The Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear noise-canceling headphones can make a huge difference if you commute in a noisy public transportation system, have a chatty work environment, or simply want to listen music without being distracted by outside noise. We reviewed the best headphones for over-ear use that combine excellent sound quality and active noise cancellation.

Mpow Over Ear Headphones

These Bluetooth headphones from Mpow have a nice robust and sturdy design. They also offer high-quality audio that is impressive for their price. They are designed to be worn over ear headphones bluetooth noise cancelling the ears and have ear cups that are comfortable to wear over your ears. This helps block out ambient noise. The earpads consist of a moderately thick cushion that encases your ears sufficiently to block out a significant portion of ambient sounds but they don't have a noise cancellation feature that is active. They weigh just over 11 ounces and are comfortable to wear for long periods of time.

The Mpow headphones are simple in design, and not too different from other designs of over-ear headphones available. The headband that connects the two earcups is hinged, and can be folded for storage or transport. The left earcup contains the controls for power, volume and noise cancellation. The right ear cup has an audio microphone for hands-free calls.

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

The treble extension is also excellent, so you can have a clear and crisp sound that is compatible with a wide range of genres. Their mids are a slightly more distinct than the Sony headphones and give them a somewhat more dynamic sound that is perfect for JBL Tune 770NC Wireless Over-Ear Headphones Black music that is instrument-rich. The bass can be a bit too loud for some but it's a personal preference that can be adjusted by changing the equalizer settings of your audio player.

The Mpow headphones are a great choice for those who want to listen to their music without interruptions. They come with an extremely long-lasting battery that can also be used in wired mode when the charge runs out. They come with a cable and a USB charger in the box, so you can continue to listen to your favorite tunes without any interruptions. The manufacturer offers a 45-day return guarantee and 18-month warranty for the headphones and their customer support is known for its responsiveness.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 is the most recent over-ear headphones to be found in Bowers & Wilkins' catalog. They replace the PX7 model and are part of a larger collection of JBL Tune 770NC Wireless Over-Ear Headphones Black headphones which also includes the PI5 and PI7. Unboxed, design of these headphones immediately evokes an impression of luxuriousness. The use of metals and materials with textured surfaces on the ear cups as well as the headband give them a perfectly put together feel. The headphones are also more comfortable on the head and ear although they weigh a bit more. The ear pads snap off and on easily and can be replaced if they wear out.

Like a lot of the top headphones, these ones feature active noise cancellation that minimizes the impact of external sounds while allowing you to hear the music. The technology isn't flawless however, it does a good job of keeping the whirring of an airplane engine or the rumble of a train out of your ears while not altering the balance of music passages that could be in the same frequency.

One thing that makes the PX7 S2 apart from their competition is the soundstage they offer, which offers plenty of space and great separation between the various components of sound. This clarity is not always found in other Bluetooth headphones.

The PX7 S2s might not be as compact as their competitors, but they do come with a great carry case. It's also well-padded and the headphones can fold flat for easy storage when not in use.

The ear cups are encased in a soft, leather-like fabric that is very indulgent to the touch. They're also light, making them comfortable for long listening sessions. The headband is designed to provide maximum comfort and doesn't squeeze too tight. This helps prevent headaches.

The headphones come with various features, including Bluetooth multipoint which allows them to be connected with two devices simultaneously. They support all popular Bluetooth codecs, as well as high-res audio, if your streaming service allows it. They also have a headphone amplifier that can give you an extra boost when using them with low-powered electronics, such as laptops.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH1000XM5 is the newest model in the line of premium noise-cancelling over-ear headphones. They're a great upgrade from their predecessors, the WH1000XM2s and WH-1000XM4. Sony has improved on its already impressive active noise cancellation. The fifth-generation headphones, for example can now block low-frequency sounds such as plane engines and subway car rumbles. They also can detect your location and automatically adjust the Ambient Sound Control settings accordingly.

You can still use voice-activated assistants for controlling your music and receive directions. The microphones on the earcups have been upgraded to allow them to be used to make hands-free phone calls and Siri/Google Assistant commands. The headphones are Bluetooth 5.0, which means they have faster connections and faster pairing.

In our lab tests the WH1000XM5 received high scores for comfort, ease of use and audio quality. The lightweight headset can be worn for long listening sessions without feeling tight on your head, and the ears can be adjusted to fit different sizes of heads. The headphones are portable, and their flat foldable design makes them able to easily fit in the backpack or a suitcase.

The ear cups have a slight curvature, and the headband is more refined. This helps to hide places of assembly. The new synthetic leather material provides durability and a luxurious. The earcups are also a bit bigger and are more comfortable against the ears, which may add a little pressure to the head after wearing them for prolonged durations.

The XM5 retains certain of the features of the WH1000XM4s. You can swipe or tap the right earcup in order to change songs, pause audio, and access the Ambient Sound mode. You can place your hands on the right earcup to temporarily reduce the volume and increase ambient sound. This is helpful if you want to hear sounds around you.

The XM5s have some minor improvements that make them a good choice for noise-canceling headsets. The new ANC offers greater isolation from low-frequency noise, and the headphones will stop your music when lifted from your head to save power. You can also select an open listening mode to let in more exterior 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 ideal choice for those looking to purchase a pair of gaming headphones. They are comfortable and provide excellent audio. They are also light and don't feel heavy on your head or ears. They come with self-adjusting 3D wing that can relieve pressure and adapt to accommodate your head. They also have a detachable cord that is easy to connect to your audio source.

These are open-air headphones that appear very unique, due to their huge earcups and black honeycomb covers that reveal the driver inside. The unique design is what makes these headphones stand out however it's not all they have to provide. The self-adjusting wing structure and the new 53mm drivers with bobbin-wound CCAW voice coils as well as the aluminum casing made of honeycomb are what make these headphones so unique and worth the extra cost.

The ATH ADX700 has a wide frequency response that gives natural, clear treble. The sound isn't as bassy as other models because they're designed for a general music listener that isn't one to be surrounded by low frequencies. These headphones are great for gamers because they let you hear your teammates and other NPCs, without being muffled.

Although the ATHXX700 has an impedance of 32 ohms, they require a high-quality amplifier to ensure optimal performance. When using them with a portable player it's not a problem, but an amplifier for headphones will make it easier to control the sound and enjoy the full range of sound.

The ATH ADX700 comes with a 9.84 foot cable with a gold-plated connector 1/8 inches and a flexible TPE sheath, which is resistant to the possibility of tangling and damaging. The ATH-ADX700 comes with a 1/4" adapter for mobile devices. The earpads are constructed of plush velour that feels soft and is initially itchy, but will break in over time. They also come with a flexible, fabric that is raised to increase the comfort and durability.