9 Best Noise Cancelling Earbuds of 2024: Expertly Tested

We’ve tested 193 headphones on 9 key performance points, including active noise cancellation. We’ll cover:

• The best noise-canceling earbuds that reduce the most noise.
• ANC comparison tests, so you can hear the difference.
• ANC measurement charts that show how much noise is reduced at each frequency.

Let’s start!

ANC earbuds don’t remove the same amount of background noise.

There are big differences among them. This is why we decided to measure and compare the effectiveness of their active noise cancelling. This is the only way to KNOW what earbuds perform the best.

Don’t let noise ruin your listening experience.

Discover the best active noise-canceling wireless earbuds for peaceful listening that will fit all your needs.

For more options that reduce ambient noise see the best noise isolating headphones, top noise-canceling headphones (on & over-ear), and best budget noise cancelling headphones (under $80).

All earbuds on our list are evaluated based on 9 key factors (Sonic9Score).  The main criteria we looked at to pick the top models are active noise cancellation and fit, as it greatly impacts noise reduction. See our testing and ranking methodology.

Best Noise Cancelling Earbuds

1. Apple AirPods Pro 2

AirPods Pro 2 are the best noise-cancelling earbuds for Apple fans, with a well-balanced sound and good, consistent noise cancellation – Apple AirPods Pro 2 review.

Here’s the Apple AirPods Pro 2 ANC test:

The sound quality of AirPods Pro is fairly balanced, with a slight emphasis on the bass, which makes them a great choice for a variety of music genres.

You get to take advantage of the H2 chip for quick pairing and auto-connect function, which only works for iOS and iPhone users (but doesn’t work for Android phones).

Also, you get the same hands-free Siri voice control, Spatial Audio, and programmable touch controls on the buds.

AirPods Pro 2 are noise cancelling wireless earbuds that do a good job at reducing ambient noise, though some alternatives (like Sony) still have an edge.

On top of that, the ANC buds are great for making phone calls. The built-in microphone sound is clear and great at reducing background noise.

The single issue is a somewhat average battery life of 6 hours, and an extra 24 hours with a charging case should be enough for at least a few days.

2. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds

Long-awaited true wireless earbuds with noise cancelling technology from Bose.

If you enjoy bass, wireless earbuds do a fantastic job. It’s punchy and incredibly controlled without bleeding too much in the mids, which stays nicely clean and balanced.

Thanks to the Adaptive EQ feature, the low-end doesn’t go away when you lower the volume control.

Bose QuietComfort wireless earbuds are big but also extremely comfortable to wear for longer listening sessions.

As expected, their great noise cancellation is among the best on the market, easily competing with Sony, Apple, and Sennheiser in how successfully they combat background noises.

Inside the app, you can tweak the Bose QC earbuds based on your preferences. You can change touch controls and toggle the intensity of the noise cancellation. And the mic quality for phone calls is good.

The auto play/pause function is there to conserve battery life, though it isn’t the longest.

There are 6 hours of playtime inside the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (only 4 hours with Immersive Audio), with the charging case having extra 3 charges of battery life and fast charging capabilities.

Bose Sport Earbuds are a sports variant that lacks active noise cancellation.

3. Sony WF-1000XM5

Sony WF-1000XM5 are the best sounding noise-cancelling earbuds we’ve tested – Sony WF-1000XM5 review.

Here’s the Sony WF-1000XM5 ANC test:

The new WF-1000XM5 are definitely the best in sound quality, providing detailed and dynamic performance in all frequency regions. You can tune them just the way you like in the app.

Active noise cancellation has improved from the previous generation, reducing ambient sounds by an additional 5-6dB. Earbuds use 2 processors to do their ANC magic, although the latter isn’t quite as class-leading as you might think.

Passive noise isolation does most of the heavy lifting, giving one of the best performances in TWS earbuds.

As a bonus, earbuds are now slimmer, comfier, and more stable thanks to new hybrid ear tips, making them suitable for sports and commuting. Just avoid making phone calls.

For a cheaper price, check the previous models: Sony WF-1000XM3 review, Sony WF-1000XM4 review.

4. 1MORE Evo

1More Evo are the best-designed noise-canceling wireless earbuds with excellent ANC performance and an affordable price tag – 1MORE Evo review.

Here’s the 1MORE Evo ANC test:

1MORE Evo have a hybrid driver design, one dynamic and one balanced armature driver. However, the sound quality is slightly off originally. But with custom EQ, you can make your very own personalized sound.

Moving to the main star of the show, the active noise cancellation works almost on par with the Sony WF-1000XM4, one of the best TWS performers on the market.

While there’s a slight background hiss when in the ANC-enabled mode, you shouldn’t hear it during playback or in noisy environments.

The 1MORE app lets you toggle between 4 different ANC modes and 2 ambient sound modes, including transparency mode.

You get a decent battery life of around 6 hours per charge with ANC on or 8 hours with it turned off.

5. Google Pixel Buds Pro

Google made a serious competitor among the best noise canceling earbuds you can buy today, offering a few tempting features – Google Pixel Buds Pro review.

Here’s the Google Pixel Buds Pro ANC test:

Here’s the Google Pixel Buds Pro ANC test:

Do you find the above comparisons and charts useful? Let us know in the comments.

Earbuds have a great active noise-cancelling performance that can beat the Sony WF-1000XM5 in reducing the upper bass and midrange area. They also pretty naturally boost the surrounding noise (ambient sound mode).

While the sound is overall better without ANC, you can still get a great audio quality with noise cancellation if you use our custom EQ (found in the full review).

They can play music and cancel noise for almost 8 hours on a single charge, while the case holds another 13 hours of battery life.

You’ll be happy to know that despite their unconventional design, Pixel Buds Pro feel comfortable and reasonably stable. Thanks to using silicone ear tips, they even provide decent passive isolation.

6. Edifier NeoBuds Pro 2

Edifier NeoBuds Pro 2 are the best affordable ANC earbuds we’ve tested. Their premium features and capable ANC make them a top choice – Edifier NeoBuds Pro 2 review.

Here’s the Edifier NeoBuds Pro 2 ANC test:

Here’s the Edifier NeoBuds Pro 2 ANC measurement chart:

But the most important feature is active noise cancellation. They can thread blows with the best earbuds in this category, only marginally struggling with higher frequencies. Get more details in our review.

On the other hand, their ambient sound mode isn’t as faithful at capturing outside noise compared to the previous Edifier NeoBuds Pro.

NeoBuds Pro 2 have a decently-defined sound quality but with a slightly unresolved, sibilant treble. Nevertheless, using our custom EQ (in the full review), they can somewhat faithfully reproduce your favorite artists.

Earbuds have an AirPods Pro design, ensuring great comfort and a reasonably stable fit even for outdoor walking.

Furthermore, since NeoBuds Pro are rated for an IP54, they can easily handle sweat. However, don’t drench them in water, as they aren’t fully waterproof.

7. EarFun Air Pro 3

These ANC earbuds are a fantastic value, with excellent noise cancellation and powerful sound (check Air Pro 3 ANC test below) – EarFun Air Pro 3 review.

Here’s the EarFun Air Pro 3 ANC test:

The sound quality is boomy out of the box, but by taming it inside the app, it offers one of the best audio clarities below $100.

Most importantly, the new Air Pro 3 have impressive active noise cancellation, almost matching the best earbuds in this category, if not even beating them in some areas. More on that in the full review.

Ambient sound mode is equally good, providing a natural amplification of the outside world. There is some background hiss, but nothing too bothersome.

Moreover, the battery life lasts more than 8 hours on a single charge, much more than most ANC earbuds on the market.

On top of that, Air Pro 3 support LC3 Bluetooth codec, Qi wireless charging, multipoint, and Game Mode. Their value is off the charts.

8. Edifier W240TN

One of the best, if not the best deals under $100 if you seek full-package true wireless earbuds with great sound and ANC performance – Edifier W240TN review.

Here’s the Edifier W240TN ANC test:

Here’s the Edifier W240TN ANC measurement chart:

On top of having excellent ANC, the W240TN also play music very well. They output a balanced sound signature with a slightly boosted bass (after applying custom EQ, found in the full review).

Speaking of the app, it offers control customization and EQ and lets you select the intensity of the ambient sound mode. The latter sounds full and even better than Sony WF-1000XM4.

Moving to active noise cancelling, it’s almost on par with the best, reducing most of the noise without producing a hissing sound.

As for the battery life, earbuds last around 6.5 hours with ANC, with extra 21 hours inside the charging case.

Earbuds are pretty comfy, so you can easily wear them on a lengthy trip.

9. Sony WF-SP800N

Trying to rival the Beats PowerBeats Pro, Sony made WF-SP800N with excellent battery life, IP55 water resistance, and noise cancellation support.

Their initial sound profile is very safe and boring. However, using the app’s other sound profiles or EQ can bring these to life with punchy bass and crisper treble.

They come with ergonomically designed housing with a good fit inside your ears, providing necessary comfort and tight seal when performing intense workouts.

If you do your working out in a noisy gym, there is a noise-cancelling feature that helps you drown out the background noise.

However, in many ways, noise cancellation isn’t as effective because the true wireless earbuds lack a QN1 chip (found in Sony WF-1000XM models).

The companion app offers customization and useful features, like in-depth EQ and 360 Reality Audio surround audio (Sony’s spatial sound format) and transparency mode.

More for sports: Best headphones for gym and working out

Honorable Mentions to Consider

EarFun Free Pro 2

Jabra Elite 85t

Beats Studio Buds +

Edifier TWS NB

Previously recommended models that have since been replaced by better options:

• Bose QuietComfort 20: These wired earbuds were a great choice a couple of years ago.

What ANC earbuds to avoid?

We reviewed Samsung Galaxy Buds Live and were disappointed in their ANC. Avoid. (Samsung Galaxy Buds Live review)

How We Tested

Each pair of earbuds in our list is objectively tested and reviewed. Altogether, we test them on 9 key points: This helps us compare and pick the best-performing earbuds that we can confidently recommend. Read our testing and scoring methodology.

Here’s an example of an ANC measurement across the audio spectrum:

How did we choose the models?

So far, we’ve (tested 193 headphones including many earbuds. Then we ranked them for different use cases, types of headphones, and prices: cheaper towards the bottom.

What to Look for in Noise Cancelling Earbuds

From our experience in testing ANC in earbuds, these are the key features to consider:

• ANC quality: This is the primary feature. Good noise-cancelling earbuds, on average, reduce around 35 dB of ambient noise. More is even better.
• Sound quality: If you want to listen to all music genres, look for a balanced sound signature. An in-app equalizer also helps.
• Comfort and fit: For long-term comfort, look for ergonomic earbuds with a high comfort score in our reviews. Ear wings also help with stability.
• Battery life: Consider how long the earbuds work on a single charge. The average is around 6 hours. But some models come with a higher capacity if that is what you need. Also, consider if you need a quick-charging capability for fast power-up when needed.
• Durability and water resistance: If you want earbuds for workouts or for outside use in wet weather conditions, look for earbuds with at least some IPX water protection rating. Higher is better.
• Connectivity: Any of the latest Bluetooth versions offer reliable connectivity. But you might want to consider multipoint pairing, allowing earbuds to connect to 2 devices simultaneously.
• Features: Look for features like transparency mode (hear-through mode), voice assistants, app support, and touch controls for the best ease of use.
• Price: Remember, a higher price doesn’t always mean better quality, so check our reviews and stick to your budget. Generally, you can get top-notch ANC in the $100-$150 range.

What to Expect From the Best Noise Cancelling Earbuds

Generally, this is what you can expect from the best noise-canceling earbuds:

• Effective noise reduction up to 90% effectiveness of the leading ANC over-ear headphones. ANC in earbuds slightly lags behind but by a small margin.
• Top-notch audio quality with capable equalizer options and no interference from the ANC technology, which is common in budget ANC models.
• Superb comfort and fit, so you can wear them for hours. But slightly larger earbud housings because ANC chips need more space.
• Above average battery life per charge with ANC turned on. Expect a minimum of around 6 hours of playtime per charge with quick-charging capabilities.
• Most ANC earphones don’t have any water protection. And if they do, they have a lower rating, like an IPX4, which makes them sweatproof but not waterproof.
• A reliable Bluetooth connectivity with the latest high-resolution Bluetooth codecs like aptX, LDAC, LC3, etc.
• Rich features: Most ANC earbuds come with an app for further customization and functionalities. The higher up the price range you go, the “fancier” the features. But personally, I don’t care much about fancy features. I care that the main features work well.
• Expect to pay from $80 for solid ANC models to $250 for the top-end noise-cancelling earbuds.

How Much Should I Spend on ANC Earbuds

These points will help you decide:

Cheap vs. quality: ANC earbuds generally start from under $50 to over $300. Pricier earbuds usually have better noise cancellation, sound quality, and features (but not always). In my opinion, for many users, mid-range or even the best budget models completely meet their needs.

Mid-range options: Many quality earbuds with noise cancellation are offered in the $100 to $200 range. These strike the best balance between effective ANC, sound quality, and useful features with good performance across the board. If you’re looking for a reliable experience without spending too much, this is a good range to consider.

High-end options: If you want the best possible noise cancellation, you have to be willing to pay for it. Premium ANC earbuds start at the $200 to $300+ range. These are flagship models from well-known brands like Sony, Bose, Beats, Sennheiser, etc. You get the latest technology in ANC, high sound fidelity, and extra features like spatial audio, wireless charging, and a flashed-out companion app.

What are your specific needs?

If you need earbuds for frequent travel and particularly noisy environments, invest in a higher-end model.

But if you’re using them in moderately noisy environments, mid-range earbuds should fit your needs.

BONUS: Don’t pay for features you won’t use. If features like voice assistant compatibility, spatial audio, or special sensors aren’t important to you, look for simpler earbuds that focus on the important basics: Audio quality and ANC. It will save you some money.

Noise Cancelling vs Noise Isolation – Is ANC Better?

Noise cancelling and noise isolation are 2 different things.

Let me quickly explain:

Noise cancelling or noise cancellation (ANC)

Noise cancelling is a powered system that requires a microphone and a battery to work.

1. The microphone picks up the surrounding noise and sends it to the ANC circuitry.
2. The ANC circuitry inverts the noises’ frequency wave, so it ends up having the opposite phase and sends it to the headphone drivers.
3. Then, the headphone drivers play the inverted-phase sound, which cancels the unwanted noise in the air before reaching the ears.

Read more on how noise cancelling works.

ANC works best for constant, low-frequency sounds like the constant hum of an engine or city noise.

When active noise cancelation is on, it feels like you’re in a quieter place, but it does not cancel out all background noise. The sound of background chatter, loud music playback, and every other non-constant frequency isn’t cancelled out, and you’ll still hear it.

The combination of active noise cancellation and passive isolation offers the best noise-reduction results.

Noise isolation

Passive isolation or passive noise cancellation, as many people call it, is the physical blocking of sound waves.

It requires no batteries or microphones, only effective noise isolation.

For over-ear headphones, the use of tight-fitting ear pads plays a crucial role in blocking out external noise. For in-ear monitors and earbuds, using double or triple-flanged eartips gives a more secure fit and better passive isolation. Find the best noise-isolating earbuds here.

Good isolating earbuds block up to 37 dB of noise, which means isolation from normal conversation volume, especially when you play music.

Passive isolation blocks all outside sounds, from neighbors to loud kids. This makes it useful when you want to have some peace and quiet and not be bothered by the outside world.

On the other hand, excellent sound isolation can be dangerous in public places, like walking on the street, when it’s good to know what’s going on around you.

What are the Benefits of Noise Cancelling Earbuds?

• They significantly reduce background noise
• By reducing noise, they allow you to enjoy your audio at a lower volume
• They help you maintain focus in noisy environments like public transportation, offices, or busy streets by minimizing distractions.
• They reduce stress due to noise pollution. Constant exposure to noise is stressful and fatiguing. By blocking it, ANC earbuds create a more calming environment.
• They improve call quality. Many earbuds also have noise-canceling microphones. You hear less background noise, and your voice is clearer to the person you call.
• They make traveling more peaceful and allow for restful sleep and relaxed listening.
• They contribute to healthier listening habits. By lowering background noise, you don’t have to increase the volume, reducing the risk of hearing damage.
• They’re much more convenient to carry than over-ear headphones, thanks to their compact size.

What Does Active Noise Cancelling Up to 95% Actually Mean?

You can read claims like “impressive ANC performance up to 28dB“.

Or “Active Noise Cancelling Up to 95%“.

What does that actually mean?

These are sales statements that often don’t show a clear picture of how effective ANC is, but are trying to convince you.

There are a couple of things to know:

All ANC ratings represent a measurement in perfect conditions.

Usually, the effectiveness of noise cancelling is measured at specific, low frequency, and lower volume conditions since this is where ANC is most effective.

It doesn’t mean noise cancelling buds with 95% rated effectiveness will cancel out 95% of outside noise. They cancel various frequencies at different levels.

But it is possible a certain frequency that you barely hear in the real world is cancelled up to 95%. The marketing people then use the statistic to create a compelling message.

It’s the same with the “up to 28dB” claim. 28dB reduction is only effective at a specific frequency and not across the audio spectrum.

Take manufacturer ANC ratings with a grain of salt. These often don’t represent the exact behavior and effectiveness of the noise-cancelling technology. For this reason, we do A/B ANC comparison tests where you can compare and hear the effectiveness.

Are ANC Earbuds Safe?

Is active noise cancelling safe?

Noise cancellation technology doesn’t emit any kind of radiation or any other kind of harmful effects. It’s perfectly safe.

We go into much more detail in this article.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Did you find our guide useful? Let us know in the comments. We love hearing your opinion.

Last update: Updated models and added new noise-cancelling tests.