The best noise-canceling earbuds will help create the quietness and peace that you need when listening to your favorite playlist.
If you use earbuds daily while commuting to work, having a type that can block background noises is an excellent decision.
In the past, to deal with the problem of noises while listening to music, one would need good over-the-ear active noise-canceling headphones.
Over time, the sound electronic industry has advanced to provide portable in-ear earphones with impressive noise-cancellation features.
The noise canceling technology continues to evolve and improve as more earbuds brands can mask a broader range of frequencies. This is achieved through sophisticated software algorithms and efficient processors built into the buds.
The best noise-canceling earbuds can be paired to any device with Bluetooth. Though nearly all noise-canceling earbuds work relatively the same, it’s important to note that different models rival each other in terms of performance and additional features.
I have tested numerous noise-canceling brands to help you pick which earbuds will make an excellent pair for you. If you want to know more about what kind of brand you should consider, check out these 10 best noise-canceling earbuds.
The Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds II are the best noise-canceling earbuds on this list. The buds are an upgrade from the previous version with additional features and technology upgrades.
The premium earbuds have the right balance of comfort, unrivaled active noise cancellation, and better sound quality. In whatever noisy environment you will be in, these buds will isolate a lot of noise.
While the ANC feature is on, the comfort buds will last up to 6 hours on a single charge. If you need to recharge, it comes with a carrying case with three additional 6-hour charges.
The Bose brand redesigned these earbuds to make them less of an eyesore. Other than its beautiful appearance, it has high-fidelity audio.
The drivers provide an extra boom and thump, making them the best brand to listen to EDM and hip-hop.
It also comes with a companion application where you can adjust the EQ setting to get the preferred sound.
Sony is a reputable company in sound consumer electronics with some of the best premium products. They are known as one of the best industry-leading companies in noise-canceling Bluetooth technology through its new integrated processor V1.
The WF-1000XM4 earbuds have combined impressive active noise canceling performance with good ergonomics, sound and build quality that is more effective than its other products.
Compared to the processor of Sony WF-1000XM3, this bud has enough quality-of-life features to make you want to upgrade.
Though it is a bit more expensive than its predecessor, it’s worth every penny. The buds boast a customized sound where the user can control equalizer settings and volume through Sony’s dedicated App that is iOS/Android compatible.
Some additional features you can enjoy on these earbuds include speak-to-chat technology, which automatically adjusts the volume during the conversation.
It also has a multipoint connection feature, enabling the Sony buds to connect to two devices simultaneously.
Unlike the two previous versions of Sennheiser MOMENTUM, the True Wireless has a rectangular look. The earlier models had a round look. This new appearance is more appealing.
The sound quality of the buds is brilliant as the TrueResponse transducer and aptX power it. As a user, you can customize your sound experience through the built-in equalizer with presets and sound personalization for bespoke audio.
Audiophiles will be won over the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 3 earbuds, whose clarity and depth are fantastic. Besides the sound quality, the buds are also compact with a premium build quality.
The earbuds come with ergonomically designed silicone ear adapters and fins to ensure maximum comfort. With the assistance of comfortable ear tips, adaptive noise cancelation can control your listening environment to let you immerse yourself in your playlist without any distractions.
The 1MORE Aero is a new addition to the list of best noise-canceling earbuds. It has spatial audio and head tracking, usually reserved for premium brands but occasionally found on affordable earbuds brands.
The spatial audio and head tracking tech in the noise-canceling earbuds can track your head movement to keep you at the center of the sound.
This technology, combined with Smart Loudness tech, will allow you to appreciate every detail of your music, even at low volume. It is a dream come true-accessory for an audiophile.
The other outstanding design of the buds is its Quiet Max noise canceling ability that provides up to 42 dB noise cancelation depth.
It also has 6 built-in microphones with a DNN algorithm, distinguishing the user’s voice and other background noises to provide crystal clear noises.
Though the earbuds’ default audio setting is bizarre, a slight adjustment will give you exceptional sound quality.
The earbuds driver provides professional quality Hi-Fi audio with a built-in equalizer that helps in delivering impressive treble and bass making the audio sound like a live recording.
Though LG TONE Free FN7 is relatively cheap, it has premium noise canceling features that are able to detect and reduce background noises.
The ANC feature excels through the use of medical-grade hypoallergenic ear gels. The ear gels are made from comfortable silicone to fit the ear perfectly.
The earbuds’ battery life can handle up to 7 hours of charge time. The charging case provides an additional 14 hours, totaling 21 hours of playtime when ANC is off.
If you want to experience extra bass when listening to your playlist, then you will really like Beyerdynamic. These earbuds were the company’s first attempt to make the best noise-canceling earbuds, and they did not fail.
The earbuds pack abundant features making them worth a purchase. The buds not only offer excellent sound quality, but it also has a top-level active noise canceling feature to give you uninterrupted audio listening.
The distinctive sound quality of the buds is enabled through its state-of-the-art aptX adaptive and AAC. It also incorporates clever technologies such as a Qualcomm mic to give you first-class speech clarity. It means the person on the other end of your call will be able to understand you clearly.
The other fantastic feature of the earbuds is their extra-long battery life. They can provide 11 hours of playtime on a single charge.
If you want to try different earbuds that pack premium features at an affordable price, then the Anker Liberty 3 will be a great choice.
The buds have one of the best sounds as it features the latest version of coaxial dual-driver technology to create an ultra-wide and immersive sound stage.
Besides the Hi-resolution sound experience, the buds have a pro noise canceling feature that supports LDAC mode. The company’s HearID ANC technology analyzes ear pressure to create a unique noise-canceling profile that is tailor-made for use.
Soundcore did not disappoint as they featured a multipoint connection on the Liberty 3. You can be able to connect two Bluetooth devices at the same time to switch between calls, videos, and music.
With a single full charge, you can be able to enjoy up to 8 hours of playtime. This can extend up to 32 hours with the charging case. The case uses both a wireless charger and a USB-C cable.
The earbuds are also water resistant, making them a good companion while you work out.
If you have a Google Pixel phone, why not pair them with the most compatible best noise-canceling earbuds? Other than perfectly working well with most Android devices, it also works with iOS devices.
The Google Pixel Buds Pro is Google’s third attempt at making true wireless earbuds, and the technology giant did not fail. The buds have a clean and minimalistic design.
They are oval and offer a variation of multiple colors. If you had previous generation models, you would notice that they ditched wing attachment, and the build quality remained sturdy.
The egg charging case also has a cool design. It is lightweight at 2.2 ounces, with strong magnets that tightly shut the lid.
Its battery life is also incredible, as you can enjoy 31 hours of playtime with the listening case, which is an easily chargeable Qi-certified charger.
If you are in the market for affordable and cheerful buds with a decent performance, then you should pick Belkin SOUNDFORM.
Their battery life is quite incredible as it brings a total of 28 hours of playtime which is enough to give you company through a long day.
These earbuds come in either black or white, featuring a wide outer panel with touch controls. They are also designed with a comfortable fit, as you will have 3 pieces of ear tips to choose from.
The comfortable True Wireless earbuds are IPX5 rated, meaning they are water-resistant. They will continue working efficiently because they can handle light splashes.
The buds will be your best company during a sweaty workout session. The water protection does not apply to the charging case, so be careful after using them.
Though it is a bit pricey, Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 S2 is one of the best noise-canceling earbuds. The earbuds are one of the most expensive noise-cancellation earbuds I have tested in the market, and I can testify that they are worth every dollar investment on them.
The design of the buds remains similar to the previous model as it delivers the same high-built quality sound.
The design makes the user look like a cyber-man but in a sleek way. It has hands-free control.
The earbuds’ drivers provide high-fidelity audio as individual amplifiers and advanced DSP enhances them.
The connection provided has also improved as it can be connected wirelessly to a device to a range of 25 meters and still deliver high-resolution audio. This is done through the 24-bit Qualcomm aptX Adaptive technology.
Things to Consider When Buying Noise-Canceling Earbuds
You should look into multiple things before choosing the best noise-canceling earbuds. They include:
Noise Cancelation
Noise cancellation is the most essential feature to consider before getting any brand. Most earbuds brands claiming to have noise cancelation features will be active or passive.
The passive noise cancellation feature uses the earbuds’ ear cups to prevent any surrounding noise from entering the ear canal.
The better noise canceling feature is the active noise canceling one. This is because it uses backed tools to filter out high or irregular-pitch background noises effectively. The feature is more effective in isolating unwanted noises.
Battery Life
If you are buying noise canceling earbuds, remember that they have features that require considerable power consumption. Most buds offer about 8 hours of listening time on a single charge. It is important to note that most companies do not display the time it will take with the noise canceling feature.
The more time an earbuds brand offers as their playtime, the longer they will perform with the noise canceling feature. Another essential feature of the battery capacity that you should consider is the quick charge option. The shorter the time to fill up an empty battery, the better.
Design and Comfort
Your comfort while wearing the earbuds is similarly essential. Using buds over a long period will sometimes make the user feel uncomfortable. Getting a brand with an ergonomic design that fits comfortably in your ear and is lightweight would be better.
The ear tips of your noise canceling earbuds should be either made from foam or silicon as they easily mold to fit in the shape of the ear canal. Avoid tips made out of plastic as they tend to be uncomfortable after some time of use.
You do not want to purchase what you consider the best noise canceling earbuds for them to break after a few uses. Moisture is one of the biggest causes of earbuds damage, and you need to get a brand with a high IP rating.
There are multiple brands designed to complement the active lifestyle of a user. They come in handy if you use the buds while working, as they will continue providing optimum performance despite a few water splashes.
True Wireless vs. Wireless
The type of wireless connection plays a significant role in selecting the brand of use. Most earbuds brands use Bluetooth to transmit audio from a source effectively.
The better choice is to use Bluetooth version 5.0 and above, as it offers the ability to transmit high-resolution audio with ease.
When picking between true wireless and regular wireless earbuds, the better choice is to pick a true wireless version, as it gives you freedom of movement without tangling or cable-related issues.
If you have lost one of your earbuds or both before, a neckband from a regular wireless version may be a better choice for you.
Sound Quality
Sound quality is undoubtedly the most important factor. Though progress has been made in recent years, there is still a big difference between the industry’s best and worst sound quality performers.
If you are an audiophile and sound quality is equally important to the noise cancelation feature you seek, look into the driver size of the earbuds you consider getting.
The bigger the driver, the clearer and louder their sound. It would be best to look into premium brands with proprietary sound features that will enhance your listening experience to the next level.
Additional Features
While it is your top priority to get noise-cancellation earbuds to block out noise, there are other features you can look at to make sure you get the best deal for your money.
One of the most important additional features to look out for is frequency response. The more comprehensive the brand range you are interested in, the better.
Having a compatible companion app brand will also provide you with a customizable EQ, helping you to fine-tune the audio to your liking.
FAQs
Is it worth getting noise cancellation earbuds?
Considering the advantage of peace of mind even in loud environments, noise-canceling earbuds are a worthy investment. Its design enables a user to experience sound clarity without the need for excessive volume.
The noise canceling technology blocks or filters high-frequency sounds using active or passive responses. It is very beneficial to anyone suffering from auditory behavioral or sensory disorders.
Though regular exposure to loud sounds is at 85 dB and above, a person is at a higher risk of hearing loss. Noise-canceling earbuds assist by reducing the overall exposure to sound, keeping your hearing safe.
What is the disadvantage of noise-canceling earbuds?
The main disadvantage of noise-canceling or is being pricey, especially for brands with True Wireless technology. Some of the best brands that will deliver the best noise cancellation will cost $250 and above.
True Wireless earbuds are risky because they’re so good that they make the user unaware of the environment. If you decide to buy these, make sure you are always alert when in public, especially if you are using the road.
While some brands will boast a battery life that can exceed a day, the charge will quickly drain if a user turns on the noise canceling feature. If you are in a remote area, they will be of no use to you.
Why is noise canceling uncomfortable?
Contrary to popular belief, noise-canceling buds do not physically stop noise by shielding the ears. The earbuds emit anti-noise waves that cancel out unwanted sounds.
Some users have complained of hearing some vibration in the ears. The same anti-frequency technology that eliminates noise can cause vibration in some eardrums.
It can become worse if the user suffers from tinnitus. This intensely uncomfortable situation will also project through headaches, dizziness, and ear pressure.
What does noise-canceling actually do?
The earbuds monitor the sound surrounding the user and prevent them from reaching the ears. The monitoring is achieved through the use of small microphones in the ear cups, and the emission of exact opposite noise frequencies cancels out the noise.
Conclusion
Noise cancellation is one of the most important features people seek when buying earbuds. This is because people want a better listening experience by isolating unwanted noise.
This list shows the best noise canceling earbuds in the market are not necessarily the most expensive brands. You can get a good brand at a reasonable price and also enjoy multiple features. Use this article as a guide to help you make your purchase.
Is a musician and journalist with over 13 years of experience writing for some of the music world's biggest brands. Ray loves getting nerdy about everything from guitar gear and synths, to microphones and music production hardware.
