The best noise cancelling earbuds are ideal if you want an immersive audio experience without the interference of background noise, like office chatter, traffic, and more. You no longer need bulky over-ear headphones to escape into your music or podcasts. Today’s best true wireless earbuds deliver powerful noise cancellation in a sleek, compact design. And when you're done listening, they easily fit into a pocket-sized charging case for convenience on the go.
In this roundup of the best noise cancelling earbuds, we’ve covered a variety of options, from budget-friendly picks to premium models that compete with the best noise-cancelling headphones in terms of performance. While some models overlap with our best earbuds guide, this list focuses specifically on active noise cancellation capabilities.
After testing hundreds of pairs of the best true wireless earbuds for audio quality, comfort, and features, we’ve selected the top performers for this list based on real-world testing and comparison of their noise cancellation and other features. If you're strictly after affordable picks, read our separate guide to the best budget wireless earbuds.
The quick list
Want to just see which ANC buds are the best? Got it, here's a roundup of our top choices. You can jump to a full review of every one of these listings, along with our price comparison tool to help you find the best deals.
The best noise-cancelling earbuds overall
You can't get better noise-cancellation than this. Bose has long been the top brand for ANC, and while these particular QuietComfort buds aren't the newest, they're still the best of the bunch overall.
The best budget noise-cancelling earbuds
Yes, better ANC buds exist, but for decent immersion at an affordable price, these EarFun options are our top pick – and they're often discounted, too, nearly half the price of our Sony mid-range picks.
The best mid-range noise-cancelling earbuds
You get excellent ANC for the price, which is a huge improvement on previous Nothing buds – it's as good as we've tried for the price. The sound is fun, the fit is comfy, and the style easily outshines anything else at the price.
The best noise-cancelling earbuds for Apple fans
If you have an iPhone, these buds are offer excellent ANC that's almost the very best on the market. Build quality and sound is fantastic here too, and we love the 'unloseable' case with a speaker built in for enhanced Find My features.
The best noise-cancelling earbuds for Samsung
If you use a Samsung phone, you'll get the most from these buds. They offer superb sound, impressive ANC, plus Samsung-specific spatial audio and hi-res support in an all-new (for Samsung) stemmed design.
The best noise-cancelling earbuds for under $30/£30
With lively and engaging sound, effective noise cancellation and a wealth of features they've no business having for under $30, the JLab Go Pop ANC are incredibly good value. Really, incredibly good…
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The best noise-cancelling earbuds for sound
Not hands-down the best pick for noise-cancelling in isolation, but if you want great ANC and the best-quality sound, these are the buds for you – and you get excellent voice prompts too…
The best noise-cancelling earbuds for features
If you're looking for the best specs and high-end features on the market right now, these buds from Technics truly deliver. You'll get great sound, excellent fit, good ANC, plus multi-point to three devices simultaneously.
The best noise-cancelling earbuds for sports
The best choice for ANC when you're on the move, with an IP rating for sweat-resistance and a design that ensures they stay secure. If you want to nix noise at the gym, they're the buds for you.
The best noise-cancelling earbuds for battery life
If you want good ANC that's going to last all day (and all of the night!), these are a great shout. You get 12 hours from the buds and a huge 48 hours in total from the case – which also totes a smart screen. That's hard to beat.
I've reviewed over 150 audio products since becoming a tech journalist, ranging from super-budget earbuds to high-end Hi-Res Audio music players. Before joining TechRadar, I spent three years at What Hi-Fi? testing everything the world of audio had to offer; before that, I was a professional dancer. My love of music ties it all together.
Recent updates
October 18, 2024
Rewrote the introduction. Added the JLab Go Pop ANC as our 'best under $30/£30' affordable pick. Added some new suggestions to our 'also consider' section, including the Xiaomi Buds 5 and the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 buds.
The best noise-cancelling earbuds of 2024
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The best noise-cancelling earbuds overall
✅ Noise-cancellation really matters to you: These buds are at the top of the ANC game as it stands right now, and that’s without compromising on the sound quality.
✅ You want beautifully balanced sound: CustomTune works remarkably well, with a heck of a lot of details and textures coming through.
❌ You’d prefer high-definition wireless sound quality:
With support for just low-definition wireless codecs, the QCE II may not be for everyone.
❌ Size and wireless charging matter to you: Despite Bose managing to shrink its newer flagship ANC buds, the QCE II aren’t the smallest true wireless options you can get.
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 are our top picks for sheer ANC power. The biggest improvement over the original QuietComfort Earbuds is CustomTune audio, which adjusts both the audio response and noise cancellation of the QCE II to the individual user’s ear canal. The result is fantastic ANC that's a vast improvement even over the originals – which were our top pick for some time.
However, improvements to ANC aren't at the expense of sound quality. In our review, we wrote: "We can’t stress this enough – the sound is very well balanced, with a heck of a lot of details and textures coming through. And if you still find you need to tweak it, you can via the EQ in the app."
Bose also improved the design of the QuietComfort Earbuds with this iteration. They weigh 6.2g per bud, which Bose says is a whole 30% smaller than the originals and, therefore, feel much more comfortable to wear for longer periods of time. They also come with a range of both ear tips and stability bands to ensure you get the perfect fit. It took us a while to figure this out during our testing, but once we did it was worth it.
These new buds might not be the cheapest picks in this guide (or the newest; Bose has released an 'Ultra' set in late 2023, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds – but we think the upgrades were minor and as such, the better value is still here) and battery life leaves a lot to be desired at only 6 hours from the buds and 3 hours from their charging case. But, if you can afford them, these are hands-down the best noise-cancelling true wireless earbuds you can get for your money today.
Read our full Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 review
The best budget noise-cancelling earbuds
✅ You like the long stem design: Many buds have a stem these days but these are on the longer side.
✅ You want all-rounder buds for less: Few buds tick the boxes for comfy design, good ANC, solid sound and great battery life for under $100/£100.
❌ You need ANC that places you in a cocoon of silence: ANC is good here, but it doesn’t deliver that almost eerie silence you get from higher-end buds.
❌ You want compact buds: The stem design literally stands out and the mirror finish does draw attention to the buds, rivals are more subtle.
If you're on a budget the EarFun Air Pro 3 earbuds are our top recommendation. The ANC doesn't deliver the cocoon of silence you'd expect from higher-end options, but we thought it was good – especially considering the price. It's capable of reducing low-end sounds pretty effectively, including traffic noise, so it makes it much easier to hear what you're listening to. Other features include an impressive 45 hours of battery life in total, including the case, as well as multipoint pairing, which we found worked well.
The Earfun Air Pro 3 come with some good audio specs. And, while these noise-cancelling earbuds might not win awards in sound quality, those specs deliver an audio performance that is great for the price, although not perfect.
Design-wise, they look a little boring with long stems. When you first pick up these buds you’ll notice they feel plasticky – by which I mean: cheap – but that’s kind of good news as they’re also incredibly light at 52g for both buds and case. We often find the lighter the buds, the comfier the fit, but that's not always the case.
The Earfun Air Pro 3 buds are accomplished, especially considering their price. Amid a sea of similarly-priced efforts on Amazon, they stand out thanks to their superior design and solid audio chops, showing a high level of competence and excellent value.
Read our full Earfun Air Pro 3 review
The best mid-range noise-cancelling earbuds
✅ You want good-value ANC and sound: The noise cancelling and audio quality here is fantastic. You will find better, but would have to pay significantly more.
✅ Style matters to you: The whole Nothing brand is incredibly cool and these earbuds are the most stylish.
❌ You want great spatial audio: That's not here. You'd have to look at rivals, but most would charge much more for that audio wizardry.
❌ Your inner ear is small: We got a good fit with the small ear tips but the design may not suit those with a tiny concha (aka ear-well).
The Nothing Ear (a) pack in some seriously impressive ANC all for a great value, mid-range price. They're our top pick if you want to nix ambient sounds and you're willing to pay more than budget prices for that luxury.
We know that Nothing buds all look quite similar. Which, admittedly isn't a problem because that look is cool, stylish and bound to get attention. But don't be fooled by the Nothing Ear (a), they've had some major improvements. The most notable is noise cancellation. You can choose from High, Mid, Low, and Adaptive profiles. In our review, we wrote: "High is very good: the hairdryer we used for testing was largely nixed." You'll find even better ANC out there, but you'll have to pay high-end prices to notice a serious step up. In terms of other features, you'll also find clear calls, some basic EQ settings and profiles, reliable on-ear controls. Bluetooth v5.3 and LDAC support for hi-res audio.
In our review, we commented that, when paired with a Sony smartphone, LDAC files are "delivered with expanse and pinpoint accuracy when it comes to the placement of each sonic article." Even regular lossy files, the kind you'd find on Spotify, perform well here, delivering a sound we described as "fun and zealous". Again, you'll find better sound out there, but you'd have to pay over twice as much.
Looks-wise, Nothing buds have always been distinctive thanks to a transparent stem design. With the Nothing Ear (a) you get a smaller form factor that's even easier to carry in a pocket. During testing, we found these buds incredibly comfortable to wear and they come with a choice of small, medium and large silicone tips. The only thing we will say is that if you have very, very small ears the design might be a bit big in your concha (that's your ear well), so if you can it would make sense to try before you buy.
All in all, these are a seriously impressive pair of buds, especially considering their mid-range price. You get great sound, a slick design and ANC that really impressed us. You'd have to pay big bucks to find buds that seriously improve on all of these points. Which is why this is our top mid-range recommendation for most people.
Read our full Nothing Ear (a) review
The best noise-cancelling earbuds for Apple
✅ You want great sound: The AirPods Pro 2 sound brilliant and shut out the real world so well.
✅ You've got all manner of Apple things: If you've got an iPad, Apple TV, Apple Watch or similar, then you'll really get the benefit of these buds.
❌ You want to save money: Not the most expensive buds, but you can find cheaper options that do similar – but, crucially, not better.
❌ You don't have an iPhone: If you're in the Android world, you won't get as much benefit from these earbuds.
The AirPods Pro 2 might not be as accomplished as the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 at the top of our list in terms of ANC, but they're not far off. We found the noise-cancelling to be so good in the Pro 2 buds it was almost eerie. As with other ANC buds, there's a transparency mode on offer for conversations, and that's now been upgraded so it adapts to your conversations, making them sound more natural. Features-wise, these buds have a lot to offer, but you'll get the most from them – like 'Find My' features – if you have an iPhone.
During our testing, we found the audio performance to be stunning, offering up a rich sound regardless of genre and a wide and expansive soundstage, which is thanks to new drivers and amplifiers. Personalized Spatial Audio is a bonus here, where a scan of your face and ears can be used to re-calibrate the sound performance of the AirPods Pro 2.
Design-wise, they look similar to the Pro model that came before them. Expect the clean lines and solid build quality Apple is famous for, and slightly smaller stems that protrude from your ears. We enjoyed wearing them and liked the addition from volume control in the stems.
Of course, the AirPods Pro 2 work best with an iPhone at least, and even more Apple gear ideally. If that's you, these are among the most impressive noise-cancelling earbuds you can buy today and are well worth the price tag – especially because much of the competition has become more expensive than these. Grab them on their semi-regular discounts to under $199/£199 and they're a bargain.
In iOS 18, AirPods Pro 2 got updated with some useful new features, including improved voice isolation for calls, and the ability to respond to Siri prompts, such as incoming calls, by nodding or shaking your head. At Apple's September 2024 showcase, the company unveiled some further changes that are coming to the AirPods Pro 2, including new health features. The most notable is a hearing test, which Apple says could help diagnose potential issues, and a new hearing aid mode approved by the FDA. It's worth noting also that AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation are now available for $179 / £179 / AU$299, so you no longer have to go Pro to get ANC – have a look at our early verdict on Apple's entry-level ANC AirPods to help you decide.
Read our full Apple AirPods Pro 2 review
The best noise-cancelling earbuds for Samsung
✅ You own a Samsung Galaxy smartphone: These buds give you a bunch of special features, including spatial audio and remarkable hi-res audio.
✅ You're after top ANC: It may not beat the best of the bunch, but there's some seriously mighty noise cancellation performance at work here.
❌ You're on a budget: These earbuds are high-end and although they're worth it, there are cheaper rivals.
❌ You own an iPhone: You'd need to be looking to earbuds that offer a dedicated app for iOS.
If you own a Samsung phone and want great noise cancellation, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are for you. An update on the previous Buds 2 Pro (which they replace in this guide), these Samsung buds bring you great audio quality, a premium (but familiar) design and truly impressive ANC – there's certainly a lot to like.
Let's start with that impressive ANC. In our review of the Buds 3 Pro we commented that these buds are very effective and "throw a blanket over whatever background noise is going on when you’re trying to listen to music." We also noted that the audio on offer here is among some of the best we've ever heard from a pair of wireless buds and what some would consider an optimal sound signature: "The Buds have a V-shaped sound, which means that both the bass and treble are elevated and distinct, while the mids are just a little stepped back." The result is a wide soundstage that feels rich and full of energy.
The newer Buds 3 Pro also improve on the slightly disappointing battery of their predecessors. This time round you'll get six hours of battery from the buds themselves, 30 hours with their case, and longer with ANC off. It’s not a huge increase, but it’s something. Samsung has also added some AI-powered features here for Samsung phones, including adaptive ANC (we didn't think this added much during our testing), a feature which restores crackling voice in poor-quality calls, and live audio translation.
The design of the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro is similar to AirPods, but with a more angular design we thought looked Toblerone-like during our testing. At 5.4g per bud, they're lightweight and we found them comfortable to wear. Although switching out the tips to get the best fit was a frustrating process that seemed much more fiddly than it needed to be.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are the best value for those with a Samsung device. If you don't have one, there are better options higher up this list.
Read our full Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro review
The best value noise cancelling earbuds
✅ You want ANC on a budget: Cheap buds often don't come with ANC, but not only is it here, it's solid too.
✅ You want small, light buds: These buds are tiny and feel light and comfortable to wear. If you're sick of bulky options, these could be ideal.
❌ You want audiophile-grade sound: They sound amazing for the price, but these buds aren't going to impress audiophiles, you'll have to spend much more.
❌ You want stylish buds: It's not that they look bad, just a little cheap and plasticky. Although some may love that there are different colors on offer.
In our JLab Go Pop ANC review we commented that these cheap and cheerful buds "have all the hallmarks of an instant budget favorite", packing in everything you could want from a pair of true wireless earbuds and giving them a $30/£30 price tag.
The sound quality is solid. It's not mind-blowing, we commented in our review this is likely due to a narrow soundstage and you shouldn't expect audiophile-grade codes or support at this price. But the audio on offer is still enjoyable, which we said was "thanks to energetic bass and treble output." We also commended these buds for their punchy bass and lack of tinniness, even when you push them to the highest volumes.
These buds are a great choice if you want a light and comfortable fit – especially if you've tried bulky buds for you before and they felt irritating or fell out. There's also a IP55 water-resistance rating, which means they'll be fine with some minor splashes and sweaty workouts. To look at, these buds aren't ugly but they're not stylish either. In our review, we wrote: "these are a little cheap-looking across the board, from bud to charging case, but they aren’t off-putting by any means."
Features-wise, you're getting a lot for budget buds, most notably ANC. In our review, we commented that you won't experience the close to silence experience that more expensive buds offer, but most distracting sounds will be dulled. With ANC on you can expect 7 hours of battery life from the buds, which is up to the standard of most true wireless earbuds these days. If you've got the charging case with you, expect 24 hours in total. In short, the JLab Go Pop ANC are excellent value. Not only do they pack in the essentials, like a comfy fit and good sound, they bring you features that you'd normally have to pay double, even triple the price for, like a companion app, EQ presets, customizable touch controls and, of course, solid ANC.
Read our full JLab Go Pop ANC review
The best noise-cancelling earbuds for sound
✅ You want excellent ANC for mid-range money: They're cheaper than AirPods Pro 2 and the ANC is just as effective. We find this surprising (since this is the first time Cambridge Audio is including noise cancellation), but there it is – the noise-nixing is some of the best at the level.
✅ You love listening to acoustic music: The detail levels here along with the broad, expansive presentation is going to make your playlists sound every bit as textured and real as the artist intended (for this money, at any rate).
❌ You also need an excellent Transparency mode: The Melomania M100 are great at many things, but their transparency profile isn't one of them; it's overly warm with too much of a hiss to be truly useful.
❌ You want tailored otoacoustic sound profiles: This isn't a feature that Cambridge Audio offers with the Melomania M100.
Alongside some of the best noise-nixing your $220 (£169 or AU$299) can buy, you're getting the dulcet tones of Matt Berry (What We Do in the Shadows, Toast of London) and it's hard to put a price on how good that sounds on your daily commute.
Other that this, you're getting a solid battery life, comfortable and secure design (albeit with a charging case that's a tad big) likeable app and sound quality that befits Cambridge Audio's admirable reputation in hi-fi. We didn't think the UK firm cared about noise cancellation, but it turns out that if this particular audio specialist is going to do it, it's going to do it well – because that is precisely what has happened.
The sound is agile, neutral and expansive – think integrated, detailed and staying true to your music. If you listen to grime, you may yearn for just a touch more verve and clout through the low end, but it's such a minor thing we mention it more as a characteristic of the sound, rather than a flaw. If this is where your budget maxes out, you won't be disappointed in the noise cancellation on offer here.
Oh, and if you couldn't make the bullet-shaped design of the older Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus work for you, don't worry, that's all changed; these fit even smaller ears.
Read our full Cambridge Audio Melomania M100 review
The best noise-cancelling earbuds for features
✅ You prioritize comfort: A carefully considered design and lavish selection of silicone ear tip makes them incredibly comfortable.
✅ You want to switch between devices: Triple-point connectivity is rare, and it’s brilliantly convenient for those of us with many sources of audio.
❌ You intend to wear your earbuds all day: Even at its best, the battery life available here is nothing special – long-haul flights are a non-starter.
❌ You prefer an animated, exciting sound: For all of their poise, balance and accuracy, they don’t produce the most out-and-out animated sound
The Technics EAH-AZ80 buds sound great, deliver decent ANC performance and are packed full of more features than any other options on the list. There's triple-point connectivity (a first in a product of this type), which proves stable and useful, high-resolution LDAC codec compatibility as well as the more prosaic SBC and AAC alternatives, and thanks to ‘Just My Voice’ technology these earbuds are far less prone to wind-noise interference than any number of rivals. In our review we wrote that battery life is just fine with 7 hours from the buds and 25 hours from the case.
But these buds aren't just about the cool features. They make an accomplished sound we called "swift and accurate" and "balanced and detailed" in our review. They offer convincingly realistic and coherent listening in all circumstances. Granted, it's not the most energetic sound we've heard but we think most people would find it to be a thoroughly enjoyable listen. ANC is fine, but not the best on this list by a long way.
The Technics EAH-AZ80 buds have a carefully considered design, along with a lavish selection of silicone ear tips, so they should stay comfortable no matter the size or shape of your ears. The plastic they're made from feels sturdy and robust even though they only weigh 7g each – the charging case is an equally trim 50g.
The Technics EAH-AZ80 represent great value. There are minor shortcomings in terms of battery and ANC, but in our opinion they look and feel every bit of the asking price, and all their clever functions are implemented flawlessly.
Read our full Technics EAH-AZ80 review
The best noise-cancelling earbuds for sports
✅ You want an AirPods Pro-like experience for less:
The AirPods Pro 2 are better buds, but you'll find a similar experience and features here.
✅ You want them to feel comfy and secure: Our top picks for movement throughout the day with fins, a stable fit and a good battery life.
❌ You want excellent ANC: The noise-cancelling here is fine at this level, but if you want ultimate immersion look to the Apple AirPods Pro 2 instead.
❌ You have an Android phone: You'll get a good experience with Android, but iPhone users are going to get the most from the features here.
If you're looking for good noise-cancelling while you're working out, the Beats Fit Pro are our top choice. You can think of these as the original AirPods Pro in a different design. You get the same Apple-specific features (Spatial Audio, Siri) provided you have an iPhone, Android users should look elsewhere. You'll get a marginally better battery life here than from other Beats buds. 6 hours with ANC from the buds themselves and an additional 18 hours with the charging case.
There's a custom-designed driver here for a bassy low end. The new sound profile Beats has gone with keeps things exciting with elevated highs and lows and good overall clarity. We really enjoyed testing Dolby Atmos with these buds. In our review we wrote: "Being able to dynamically change the audio mix as you move your head is electrifying—giving you a concert-like experience anywhere."
Design-wise, they're build for movement. An IPX4 water-resistance rating makes them sweat-proof. There's also a prominent wing tip that gives you a better fit when you're working out, it's built as part of the buds themselves, giving extra flexibility. Once they're in they stay put, although some users may find they become a little uncomfortable over longer periods: the wing tip is fairly unforgiving.
The Beats Fit Pro aren't the best on the list for ANC, although it's decent here. But they are arguably the best Apple-made earbuds for gym-goers and outdoor exercise, especially if you want to save a little money and not splash out on the AirPods Pro 2 but enjoy a few of the same features.
Read our full Beats Fit Pro review
The best noise-cancelling earbuds for battery life
✅ You need long, reliable listening: The battery life here is truly exceptional at 48 hours in total, and up to 12 hours from the buds alone.
✅ You like cutting-edge tech: It has a cool screen on it, that you can put your own images onto, and with some useful controls! Do your friends have that? No. Exactly.
❌ You want top spatial audio: Spatial audio is here, but we weren't impressed by the experience. You'll find better elsewhere.
❌ You don't like the feel of in-ears: If you're not sure in-ears are for you there are better options. These buds tend to sit further into your canal than rivals.
Many earbuds pack in great ANC, but that often leads to a big reduction in battery life. This is hard to avoid given how much power is needed to nix noise effectively, so if you're looking for something that leans further towards the battery end of the balance, the JBL Live Beam 3 are our top choice. You'll get long listening sessions, or just won't have to worry about charging your buds as often.
The JBL Live Beam 3 boast a seriously impressive 12 hours of battery from the earbuds alone or 10 hours with ANC. The case then delivers three further charges, meaning total playback time is up to a best-in-class 48 hours. That's impossible to beat, especially with good ANC, sound and design as well. In terms of additional features, you'll also get great call handling, six EQ presets or the option to create your own, and strong noise cancellation. Adaptive ANC is on-board, which adjusts the level of cancellation based on your surroundings. There's also a feature called Auto Compensation, which adjusts audio based on your ear canal. If you switch off Adaptive ANC, you get a slider offering seven different levels of noise-nixing power.
Use a compatible smartphone and fire up a track from Qobuz or Apple Music and you can take advantage of Sony's LDAC tech for higher-quality Bluetooth. These tracks are beautifully replayed. That doesn't mean other tracks don't sound impressive here too. In our review, we wrote: "Want big, exuberant sound that knows when to deliver large, but also when to pull back just a little, allowing the detail to shine through? That's the sonic recipe the JBL Beam 3 present."
The earbuds fit securely and snugly. Our reviewer has small ears and found them easy to wear, although it is worth mentioning that they do sit quite far into your ear canal – maybe avoid these if you're already a little unsure as to whether you want in-ears or not. The other major design point is that the case has a screen on it, which surprisingly doesn't drain the battery. You can access some basic features here, like putting a photo on the screen or using it as a flashlight. It's not as smart as say a smartwatch, but it's a cool addition.
Read our full JBL Live Beam 3
More noise-cancelling earbuds to consider
Xiaomi Buds 5: These are great-sounding earbuds, especially for their cheap price. But there are issues, including poor grip in our ear canals, and the battery could be much better. Take a look at our Xiaomi Buds 5 review to find out more.
OnePlus Buds Pro 3: In our OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review you'll learn we enjoyed testing these buds, they deliver great sound and have impressive battery life. But they're not quite good enough to beat the best buds in this guide.
B&W Pi8: We very nearly added these buds into this guide to replace the Technics EAH-AZ80. They sound great and ANC is fantastic. In time, they may make this guide. But as it stands right now, the pricing is just in Technics' favor. Read our B&W Pi8 review to find out why we rate them so highly.
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2: Battery life is good and they're small and cute, but otherwise these Google buds were pretty disappointing all round. Read our Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 review to find out why.
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation: More affordable than the AirPods Pro 2, and they have the same H2 chip powering them. You can read our AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation early verdict while we work on our full review, based on our time with them over a week.
OnePlus Buds 3: These OnePlus buds do boast a nice, lightweight design and good ANC. But in every other way, they were a bit of a letdown with middling battery life and sound that was way too bass-heavy. Read our OnePlus Buds 3 review for our full thoughts.
How to choose the best noise-cancelling earbuds
If you're looking for the best noise-cancelling earbuds, a good place to start is the design. Do you need earbuds for working out? Then look for a pair that come with a water-resistance rating of IPX4 or above, interchangeable eartips, and earhooks that will keep them securely in place while you exercise.
Do you want a pair of noise-cancelling earbuds for the commute? Then you may want to consider a pair with a simple design that look unobtrusive.
It's also a good idea to have a budget in mind before you start looking for a pair of noise-cancelling earbuds. Earbuds that block out ambient sound most successfully tend to be more expensive, with most of the best models costing at least $200 / £200 / AU$300. However, you can still get great active noise cancellation on a budget, with some of the best earbuds in this guide costing less than $100 / £100 / AU$150 – just don't expect best-in-class ANC at mid-range and budget prices.
Of course, noise cancellation isn't the only thing to consider when buying a pair of earbuds. Whatever you're buying earbuds for, you want them to sound fantastic. If you consider yourself an audiophile, look for models with aptX HD or aptX Adaptive support, so you can enjoy your hi-res audio streams and get the most detail out of your music.
How we test the best noise-cancelling earbuds
☑️ More than 2,400 audio reviews
☑️ 15 years of product testing
☑️ Over 16,000 products reviewed in total
☑️ Nearly 200,000 hours testing tech
We've thoroughly tested all of the noise-cancelling earbuds in this guide, so you can be confident that you're making an informed decision when you buy.
We've spent lots of time using these earbuds in different situations, putting the active noise cancellation to the test in noisy environments, on public transport, on flights, and in shared offices – and of course we listen to a wide range of music from various sources to check whether the noise cancellation negatively affects your music collection. However effective the noise cancellation is when deployed, it's no good if the track you're listening to becomes constricted, tinny or otherwise compromised.
The audio performance of these earbuds is thoroughly analysed to test how well balanced they are across the frequencies, how wide the soundstage is, and how much detail they eke out from audio files.
Battery life and connectivity are also tested rigorously, so you can be sure that the earbuds you're buying live up to the manufacturer's claims.
At the moment, we're beginning a new process for scoring earbuds' performance in certain areas, to make it easier for you to compare models in our buying guides. You can read all about it in our guide to how we test earbuds at TechRadar, but the most relevant parts are that we'll be scoring earbuds specifically on their sound quality with ANC turned on and off, since that can make a notable difference. We'll also offering recordings of microphone quality so you can compare different earbuds on that front, and we'll give you exact figures for how long the battery in them lasts with active noise cancellation turned on.
We'll re-test the earbuds in this guide with these new process in mind, and we'll use the new process for new reviews in the future.
Latest updates to the best noise-cancelling earbuds
October 18, 2024
Rewrote the introduction. Added the JLab Go Pop ANC as our 'best under $30/£30' affordable pick. Added some new suggestions to our 'also consider' section, including the Xiaomi Buds 5 and the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 buds.
September 17, 2024
Switched the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro for the newer and better performing Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro based on our testing. Added several new options into our 'also consider' section, including the LG Tone Free T90S and Earfun Air Pro 4. Also added details about Apple's new earbud announcements, including details of the ANC variant of the upcoming Apple AirPods 4.
July 19, 2024
Added the JBL Live Beam 3 in as a new option for the 'best battery'. Also added the Nothing Ear (a) as the 'best mid-range option' replacing the Sony WF-C700N, based on our testing of the two products. Updated the 'also consider' section to reflect some of the other new earbuds we've reviewed recently that didn't make it into this guide.
May 21, 2024
Updated the copy throughout; added Cambridge Audio Melomania M100 in as the best-sounding option, to replace the Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 S2. Updated the 'also consider section to reflect several new earbuds reviewed recently (Audio-Technica ATH-TWX7, OnePlus Buds 3 and more) and why they didn't make it to this list.
20 March 2024
Added a new 'Also consider' section to highlight more earbuds that aren't in the list, and removed some products to streamline selections.
4 March 2024
Added new products based on the latest reviews.
