A pair of the best noise-canceling earbuds is a great way to stay distraction-free while you work, travel, or relax. It's all made possible with noise canceling technology, which equalizes the noises coming in from the outside world using very clever algorithms to get nothing but your favorite tunes, podcasts, or other audio.
The very best noise-canceling earbuds at the moment are the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds. Their ANC is the best we've ever experienced, blocking almost all noise around us. They sound really good as well, thanks to their Bose tuning, and they come in some great colors. Their battery life isn't the best though, you should consider the Sony WF-1000XM5. They get more battery life, and their noise canceling is very solid.
This list is designed to be as useful and easy to use as possible. First up is our quick list at the top, which shows you the best earbuds at a glance with star ratings for their key features. Then, linked in each entry, we've got links to our mini reviews for in-depth advice. Need a bit more? Read our long-form reviews to learn everything you need to know about the earbuds you're looking at picking up.
The quick list
As always, Bose's noise canceling is truly exceptional. All of the noise around is blocked effortlessly, and there's some top-not sound on offer as well. They are expensive, but you get the best ANC around.
The AirPods Pro 3 have landed, bringing some excellent ANC in their typically Apple package. Increased battery life and better sound is also on the cards, along with a more comfortable fit.
Sony's latest budget buds remain a noise-canceling bargain. They block out loads of noise, and feature some very solid sound quality indeed. The transparent blue color option is inspired as well.
Sony's next-gen WF-1000XM5 wireless earbuds build on the strengths of their predecessor with strong ANC, but really wow with some incredible battery life.
The Noble Fokus Amadeus are expensive, but they pack in some truly incredible sound. They're a comfortable pair of buds too, and that lovely red finish makes them an attractive option.
Thanks to their great earclips, the Powerbeats Pro 2 don't move at all during exercise. Their ANC is very good as well, thanks to an impressive array of microphones that live on the inside of the buds.
About the author
I oversee the audio content that goes up on Tom’s Guide, and maintain the site's buying guides for headphones, wireless earbuds, Bluetooth speakers, soundbars, and more. I have spent more than 20 years testing audio equipment for my own enjoyment, and was previously the audio editor for iMore. There's nothing more I love than jamming out to my favorite tunes on audio equipment of different prices and sizes.
Best overall
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Gen 2 bring improvements to the formula across the board, in all but one key area. If you were to unbox your brand-new buds next to a pair of the old model, you'd be forgiven for wondering if you'd be shortchanged. They look identical. All the way down to their eartip shape and silicon fitting wing, the QuietComfort Ultra Buds family is one that has a particular style that it has stuck with for a long time.
Pop them in your ears and you soon notice the difference. They've got even better ANC than the old model, with some of the most impressive noise canceling around. They block out everything — I took them on a long train journey, and found that all of the noise of my carriage was completely unnoticeable, even when not listening to music. It's like magic, as the orchestral sound swells and the noise disappears.
The transparency mode is very good as well, and it works well if you want to order your breakfast when you're going to work. The touch controls work well for controlling everything, and the charging case now contains a wireless charging coil so that you can more easily keep them fully charged. Battery life is still not the best, though. 6 hours with ANC on isn't quite up there, and 4 hours when you turn on 'immersive audio' is lacklustre.
It's not really worth turning the Immersive Audio setting on anyway. It just thins out your music as it tries to distribute it around an artificially extended soundstage, and uses up an extra 2 hours of battery life. The soundstage is wide enough as it is, and the sound improved over the first model for some great audio as well.
They're still the best ANC buds you can get your hands on, and the Gen 2 just cemented their place in the annals of earbuds history. That ANC is just so good.
Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Price | The Bose QC Ultra are quite expensive. | ★★★☆☆ |
Comfort & Fit | Suitable for all-day work wear. | ★★★★★ |
Noise Canceling | Still the best ANC | ★★★★★ |
Sound Quality | Very solid sound, with plenty of depth | ★★★★★ |
- Read our full Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds review
Best alternative
With the AirPods Pro 3, Apple was looking to unseat Bose's buds from the top of the list. Unfortunately for Apple, Bose released the refreshed Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds gen 2 just before the latest AirPods hit shelves, but the AirPods Pro 3 are still a significant step up over their predecessors. They've got sound to match the XM5, with a similarly natural sound profile and some extra juicy features that make them a whole lot more usable than the majority of the other options. They're a great jack of all trades and perfect for iPhone users.
The ANC is, Apple tells us, "2x as good as the AirPods Pro 2". In our testing, we've found that the ANC is, indeed, much better than the ANC of the previous models. It's better at blocking out sounds across the frequency spectrum, although it still focuses on the sounds you'll hear in your day-to-day life. That means that bus journeys are more comfortable and office stays more tolerable. The transparency mode is natural-sounding as well and gives you more battery life.
There are some extra features on board the AirPods Pro 3. There's a heart rate monitor and Live Translation, although we found these to be novelty extras as opposed to 'reasons to buy'. There are meaningful improvements in some other key areas, however. Fit is far better, and it seals very well in the ear to help the ANC. The Battery life is excellent, with 2 hours more than the previous model, bringing them up to par with the Sony earbuds.
There are a couple of drawbacks. Android users won't like their less impressive features for their OS, but you were probably eyeing up the buds from Sony and Bose. There's still only one color option — white — and I've got AirPods that have died permanently grey after spending too much time in my black jeans pocket. The AirPods Pro 3 are still an excellent pair of buds for iPhone users, however, and some of the best ANC buds around.
Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Price | Cheaper than the competition | ★★★★☆ |
Comfort & Fit | A new and improved all-day fit. | ★★★★★ |
Noise Canceling | Improved noise canceling — better than ever. | ★★★★★ |
Sound Quality | Very neutral sound signature, improved over the previous model. | ★★★★★ |
- Read the full Apple AirPods Pro 3 review
Best budget
With their new transparent blue colorway, the WF-C710N join the scene with aplomb and a feature set that'll make even more expensive earbuds blush. They're a substantial step up from the previous model, with plenty of reasons that you might want to pick them up over the competition. Battery life? Check. Sound quality? Check. Excellent ANC? Check again — they could be your next pair of buds, that's for sure.
For a price that undercuts the AirPods 4, you'd expect a tighter feature set that doesn't quite stand up to the more premium competition. No, you'll get ANC for $50 less than the AirPods, alongside extra features from the Sony app like adjustable EQ and more. They're a very solid set of buds not just for the price, but overall — even some that might cost $100 more.
The ANC is a massive highlight. They block out nearly as much noise ass the slightly more expensive Bose option, and do it with a similarly comfortable fit. Offices are silenced, car horns neutralized, and other noise melt into the background thanks to Sony's top notch ANC algorithm. You might find some louder noises make it through on occasion, but they're otherwise very difficult to trip up.
Sound has stepped up as well, with great treble and bass response. There's slightly more low-end this time around, with some excellent bass to enjoy in your favorite tracks. 070 Shake’s Elephant proved the buds knew what they where doing, with an instantly dynamic and fun bassline reproduction
Battery life is excellent too, with 8.5 hours with ANC turned on. Sweat and water resistance make them excellent for those looking for something for the gym, and their comfortable fit makes them great for longer wearing periods. For the price, you won't find anything better.
Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Price | Sub-$100 is always a sweet spot. | ★★★★★ |
Comfort & Fit | You won't find them fatiguing. | ★★★★☆ |
Noise Canceling | Solid ANC for the price. | ★★★★☆ |
Sound Quality | A big step up from the old model. | ★★★★☆ |
- Read the full Sony WF-C700N review
Best battery life
Sony’s flagship earbuds are often some of our favorite in-ear options, and the latest version, the WF-1000XM5, are no different. They have excellent noise canceling which outperforms the old model, loads of battery life, and top-notch sound quality. They don’t manage to better the QuietComfort Ultra for noise canceling or the AirPods Pro 2 as a pair of jack of all trades, but they are an excellent choice that should be pretty close to the top of your shortlist.
Noise canceling is good. It doesn’t quite reach the heady heights of the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds, but it outperforms that which you’ll find in the AirPods Pro 2. It excels at blocking out the really low environmental noises, like bus engines and loud cityscape noise. They do struggle slightly more with the higher-end sounds, but not enough that it ever becomes a struggle. Our testing still found a pair of buds that blocks out plenty of noise on your commute so you don’t have to worry about loud subways or busy city streets.
The sound quality is a great part of the buds. It's slightly more bass-weighted, and we found in our testing that it was best at producing genres like pop and rock. That doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy listening to other music far from it. There is plenty of detail on offer, and the soundstage is very spacious for a more engaging listening experience. Movie scores were the name of the game in our review, with the likes of Cinema Paradiso (Love Theme) sounding spectacular.
Battery life is another highlight of Sony’s buds. The buds themselves pack in 8 hours of listening with ANC turned on, which is around 2 hours more than the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds and the AirPods Pro 2. We found that the battery life lived up to Sony’s claims, although you will see that drop slightly at higher volumes and if you activate the buds spacial audio feature.
At their core, the Sony WH-1000XM5 are still a great option, and make for a great purchase in 2024.
Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Price | They're not cheap, and not often reduced | ★★★☆☆ |
Comfort & Fit | Loads of custom ear-tip options | ★★★★★ |
Noise Canceling | Solid ANC for the price. | ★★★★★ |
Sound Quality | Solid, bassy sound. | ★★★★★ |
- Read the full Sony WF-1000XM5 review
Best sound
The Noble Fokus Amadeus bring a certain class to proceedings. They're covered in a very regal red colorway, and the buds themselves have a resin finish that makes them look almost like Jewelry. And I love them.
They're super comfortable, especially if you use the flanged eartips. Those will also make your ANC better, and it was already really good. It blocked out the fan in my office, and makes bus journeys and train trips a whole lot more tolerable. It's not quite up there with the Bose ANC, but it does get close to the Sony XM series. That's impressive, especially given that Noble is a much smaller company.
The sound is the best bit, though. Slip them into your ears, and you're treated to the very best audio experience this side of $400. The highs are incredibly detailed, the mids are incredible, and the bass is impactful. They sound excellent — hence why they're on the list.
They lack some of the features of the competition, like the Spatial Audio of the AirPods and 360 reality audio you'll find un Sony buds, but they more than make up for it thanks to their incredible sound.
For audiophiles looking for their portable audio fix, the Noble Fokus Amadeus are the buds for you.
Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Price | They're not cheap, but you get what you pay for. | ★★★☆☆ |
Comfort & Fit | Comfortable earbuds with loads of fitting options. | ★★★★★ |
Noise Canceling | Excellent noise canceling, especially if you use the flanged tips. | ★★★★★ |
Sound Quality | They sound sublime. | ★★★★★ |
- Read our full Noble Fokus Amadeus Review
Best for working out
Fitness buds are a dime a dozen, with plenty of options available should you want to listen to music while you work out. The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are the latest buds from Apple's subsidiary, and they also happen to be the best buds for fitness fanatics. They've got a useful fitting hook on each bud, and then heart rate monitors to make sure they stay in place.
The noise canceling, as you'd hope, is excellent. I found it perfect for most different settings, be that a quiet office or a bustling train. I'm not known for my exercise, however, so I spoke to someone who is — and what they thought of the noise canceling on board.
They took them for months of long running sessions and other fitness work, and found they blocked noise very well. Gyms silenced, annoying traffic brought to nothing. If you want to make sure your jogs, cycling, or even your swimming is distraction-free, then the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are the buds for you.
I was also very impressed with the battery life of the buds. According to Beats, there are 10 hours of ANC on battery life out of the buds, and my testing proved that to be pretty much spot on. That extends to 45 hours when you put them back in the (very large) charging case, for some of the best battery life in the segment. It will depend on volume level and even genre, but expect good staying power.
Sound does trip up slightly. They've got plenty of detail and some fairly dynamic bass, but there's an unfortunate cut-off in the lower mids that takes some of the edge out of your music. For most people, it's not going to be a problem. But if you're picky about how your music sounds, you may be better off with a different pair of earbuds.
The heart rate monitor is useful if you want to track more of your fitness metrics, but we found that it wasn't the most accurate. Not a massive issue, but one worth noting.
In the end, the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are a solid ANC option for everyone, but they're particularly good for those looking for a fitness companion.
Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Price | There are cheaper options out there | ★★★★☆ |
Comfort & Fit | The earclips are great for keeping them in place. | ★★★★★ |
Noise Canceling | Solid, AirPods Pro first generation-like performance | ★★★★☆ |
Sound Quality | There's some mid-range clipping that causes issues. | ★★★☆☆ |
- Read our full Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 review
Best noise-cancelling earbuds: Specs compared
| Header Cell - Column 0 | Battery life | Connectivity | Wireless charging case | Durability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds | 6 hours; 24 hours (charging case) | Bluetooth 5.3 with SBC, AAC, and aptX Adaptive support | No (optional) | IPX4 (earbuds) |
AirPods Pro 3 | 8 hours; 24 hours (charging case) | Bluetooth 5.3 with SBC, AAC | Yes | IP57 (earbuds and charging case) |
Sony WF-C700N | 7.5 hours; 24 hours (charging case) | Bluetooth 5.2 with SBC, AAC | No | IPX4 (earbuds) |
Sony WF-1000XM5 | 8 hours; 24 hours (charging case) | Bluetooth 5.3 with SBC, AAC, and LDAC | Yes | IPX4 (earbuds) |
AirPods 4 with ANC | 5 hours (ANC off); 30 hours (charging case with ANC off) | Bluetooth 5.4 with SBC, AAC | Yes | IP54 (earbuds) |
Beats Fit Pro | 6 hours; 27 hours (charging case) | Bluetooth 5.0 with SBC, AAC | No | IPX4 (earbuds) |
Also tested
At Tom's Guide we test a lot of noise-canceling earbuds, but not everything can make it into our buying guides. Whether that's down to better performance or stronger features from rival models in a particular category and price, some miss ranking in this list by the slightest of margins. With that in mind, these models are strong contenders and great alternative considerations.
How we test noise-canceling earbuds
We've judged the best noise-canceling 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-canceling 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.
Find out how we test for more information on our reviewing procedures.
How to choose the best noise-canceling earbuds for you
The first item to check off the list when shopping for the best noise-canceling earbuds is their active noise cancellation performance, which shouldn’t be confused with passive noise cancellation. What are the differences?
1. 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.
2. Battery life: Noise-canceling 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-canceling 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.
3. 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-canceling earbuds limit these disruptions to deliver full, crisp sound.
4. Design: The look, build and feel of a pair of in-ear 'buds is massively important when selecting the best noise-canceling earbuds, so consider how they look and feel and whether the style is right for you. In our best noise-canceling 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.
5. Pricing considerations: Obviously, price is a big consideration when looking for the best noise-canceling 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.
FAQs
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.
Does ANC affect battery life?
Given that it uses both more computational power and a bunch of microphones in order to work, ANC has an effect on your battery life. This often chops a couple of hours off, so they won't last quite as long. If you want to keep the battery going for longer then you'll want to keep the noise canceling turned off.
Do noise-canceling earbuds actually work?
In most cases, noise-canceling earbuds are very effective at reducing ambient sounds. There are limits, though, and some designs are less effective at silencing certain types of sounds than others. The process is fast but it can’t physically occur in real time, so ANC works best with consistent low-frequency sounds as opposed to higher-pitched, inconsistent sounds like human speech. Vehicle engines and droning air conditioners are easy to cancel out, but the shorter wavelength of high-frequency sounds, like a sudden blast from a car horn, makes it tougher for the ANC’s anti-noise waves to perfectly mask these bursts.
Even so, all sounds will be at least a little quieter when you’re wearing noise-canceling headphones, and many sounds can be completely silenced even on low-cost pairs or earbuds. Check out our explainer on active noise cancelation for more information.
