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Hunting for a set of wireless earbuds that have true active noise-canceling (ANC) has never been harder, but has also never offered up so many good choices. ANC technology has also come a long way, and that and other new features are making these choices even more difficult. For example, custom transparency modes are fine-tuning what we want and don’t want to hear from the world around us, just as personalization tech is allowing the latest earbuds to analyze our ears and the noises around us to tailor a listening experience we’ve never heard before.

Brands from the biggest in the biz — including Bose, Sony, Jabra, Apple, and Sennheiser — to the less recognizable (but great), like Earfun and 1More, are all offering ANC earbuds to suit every imaginable use and price. We’ve tested tons of them, and although everyone has their own specific needs and wants, we believe that the Sony WF-1000XM4 are the best noise-canceling earbuds you can buy right now.

But let’s assume you want to explore your options to look at the best design, battery life, transparency modes, and other specs. That’s where we come in! As experts on all things audio and audio-adjacent, we’ve compiled this roundup of the best noise-canceling earbuds you can buy right now.

Sony WF-1000XM4

The best overall noise-canceling earbuds

Sony’s insanely popular Sony WF-1000XM4s remain firmly at the top of our list, with the $250 true wireless noise-canceling earbuds offering quality for just about anyone.

And to jump right in with the main reason you’re probably here, the XM4’s noise-canceling is excellent, but Sony has always done this really well. The XM4s not only do an effective job at eliminating high- and low-frequency noise and sounds, but they manage to achieve this without adding an audible hiss or frequency to do it. The result is super-clear audio, even when there’s no music playing. They even have an optional automatic wind-noise reduction feature that works great.

The Sony WF-1000XM4s are solid on the transparency mode front, too, with a speak-to-chat feature that detects when you’re speaking and automatically pauses your music so you can talk. All this and more can be customized with the Sony Headphones Connect app. Additionally, Sony recently announced that Bluetooth multipoint connectivity will be added to the XM4s in November 2022, which will allow for seamless switching between two simultaneous connected sources.

With deep bass, and clear mids and highs, the XM4s sound great, too. The XM4s employ memory foam eartips, which create a comfortable seal that helps block outside noise. Sony’s customizable touch controls will have you navigating your music and other features easily, too.

Battery life is top-notch, with eight hours of playtime with ANC turned on and 12 hours with it off, and the charging case doles out two full charges for a total of 24 hours. The XM4s have also stepped up to water-resistance level with an IPX4 rating, making them much more usable at the gym or out for a jog on a rainy day.

With their compact form, snug and comfortable fit suitable for all-day use, full Sony sound, and some of the best ANC around, you can’t go wrong with these formidable noise-canceling true wireless earbuds.

Jabra Elite 7 Pro

The next best noise-canceling earbuds

Like our top-pick Sony WF-1000XM4s, the Jabra Elite 7 Pro earbuds are descendant from a family of outstanding earbuds whose praises we’ve sung for years. Aside from being one of if not the most comfortable pairs of earbuds we’ve ever tried, the Elite 7 Pro have outstanding noise cancelation, due in part to their fully closed design that provides a tight seal. The result is comfy and ultra-quiet earbuds that will bring you peace and quiet.

The Elite 7 Pro’s transparency mode (called HearThrough) is also pretty great, and switching between it and ANC is as easy as a tap on the left earbud. Add to that the fantastic Jabra Sound+ app that makes the Elite 7 Pros the most customizable earbuds we’ve ever tested, and the sky’s the limit at roughly $50 less than the XM4s.

The Elite 7 Pros have managed to combine rich and powerful bass that make everything from guitars and synths to vocals sit where they’re supposed to in the soundstage for accurate reproduction of your favorite tunes. Call quality is also superb on the Elite 7 Pros, and it’s worth noting that a firmware update in January this year added a multipoint Bluetooth connection, meaning you can do things like listen to music from your phone while participating on a Zoom call on your computer at the same time.

If working out is on your list of main uses for a pair of earbuds, then the Elite 7 Pro’s IP57 rating will please you, as they’re waterproof in up to a meter of water for up to 30 minutes.

Battery-wise, the Elite 7 Pro will last for eight hours with ANC on, and a quick charge of five minutes will net you an hour of listening. All in, with the power provided by the charging case, the Jabra Elite 7 Pros boast 30 hours of total playtime, and even more with ANC turned off.

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II

Best ANC tech in noise-canceling earbuds for all users

When Bose released the upgrade version of its QuietComfort earbuds, it made a bold claim – that they had the best active noise cancellation available. That includes new technology like CustomTune, which is supposed to run a test of your ears and adjust the ANC as a result. We don’t know how much difference that makes, but we do know that these earbuds have some of the best ANC that we’ve experienced, outshone only by the very latest releases like the AirPods Pro 2.

The ANC includes both Quiet and Aware transparency modes (we appreciate the option to choose which we prefer), along with an adjustable EQ that offers several presets for boosts or reductions. The design also saw a welcome upgrade with now-separated eartips for easier fits, and although they stick out a bit the design remains entirely comfortable. The IPX4 rating also removes any fears of using these buds outdoors, no matter the weather. The touch controls have also added volume swiping (which is making the rounds in the latest high-tech earbuds).

Not everything is perfect with Bose’s latest entry: The battery life remains average at up to six hours plus three full charges in the case, which for some reason doesn’t support wireless charging. But if you’re looking for earbuds that put the “cancellation” in ANC – and aren’t a big Apple user – Bose has the quiet you’re listening for.

Apple AirPods Pro 2

Best noise-canceling earbuds for Apple users

As popular as the cheaper Apple AirPods are, the AirPods Pro 2 (now officially replacing the first Pro model) eclipse them in every way. According to our experienced reviewers, the ANC in these high-end earbuds is best-in-class. They create a cone-of-silence effect that has to be experienced to be appreciated.

The AirPods Pro 2 feature super-simple pairing (its own version of multipoint, that works quite well) and hands-free Siri access when connected to an iPhone, as well as an IPX4 water-resistance rating that protects against sweat and splashes during workouts. Apple also added an adaptive EQ technology that adjusts the frequency response to your listening conditions, something that few other companies offer. The latest version includes updated touch controls including a volume slider, and improved technology for spatial audio, among other tricks.

Battery life for the AirPods Pro 2 is enough for a full day at around five hours per charge and 24 hours of total life with the earbuds’ included case, though this is on the low end when you look at other models in this roundup. There’s no doubt that these buds are pricey at $249, but for Apple users in particular, they represent the best combination of noise cancellation and operating system integration available today.

Technics EAH-AZ60

Best sound quality for the price

A more affordable version of Technic’s excellent but pricey EAH-AZ70 true wireless noise-canceling earbuds, the AZ60s offer up Technics’ legendary sound and are packed with primo ANC.

Comfy and light, the AZ60s are easy to wear for long periods of time, with their soft silicone eartips (in seven sizes) creating a full seal to help block outside noise to complement the ANC (more on that below).

The AZ60’s ANC? Amazing. Ambient noise, hums, traffic, and nearby conversations are well and properly filtered, making for a clear, clean experience.

Transparency mode is activated easily with a long press on the right earbud, and the Technics Audio Connect app allows for ample fine-tuning, including a feature that lets you bump up and enhance voices for when you’re having a conversation.

As you would expect from Technics, the makers of some of the most legendary audio equipment ever, the sound quality from the EAH-AZ60s is superb, making these earbuds one of the best-sounding pairs on our list. With their default EQing, the EAH-AZ60s are controlled and stable across the whole bass-mid-high spectrum, but that can all be tailored to your liking with the Audio Connect app.

As with the Sony WF-1000XM4s, these Technics also support Sony’s hi-res LDAC Bluetooth codec, which you can experience when connected to a compatible phone or device.

The Technics EAH-AZ60s battery life isn’t anything to write home about, though, with roughly seven hours per charge with ANC activated and a total of 24 to 25 hours of playtime with the charging case (which isn’t wireless, by the way). Using the LDAC will yield even less playtime. But that’s a reasonable tradeoff considering the sound quality for the price.

JBL Reflect Flow Pro

Best athletic noise-canceling earbuds

Finding a great pair of earbuds for your workout isn’t an easy feat. They have to fit securely, sound great, and offer some top-notch ANC. Well then, the JBL Reflect Flow Pro sports buds could be the perfect pair.

Super comfortable, the Reflect Pros offer three sizes of silicone eartips and four choices of wingtips that help secure the earbuds. The My JBL Headphones app can also run a test to help you zero in on the perfect fit. Their IP68 rating means they can take on whatever dust, water, and sweat your activities can throw at them, and you can completely submerge them in water to rinse them off afterward.

But that’s putting the cart before the horse. During your workout, the Reflect Flow Pros deliver all the tub-thumping bass you’ll need to drive you further while not skimping on the clear mids and highs for those motivational lyrics. The My Headphones app also offers some EQing features to help you dial in your perfect sound.

But what about the noise-cancellation and transparency modes? Outdoors, traffic and ambient noises were kept in check, while inside (should you want to use them for work, too), annoying sounds like hums and bathroom fans were filtered out. The Reflect Flow Pros’ transparency mode is also really good. Two presets are available – Ambient Aware (for general environmental sounds) and TalkThru for conversations.

Battery power in decent, with 10 hours of playback time on a single charge (eight with ANC on) and an extra 20 hours with the Qi-compatible wireless charging case, which competes with some of the best on our list. There’s also voice assistant support for Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant, plus a Find My Buds feature that will help you locate them if they’re lost or stolen.

Google Pixel Buds Pro

Best ANC earbuds for Android users

Google knew that Android fans were looking for highly compatible earbuds with up-to-date ANC tech, and the Pixel Buds Pro were designed to deliver. Fortunately, they succeeded in almost all respect. These earbuds make the perfect companion for Android phone fans, especially if you’ve got a Pixel phone to pair with them. They’re also more affordable than competitors from brands like Apple or Bose, which wins them an extra nod.

These buds are designed for a tight, minimalistic in-ear fit with a vented design, plus a variety of eartips to choose from and an eartip seal test to improve the ANC and find the right fit. Whether you’re using the Pixel settings or the Pixel Bud app, controls are a breeze and the ANC comes with easy off and transparency modes … plus, of course, access to Google Assistant, which is a serious advantage if you’re already plugged into the Google smart world.

But perhaps best of all, the Pixel Buds Pro sound great, better than any Pixel Buds before with crisp sounds – albeit combined with a lack of EQ options or high-res audio support (the latter of which, Google says is on the way). But if you’re already invested in the Android ecosystem, they’re the perfect companion earbuds that will fit in like a dream.

Audio-Technica ATH-TWX9

Best AirPods Pro alternative

Apple AirPods are really good true wireless earbuds, to be sure. But if you’re not too keen on jumping into the Apple ecosystem and you’re looking for a set of earbuds that have great sound and noise canceling that rivals Apple’s little white buds, the folks at Audio-Technica have more than earned their reputation as one of the world’s best brands.

Sure, the Audio-Technica ATH-TWX9, are $50 more than the AirPods Pro at $299, but they sound amazing (like you’d expect from A-T), with customizable EQ through the A-T app, so you can tweak them to your preferences. But during our review of them, Digital Trends’ headphone expert, Simon Cohen, was so happy with their punchy bass and precise and clean highs out of the box that he preferred not to use the EQ — they sound that good.

With support for up to 24-bit/96kHz hi-res audio with aptX Adaptive Bluetooth on a compatible device (Android only), you can enjoy the best that music streaming services like Tidal and Apple Music have to offer.

But let’s get to the reason you’re here — ANC. The TWX9s are outstanding here as well, with five modes you can choose based on your situation, such as airplanes, trains, and noisy offices. There’s also an “Optimized” mode that measures the ambient noise around you and adjusts the ANC to suit the situation. The earbuds also have an automatic calibration process that analyzes how the buds fit in your ears, adjusting the sound and ANC accordingly.

The ATH-TWX9 have a sleek, textured matte black finish that is just the right amount of grippy and distinctly anti-AirPod in its look. The buds are comfy and fit really well, so they can be worn for long stretches at a time. The battery will yield around six hours per charge and a total of 18 hours with the wireless charging case and ANC on, which is less than the AirPods Pro’s 6/30 hours, but we don’t think that’s a deal breaker.

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3

Great audio in noise-canceling earbuds

While Sennheiser has embraced earbud technology like ANC, its specialty has always been incredible sound, and the Momentum 3 has some of the best audio we’ve ever heard in earbuds. There are also many important updates here compared to the second-gen model, including a sleeker design, support for AptX Adaptive Bluetooth – and a significantly lower price to make them more competitive with similar options.

So, the sound is superb. Now let’s talk about that ANC: Sennheiser uses an interesting hybrid ANC model that offers active noise cancellation, an anti-wind setting, and a transparency mode for hearing environmental sounds. That’s a solid offering, but the efficacy doesn’t get close to ANC from brands like Apple or Sony. Choose these buds for the Sennheiser sound experience, not the best noise cancellation in the world.

Other important features include IPX4 water resistance, as well as wear sensors to automatically shut off the earbuds and save on battery life (something we’d like to see become more common). There’s also a full-featured Smart Control app that lets you customize touch controls, set Sound Zones based on your location, and make EQ adjustments. This is a fine pick if your priority is excellent sound over other earbud features.

Earfun Air Pro 3

Best affordable noise-canceling earbuds

Getting into a pair of noise-canceling wireless earbuds doesn’t have to cost a fortune, and the Earfun Air Pro 3s are proof. For just $80, you get a superb set of true wireless earbuds that ensure a great fit, with four sizes of silicone eartips to choose from, and that you can wear all day (they’re that comfortable) due to their amazing battery life — up to 7 hours per charge with ANC on (37 with the case). 

To be clear, if you’re expecting Bose-, Sony-, or Jabra-level ANC, don’t. The Earfun Air Pro 3s, while pretty decent at blocking out general noise like traffic and other loud sounds from city streets, are not going to compete with the likes of the top performers on our list. But for $80, they’ll more than handily do the trick. They’re also adept at making phone calls and have a solid transparency mode to help make sure you hear that oncoming bus before it makes a pancake out of you.

The Air Pro 3s sound is pretty good, too, with our reviewer praising their well-rounded sound with ample bass, and crisp mids and highs that can also be tweaked with a six-band EQ via the earbuds’ app. Earfun also surprises here with support for the Bluetooth LE Audio and the LC3 codecs for higher-quality audio and low latency that takes up less energy, as well as support for aptX Adaptive for listening to hi-res music up to 24-bit/48kHz.

Gymgoers will also like the Air Pro 3s’ IPX5 water-resistance rating, meaning they’ll stand up to any sweat at the gym or light rain while out on a run.

Frequently Asked Questions

Glossary

• Driver: The unit that produces sound in a headphone, made up of magnets, voice coils, and other materials. Typically, the larger the driver, the more power a headphone has, and generally bigger drivers in in-ear headphones indicate a better range of frequencies can be reproduced.

• Dynamic driver: A single driver capable of covering the entire frequency range. The diaphragm is connected directly to a voice coil in the headphone, with the voice coil moving between magnets to produce sound.

• Balance armature driver: In a balanced armature driver, the headphone’s diaphragm is connected to the armature, with micro-vibrations producing the sound. Most balanced armature drivers are best within a specific frequency range, which is why many headphones contain multiple balanced drivers, with certain frequencies divided between drivers for full-spectrum sound. If you see a model advertised as a “triple-driver” or “quad-driver,” it’s likely referring to multiple balance armatures.

• Soundstage: The perceived size and depth of the sound coming through the headphones.

• Passive noise isolation: Noise that is blocked out by the headphone based on its physical shape and size in your ear.

• Active noise cancellation (ANC): A technology that blocks outside sounds by producing sound waves that are the exact opposite in terms of frequency and amplitude, thereby “canceling” the unwanted sound before it reaches your eardrum.

• Frequency response: The spectrum of frequencies that a headphone can reliably reproduce.

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