10 Best Noise-Cancelling Earbuds in 2023 (With Proven ANC)

Here’s the latest list of the best noise-cancelling earbuds with powerful active noise cancellation (ANC) in 2023.

Find true wireless earbuds that dramatically reduce background noise in all situations.

The best part? Check our ANC tests to see exactly what to expect (can’t hear anywhere else: jump to the first test).

Buying your first pair and wanting to upgrade? Here are the 10 top picks (active noise cancellation ANC) of in-ear models that have the most effective technology.

Use them for traveling or just enjoying your music in peace. These small and versatile best noise cancelling earbuds are an excellent choice for all loud situations.

Compare earphones with the most effective noise cancelling technology and choose the most fitting for your needs.

After considering all the best noise cancelling earbuds on the market (30+), here are the top choices for 2023.

Last update: Added new noise-cancelling tests, some styling changes.

Related:

Best noise isolating headphones
Best noise-canceling headphones (on & over-ear headphones)
Best budget noise cancelling headphones

Best Noise Cancelling Earbuds Reviewed

1. Sony WF-1000XM4

Here’s the Sony WF-1000XM4 ANC test:

The first true wireless earbuds on the list are also the best. Based on our extensive testing, the Sony WF-1000XM4 are not only the best sounding noise cancelling true wireless earbuds, but they also come with a ton of features.

They have a well-balanced, dynamic sound quality, and detailed response. Sound is full even on lower volumes. Playing with EQ inside the app can make it even better.

A combination of hybrid foam ear tips and excellent Sony’s active noise cancellation works wonders. Apart from the highest frequencies, everything else, like office noise and engine sounds in an airplane cabin, gets reduced to a minimum.

If you’re looking for the best noise cancellation with adjustable ANC, these are it.

The ambient sound mode is also excellent, rivaling AirPods Pro and Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2.

The feature-rich Sony app offers a ton of features:

• DSEE Extreme up-scaling for Hi-Res audio
• Wireless charging capabilities
• Useful transparency mode
• Adjustable EQ
• And a decent level of customization.

It’s the same app as in their over-ear headphones, which are arguably the best in class too.

Plus, the ANC true wireless earbuds have LDAC codec support (exclusive to Sony Bluetooth headphones), which enables high bandwidth, Hi-Res wireless sound.

The new model has an improved design and is now much more comfortable for long listening sessions. These are, by far, the best true wireless earbuds for music lovers.

At a cheaper price point, the predecessor is still a noise-cancelling beast. Check our full review: Sony WF-1000XM3 review

2. Apple AirPods Pro 2

The sound quality of AirPods Pro is fairly balanced, with a slight emphasis on the bass, which makes them a great choice for a variety of music genres.

You get to take advantage of the H2 chip for quick pairing and auto-connect function, which only works for iOS and iPhone users (but doesn’t work for Android phones).

Also, you get the same hands-free Siri voice control, Spatial Audio, and programmable touch controls on the buds.

The ANC buds are great for making phone calls. The built-in microphone sound is clear and great at reducing background noise.

On top of that, AirPods Pro 2 are noise cancelling wireless earbuds that do a good job at reducing ambient noise, though some alternatives (like Sony) still have an edge.

The single issue is a somewhat average battery life of 6 hours, and extra 24 hours with a charging case should be enough for at least a few days.

3. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds

If you enjoy bass, wireless earbuds do a fantastic job. It’s punchy and incredibly controlled without bleeding too much in the mids, which stays nicely clean and balanced.

Thanks to the Adaptive EQ feature, the low-end doesn’t go away when you lower the volume control.

Bose QuietComfort wireless earbuds are big but also extremely comfortable to wear for longer listening sessions.

As expected, their great noise cancellation is among the best on the market, easily competing with Sony, Apple, and Sennheiser at how successfully they combat background noises.

Inside the app, you can tweak the Bose QC earbuds based on your preferences. You can change touch controls and toggle the intensity of the noise cancellation. And the mic quality for phone calls is good.

The auto play/pause function is there to conserve battery life, though it isn’t the longest.

There are 6 hours of playtime inside the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds, with the charging case having extra two charges of battery life and fast charging capabilities.

Bose Sport Earbuds are almost identical but lack active noise cancellation.

4. 1MORE Evo

Here’s the 1MORE Evo ANC test:

1MORE Evo have a hybrid driver design, one dynamic and one balanced armature driver. However, the sound quality is slightly off originally. But with custom EQ, you can make your very own personalized sound.

Moving to the main star of the show, the active noise cancellation works almost on par with the Sony WF-1000XM4, one of the best TWS performers on the market.

While there’s a slight background hiss when in the ANC-enabled mode, you shouldn’t hear it during playback or in noisy environments.

The 1MORE app lets you toggle between 4 different ANC modes and 2 ambient sound modes, including transparency mode.

You get a decent battery life of around 6 hours per charge with ANC on or 8 hours with it turned off.

5. Google Pixel Buds Pro

While the sound is overall better without ANC, you can still get a great audio quality with noise cancellation if you use our custom EQ (found in the full review).

Earbuds have a good active noise-cancelling performance that can beat the Sony WF-1000XM4 in reducing the upper bass and midrange area. They also pretty naturally boost the surrounding noise (ambient sound mode).

They can play music and cancel noise for almost 8 hours on a single charge, while the case holds another 13 hours of battery life.

You’ll be happy to know that despite their unconventional design, Pixel Buds Pro feel comfortable and reasonably stable. Thanks to using silicone ear tips, they even provide decent passive isolation.

6. Edifier NeoBuds Pro 2

Here’s the Edifier NeoBuds Pro 2 ANC test:

NeoBuds Pro 2 have a decently-defined sound quality but with a slightly unresolved treble. Nevertheless, using our custom EQ (in the full review), they can somewhat faithfully reproduce your favorite artists.

Earbuds have an AirPods Pro design, ensuring great comfort and a reasonably stable fit even for outdoor walking.

Furthermore, since NeoBuds Pro are rated for an IP54, they can easily handle sweat. However, don’t drench them in water, as they aren’t fully waterproof.

But the most important feature is active noise cancellation. They can thread blows with the best earbuds in this category, only marginally struggling with higher frequencies.

On the other hand, their ambient sound mode isn’t as faithful at capturing outside noise compared to the previous Edifier NeoBuds Pro.

7. EarFun Air Pro 3

Here’s the EarFun Air Pro 3 ANC test:

The sound quality is boomy out of the box, but by taming it inside the app, it offers one of the best audio clarities below $100.

Most importantly, the new Air Pro 3 have impressive active noise cancellation, almost matching the best earbuds in this category, if not even beating them in some areas. More on that in the full review.

Ambient sound mode is equally good, providing a natural amplification of the outside world. There is some background hiss but nothing too bothersome.

Moreover, the battery life lasts more than 8 hours on a single charge, much more than most ANC earbuds on the market.

On top of that, Air Pro 3 support LC3 Bluetooth codec, Qi wireless charging, multipoint, and Game Mode. Their value is off the charts.

8. Edifier W240TN

Here’s the Edifier W240TN ANC test:

On top of having excellent ANC, the W240TN also play music very well. They output a balanced sound signature with a slightly boosted bass (after applying custom EQ, found in the full review).

Speaking of the app, it offers control customization and EQ and lets you select the intensity of the ambient sound mode. The latter sounds full and even better than Sony WF-1000XM4.

Moving to active noise cancelling, it’s almost on par with the best, reducing most of the noise without producing a hissing sound.

As for the battery life, earbuds last around 6.5 hours with ANC, with extra 21 hours inside the charging case.

Earbuds are pretty comfy, so you can easily wear them on a lengthy trip.

Related: Best headphones under $100.

Also see: Best bass earbuds

9. Sony WF-SP800N

Their initial sound profile is very safe and boring. However, using the app’s other sound profiles or EQ can bring these to life with punchy bass and crisper treble.

They come with ergonomically designed housing with a good fit inside your ears, providing necessary comfort and tight seal when performing intense workouts.

If you do your working out in a noisy gym, there is a noise-cancelling feature that helps you drown out the background noise.

However, in many ways, noise cancellation isn’t as effective because the true wireless earbuds lack a QN1 chip (found in Sony WF-1000XM models).

The companion app offers customization and useful features, like in-depth EQ and 360 Reality Audio surround audio (Sony’s spatial audio format) and transparency mode.

More: Best workout headphones

10. JBL Live Pro+

Here’s the JBL Live Pro+ ANC test:

Live Pro+ have a U-shaped sound signature, with a boost in both sub-bass and upper high-frequency sounds. While they can be a bit bright and sibilant, you can correct them inside the JBL app.

Noise cancellation is most effective at blocking lower frequencies, which makes them a great pair for traveling. However, the Live Pro+ still struggle with human speech and higher frequencies.

True wireless buds can boost background noise, but the clarity is only decent. They will do for basic awareness, but for anything else, you’ll have to put them out of your ears. Fortunately, they’re fine for making phone calls.

The battery life is more than 7 hours on a single charge and have another 21 hours inside the charging case—the latter has a compact design and supports fast charging and Qi wireless charging.

Honorable Mentions

Bose QuietComfort 20

Master & Dynamic MW08

EarFun Free Pro 2

Jabra Elite 85t

Beats Studio Buds

Edifier TWS NB

What ANC earbuds to avoid?

We reviewed Samsung Galaxy Buds Live and were disappointed in their ANC. Avoid. (Samsung Galaxy Buds Live review)

More headphone guides:

• Best cheap earbuds
• Best cheap headphones (over-ear & on-ear headphones)
• Want music when swimming? Find the best waterproof iPods or the best waterproof Bluetooth headphones.

Noise Cancelling vs Noise Isolation – Is Active Noise Cancelling Better?

There is a lot of misconception about noise-cancelling and noise isolation. Here we’ll explain the difference.

Noise Cancelling

Noise cancelling also known as active noise cancellation is a powered system that requires a microphone and a battery to function.

The microphone picks up the surrounding sounds and sends the opposite frequency (sound waves in opposite phase) to the drivers to negate the unwanted noise.

ANC works nicely for constant, low-frequency sounds like the constant engine hum.

When active noise cancelation is on, it feels like you’re in a quieter place, but it does not cancel out all background noise.

The sound of background chatter, loud music playback, and every other non-constant frequencies, aren’t cancelled out, and you’ll still hear them.

Usually, the combination of active noise cancellation and passive isolation offers the most effective results.

Noise Isolation

Passive isolation or passive noise cancellation, as many people like to call it, is more basic but effective. It uses no batteries or microphones, just simple noise blocking with isolation.

For over-ear headphones, the use of tight-fitting ear pads plays a crucial role in blocking out all external noise. For in-ear monitors and earbuds, using double or triple-flanged earbud tips gives a more secure fit and better passive isolation.

Find the best noise isolating earbuds.

Good isolating earbuds will block up to 37 dB of noise which means complete isolation from normal conversation volume, especially once you play some music.

Passive isolation blocks all outside sounds, from neighbors to loud kids. This makes them very useful when you just want to have some peace and quiet and not be bothered by the outside world.

On the other hand, excellent sound isolation can be dangerous in public places, like walking on the street, when it’s good to know what is going on around you.

What are the Benefits of Noise Cancelling Earbuds?

Noise-cancelling earbuds get rid of environmental noise with special electronics. It’s most effective against lower sounds (like airplane hum, traffic, etc.) and less effective against higher frequency sounds (like human voices and birds chirping).

How noise cancelling works?

Once you press the button to activate ANC, part of the background sounds disappear, making the illusion of a quieter environment. It’s really surprising the first time you experience it.

Noise-canceling earbuds are the best for traveling since traveling is often loud.

What Does Active Noise Cancelling Up to 95% Actually Mean?

Often you can read claims like “impressive ANC performance up to 28dB”. But what does that actually mean?

All ANC ratings represent a measurement in perfect possible conditions.

Usually, the effectiveness of noise cancelling is measured at specific, low frequency, and lower volume conditions since this is where ANC is most effective.

It doesn’t mean noise cancelling buds with 95% rated effectiveness will cancel out 95% of outside noise. They will cancel various frequencies at different levels.

Take the ANC ratings with a grain of salt as these don’t represent the exact behavior and effectiveness of the noise-cancelling technology. For this reason, we A/B test ANC buds, so you can hear which ones have better noise reduction.

Can Noise Cancelling Earbuds Hurt Your Ears?

Because noise cancellation technology doesn’t emit any kind of radiation or any other kind of harmful effects, it’s perfectly safe. You can use noise cancelling wireless earbuds or wireless headphones with a peace of mind.

The technology is quite basic once you understand it. It cancels out ambient noise in a perfectly harmless way.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

This was the list of the best noise cancelling earbuds for 2023. What do you think about it? Let us know in the comments, which model has impressed or which is downright bad. We love hearing your opinion.