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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.
How do noise cancelling earphones work?
For the days I'm in the office, it can get quite noisy so a priority I want a pair that will make sure that when I'm on teams calls, it isn't going to broadcast everything around me through my mic.
I've got 3 different earbuds (galaxy live buds, soundpeats Q (cheap Amazon ones), and Bose Soundsport) and they all do this.
Is there any model out there that specifically works for calls like this?
I've read up on Sony 1000XM4 but they're super expensive so would love to know alternatives.
Unfortunately Google keeps finding me "noise cancelling" features when I try to search. Which I assume is relating to the sound output, and not the mic.
Thanks
I'm debating between the airpods pro (usb-c) and the pixel buds pro.
I want earbuds that have a good or somewhat decent micdophone because I use Discord a lot for calls on my phone and calls in general. Also, I listen to a lot of music, especially in the metro so I really want ANC.
I have an android phone which is why I'm hesitating and leaning more towards the pixel buds pro for functionality and compatibility (like in terms of some features being disabled for the airpods on Android devices)
Pixel buds pro
Pros
Good controls (volume control and whatnot, swiping feature)
Better microphone in LOUD environment, voice is more clear (From the tests I've listened to online)
Cheaper than the airpods pro
Cons
Some disconnect issues
Weird fit (at least from what I've read... They seem fine to me)
Airpods pro (USB-C)
Pros
Comfortable fit (have tested my mother's airpods pro)
Better microphone in QUIET environment (From the tests I've listened to online)
Cons
Missing features for Android phones
Expensive (around CAD$100 more)
Thank you to whoever has read this far and even goes out of their way to respond 🙏