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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 everyone I want to upgrade my audio gear and need advice. I am torn between noise cancelling earbuds or over ear headphones and not sure which to choose
Here is what matters most
Good noise isolation or active noise cancellation that blocks ambient noise but still lets me hear voices when needed
Comfortable to wear for long sessions over 1 hour
Solid sound quality with clear mids and decent bass not expecting audiophile level
Reliable microphone for calls and online meetings
Decent battery life
Price range 200 to 300 USD
What I would like to hear from you
What noise cancelling earbuds or headphones do you own or have tried
What pros and cons did you notice
For earbuds vs over ear which do you prefer for commuting or working in cafes
Any hidden gem models I should check out.
Thank you guys, I hope to gather real user feedback before deciding.
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!
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.
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.
A while back, I came across a post ranking earbuds by price range, which was super helpful for a lot of people. Since that one’s hard to find now, I decided to remake it using newer models and what I’ve personally tested or researched. This list considers : sound quality, comfort, battery life, features and especially value for money.
Budget ($20–$50)
SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro– $42 Surprisingly good sound for under $50. Adaptive ANC works nicely, has app EQ, and LDAC support for Android. Battery lasts 7–8 hours.
JBL Wave Beam – $39 Punchy bass, typical JBL tuning. No ANC, but passive isolation is great. Compact case and comfortable fit.
1MORE PistonBuds Pro $49 Balanced V‑shaped sound with clean highs and decent ANC. App support and customizable touch controls push them pretty high up in this list.
Hoco EQ16 – $38 Excellent value with nice sound and strong ANC and ENC. They’re the ones I’m using specifically because of the ENC part, it’s hard to find headphones that have decent mic quality. Audio wise I’d say they’re close to Ankers but the price makes it feel like a bargain.
Mid‑range ($50–$100)
Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC $79 Smart ANC, great fit, clear mids, and full‑bodied bass. Multipoint and LDAC make it future‑proof.
SoundPEATS Air4 Pro AN – $69 Lightweight fit with airy soundstage and responsive touch controls. Battery clocks in at 9 hours with ANC off. (I struggled with the name too)
High‑end ($100–$200)
Sony WF‑C700N $119 Lightweight version of the XM5, still with great ANC and comfort. Fantastic choice for travel or work.
Technics EAH‑AZ60M2. $179 Premium soundstage with natural mids and crisp treble. Multipoint works seamlessly, battery edges out Sony’s buds.
Jabra Elite 10 ANC. $179 One of the best in comfort and mic quality. Spatial sound support for both Android and iPhone users.
Apple AirPods Pro 2 $189 You guys know about those already
Boss level ($200+)
Once you’re above the $200 mark, it’s really about preference since they’re all pretty good, and keep in mind most of these I haven’t tried (sorry I’m broke)
Sony WF‑1000XM5 -$229
The benchmark for noise cancelling and sound quality(I see this one everywhere i think yall agree) Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds for 279 Best‑in‑class comfort and ANC transparency. Sound is nice and clear, especially good for people who don’t take their headphones off their head.
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 with ANC for 250$ Audiophile‑grade clarity, robust build, and customizable EQ. A dream for anyone who values balanced sound over extra bass.
That’s my 2025 lineup!
Let me know which ones you’re rocking, or if I missed some underrated picks — I’ll updateo the post based on what everyone recommends