I primarily use android and Windows and I am looking for well performing ANC earbuds. My budget is around 200$, I did extensive research but I am still confused.
Airpods pro 2 seems to be great with ANC but since I am not in the apple ecosystem, I am reluctant about it, would you still recommend to go with them ? Currently they are on sale for 199$ and seems like a good deal.
I tried pixel buds pro, but their ANC was not great, and their fit was awkward and loose, I returned them. I am considering galaxy pro buds or beats fit pro, but not sure if their ANC is good enough.
I am really conflicted on, if I should just take the plunge and get the air pods pro for their ANC
Thanks :)
The best I've used is a tie between the Sennheiser Momentum 3 and the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC. Both perform admirably and also have very good sound quality (the Momentum 3 win here).
Sony, Bose Ihave the best noise cancellation. boring but it's true.
1more, soundcore are a tier below that.
Galaxy buds have okay active noise cancellation but only marginally better than the Pixel buds in my opinion.
It also just depends on how well the fit is. A pair with mediocre active noise cancellation that creates a great seal would be better than a pair with excellent active noise cancellation with no good seal.
Budget is not an issue. I am just looking for the best earbuds all around. I heard the Technics AZ80 don't have the best ANC and I'm very sensitive to outside noises, so I'd prefer something a bit better in that regard. I also don't think I'd go for the Sony XM5, as I saw them have a 3.9 rating on Amazon.
Videos
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.
What Is the Ambient (or Transparency) Mode?
Plenty of wireless models include a feature that allows you to monitor your surroundings without removing the earpieces. This is useful in offices and airports and for runners who need to be aware of traffic and car horns. Not all wireless earbuds with an ambient monitoring mode also include noise cancellation, but most of the ones we’ve tested do.
Many offer on-ear controls that allow you to cycle through ANC and ambient/transparency modes. We note whether earphones include this feature and how well it works in each of our reviews.
I don't want to hear shit from my surroundings. I want an earbud that blocks every fucking thing
I don't give half a rat's ass how shit everything else is. I want every fucking noise blocked, no headphones.
I'm looking for the best noise-canceling earbuds out there. You see, I've been struggling to focus lately, especially when I'm studying or trying to get work done in a noisy environment. I've heard that noise-canceling earbuds can really help block out all those distracting sounds, so I'm eager to give them a try.
I heard of some of these options
Technics AZ80
Sony WF-1000XM5
Bose QuietComfort Ultra
Jabra Elite 10
Cambridge Audio Melomania M100 Earbuds
But with so many options on the market, I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. That's why I thought I'd turn to this forum for some advice and recommendations.
Have any of you tried noise-canceling earbuds before?
If so, which ones do you recommend?
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.
I got an jbl wave flex on Christmas last year and i’m really disappointed, it has zero anc and the sound is really low quality tbh, i really want a good earbuds with ANC bc of my commute time to work and college. I’m on a budget so i can’t really buy something expensive, i was looking at qcy ones bc i saw really good reviews but i’m open to other brands too! Any good earbuds with ANC suggestions? :)
edit: my budget is around $50-$25
which wireless noise cancelling earbuds for android with good sound quality do you recommend? i keep hearing about the samsung galaxy buds but idk
I totally understand your dilemma - there are so many options to choose from and the Samsung Galaxy buds could be a decent option. However, I'd personally recommend checking out these wireless noise cancelling earbuds. When I was in the market for a new pair, those truly stood up to the hype in my opinion. They not only have excellent noise cancelling capabilities, but also offer a truly superior sound quality that can enhance your entire listening experience. All that, plus they work incredibly well with Android. It's rare to find earbuds that perform so well across the board, but I was definitely pleased with these. Anyway, hope that helps!
Earfun Air Pro 3 or Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro.
You know those moments when everything around you is just... too loud? Like, you're on a bus, kid screaming in the back, engine humming, someone talking way too loud on their phone. And all you want is—quiet. Not total silence, just enough to think. That’s where noise-cancelling earbuds come in.
Honestly, I didn’t even care about them at first. Thought it was some overhyped tech. Then I tried a pair. Everything just... disappeared. Not like magic. More like hitting mute on the world.
Not totally, of course. You still hear bits of things. But the annoying stuff? The hums, the random chatter, the sharp sounds—they fade.
And no, I’m not some audio nerd. I just needed to focus. Or chill. Or just... not deal with everything at once.
Not Just for Music
Sure, you can listen to your favorite playlist and hear it clearer than ever. But that’s not really the point, is it? It’s about space. Headspace. Being able to sit somewhere and feel like, "okay, I’m here now, not out there with the noise."
You don’t need to be a commuter or someone working in a café every day. You could be home, someone vacuuming in the other room. Or maybe it’s just a noisy fan. Whatever. When you put those earbuds in, everything just… chills.
What Makes Them Good?
Forget specs for a second. What matters?
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Do they actually block noise? Not just say they do?
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Do they sound decent? Like, can you hear that one instrument in the background of your favorite track?
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Do they feel okay in your ears? Not falling out or making your ears sore after ten minutes?
Everything else? Meh. Nice to have, not must-have.
Best Earbuds for cancelling noise right now:
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Apple AirPods Pro 2 Earbuds
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Sony WF-1000XM5 Earbuds
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Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
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Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 Earbuds
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Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro Earbuds
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Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2 Wireless Earbuds
Hi, I’m looking for the best earbuds purely in terms of noise cancellation, I like quiet and want something that’s really good at blocking out as much noise as possible. Price doesn’t matter and my main earbuds are currently the AirPods Pro 2, and they’re great but I would like something even better if possible.
I have been on the hunt for the best pair of wireless earbuds for my specifications below, paired to Pixel 10:
Great ANC - especially at mid-high frequencies, cannot stand hearing the conversations of others on the train
Good microphones for call quality
Good and comfortable fit, won't fall out during exercise
Wireless charging case ideally but not essential
Free trial from purchasing store so I can make sure they meet these criteria
I currently have the Google Pixel Buds Pro which tick off #1 and #3, I bought the Pixel Buds Pro 2 expecting it may solve my issues but the ANC is worse and the call quality was still terrible.
I have checked out Bose QC 2024, Technics AZ80 and Sony WF1000MX5 but all don't seem to meet these criteria (or in Sony's case the website interface was just f***ing annoying to deal with so I gave up). The Airpods Pro 2 actually seem the best shout but lose a lot of functionality when paired with android.
Any suggestions? I am based in Australia so must be able to get them here.
Hey guys, so I need a really good set for ANC. From the research that I've seen, the Bose seems to be the best. But how good are the Sony XM5s? I work in a cooler currently, and I want something that will block out the fan noise so I can listen to my Bible sermons with great clarity. Personally, I'm a Sony fanboy and I'm leaning more towards them over the Bose. Is the Sony XM5 ANC good enough for my needs? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
I work from home as a radiologist using a Galaxy S25 Ultra, mostly reviewing scans and occasionally jumping on work calls. I wear earbuds under a lightweight headset, so my two biggest priorities are:
Clear, natural-sounding voice quality on calls (quiet home office, no wind or loud background).
Strong ANC to block out newborn noises and general household sounds between calls.
Music quality is nice but less essential (no audiophile demands), and I’d like at least 4-5 hours of ANC battery life. Multipoint connection would be a nice bonus. My budget tops out around $300.
I’ve already tried the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro. They’re good, but I’m considering trying one or two more pairs before committing. If you’ve found a different pair that shines in real-life use (especially call clarity and ANC on Android), please let me know what’s worked well and what hasn’t (comfort, battery, app quirks, etc.).
Thanks. your input might save me a return-shipping marathon!
I live in military barracks with 2 really loud and obnoxious roommates who have very loud and obnoxious friends that i try to ignore majority of the time, so I need earbuds with ANC so strong that it blocks the sound of people screaming in my room while i’m trying to watch a movie. Also something that works well in the gym and won’t fall out of my ears when i’m running or sleeping. So far i’ve only tried JBL Tune Buds, Reflect Aero, and Skullcandy ANC. I’m open to any price really.
Hello everyone,
The title says it all.
I initially thought of Airpods Pro but I don't know if they will be worth the price as I am using Android.
However I might still consider them depending on your impressions.
I’m looking for the best budget earbuds for ANC. If anything can compare to the Airpods Pro quality that’d be great. I am a student who is hoping to use them when studying. Any good sales for black friday right now? Or great value buys in general? ANC comes above all else.
Looking for the best earbuds. I currently have the Sony WF-XM5, and I have to say I’m pretty disappointed. The ANC is average, and without perfect passive seal, background noise leaks in quite easily. Sound quality isn’t bad.
The worst part is that during many work calls—even in a quiet room—the other side says I sound muffled, like I’m in a tunnel or an aquarium.
I’m looking for earbuds that deliver top-tier sound quality with excellent noise canceling and call performance.
Budget isn’t an issue, but I honestly don’t know what to choose anymore.
I was considering the Technics AZ100 or the JBL Tour Pro 3.
Will I actually notice an improvement over the Sonys? Is there something else that’s more recommended? I’m totally confused at this point.
Im looking forward to get a good pair of ANC earbuds, I reduced it to those 3 (Airpods Pro 2 / WF-1000XM5 / QC Ultra Earbuds)
I currently have many over the ear ANC headphones (XM4, XM5, Momentum 4 and QC Ultra) and 2 wired "audiophile" headphones (Arya Stealth and HD 540 Reference II).
Somehow I havent bought a good pair of earbuds yet, so... Im NOT looking for an absolute killer sound quality, Im mainly looking for Noise Cancelling performance here, Im an Apple user (Iphone 11 and Macbook Pro 2012), some smart features would be nice too.
A comparison in sound would be nice too, besides not being a priority.