In the world of headphones, active noise cancellation (ANC) is currently a hot commodity. Active noise cancelling (ANC) earbuds actively listen to cancel out incoming sound waves, preserving silence while boosting music within the ear. However, the absence of connectivity issues or significant sound leakage is just as crucial as the strength of the pair’s noise-cancelling abilities. Surely I’m not the only one who has unintentionally played music for the whole office.
Most ANC earphones rely on Bluetooth technology to block out ambient noise and maintain connection.
Here is a collection of my favourite earbuds that excel at both connectivity and noise cancellation. we have used them in some of the busiest places possible, and they have performed admirably.
What are noise-canceling earbuds and how do they work?
Earbuds with active noise cancellation greatly improve music quality by cancelling out unwanted noise. Background noise is diminished by ANC because it uses microphones to take up ambient sounds and then creates waves with the exact opposite wavelengths (“negative” of the ambient sounds) to produce a “cancellation” effect.
Passive noise-cancellation is used by some noise-canceling earphones; this is accomplished by the earbud design, for example by utilising noise-isolating materials. These are ideal for places with a lot of background noise, such as aeroplanes or crowded city streets. In addition to improving the quality of the listening experience, they can lessen the amount of volume required to combat ambient noise.
Bose QuietComfort Noise-Canceling Earbuds II
High-quality audio is essential for enjoyable music and podcast listening. Bose’s QuietComfort noise-cancelling earbuds let users tailor their listening experience to their specific preferences.
Bose improved upon the already remarkable QuietComfort in-ear monitors. With the push of a button, you can toggle between the earbuds’ three noise-cancelling settings: quiet mode, aware mode, and no noise cancellation. CustomTune technology helps the noise-cancelling capabilities adapt to your hearing preferences.
My initial impressions back in October were that the headphones “married comfort and quality while establishing a new benchmark for active noise cancellation.” we stand by my original assessment, even after trying some of the newest ANC buds available. These ANC buds have not been surpassed.
The Bose QuietComfort II’s hefty design (both the buds and the charging case) and the high price tag of $299 are my main complaints about them. While you are getting ANC that is so good it is almost disorienting, you are also paying a price for it. Keep an eye out for sales at retailers like Best Buy, Amazon, and Walmart to score a set of these earbuds at a discount.
Sony WF-1000XM4
Sony prioritised the sound quality of these wireless earphones above anything else while designing them. These earbuds have 6mm drivers that have been redesigned to create a dynamic audio experience. The Integrated Processor V1 also features the “industry’s highest level of noise-cancelling technology,” which improves music quality and decreases ambient noise. In addition to a new processor and upgraded drivers, Sony included high-resolution audio playback via their LDAC technology.
ZDNET writer Josh Slate utilised the wireless earphones extensively while at work and school, and he reported having to remove them frequently in order to engage in conversation and keep up with events. He used the earphones’ speech detection feature, which disables the device’s noise suppression when a person begins talking, so he could carry on a conversation without having to remove his headphones.
Even in 2021, when ZDNET’s Matt Miller evaluated the earbuds, he found that they improved call quality and clarity. The people who called him “said [he] sounded crystal clear, and could not tell” that he was speaking over a headset microphone.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
Iconic now, AirPods were initially dismissed by sceptics who saw them only as a wireless alternative to Apple’s earbuds. In contrast, Apple’s design of the AirPods Pro ushers in an astonishing combination of excellent sound quality, comfort, and noise-cancelling features, especially with the second iteration.
These AirPods have high-band connection, a low-distortion audio driver, and a bespoke amplifier, all made possible by Apple’s new H2 processor. With these two technologies working together, a larger range of frequencies may be heard clearly.
Additionally, the 2nd generation AirPods Pro have a transparency mode that ZDNET contributor Jason Cipriani is “legitimately in love with,” based on high-quality audio and surrounding sound listening, making them ideal for those who find constant noise cancellation a little disorienting.
The new AirPods have 33% greater playtime and twice as much noise cancellation. In addition, the new spatial audio settings customization option in iOS 16 lets you fine-tune your listening experience. The cherry on top (pun intended) is that the new AirPods Pro case can be charged wirelessly from an Apple Watch.
Beats Fit Pro
![Hands-on: Beats Fit Pro now available in three impressive new colors (unlike AirPods) [U] - 9to5Mac](https://www.showalo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/beats-fit-pro-yellow0002.jpg)
Many people, including myself, require a reliable set of headphones in order to workout. Earphones tend to fall out of your ears when you exercise vigorously and sweat a much. The Beats Fit Pro’s distinctive winged-tip design helps with this problem. The silicone eartips come in a variety of sizes so that the buds can be used with a wide range of ear sizes.
A TikTok user named @ellyawesometech had a positive initial impression of the headphones, however they did note that the charging case was significantly larger than the one for Apple’s AirPods Pro. Not only are Beats designed by Apple, but they also incorporate some of the AirPods’ most prominent features.
They not only sync effortlessly between your iPhone and Mac or other Apple products, but they also come with Apple’s Find My tracking feature. Each earbud houses a dual-element diaphragm driver, so you may listen to your music without sacrificing sound quality for convenience. The spatial audio and dynamic head tracking featured on these noise-cancelling earphones enrich not only your media consumption but also your next physical activity.
Ugreen X6 earbuds
In search of noise-cancelling headphones but wary of breaking the bank? Ugreen’s HiTune X6 earbuds can filter up to 95% of ambient noise for under $40. The 10mm drivers in the buds allow for a deeper bass and a more muted high end. When you put those two features together, you may find that these inexpensive earbuds are the ideal partner for blocking out unwanted noise and zeroing in on the music or podcasts you want to hear.
Clemons spoke favourably on the call clarity, but added that the caller would need to talk loudly to be heard. These earphones are the heaviest on this list at 49.89 g, but that’s likely because of the bulb-shaped stem instead of a conventionally thin stick. Clemons cautioned against sleeping with the X6s in your ears despite the headphones’ ergonomic design.
If you want to ease into ANC earbuds or buy a set for a friend, kid, or family member who constantly misplaces their earbuds, these are a great option.
How did I choose these noise-canceling earbuds?
It was quite challenging to narrow the best wireless noise-cancelling earbuds down to just five pairs. My research into the best earbuds included looking at factors including noise isolation, playback quality, size, and battery life.
When testing various wireless earbuds, we looked at their specifications as well as my own experience with the Apple AirPods Pro and the experiences of other ZDNET team members. As someone who enjoys listening to music, we understand the need for high-quality earphones that can block out ambient noise.
The tiny speakers in your ears are capable of producing stunning sound with a little research into noise cancellation and sound quality.