Sony Headphones Review - The Best Noise Cancelling Headphones
The fifth generation model of Sony's noise-cancelling headphones appears a bit different than the previous version but they're just as good. They're comfy, lightweight and come with a variety of features including Quick Attention mode, Speak-to-Chat wear detection, and AI-powered DSEE Extreme audio upscaling.
The ANC is powerful, reducing train noise into an ambient rumble. The 'pass-through' option allows you to hear external sounds, if necessary.
1. Sony WH-1000XM5
Sony's headphones are regularly among the top in the business in terms of noise cancellation. The fifth generation of WH1000XM5s is not an exception. They offer one of the best noise cancelling experiences we've ever had. 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 neighbors all become muted.
The XM5s also shine on the audio front. Their expansive soundstage allows all elements of a song to shine and breathe. For instance, on the track by Billie Eilish called Bad Guy, the drums pound with a satisfying weight and drive as soaring vocals harmonise across the mix.
The XM5s also stand out for their intelligent interaction with your smartphone. They will detect when they are being removed from the head and then pause the music. They also can detect that you are on a noisy highway and automatically lower the noise cancellation level.
The WH-1000XM5s also are eco-friendly. The WH-1000XM5s are constructed of recycled plastics, acrylonitrile, butadiene, styrene. The headband is constructed from premium fabric. They come with a collapsible case that folds into itself, creating an incredibly 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 can be removed for easy cleaning. In addition, the XM5s run on rechargeable batteries that provide up to 20 hours of playtime on full charge, and they're equipped with an adaptive fast charging system that charges twice the speed of traditional USB headphones.
2. Bose QuietComfort 35
The Bose QuietComfort 35/QC35 II Wireless 2018 are more versatile than the Audio-Technica ATHDR9BT Wireless headphones due to their extremely comfortable fit, a well-balanced sound profile and ANC feature that blocks a significant amount of background noise. The Bose headphones also come with longer battery life of 20 hours, take less time to charge, and can be in conjunction with a phone when the battery is not fully charged and makes them a good choice for those who need a pair of headphones that can be used as commuting headphones, or travel headphones.
These premium Bose headphones have a dedicated button that turns on Google Assistant, which will play music and answer trivia questions and also read notifications from your smartphone. These headphones are incredibly quiet with excellent noise cancellation abilities. They're a bit old-fashioned in comparison to the standards of 2020, but you can still find excellent deals.
The QC35s, like other Bose ANC headsets, do excellent job of cancelling ambient noise. Their noise reduction technology has also improved over the years. They're not the best ANC headphone on the market in particular when compared with more recent competitors. Audiophiles should look elsewhere for better sound.
The QC35s also have the ability to connect to two devices at the same time and "audio share" with a friend. This is a great feature for those who want to listen to music 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 appreciate. If best budget noise cancelling headphones looking to spruce up your QC35s with a little personalization, decal covers like SlickWraps and Skin Sticker are available at a reasonable price.
3. Sony WH-1000XM4
Sony's WH-1000XM4s don't offer much in the way of aesthetic or comfort improvements from the M3s, however its noise cancelling is a whole new beast. Sony has replaced the old system-on chip (SoC) with a brand new one, which it claims will allow it to detect and respond more precisely ambient sound 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 QN1 noise cancelling processor to reduce it quickly without affecting the quality of your audio. The result is an audio quality that is comparable to the top headphones at this price point.
There's a sensitivity dial which allows you to alter the noise cancellation to suit your needs. If you're in a public space, for example, you might want to allow a bit of ambient noise to be blocked out and at home, you'll want a more private listening experience. This feature also uses geo-location to automatically apply the right setting based on where you're heading.
The WH1000XM4s can be used for making calls using hands-free technology. They also have 30 hours of battery life and fast charging capabilities. The WH-1000XM4s come with an extremely robust Bluetooth connection that supports multipoint and NFC support. In my testing the speedy remastering of Paul McCartney's Flaming Pie sounded clear and lively, while even rough mixes and recordings made at home were clear and full.
To get the most out of these headphones, it is necessary to download the companion Sony Headphones Connect app. This lets you customize the EQ settings and offers convenience features like Bluetooth multipoint, while allowing you to access some of the latest cool stuff - such as access to Sony's 360 Reality Audio immersive surround-sound mastering technique that breathes life into older music.
4. Sony WH-CH720N
The Sony WH-CH720N headphones make a great option if you're looking to purchase a pair that offers excellent active noise cancellation at affordable costs. They are a step up from their predecessor model, the 710N Wireless, with a more efficient ANC performance and a better sound quality. The 710N Wireless also has an elongated design and battery lifespan of up to 35 hours.
However, if you're expecting flagship-level features like LDAC Bluetooth support and Smart Listening with voice assistant integration These headphones aren't the best choice for you. They don't come with a carry case, auto-pause feature, or foldable earcups and are therefore difficult to carry around.
The WH-CH720N's build quality is decent but not as great as the aforementioned 1000XM5. The earcups and the headband are made of plastic, which is lightweight and comfortable to wear for long periods but isn't built to withstand the rigors of use or even the occasional tumble on hard surfaces. The design is also somewhat bulky, and the earcups can creak when you move your head. The controls are simple to use, with tactile buttons that provide satisfying click-like feedback. A single touch of the power button switches ANC on and off, while pressing and holding it prompts you to activate Sony's Adaptive Audio Control feature. This feature lets you select a preset audio profile depending on the way you're using the headphones (e.g., "Staying at Work" or "Running") or your current location (with your phone's permission to determine this).
The WH-CH720N wireless noise cancelling headphones are among the cheapest on the market. You get top ANC for the price, a lightweight design and up to 35 hours of battery life. These headphones are worth considering for if you frequently commute.
5. Earfun Air Pro
Earfun's headsets and earbuds are known for their value and the Air Pro is no exception. They're effective for calls and exciting for music, while their ANC blocks a good amount of noise, but doesn't make you feel like your ears are being squeezed. They also have numerous features you can find on other headphones that cost twice or more.
The earbuds have a pronounced bass range that adds rumble and punch to most tracks while keeping the lead vocals and instruments bright and alive. This makes them perfect for a variety of music. However, they could sound a bit boomy to some. They have a very uniform frequency response, meaning that they sound the same no matter what you are listening to.
We listened to Missy Elliott's Get Ur Freak On, and the earbuds did an amazing job of celebrating the track's bass-heavy opening with enthusiasm and zeal. Stormzy's Vossi Bop had a similar dynamic sound, with the treble highlighting the vocals and the percussion.
On the phone, voice quality is very good even in noisy surroundings. The earbuds feature the most recent Qualcomm chip to ensure the clarity of calls, with background noises and clicks kept at bay even when talking next to the London Underground at rush hour.
The earbuds' Bluetooth connectivity is also very good with any issues during our testing. They connect and pair quickly with a minimal amount of latency for iOS and Android devices. They are IPX5 waterproof, meaning they are suitable for rain or for workouts. However, they should not be submerged in water. They come with an enclosure that can hold two quarters and two quarters of charges. This is ideal to take on trips.