Noise-cancelling has really taken off as a category of earbuds in recent years. The tech used to be a feature of expensive over-ear headphones, but over time it has crossed over to wireless in-ears. And we have now reached the point the point were they are a viable alternative for anyone who wants the tech but in a smaller, more portable package.
And it’s not just expensive flagship pairs of earbuds that get the noise cancelling treatment. The technology has made its way into relatively affordable pairs too, meaning anyone can block the outside world out, whatever your budget. Sure, the noise-cancelling tends to get more advanced the more you spend, but it’s all relative.
We evaluate noise-cancelling earbuds just as we would normal wireless earbuds with fit, comfort, ease of use, battery life and call quality all taken into account. Sound quality is obviously high on our list, but for this category of earbuds we also need to judge just how effective they are at cutting out external noise. You can read more about our stringent testing process in our dedicated 'how we test' section on this page.
If you're not sure you need noise-cancelling, you can always check out our selection of the best wireless earbuds – but for now, join us on a tour of the best noise-cancelling earbuds we’ve tested…
The quick list
Best noise-cancelling earbuds overall
If noise-cancelling performance is your priority, there’s no better option than the QC Ultra Earbuds.
Best cheap noise-cancelling earbuds
At this price, you won’t find a better pair of noise-cancelling buds than the Earfun Air Pro – a genuine bargain.
Best mid-price noise-cancelling earbuds
Sony’s affordable earbuds combine comfort, effective ANC and sensational sound quality, making them brilliant all-rounders.
The best noise-cancelling earbuds for audiophiles
Bowers & Wilkins’ flagship noise-cancelling earbuds deliver outstanding sound quality befitting their premium price tag, and ANC that’s good enough to compete with the best this class can offer.
Best noise-cancelling earbuds for battery life
Struggle with battery anxiety? The M100 should help put you at ease with ten hours of playback per charge.
Best noise-cancelling earbuds for Apple users
With improved ANC and a wonderfully rich and engaging sound, these are the best-sounding in-ear AirPods.
The best noise-cancelling earbuds overall
We all know Bose know how to make a great pair of wireless headphones, and the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds have to be considered its finest wireless earbuds to date. We didn't expect to see a new pair of successors to the QC Earbuds II, but it was one heck of a nice surprise when the Ultra Earbuds landed late last year.
The new wireless earbuds provide a comfortable fit and lots of features, with ANC performing superbly as the buds' crowning glory. Bluetooth 5.3 is a big bonus, while they are also Bose's first in-ears to offer its very own spatial audio tech, Immersive Audio – something we're not quite convinced by.
What we are convinced by, though, is the buds' noise-cancelling capabilities. The excellent Bose app allows you to alter the amount of noise-canceling on offer via several customisable presets, with this iteration of Bose buds seeing the brand at the top of their game. The Ultra Earbuds can automatically adjust the amount of ANC on offer so your music isn’t drowned out by particularly loud noises, with an effect that feels deeply impressive and immensely comprehensive.
As for sound, it's balanced and neutral and overflowing with fine detail, with only the Sony WF-1000XM5 really offering a viable rival at this price point. The Bose Ultra Earbuds offer a little less nuance but a bit more punch, so if you like excitement and dynamic interest, they'll be the buds for you.
It's a bit of a shame there's no support for high-quality wireless audio codecs such as LDAC or aptX HD, nor is there wireless charging or Bluetooth Multipoint (both of which the Sony WF-1000XM5 cater for). At the end of the day, though, that didn't matter a huge deal to us, especially as these buds nail ANC and sound quality with such breathtaking confidence.
While the Bose are our current kings, Samsung might have something to say about it in the shape of their new noise-cancelling Galaxy Buds 3 Pro (£219 / £250 / AU$399), which were announced on the 10th July. We have a pair in for review so keep your eyes peeled for it appearing on our website in the coming weeks.
Read the full Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds review
Best cheap noise-cancelling earbuds
Despite coming in at an ultra-low price point, the EarFun Air Pro prove that you don't have to spend ridiculous amounts of cash to get noise cancelling that performs properly alongside fairly decent sound. With a heaving feature set and hugely capable levels of performance, these buds are our go-to recommendation if you're being careful about how much you spend.
The EarFun Air Pro fit securely and connect up easily, but they also feature reliable controls and basic but effective noise-cancelling profiles. Battery life comes in at seven hours per charge, with the charging case providing a further 18 hours. There’s also USB-C charging and wearer detection, the latter of which we didn't think we'd get at this level.
Sonically, our testing revealed very good sound quality for the money. The EarFuns deliver well-balanced and relatively transparent audio, with tight, fulsome bass and decent musicality, leading to an overall presentation that rarely feels incohesive or out of joint. It's not quite at the level of the C700N, but we wouldn't expect it to be.
We haven't come across any noise-cancelling earbuds at this level that does everything these EarFuns do, as well as they do it. We've even reviewed the newer EarFun Air Pro 3, but felt they weren't good enough to remove the originals from this list.
Read the full EarFun Air Pro review
Best mid-price noise-cancelling earbuds
The WF-C700N are fantastic-sounding five-star earbuds, offering impressive performance and good ANC for a fraction of the price of some rivals. That 2023 What Hi-Fi? Product of the Year Award wasn't handed out for nothing, you know.
During our time with the C700N, we've noted how the buds are conveniently small and compact, with a lightweight design that actually makes them feel more comfortable in our ears than the more premium Sony WF-1000XM5 (below). In fact, they might just be a nicer pair of buds to hold, look at and wear than the XM5, and that's noteworthy considering the gulf in price.
Battery life is competitive at seven and a half hours, and while they lack aptX HD and even LDAC, this isn't the end of the world, as Sony's DSEE (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) upscales low-res digital audio files to higher quality. Adaptive Sound Control automatically switches listening modes depending on your location, leaving a noise-cancelling experience that is just as comprehensive and clever as we'd expect from Sony.
What really counts, though, is how the C700N sound, and it's another box ticked on that front. The affordable Sony buds are superbly balanced and poised, with deep, detailed bass, expressive mids and genuinely engaging highs, all knitted together with a musicality and refinement that you just don't expect for this kind of money.
Downsides? The charging case only provides one extra charge, which seems a little mean, but the superb sound, extensive feature set and great noise-cancelling make these Sonys extremely easy to recommend, especially now that recent software updates have filled in a few of the buds' potential blind spots, such as multipoint Bluetooth.
Read the full Sony WF-C700N review
Best noise-cancelling earbuds for audiophiles
In recent months, there haven’t been many pairs of noise-cancelling earbuds that have had the same impact as the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8.
The flagship pair of buds blew us away with their outstanding sound quality during testing and, combined with their impressive noise-cancelling, make for a seriously desirable package. From the moment you unbox them, the Pi8 scream quality. The wireless charging case and the buds look and feel premium – they are a clear cut above cheaper models.
Bowers & Wilkins has used trickle-down tech for both the driver design and the noise cancelling, which comes from the company’s premium over-ear noise-cancelling headphones, the Px8. And you can tell.
Tap the touch controls and press play and you are treated to a wonderfully detailed, expressive sound. We are struggling to think of a more insightful pair of wireless earbuds – their ability to dig out information is unrivalled at this price point, as is their desire to communicate textures of instruments and emotion in vocals. Bass is powerful and weighty but beautifully designed while there’s plenty of sparkle and shine at the top end too.
When it comes to noise cancelling, it’s either on or off with the Pi8. There’s no adjusting or customising based on where you are and how strong you want it. It’s not the end of the world, although it is something the Bose QuietComfort Ultra do offer. B&W does offer a Transparency mode if you want to hear some of your surroundings.
In terms of pure ANC ability, the Bowers & Wilkins perform extremely well and give the class leaders a run for their money. We do think the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds still have the edge, but the Pi8 deliver a much more detailed, refined and sophisticated sound.
Given the buds need to use a lot of processing power, the six-and-a-half-hour battery life (with ANC on) is solid enough at this level (the case provides an extra 13.5hrs), while call quality is also competitive in this class. The charging case actually doubles as a wireless audio re-transmitter so you could use it to beam audio wirelessly from a source that’s lacking Bluetooth, for example, a plane’s infotainment system.
We were blown away by these noise-cancelling earbuds and we think you will be too.
Read our full Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 review
Best noise-cancelling earbuds for battery life
If you suffer from battery life anxiety, the Cambridge Audio Melomania M100 are here to save you. With ANC turned on they’ll last a whopping ten hours, (which goes up to 16 if you switch ANC off). Add the charging case into the equation and the total battery life is 33 hours with ANC on and 52 hours without. At this level, there aren't many rivals that come close, even in this list.
But these noise-cancelling earbuds aren't all about battery life. For a start, we found them lightweight and comfortable to wear, which was aided by the fact you get five pairs of tips in the box to help with fit and seal. The M100 are also IPX4-rated which means they're sweat-resistant and good to go when it comes to exercise.
Touch controls on the side of each bud handle a wide range of controls, and it's the usual combination of single and double taps plus long presses to get the buds to do your bidding.
Cambridge has also given its earbuds an element of future-proofing via Bluetooth 5.3 support and the inclusion of LE Audio, aptX Lossless, Auracast and the LC3 codec, for when they become available further down the line.
Noise cancelling is very good for the money and almost up to the standard of the Apple AirPods Pro 2. You can take your pick from High, Medium and Low options depending on how much outside noise you want to be audible. Their Transparency mode could be clearer, though, and it should be easier to hear announcements over your music.
Sonically, the Melomania M100 deliver a clean, spacious and inviting sound which isn't fatiguing over time. Bass is shapely, substantial and well-defined, while highs are crisp and nicely controlled and lack any harshness that you might get from lesser models.
They aren't quite as dynamically strong as other five-star pairs at the money, though. This means they have to work a bit harder to maintain your interest. but we still think they're a smart pair of earbuds well worth considering at this price.
Read the full Cambridge Audio Melomania M100 review
Best noise-cancelling earbuds for Apple users
It will come as no surprise to you that we're recommending the AirPods Pro 2 as the best noise-cancelling buds for keen iPhone and Apple users. The original AirPods Pro were pretty good, but we think the Pro 2 have taken things to new heights, not just regarding sound quality, but with their noise-cancelling abilities, too.
Not only is noise-cancelling far better than before, but battery life is considerably longer, and you'll enjoy new features like Adaptive Audio which reacts to the noise levels in your surroundings and adjusts the level of ANC dynamically, as well as more in-depth customisation and app support.
Best of all, they cost the same as the original AirPods Pro, which we think makes them a really attractive option considering that Apple isn't always keen to keep its prices stable.
During testing we found the fit to be very good, and the tweaked design feels a lot less intrusive than some in-ears. Apple has finally added on-bud volume controls, which also help elevate that user experience and keep you in control on the fly.
Even though the Bose Ultra Earbuds are still the ones to beat, Apple's noise-cancelling works a treat, while Adaptive Transparency reduces the impact of loud noises when letting in ambient sounds.
As far as sound quality goes, this is as good as Apple has managed from a pair of wireless buds, offering up weight, detail and a good dose of dynamic subtlety to produce a pair of accomplished performers that make a huge step up from their predecessors.
Add to this the fact they just work so seamlessly with Apple devices and they become a no-brainer if you're immersed in the brand's ever-popular ecosystem. Rumour has it that AirPods Pro 3 might be on the horizon for 2025, but for now, these are the Apple buds to beat.
Read the full Apple AirPods Pro 2 review
Also consider
Looking for an alternative to the best noise-cancelling earbuds alternatives we've tested? Only the very top products in this category make it onto the list above. However, some five-star and four-star earbuds come extremely close but just miss out and we have listed these below.
Sony WF-1000XM5: The Sonys were our top pick for the best noise-cancelling earbuds for audiophiles, but that was until we recently tested the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8, which serve up sensational sound quality at the premium end of the market. The Sonys are still a great option, though, and are much cheaper than the Bowers, which means they still warrant a spot as an 'also consider' option.
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4: Hot from the What Hi-Fi? test rooms, the latest generation of premium noise-cancelling earbuds from Sennheiser is arguably its finest yet. These capable all-rounders sound rich, refined and are easy to get along with, whatever your musical taste. They don't cancel noise as well as the Bose QC Ultra, but they're a very talented pair with a comfy fit, 7.5hr battery life and a very flexible control app.
Panasonic RZ-S500W: Panasonic's five-star noise-cancelling earbuds have been around for a while now, but are still worth a look thanks to the fact their price has dropped substantially. New rivals such as the Sony WF-C700N are better all-round performers at the money, but the RZ-S500W shouldn't be written off due to their sparkling sonic performance, solid noise-cancelling and good touch controls.
JBL Live Pro 2 TWS: They might have been bumped out of our main list by the Cambridge Audio Melomania M100 and their monster battery life, but these JBL buds are still no slouches. And their eight and a half hours per charge should be enough for most people. They're also solid all-round performers and promote a lively, entertaining sound.
Wireless earbuds coming soon
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds
We’ve seen some big launches in the world of noise-cancelling earbuds recently. Firstly there’s the new-look Bose QuietComfort Earbuds which are back in their third iteration with Bluetooth 5.3 on board and eight hours of battery life.
Bose’s new-look QuietComfort Earbuds are back to battle Apple and Sony
AirPods 4
Next up it’s the Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation. They are priced similarly to the Bose mentioned above but are an open earbud design as opposed to a true in-ear. We’ll be reviewing them shortly, so keep your eyes peeled for our verdict.
Apple's AirPods 4 launch with two model variants: one with noise-cancelling, one without
JBL Tour Pro 3
JBL has a new flagship pair of noise-cancelling earbuds in the shape of the Tour Pro 3, complete with their screen-toting smart charging case. JBL's history in this field is a bit hit and miss, so it will be interesting to see how they cope with the competition
JBL's flagship noise-cancelling earbuds boast unique features – but will they sound sublime?
How to choose the best noise-cancelling earbuds for you
Obviously, the quality of noise-cancelling is key when it comes to choosing the right pair of ANC earbuds. Thankfully, you can be confident that we've tested the noise cancelling in all of the pairs on our list and that the five-star models do the best job cutting out noise. Yes, there can even be differences between the noise-cancelling of five-star products, but they are usually very subtle.
Active noise cancelling puts extra demands on battery life, so you'll want to make sure the buds you want will have enough juice for your travels. Charging cases can help here so you just need to think about how, where and when the wireless earbuds are going to be used. All can be charged via USB while some pairs offer wireless charging too.
As is the case with any pair of wireless earbuds, fit and comfort are vital. We can give you our experience of testing a pair, but it's no substitute for trying them out for yourself. Try the different sizes of silicone tips and maybe even combinations of different sizes to find the best fit for you. If you can't hear any bass, chances are you don't have a good enough seal.
You'll find that noise-cancelling earbuds tend to cost a bit more than the best wireless earbuds without the feature, so you'll have to budget accordingly. The good news is we've tested some exceptionally talented and affordable options which you'll find in this list and thanks to the way the market works, even previously pricey pairs have now been discounted so there are bargains out there.
Our list of the best noise-cancelling earbuds spans a range of prices, so there's sure to be a pair here that's right for you and your budget.
How we test noise-cancelling earbuds
Testing ANC earbuds requires using them in many different environments to see how the buds handle certain frequencies. We'll use our office, the city streets and public transport to get a feel for just how effective the noise-cancelling is. We'll also compare them to one or two of our favourite pairs at the money to see how they stand up to the competition in terms of ANC.
We also use rivals to help us peg the audio quality on offer. We have dedicated test rooms in London, Reading and Bath and we use these while making the final judgement with a selection of our favourite test tracks.
During the testing process, we'll also go over areas like fit and comfort, see whether the battery life claims ring true, and check if there are any lip-sync issues when watching video content, although this isn't an issue with today's best pairs.
Many noise-cancelling earbuds come with a control app that allows you to tweak their performance and their controls so we'll see how it impacts the user experience too.
The team agrees upon all our review verdicts rather than an individual reviewer to eliminate any personal preference and ensure we're being as thorough as possible.
There's no input from PR companies or our sales team over the outcome of reviews and our verdicts, with What Hi-Fi? proud of having delivered honest, unbiased reviews for decades.
F.A.Q
Which are better, noise-cancelling earbuds or headphones?
I've tested many great pairs of noise-cancelling earbuds that do a brilliant job of blocking out external rumbles. However, in my experience, the best noise-cancelling headphones will outperform similarly-priced earbuds. The size and design of normal headphones allow for more powerful ANC tech to be used, including more mics to "listen" to the noise around you. As a result, the ANC effect can be more pronounced with a greater range of frequencies cancelled out. However, I tend to reach for a pair of noise-cancelling earbuds mainly because they're more portable although I need to be sure I have a proper seal, otherwise, the ANC won't be effective.
Is it worth getting noise-cancelling earbuds?
If you don't want to wear traditional over-ear noise-cancelling headphones, then earbuds are an option. They won't cancel out as much noise as traditional over-ears but they are arguably more portable and discreet, which makes them easier to carry around. I tend to use earbuds when I'm out and about for this very reason, and the very best models do a great job of isolating you from outside interference.
Which earbuds cancel the most noise?
In my opinion, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds cancel the most noise out of all the models we've tested. I found them great at blocking out a range of low-frequency rumbles and softening the effects of intrusive higher frequencies too. They also offer excellent flexibility so you can customise the ANC to a greater level than some of their rivals.
Can you still hear with noise-cancelling earbuds?
It depends on the volume you are listening at. If you have noise cancelling turned on and are listening at high volumes, you will struggle to hear outside noise, such as announcements at a train station and even sirens.
However, the vast majority of noise-cancelling earbuds also offer a transparency mode which allows varying levels of outside noise into your ears so you can hear what's happening around you. Different earbuds also offer varying levels of ANC customisation, so you can dial down the intensity depending on where they are used.
Recent updates
- 24th July: We haven't tested any new models since our last update, but Samsung has announced two new models; the Galaxy Buds 3 and Galaxy Buds Pro 3. We have a review sample of the latter, so keep your eyes peeled for our in-depth review.
- 24th June: We've tested two new models since our last update, the Google Pixel Buds Pro and the Sennheiser Momentum Sport, both of which we rate at three stars and will not be being added to our list.
- 13th May: Replaced JBL Live Pro 2 TWS with Cambridge Audio Melomania M100 as 'best battery life'
- 24th April: added mention of recent EarFun Air 2 review and Google Pixel Buds A-Series
- 11th March 2024: added F.A.Q section, also considers, top tip, photo galleries
- 5th January 2024: updated how to choose and how we test sections
- 4th October 2024: added Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, removed Bose QuietComfort II Earbuds
