Many of the best wireless earbuds have active noise cancelling (ANC), which has become a must-have feature for many wearers that want to shut out the sound of the world. But not all models perform the same. The best noise-cancelling earbuds achieve a useful reduction in outside noise in a pair of in-ear buds that are easily transportable and can be paired to any Bluetooth connected source anywhere.
We test dozens of earbuds and headphones each month, assessing each of them for sound, comfort, and features, so you can rest assured that all the models here are the pick of the very best ANC earbuds you can get across a wide range of prices — from models spanning $60 to $300, there’s something for everyone.
Read on to find out which models are the best noise-cancelling earbuds on the market right now.
What are the best noise-cancelling earbuds to buy right now?
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Released in September 2022, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 went straight to the top of our buying guide for their outstanding noise canceling capabilities. They perform even better than the original Earbuds that are still available. These are a remarkable follow-up that delivers better sound, great call quality, and unrivaled ANC. Proprietary technologies like ActiveSense and CustomTune balance sound and noise neutralization extremely well.
Bose’s redesign also makes these buds less of an eyesore compared to the original, and only the high price and mediocre battery life count against them. CustomTune automatically calibrates ANC and the sound frequency profile to the unique properties of your ear and optimal performance that's right for you. Lastly, a recent firmware update brings aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless support to Bose's flagship earbuds, making them compatible with high-performance audio codecs increasingly supported by the best Android phones.
Read our full Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 review.
The 1More PistonBuds Pro are a win for budget-conscious consumers who desire outstanding ANC and sound in a stylish, affordable package. Are they going to replace your AirPods Pro? No, but they are easily one of the best AirPods alternatives that can be had for a third of the price.
They're comfortable to wear and the touch controls execute intended commands without a hitch. Audio quality is gratifying with a balanced and clear sound that has an emphasized low end. There are two ANC settings – Strong and Wind Resistance (WNR) — each engineered for a different purpose. Okay, battery life isn’t anything to write home about, and nor is call quality, but these shortcomings are forgivable when factoring in ANC performance these buds deliver, especially at the $69 price.
Read our full 1More PistonBuds Pro review.
Editor's note: Since our review, Sony has added Multipoint Bluetooth connectivity to the WF-1000XM4 via a firmware update (opens in new tab), allowing users to connect to two devices at the same time.
The old Sony WF-1000XM3 was a longtime member of the best ANC earbuds club, and the heavily upgraded WF-1000XM4 sounds even better. With the aid of a new Sony V1 chip, the noise cancellation on these buds is worthy of the high price tag, and a generally immersive sound helps you ignore distractions even more.
Battery life is up on the old model, too. The WF-1000XM3 could last for 6 hours at most with ANC on, while the WF-1000XM4 can comfortably manage between 7 and 8. The case also gets wireless charging capabilities, alongside a host of other tweaks and improvements to the buds themselves.
Read our full Sony WF-1000XM4 review.
Apple's next-gen AirPods Pro 2 have arrived, bringing significant upgrades to the popular original to take performance to the next level. Externally, they look pretty similar to the first generation but battery life has been increased to offer 6 hours on a single charge from the earbuds and a further 30 hours from the wireless charging case. Not only are the earbuds IPX4-rated, but now too is the case itself.
Designed for iPhone owners looking for a more tailored listening experience, these are the pinnacle of Apple technology. On the audio front, Apple has included a new H2 chip with custom amp and driver that delivers better lower and higher frequencies, and you can use the iPhone's TrueDepth camera to create a personalized spatial audio sound to listen to some of the best Dolby Atmos sound in any pair of earbuds. Noise cancellation is double what the last pair of AirPods Pro offered, and it is among the best we’ve yet to see, period.
Read the full Apple AirPods Pro 2 review.
The Sennheiser CX Plus improved on the noise cancellation capabilities of its predecessors, and blissfully blocks out loud noises produced by landscaping tools (e.g., hedge trimmer, lawnmower) when working in the backyard. Other distractions like airplanes flying over the house, bird chirping, and even the sound from a portable speaker didn’t affect my workflow either. Indoors was just as rewarding, keeping chatter around the kitchen table silent and my toddler’s incessant crying outside of the play area to a minimum.
Audiophiles and music lovers will swoon over the CX Plus’ sound quality. Clarity and depth are fantastic, and frequency range is handled superbly to feed your ears a well-balanced dose of deep lows, rich mids, and detailed highs. At $180, the Sennheiser CX Plus face stiff competition, but they can regularly be found discounted for for less.
Read our full Sennheiser CX Plus review.
Editor's note: Since our review, a firmware update enables 360-degree recording with Galaxy phones.
Samsung’s ANC holds its own against the category best and blocks out close to 90% of ambient noise. The updated design also provides improved comfort and noise isolation. Each earbud houses three mics to block out external sounds at the highest level and soften wind presence, which the mic array does extremely well in combination with the wind shield.
It’s disappointing to see Samsung’s noise-cancelling models provide short ANC playtime. Sound alone makes the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro worth the investment, though, giving you a high quality audio experience and compelling 3D sound with precise head tracking. The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are a stellar option to consider and have excellent mic quality for calls too.
Read our full Samsung Buds 2 Pro review.
In the third generation of the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 it has shrunk the earbuds, and tidied them up while it’s at it, and managed to hold the price down to a level most realistic rivals compete at. Battery life is good. Control options are both extensive and reliable, and the app is great. Noise-cancellation, especially where wind is concerned, is competitive. And the sound is a combination of fanatical attention to detail, a naturalistic approach to rhythms and tempos, and a very pleasant unity of tonality.
The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 get almost everything right — some listeners will want more assertive low frequencies, and some listeners may well want to pair their earbuds with two devices at once — which means means that some listeners may be disappointed. But for the rest of us seeking the best sound quality from a pair of wireless earbuds, though, the TW3s are one more option to add to our shortlist and deserve to be given your full attention.
Read the full Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 review.
It’s shocking to see Beats release two pairs of wireless earbuds just months apart from each other. While the Studio Buds remain an impressive model with adequate ANC and great sound, the Fit Pro takes performance up several notches, while integrating minor changes to its sibling’s design. Adding wingtips is a huge plus for exercisers and those living active lifestyles, ensuring the buds remain locked on the ears when moving around. AirPods Pro features like active noise cancellation and Spatial Audio for 3D-like sound come part of the package, both of which perform at high levels. There are also the many perks that come tied to the H1 chip like automatic switching, audio sharing, and FindMy support to locate misplaced buds.
Android users end up losing out on several iOS-exclusive features like “Hey Siri” voice activation and head-tracking. The Eartip Fit Test also isn’t as accurate as the AirPods Pro’s version, granted the wingtips and bundled ear tips in different sizes should accommodate all ear shapes.
Read our full Beats Fit Pro review.
The Google Pixel Buds Pro are a great pair of noise-cancelling earbuds built for Android users with multiple devices and those looking for the very best Google Assistant experience. They have powerful sound with a usefully wide frequency range, and listening with ANC enabled doesn’t affect quality or the level of enjoyment. Google has increased battery life on the Pixel Buds Pro, offering up to 7 hours with ANC on and 11 hours with ANC off. Realistically, these playtimes drop by 1 to 1.5 hours when factoring in listening at high volumes, and using Google features.
Our only grumbles concern the potential of a loose and unsecure fit for some ears, and there's no third-party digital assistant support. Despite this, their versatile functionality makes them a very exciting earbud option with a full Google experience like no other.
Read our full Google Pixel Buds Pro review.
The Technics EAH-AZ60 are a bit of a bargain. Not only are you getting high-end sound with LDAC support, but also dynamic noise neutralization and a wide feature set that not many luxury models offer. Not all functions hit the mark, but any drawbacks are forgivable when you consider the excellent level of audio performance.
The addition of Bluetooth 5.2 and intelligible controls for responsive operation add to the buds list of strong selling points. The solid noise neutralization put up a noble fight against background noises during out tests, and was particularly effective at reducing high frequency sounds.
Overall, the EAH-AZ60 are fantastic for casual listening, creating detailed, spacious sound. Bass lovers will be satisfied with the low-end performance, making the Technics EAH-AZ60 well worth the investment.
Read our full Technics EAH-AZ60 review.
Replacing the Elite 7 Active in our list, the recently introduced Elite 4 Actives are an impressively good mid-range model with effective ANC, excellent call quality, rich sound, strong connectivity, and waterproof protection. Access to the Sound+ app for audio customization sweetens the deal even further.
The cheaper price tag means losing out on popular features like multipoint technology and wireless charging, as well as some of Jabra’s newer settings. However, the Jabra Elite 4 Active is the most convincing noise cancelling purchase for active lifestyle and fitness types on a budget.
Read our full Jabra Elite 4 Active review.
What is ANC?
ANC explained: Active noise cancellation (ANC) models employ built-in mics to pick up ambient sounds around the wearer. An identical but inverted audio signal of the noise is played back to the listener through the headphones. Listeners aren't aware of this happening of course, as the inverted (or out of phase) signal effectively 'cancels out' the noise of the surroundings for the headphone wearer. The process removes the external sounds, which results in a significant reduction in the level of background noise at the very least.
For more information check out our complete guide to active noise-cancelling.
How to choose the best noise-cancelling earbuds for you
The first item to check off the list when shopping for the best noise-cancelling earbuds is their active noise cancellation performance, which shouldn’t be confused with passive noise cancellation. What are the differences?
Active vs. passive noise cancellation: ANC uses advanced circuitry and microphones to pick up noise signals and create inverse waves that cancel out these sonic disruptions, whereas PNC physically isolates high-pitched sounds through the headphone design and materials. Most headphones advertised with noise cancellation are categorized under ANC.
Battery life: Noise-cancelling earbuds have a reputation for sucking up lots of power, so you’ll want a pair that holds a charge long enough to get you through a long business flight or weekly commutes. Noise-cancelling wireless earbuds are usually rated for 4.5 to 8 hours, but with included charging cases the total possible playback time might be much more competitive.
Think about how long and how often you’d want to wear your earbuds for on lengthy trips. A longer “per charge” battery life is better, but if you only want some entertainment on short commutes then it not quite so important, as you’ll probably be storing the buds in their case more regularly.
Sound quality: ANC technology can compress sound and reduce dynamics, which may affect audio performance when turned on. In some cases, you’ll notice a background hiss when listening to music. However, the best noise-cancelling earbuds limit these disruptions to deliver full, crisp sound.
Design: The look, build and feel of a pair of in-ear 'buds is massively important when selecting the best noise-cancelling earbuds, so consider how they look and feel and whether the style is right for you. In our best noise-cancelling headphones round up we mention that over-ear headphones tend to give the best noise cancellation, but some of the more recent wireless in-ear models are proving to be just as effective.
Pricing considerations: Obviously, price is a big consideration when looking for the best noise-cancelling earbuds. Although there are always exceptions, big-name brands will typically command a bit extra, but generally speaking, the less you spend on a pair of headphones the greater the chance that sound and features will be compromised. Going for a budget option isn't always the best choice, as any money you save on your purchase won't do you much good if you're constantly needing to recharge your audio gear, or the sound quality is poor.
As the saying goes: timing is everything; and right now many of our favorite models are being discounted by online retailers, meaning you can bag a bargain for even less. Bookmark our best headphone deals page to keep track on the latest price drops.
How we test noise-cancelling earbuds
We've judged the best noise-cancelling earbuds on several factors: audio performance, battery life, Bluetooth range, call quality, comfort and fit, and the effectiveness of the noise cancellation. We also weigh special features, such as included apps, and how easy they are to use.
During the testing phase, our reviewers wear each pair of headphones for 2 hours at a time throughout the course of a week, to test comfort over time.
ANC, meanwhile, is tested in both indoor and outdoor environments where ambient sounds are produced at high levels. This includes airplanes, city parks, convenience shops, offices, and public transportation. ANC headphones programmed with transparency modes are also tested thoroughly to determine how well the listener can hear their surroundings.
For sound quality, we listen to many different sample tracks and span as many music genres as possible, including hip-hop, rock, jazz, classical and R&B, while evaluating volume, clarity and fullness. Find out what we listen for during our testing process and how to get the best headphone sound for you.
And now that more streaming music services are offering high-resolution audio, be sure to read our audio codec FAQ for all you need to know.
Finally, we’ll rate noise-cancelling earbuds on our five-point system, with 1 being the worst and 5 the best. If a pair is particularly excellent, with a robust range of qualities, we may award it an Editor's Choice badge.
Contributions from Alex Bracetti, Simon Lucas, Nick Pino
Find out how we test for more information on our reviewing procedures.
More from Tom's Guide
- Still undecided about which style of headphones are right for you? Check out our guides to the best over-ear headphones and the best noise-cancelling headphones overall to get a broader view of best available headphones on the market right now.
- Find out what our reviewer says are the most underrated earbuds.
- Discover our pick of the best ANC headphones to help you get a better night's sleep by blocking out disruptive sounds while you're getting some shut-eye.
