Sony Headphones Review - The Best Noise Cancelling Headphones

The fifth-generation Sony noise cancelling headphones are a bit different from the previous model, however they're just as good. The headphones are lightweight, comfortable, and come with many features such as Quick Attention mode and Speak-to-Chat. They also feature wear detection, and AI-powered DSEE Extreme upscaling audio.

The ANC is very powerful and reduces train noise to a minimal rumble. A "pass through" option allows you to hear outside sounds, if you need.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony's headphones are always among the top of the line in the business when it comes to noise cancellation. The fifth generation of WH-1000XM5s is not an exception, providing one of the best experiences we've had using noise cancelling headphones in recent memory. When you put on your headphones and turn on noise cancellation, you're walking into a cone of silence. Engine sounds, HVAC systems, creaking metal, and even conversations with your neighbors are all muted.

The XM5s are also impressive on the audio side with a wide soundstage that can give every element of a track room to breathe and shine. For instance, on Billie's Bad Guy, the drums beat with a satisfying amount of force and heft as high-pitched vocals blend into the mix.

The XM5s stand out for their intelligent interaction with your smart device. They can recognise when they're removed from your head and stop music, they'll notice that you're driving on a noisy road and automatically reduce the noise cancelling volume and they can also pair with two devices at once to switch between them, depending on what you need urgently.

The WH-1000XM5s have also a low environmental impact. The WH-1000XM5s consist of recycled plastics and acrylonitrile, butadiene, styrene. The headband is constructed of premium fabric. They come with a case that can be folded into itself, forming a compact pouch. Also included is an 3.5mm to 3.5mm aux cable so you can listen to music in passive mode. The ear cups are removable for easy cleaning. The XM5s also come with a rechargeable battery which provides up to 20 hours of playtime. They are equipped with a quick charging system that charges twice as fast as conventional USB headphones.

2. Bose QuietComfort 35

The bose quietcomfort 35 ii over ear noise cancelling bluetooth headphones QuietComfort35 II/QC35 II Wireless 2018 are more adaptable than the Audio-Technica's ATH-DSR9BT Wireless headphones thanks to their incredibly comfortable fit, well-balanced audio profile, and ANC feature that blocks out a large amount of background noise. The Bose headphones also have longer battery life of 20 hours and require less time to charge, Bose Quietcomfort 35 Ii Over Ear Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Headphones and can be used in conjunction with a phone when the battery is dead which makes them a great choice for those in need of a pair of headphones that can function as travel headphones or commuting headphones.

These premium Bose headphones come with a button that activates Google Assistant, which will play music as well as answer trivia questions and read your smartphone notifications. They have outstanding noise cancellation capabilities, and even though they're getting long by 2020 standards (and have successors in their sibling line the QC35) However, you can still find fantastic bargains on the headphones.

The QC35s, like other Bose ANC headsets, do excellent job of blocking out ambient noise. Their noise reduction technology has also improved over ear wireless headphones noise cancelling the years. They're not the top ANC headphone on the market in particular when compared with more recent competitors. Audiophiles will want to look elsewhere for a better sound.

As with the Sonys The QC35s are able to connect to two devices at once and "audio share" one of them with a companion, which is useful if you're looking to listen to music in one ear while talking to another. They're also a favorite choice for frequent travelers, and they sport the classic Bose design that a lot of people love. 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 an affordable price.

3. Sony WH-1000XM4

The WH-1000XM4s made by Sony do not change much in terms of comfort or aesthetics however their noise cancellation technology is a totally new device. The company has swapped the 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, reducing mid- and high-frequency sounds by using its Dual Noise Sensor technology.

Two feedforward microphones inside each earcup capture ambient sounds. This is then processed by the QN1 noise cancelling processor to cut it down quickly without affecting the quality of your audio. The result is an impressive level of noise neutralization that is able to compete with the top headphones in this price range.

There's a sensitivity dial that lets you adjust the noise cancellation to fit your needs. When you're in public, for example you may want to allow a bit of ambient sound to filter through, while at home you'll want a more secluded listening experience. This feature uses geo-location to automatically apply the right setting based on where you are.

The WH-1000XM4s can be used for hands-free calls and have a whopping 30 hours of battery life, along with fast charging capabilities. They also have a powerful Bluetooth 5.0 connection that supports for multipoint and NFC. In my testing, I found that an instant remastering of Paul McCartney’s Flaming pie was lively and clear as well as rough mixes and recordings from the home also sounded clear and crisp.

To get the most value out of these headphones, it is necessary to download the companion Sony Headphones Connect app. This allows you to customize the EQ settings and also provides convenience features like Bluetooth multipoint, while allowing you to unlock some of the latest cool things - like access to Sony's 360 Reality Audio immersive surround-sound mastering technique that breathes life into old music.

4. Sony WH-CH720N

The Sony WH-CH720N headphones are a excellent choice if you're seeking headphones that provide excellent active noise cancellation for affordable prices. They're a step up from their predecessor that was the 710N Wireless, with more efficient ANC performance and a better sound quality. They also come with smaller dimensions and up to 35 hours of battery life.

If you're looking for flagship-level features like LDAC Bluetooth support and Smart Listening with voice assistant integration, these headphones aren't for you. They don't have a carrying case, auto-pause feature, or earcups that fold up which makes them difficult to take on a trip with.

The build quality of the WH-CH720N is decent but not as great as the aforementioned 1000XM5. The earcups and the headband are made of plastic, which is a breeze and comfortable to wear for long periods of time but won't hold up to heavy use or some tumbling on hard surfaces. The design is a little bulky and the earcups are likely to creak when you move your head. The controls are simple to use, with tactile buttons that give good clicky feedback. A single press of the power button turns ANC on and off, whereas pressing and holding the button prompts you to activate Sony's Adaptive Audio Control functionality. This feature allows you select the appropriate profile based on your location or how you use the headphones.

The WH-CH720N is among the most affordable headphones for wireless noise cancelling headphones on the market. It offers excellent ANC for the price, plus lightweight comfort and up to 35-hour battery life. These headphones are worth a look if you commute frequently.

5. Earfun Air Pro

Earfun's earbuds and headsets are well-known for their value and the Air Pro is no exception. They are great for music and calls and their ANC technology blocks a large amount of noise, without making your ears feel suffocated. They also come with numerous features that you can find in headphones that cost up to twice as more.

The earbuds have a pronounced bass range that adds rumble and punch to the majority of tracks, while keeping instruments and lead vocals clear and present. This makes them suitable for a broad range of music, although they may sound a little loud for some. They have a very uniform frequency response, meaning that they sound the same regardless of what you are listening to.

We played Missy Elliott's Get Ur Freak On, and bose quietcomfort 35 ii over ear noise cancelling bluetooth headphones the earbuds did an amazing job of showcasing the song's bass-heavy introduction with enthusiasm and zeal. Stormzy's Vossi Bop was a similarly fluid listen with the treble playing off the many layers of vocals and percussion.

Voice quality is excellent, even in noisy environments. The earbuds feature the latest Qualcomm chip that ensures background noises, clicks and other distractions are kept to bay. This is the case even when talking next to London Underground during rush hour.

The Bluetooth connectivity of the earbuds are also excellent, with only a few issues in our testing. They connect quickly and with low latency to iOS and Android devices. They are IPX5 waterproof, which means they are suitable for rain or for workouts. However, they should not be submerged in water. They come with a case that can hold two and a quarter charges. This is great for traveling.