Best Over-Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones
Noise cancelling headphones are an excellent way to maintain focus, whether you're in a noisy train or in a workplace full of chatty co-workers. We analyzed the comfort, sound quality, and the ability to block out continuous high-frequency sounds like restaurant chatter, and short-duration incidental sounds such as ringing phones or keyboards clacking.
Sony WH-1000XM5
When it comes to premium ANC headphones, Sony's WH1000XM5 is a go-to. The WH-1000XM5 first came out in 2016 and is a great option for those who want to listen to their favorite music or podcasts without distractions. This latest version of the series marks its first major overhaul and features a number of exciting new features. Alongside a sleek design and sustainability efforts (including no plastic packaging), the headphones deliver excellent noise cancellation, crisp audio, and natural ambient audio.
When enabled, the WH-1000XM5's noise cancelling is simply unmatched. When you put on a pair of headphones creates the illusion of silence, which can block out the sounds of trains and subway engines and also neighboring conversations. These headphones are also some of the best ANCs to block out low-frequency drones, bass hums, and other sounds.
Another excellent feature is Ambient Sound Control, which adjusts the balance of the acoustic depending on your environment. For instance, if you're at home listening to your favourite album the WH-1000XM5 can switch to an experience that is more immersive. If you're walking on the street, they'll switch to more focused profiles to help you be more aware of the surrounding.
The WH1000XM5's earcups have touch-sensitive gesture control on the right side. It can be used to switch tracks and play music. You can also pause or pause the music. You can also use a voice assistant to search for content, change volume and make hands-free calls. The headphones feature a clear stereo image and a consistent frequency response. They also have an extremely accurate group delay, which helps them maintain the same soundstage.
The WH-1000XM5s can be linked to two devices simultaneously. This is particularly useful when you would like to listen to music on your laptop while making phone calls using your smartphone. They have built-in microphones and USB-C charging port. They also come with a cable for direct analog playback. The battery life is around 30 hours. It can last for one week or more, and even a long flight.
Bose QuietComfort 45
The Bose QuietComfort 45, the flagship model of the premium headphones manufacturer, is the latest version. It will be available in September 2021 and is priced lower than the new Sony WH-1000XM4 and its 700 counterpart by approximately PS320 / $329 / 439 AUD. In terms of functionality it comes with top-of-the-line active noise cancelling and features such as voice assistant support and automatic pause when you remove the headphones. The design is also a lot more comfortable than previous models. There are a few things to note, though. Some users may have difficulty adjusting to the buttons that are touch-sensitive on the sides of the earcups that require pressure to activate. You can adjust ANC and switch on an "aware" setting which allows ambient sound to be heard. However, you can't turn off the audio.
The headsets offer outstanding performance and are an excellent buy for anyone looking for a high-end pair of headphones to wear on a train, plane or when working from home. They have a long battery lifespan as well as excellent noise cancellation and clear audio. They also come with multipoint Bluetooth which means they can be paired with two devices at the same time and switch between them at just a touch. They also have a dedicated application, which isn't as flexible as other apps, but provides plenty of useful features.
beats studio3 wireless noise cancelling over ear headphones have an active noise cancelling feature which is extremely efficient. It can be a little too loud at times. However, the passive EQ modes are more balanced and give you more control over your music's distinctive. If you are listening to music with lots of cymbal shimmer it is possible that you will find the headphones slightly grating, but this can be easily corrected by reducing the frequency range of 3-20kHz within the EQ of your music player.
The QC45s are top-quality ANC at a reasonable price. Some users may be disappointed with the absence of certain features such as adjustable ANC/transparency and EQ, as well as an occasional drop in the quality of calls. They are comfortable to wear and have the USB-C charging port.
Shure Aonic 50
Shure's Aonic 50 headphones are premium headphones that focus on audio. Their drivers feature a massive 50mm dynamic driver and they're equipped with high-resolution codecs that provide the highest quality audio playback through Bluetooth. The headphones provide a balanced sound with rich detail across the frequency spectrum and have a natural sense space and location, so that you can feel the reverberation of each note and the movement of sounds around you.
They're a little heavier than the competition at 334g, but they feel comfortable enough to wear for long listening sessions. The headband is placed on the top of your head without putting too much pressure. The earcups are cushioned, making them very comfortable. They are also extremely portable. They fold flat and can easily be put away in the carrying case.
There's a basic set of controls that are arranged on the right earcup, including volume, playback and power/pairing. The slider on the top lets you switch between noise-cancelling, neutral mode and what Shure calls 'Environment Mode'. The Environment Mode lets more outside sounds to pass through. This can be beneficial for those who need to remain alert to your surroundings. The controls are well-designed but there's a small lag between pressing them and the action they take (i.e. If you press the play button when you're on a phone call, you could end up playing music in your ears instead of calling mom. The phones don't have microphones, but they do have an audio response from Google Assistant. Their mics can also be used to filter out background noise while calling.
They operate on one battery that lasts for up to 20 hours, which will be plenty for most people. They come with a USB cable that can be connected to your phone to charge, which isn't as convenient as using Bluetooth, but it's a great feature to have and means you can get your music back when charging. They also work with audio devices that have 2.5mm ports, so you can take them on the road.
Monoprice BT-600ANC
The Monoprice BT-600ANC Bluetooth over-ear noise cancelling headphones have all the features you need in a pair of wireless headphones for less than the cost. The headphones feature premium Qualcomm HD Audio and Active Noise Cancelling. They are also lightweight, folding, and easy to put in the bag or backpack. The headphones are a great option for commuters or students and have a long battery life that lets you listen all throughout the day. They also have convenient touch controls that let you swipe or tap to alter the volume, skip tracks or answer calls.
The BT-600ANC headphones have an elegant design that recalls the Monoprice M1000ANC headphones we looked at last year. They are matte gray and aren't branded at all. They don't stand out much in the crowd, but they offer an incredibly soft and comfortable fit that appeals to most ears. The compact dimensions of these headphones and the included carrying case makes them perfect for traveling.
The ear cups are covered in leatherette, and offer excellent isolation through passive. The headband provides plenty of adjustability, and it is soft without being heavy or too slouchy. The headbands are large enough to accommodate glasses-wearers. They are suitable for most people.
Monoprice ANC is effective and doesn't sound tinny as some other brands. They have a slight boost around 100-200Hz that creates a richer sound for bass notes. This is evident in the first track of Good 4 U by Olivia Rodrigo with a full and clear response. They have a sharp drop off in the upper frequencies above ten kHz. which means that shakers and cymbals will not sound as crisp and clear.
You can switch between three ANC modes that are low, medium and higher. The low mode is good for suppressing most ambient noise but won't block out traffic or loud conversations. The medium setting can be used in all situations. The high setting will shield you from all other noises, except your music. The touch-sensitive controls on the earcups are a little difficult to operate at first. Swiping up and down on the pad controls volume and the pad's pressure or swiping it left right switches tracks. Double-taps can be used to stop the music or answer a phone call. It takes some practice to get used to but once you get the hang of it, you will find it extremely useful.