Sony Headphones Review - The Best Noise Cancelling Headphones

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

The ANC is powerful, cutting train noises to an ambient rumble. The option to pass through lets you hear outside sounds if needed.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony headphones are among the top in the field of noise cancellation. The fifth generation of WH1000XM5s are no exception, offering one of the most satisfying experiences we've had with noise cancelling headphones in recent years. When you put on your headphones and enable noise cancellation, you're walking into a cone of silence. Engine noises and HVAC systems, squeaking metal and even neighboring conversations are all muted.

The XM5s also excel on the audio aspect. Their expansive soundstage allows every element of a song to breathe and shine. For instance, on the track by Billie Eilish called Bad Guy, the drums are pounding with a satisfying power and weight as the soaring vocals harmonise across the mix.

Other features that make the XM5s standout are their intelligent interactions with your smartphone. They can detect when they're removed from your head and play music, they can note that you're on a noisy road and automatically lower the noise cancelling levels and connect to two devices simultaneously and switch between them, depending on what you need more urgently.

The WH-1000XM5s are also very environmentally friendly. The WH-1000XM5s are made from recycled plastics and acrylonitrile, butadiene, styrene. Their headband is made of high-quality fabric. They come with a collapsible case that can be folded into itself, creating an incredibly compact pouch. Also included is a 3.5mm to 3.5mm aux cable so you can listen in a passive mode. The ear cups are washable and removable for easy cleaning. In addition, the XM5s run on a rechargeable battery that provides up to 20 hours of playtime on a full charge. They're also equipped with an adaptive fast charging system that charges twice the speed of standard USB headphones.

2. Bose QuietComfort 35

The Bose QuietComfort 35 II/QC35 II Wireless 2018, with their comfortable fit, balanced sound profile, and ANC technology that blocks a large amount of background noise they are more versatile than Audio-Technica ATH-DSR9BT Wireless Headphones. The bose quietcomfort 35 ii over ear noise cancelling Bluetooth headphones headphones have a 20-hour battery, are easier to charge and can still be used with a mobile even when the battery is empty. This makes them a great choice for those looking for headphones that can be used as commuter headphones or travel headphones.

These premium Bose headphones noise 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 even though they are getting a bit long in the tooth by 2020 standards (and have successors in their sibling line the QC35), you can still get great bargains on them.

The QC35s, along with other Bose ANC headsets, do a good job at blocking ambient noise. Their noise reduction technology has also improved over ear headphones noise cancelling wireless the years. However they're not the top ANC headphones on the market in comparison to more recent competitors, and audiophiles should look elsewhere for better sound quality.

As with the Sonys The QC35s are able to connect to two devices simultaneously and "audio share" one of them with a friend, which is great if you want to listen to music in one ear while talking to someone else. They are popular with frequent flyers, and have that classic Bose design that people adore. SlickWraps or Skin Sticker decal covers are available at a reasonable cost for those who want to personalize your QC35s.

3. Sony WH-1000XM4

Sony's WH-1000XM4s don't offer much in terms of design or comfort improvements from the M3s, but its noise cancelling technology is a whole new beast. Sony has replaced the old system-on chip (SoC) with a new one, which it claims will allow it to detect and respond more precisely the ambient sound in real time, reducing high and mid-frequency noises with its Dual Noise Sensor technology.

Two feedforward microphones in each earcup record ambient sound. This is then processed by the QN1 noise cancellation processor to cut it down quickly without impacting the quality of your audio. The result is an amazing level of noise reduction that easily beats out the top headphones at this price.

There's even a sensitivity knob that lets you adjust the noise cancellation according to your requirements. If you're in a public space for instance you may want some ambient noise to be blocked out and at home, you'll want a more secluded listening experience. This feature utilizes geo-location to automatically apply the correct setting based on the location you're at.

The WH1000XM4s can be used for making hands-free phone calls. They also have 30 hours of battery life and rapid charging capabilities. The WH-1000XM4s also have an extremely robust Bluetooth connection that supports multipoint and NFC support. In my tests I noticed that an instant Remastering of Paul McCartney's Flaming pie sounded lively and clear, while rough mixes and recordings from home also sounded crisp.

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

4. Sony WH-CH720N

If you're looking for headphones that can provide top-quality active noise cancelling at cost-effective prices the Sony WH-CH720N headphones are an excellent option. They improve on their predecessor that was the 710N Wireless, with higher ANC performance and a better audio quality. The 710N Wireless also has an elongated design and battery lifespan of up to 35 hours.

These headphones aren't the best suitable for those who want premium features such as LDAC Bluetooth and Smart Listening which incorporates voice assistants. They don't come with a carrying case, auto-pause feature, or earcups that fold up and are therefore difficult to travel with.

The build quality of the WH-CH720N is decent, but not as great as the 1000XM5. The earcups and the headband are made of plastic which is light and comfortable to wear for long periods but isn't built to withstand heavy use or the occasional tumble on hard surfaces. The design is a little bulky and the earcups tend to creak when you move your head. The controls are easy to use, with tactile buttons which provide a satisfying click-like feedback. The ANC is toggled off and on by pressing the power switch. Pressing and holding the button activates Sony's Adaptive audio Control. This feature lets you select the preset audio profile according to the type of headphones you're using the headphones (e.g., "Staying at Work" or "Running") or the current location (with your phone granted permission to decide this).

The WH-CH720N is one of the most cost-effective headphones for wireless noise cancelling headphones available on the market. It offers excellent ANC for the price, a lightweight design, and up to 35-hour 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 known for their great value. They are perfect for calls and music and their ANC technology blocks out a significant amount of noise without making your ears feel suffocated. They also come with a lot of features that you can find in headphones that cost more than twice as more.

The earbuds are over-emphasized in the bass range which creates a rumble in most tracks. Lead vocals and instruments remain bright and clear. This makes them perfect for a variety of content. However, they may sound a bit boomy to some. The frequency response is very consistent, meaning they sound the same regardless of the music you are listening to.

We played Missy Elliott's Get Ur Freak On and the earbuds took to the track's booming intro with zeal and energy. Stormzy's Vossi Bop was a similarly quick listen with the treble shining through the many layers of vocals and percussion.

On the phone, the voice quality is excellent even in noisy environments. The earbuds feature the most recent Qualcomm chip that ensures background noises, clicks, and other distractions are kept at low levels. This is true 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 with a minimal amount of latency for Bose Quietcomfort 35 Ii Over Ear Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Headphones iOS and Android devices. They are IPX5 waterproof, which means you can use them in rain or workouts. However, they should not be submerged in water. They also come with a movable case that holds two and a half charge that are great for travel.