Whether you want to cut out external noise while on the daily commute, or want to take a serene walk through the park whilst listening to some of your favourite jazz records, a good pair of headphones can really make all the difference.
If you’re a lover of jazz, you’re probably looking for headphones with an excellent audio quality capable of doing your favourite albums justice.
That’s where we come in. Read on for some of the best headphones for listening to jazz on the go.
We’ve compiled a selection of around ear, wireless headphones with great audio quality and noise-cancelling capabilities so you can immerse yourself in the music no matter where you are. Check them out below!
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Our Best Around Ear Headphones
Sony WH-1000XM4
The Sony WH 1000XM4 over ear headphones boast excellent sound quality. Out of the box, the sound is somewhat bass-heavy – ideal for electronic music and pop.
If you’re looking for headphones that compliment the more nuanced sound of jazz, you can customise the sound profile to suit your taste.
When you need to block outside noise, these headphones’ excellent active noise cancelling technology will do the job perfectly. They will adequately cut out background conversations, the sound of car engines or the low rumble of an air-conditioning unit.
The Sony WH 1000XM4 look very similar to previous models, however, they do have quite a few new features. For example, they have a built-in sensor that enables an auto-play and pause feature.
Covering the entire ear, the headphones themselves are very comfortable to wear thanks to their lightweight, wireless design. They also boast a great battery life of around 37 hours!
Pros
- Excellent sound quality – perfect for listening to music.
- Noise cancellation feature – ideal when you need to cut out background noise.
- Lightweight design – makes them even more comfortable.
- Wireless – means they can quickly connect to various devices.
- Long battery life – perfect for long trips.
Cons
- Call quality – could be better.
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Apple AirPods Max
Apple’s first over ear headphone, the AirPods Max are a particularly pricey option, but for fans of Apple, this stylish piece of kit is ideal.
The Apple AirPods Max are arguably the best wireless over-ear headphones you can get your hands on, thanks to their high fidelity sound quality.
Their noise-cancelling quality is also unbeatable, and they also boast a great Transparency mode, which can be used if you want to listen to music but also be engaged with the world around you.
These headphones are specifically designed for consumers who already have Apple products, as they have great features for iOS users. Although you’ll miss out on these features if you don’t connect them to an Apple product, they will still work very well as standard Bluetooth headphones.
If you prefer wired headphones, you will need to fork out an extra £35 for the cable.
To top things off, these headphones are constructed to a very high standard and are incredibly comfortable to wear.
Pros
- Excellent sound quality – means they are great for listening to music.
- Unbeatable noise-cancelling performance – makes these headphones the best option for people needing to isolate themselves from background noise.
- Transparency mode – ideal for when you need to hear what’s going on around you whilst listening to music.
- Wireless – means they can quickly connect to various devices.iOS features – make these headphones ideal for Apple fans.
Cons
- iOS features – fans of android won’t get the same benefits.
- Case – users have complained about the design of their case.
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Bowers & Wilkins PX7 Wireless Headphones
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 Wireless Headphones may look like they are slightly lower quality than their previous models, however, they are by far the most comfortable.
The sound quality of these over-ear headphones is definitely on par with the others on this list. There is no option to customize EQ, however, it isn’t really necessary, as the sound is already so well-balanced.
These headphones have sophisticated noise-cancelling which adapts to the environment.
This means that the headphones automatically respond to changes in background sound to ensure the outside world doesn’t hinder the listening experience.
Although, if you want to hear what’s happening around you, all you need to do is lift an ear cup up, and the music automatically stops. It will begin again once the ear cup is put back down.
They are wireless and have a battery life of up to 30 hours. In fact, just charging them for 15 minutes will provide you with five hours of playback. They also have USB-C connectivity and come with a carry case.
The PX7s are ideal for individuals who value a solid pair of headphones that delivers an upbeat, enthusiastic sound.
Pros
- Excellent sound quality – a great option for music lovers.
- Noise-cancelling – great for cutting out ambient noise.
- Wireless – make them easy to connect to various devices.
- USB-C connectivity – means they can connect easily to various devices.
- Long battery life – make these ideal for travelling.
Cons
- Carry case: quite bulky.
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Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless Headphones
The Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless headphones are a great option for those of you who are looking for a brilliantly designed pair of noise cancelling headphones that don’t compromise on audio quality.
The listening experience they provide can certainly compete with the best headphones on this list. You can hear the warm bass, mid-range, and natural-sounding treble in perfect harmony, making them a great choice for jazz fans.
Their Active Noise Cancellation allows you to customise your own audio experience.
Though its noise-cancelling doesn’t quite live up to some of the superior models above, it does have a unique and clever feature, which allows you to tailor the extent to which your background sound is cancelled.
They also have a Transparent Hearing function. This allows you to be fully present and engage with the environment around you, whilst also enjoying some music.
Thanks to the sheepskin leather earpads, these headphones are a very comfortable choice. They also fold up quite compactly and are wireless, making them ideal for keen travellers.
Pros
- Excellent sound quality – makes them perfect for listening to music.
- Adjustable noise cancelling feature – means they’re ideal for people who want to control the extent to which they can hear their surroundings.
- Sheepskin leather earpads – make them super comfortable.
- Compact – make them easy to transport.
- Wireless – means you can connect easily to various devices.
Cons
- Noise-cancelling – isn’t quite as good as the other listed devices.
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Cleer Enduro ANC
If you’re looking for a quality pair of over-ear headphones that don’t cost the eye-watering amount as some of the others on the list, Clever Enduro ANC headphones are ideal.
These boast an exceptional battery life at 100 hours of playtime and great noise cancellation with an additional Ambient mode. Though the ANC tech isn’t quite on the same level as some of the other noise cancelling headphones on this list, for the price, they provide a great listening experience.
The sound may be slightly bass-heavy for listening to jazz, though if this is the case you can easily tweak the EQ. The audio quality is great, thanks to their Ironless driver technology.
They have a very lightweight design, weighing at just under 10 ounces, and are also super comfortable to wear thanks to the plush earpads and flexible headband.
Pros
- Good value – make these a great option for people on a budget.
- Long battery life – mean these are ideal for travellers.
- Great sound – provides a great listening experience.
- Wireless – they can be connected easily to various devices.
- Lightweight, comfortable design – these headphones can be worn for hours on end.
- Noise-cancelling – perfect for people who want to cut out external noise.
Cons
- Comfort – some reviews have said the comfort wanes over time.
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Buyer’s Guide
Looking for a pair of headphones that will suit your needs well can be difficult. Take a look at the tips below to make sure you find the right choice for you.
Sound Quality
Sound quality is the most important thing to consider when you’re looking for new headphones. To ensure you pick the right pair for you, you first need to consider how you personally define a good quality sound.
For instance, if you are a big bass fan, you will want to look for dynamic drivers. Or, if you have a keen ear for detail, you’ll want to search for headphones with large frequency ranges.
Likewise, you should also consider the kind of soundstage that will work best for your tastes. If you’re a fan of a more open sound, open-backed headphones might be ideal for you.
If like many of us, you find yourself very conscious of how much the people around you can hear whilst you’re listening to music, it’s best to go for a closed-back pair of headphones.
Noise-Cancellation
All of the headphones listed boast great noise-cancellation features. In fact, all good quality over-ear headphones tend to have some kind of noise-cancelling option.
However, it’s important to consider whether you will require total isolation from the ambient noise, or whether you like having a bit of control over how much you can hear.
If you like having control, look for a pair of headphones that have multiple noise-cancellation modes.
Budget
Unfortunately, a comfortable pair of headphones, that have a good battery life, great audio quality and noise-cancellation features, often come at a hefty price. If you’re willing to invest in headphones, then this isn’t really an issue.
If you are on more of a tight budget, we suggest you make a list of the most important, non-negotiable features you desire from a pair of headphones.
That way, you can find a pair within your price range, whilst making sure you’re not compromising on the things you most need. Also, there are some great, lower-budget options out there – sometimes it just takes a bit more searching to find them.
We hope that this list helps you find the perfect pair of headphones for you. If you’re looking for more headphone recommendations, head over to our list of the best headphones for jazz or the best overhead headphones.