When you listen to your favorite music or take a call, the last thing you want to hear is the hustle and bustle of traffic or other people chatting around you. Noise-canceling earbuds can solve that by providing fantastic sound transmission while blocking out surrounding sounds.
But since there are so many choices, you’ll want to make sure you choose the best active noise cancellation (ANC) earbuds for your needs. To do that, you should consider these factors:
- Sound quality. The best quality noise-canceling earbuds can eliminate background noise and deliver top-tier audio quality so you can listen to your favorite music or audiobooks without worry.
- Battery life. Most good noise-canceling earbuds are capable of wireless charging, but the battery life of your ANC earbuds will determine whether they are a good choice or not.
- Price. The best budget noise-canceling headphones could be worthwhile. But pricier ones often have more comfortable fits or fast charging times.
- How many microphones does a pair of earbuds have? The more mics, the better the noise-canceling technology in many cases.
- What style do you prefer? Over-ear headphones are preferred by some, while smaller, sleeker earbuds are preferred by others who want to block out ambient noise.
Now that you know what to look for, let’s take a look at the 10 best noise-canceling earbuds.
Best for Voice Detection: Sony WF-1000XM4
Key specs: Eight hours play time
Sony’s WF-1000XM4 wireless earbuds are industry-leading headphones for a variety of reasons, though they are particularly excellent thanks to their voice detection functionality.
Pros
Not only do these earbuds have eight hours of playtime, but they are also IPX4 water-resistant. On top of that, they provide top-tier bone conduction sensors to ensure clear voice detection, even if you receive a phone call in a noisy environment. Add to that beamforming microphone technology and multipoint connections that let you connect two devices at once, and it’s clear these are some of the best noise-canceling earbuds overall.
Cons
You may notice that the Bluetooth connectivity can be spotty from time to time, requiring a full restart.
Best for Apple Fans: Apple AirPods Pro 2
Key specs: Six hours play time
Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 wireless earbuds are the go-to choice for Apple fans thanks to their connectivity and other positive elements.
Pros
These earbuds provide high-quality noise cancellation and adaptive transparency controls, so you can hear your surroundings when you need to. They also come with customizable silicone ear tips for long-term comfort, plus up to six hours of listening time. You can easily swipe the stems of these earbuds to adjust volume, offering even better ease of use.
Cons
Though these do work with Siri, the voice command can be touch and go at times. Furthermore, keep in mind that these only work with iPhones and other Apple devices, so if you are an Android fan, these won’t be the right noise-canceling earbuds for you.
Best for Best-in-Class Noise Canceling: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
Key specs: Six hours play time
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II are an excellent choice, offering top-tier noise-canceling functionality.
Pros
These can work with one or two buds, depending on your preferences, with simple interfaces on their surfaces so you can touch control playback quickly and easily. These are some of the most comfortable earbuds on the market, and the proprietary noise-canceling technology is overall best in class. That’s partially because the wireless earbuds personalize noise cancellation and sound performance based on your preferences and how you use them over the first few days.
Cons
Despite these advantages, you do have to use the proprietary Bose music app, which you may not want to do. Furthermore, Bluetooth connectivity can extend up to 30 feet away from the paired device, though it’s usually closer to 20 feet in practice.
Best for Customization: Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3
Key specs: Seven hours play time
Sennheiser’s Momentum True Wireless 3 earbuds are a top choice if you are a fan of customizable listening experiences.
Pros
The TrueResponse transducer and aptX Adaptive technology allow you to customize your audio experience with preset settings or built-in equalizers. For example, you can specifically boost bass sounds if you like. Aside from this, you’ll appreciate the high-quality voice pick-up thanks to three noise-canceling microphones on each earbud, plus the long battery life (seven by default).
Cons
Although these wireless noise-canceling earbuds have a lot to like, they are not the most comfortable on the market. Furthermore, these earbuds require a bit of setup before you can start using them, so they aren’t fun or enjoyable right out of the box without some tweaking and testing.
Best for Voice Control: Jabra Elite 85t
Key specs: 5.5 hours play time
The Jabra Elite 85t noise-canceling earbuds are top choices for many audiophiles thanks to their voice control technology, alongside other benefits.
Pros
For example, these earbuds are fitted with 12-millimeter speakers to offer powerful sound, and they come with six built-in microphones for noise-canceling functionality. More importantly, you can control these earbuds with voice commands, so there’s no need to worry about accidentally skipping a song or turning your buds off with your fingertip. The buds work with Siri, Google Assistant, and Alexa.
Cons
Unfortunately, the battery life for these buds could be a bit better (5.5 hours). In addition, the MySound app, which allows you to adjust your earphones, requires an in-app hearing test to personalize your settings, and it’s only somewhat accurate.
Best for Ear Comfort: Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
Key specs: Five hours play time
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are a natural choice for Android fans, but they are also noteworthy thanks to their in-ear comfort.
Pros
These earbuds have soft, flexible silicone tips, so they are perfect for long listening sessions. Because of their comfort, they are great for making phone calls, listening to music while working out, and everything in between. The enhanced 360-degree audio function brings out all the tones you love from every angle, offering a high-quality and personalized hi-fi sound experience from start to finish. Adding to that, these are IPX7 water-resistant, making them even better for workouts.
Cons
On the downside, these are only available in a handful of colors and, more importantly, the Intelligent Conversation Mode turns off noise cancellation and turns down the volume. In practice, this doesn’t work as well as advertised.
Best for Hearing Profiles: Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro
Key specs: Seven hours play time
Anker’s Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro noise-canceling earbuds allow you to create and customize specialized hearing profiles. Upon inserting these buds for the first time, the HearID technology will analyze your hearing profile.
Pros
That results in a phenomenal, custom listening experience. The PureNote driver technology combines excellent noise-canceling microphones with the proprietary Soundcore app to eliminate excess noise from your environment. All in all, it delivers stunning accuracy and clarity whether you are listening to music or taking phone calls. The buds are also capable of transmitting three times more data compared to standard Bluetooth because of integrated LDAC technology.
Cons
However, these aren’t the most comfortable earbuds on the market, and you’ll find that they might be a little too bulky for your preferences. Still, that’s an overall minor downside, given the exceptional battery life and other benefits.
Best for Android Users: Google Pixel Buds Pro
Key specs: 11 hours play time
Maybe you need wireless earbuds for your Android devices. In that case, the Google Pixel Buds Pro are right up your alley.
Pros
These are easy to use and come with a whopping 11 hours of playtime out of the box. They pair with any Bluetooth 4.0+ device, although connectivity with iOS devices is less than stellar. In any case, the transparency mode is excellent for enjoying noise-canceling functionality without compromising your safety, and beamforming microphones allow you to enjoy crystal-clear call quality even in noisy environments.
Cons
As noted above, these aren’t the best for iPhone users. Furthermore, the charging case looks cool, but it isn’t as easy to plug into wall outlets or stand upright, which could be a slight practical downside.
Best for Extended Range: Beats Fit Pro
Key specs: Six hours play time
The Beats Fit Pro are popular noise-canceling wireless earbuds, and for good reason — they offer some of the best long-range stability on the market.
Pros
With these earbuds, you’ll find you stay connected to your chosen device up to 30 feet away without any interruptions or instability. They are perfect if you like to wander around your house or your gym with your earbuds without keeping your phone close at hand. The adaptive noise canceling and transparency mode are truly excellent, and the enhanced Apple H1 Chip enables automatic switching and audio sharing with other Beats earbuds or Apple AirPods.
Cons
Unfortunately, these buds only come with six hours of listening time out of the box, and the charging case can have some connectivity issues from time to time. The head-tracking Spatial Audio feature, which tracks your movement for immersive sound, is also hit or miss in terms of actual quality and performance.
Best for Affordable Noise Canceling: JBL Free X True Wireless
Key specs: Four hours play time
JBL’s Free X True Wireless earbuds are comfortable and affordable, so they can be great choices if you need a basic pair of earbuds.
Pros
These are, overall, the best affordable noise-canceling earbuds on the market. They are reasonably comfortable despite their price tag, and they are IPX5-certified, so they can resist moisture and sweat. They also facilitate hands-free calling and have reasonably good noise-canceling functionality.
Cons
The battery life, however, is certainly not that impressive, although you only need to charge the buds for 15 minutes to get one hour of music playback. On top of that, the mono call mode isn’t very effective, and audio playback is clearer when you use other earbuds as opposed to these budget-friendly options.
The Bottom Line
In the long run, any of these noise-canceling earbuds could be just what you’re looking for, so be sure to consider your preferences before buying. The Google Pixel Buds Pro might be a go-to option if you have an Android phone, but the Jabra Elite 85t might be better if you prefer voice controls. No matter what you choose, your new wireless noise-canceling earbuds will allow you to enjoy your music wherever you go!
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