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The Best Noise-Canceling Earbuds, From Budget to Premium
There's never been a better time to get an affordable pair.
By 
Noise-canceling earbuds are a constantly growing category in the audio space. Once a tiny segment of the market with a few niche, pricey offerings, there are now tons of high-quality options available at a multitude of price points. We've spent time researching, reading reviews, and testing products to determine which noise-canceling earbuds are the best to buy in 2021.
Best Noise-Canceling Earbuds
- Best Overall: Sony WF-1000XM4
- Runner-Up: Jabra Elite 7 Pro
- Best Budget: Soundcore Life P3
- Best Bose Earbuds: Bose QuietComfort
- Best for Apple Users: Apple AirPods Pro
- Best for Samsung Galaxy Users: Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro
- Best Under $200: Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro
- Best Sound Quality: Bowers & Wilkins PI7
- Best Neckband: 1More Dual Driver ANC
- Best Craftsmanship: Master & Dynamic MW08
- Most Durable: Jaybird Vista 2
- Best Beats: Beats Studio Buds
- High-Tech Controls: Klipsch T5 II ANC
- Best Wired Earbuds: Pioneer Rayz Pro
- The OG: Bose QuietComfort 20
What to Consider
There are several important factors to keep in mind when shopping for noise-canceling earbuds: audio performance, comfort, build quality, battery life, and available charging methods. The finest products will offer a good balance between all the aforementioned qualities.
Audio Performance
Typically, a product's audio and noise cancellation quality are directly related to its price tag. These features require a combination of high-quality hardware and sophisticated audio processing: So, the more you pay, the better the product will be. The best wireless earbuds in this space carry price tags above $200.
Comfort and Build Quality
We recommend noise-canceling earbuds with an official water-resistance rating, a seamlessly comfy fit, and easy-to-access controls. The best options will allow you to customize the sound and noise cancelation to your preference via a mobile app.
If you plan to use your earbuds to commute or while at the office or gym, look for a pair with ambient mode, so that you can better hear your surroundings. For true wireless earbuds, a built-in wear sensor that will stop the playback once you remove one of them is also helpful.
Battery Life
Remember that noise cancellation in wireless earbuds takes a toll on their battery life, so disabling it will increase the time you spend between charges. Save for a couple of offerings from Sony and Master & Dynamic, most true wireless earphones will struggle to make it through, say, an entire workday without the need to recharge. Consider a wired or wireless neckband headset if you're looking to spend long periods of time in uninterrupted silence (i.e., a busy workday or long flight).
Charging Methods
When it comes to charging options, look for storage cases that have a convenient USB-C or Lightning connector, as well as compatibility with wireless chargers.
From affordable true wireless buds to more expensive, feature-packed sets, find your new pair of noise-canceling earbuds among these highly rated options.
WF-1000XM4 Wireless Earbuds
Pros
- Amazing sound and noise cancellation
- Long battery life
- Feature-packed app
Cons
- Touch controls have a learning curve
Key Specs
- Water Resistance: IPX4
- Battery Life: 8 hours
- Charging: USB-C and wireless charging
Sony’s WF-1000XM4 noise-canceling earbuds are today’s best, offering phenomenal audio quality and noise cancellation, a cool design with a comfy fit, and long battery life. Combined, the aforementioned bits make the product worth its hefty sticker.
You can customize the earbuds’ sound and noise cancellation via a mobile app. Another thing we like is the speak-to-chat feature, which pauses audio playback and activates ambient mode upon detecting your voice. You can order the WF-1000XM4 in black or silver with a matching case.
Pros
- Top-tier audio performance and call quality
- Sleek and durable
- Reliable button controls
Cons
- Noise cancellation not as good
Key Specs
- Water Resistance: IP57
- Battery Life: 8 hours
- Charging: USB-C and wireless charging
Jabra’s Elite 7 Pro true wireless earbuds are an excellent alternative to the Sony with a tougher build, a comfier fit with tactile button controls, a longer warranty, and a lower price tag. However, the Sony product has more robust noise cancellation, as well as superior sound quality with Hi-Res Audio support.
Like all Jabra products, the Elite 7 Pro buds sound great during phone calls, too. You can snag a pair in titanium black or gold beige.
P3 Noise Wireless Earbuds
Pros
- Good audio performance for the money
- One of the best companion apps
- Wireless charging-compatible case
Cons
- Touch controls could be better
Key Specs
- Water Resistance: IPX5
- Battery Life: 7 hours
- Charging: USB-C and wireless charging
Anker’s Soundcore Life P3 true wireless earbuds — just like the brand’s excellent Q30 Bluetooth headphones — defy their sub-$80 price tag in every possible way. The buds bring a cool design, good sound and noise cancellation, solid battery life, and a fantastic companion app. The app has plenty of tools for customizing the sonic experience, as well as the ability to help you focus or relax by playing a wide selection of ambient noises.
You can order the product in several colors: black, white, red, and two shades of blue.
QuietComfort Noise Cancelling Earbuds
QuietComfort Noise Cancelling Earbuds
Pros
- Excellent sound and noise cancellation
- Class-leading call quality
- Easy-to-use touch controls
Cons
- Housings are bulkier than rivals
Key Specs
- Water Resistance: IPX4
- Battery Life: 6 hours
- Charging: USB-C and wireless charging
The QuietComfort wireless earbuds by Bose are unsurprisingly among today’s best. The earphones produce superb noise cancellation, the audio giant’s signature sound (well-balanced with just the right amount of bass), sleek and durable design, and a comfy fit with intuitive touch controls.
The buds come in two colors — triple black and soapstone — and their charging case holds two additional charges.
AirPods Pro Noise-Canceling Earbuds
AirPods Pro Noise-Canceling Earbuds
Pros
- High-quality sound and noise cancellation
- Seamless Apple integration
- Compatible with MagSafe charging
Cons
- Battery life could be longer
Key Specs
- Water Resistance: IPX4
- Battery Life: 4.5 hours
- Charging: USB-C and wireless charging
The AirPods Pro bring noise-canceling tech to one of Apple's most popular products. The buds are equipped with beam-forming microphones, which constantly detect and block external noise.
The audio quality of the AirPods Pro is superb. The buds are even compatible with enhanced spatial audio, which utilizes dynamic head tracking to deliver a theater-like experience.
Galaxy Buds Pro Wireless Earbuds
Galaxy Buds Pro Wireless Earbuds
Pros
- Top-tier sound and noise cancellation
- Great for calls and audio recording
- Seamless Samsung Galaxy integration
Cons
- Battery life with noise cancellation is unimpressive
Key Specs
- Water Resistance: IPX7
- Battery Life: 5 hours
- Charging: USB-C and wireless charging
Samsung’s answer to the Apple AirPods Pro, the Galaxy Buds Pro are an excellent option for owners of the tech giant’s excellent Android smartphones. The sleek earbuds deliver a powerful sound with excellent quality, as well as an equally impressive noise cancellation. My favorite bit about them is the fact that the buds will automatically launch ambient mode if they detect your speech.
You can order the earbuds in black, silver, or violet. Each color option includes a battery case with a matching finish.
Liberty 3 Pro Wireless Earbuds
Liberty 3 Pro Wireless Earbuds
Pros
- Stellar sound and noise cancellation
- Best-in-class companion app
- Sleek design
Cons
- Controls have a learning curve
Key Specs
Water Resistance: IPX4
Battery Life: 8 hours
Charging: USB-C and wireless charging
Anker’s Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro noise-canceling earbuds are the ones to get if you want to keep your upgrade budget well below $200. The stylish buds, like their predecessor, deliver sound that’s personalized to your hearing. All you need to do is complete a short test via the buds' companion app.
The wireless earbuds’ noise cancellation, like their audio quality, is stellar and among the best in their price range. Elegant design and a comfy fit round up the product’s key features. You can order the product in black, white, gray, or purple.
PI7 in-Ear True Wireless Headphones
Pros
- Excellent audio quality
- High-tech charging case
- Durable build
Cons
- Underwhelming battery life
- Expensive
Key Specs
Water Resistance: IP54
Battery Life: 4 hours
Charging: USB-C and wireless charging
When it comes to sheer acoustic capabilities, the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 true wireless earbuds are the product category’s finest. The high-tech buds deliver more detail-rich sound than any rival, as well as smart noise cancellation that’s customizable via an app. We only wish that the battery life was a bit longer.
We like that the battery case for the PI7 doubles as an audiophile-grade audio transmitter, allowing you to easily connect the earbuds to, say, a flight entertainment system. The accessory is also compatible with wireless charging.
More: Our Review of the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 Wireless Earbuds
Dual Driver ANC PRO Wireless Earbuds
Pros
- Good sound and noise cancellation
- Convenient button controls
- Long battery life
Cons
- Some might find the neckband too bulky
Key Specs
- Water Resistance: IPX5
- Battery Life: 15 hours
- Charging: USB-C
The 1More Dual Driver ANC wireless noise-canceling earbuds are our top pick with a neckband design. Each bud packs a duo of audio drivers, which outputs exceptional sound with Hi-Res Audio support that’s worthy of a higher price tag. The product’s two-level noise cancellation is also excellent.
The earbuds have an ergonomic design and durable build. Compared to true wireless earbuds, the neckband offering has a much longer battery life.
Pros
- Luxurious design and build
- Great audio performance
- Convenient button controls
Cons
- Most rivals are comfier
Key Specs
- Water Resistance: IPX5
- Battery Life: 10 hours
- Charging: USB-C
The Master & Dynamic MW08 earbuds stand out with ceramic housings that are luxurious and durable in equal measure. The buds also offer phenomenal sound and adjustable noise cancellation. Overall, for their looks, craftsmanship, and audio performance, they are worth the money.
The battery life of the MW08 is the best you'll get from true wireless earbuds. Available in black, white, blue, and brown, the earphones come bundled with a stainless steel charging case.
Vista 2 Wireless Earbuds
Vista 2 Wireless Earbuds
Pros
- Class-leading durability
- Powerful sound and noise cancellation
- Intuitive companion app
Cons
- Some rivals pack more microphones
Key Specs
- Water Resistance: IP68
- Battery Life: 8 hours
- Charging: USB-C and wireless charging
One of the finest options for workout warriors, the Jaybird Vista 2 wireless earbuds are in a league of their own when it comes to durability. The buds’ military-grade rating for dust and water resistance is the product category’s highest: Even their charging case can survive exposure to water and dust!
Sound-wise, the Vista 2 delivers a powerful and highly customizable experience via an intuitive mobile app. The product’s noise cancellation is also dependable, especially considering its price.
Studio Buds Wireless Earbuds
Studio Buds Wireless Earbuds
Pros
- Balanced sound and powerful noise cancellation
- Super lightweight and comfy
- Seamless Apple integration
Cons
- Case lacks wireless charging
Key Specs
- Water Resistance: IPX4
- Battery Life: 8 hours
- Charging: USB-C
Quality noise cancellation is one of the many reasons why the reasonably priced Beats Studio Buds are among our favorite wireless earbuds. The true wireless earphones deliver the brand’s signature sound in a super lightweight and comfy form factor, as well as support for immersive spatial audio.
To top things off, the Studio Buds have seamless Apple connectivity and clicky button controls. You can order the product in black, white, or red. Gym-ready Beats Fit Pro earbuds with onboard noise cancellation and a more secure fit are also available.
T5 II ANC Wireless Earbuds
T5 II ANC Wireless Earbuds
Pros
- Convenient head gesture controls
- High-quality sound and noise cancellation
- Eye-catching design
Cons
- Previous generation was more durable
Key Specs
Water Resistance: IPX4
Battery Life: 7 hours
Charging: USB-C and wireless charging
The Klipsch T5 II earbuds are as high-tech as a true wireless pair can be. In addition to the brand’s legendary sound and dependable noise cancellation, the buds bring a ton of smart features. Powered by a Bragi platform, they include head gesture controls for taking calls and controlling playback.
In a manner befitting their price point, the T5 II earbuds have an intuitive companion app for fine-tuning their sound. Klipsch also offers a pricier, carbon fiber-adorned iteration of the earbuds, designed in collaboration with the iconic supercar maker McLaren. It has a bundled wireless charging pad.
Rayz Pro Noise-Canceling Earbuds
Pros
- Good audio performance for the money
- Versatile connectivity
- Convenient remote control
Cons
- Wireless rivals offer more features for less
Key Specs
- Water Resistance: N/A
- Battery Life: N/A
- Charging: N/A
The Pioneer Rayz Pro earbuds are the best wired option, offering good sound and noise cancellation for around $100. They come with a Lightning and USB-C adapter, so you can use them with an iPhone, any Android smartphone, and laptops or tablets with a USB-C connector.
Available in black or white, the buds are lightweight and comfortable. They have a convenient remote, and their buttons are customizable via a mobile app.
QuietComfort 20 Noise-Canceling Earbuds
QuietComfort 20 Noise-Canceling Earbuds
Pros
- Excellent audio performance
- Instantly recognizable design
- Comfy fit
Cons
- Expensive
Key Specs
- Water Resistance: N/A
- Battery Life: 16 hours
- Charging: micro-USB
The Bose QuietComfort 20 earbuds have been around for a while, but they are still the gold standard for wired noise-canceling earbuds. They bring the brand’s signature sound in a comfortable form factor.
The earphones' excellent noise cancellation comes courtesy of a dedicated control module with a built-in rechargeable battery. The earbuds have an integrated remote control and microphone for making calls with a compatible smartphone.
Stefan is the senior technology editor for BestProducts.com, where he’s been covering the tech industry and testing the latest gadgets since 2015. He has more than a decade of experience covering consumer tech products, especially smartphones, tablets, laptops, and audio gear. He was previously the US editor for GSMArena.com; his work can also be found on Popular Mechanics and other Hearst publications.In the rare moments when he’s not playing with a new gadget, Stefan likes to watch live Premier League games or hang out with his cat and rabbit. He’s also an espresso snob.
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