Best Over-Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones
Noise cancelling headphones are a great way to stay focused regardless of whether you're in a noisy train or in an office filled with chatty colleagues. We looked at the comfort, the sound quality, as well as the ability to block high-frequency continuous noises like chatter in restaurants or incidental noises of short duration such as phones ringing or keys clacking.
Sony WH-1000XM5
Sony's WH1000XM5 headphones are an excellent option for high-end ANC. The WH-1000XM5 first 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 features a number of exciting new features. In addition to a sleek design and sustainability efforts (including the absence of plastic packaging) the headphones offer excellent noise cancellation, clear audio, and a natural-sounding ambient audio.
The WH-1000XM5 is unmatched in its noise cancellation when enabled. Strapping on a pair of headphones creates the illusion of silence, which can block out the noise of subway and train engines, as well as neighboring conversations. These headphones are also some of the most effective ANCs to block out low-frequency drones, bass hums and other noises.
Another feature that is great is Ambient Sound Control, which adjusts the balance of the acoustic depending on the surrounding environment. For instance, if you're at home listening to your favorite album the WH-1000XM5 will change to an immersive listening experience. On the other hand in the event that you're walking down an area with lots of traffic the WH-1000XM5 will change to a more focused sound profile, giving you greater awareness of your surroundings.
The earcups on the WH1000XM5 feature a an earpiece that can be controlled by gestures on the right side. It can be used to switch tracks, pause and play music. You can also use the voice assistant to adjust volume, search for content and make calls using hands-free technology. The headphones boast impressive frequency response consistency and offer a full, rich stereo image. They also have an extremely precise group delay, which ensures an even soundstage.
Another great feature is the possibility of connecting the WH-1000XM5s to two devices simultaneously. This is particularly useful for those who are looking to listen to music on your laptop while making phone calls with your phone. They come with a built-in mic and a USB-C charging port. The headphones include an audio cable that can be used for direct playback of analog. Battery life is approximately 30 hours, which will get you through the week of commuting, or an extended 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 undercuts the new Sony WH-1000XM4 as well as its 700 counterpart by approximately PS320, $329 or $439 AUD. In terms of functionality, it offers top-tier active noise cancellation and features such as voice assistant support and automatic pause when you take off the headphones. The design is also much more comfortable than previous versions. But there are a few things to be aware of. The buttons on the back of the ear cups are now touch-sensitive and require pressure to activate, which means it might be hard for some people to adjust to. And while you can adjust ANC and switch to an "aware" mode that lets in ambient sound however, you are not able to completely shut off the audio.
Nevertheless, the headsets deliver excellent performance and are an excellent buy for anyone looking for the best headphones to wear on a plane, train or even while working at home. They feature a long battery life, excellent noise cancellation and clear audio. They also feature multipoint Bluetooth which means they can be connected to two devices simultaneously and switch between them with just a touch. They also have their own application, which isn't as flexible as other apps, but has plenty of useful features.
The QC45s have a very effective active noise cancellation mode. It can be a little too loud at times. The passive EQ modes, however, are more balanced and let you have greater control over the sound of your music. If you are listening to music that has lots of cymbal shimmer it is possible that you will find the headphones grating slightly, but this can be easily corrected by reducing the frequency range of 3-20kHz within your music player's EQ.
The QC45s provide top-quality ANC at a reasonable price. Some might be disappointed with the absence 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 hours and feature fast-charging with USB-C ports.
Shure Aonic 50
Shure's Aonic 50 are a premium pair of headphones that place an emphasis on sound quality. Their drivers use a huge 50mm dynamic driver, and are packed with high-resolution codecs to provide the highest quality audio playback through Bluetooth. The headphones have a well-balanced sound, with rich detail in all frequencies. They also provide a natural sense of space and positioning.
The headphones are a little heavier than other models at 334g, but they're comfortable to wear for long listening sessions. The headband rests on top of your head without applying too much pressure. Additionally, the earcups are well-padded, making them very comfortable. They're also pretty lightweight - they fold flat and can be stored in the carrying case that comes with them that's an excellent feature.
There's a basic set of controls located around the right earcup including volume, playback and power/pairing. A slider at the top allows you to switch between noise-cancelling, neutral mode and what Shure calls "Environment Mode". The Environment Mode permits more outside sounds to pass through. This is useful for those who need to remain alert to your surroundings. The controls work well, although there's a little lag between pressing them and the actions they take (i.e. if you play the play button while on a call and you're on a call, you'll end up blaring your ears with music, instead of calling up your mom). They don't have any built-in microphones for voice commands support however, they do have an audio response from Google Assistant and their mics are great at filtering out background noise from conversations.
The battery can last up to 20 hours for the majority of people. They do come with a USB cable to connect to your phone for charging however it's not as easy as using Bluetooth, but it's a great feature to have, and it means you can play your music back when recharging. They're also compatible with a lot of audio devices with a 2.5mm port, so you can use them when you're on the move.
Monoprice BT-600ANC
The Monoprice BT600ANC Bluetooth noise-cancelling over ear headphones come with all the features you want in a pair for a fraction the price. The headphones are high-quality Qualcomm HD Audio and Active Noise Cancelling. They are also portable foldable, lightweight, and simple to pack into bags or backpacks. The headphones are great for commuters and students, because they feature a long-lasting battery which allows you to listen throughout the day long. The headphones also have comfortable touch controls that allow users to swipe or tap in order to change the volume and skip tracks.
The BT-600ANC headsets have an uncluttered design that's reminiscent of the Monoprice M1000ANC headsets we have reviewed last year. The headsets are matte gray, barely branded, and aren't particularly noticeable in public. However, they offer an extremely soft and comfortable fit that is suitable to the majority of ears. Their compact size and included carrying case make them ideal for travel.
They are lightweight and have excellent passive isolation with the ear cups wrapped in leatherette. The headband is also comfortable and offers plenty of adjustability, without feeling too slouchy or bulky. The headband is large enough to fit glasses wearers, so they will work for most people.
Monoprice ANC is very effective and doesn't sound tinny as some other brands. It has a slight boost between 100-200Hz, which gives the bass a more fuller sound. notes. The opening track of Good 4 U, by Olivia Rodrigo, shows a full response. They have a dramatic drop off in the upper frequencies above ten kHz, therefore shakers and cymbals won't sound as crisp and clear.
There are Best over ear headphones noise cancelling to choose from: low, medium and high. The low mode is ideal for reducing ambient noise, but it does not block out traffic and loud conversations. The medium setting can be used in all situations. The high setting will keep you insulated from all other noises, except your music. The earcups with touch-sensitive controls can be a bit difficult to use initially. Swiping up or down on the pad regulates the volume, and tapping or shifting left or right alters the track. Double-taps can also be used to stop or answer a phone. It takes some time to get used to the system but once you are, you will find it very useful.