Best Noise-Cancelling Earbuds

When it comes to active noise-canceling technology, most think of large, over-the-ear headphones. However, there are significantly smaller, more discreet options available. Read on to see our picks for the best earbuds with active noise canceling.

Good to know: learn how active noise cancellation works before you invest in noise-canceling earbuds from this list.

1. Best Overall: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II

Price: $300

For years, audiophiles have been duking it out over which manufacturer made the best active noise-canceling earbuds: Sony or Bose. The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II take the crown, thanks to impressive ANC performance and excellent sound quality, but be prepared to spend a pretty penny to get your hands on them.

The QuietComfort Earbuds II offers exceptional noise cancellation in their class. They manage to achieve this, thanks to two technologies. First, the QuietComfort Earbuds II utilizes Bose’s StayHere Max tips. These earbud tips provide a secure and stable fit in the ear. In addition, they produce a tight seal within the ear, helping to reduce outside noise and prevent sound leakage.

Secondly, the QuietComfort Earbuds II have a sound calibration system that tailors the experience to an individual based on the unique shape of their ear canal. Each time a user places the QuietComfort Earbuds II into their ears, a tone is played. A microphone on the earbuds measures the auditory response of the user’s ear canals. The QuietComfort Earbuds II then customizes the noise cancellation and sound profile to ensure the best auditory experience.

Pros

• Bluetooth 5.3 – 30 foot range
• Quick charge in just 20 minutes
• Fit is comfortable and secure
• Natural-sounding transparency mode

Cons

• 6-hour battery life is just okay
• Earbud charging case is bulkier than others
• No wireless charging
• Limited color options

Also helpful: regardless of which earbuds you select, it may help to improve the sound on your Android phone before you listen to music.

2. Best Battery Life: Sony WF1000XM4

Price: $278

Sony has a long history of manufacturing high-quality audio products, and the WF1000XM4 ANC earbuds are no exception. The WF1000XM4 may be a mouthful, but so are the number of premium features packed into these buds.

The WF1000XM4 earbuds boast an adaptive sound control system. The earbuds can automatically adjust the level of ANC and ambient sound management based on the user’s environment. This ensures optimal audio performance in virtually every scenario.

In addition, the Sony WF1000XM4 earbuds feature LDAC technology, a proprietary audio coding technology developed by Sony. It allows you to stream high-resolution audio at up to 990 kbps at 24 bit/96 kHz. Compared to other high-resolution audio codecs, like AAC and SBC, LDAC offers superior sound quality. What makes the WF1000XM4 earbuds impressive is that they can offer all of this and still boast 24 hours of playback time.

Pros

• 8 hours of battery life
• Charging case offers an additional 16 hours of battery life
• 5-minute quick charge provides 60 minutes of playback time
• IPX4 protects against sweat and splashes of water

Cons

• ANC customization is not as robust as competitors
• No multipoint connection for simultaneous connection to multiple devices

3. Best for iOS: Apple AirPods Pro 2

Price: $249

Unsurprisingly, the best ANC earbuds for iPhone users are the latest iteration of Apple’s earbuds, the AirPods Pro 2. They offer effortless pairing and connection with Apple devices and intuitive touch controls for smooth operation.

While the design of the 2nd generation of the AirPods Pro has more or less remained the same, there are some noticeable additions. The charging case now has a built-in speaker and Apple’s U1 chip to make your AirPods easier to find, as the case will play sounds when Apple’s Find My feature is implemented.

Under the hood, the Apple AirPods Pro 2 pack Apple’s new and improved H2 chip. It delivers more power while being more energy efficient. The new chip and more refined sound processing algorithms result in improved adaptive noise cancelling.

Pros

• Top-notch adaptive transparency mode
• Siri integration allows users to issue voice commands
• IPX4 water resistance
• Improved battery life over predecessor at 6 hours of playback

Cons

• No manual EQ controls
• Uses proprietary Lightning charging cable
• Can’t charge the original AirPods Pro in the AirPods Pro 2 case
• Don’t fit well in every ear, and included tips leave a lot to be desired
• Drop stem design is not for everyone

Tip: update AirPods firmware to fix bugs and improve performance.

4. Best for Android: Google Pixel Buds Pro

Price: $150

After a successful foray into the smartphone arena, Google has launched companion earbuds with excellent sound quality and impressive ANC: the Google Pixel Buds Pro. These earbuds feature an adaptive sound profiling system, ensuring an optimal listening experience.

The Pixel Buds Pro boasts several advanced features, such as fast pairing, Google Assistant integration, and more nuanced customization options. The Pixel Buds Pro also boasts a companion app that allows users to manually fine-tune their audio experience through a graphic equalizer and multiple simultaneous connections.

However, they are all optimized for Pixel phones. iOS devices and other Android phones may not have full access to all Pixel Buds Pro’s features.

Pros

• 7-hour battery life with ANC on
• Charging case provides 4 complete earbud charges
• Google Assistant provides hands-free operation

Cons

• Earbuds are a bit bulky and prone to slipping out of the ear
• Charging case is one of the largest
• Some advanced features are only available on Google Pixel phones

5. Best Apple AirPod Alternative: Beats Fit Pro

Price: $200

The Beats Fit Pro is an excellent choice if you need noise-canceling earbuds for a more active lifestyle. These earbuds feature flexible wingtips that provide a more secure fit than others on this list. In addition, they boast IPX4 water resistance, meaning sweat and rain are no problem.

Despite being compatible with iOS and Android devices, the Beats Fit Pro earbuds are heavily skewed toward Apple users. The Beats Fit Pro utilizes the H1 chip, allowing easy integration into an existing Apple ecosystem. Furthermore, the Beats Fit Pro also benefits from Siri for hands-free operation.

The Beats Fit Pro offers good (but not great) ANC, as well as Apple’s excellent adaptive transparency mode and an automated equalization system that can automatically tweak the performance of the buds based on the user’s environment.

Pros

• Excellent transparency mode
• Charges via USB-C
• Available in a wide variety of colors
• 6-hour playback with ANC turned on

Cons

• Loss of functionality when used with an Android device
• Flexible wingtips may be uncomfortable for some
• No wireless charging

Also helpful: once you select earbuds, this guide will help you decide whether you should stream music on Spotify or Apple Music.

6. Best Budget Pick: Anker Soundcore Space A40

Price: $99

If you’re looking at the admittedly eye-watering prices of the other entries on this list and thinking you’ll never be able to afford decent ANC earbuds, think again. You’ll be pleased to know that the Anker Soundcore Space A40 ANC earbuds offer excellent performance and advanced features at an affordable price.

Surprisingly, the Soundcore Space A40 earbuds offer adaptive ANC. The buds will analyze the user’s environment and adjust the level of noise canceling applied to ensure the best experience. In addition, the Soundcore Space A40 supports multi-device pairing and even boasts LDAC support for hi-res audio streaming.

Given the price tag, you may be asking, “What’s the catch?” The answer lies in the integrated microphone for phone calls. The mic has difficulty capturing speech accurately. This isn’t a big deal for the wearer. However, it’s not the best experience for the person on the other end of the call.

Pros

• Excellent battery life – up to 32 hours with the charging case
• 10-minute charge supplies 4 hours of playback
• Lightweight and comfortable in the ear
• Pocket-friendly charging case

Cons

• Other models have better active noise canceling
• No dedicated transparency mode

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) work?

Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) is a technology that aims to reduce or eliminate background noise. It achieves this by utilizing microphones that capture the sounds and noise in an environment. It then analyzes the incoming sound and determines characteristics, such as frequency and volume. Finally, it generates a sound wave opposite to the incoming noise that cancels it out.

What's the difference between ANC and passive isolation?

Passive isolation refers to the natural ability of the headphones to block out external noise. Instead of relying on active technology to reduce external sound, passive isolation depends on the physical design and build materials of the headphones. Earbuds include ear tips that create a physical seal within the ear that acts like a barrier to external sound.

What is transparency mode?

Transparency mode allows the user to hear and be aware of their surroundings while still wearing the earbuds. When activated, transparency mode utilizes software to selectively let external sounds in. This makes it easier to have conversations and be aware of potential hazards, such as traffic, without having to remove the earbuds.

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