Sony Headphones Review - The Best Noise Cancelling Headphones

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

The ANC is very powerful and reduces train noise to a quiet rumble. A 'pass through' option allows you to hear outside sounds if you want.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony's headphones are regularly among the top of the line in the industry in the field of noise cancellation. The fifth generation of WH1000XM5s are the same, providing one of the most enjoyable experiences we've had with noise cancelling headphones in recent memory. When you put on the headphones and turn on noise cancellation, you're walking into a cone of silence. Engine noises and HVAC systems, squeaking metal, and even conversations with your neighbors are all muted.

The XM5s are also awe-inspiring in the realm of audio, with an expansive soundstage that gives the various elements of a track space to breathe and shine. On Billie Eilish's Bad Guy for example, the drums pound with a pleasing amount of force and power while the soaring vocals blend throughout the mix.

Other features that make the XM5s stand out include their intelligent interactions with your smart device. They can detect when they are removed from the head and stop the music. They also can detect that you are on a noisy highway and automatically lower the noise cancellation level.

The WH-1000XM5s are environmentally friendly. They are made from recycled plastic and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and a headband made from premium fabric. And they include a collapsible carrying case that folds into itself to form a small pouch, and an beats studio 3 noise cancelling headphones.5mm-to-3.5mm accessory cable to listen in a quiet mode. The earcups can be removed for easy cleaning. The XM5s also come with a rechargeable battery which provides up to 20-hours of playtime. They are also equipped with a rapid charging system that charges twice as fast as conventional USB headphones.

2. Bose QuietComfort 35

The Bose QuietComfort 35 II/QC35 II Wireless 2018 are more adaptable than the Audio-Technica ATHDR9BT Wireless headphones thanks to their incredibly comfortable fit, a well-balanced sound profile, and ANC feature that blocks a lot of background sennheiser noise cancelling headphones. The bose over the ear headphones noise cancelling headphones come with 20 hours of battery life, and are more convenient to charge and can still be used with a smartphone even if the battery is dead. This makes them a great choice to those looking for headphones that can be used as commuter headphones or as travel headphones.

These premium Bose headphones come with a Google Assistant button, which allows the assistant to play music, answer questions and read notifications on your smartphone. They have great noise cancelling capabilities. They are a bit old-fashioned by 2020 standards, but you can still enjoy amazing bargains.

Like other Bose ANC headphones, the QC35s are capable of blocking out background noise and their noise reduction technology has improved over the years. They're not the best ANC headphone on the market in particular when compared with the latest models. Audiophiles will want to look elsewhere for better sound.

As with the Sonys, the QC35s can connect to two devices simultaneously and "audio share" one of them with a person who is a friend. This is useful if you're looking to listen to music in one ear while conversing with someone else. They are popular with frequent flyers and have the classic Bose design that people adore. If you're looking to dress up your QC35s by adding some personalization, cover-ups for decals such as SlickWraps and Skin Sticker are available for affordable prices.

3. Sony WH-1000XM4

Sony's WH-1000XM4s aren't a lot in terms of aesthetic or comfort improvements in comparison to the M3s, but its noise cancelling technology is an entirely new beast. The company has replaced the older system-on-chip (SoC) with a brand new one that it claims will enable it to listen and respond more precisely to ambient audio in real-time while reducing mid- and high-frequency noises using its Dual Noise Sensor technology.

Two feedforward microphones inside each earcup capture ambient sounds. The sound is processed by the QN1 noise cancelling processor to reduce it rapidly without affecting the quality of your audio. The result is an incredibly amazing level of noise reduction that is able to compete with the top headphones at this price.

There's also a sensitivity knob that lets you adjust the noise cancellation to your requirements. You might, for instance, want to listen to the sounds of the city while at home, you might prefer a more closed off listening experience. This feature uses geo-location to apply the right setting based on your destination.

The WH-1000XM4s can be utilized for hands-free calls and come with an impressive 30 hours of battery life, beats studio 3 noise cancelling headphones with fast charging capabilities. The WH-1000XM4s come with a robust Bluetooth connection that supports multipoint and NFC support. In my testing I discovered that a quick restoration of Paul McCartney's Flaming pie was lively and clear with rough mixes, and home recordings also sounded clear and crisp.

To get the most out of these headphones, you'll need download the companion Sony Headphones Connect app. You can adjust the EQ and enjoy convenience features such as Bluetooth multipoint. It also unlocks some cool new stuff, like Sony's 360 Reality Audio immersive sound mastering process.

4. Sony WH-CH720N

The Sony WH-CH720N headphones are a great option if you're looking to buy a pair that offers excellent active noise cancellation at affordable costs. They improve on their predecessor that was the 710N Wireless, offering more efficient ANC performance and a better audio quality. The 710N Wireless also has a lighter design with a battery life of up to 35 hours.

These headphones aren't the best for you if you want flagship features like LDAC Bluetooth and Smart Listening, which integrates voice assistants. They also don't come with a carrying case or auto-pause function, and the earcups can't fold, which may make them tough to travel with.

The build quality of the WH-CH720N is decent however, it's not as great as the 1000XM5. The headband and earcups are made of plastic, which is lightweight and comfortable to wear for long periods of time but will not stand up to the rigors of use or even the occasional tumble on hard surfaces. The design is a bit heavy, and the earcups creak when you move. The controls are easy to use and have tactile buttons that give satisfying click-like feedback. The ANC can be turned off and on by pressing the power switch. Pressing and holding the button triggers Sony's Adaptive audio Control. This feature allows you select the appropriate profile based on your location or the way you use the headphones.

The WH-CH720N wireless noise cancelling headphones are among the cheapest on the market. You get great ANC for the price, a lightweight design and up to 35 hours of battery life. If you're a frequent commuter these headphones are worth a look.

5. Earfun Air Pro

Earfun's earbuds and headsets are well-known for their value and the Air Pro is no exception. They are perfect for calling and music and their ANC technology blocks a significant amount of noise without making your ears feel uncomfortable. These headphones also have numerous features that you can find in headphones that cost more than twice as much.

The earbuds have an overemphasized bass range that adds rumble and punch to the majority of tracks and keeps lead vocals and instruments bright and present. This makes them perfect for a variety of content. However, they could seem a bit loud to some. Their frequency response is very consistent, ensuring that they sound the same no matter what you're 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 showcasing the layered vocals as well as the percussion.

On the phone, voice quality is very good, even in noisy environments. The earbuds are equipped with the latest Qualcomm chip to ensure the clarity of calls with background noises and clicks being kept to a minimum even when talking next to the London Underground at rush hour.

The Bluetooth connectivity of the earbuds are also excellent, with a small number of issues during our tests. They connect quickly and have minimal latency to iOS and Android devices. They are also IPX5 water resistant, so they're perfect for rain and workouts, but you shouldn't submerge them in water. They also come with a carry-on case that can hold two and a half charge which is ideal to take on trips.