for gamers because they let you hear your friends and other NPCs without being obstructed.

The ATH-ADX700 headphones come with an impedance rating of 32 ohms but still require a decent amp to function optimally. When used with a portable player, it's not a problem, but using a headphone amplifier makes it easier to control the sound and enjoy the full range.

The ATH-ADX700 comes with 9.84-foot cable that has a gold-plated 1/8-inch connector and an elastic TPE sheath to keep it from tangling and causing damage. It also comes with a 1/4-inch adapter for mobile devices. The earpads are made of a soft Velour material that initially itchy and feels soft, but then breaks into. They also have a flexible raised fabric that increases the comfort and durability.