5 best noise cancelling earbuds wirecutter
The modern world is a cacophony of sound. From the roar of a morning commute to the relentless chatter in an open-plan office, our daily lives are filled with noise that can hinder focus, disrupt relaxation, and even impact our hearing.
In this environment, the demand for active noise-cancelling (ANC) earbuds has surged, transforming them from a luxury gadget into an essential tool for many.
The primary reason for this growing demand is a desire for control over one’s auditory environment. ANC earbuds create a personal “bubble of silence” that allows you to enjoy music, podcasts, or simply peace and quiet without having to turn up the volume to unsafe levels.
This is especially crucial for health, as it reduces the risk of long-term hearing damage that comes from constantly exposing your ears to loud volumes to overpower background noise.
ANC earbuds are particularly valuable in a variety of noisy settings:
- On the Go: For commuters on trains, buses, or subways, ANC earbuds transform a loud, stressful journey into a tranquil, private experience.
- In the Office: In an increasingly common open-office environment, they provide a powerful way to block out colleague chatter and typing sounds, allowing for deep work and concentration.
- During Travel: For frequent flyers, they are a godsend, as they almost magically erase the low-frequency drone of jet engines, making long flights more comfortable and less fatiguing.
- In Public Spaces: From a coffee shop to a library, they allow you to tune out distractions and focus on your work or study.
For the discerning listener, a pair of earbuds isn’t just about blocking out noise; it’s about the fidelity, detail, and emotion of the sound itself. The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 represents the pinnacle of this category. While many premium earbuds offer good sound, Sennheiser’s legacy as a world-class audio company shines through. These are the earbuds you choose when sound is the most important factor and you’re willing to invest in an elite listening experience.
Superior Audio Quality and Features
The Momentum True Wireless 4 delivers a sound signature that is rich, warm, and highly detailed. They produce a wide, expansive soundstage that gives instruments and vocals plenty of room to breathe, creating a truly immersive experience that feels more like listening to high-end wired headphones than compact earbuds. Unlike many mainstream earbuds that default to a bass-heavy, “consumer” sound, the Momentum 4’s tuning is more balanced and refined, making them suitable for all genres, from classical to rock.
Extra Tech: A Glimpse into the Future
Sennheiser doesn’t just rest on its sonic laurels. The Momentum 4 is packed with forward-looking technology. They are among the first to support aptX Lossless and LE Audio, which are next-generation Bluetooth audio codecs.
These technologies, paired with compatible devices, allow for a truly lossless, CD-quality wireless listening experience that is a significant step above standard Bluetooth audio.
The companion app is also a powerhouse, offering a five-band equalizer for fine-tuning the sound to your exact preference.
For those who want more than just a pre-set, this level of customization is a huge advantage. They also feature robust Bluetooth multipoint connectivity, allowing you to seamlessly switch between two devices without manual re-pairing.
Best Budget Pick: Affordable Noise Cancelling Earbuds
In the past, good ANC was reserved for expensive flagship models. The EarFun Air Pro 4 shatters that stereotype, proving that you can get a powerful, feature-rich experience without emptying your wallet. They are the go-to option for those who want a taste of premium features at an exceptionally low price point.
Value for Money Without Major Compromises
The standout feature of the EarFun Air Pro 4 is their shockingly effective active noise cancellation. While it may not completely rival the absolute top-tier performance of Bose or Sony, it comes remarkably close, especially when dealing with consistent low-frequency noises like the hum of an air conditioner or the roar of a car engine. The ANC is a significant step up from other budget earbuds, making it a genuinely useful feature.
Beyond ANC, the EarFun Air Pro 4 offers an incredible list of features for its price:
- Hi-Res Audio Support: A rare find in this price bracket, they support advanced audio codecs like LDAC and aptX Adaptive, which provide a major boost to sound quality with compatible Android devices.
- Good Battery Life: They offer a generous 7.5 hours of playback with ANC on and a total of 35 hours with the charging case.
- Wireless Charging: The case supports wireless charging, a convenience feature usually reserved for much more expensive models.
Who This Option Is Best For
This is the perfect choice for a student, a daily commuter, or anyone who wants the benefits of noise cancellation without the high cost. It’s also an ideal second pair of earbuds for someone who needs a backup for the gym or a less stressful option for daily errands. The EarFun Air Pro 4 proves that budget doesn’t have to mean basic.
Best for Frequent Travelers and Commuters
For anyone whose life involves a lot of movement—whether it’s on an airplane, a train, or a busy city street—the ideal earbuds are those that provide a fortress of solitude. The Sony WF-1000XM5 is purpose-built for this use case, combining powerful ANC with a compact design and smart features that make travel less stressful.
Long Battery Life + Powerful ANC Against Engine Noise
Sony’s ANC technology is renowned for its ability to create a sense of profound quiet, particularly in environments dominated by constant noise.
The WF-1000XM5 are particularly effective at silencing the low-frequency rumble of a jet engine or the clatter of a subway car, turning a loud environment into a peaceful sanctuary.
They also boast an impressive 8 hours of continuous playback with ANC, a crucial feature for long-haul flights or extended journeys. The compact charging case provides an additional 16 hours, and with fast-charging capabilities, a quick top-up can get you an hour of listening time in just three minutes.
Comfort During Extended Wear
The Sony WF-1000XM5 features a redesigned, more ergonomic body that is 25% smaller and 20% lighter than its predecessor. This significant reduction in size makes them much more comfortable for long listening sessions.
While their foam tips can take some getting used to, once a proper seal is achieved, they provide a comfortable, secure fit that won’t cause discomfort, even after many hours of use.
The “speak-to-chat” feature, which automatically pauses your music when you start talking, is also an incredibly convenient feature for travelers who need to have quick conversations without fumbling for controls.
Best for Workouts and Outdoor Use
For the gym rat, the runner, or the weekend warrior, durability and a secure fit are non-negotiable. The Jabra Elite 8 Active is specifically designed to meet the demands of an active lifestyle, proving that you don’t have to compromise on performance for ruggedness.
Water/Sweat Resistance and Secure Fit
The Jabra Elite 8 Active is built like a tank. With an IP68 rating, they are completely waterproof and dustproof, meaning they can be rinsed off after a sweaty workout or survive a sudden downpour without issue. The charging case itself is also rated IP54, providing extra peace of mind. The star feature, however, is Jabra’s “ShakeGrip” coating. This unique liquid silicone rubber finish provides an incredibly secure fit that keeps the earbuds locked in place, even during the most intense workouts. Unlike other earbuds that rely on fins or hooks, the Elite 8 Active’s design feels minimal yet completely reliable.
Transparency Mode for Safety
When exercising outdoors, situational awareness is just as important as your playlist. The Elite 8 Active’s HearThrough transparency mode is one of the best on the market.
It uses the microphones to let in ambient sound, allowing you to hear traffic, other runners, or approaching cyclists.
This essential safety feature works seamlessly, and Jabra’s wind noise reduction technology ensures that the sound remains clear and not distorted by gusts of air.
Combined with a secure fit and excellent battery life, the Jabra Elite 8 Active is the ultimate companion for anyone who likes to move
When Earbuds Are Better Than Over-Ear Headphones
While over-ear headphones are often seen as the king of noise cancellation, earbuds have several distinct advantages that make them a better choice for many users.
- Ultimate Portability: Earbuds are incredibly compact and lightweight. They can be slipped into a pocket, a small bag, or even carried on a keychain. This is a massive advantage for those who travel light or don’t want to carry bulky headphones around their neck.
- Versatility and Discretion: Earbuds are far more discreet. You can wear them in professional settings, at the gym, or during a run without drawing attention. Their smaller form factor makes them a natural choice for active use, as they won’t feel heavy or cumbersome during a workout.
- Improved Heat Management: Over-ear headphones can trap heat and make your ears sweaty during extended use, particularly in warm weather or during physical activity. Earbuds allow for better airflow and prevent this issue, making them more comfortable for all-day wear.
While over-ear headphones may offer slightly more powerful ANC and longer battery life due to their size, the sheer convenience and versatility of a great pair of noise-cancelling earbuds make them the preferred choice for a majority of modern consumers.
How We Picked and Tested These Earbuds
Our selection and testing process is rigorous and designed to provide a comprehensive, real-world evaluation of each product. We don’t just look at spec sheets; we put these earbuds through their paces in the environments where you’d actually use them.
Criteria
We evaluate each pair of earbuds based on four core criteria:
- ANC Strength: This is the most important factor. We assess not only how much noise the earbuds cancel but also how they handle different types of noise—from low-frequency rumbles to unpredictable high-frequency chatter and wind. We also consider the effectiveness of the transparency mode, which allows you to hear the outside world when needed.
- Comfort and Fit: A great fit is crucial for both ANC performance and long-term use. We test how securely they sit in the ear and whether they cause any fatigue or pressure after hours of continuous wear. We also evaluate the quality and variety of included ear tips.
- Sound Quality: We listen to a wide range of music genres, from bass-heavy hip-hop to nuanced classical music, to assess the balance of the sound signature. We also check for support of high-resolution audio codecs like LDAC and aptX Adaptive, and evaluate the clarity of the microphone for phone calls.
- Price and Value: We consider the cost in relation to the performance and features offered. A top-tier premium product may be excellent, but we also seek out budget-friendly options that deliver exceptional value, ensuring there’s a great choice for every budget.
Testing Environments
Our testing protocol is designed to simulate real-world use cases, including:
- Office Environments: We test against the hum of air conditioning, the sound of keyboard clicks, and the chatter of colleagues to see how well they help with concentration.
- Public Transit: We use them on subway cars, buses, and trains to evaluate their effectiveness against low-frequency rumble and engine noise.
- Outdoor Use: We test their resistance to wind noise and their ability to stay securely in the ear during a run or walk, while also evaluating the safety of the transparency mode.
- Airplanes: When possible, we take them on flights to see how they perform against the constant, overwhelming engine noise.
Our Top Pick: The Best Overall Noise Cancelling Earbuds
Based on our extensive testing and a thorough review of the market, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) stands out as the best overall choice for a majority of users. While competitors may offer slightly better features in a single category, the Bose earbuds deliver a top-tier, balanced experience that is simply unmatched.
Key Strengths
- Industry-Leading ANC: The QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are the definitive leaders in noise cancellation. Their ANC technology is so effective that it creates a sense of profound quiet, reducing external noises to a whisper. It’s the closest you can get to a personal silence button in a noisy world.
- Comfortable for Long Sessions: A common complaint with many ANC earbuds is the pressure they can create inside the ear. Bose’s design with flexible stability fins and an ergonomic shape avoids this problem, making them incredibly comfortable to wear for hours on end, even during a full day of travel or work.
- Balanced and Immersive Sound: Beyond their ANC prowess, these earbuds deliver a well-balanced and engaging sound profile. The bass is powerful but not overpowering, and vocals and instruments are reproduced with clarity and a sense of space.
Why It Stands Out Compared to Others
While the Sony WF-1000XM5 is an excellent contender with a slight edge in sound fidelity and call quality, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra’s ANC is simply more effective and less fatiguing for a majority of people. The “pressure-free” design of the Bose model is a key differentiator that makes them a more comfortable and appealing choice for all-day use.
Similarly, while the Apple AirPods Pro 2 offers seamless integration for Apple users, the Bose earbuds provide a more powerful and device-agnostic ANC experience. The Bose earbuds’ ability to deliver an industry-leading quiet environment, combined with a comfortable fit and premium sound, makes them the superior all-around choice for anyone who values a quiet, focused, and enjoyable listening experience above all else.
