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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want a proven, lightweight over-ear ANC headphone from a brand with a deep noise-cancelling track record, choose Sony WH-CH720N; if you need marathon battery life and a pressure-free fit for all-day wear, choose MLF W7.
• Sony WH-CH720N — biggest strength: Dual Noise Sensor Technology paired with an integrated Processor V1, plus a genuinely light build and a slimmed-down headband designed to free up space around the ears.
• Sony WH-CH720N — biggest trade-off: It's a certified refurbished unit, so it ships with a 90-day limited hardware warranty rather than a full manufacturer warranty period.
• MLF W7 — biggest strength: A 500mAh cell rated for up to 40 hours of average battery life, with a two-hour charge time and a soft padded, adjustable over-ear design.
• MLF W7 — biggest trade-off: Its noise cancelling is described in broad "intelligent ANC" terms with no named processor or sensor array, and its control scheme leans on a companion app rather than onboard controls alone.
• Who should pick Sony WH-CH720N: Buyers who prioritise refined ANC tuning, light weight, and adjustable ambient sound over maximum runtime.
• Who should pick MLF W7: Buyers who want the longest possible playtime between charges, a roomier cushioned fit, and don't mind a simpler ANC story.
The Sony WH-CH720N is the more technically specific of the two. Its noise cancelling isn't just labelled "ANC" — it's built around Dual Noise Sensor Technology working with an integrated Processor V1. In plain terms, that's a two-mic-plus-chip approach, which is the architecture Sony has refined across its noise-cancelling line. If you want over-ear noise cancelling that adapts rather than simply muffles, this is the design that signals it.
The second thing that stands out is the fit philosophy. The headband is slimmer and lighter, and the ear cups have been restructured to create more space around the ears. Sony lists the item weight at just 0.1 kg, which is about as light as over-ear headphones get. Combine that with a metal enclosure and you have a headphone that should disappear on your head during a long flight or a full workday. The adjustable Ambient Sound mode is the sleeper feature here: 20 levels let you dial in exactly how much of the outside world leaks through, so you can still catch a boarding announcement or a café order without pulling the headphones off.
Who should buy it: commuters, open-office workers, and frequent flyers who want granular control over both noise cancelling and ambient awareness, and who value light weight over everything else. Who should skip it: anyone who needs the absolute longest runtime, or who wants a straightforward out-of-the-box warranty rather than a 90-day refurbished coverage window. Battery is rated at up to 35 hours with a 35-hour charge time, which is plenty for a week of commuting but not the endurance champion here. Bluetooth 5 with a 10-metre range, a 3.5 mm jack for wired listening, and a USB Type-C charging cable round out the package.
The MLF W7 plays a different game, and it plays it well. The headline is battery: a 500mAh cell rated for up to 40 hours of average life, recharging in about two hours. That's roughly five extra hours over the Sony, and a much faster top-up. If your routine involves charging once and forgetting about it for days — long-haul travel, back-to-back shifts, week-long trips where you don't want to hunt for a cable — that math matters more than a slightly more sophisticated ANC chip.
Comfort is the second pillar. MLF describes an ergonomic over-ear shape with soft padded cushions and an adjustable headband, explicitly aimed at pressure-free, all-day wear with a lightweight build to reduce fatigue. The ear cushions even ship as a listed accessory, which suggests they're a serviceable part rather than a fixed component. Sound is handled by dynamic drivers tuned for rich, balanced audio, and the headphone carries CE, RoHS, and FCC certifications for safety compliance. You also get dual-mode wired/wireless operation via the 3.5 mm jack, so you're not stranded when the battery eventually runs down.
Who should buy it: students, shift workers, podcast marathoners, and travellers who want maximum playtime and a cushioned, low-pressure fit. Who should skip it: buyers who want named noise-cancelling hardware (sensors, a dedicated processor) and a broader set of onboard ambient controls, or who specifically want branded ANC tuning. Its controls lean on an app plus touch, and there's no stated ambient-transparency level system — so if granular outside-world control is your priority, the Sony is the better fit.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for battery life → MLF W7. Up to 40 hours average life vs up to 35 hours on the Sony.
• Best for noise-cancelling pedigree → Sony WH-CH720N. Dual Noise Sensor Technology plus an integrated Processor V1 is a more specific, more developed ANC architecture.
• Best for fine-tuned ambient awareness → Sony WH-CH720N. The adjustable Ambient Sound mode offers 20 levels; the W7 has no comparable level system listed.
• Lightest on the head → Sony WH-CH720N. Listed at 0.1 kg with a slimmed-down headband and restructured ear space.
• Best for cushioned all-day comfort → MLF W7. Soft padded cushions, adjustable headband, and a fatigue-minimising lightweight build.
• Best for warranty peace of mind → MLF W7. The Sony is a certified refurbished unit with a 90-day limited hardware warranty.
• Best for wired fallback → tie. Both offer a 3.5 mm jack and Bluetooth wireless, so both work when you'd rather plug in.
In my opinion, I'd buy the Sony WH-CH720N if noise cancelling quality is the whole point of the purchase. The Dual Noise Sensor Technology and Processor V1 give it the more convincing ANC foundation, and the 20-level Ambient Sound mode is the feature I'd actually use every single day — on a platform, in a queue, at a desk. The 35-hour battery is more than enough for most people, and the 0.1 kg weight plus restructured ear space makes it the one I'd rather wear for three hours straight. I'd only switch to the MLF W7 if runtime is non-negotiable and you want a cushioned, pressure-free fit for marathon sessions — it's the endurance pick, and a sensible one. Check the current price on Amazon before you commit, since that's the one variable that can flip this decision.
what is the best over ear noise cancelling headphones
There's no single "best" — it depends on what you weight most. In my opinion, the Sony WH-CH720N wins on ANC sophistication thanks to Dual Noise Sensor Technology and the Processor V1, while the MLF W7 wins on battery life at up to 40 hours and cushioned all-day comfort.
which over ear noise cancelling headphones
If you want adjustable ambient awareness, pick the Sony WH-CH720N — it offers 20 ambient sound levels and a lighter 0.1 kg build. If you want the longest runtime and a two-hour recharge, the MLF W7 is the better match. Both are over-ear, both support Bluetooth and a 3.5 mm wired connection.
what are the most comfortable over ear noise cancelling headphones
Comfort is personal, but the data points in two directions. The Sony WH-CH720N is the lighter option at 0.1 kg with a slimmer headband and extra ear space. The MLF W7 counters with soft padded cushions, an adjustable headband, and a design explicitly built to reduce fatigue over long sessions.
how to on noise cancelling headphones
Turn ANC on via the controls — the Sony WH-CH720N uses touch and voice control, while the MLF W7 uses touch plus an app. On the Sony you can then fine-tune how much outside sound comes through using its 20-level Ambient Sound mode. Both also work passively over the 3.5 mm jack if you'd rather not use ANC at all.
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