Notes

The Best Noise Cancelling Headphones Awards: The Most, Worst, And Strangest Things We've Ever Seen
Sony Headphones Review - The Best Noise Cancelling Headphones

The fifth generation model of Sony's noise cancelling headphones looks a bit different than the previous version but they sound as good. The headphones are light and comfortable, and feature a variety of features such as Speak-to -Chat and Quick Attention mode. They also come with wear detection and AI-powered DSEE Extreme upscaling audio.

The ANC is powerful, reducing train noises to an ambient rumble. The pass-through option lets you to hear outside sounds in the event of a need.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony's headphones are regularly among the top in the industry in the field of noise cancellation. The fifth generation of WH-1000XM5s is the same, providing one of the most satisfying experiences we've had with noise cancelling headphones in recent memory. When you put on the headphones and enable noise cancellation, it's like walking into a cone of silence. Engine noises as well as HVAC systems, creaking metal, and even conversations with your neighbors all go out of the window.

The XM5s also stand out on the audio front with an impressive soundstage capable of giving the various elements of a track space to breathe and shine. For instance, on Billie's Bad Guy, the drums beat with a satisfying amount of weight and drive as singing voices soaring reverberate across the mix.

The XM5s are also notable because of their smart interaction with your smart device. They can detect when they are being removed from the head and pause the music. They can also note that you are driving on a noisy highway and automatically lower the noise cancellation level.

The WH-1000XM5s are environmentally friendly. The WH-1000XM5s are constructed from recycled plastics and butadiene, acrylonitrile and styrene. The headband is constructed of premium fabric. They come with a case that can be folded into itself, creating a compact pouch. Also included is a 3.5mm to 3.5mm aux cable, so you can listen to music in passive mode. The ear cups are also washable and removable for easy cleaning. The XM5s run on rechargeable batteries that can provide up to 20 hours of playtime on a full charge, and they're equipped with an adaptive speed charging system that charges twice the speed of conventional USB headphones.

2. Bose QuietComfort 35

The Bose QuietComfort 35 II/QC35 II Wireless 2018, with their comfortable fit with a balanced sound profile and ANC technology that blocks a large amount of background noise They are more adaptable than Audio-Technica ATH-DSR9BT Wireless Headphones. The Bose headphones also have a longer 20-hour battery life and require less time to charge and can be connected to a smartphone even when the battery is not fully charged and makes them a good choice for those in need of headphones that can be used as commuting headphones, or travel headphones.

These premium Bose headphones feature a dedicated Google Assistant button, which will allow the assistant to play music, answer questions and read notifications on your smartphone. They have outstanding noise cancellation capabilities, and even though they are getting a bit long in the tooth by 2020 standards (and have successors to their sibling line, the QC35), you can still get great bargains on the headphones.

The QC35s, as with other Bose ANC headsets, do excellent job of blocking ambient noise. Their noise reduction technology has been improved over time. However they're not the top ANC headphones on the market, especially compared to their contemporary counterparts and audiophiles should consider looking elsewhere for a better sound experience.

As with best over the ear headphones noise cancelling , the QC35s can connect to two devices simultaneously and "audio share" one of them with a companion, which is great if you're looking to listen to music in one ear while conversing with someone else. They're also a popular choice for frequent flyers, and they have that classic Bose appearance that a lot of people enjoy. If you're looking to dress up your QC35s with a little personalization, cover-ups for decals such as SlickWraps and Skin Sticker are available for affordable prices.

3. Sony WH-1000XM4

Sony's WH1000XM4s offer nothing in terms of design or comfort improvements in comparison to the M3s, but its noise cancelling technology is a whole new beast. Sony has replaced the old system-on-chip (SoC) for a brand new one that claims to allow it to more precisely listen to and react to ambient audio in real-time, and reduce the mid- and high-frequency sound through its Dual Noise Sensor technology.

Two feedforward microphones in each earcup capture ambient sounds. This is then processed by the QN1 noise cancelling processor to reduce it rapidly without affecting the quality of your audio. The result is an impressive level of noise neutralization that easily competes with the top headphones at this price.

There's a sensitivity dial that lets you adjust the noise cancellation to meet your preferences. If you're in a public space, for example you may want a little bit of ambient noise to be blocked out in the background, while at home you'll want a more secluded listening experience. This feature also makes use of geo-location to automatically apply the correct setting depending on where you're going.

The WH-1000XM4s are able to be used for hands-free calls and boast a staggering 30 hours of battery life, with fast charging capabilities. They also have a powerful Bluetooth 5.0 connection with support for multipoint as well as NFC. In my testing I noticed that a quick Remastering of Paul McCartney's Flaming pie was dynamic and clear as well as rough mixes and home recordings also sounded clear and crisp.

Download the Sony Headphones Connect companion app to maximize the performance of these headphones. This allows you to customize the EQ settings and also provides convenience features like Bluetooth multipoint, and also allows you to access some of the latest cool stuff - such as access to Sony's 360 Reality Audio immersive surround-sound mastering process that breathes new life into older music.

4. Sony WH-CH720N

If you're seeking a pair of headphones that offer excellent active noise cancelling at a budget-friendly price the Sony WHCH720N are a great option. They improve on their predecessor, the 710N Wireless, with higher ANC performance and a better audio quality. The 710N Wireless also features a slimmer design with battery lifespan of up to 35 hours.

These headphones aren't the best for you if you expect premium features such as LDAC Bluetooth and Smart Listening that incorporates voice assistants. They also do not come with a carrying case or auto-pause feature, and the earcups don't fold and can make them difficult to travel with.

The build quality of the WH-CH720N is decent, but not as impressive as the 1000XM5. The earcups and the headband are made of plastic which is light and comfortable to wear for long periods of time but will not stand up to heavy use or a few tumbles on hard surfaces. The design is bulky, and the earcups creak when you move. The controls are simple to use, however, with tactile buttons that offer good clicky feedback. The ANC is toggled on and off by a single push of the power switch. Pressing and holding the button activates Sony's Adaptive audio Control. This feature lets you choose a preset profile that is based on your location or how you use the headphones.

The WH-CH720N wireless noise cancelling headphones are among the cheapest on the market. For the price you'll get excellent ANC and excellent sound quality comfortable, and a lightweight design. You can also expect up to 35 hours of battery life. If you're a frequent commuter, these headphones are worth checking out.

5. Earfun Air Pro

The Air Pro is no different. Earfun headsets and earbuds are renowned for their high value. They're effective for calls and exciting for music, while their ANC blocks a good amount of noise without making you feel like your ears are being squeezed. They also come with numerous features you can find on other headphones that cost twice or more.

The earbuds have a pronounced bass range that adds rumble and a punch to the majority of tracks and keeps the lead vocals and instruments clear and alive. This makes them suitable for a broad range of music, although they might sound a bit boomy for some. They have a consistent frequency response, so they sound the same regardless of what you are listening to.

We played Missy Elliott's Get Ur Freak On and the earbuds took to the song's bassy intro with zeal and energy. Stormzy's Vossi Bop was a similarly agile listen with the treble playing off the layered vocals as well as drums.


Voice quality is top-notch even in noisy environments. The earbuds are equipped with the most recent Qualcomm chip which ensures background noises, clicks and other distractions are kept to the bare minimum. This is true even when you are talking to London Underground during rush hour.

The earbuds' Bluetooth connectivity is also excellent, with little to no issues during our tests. They connect and pair quickly, with minimal latency with iOS and Android devices. They are IPX5 waterproof, which means you can use them for rain or for workouts. However they shouldn't be submerged in water. They come with a case that can accommodate two quarters and a quarter of a charge. This is great to take on trips.

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