Best noise-cancelling earbuds 2024: tried and tested by our reviewers

Best noise-cancelling earbuds: quick menu

Over the years, noise-cancelling tech has trickled down from traditional headphones to wireless earbuds. But it isn't just the premium pairs that boast the feature. Earbuds spanning a range of prices can remove the drone of daily life with impressive skill.

With so many brands adopting ANC, it can be hard to know where to start. We've tested earbuds since they first became a thing, and our team of experts has heard an absolute mountain of in-ear models, making our collective experience second to none.

All too often we’ve used buds that sound great in a quiet room, but get them out into the real world and they barely have enough power to block out even the smallest of background noises, let alone the sort of sound you'd want to be excluded from your ears. Other lesser models may be able to block out external noise, but even if they do, ANC can also impact the audio delivered by the earbuds, making some sets a poor choice for buyers who care about audio quality as much as noise cancellation.

Hence, it's our job to help you find the best set of noise-cancelling earbuds for your specific tastes and budget, with this page covering all the best options we’ve personally tried and tested in recent months and years. 

Every set on this list has been through our stringent testing process which you can read about in our dedicated 'how we test' section. You can buy any of the pairs on this page with confidence. Of course, if you'd rather something more substantial, check out our list of best noise-cancelling headphones.

Andy Madden bio pic
Andy Madden

I'm Deputy Editor of What Hi-Fi? and have been testing audio products for nearly two decades. Over the years I've reviewed a huge range of headphones including multiple pairs of noise-cancelling earbuds. The category has grown exponentially over the last few years with many brands selling several ANC models at various price points and I've heard multiple generations of models from some of the biggest brands in the business. Noise-cancelling, sound quality, comfort and value are all things I look for from the best noise-cancelling earbuds and all the models on this list deliver are at the top of their game.

The quick list

The best noise-cancelling earbuds overall

The most effective noise-cancelling you can get right now.

Specifications

Bluetooth: AAC, SBC
Battery life: 6hrs (+18hrs from charging case)
Wireless charging: No
Waterproof: Yes
Finishes: Black, White Smoke

Reasons to buy

+
Punchy, musical sound
+
Solid, weighty bass
+
Customisable, class-leading ANC

Reasons to avoid

-
Immersive Audio severely reduces battery life
-
No Bluetooth multipoint, LDAC or aptX HD
-
No wireless charging

We all know Bose 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-cancelling 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.

Because the Ultra Earbuds replaced the company's 2022 What Hi-Fi? Award winner - the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II, - you might be able to find a big chunk of cash slashed off the older pair if you shop around. They're still an excellent buy, too.

Read the full Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds review

TOP TIP
Kashfia Kabir
TOP TIP
Kashfia Kabir

Bose has always delivered excellent noise cancelling in its wireless earbuds and the Ultra are no exception. Not only is the ANC on point, but I'm also a big fan of the comfort levels offered by their silicone tips and also the flexibility that comes with the Bose Music control app. You can alter the level of noise cancelling and save several presets which you can switch between should you want to vary the amount of noise let through.

Best cheap noise-cancelling earbuds

Earfun Air Pro on a white background with the case open

Noise-cancelling is bettered by more expensive earbuds, but at this price we can't grumble. (Image credit: Earfun)
One of the cheapest pairs of noise-cancelling earbuds we've tested - and sound quality isn't bad either.

Specifications

Noise-cancelling: Yes
Bluetooth: AAC, SBC
Battery life: 7hrs (+18hrs from charging case)
Wireless charging: No
Waterproof: Water resistant
Finishes: Black, White

Reasons to buy

+
Solid, accurate bass weight
+
Effective noise cancelling at this price
+
Classy build and finish

Reasons to avoid

-
Harsh upper midrange
-
Sony WF-C700N (above) sound much better for little extra outlay

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 Sony's level (see the WF-C500 or below C700N), but it isn't bad at all.

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 reviewed the newer EarFun Air Pro 3, but weren't particularly impressed by them, which is why the originals are still on this list.

Read the full EarFun Air Pro review

Best mid-price earbuds for noise-cancelling

What Hi-Fi? Awards 2023 winner. A fine combination of good noise cancelling, excellent sound quality and value.

Specifications

Bluetooth: AAC, SBC
Battery life: 7.5hrs (+7.5hrs from charging case)
Wireless charging: No
Waterproof: Water resistant
Finishes: White, Black, Sage Green, Lavender

Reasons to buy

+
Very comfortable, all-day fit
+
Solid ANC for the money
+
Detailed, dynamic and musical sound

Reasons to avoid

-
Charging case doesn't add a lot to battery life
-
No aptX or LDAC Bluetooth support

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

What Hi-Fi? Awards 2023 winner. The excellent WF-1000XM5 are Sony’s most accomplished and analytical wireless earbuds yet

Specifications

Bluetooth: AAC, LDAC, SBC
Battery life: 8hrs (+16hrs from charging case)
Wireless charging: Yes
Waterproof: IPX4 water resistant
Finishes: Black, Silver

Reasons to buy

+
Class-leading levels of detail and clarity
+
Top-notch musicality and timing
+
Strong ANC and feature set

Reasons to avoid

-
Some rivals produce more bass
-
Bose QC Ultra (above) edge it for ANC

If it’s pure noise-cancelling performance that’s top of your wishlist then Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are still your best bet. If you’re willing to sacrifice a little bit of silence in return for what we consider to be even more refined sound quality (and plenty of high-performing features), our choice recommendation would be Sony’s Award-winning WF-1000XM5. 

Sony has fitted its premium buds with 8.4mm drivers and some improved internal engineering, and it certainly shows. There’s a newfound level of detail and openness that gives them a different character to the outgoing XM4, but overall they feel like a big improvement. They don’t sound quite as fun as their predecessors initially, but they’re still hugely musical and will open up and bloom the more you run them in.

Bose might still be setting the gold standard, but we think the noise-cancelling performance is still highly effective with the XM5, with an extra layer of midrange noise filtered out compared with the XM4. They’re packed full of features too, such as Adaptive Sound Control, Speak-to-Chat, Multipoint Bluetooth and support for 360 Reality Audio, all of which help make Sony’s latest premium buds yet another Award-winning smash hit.

Some users might not find them quite as stable in their ears as the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II, so ensure you experiment with the provided eartips to get the best seal. 

Read the full Sony WF-1000XM5 review

Best noise-cancelling earbuds for battery life

Reliable, long-lasting noise-cancelling earbuds that won't break the bank.

Specifications

Bluetooth: AAC, SBC
Battery life: 8hrs (+22hrs from charging case)
Wireless charging: No
Waterproof: Water resistant
Finishes: Silver, Rose, Blue, Black

Reasons to buy

+
Class-leading battery life
+
Punchy, lively sound with meaty bass
+
Effective adaptive ANC

Reasons to avoid

-
No aptX HD or LDAC Bluetooth
-
Control customisation could be better
-
Only three ear tip choices

If you’re the kind of person who is always forgetting to charge their earbuds, the JBL Live Pro 2 TWS might be here to save you. With ANC turned on they’ll last a decent eight hours, but there’s also up to 30 hours extra in the case which gives them excellent stamina over many similarly or higher-priced rivals.

The JBL Live Pro 2 TWS hover in an odd tranche of the wireless market, sitting above the sub-£100 / $100 "cheap" wireless earbuds but a long way below the likes of the premium Bose Ultra Earbuds or Sony XM5. Sometimes these "mid-range" options can result in compromised or confused results, yet that simply isn't the case with the Live Pro 2. 

Our testers were all able to get a comfortable and solid seal using one of the three tip sizes, with the buds proving capable of easily blocking out the substantial background noise of our busy London office. We were also impressed by their adaptive noise-cancelling, which removed the need for us to manually adjust the ANC level in the app.

If that wasn’t enough to tempt you, while many of the more expensive sets on this list sound slightly better, for the money the JBL’s deliver excellent audio that can't really be faulted for the price paid. Compared with their stablemates, the JBL Reflect Flow Pro, we found the Live Pro 2 sound clearer and more insightful without losing any of that fun or sense of urgency. As a pair of semi-affordable, rugged and go-anywhere buds, they make a lot of sense.

Our only slight quibble is that the buds don’t support the aptX HD or LDAC which makes them a poor choice for people subscribed to higher-quality streaming packages on Tidal, Spotify and the like.

Read the full JBL Live Pro 2 TWS review

Best noise-cancelling earbuds for Apple users

The best noise-cancelling earbuds for iPhone and MacBook users.

Specifications

Bluetooth: AAC, SBC
Battery life: 6hrs (+24hrs from charging case)
Wireless charging: Yes
Wateproof: Water resistant
Finishes: White

Reasons to buy

+
Clear, detailed and powerful sound
+
Very decent adaptive ANC
+
Smooth, intuitive use with iOS devices

Reasons to avoid

-
Many features restricted to iOS devices only
-
Sony XM5 and Bose (above) sound better

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. 

Read the full Apple AirPods Pro 2 review

Also consider

The best noise-cancelling earbuds alternatives we've tested:

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4: hot from the What Hi-F? 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.

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II: The QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds might be the current kings of noise cancelling but I know their predecessors now offer great value. You can find them discounted during all the big sales events and the level of sound quality and noise-cancelling on offer isn't a million miles away from the newer pair. They're also just as comfortable to wear for long periods so if you can get them at a discounted price you'll have secured a bit of a bargain.

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.

It does need to be pointed out, though, that a great pair of noise-cancelling wireless earbuds still won't be as effective as the best noise-cancelling headphones that sit on or over your ears. Earbuds are small, so while they're great for portability there's only so much tech you can squeeze in.

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 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

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 better than a number of 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

  • 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

Today's best noise-cancelling earbuds deals

Andy Madden

Andy is Deputy Editor of What Hi-Fi? and a consumer electronics journalist with nearly 20 years of experience writing news, reviews and features. Over the years he's also contributed to a number of other outlets, including The Sunday Times, the BBC, Stuff, and BA High Life Magazine. Premium wireless earbuds are his passion but he's also keen on car tech and in-car audio systems and can often be found cruising the countryside testing the latest set-ups. In his spare time Andy is a keen golfer and gamer.

With contributions from
  • Willhiro
    The Sony's "Reasons to Avoid" are "Lack volume controls", and "No aptX HD support".
    How come that is not "Reasons to Avoid" for the Apple Airpods. Should they have the same listed? Unless they do have them
    Reply
  • Ruisilva450
    How are any of these budget options?
    Reply
  • Mikeyz
    I am surprised it states there is no touch volume control on the Bose QuietComfort buds. According to the official Bose website it clearly states this is supported. You slide you finger up/down the right bud. I am about to buy them so can confirm this later. I did also check some Q&A on amazon from people who have purchased this product. At least one buyer stated it does have volume control.
    Reply
  • YiG
    Ok then.. the Technics appear to have gained a star, the review it links to shows they were only given 4 stars. Something changed that warrants the extra star??
    Reply
  • Mjp
    Willhiro said:
    The Sony's "Reasons to Avoid" are "Lack volume controls", and "No aptX HD support".
    How come that is not "Reasons to Avoid" for the Apple Airpods. Should they have the same listed? Unless they do have them
    Reasons to avoid Apple Airpods: Apple.
    Reply
  • Mjp
    What Hi-Fi? said:
    From budget to premium, we've got a pair of noise-cancelling true wireless earphones for you.

    Best noise-cancelling earbuds: the true wireless way to cut out background noise : Read more
    As an owner of a pair of Sony WF-1000XM3, I must say the noise cancelling is underwhelming at best. The main problem, and it may apply to all of these, is the seal between buds and ear. If this is poor, noise leaks past, there is zero cancelling, and total loss of bass.

    The only noise cancelling headphones I know of that work, are on or over ear types, which also isolate noise and have superb sound quality that no buds can come close to matching.

    I reckon anyone buying any of these buds will be disappointed.
    Reply
  • DaviddeB
    What Hi-Fi? said:
    From budget to premium, we've got a pair of noise-cancelling true wireless earphones for you.

    Best noise-cancelling earbuds: the true wireless way to cut out background noise : Read more
    Where do the Bowers & Wilkins PI7s rank? They should definitely be in the top 3, if not first, from what I read about them. And what about the Devialet Geminis?
    Reply
  • DCarmi
    So Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 gets in at #7 and #10. You could do with a new proof -reader.
    Reply
  • ElJefeFan
    Ruisilva450 said:
    How are any of these budget options?

    Agreed.

    The 3 "budget options included range from $140-$180. I would consider under $100 to be a definite requirement for budget.

    Check out the Tozo NC7 and NC9, Soundpeats T3 and the Earfun models that are cheaper than the one mentioned here.
    Reply
  • 12th Monkey
    As this is two and a half years old, it's probably an ex-parrot by now.
    Reply