Seeking refuge from our increasingly noisy world, noise cancelling earbuds offer sanctuary through the power of technology. Whether muting the distracting chatter around you to find focus or transforming a flight into a first class listening experience, active noise cancellation (ANC) earbuds mark the latest evolution bringing enhanced peace and audio immersion to our everyday. With major audio brands like Sony, Bose and Sennheiser now facing fierce competition from impressive budget models by Anker’s Soundcore, TOZO and more, the domain of noise cancelling earbuds never ceasesed advancing. We sort through the top noise cancelling earbuds available in the US market right now to identify those setting the bar for performance and value across critical categories from sound quality to voice call clarity and battery efficiency. Read on to discover the best noise cancelling earbuds satisfying both discerning audiophiles and pragmatic general consumers alike.
The JBL Tune Buds are sleek, stylish true wireless earbuds that feature active noise cancellation to block out background sounds. With a slim and lightweight design, these earbuds deliver JBL’s signature sound with pure bass and excellent clarity.
The JBL Tune Buds punch above their weight when it comes to performance and features, especially active noise cancellation, at this reasonable price point. The comfortable fit and vibrant sound make them one of the best noise cancelling earbuds for daily use.
Delivering an exceptional audio experience, the TOZO NC9 earbuds feature hybrid active noise cancellation along with deep, powerful bass. The IPX6 waterproof rating lets you wear them during workouts.
The TOZO NC9 earbuds are a standout for bass lovers seeking noise cancelling earbuds, with the excellent hybrid ANC feature eliminating ambient sound very effectively. For vibrant, deep bass that won’t quit, these earbuds deliver big.
Superior call quality meets robust noise cancellation and customization in Soundcore’s Life P3i earbuds. With 10mm drivers and a hybrid 6-mic system, audio and calls get a boost while AI actives noise cancelling tailored to your ears and environment in real time.
Soundcore hits a home run with the Life P3i’s blend of customizable audio and a smart noise cancellation that adapts to your surroundings for supreme effectiveness in blocking sounds. For calls and music with robust ANC, these earbuds excel.
The JBL Tune Flex earbuds offer a secure, non-intrusive stem design with effective active noise cancellation to block outside interference. Get big 30Hz bass from the 12.5mm drivers while enjoying the stylish, low-profile look.
JBL nails the sound quality and fit with the Tune Flex while augmenting it all with great noise cancelling at a wallet-friendly price. For compact earbuds with energetic bass and vibrant clarity across genres, these check all the boxes.
Touting ultra long playtime with fast charging support, the Soundcore Life P3 earbuds pack a punch with vibrant 11mm bass drivers, multi-mode noise cancellation and wireless charging. AI powered features boost call clarity and allow custom controls.
With extremely long play times rivaling over-ear headphones and a comfortable, non-intrusive design, the Life P3 is a compelling choice for all-day wear from your commute to the gym and beyond. Punchy bass and effective ANC add to the appeal.
Bose innovates audio technologies to the next level with the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds, offering unmatched noise cancellation, highly customized sound and immersive spatial audio. These are the most advanced Bose earbuds yet engineered for all-day comfort.
Simply put, the QuietComfort Ultra represent the pinnacle of noise cancelling earbud engineering today in both audio innovation and ergonomic design. If you seek the most immersive, customizable listening experience with world-class comfort, these earbuds deliver.
Combining powerful bass-driven sound, impressive noise cancellation and all-day battery life in an understated, comfortable design, the Jabra Elite 4 earbuds are Jabra’s most affordable noise cancelling option yet.
With the Elite 4, Jabra makes noise cancellation truly accessible without compromising high standards for call and music performance. Punchy, energetic sound combines with excellent ambient noise reduction for immersive audio all day long.
Touted by Anker as “the smart noise cancelling earphones” the Life A3i earbuds leverage hybrid ANC with a 6-mic system with AI uplink noise reduction on calls for superior audio in both music and conversations. You get over 40 hours of playtime and fast charging too.
With excellent call clarity and customizable sound to please both bass lovers and those wanting balanced or bright audio, the Life A3i buds have smart noise cancellation covered. Long battery life and Qi wireless charging compatibility make them ideal for all situations.
Featuring vibrant blue accents, the JBL Tune Buds offer the same exceptional features as the black model, including Pure Bass sound, active noise cancellation, long battery life, sweatproof rating and compact size for secure everyday wear.
While identical on the inside to the black variant featured earlier, the fun blue color option allows you to better express your personal style without compromising on performance. Backed by JBL’s audio legacy, these remain top contenders in affordable noise cancelling earbuds.
Featuring massive 140 hour battery life via the charging case alongside waterproof IPX6 protection, the Baseus Bowie MA10 earbuds focus on durability and longevity. You still get capable ANC plus clarity enhancing tech for calls and music powered by large 13mm composite drivers.
While the Baseus Bowie earbuds don’t lead the pack in noise cancellation prowess or audio fidelity, their rugged waterproof design and marathon battery life make them ideal for those in need of worry-free wireless earbuds that can keep going day after day. Call quality also impresses.
Featuring high-resolution acoustic architecture, adaptive noise cancelling and ultra-long battery life, Anker’s Liberty 4 NC earbuds focus on delivering smooth, immersive listening. Their open-type design stays discreet and comfortable for long wear.
With supremely effective adaptive noise cancelling and an open design that disappears into your ears for hours long comfort, the Liberty 4 NC earbuds receive our strong recommendation for those seeking wireless earbuds optimized for all-day immersive listening. Call quality also stuns.
With audiophile tuning plus the latest features like Multipoint connectivity, Technics positions the premium AZ80-S earbuds for superior wireless sound. You get Hi-Res Audio compatibility, powerful ANC with dual mics, wireless charging and excellent call quality.
For the discerning listener seeking top-tier sound reproduction in true wireless form, Technics delivers beautifully with the premium AZ80 earbuds. Their gorgeous design houses some of best acoustic engineering you’ll find in noise cancelling earbuds anywhere near this price bracket.
The sophisticated TOZO T12 earbuds combine minimalist style with advanced features like ENC dual noise cancelling mics, IPX8 full waterproofing, built-in LED displays, an intuitive app with EQ customization and more. You also get huge 55 hour battery life from the palm-sized charging case.
Blending crisp style with lush features, the TOZO T12 buds bring rarely paralleled versatility: you can customize sound via app, see battery level at a glance on the buds themselves, and not worry at all about exposure to sweat or weather wearing them. Noise cancelling and massive battery life further complete the package.
The Soundcore Space A40 earbuds from Anker leverage automated noise cancellation and adaptive sound to automatically tune audio performance to your ears and environment in real time. “Hear ID” customizes EQ to match your hearing ability for super personalized sound. You also get fast charging with huge 50 hours playtime.
The Space A40 earbuds represent sound personalization and adaptive listening abilities at their most seamless and advanced. Paired with excellent ergonomics for all-day wear, they set a new standard in customizable noise cancelling earbuds that automatically mold to your preferences.
Samsung’s flagship Galaxy Buds 2 Pro earbuds tout supreme comfort from a low-profile contoured design alongside leading active noise cancellation and immersive 360° audio powered by AKG. You also get 24bit Hi-Fi sound, waterproof IPX7 rating, intelligent conversation mode and seamless app integration.
The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro set new standards for Samsung in audio quality and noise cancelling abilities thanks to a triple microphone array system, 24bit Hi-Fi support and intelligent audio decoding. When you factor in all-day ergonomics for comfort and waterproof peace of mind, they emerge as compelling Android-friendly wireless earbuds for everyday demands.
Product | ANC Type | Battery Life |
---|---|---|
JBL Tune Buds – True Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds (Black), Small | Active | 40 hours |
TOZO NC9 Hybrid ANC Wireless Earbuds | Hybrid | 30 hours |
Soundcore Life P3i Hybrid ANC Earbuds | Hybrid | 40 hours |
JBL Tune Flex – True Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds | Active | 32 hours |
Soundcore Life P3 Noise Cancelling Earbuds | Active | 50 hours |
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds | Active | 24 hours |
Jabra Elite 4 Active Noise Cancelling Earbuds | Hybrid | 28 hours |
Soundcore Life A3i Hybrid ANC Wireless Earbuds | Hybrid | 40 hours |
JBL Tune Buds – True Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds (Blue) | Active | 40 hours |
Baseus Bowie MA10 ANC Bluetooth Earbuds | Active | 140 hours |
Soundcore Liberty 4 NC Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds | Adaptive | 50 hours |
Technics AZ80-S Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds | Active | 8 hours |
TOZO T12 Wireless Earbuds | Active | 55 hours |
Soundcore Space A40 Auto-Adjustable ANC Wireless Earbuds | Adaptive | 50 hours |
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro Wireless Earbuds | Active | 29 hours |
With so many models now offering active noise cancellation (ANC), choosing the best noise cancelling earbuds for your needs deserves careful consideration. Here are key factors to weigh:
Audio Quality – Sound fidelity and frequency balance will impact music enjoyment more than noise cancellation prowess alone. Consider sound profiles from bass-forward to brighter, balanced reproduction.
Noise Cancellation abilities – Look for multiple microphone systems, adaptive ANC and transparency/ambient modes for the most effective and customizable background noise reduction.
Call quality – For voice calls and meetings, earbuds with multiple mics and uplink noise reduction perform best.
Comfort and fit – For all day wear, favor lightweight earbuds with ergonomic shaping, removable stabilizing fins and multiple sized eartips to achieve a secure yet non-intrusive fit.
Battery life – Opt for longer playtimes between charges so you aren’t left without audio. Look for quick charging support as well.
Special features – From wireless charging cases to on-board controls or displays, customizable EQ, wear sensors and waterproof ratings, extra features can further match your preferences.
Finding the perfect balance across these areas for your budget and needs is key to long term listening satisfaction.
Noise cancelling earbuds utilize different technologies to achieve ambient sound reduction:
Passive noise cancellation – Also called noise isolation, this approach relies on tightly sealing in-ear tips that physically block out external noise from entering the ear canal for a “noise blocking” effect.
Active noise cancellation (ANC) – Sophisticated electronics analyze incoming sound waves then generate inverse waves aimed to electronically “cancel out” those ambient noises before you hear them. This more advanced method actively reduces background noise you’d otherwise hear.
Hybrid ANC – Combining physical noise isolation from snug eartips with digital active sound cancelling, hybrid earbuds like the Soundcore Life P3i provide multidimensional noise reduction that outperforms either method alone.
Within ANC and hybrid earbuds, look for multiple external microphones that aid noise cancelling along with internal mics to pick up your voice for calls and smart assistants. Feedforward vs feedback microphone placements also impact ANC prowess.
To get the most from noise cancelling earbuds:
Find optimal fit – Test included eartip sizes to achieve a tight seal for both noise isolation and best bass response without discomfort over hours long wear. Stabilizing fins on certain models also boost security.
Keep bios updated – If earbuds support firmware updates via a mobile app, run available upgrades for bug fixes and performance improvements. Updates may refine noise cancelling effectiveness over time.
Avoid exposure – While high end earbuds boast water resistance, avoid unnecessary exposure to moisture or dropping earbuds to prolong their lifespan. Use cases or skins offer further protection.
Check microphone holes – Clear any debris clogging the tiny microphone holes used for noise cancellation and calls to maintain optimal performance. Avoid inserting foreign items which can damage delicate internals.
Storing earbuds in their case when not in use preserves battery capacity over years of ownership. While quite rugged, following common sense care guidelines optimizes their reliability.
The best noise cancelling earbuds featured in this review include the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds, Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro, and Sony WF-1000XM4 based on their combination of impressive active noise cancellation abilities, audio quality, battery life, and call clarity. Models like the Soundcore Life P3i and Jabra Elite 7 Pro also rate as top options for their performance-to-value combination with advanced hybrid ANC features and EQ customizability.
Noise cancelling earbuds use built-in microphones to detect incoming ambient sound waves, then leverage digital signal processing chips to generate inverse sound waves aimed at electronically “cancelling out” background noises before you hear them. This differs from passive noise isolation models relying on sealed eartips to simply muffle ambient noise entering the ear canal through physical blocking.
Yes, the integrated digital audio processing chips used for analyzing incoming sounds and generating inverse frequencies on noise cancelling earbuds require battery power to function, so they must be charged via an included case periodically, unlike passive noise isolating earbuds. However, advanced noise cancelling earbud models tout increasingly long battery life between charges, some reaching close to 40 hours playback on a single charge.
Yes, unlike passive noise isolating earbuds, ANC and hybrid models require battery power for their onboard digital sound processing chips that generate the inverse frequencies that actively cancel ambient noise in real time. Disabling ANC features conserves battery life if needed.
Advanced noise cancelling earbuds with multiple microphones arranged to provide all-angle noise detection often excel at blocking nearby speech, voices and conversations occurring around you as those frequencies differ from music. Models touting adaptive ANC able to self-adjust in changing conditions also perform admirably muting nearby chatter.
Yes, noise-cancelling earbuds can provide an improved sleep experience, blocking disruptive ambient noise from a snoring partner, nearby traffic, barking dogs etc. so you can rest easier. Ensure any model worn overnight features a secure, non-intrusive ergonomic design that won’t fall out or cause discomfort over hours. Favor longer battery life as well. Turning head may momentarily impact noise cancellation prowess.
Absolutely – frequent travelers in noisy flight and rail environments represent a major use case for noise cancelling buds which actively mute the low rumbles of jet and train engines. The closer the multiple microphones can be to source of noise, the better the cancellation so in-ear buds outperform over-ear headphones here. Look for adaptive modes specializing in transport/vehicle noise profiles for best results.
With dramatic steps forward in effectiveness, comfort and customization, noise cancelling earbuds represent an exciting product category offering immersive listening abilities once exclusive to bulky over-ear ANC models. As the technology continues maturing, choice paralysis settles in selecting the best noise cancelling earbuds matching needs and preferences from diverse solutions with ever expanding features. But keeping sight line on core performance areas from noise cancelling prowess to call clarity and audio quality makes wading through the many options manageable. For both tunable technology and accessibility, noise cancelling earbuds find themselves like never before at the center of a personalized audio revolution placing you in ultimate control of your listening soundtracks.
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