10 Best Over Ear Anc Headphones 2025 in the United States

The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are a strong choice if you want top-notch noise cancellation and clear sound quality. Thanks to advanced processors and multiple microphones, they block out a wide range of background noises, making them ideal for travel, busy offices, or noisy environments. Sound is rich and balanced, suitable for most music styles and calls.

Comfort is a highlight here — the lightweight design and soft leather ear cups allow you to wear them for hours without discomfort. Battery life is impressive, offering up to 30 hours of use on a single charge, plus a quick charge feature that gives you 3 hours of playtime in just 3 minutes, which helps avoid downtime. Connectivity is reliable through Bluetooth 5.2, with a decent range, and they support multiple devices like phones, tablets, and laptops. The touch controls are intuitive and convenient, letting you easily manage music, calls, and voice assistants without reaching for your device.

Build quality feels premium with a mix of leather, plastic, and metal parts, but the carrying case is plastic, which might be less protective compared to sturdier options. One minor downside is that audio latency can be noticeable at 200 milliseconds, which might affect video-syncing slightly when watching content. These headphones are well-suited for users prioritizing excellent noise cancellation, comfort for long listening sessions, and strong battery life, making them a great pick for everyday use and travel.

The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are a top choice for anyone seeking high-quality over-ear headphones with advanced noise-canceling features. They use Dual Noise Sensor technology to deliver exceptional noise cancellation, making them perfect for use in noisy environments. Sound quality is excellent, thanks to the DSEE Extreme engine that upscales compressed music files in real time, providing rich and immersive audio experiences.

The headphones are also designed for comfort, with an updated design that relieves pressure, making them suitable for long listening sessions. The battery life is impressive, lasting up to 30 hours on a full charge with quick charging capabilities that provide 5 hours of playback from a 10-minute charge. Connectivity is seamless with Bluetooth 5.0 and multipoint connection, allowing you to pair the headphones with multiple devices simultaneously.

The touch sensor controls on the ear cups are intuitive, allowing easy control over music playback, volume, and calls, as well as activating voice assistants like Alexa. Additionally, features like Speak-to-Chat and wearing detection add convenience by automatically pausing playback during conversations or when you remove the headphones. Build quality is robust, with a durable plastic construction that feels premium. The headphones are not water-resistant, which could be a drawback for use in certain outdoor conditions. The Sony WH-1000XM4 is a well-rounded product with a host of advanced features that would benefit frequent travelers, commuters, and audiophiles looking for high-quality sound and effective noise cancellation.

The Apple AirPods Max are premium over-ear headphones that excel in noise cancellation and sound quality. Their pro-level Active Noise Cancellation effectively blocks out background noise, allowing you to fully immerse in music or calls, while Transparency mode lets you hear your surroundings when needed. The sound is rich and well-balanced thanks to Apple's custom drivers and spatial audio that adjusts based on how you move your head, creating a more natural listening experience.

Comfort-wise, the knit-mesh canopy and memory foam ear cushions offer a snug, secure fit that seals sound well, although the headphones are somewhat heavy compared to some competitors, which might feel noticeable during very long sessions. Battery life is solid, providing up to 20 hours of playback with noise cancellation active, and quick charging gives about 1.5 hours of listening from just 5 minutes of charge.

Connectivity is smooth with Bluetooth 5.0, especially if you use Apple devices, as pairing is effortless and switching between iPhone, iPad, and Mac is automatic. Physical controls include a Digital Crown for volume and playback, plus a button to toggle noise modes, which many find intuitive and precise. The USB-C charging is convenient and aligns with other modern Apple products. Build quality is premium with a sturdy metal frame and quality materials, but the included Smart Case, while protective, does not cover the headphones fully and offers limited protection. Also, these headphones are not water-resistant, so they are best kept away from sweat or rain. These headphones make an excellent choice if you want top-notch noise cancellation, superb sound, and seamless integration with Apple devices, though their heavier weight, premium price, and lack of water resistance might be a drawback for some users seeking lighter or more rugged options.