Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Bluetooth Headphones - Top performers

By Tinh Lee, September 7, 2021

Updated Nov, 2022 - Over ear (a.k.a  full-size or circumaural)  ANC Bluetooth headphones are still highly present in the professional and the mainstream markets. Lower-end models priced under $50 become cheaper and higher-end models become more expensive (like $500 Airpods Max). Their design has not been changed much, basically major parts are earcups, paddings and foldable design and adjustable headband. However, they are varied in what their frame are made off, such as plastic or stainless steel.

In terms of ANC and wireless tech, a lot of things have been changed and implemented to latest models. Basic sets support the Bluetooth 4.0 and are fixed to a single ANC mode, expensive ones support Bluetooth 5.0 and more advanced ANC tech and offer different noise reduction levels. And transparency mode become an essential plug in of ANC feature. 

Are you looking for a standard or high-end? Here are LyreBeats's best wireless on ear noise cancelling headphones top picks.

How we picked?
Active Noise Cancelling Performance
First and foremost how much noises the headphones are able to cancel out. While it's can be measured on head and torso simulators with fixed value in dB, in real life ANC performance is varied on fit.
Noise cancelling levels and adaptive noise cancelling
Some headphones offer adjustable noise cancelling levels. This feature lets users manually adjust how much noise they want to block out. Adaptive noise cancelling, on the other hand, will adjust noise cancelling level automatically in accordance with the ambient noise - that will save battery life.
Voice call quality
You WFH and often make calls and you just want a single solution for every thing - listening music, attending online conference calls.
Sound quality
Which kind of sound signature do you prefer? balanced sound or bass-centric, mid-centric. There are cans that perform pretty well all over ranges and they suit to many kinds of music and enhance movie watching experience.
Battery life
Latest Bluetooth SoCs (Bluetooth chipsets) consumes less power and battery have smaller size and more capacity - we've seen a significant improvement for over-ear headphones' battery life, you can use them (like Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless) for a week without refeuling.
Touch, button and voice controls
These features may be less important, but interacting with your headphones intuitively is nice.
Fit & Comfort
I would return great-sounding and excellent ANC headphones if I feel uncomfortable. They can be heavy or clamp too tight. People with small head may also struggle with losen fit, so it'd be better check the size of headphones before purchasing.

BOSE QuietComfort 45

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BOSE QuietComfort 45
Bluetooth version
Ratings
Editor's Rating
Codec
Battery life
Rated up to 24.0 hours
Water-Resistant
IPX4
Noise-Cancelling (ANC)
Yes
Multipoint
Yes
BOSE QuietComfort 45 doesn't have new features compared to is predecessor, the only thing that is quite new is Bose’s aware mode that will soften the harsh sounds in the environment, and ensure you have conversations as usual with anyone.
Pros
Comfortable fit
Outstanding noise cancellation
Excellent transparency mode
Cons
May experience improper fit
Expensive

Soundcore Life Q20

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Bottom Line
The Soundcore Life Q20's ANC performance is pretty standard, just average compared with top pairs.
The Soundcore Life Q20 focuses much on bass and with decent treble this can is no difference from the rest, but the balanced, pronounced mid saves it from being worse can of heavy bass headphone.
Bluetooth version
Ratings
Editor's Rating
Codec
Battery life
Rated up to 60.0 hours
2 minutes