A pair of the best noise-canceling earbuds is a great way to stay distraction-free while you work, travel, or relax. It's all made possible with noise canceling technology, which equalizes the noises coming in from the outside world using very clever algorithms to get nothing but your favorite tunes, podcasts, or other audio.
The very best noise-canceling earbuds at the moment are the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds. Their ANC is the best we've ever experienced, blocking almost all noise around us. They sound really good as well, thanks to their Bose tuning, and they come in some great colors. Their battery life isn't the best though, you should consider the Sony WF-1000XM5. They get more battery life, and their noise canceling is very solid.
This list is designed to be as useful and easy to use as possible. First up is our quick list at the top, which shows you the best earbuds at a glance with star ratings for their key features. Then, linked in each entry, we've got links to our mini reviews for in-depth advice. Need a bit more? Read our long-form reviews to learn everything you need to know about the earbuds you're looking at picking up.
The quick list
As always, Bose's noise canceling is truly exceptional. All of the noise around is blocked effortlessly, and there's some top-not sound on offer as well. They are expensive, but you get the best ANC around.
The Airpods Pro 2 might not be the cheapest buds around, but they beat more expensive options for noise canceling handily. They sound excellent too, although some might want more bass.
Sony's latest budget buds remain a noise-canceling bargain. They block out loads of noise, and feature some very solid sound quality indeed. The transparent blue color option is inspired as well.
Sony's next-gen WF-1000XM5 wireless earbuds build on the strengths of their predecessor with strong ANC, but really wow with some incredible battery life.
If you're not a fan of silicon ear tips, then the AirPods 4 are the best option out there. They're a comfortable pair of open earbuds, and the noise canceling is surprisingly effective.
Thanks to their great earclips, the Powerbeats Pro 2 don't move at all during exercise. Their ANC is very good as well, thanks to an impressive array of microphones that live on the inside of the buds.
About the author
I oversee the audio content that goes up on Tom’s Guide, and maintain the site's buying guides for headphones, wireless earbuds, Bluetooth speakers, soundbars, and more. I have spent more than 20 years testing audio equipment for my own enjoyment, and was previously the audio editor for iMore. There's nothing more I love than jamming out to my favorite tunes on audio equipment of different prices and sizes.
Best overall
✅ The best noise canceling. Bose's noise canceling is the very best around, and its no different with the QuietComfort Ultra.
✅ Extremely comfortable. Thanks to the multitude fitting options in the box,
✅ Great sound quality. The sound is warm, welcoming, and great for different genres.
❌ Lack of some features. There's no multipoint connection or wireless charging like with some of the competition.
❌ Battery life could be better. The ear buds don't last quite as long as some of the other options out there.
It’s no secret that Bose’s noise canceling algorithms is one of the best around. When packed into in-ear buds, it gets even better, as the silicon ear tips allow for a great seal from the outside world. The latest version of Bose’s buds, the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds, have the best ANC of any pair of earbuds that you can buy right now. They cost more than some of the competition, but the noise canceling you get out of them is second to none.
I really like the way that they sound as well. Our Bose QuietComfort earbuds review found a welcoming, warm sound signature, with some great performance in a range of different genres. I found they excel for rock and guitar-heavy genres, and pop sounds great as well. It is a bass-forward signature, so those looking for more detail might be better off looking elsewhere, but most people are going to really, really like the sound.
But it's the ANC that you’re coming for. Unlike other earbuds, which focus on different frequencies to excel at blocking just one, the QuietComfort buds do a great job across the board. I found them excellent while traveling, and while riding on public transport.
There are some features worth mentioning as well. Bose’s immersive audio modes are the firm’s version of Spatial Audio, and I found them touch and go. With some tracks, doing a great job of expanding the sound stage. For other tracks, the modes made the music feel thin and dimensionless. Having said that, our reviewer really enjoyed the effect on all the different tracks they tested it with, so your mileage may vary.
Battery life is adequate, but not excellent at 6 hours in the buds. There’s also no wireless charging, so you have to use the USB-C port at the bottom of the case. It’s very easy to forget their few shortcomings when you put them in your ears and block out the entirety of the world around you.
Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Price | The Bose QC Ultra are quite expensive. | ★★★☆☆ |
Comfort & Fit | Suitable for all-day work wear. | ★★★★★ |
Noise Canceling | The best ANC around. | ★★★★★ |
Sound Quality | Very solid sound, with plenty of depth | ★★★★★ |
- Read our full Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds review
Best alternative
✅ Very comfortable fit. They're less intrusive in the ear, and feel very comfortable while wearing them.
✅ Good noise canceling. They do a great job of keeping the outside world at bay.
✅ Great Apple device interoperability. They connect to Apple devices like magic, and then work with whatever device is active.
❌ Some people might not like the sound. They have a very neutral sound signature, so bass heads should look elsewhere.
❌ Battery life needs work. The earbuds only last for six hours, so there are longer lasting options.
The AirPods Pro 2 are the headphones that almost brought Apple to the top of the earbuds tree. They are a spectacular pair of earbuds, with some excellent ANC, good sound, and a quality fit. They don’t quite manage to unseat the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds when it comes to noise canceling, but they do get close. They don’t sound quite as good as the XM5 from Sony, but they do have a more neutral signature. In the end, if you want a pair of earbuds that is good at everything, but not necessarily the best at one thing, the AirPods Pro 2 are your go-to.
The ANC is the focus, of course. They do a great job of blocking out noise, although I’ve found over my year of use that you want to make absolutely sure that they fit in your ear properly. With a great in-ear seal, I found that they blocked out all the worst noises that the world could throw at me, and my journeys around cities and towns became a whole lot more tolerable. It wasn’t quite the same as the all-conquering noise canceling of the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds, but it's still very good.
The extra modes are good. The transparency mode is solid, blocking out all the really loud noise but allowing voices and the stuff you want to hear in. They’re comfortable too, with less intrusive ear tips than some of the alternatives. I happen to really like the way they sound as well, although some might find them lacking in bass or warmth. Giving Dua Lipa’s Levitating a listen, for example, showed sonic restraint, but lacked some low-end punch.
They only last 6 hours on a charge, and I watched that battery figure drop when listening at louder volumes, so you will want to think about how long you’re going to be listening to them for. All in all, though, they’re a great pair of buds for most people. Apple users will love them more thanks to their great interoperability with Apple devices, of course.
Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Price | Not the cheapest, but excellent performance for the price. | ★★★★☆ |
Comfort & Fit | An incredibly comfortable pair of earbuds. | ★★★★★ |
Noise Canceling | Impeccable noise-canceling, blocking out loads of noise. | ★★★★★ |
Sound Quality | Very neutral sound signature, although some may want more bass. | ★★★★☆ |
- Read the full Apple AirPods Pro 2 review
Best budget
✅ Good noise canceling for the price. They've stepped up the game again, and beat out even more expensive options.
✅ Great sound. There's loads of detail on offer, for a dynamic listen.
✅ Useful features. There are some flagship features on the buds for a more expensive feel.
❌ Limited codec support. There's no support for aptX or LDAC.
❌ They're a bit plasticky. As you might expect from something cheap, they feel a bit plasticky.
With their new transparent blue colorway, the WF-C710N join the scene with aplomb and a feature set that'll make even more expensive earbuds blush. They're a substantial step up from the previous model, with plenty of reasons that you might want to pick them up over the competition. Battery life? Check. Sound quality? Check. Excellent ANC? Check again — they could be your next pair of buds, that's for sure.
For a price that undercuts the AirPods 4, you'd expect a tighter feature set that doesn't quite stand up to the more premium competition. No, you'll get ANC for $50 less than the AirPods, alongside extra features from the Sony app like adjustable EQ and more. They're a very solid set of buds not just for the price, but overall — even some that might cost $100 more.
The ANC is a massive highlight. They block out nearly as much noise ass the slightly more expensive Bose option, and do it with a similarly comfortable fit. Offices are silenced, car horns neutralized, and other noise melt into the background thanks to Sony's top notch ANC algorithm. You might find some louder noises make it through on occasion, but they're otherwise very difficult to trip up.
Sound has stepped up as well, with great treble and bass response. There's slightly more low-end this time around, with some excellent bass to enjoy in your favorite tracks. 070 Shake’s Elephant proved the buds knew what they where doing, with an instantly dynamic and fun bassline reproduction
Battery life is excellent too, with 8.5 hours with ANC turned on. Sweat and water resistance make them excellent for those looking for something for the gym, and their comfortable fit makes them great for longer wearing periods. For the price, you won't find anything better.
Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Price | Sub-$100 is always a sweet spot. | ★★★★★ |
Comfort & Fit | You won't find them fatiguing. | ★★★★☆ |
Noise Canceling | Solid ANC for the price. | ★★★★☆ |
Sound Quality | A big step up from the old model. | ★★★★☆ |
- Read the full Sony WF-C700N review
Best battery life
✅ Good noise canceling. Sony's buds have very good noise canceling, although not quite enough to get to the top of the list.
✅ Brilliant battery life. 8 hours out of the buds is more than almost anything else out there.
✅ Very small case. They super easy to slip into a pocket or a bag.
❌ Fit is weird. Finding the best fit of the buds is more of an ordeal, with some using finding them too loose.
❌ Some might not like the bassy sound. Where some might like the bassy signature, others might be put off.
Sony’s flagship earbuds are often some of our favorite in-ear options, and the latest version, the WF-1000XM5, are no different. They have excellent noise canceling which outperforms the old model, loads of battery life, and top-notch sound quality. They don’t manage to better the QuietComfort Ultra for noise canceling or the AirPods Pro 2 as a pair of jack of all trades, but they are an excellent choice that should be pretty close to the top of your shortlist.
Noise canceling is good. It doesn’t quite reach the heady heights of the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds, but it outperforms that which you’ll find in the AirPods Pro 2. It excels at blocking out the really low environmental noises, like bus engines and loud cityscape noise. They do struggle slightly more with the higher-end sounds, but not enough that it ever becomes a struggle. Our testing still found a pair of buds that blocks out plenty of noise on your commute so you don’t have to worry about loud subways or busy city streets.
The sound quality is a great part of the buds. It's slightly more bass-weighted, and we found in our testing that it was best at producing genres like pop and rock. That doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy listening to other music far from it. There is plenty of detail on offer, and the soundstage is very spacious for a more engaging listening experience. Movie scores were the name of the game in our review, with the likes of Cinema Paradiso (Love Theme) sounding spectacular.
Battery life is another highlight of Sony’s buds. The buds themselves pack in 8 hours of listening with ANC turned on, which is around 2 hours more than the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds and the AirPods Pro 2. We found that the battery life lived up to Sony’s claims, although you will see that drop slightly at higher volumes and if you activate the buds spacial audio feature.
At their core, the Sony WH-1000XM5 are still a great option, and make for a great purchase in 2024.
Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Price | They're not cheap, and not often reduced | ★★★☆☆ |
Comfort & Fit | Loads of custom ear-tip options | ★★★★★ |
Noise Canceling | Solid ANC for the price. | ★★★★★ |
Sound Quality | Solid, bassy sound. | ★★★★★ |
- Read the full Sony WF-1000XM5 review
Best open-fit
✅ Surprisingly good noise canceling. While they lack much of an in-ear seal, they still block out noise.
✅ Unobtrusive fit. Because they lack silicon ear tips, they don't intrude into the ear as much.
✅ Good price. They're cheaper than some of the other options on the market.
❌ They don't sound great. There are much better-sounding options, even from Apple.
❌ They're not very secure. The fit means that they sometimes fall out of your ear.
AirPods 4 upgrade Apple's entry-level wireless earbuds in a big way. Not only do they bring an overdue update to the very product line that put AirPods on the map, but they come in a version with active noise cancellation that cost under $180. You'd think without a true seal in more of this “open ear” style bud, the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation wouldn't be effective. But they’re actually quite impressive when it comes to reducing ambient sounds, and the adaptive audio feature blends ANC with transparency for a listening experience.
The $129 version without ANC gets you redesigned acoustic architecture with the addition of modern AirPods features like USB-C charging, Personalized Spatial Audio, Conversation Awareness, and Head Gestures — all very Pro-level features coming in for over $100 less than AirPods Pro 2. The reasons we’d still rank AirPods Pro 2 higher than the AirPods 4 is a better battery life, and more recently, the FDA-cleared ability for the Pro buds to double as hearing aids via a software update.
If you just need a pair of daily buds that fit comfortably and work well with all your Apple devices, the AirPods 4 are easy to recommend.
Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Price | Well priced, entry level ANC AirPods. | ★★★★★ |
Comfort & Fit | The new open-fit might be divisive for some. | ★★★☆☆ |
Noise Canceling | You'll be surprised how much noise they block. | ★★★★☆ |
Sound Quality | A good, neutral sound signature. | ★★★★☆ |
- Read our full AirPods 4 review
Best for working out
✅ Great for fitness. Earhooks and a comfortable fit keep them in your eears no matter how much you move around.
✅ Good ANC. The best ANC from Beats so far, with plenty of noise blocking on board.
✅ Extra fitness features. There's built in heart monitoring sensors for extra health and fitness insights.
❌ Android app is bad. Android users will be underwhelmed by the app.
❌ Some sound issues. They don't sound bad, but there are some minor sound issues with the buds.
Fitness buds are a dime a dozen, with plenty of options available should you want to listen to music while you work out. The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are the latest buds from Apple's subsidiary, and they also happen to be the best buds for fitness fanatics. They've got a useful fitting hook on each bud, and then heart rate monitors to make sure they stay in place.
The noise canceling, as you'd hope, is excellent. I found it perfect for most different settings, be that a quiet office or a bustling train. I'm not known for my exercise, however, so I spoke to someone who is — and what they thought of the noise canceling on board.
They took them for months of long running sessions and other fitness work, and found they blocked noise very well. Gyms silenced, annoying traffic brought to nothing. If you want to make sure your jogs, cycling, or even your swimming is distraction-free, then the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are the buds for you.
I was also very impressed with the battery life of the buds. According to Beats, there are 10 hours of ANC on battery life out of the buds, and my testing proved that to be pretty much spot on. That extends to 45 hours when you put them back in the (very large) charging case, for some of the best battery life in the segment. It will depend on volume level and even genre, but expect good staying power.
Sound does trip up slightly. They've got plenty of detail and some fairly dynamic bass, but there's an unfortunate cut-off in the lower mids that takes some of the edge out of your music. For most people, it's not going to be a problem. But if you're picky about how your music sounds, you may be better off with a different pair of earbuds.
The heart rate monitor is useful if you want to track more of your fitness metrics, but we found that it wasn't the most accurate. Not a massive issue, but one worth noting.
In the end, the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are a solid ANC option for everyone, but they're particularly good for those looking for a fitness companion.
Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Price | There are cheaper options out there | ★★★★☆ |
Comfort & Fit | The earclips are great for keeping them in place. | ★★★★★ |
Noise Canceling | Solid, AirPods Pro first generation-like performance | ★★★★☆ |
Sound Quality | There's some mid-range clipping that causes issues. | ★★★☆☆ |
- Read our full Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 review
Best noise-cancelling earbuds: Specs compared
| Header Cell - Column 0 | Battery life | Connectivity | Wireless charging case | Durability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds | 6 hours; 24 hours (charging case) | Bluetooth 5.3 with SBC, AAC, and aptX Adaptive support | No (optional) | IPX4 (earbuds) |
Apple AirPods Pro 2 USB-C | 6 hours; 30 hours (charging case) | Bluetooth 5.3 with SBC, AAC | Yes | IP54 (earbuds and charging case) |
Sony WF-C700N | 7.5 hours; 24 hours (charging case) | Bluetooth 5.2 with SBC, AAC | No | IPX4 (earbuds) |
Sony WF-1000XM5 | 8 hours; 24 hours (charging case) | Bluetooth 5.3 with SBC, AAC, and LDAC | Yes | IPX4 (earbuds) |
AirPods 4 with ANC | 5 hours (ANC off); 30 hours (charging case with ANC off) | Bluetooth 5.4 with SBC, AAC | Yes | IP54 (earbuds) |
Beats Fit Pro | 6 hours; 27 hours (charging case) | Bluetooth 5.0 with SBC, AAC | No | IPX4 (earbuds) |
Also tested
At Tom's Guide we test a lot of noise-canceling earbuds, but not everything can make it into our buying guides. Whether that's down to better performance or stronger features from rival models in a particular category and price, some miss ranking in this list by the slightest of margins. With that in mind, these models are strong contenders and great alternative considerations.
How we test noise-canceling earbuds
We've judged the best noise-canceling earbuds on several factors: audio performance, battery life, Bluetooth range, call quality, comfort and fit, and the effectiveness of the noise cancellation. We also weigh special features, such as included apps, and how easy they are to use.
During the testing phase, our reviewers wear each pair of headphones for 2 hours at a time throughout the course of a week, to test comfort over time.
ANC, meanwhile, is tested in both indoor and outdoor environments where ambient sounds are produced at high levels. This includes airplanes, city parks, convenience shops, offices, and public transportation. ANC headphones programmed with transparency modes are also tested thoroughly to determine how well the listener can hear their surroundings.
For sound quality, we listen to many different sample tracks and span as many music genres as possible, including hip-hop, rock, jazz, classical and R&B, while evaluating volume, clarity, and fullness. Find out what we listen for during our testing process and how to get the best headphone sound for you.
And now that more streaming music services are offering high-resolution audio, be sure to read our audio codec FAQ for all you need to know.
Finally, we’ll rate noise-canceling earbuds on our five-point system, with 1 being the worst and 5 the best. If a pair is particularly excellent, with a robust range of qualities, we may award it an Editor's Choice badge.
Find out how we test for more information on our reviewing procedures.
How to choose the best noise-canceling earbuds for you
The first item to check off the list when shopping for the best noise-canceling earbuds is their active noise cancellation performance, which shouldn’t be confused with passive noise cancellation. What are the differences?
1. Active vs. passive noise cancellation: ANC uses advanced circuitry and microphones to pick up noise signals and create inverse waves that cancel out these sonic disruptions, whereas PNC physically isolates high-pitched sounds through the headphone design and materials. Most headphones advertised with noise cancellation are categorized under ANC.
2. Battery life: Noise-canceling earbuds have a reputation for sucking up lots of power, so you’ll want a pair that holds a charge long enough to get you through a long business flight or weekly commutes. Noise-canceling wireless earbuds are usually rated for 4.5 to 8 hours, but with included charging cases the total possible playback time might be much more competitive.
Think about how long and how often you’d want to wear your earbuds for on lengthy trips. A longer “per charge” battery life is better, but if you only want some entertainment on short commutes then it not quite so important, as you’ll probably be storing the buds in their case more regularly.
3. Sound quality: ANC technology can compress sound and reduce dynamics, which may affect audio performance when turned on. In some cases, you’ll notice a background hiss when listening to music. However, the best noise-canceling earbuds limit these disruptions to deliver full, crisp sound.
4. Design: The look, build and feel of a pair of in-ear 'buds is massively important when selecting the best noise-canceling earbuds, so consider how they look and feel and whether the style is right for you. In our best noise-canceling headphones round up we mention that over-ear headphones tend to give the best noise cancellation, but some of the more recent wireless in-ear models are proving to be just as effective.
5. Pricing considerations: Obviously, price is a big consideration when looking for the best noise-canceling earbuds. Although there are always exceptions, big-name brands will typically command a bit extra, but generally speaking, the less you spend on a pair of headphones the greater the chance that sound and features will be compromised. Going for a budget option isn't always the best choice, as any money you save on your purchase won't do you much good if you're constantly needing to recharge your audio gear, or the sound quality is poor.
As the saying goes: timing is everything; and right now many of our favorite models are being discounted by online retailers, meaning you can bag a bargain for even less. Bookmark our best headphone deals page to keep track on the latest price drops.
FAQs
What is ANC?
ANC explained: Active noise cancellation (ANC) models employ built-in mics to pick up ambient sounds around the wearer. An identical but inverted audio signal of the noise is played back to the listener through the headphones. Listeners aren't aware of this happening of course, as the inverted (or out of phase) signal effectively 'cancels out' the noise of the surroundings for the headphone wearer. The process removes the external sounds, which results in a significant reduction in the level of background noise at the very least.
Does ANC affect battery life?
Given that it uses both more computational power and a bunch of microphones in order to work, ANC has an effect on your battery life. This often chops a couple of hours off, so they won't last quite as long. If you want to keep the battery going for longer then you'll want to keep the noise canceling turned off.
Do noise-canceling earbuds actually work?
In most cases, noise-canceling earbuds are very effective at reducing ambient sounds. There are limits, though, and some designs are less effective at silencing certain types of sounds than others. The process is fast but it can’t physically occur in real time, so ANC works best with consistent low-frequency sounds as opposed to higher-pitched, inconsistent sounds like human speech. Vehicle engines and droning air conditioners are easy to cancel out, but the shorter wavelength of high-frequency sounds, like a sudden blast from a car horn, makes it tougher for the ANC’s anti-noise waves to perfectly mask these bursts.
Even so, all sounds will be at least a little quieter when you’re wearing noise-canceling headphones, and many sounds can be completely silenced even on low-cost pairs or earbuds. Check out our explainer on active noise cancelation for more information.
