The best noise-canceling earbuds you can buy: Expert tested
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Pure silence can certainly be difficult to come by, especially for those who live in a city, work in an open office, travel frequently, or exercise in a gym. Luckily, noise-cancelling headphones can bridge the gap between uncontrolled chaos and coveted quiet in an instant, and there are a ton of quality options to consider.
Also: The top noise-canceling headphones
As someone who reviews tech for a living, I've tested the best noise-canceling earbuds on the market in every possible scenario, whether that's when the office gets too loud at work, when the subway commute is overstimulating, and when my upstairs neighbor's music is booming. I also wear them when I'm reading at home (in my Brooklyn apartment overlooking a busy street) and want zero distractions because the best noise-canceling earbuds don't just deliver tunes that sound good -- they also offer up sweet, sweet silence when no music is playing.
Active noise cancellation (ANC) is a highly coveted feature in the earbud market right now. With the help of tiny microphones on the earbuds' exterior, ANC earbuds actively listen to cancel out incoming sound waves, preserving quiet and amplifying in-ear sound. But no matter how strong a pair's noise-canceling powers are, it's important they don't have connectivity problems or major sound leakage issues.
What are the best noise-canceling earbuds right now?
If you're looking for earbuds that prioritize connectivity and noise cancellation, I've rounded up a list of my favorites below. My pick for the best noise-canceling earbuds overall goes to the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds for their unmatched noise cancellation, amazing sound, and sealed earbud fit. I get lots of earbuds to try out, but these QuietComfort Ultra earbuds are the only ones I wear on flights, thanks to their top-tier noise cancellation that blocks out the harsh noise of the engine. If Bose isn't your cup of tea, keep reading for more of my favorite noise-canceling picks.
The best noise-canceling earbuds of 2024
My upstairs neighbor is a DJ who has been mixing and editing the same song for months—something I can say with confidence because his speakers are so loud that I can hear his every edit from the floor below. I put in the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds when I'm trying to read and focus on my book and not on the noise from that talented mixmaster, the honks and beeps of car horns outside my window, nor the roommate conversations happening in the kitchen. I don't put on any music -- the noise cancellation on these earbuds is so good that every sound dissolves once these are in my ears, so I can read and think in peace. I also strictly rely on these earbuds when I fly, because I haven't found another earbud that dims the harsh engine noises of air travel the way these do.
Review: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
As far as music goes, the QuietComfort Ultra delivers impressive, wide-ranging sound. On runs, these earbuds stick in my ears, which I can credit to the oval shape of the ear tip and the extra grip from the stability band.
Another notable feature is Bose's Immersive Audio mode, which brings music to the forefront of your ears and allows music to move with you. It's a great feature, but it does significantly reduce battery life. Speaking of which, the battery life on these isn't the most competitive at only six hours, but the case provides extra juice for on-the-go charging when you need it.
One issue that is common on Reddit threads and in reviews is Bose's connectivity problems, as the earbuds have a tendency to lose connection. I've found that adequately charging the buds prevents these connection losses, while other people recommend deleting the app, which can be buggy.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds specs: Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3 | Battery life: 6 hours | Frequency range: NA | Noise cancellation: Yes | Waterproof rating: Water resistant
With the Sony LinkBuds Fit, you're getting a pair of earbuds that are comfortable to wear all day without pressure buildup, a wingtip that stabilizes the earbuds while you move, and software features on the app that make the product unique from competitors.
I've enjoyed going on runs with these in my ears because the LinkBuds Fit provide enough noise cancellation to keep me dialed into my music and distraction-free, but allow enough sound in to keep me substantially aware of my surroundings (something I can't say for stronger ANC earbuds like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra). The sound is balanced (as is the case for most Sony products), the battery life is long, and the earbuds have a tactile feel that keeps them in your ears. They're also far lighter than bulkier ANC earbuds like the QuietComfort Ultra.
Also: These are the most comfortable earbuds I've worn
But perhaps the most fun thing to use on the LinkBuds Fit is the app's thoughtful and clever features. There's a background music mode that you can use that reproduces your music in your earbuds as if you're listening in different settings, like a cafe, a living room, or a bedroom. The cafe mode distances the music in your earbuds, which is great for deep work, while the living room mode creates a more spatial listening experience.
The earbuds also have features that allow you to speak and command them without pressing a button or activating Siri. All you have to say is: "Hey, headphones, pause music," and it stops your song from playing. You can also get more from the touch controls by enabling the sensitivity on the Wide Area Tap setting to high. This makes for a more responsive touch control experience by pressing around your ear (you don't even have to press the earbud itself) to pause or play music. I press the area near my tragus to get the most responsive control reactions.
Sony LinkBuds Fit tech specs: Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3 | Battery life: Up to 5.5 hours of battery life in buds, and 15.5 hours in case | Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20,000 Hz | Noise cancellation: Yes | Waterproof rating: IPX4 (resistant to water splashes)
AirPods, now iconic, have come a long way from skeptics just thinking of them as a cordless version of Apple's classic
Thanks to Apple's new H2 chip, these AirPods significantly upgrade performance via high-band connectivity and a low-distortion audio driver with a custom amplifier. These combined technologies ensure clearer audio across a wider range of sound frequencies.
And for those that find constant noise cancellation a tad disorienting, these 2nd-generation AirPods Pro have a transparency mode that ZDNET contributor Jason Cipriani says he is "legitimately in love with," based on high-quality audio and surrounding sound listening.
Also: Two new AirPods models are expected this fall. Here's what we know
These new AirPods feature two times more noise cancellation with a 33% longer battery life. Plus, a new feature allows you to personalize spatial audio settings to create your ideal sound experience (using iOS 16). To top it all off (literally), you can quickly charge the 2nd-generation AirPods Pro case wirelessly via an Apple Watch charger.
Reviewers on Reddit loved using the AirPods Pro 2 on their flights to cancel out engine noise, and said they can't hear most of the noises around them with these earbuds in.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) features: Battery life: Six hours | Waterproof rating: IPX4 | Earbud weight: 5.3 g each | Wireless charging: Yes
I was waiting at the subway platform the first morning I tried these earbuds out. While looking down at my phone with my JBL Tour Pro 2 earbuds in and the noise cancellation on, I barely registered the subway's arrival. These earbuds offer impressive noise cancellation, long battery life, and dual connectivity.
The Tour Pro 2 is less expensive than some of the higher end noise canceling earbuds on this list, like Sony's WF-1000XM4 and Bose's QuietComfort Ultra, and they offer a longer battery life than Apple's AirPods Pro, but go for the same price. So, if you're looking to spend a little money on a good pair but don't want to dive into the above-$300 range, these could be for you.
They're very comfortable to wear in the office or while exercising, though they don't have the strongest grip in your ears—while running in the park with them, I've had to re-secure them pretty consistently. The ambient aware mode is pretty useless (and Reddit users agree, with one saying it left "much to be desired"), but the active noise cancellation is the real winner.
Some Reddit users say the touchscreen case is more gimmicky than utilitarian, but most users agree on the earbuds' high quality noise cancellation and decent sound for the price.
JBL Tour Pro 2 tech specs: Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3 | Battery life: 8 hours with ANC on and 10 hours with ANC off | Frequency range: 20 Hz - 20 kHz | Noise cancellation: Yes | Waterproof rating: IPX5
JLab's JBuds ANC 3 proves that you don't have to spend loads of money on a pair of earbuds to get competitive active noise cancellation. As written in the Bose QuietComfort section above, I have an upstairs neighbor who is constantly mixing music at such high volume my apartment walls begin to shake. Working in my apartment can become a hassle with such distracting sounds. But when I wear these earbuds, the loud music from upstairs melts away, similar to what happens when I wear the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds, but a fraction of the price.
The JLab Jbuds ANC 3 offer three listening modes: ANC, ANC Off, and Be Aware. The ANC mode dims down and distances external sound as I listen to audio, and is competitive with some of the more premium earbuds I've tried, for a lower cost. The battery life also lasted weeks before I had to recharge, so if you're someone who can't devote to daily or even weekly charging, try these out.
These lightweight buds fit snugly and comfortably in my ears, and stay secure while I exercise. With a long battery life, multipoint Bluetooth for easy audio switching between devices, and great sound, these are an excellent choice for $60 earbuds.
Verified reviewers on Amazon say that the noise cancellation and sound on these earbuds is legit, but the earbuds lack in special features, like easy touch controls on the earbuds.
JLab JBuds ANC 3 tech specs: Connectivity: Bluetooth Multipoint | Battery life: 9 hours in the earbuds and 33+ hours in the case | Noise cancellation: Yes | Waterproof? IP55
For how many premium features Sennheiser packs into these earbuds, you'd think they cost way more than $200. ZDNET's Jack Wallen took the Accentum True Wireless earbuds for a spin and was thoroughly impressed by how exceptional the sound was right out of the box, with no in-app EQ adjustments. Plus, you can wear these earbuds all day without any issues of comfort. "The Accentum buds have a natural and relaxed fit, and they feel as comfortable when you take them out as they did when you first put them in," Wallen wrote.
Wallen also lauded the impressive noise cancellation the earbuds sported. "The ANC on these earbuds is fantastic. As soon as the music started playing, all sounds were drowned out and it was just me and the tunes. This ANC beats every pair of earbuds I've tested to date," he added.
I'd recommend these $200 earbuds to people who care about competitive sound quality and are looking for a good pair of noise-canceling earbuds, but don't want to spend premium earbud-level money on them (that is, over $300).
Review: Sennheiser Accentum True Wireless Earbuds
Sennheiser Accentum True Wireless Earbuds tech specs: Connectivity: Bluetooth Multipoint | Battery life: 8 hours with ANC off | Noise cancellation: Yes | Waterproof? IP54
What are the best noise-canceling earbuds?
The best noise-canceling earbuds are the Bose QuietComfort Ultra wireless earbuds. Although the battery life and weight are nothing to gawk at, their incredible sound quality and active noise cancellation make them the best pair of wireless earbuds on the market.
| Noise-canceling earbuds | Price | Battery life |
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra | $299 | Six hours |
| Sony LinkBuds Fit | $200 | 15.5 hours in case |
| Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) | $250 | Six hours |
| JBL Tour Pro 2 | $250 | Up to 10 hours |
| JLab JBuds ANC 3 | $60 | 33 hours |
| Sennheiser Accentum True Wireless Earbuds | $200 | Eight hours |
*MSRP at the time of writing. Please note that actual prices may vary depending on available sales, deals, discounts, and coupons.
Which are the right noise-canceling earbuds for you?
With workplaces and schools becoming so embedded with technology, the use of wireless earbuds has evolved as well. What used to be the primary way to listen to music has become a tool for taking phone calls and canceling out external noise.
There's been an evolution of wireless earbuds, with noise cancellation becoming a key feature. If you're looking for the best noise-canceling earbuds, look at this table to figure out which pair is right for your lifestyle and budget needs.
| Choose these noise-canceling earbuds... | If you want... |
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra | The best pair of noise-canceling earbuds overall. Put these in your ears and experience true silence. While they don't have the best battery life on this list, the earbuds offer amazing sound and true ANC that's worth the $300 price tag. |
| Sony LinkBuds Fit | The best noise-canceling earbuds with the most comfort and secure fit. Wear these all-day with no problems, and make sure to download the Sony app to reap all of the software-rich benefits these earbuds offer. |
| Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) | The best noise-canceling earbuds for Apple devices. A pioneer in the wireless earbud market, the 2nd-generation AirPods Pro are a fantastic encore of the original with even more powerful ANC and a transparency mode that's actually... transparent. |
| JBL Tour Pro 2 | A less expensive option for Android users with a higher battery life than the Apple AirPods Pro and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds. |
| JLab JBuds ANC 3 | The least expensive option on this list with the largest battery life. What you lack in responsive touch controls you make up for in a pair of earbuds with great ANC for their value. |
| Sennheiser Accentum True Wireless Earbuds | The best noise-canceling earbuds for people who care deeply about audio quality, and want a pair of earbuds that dish out premium sound for a not-so-premium price. |
Factors to consider when choosing a pair of noise-canceling earbuds
As a commerce editor who specializes in earbuds and wearables, I test out a lot of headphones and earbuds in my day-to-day to see which products live up to their promises. So, while deciding which noise-canceling earbuds are worth your money, I considered these factors.
- Noise cancellation: In essence, every earbud could be a noise-canceling earbud, because the job of a headphone or an earbud is to cancel noise by replacing it with music or another sound. We see that term attached to every headphone and earbud on the market today, but many earbuds lack the technology and the needed microphones to drown out external sound and deliver true ANC. The best noise-canceling earbuds that we have tested cancel out noise even when music isn't playing. The proof is in the pudding: when you are wearing a pair of true ANC earbuds, you will hear nothing.
- Battery life: Earbuds have shorter battery lives compared to headphones, and range between six to 12 hours of juice before a recharge. The earbuds on this list also offer charging cases that charge the earbud while it's not in your ears to lengthen the battery life.
- Price: From what I've seen, if you want noise-canceling earbuds that actually work, you normally have to pay a bit of a higher price for them. The earbuds on this list range in price from $60 to $300. $300, you may think, is a lot for a piece of audio tech, but we wouldn't put an expensive earbud on this list if it didn't truly fit the bill.
- Special features: In-ear detection, seamless pause and play controls, and multi-point connection are all special features that come with higher-end noise-canceling earbuds. If you're paying over $200 for a pair of earbuds, you'll find more of those convenient features.
How did we test these noise-canceling earbuds?
On this list, you will find earbuds that I have either tested out for myself or that have been vetted by one of our experts. We spend days, weeks, and even sometimes months on end testing our products to learn about their performance, features, and usability. Then, we decided whether they live up to the hype.
For the noise-canceling earbuds on this best list, I ran with them on busy city streets, took meetings and worked with them in the office, read with them to silence external noise at home, and jammed with them on the loud subway. I made my best list selections by considering sound, of course, but also battery life, comfort, connectivity, special features, and user reviews.
When we think a product is worthy of a shoutout, we'll write up a spotlight. When we think a product is the best of the best, we'll give it a spot on a best list like this.
To learn more about our methodology for testing products like headphones and earbuds, visit this article.
FAQs on noise-canceling earbuds
What are noise-canceling earbuds and how do they work?
Noise-canceling earbuds use active noise cancellation to reduce background noise and improve the overall sound quality of audio. ANC works by using mics to pick up external sounds, and then it generates sound waves that are the exact opposite wavelengths (or "negative" of the external sounds) to create a "cancellation" effect that reduces background noise.
Some noise-canceling earbuds also use passive noise-cancellation, which is achieved through earbud design, such as using noise-isolating materials. These are particularly useful in environments with high levels of ambient noise, like airplanes or busy streets. They can also provide a better listening experience in general, reducing the need to use max volume to overcome background noise.
For more on how noise-canceling earbuds work, check out Christina Darby's ZDNET explainer.
Do noise canceling earbuds protect your hearing?
No, ANC earbuds should not be confused with a hearing protection device, and experts agree.
"Nobody should ever think of them as, in my opinion, pure hearing protection. They're not," says ENT Dr. Joe Donzelli. And while noise-canceling earbuds can offer some passive protection like any sound wave boundary, Dr. Donzelli assures that they don't deter the culprit of hearing loss: Inner ear trauma.
"Everything is all about the sound you're delivering through the headphones, so you can get the greatest noise cancellation ever, but if you just turn up the volume and expose yourself to high decibels for long periods of time, you'll then create inner ear trauma," Donzelli explains.
However, since listening to music at high volume for long periods of time can damage hearing, a good pair of ANC headphones may have some secondary hearing protection benefits.
"If someone is using ANC earbuds to get rid of ambient noise, they may not have to turn the volume up as loud to hear the in-ear sound," Donzelli says.
Essentially, here's how ANC earbuds may help: You find your ANC earbuds effectively cancel out distracting noises. Before, you had to blast the volume just to hear accurately, but thanks to the magic of ANC, the sound is clear at half the volume. Now, you're listening at a lower volume for longer and, therefore, likely have less exposure to damaging decibel levels, which means less inner ear trauma.
But Donzelli reiterates that the "tighter you put something in your ear and the louder you make it, the more damage. So if somebody runs around with their [earbuds] turned up all the way with or without noise cancellation, it doesn't make a difference."
Do noise-canceling earbuds cancel all noise?
Think of your finest pair of noise-canceling earbuds as high end noise reducers -- not complete noise cancellers. It's confusing, but let me explain.
You've probably tested out a pair of noise-canceling earbuds like Apple's AirPods Pro 2 or Bose's QuietComfort Ultra earbuds, and still heard a little bit of noise and conversation with them in. Noise-canceling earbuds usually cancel low frequency noise, like the hum of an airplane engine, the AC unit in your apartment, or the sounds of the train. You might still hear people talking around you with your earbuds in, but the sounds of conversation will be reduced.
Are noise-canceling earbuds bad for you?
According to ENT Dr. Joe Donzelli, noise-canceling earbuds alone don't damage your hearing. Long exposure to unhealthy decibel levels is what causes trauma to the tympanic membrane, and therefore can damage hearing.
For reference, the Hearing Health Foundation says that sounds at or below 70dB are considered safe for our hearing, and sounds at or above 80-85 dB will damage hearing over time. If you're worried your listening levels are higher than this, you can easily monitor your earbuds' projected decibel levels via your smartphone settings.
Are noise-canceling earbuds good for sleeping?
Noise-canceling headphones can be great for sleeping or falling asleep, especially for stomach and back sleepers. However, I'll warn that while the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds are sure to cancel any sleep-inhibiting sound, they're a bit chunky -- especially for side sleepers. Also, keep in mind that they're not the best option in the case of an emergency since you're essentially tuned out to the world.
For earbuds especially tailored for sleeping, check out our list of the top headphones for sleeping.
Is noise-canceling harmful to hearing?
In short, no. Noise cancellation is not bad for your ears. However, some people have experienced dizziness while using noise-canceling modes.
What can I use my noise-canceling earbuds for?
There are many ways I use my noise-canceling earbuds. Yes, they're great for hearing more of your music. But you can also use them if you're feeling overstimulated by your environment and need some peace and quiet. I used them during the holidays whenever my family got in a fight I didn't want to listen to. I listen to them in the office when other people are taking conference calls around me, and I need to focus. They are an anxious and overstimulated person's best friend.
One guy on Reddit even used noise-canceling earbuds to tune out his wife in the morning (and an entire morality discussion ensued in the Reddit thread). This is all to say that silence can be valuable, and if it's something you can't get enough of, get a pair of noise-canceling earbuds and see for yourself how much calmer and more productive you can be with them in.
Are there alternative noise-canceling earbuds worth considering?
There are over 4,000 search results when you type in, "noise-canceling earbuds" into your Amazon search bar. However, Amazon isn't the only place to secure a new pair of earbuds. You can find them at Walmart, Best Buy, Target, and a ton of other places.
Here are a few that didn't make the cut, including some true wireless earbuds, that are great alternatives if the options above don't sound like the best fit for you.