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Are Noise-Cancelling Earbuds Worth It?
The best wireless earphones that deliver audiophile-pleasing audio and excellent ANC can easily cost over $300, but those aren't your only options. We're starting to see some worthwhile, budget-friendly alternatives that deliver commendable noise cancellation and sound quality for under $100.
Whether they are worth the money depends on the character of noise in your environment and how much it prevents you from focusing on whatever you need to do. If you can't think clearly without silence or (at least) a greater sense of quiet, noise-cancelling earphones are well worth the peace of mind.
Once you find the perfect pair, check out our stories on five easy tips to extend the life of your headphones and eight ways you're using them wrong.
Do Noise-Cancelling Earbuds Block All Sound?
Active noise cancellation (ANC) debuted in over-ear and on-ear headphones first but is now prevalent in wireless earphones. As the first word of the term suggests, active noise cancellation requires power, as opposed to passive noise reduction. Battery power feeds ANC circuitry that uses microphones to create a live, inverse signal of the surrounding noise. Just like how adding a negative number to its positive equivalent nets zero, the goal here is to offset the ambient noise with inverse sound waves.
Does it work? That depends on the manufacturer and the character of the surrounding noise. Even competent ANC is typically far more effective against low to mid frequencies, especially unchanging, drone-like sounds such as from an engine or an appliance. The best ANC does the same for higher-frequency sounds, like office chatter and keyboard clicks. But a tight in-ear seal is what helps most against these sounds.
Speaking of an in-ear seal, passive noise cancellation (or passive noise isolation) uses the physical sealing off of the ear canal to block out surrounding sound. There are no mics or batteries involved in this method, but it is, in many ways, more effective than active noise cancellation because it helps cut back frequencies across the board. Earplugs still exist for a reason—they work.
Are noise canceling earbuds good for your ears?
Yes, in the sense that they can allow you to listen to content at lower volumes since background noise is reduced. This can potentially reduce the risk of hearing damage caused by prolonged exposure to loud sounds. However, like any earbuds, they should be used at safe volumes and not for excessively long periods.
I’m trying to upgrade my earbuds for my iPhone, but I’m honestly struggling to figure out which ones are actually worth it. There are so many choices now, and every review says something different.
What I really want is a pair that connects seamlessly, sounds great, and doesn’t cut out or feel uncomfortable after a while. Battery life and call quality matter too, since I use them for work and daily walks.
Some options I keep seeing around are:
AirPods Pro (2nd gen)
Beats Fit Pro
Sony LinkBuds
Hey guys,
My AirPods Max, which served me well for 3 years and a half, spluttered out the past month. I’m not willing to pay the $400 Apple demanded for a replacement, so I’m issuing the following request:
What’s a good pair of noise-cancelling Bluetooth headphones for a user deeply integrated with the Apple ecosystem (Mac, iPhone) without having to buy another pair of AirPods Maxes?
Sennheiser, Sony, etc... please suggest headphones within the realm of $300-$500, although I can spend a bit more if needed.
Thank you!
I saw a bunch of post about ranking the best Earbuds. I dug through a bunch of subreddits and post and came up with a recommendation list for the Top Noise Cancelling Earbuds. Here is my conclusion for every price point. Let me know what you think.
Elite ANC — Best All-Around
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Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2nd Gen – Top overall ANC in 2025, industry-leading noise cancellation with adaptive tuning that blocks even low rumble and higher-freq distractions. Excellent comfort and app customization.
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Sony WF-1000XM5 – Best balance of ANC, sound, and features, premium soundstage, strong cancellation, superior call quality with AI-assisted noise reduction.
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Apple AirPods Pro 3 – Best ANC for Apple users, top-tier noise blocking and ecosystem perks (spatial audio, adaptive EQ). Tested as one of the strongest ANC performers ever.
Premium Performance
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Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro – Strong adaptive ANC with Galaxy AI integration and long battery life — great choice for Android users.
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Soundcore Liberty 5 NC – Best mid-range ANC, Dolby-enhanced audio, solid cancellation, and balanced sound above this price point.
Versatile & Feature-Rich
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JBL Tour Pro 3 – Great spatial sound and adaptive ANC with long battery life + smart case controls.
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Skullcandy Method 360 ANC – Solid ANC on a budget with Bose-tuned sound, perfect for everyday listeners.
Best Budget ANC
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JLab Go Pods ANC – Excellent entry-level ANC under $30 with hybrid noise cancelling and long total playtime, huge value pick.