The Best Noise Cancelling Headphones Awards: The Most Stunning Funniest And The Most Unlikely Things We ve Seen

Sony Headphones Review - The Best Noise Cancelling Headphones

The fifth-generation Sony noise cancelling headphones are different from the previous model, however, they sound as good. They're comfortable, lightweight and feature a variety of features including Speak-to -Chat mode, Quick Attention mode wear detection, and AI-powered DSEE Extreme audio upscaling.

The ANC is extremely powerful and reduces train noise to a low rumble. The option to pass-through allows you to hear sounds from outside when needed.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony's headphones are always among the top of the line in the market in terms of noise cancellation. The fifth generation of WH-1000XM5s are the same, providing one of the most enjoyable experiences we've had with noise cancelling over ear headphones cancellation headphones in recent times. When you put on your headphones and enable noise cancellation, you're entering a world of silence. Engine noises, HVAC systems, creaking metal and even neighboring conversations all become muted.

The XM5s also shine on the audio front. Their wide soundstage allows the entire song to breathe and shine. For instance, on Billie Eilish's Bad Guy, the drums are pounding with a satisfying force and heft as high-pitched vocals blend into the mix.

The XM5s are also notable because of their smart interaction with your smart device. They will detect when they're removed from your head and stop music, they can note that you're driving on a noisy road and automatically reduce the noise cancelling levels and pair with two devices simultaneously and switch between them, depending on what you require more urgently.

The WH-1000XM5s are also very green. The WH-1000XM5s consist of recycled plastics, butadiene, acrylonitrile and styrene. The headband is made of high-quality fabric. They also come with a collapsible carry case that folds into itself to form a compact pouch, and an 3.5mm-to-3.5mm aux cable for listening in a passive mode. The ear cups can be removed for simple cleaning. Additionally, the XM5s are powered by rechargeable batteries that provide up to 20 hours of playtime on full charge. Additionally, they're equipped with an adaptive speed charging system that charges at twice the speed of standard USB headphones.

2. Bose QuietComfort 35

The Bose QuietComfort 35 II/QC35 II Wireless 2018 are more adaptable than the Audio-Technica ATH-DSR9BT Wireless headphones thanks to their extremely comfortable fit, well-balanced audio profile and ANC feature that blocks out a large amount of background noise. The Bose headphones have 20 hours of battery life, and are more convenient to charge and can still be used with a smartphone when the battery is out. This makes them a great choice for those who are looking for headphones that can be used as commuter headphones or as travel headphones.

These premium Bose headphones come with a button that turns on Google Assistant, which will play music as well as answer trivia questions and also read notifications from your smartphone. They have excellent noise cancelling capabilities, and although they're becoming a bit long by 2020 standards (and have successors to their sibling line, the QC35) However, you can still get great bargains on the headphones.

As with other Bose ANC headphones, the QC35s do an excellent job of cancelling out ambient noise, and their noise reduction technology has improved over the years. However they're not the most effective ANC headphones on the market particularly when compared to more recent competitors and audiophiles should consider looking elsewhere for better sound quality.

As with the Sonys the QC35s also connect to two devices at once and "audio share" one of them with a person who is a friend. This is useful if you're looking to listen music in one ear while conversing with another. They are also popular among frequent flyers, and have that classic Bose design that a lot of people adore. If you're looking for a way to spice up the QC35s with a little personalization, cover-ups for decals such as SlickWraps and Skin Sticker are available for a reasonable price.

3. Sony WH-1000XM4

The WH-1000XM4s from Sony aren't much different in terms of aesthetics or comfort however, their noise cancellation technology is a completely new beast. The company has replaced its older system-on-chip (SoC) with a new one that, according to the company, will enable it to listen and respond more precisely the ambient sound in real time while reducing mid- and high-frequency noises with its Dual Noise Sensor technology.

Two feedforward microphones inside each earcup capture ambient sounds. This is then processed by the QN1 noise cancellation processor to reduce it quickly without impacting the quality of your audio. The result is an incredibly amazing level of noise reduction that easily competes with the top headphones in this price range.

There's a sensitivity dial that allows you to adjust the noise cancellation to suit your needs. You may, for instance, want to hear ambient sounds in public when you're at home, but you might prefer a more secluded off listening experience. This feature also makes use of geo-location to automatically apply the right setting based on where you're heading.

The WH1000XM4s are capable of making calls using hands-free technology. They also come with 30 hours of battery life and noise cancelling fast charging capabilities. The WH-1000XM4s also feature a robust Bluetooth connection with multipoint and NFC support. In my testing I noticed that an instant remastering of Paul McCartney’s Flaming pie sounded lively and clear with rough mixes, and recordings from the home also sound clear.

Download the Sony Headphones Connect companion app to make the most of these headphones. This lets you customize the EQ settings and provides convenience features such as Bluetooth multipoint, while allowing you to access some of the cooler new things - like access to Sony's 360 Reality Audio immersive surround-sound mastering process that breathes new life into old music.

4. Sony WH-CH720N

The Sony WH-CH720N headphones make a great option if you're looking to buy headphones that provide outstanding active noise cancellation at affordable costs. The 710N Wireless is a step up over its predecessor, offering more efficient ANC performance, and superior audio quality. They also come with smaller dimensions and up to 35 hours of battery life.

However, if you're expecting flagship-level features like LDAC Bluetooth support and Smart Listening with voice assistant integration these headphones aren't made suitable for you. They don't come with a carry case, auto-pause feature or earcups that fold, so they may be difficult to take on a trip with.

The build quality of the WH-CH720N is decent but not as good as the 1000XM5. The earcups and headband are made of plastic which is lightweight and comfortable to wear for long periods but will not stand up to the rigors of use or even some tumbling on hard surfaces. The design is bulky, and the earcups creak when you move them. The controls are easy to use, however they have tactile buttons that offer good clicky feedback. The ANC can be turned off and on by a single push of the power switch. Pressing and holding the button triggers Sony's Adaptive audio Control. This feature lets you select a preset profile that is based on your location or the way you use the headphones.

The WH-CH720N noise cancelling wireless headphones are one of the most affordable models on the market. For the money you get top ANC, excellent sound and comfort, as well as up to 35 hours of battery life. If you're a frequent commuter, these headphones are worth considering.

5. Earfun Air Pro

The Air Pro is no different. Earfun headsets and earbuds are well-known for their excellent value. They're great for calls and music and their ANC technology blocks a large amount of noise, without making your ears feel like they are being suffocated. They also have numerous features you can find on rival headphones that cost more or twice as much.

The earbuds are over-emphasized in the bass section, which can create a rumble on many tracks. The lead vocals and instruments remain bright and clear. This makes them ideal for a variety of music. However, they might sound a bit stuttery to some. The frequency response is very consistent, ensuring they sound exactly the identical no matter the music you are listening to.

We listened to Missy Elliott's Get Ur Freak On, and the earbuds did an amazing job of highlighting the song's bass-heavy introduction with fervor and enthusiasm. Stormzy's Vossi Bop had a similar dynamic sound and the treble was a highlight of the vocals and the percussion.

On the phone, voice quality is very good even in noisy environments. The earbuds come with the latest Qualcomm chip which ensures background noises, clicks and other distractions are kept to low levels. This is the case even when you are talking to London Underground during rush hour.

The Bluetooth connectivity of the earbuds is excellent, with a small number of issues in our testing. They pair and connect quickly and with minimal latency on iOS and Android devices. They are IPX5 waterproof, meaning they are suitable for exercise or rain. However, they should not be submerged in water. They also come with a carry-on case that can hold two and a half charges, which is great to take on trips.