Which earbuds have best noise cancelling?
Noise cancelling technology uses tiny microphones to continuously measure ambient sound around the earbuds. It generates an inverse sound wave to cancel out background noise before it reaches the eardrum. This active noise cancellation allows you to focus on your music or call without distractions.
Some of the most popular noise cancelling earbuds on the market right now include models from Bose, Sony, Apple, Sennheiser, Anker, Technics, and Beats. Key criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of noise cancellation include the amount of noise reduction across different frequencies, battery life, sound quality, fit, comfort, call quality, and extra features like transparency mode.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds are considered one of the best noise cancelling earbuds on the market. They feature excellent noise cancelling capabilities that blocks out ambient noises very effectively. According to testing done by SoundGuys, the Bose earbuds can reduce ambient noise by around 35dB, outperforming many other models.
In terms of audio quality, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds produce a well-balanced sound signature with emphasis on the lows and highs. The bass response is punchy and impactful without being overbearing. The highs are crisp and clear, and the mids are fairly well-represented. Many reviewers note the sound quality is very good for wireless earbuds, though audiophiles may prefer a more neutral or analytical sound.
The earbuds feature an ergonomic design that should fit most ears comfortably even for extended wear. They come with three sizes of ear tips to get a secure in-ear seal. The tapered oval buds stay in place without too much pressure. Overall the lightweight and low profile design offers excellent comfort and long term wearability.
With easy Bluetooth pairing, up to 6 hours of battery life per charge, IPX4 water resistance rating, and intuitive touch controls, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds check off all the right boxes as a top-tier pair of noise cancelling wireless earbuds.
Sony WF-1000XM4
The Sony WF-1000XM4 are widely considered one of the best noise cancelling earbuds on the market. They feature industry-leading noise cancellation powered by Sony’s integrated processor V1 and HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN1e. The WF-1000XM4 use dual noise sensor technology, analyzing ambient noise and applying the opposite canceling sound.
The noise cancelling ability can be customized in the Sony Headphones Connect app with 20 levels of adjustment. Tests show the WF-1000XM4 can reduce ambient noise by over 30dB across most of the frequency spectrum. Users report excellent noise blocking abilities, describing the WF-1000XM4 as “blissfully quiet” (Sony).
In terms of sound quality, the WF-1000XM4 feature 6mm drivers and Sony’s LDAC audio coding technology for high resolution wireless sound. The earbuds produce dynamic, well-balanced audio with crisp highs and deep bass. The sound profile can be adjusted in the app with equalizer settings.
Battery life is exceptional at up to 8 hours continuous playback with noise cancelling on. The charging case provides two additional full charges for 24 hours total battery life. Just 5 minutes of quick charging provides up to 60 minutes of play time (Amazon).
Apple AirPods Pro
The AirPods Pro are Apple’s premium noise cancelling earbuds. They feature an in-ear design with soft silicone tips for a secure and comfortable fit. The AirPods Pro offer some of the best active noise cancellation you can get in a pair of true wireless earbuds.
The AirPods Pro use two microphones on each earbud to continuously adapt the noise cancellation signal to the shape of your ear and headset. This helps block out external noise like traffic or people talking around you. According to Apple, the AirPods Pro can cancel out noise at 200Hz and cancels out 85% of ambient noise for immersive sound.1
For audio quality, the AirPods Pro deliver clear mids and highs. The sound has been described as balanced and crisp. The earbuds have a custom high-excursion Apple driver and advanced software that tune music to the shape of your ear for consistent, superior sound.1
The AirPods Pro are designed for easy use. They connect quickly and seamlessly to Apple devices. The earbuds detect when they are in your ears and can play/pause audio automatically. You can switch between noise cancellation and transparency modes by pressing and holding the force sensor on the stem. The AirPods Pro are sweat and water resistant with an IPX4 rating.
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2
The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 are high-end noise-cancelling earbuds that excel in sound quality and comfort. They offer excellent passive noise isolation with their snug ear-canal fit and also provide active noise cancellation to further block out ambient noise. While not as powerful as the noise cancellation on the Sony WF-1000XM4s, the Momentum True Wireless 2 still provide a decent reduction of low and mid frequencies like the rumble of airplane cabin noise.
For audio, the Momentum True Wireless 2 deliver a warm, natural sound profile. The bass response is slightly boosted but clean and accurate. Mids are rich and full, and highs are smooth and detailed. According to SoundGuys, “the earbuds provide a neutral-leaning sound signature that’s suitable for most genres,” and they score high marks for audio quality. Link
In terms of comfort, the Momentum True Wireless 2 have an ergonomic design that sits flush in most ears. The earbuds come with four sizes of ear tips to help find a secure and comfortable fit. WhatHiFi praises the Momentum 2 for being “more comfortable and nicer to use than their predecessors.” Users can wear them for hours without fatigue thanks to their lightweight construction and customizable fit.
The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 provide excellent sound, good noise cancellation, and a comfortable design for all-day listening. They are a top choice for audiophiles looking for high-fidelity wireless earbuds.
Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro
The Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro are a great budget option for noise cancelling earbuds. They retail for just under $130, making them one of the most affordable pairs with active noise cancellation (ANC) (SoundGuys).
The noise cancelling on the Liberty Air 2 Pros is very effective for the price point. They utilize a hybrid system with both feedforward and feedback microphones to reduce ambient sound. There are two levels of ANC to choose from. While the ANC can’t compete with premium options from Sony or Bose, it punches above its weight and works well for commonly encountered ambient noise like chatter, airplane engines, traffic, etc.
Audio quality is also quite good, with an energetic and powerful sound signature. The earbuds have a frequency response optimized for modern genres like pop, hip hop, and EDM. Bass is punchy and impactful without drowning out the mids and highs. There are multiple EQ modes available in the app to customize the sound profile (Amazon).
At under $130, the Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pros provide great value. The combination of effective noise cancellation, good audio quality, and lengthy battery life make these earbuds a budget winner.
Technics EAH-AZ70W
The Technics EAH-AZ70W are a pair of premium true wireless earbuds that offer excellent noise cancellation and audio performance (Technics EAH-AZ70W review: Top-notch noise canceling). These earbuds utilize dual microphones on each bud along with an ambient noise reduction algorithm to effectively block out environmental sounds (Technics EAH-AZ70W Review). The active noise cancellation works very well at muting constant low rumbles like engine noise or AC units.
In terms of sound quality, the AZ70W produce a fairly balanced frequency response with punchy bass, clear mids, and crisp highs (Technics EAH-AZ70W – THE LITTLE AUDIOPHILE). The 10mm dynamic drivers deliver excellent detail and separation. Music genres like rock, pop, and electronic sound energetic and immersive. The earbuds also support the LDAC codec for high-resolution wireless audio.
Battery life is rated at 6.5 hours with ANC on and 26 hours total with the charging case. Quick charging provides 70 minutes of playback after just 15 minutes in the case. The IPX4 rating makes the AZ70W sweat and splash resistant.
Beats Studio Buds
The Beats Studio Buds are true wireless earbuds that offer active noise cancellation, transparency mode, up to 8 hours of battery life per charge, and rich sound quality in a compact design. They feature Apple’s H1 chip for easy pairing with iOS devices, and use Bluetooth 5.2 for wireless connectivity with Android and other devices (Beats Studio Buds | True Wireless, Noise Cancelling Earbuds).
The Beats Studio Buds have two microphones on each earbud to enable noise cancellation – one facing inwards to pick up your voice, and one facing outwards to detect external noise. They continuously monitor the environment and generate opposite sound waves to cancel out background sounds. Users report the noise cancellation is effective at blocking out ambient noise like chatter, airplane engines, and traffic (What are Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode?). However, some very loud or high-pitched sounds may still be audible.
In terms of audio quality, the Beats Studio Buds deliver a balanced, punchy sound signature with emphasis on bass, as Beats products are known for. They have a custom acoustic platform with a separated tweeter and dual-element diaphragm driver in each earbud to provide clear highs, detailed mids, and deep lows. Many reviewers praise the dynamic and lively sound that’s great for pop, hip-hop, and workout playlists.
The Beats Studio Buds pair instantly with iPhone and iPad models running iOS/iPadOS 14.6 or higher. On Android, the pairing process is also quick and seamless. The Bluetooth connection is strong and stable up to 10 meters away. The earbuds have onboard controls for music playback, volume, calls, and switching between noise cancelling and transparency modes.
Comparison of the Top Noise Cancelling Earbuds
Here is a head-to-head comparison of the key features and performance of the top noise cancelling earbuds:
Noise Cancellation Ability: The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds and Sony WF-1000XM4 have the most advanced noise cancellation capabilities, blocking out ambient sound very effectively. The Apple AirPods Pro and Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 also offer strong active noise cancellation. The Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro and Technics EAH-AZ70W have decent noise cancellation for the price.
Audio Quality: The Sony WF-1000XM4 and Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 edge out the competition with rich, full sound quality. The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds and Apple AirPods Pro also deliver excellent audio with crisp highs and deep bass. The more affordable options like the Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro still provide very good sound but can’t match the audio fidelity of the top tier earbuds.
Comfort: The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds and Apple AirPods Pro are exceptionally comfortable and lightweight. Their earbud tips fit securely without applying too much pressure. The Sony WF-1000XM4, Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2, and Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro are also comfortable for most users.
Battery Life: The Technics EAH-AZ70W last the longest on a charge at 6-7 hours with noise cancelling on. The Sony WF-1000XM4 get around 5-6 hours battery life. Most others like the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds and Apple AirPods Pro get 4-5 hours. Only the Beats Studio Buds have below average battery life at around 3-4 hours.
Connectivity: The Apple AirPods Pro have the most seamless connectivity and pairing with Apple devices. Most others connect easily to both iOS and Android but the Sony WF-1000XM4 in particular can be finicky with some Android phones. The Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro provides the best connectivity relative to price.
Water Resistance: The Apple AirPods Pro and Beats Studio Buds have the highest IPX4 water resistance rating. The Sony WF-1000XM4, Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2, and Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro are also decently water resistant at IPX4. The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds and Technics EAH-AZ70W only have light sweat resistance.
Overall, the Sony WF-1000XM4 are the best noise cancelling earbuds with superb audio quality and noise cancellation. The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds are a close second with slightly better comfort and call quality. For iOS users, the Apple AirPods Pro offer the most seamless connectivity. The Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro are an incredible value pick with impressive features for the price. The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 are also excellent for audiophiles seeking premium sound.
Conclusion
Now that we’ve examined the various noise canceling earbuds on the market, we can provide some takeaways and recommendations. Overall, for the best combination of noise canceling performance, sound quality, design and fit, and features, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds and the Sony WF-1000XM4 are the top choices. Both effectively block out ambient noise and allow you to enjoy music and calls without distraction. The Bose have a slight edge for call quality, while the Sonys have a bit more customizability with their EQ settings.
The Apple AirPods Pro and Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 are also solid options with quality noise cancellation and audio. However, the QuietComforts and 1000XM4s surpass them in a few key areas like battery life. For a budget option, the Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pros provide decent noise cancellation at a much lower price point.
In summary, for the very best in noise cancelling earbuds right now, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds and Sony WF-1000XM4 are likely your best bets. Weigh their respective strengths to see which pair may be the right choice for your needs and preferences.