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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.
Which earbuds for Android are best for phone calls?
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 am currently using Sony WF-1000XM4 earbuds. I used to be, but I am no longer, a fan, because: 1) my ears hurt after a couple of hours, and 2) the battery now wears out very quickly - after about 1 hour of usage. On the plus side, at least my ears don't hurt anymore because they die quickly 😂
I am in the market for new ones. I checked out Sony's XM5 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds. I've read that Sony's still suffer from the same battery and comfort issues (WTF), and Bose's have connectivity issues (more WTF). These are deal breakers for me, especially when considering the price.
What would be considered the best earbuds pick in 2025? I don't care about the price if it's justified. My use case is open office work and cycling (so wind noise suppression matters). Oh also, I am rocking an Android phone, so AirPods won't work for me. I welcome your suggestions.
P.S. Sony and Bose seem to be considered top picks in general. Since I am not so keen on those for the reasons explained, I also checked out Soundcore A40 as a budget alternative and am curious to learn how you feel about those. Thanks y'all!
is it just me or are all “top rated” wireless earbuds either super overpriced or built to die right after the warranty expires?? like… i just want something that stays in during a walk, doesn’t stab my ears after 30 mins, and maybe — just maybe — doesn’t sound like static every time i talk to someone.
every best wireless earbuds 2025 list sounds exactly the same: “amazing comfort, long battery life, rich bass” blah blah. then you buy them and a week later, one side just gives up charging like it’s had enough of life.
idk man, maybe i’m cursed. or maybe my ears are just built weird 😂.
i seriously can’t stand the pair i have right now — about ready to toss them out the window lol.