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Ultimate List Of Best Noise-Canceling Earbuds 2023

Good noise-canceling earbuds are now an essential travel item for regular travelers, particularly digital nomads.

The best noise-canceling earbuds allow you to work or watch your favorite TV series in various locations, regardless of how much noise surrounds you.

In this post, I will take you through the things you need to consider before purchasing a pair of noise-isolating earbuds, as well as take a look at some of the best earbuds currently on the market.

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Whether you are after the best active noise-canceling earbuds or noise-blocking earbuds (yes, there is a difference – keep reading to see what it is), the best Bluetooth noise-canceling earbuds, the best wireless noise-canceling earbuds, or even the best cheap noise-canceling earbuds, this post will cover it.

The post also looks at some of the best brands, including Sony,  Bose, and Sennheiser noise-canceling earbuds, and details the important features you need to consider before making your purchase.

What to consider when purchasing noise-canceling earbuds

Before rushing out and purchasing what you think to be top earbuds, I recommend you take a minute to consider the various components of sound-canceling earbuds to ensure you purchase what is best for you. 

Best Noise Canceling Earbuds 1
©depositphotos.com

1. Difference between Noise Cancelling Earbuds and Noise Isolating Earbuds

The first point you should probably understand is the difference between noise canceling and noise isolating earbuds. 

Noise-isolating earbuds block out sounds or noise by physical means. 

These kinds of earbuds basically create a seal between the earbuds and the ear canal, so you don’t hear anything but your music. 

In most cases, background noises will be muffled instead of completely blocked out. Noise isolating earphones are also referred to as passive earbuds.

Noise-canceling earbuds, on the other hand (or ANC – active noise cancellation) use noise-canceling technology to actively cancel out the sound waves from background noises

Unlike noise-isolating earbuds, active noise-canceling earphones have an internal microphone and audio processor to monitor background sounds and cancel them out constantly.  

2. Sound Quality

Often the best earbuds come at the expense of excellent sound quality. 

While you purchase sound-canceling earbuds to block out background noises, you also want decent sound quality.

The best earbuds are designed to limit surrounding sound while not affecting sound quality. However, this will depend on various factors, such as internal drivers, earbud design, and materials used.

To enjoy the ultimate sound experience while having minimal or no background noise, you will need to invest in a premium pair of earbuds from a reputable brand.   

If you are just after a great sound with reasonable noise cancellation or the best noise cancellation but ok sound quality, you should be able to get away with paying a lower price.

3. Wired or Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds?

While wireless Bluetooth earbuds are becoming more popular, there is more to think about than just having more flexibility and being free from tangled cords.  

Often the best wireless earbuds come with a hefty price tag.

Alternatively, more affordable wireless earbuds usually come at the expense of sound quality.

Unlike wired earbuds, wireless earbuds have much more potential for interference, particularly the further you are away from your device.

If you are considering wireless earbuds, consider the battery life.

Consider how many hours of operation you will get out of the wireless earphones before they need to be recharged and how long they will take to be fully recharged.

Whilst wireless earbuds sound great in theory; they can be a hassle if you are a digital nomad who spends a lot of time in places where you don’t have the ability to recharge your devices.

Alternatively, if you must have wireless earbuds, I recommend you purchase a good quality portable charger.

Whether you purchase wired or wireless earbuds, just ensure they are compatible with the various devices you intend to use them with.

Most wireless earbuds will connect to your devices via Bluetooth, whereas wired earbuds tend to have a standard cord connecting to most devices.

4. Comfort and Fit

While there are not many options or choices for styles, some of the better quality earbuds come with different size ear tips such as small, medium, and large.

Other features that you should look out for enhanced comfort are ear tips made from silicone or earbuds attached to wings that go over your ears, giving you added stability.

5. Special Features

If you are a digital nomad on the go often and make phone calls in noisy places, you may want to consider earbuds with a built-in microphone.

Like most gadgets, not all microphone earbuds are of good quality.

Generally, earbuds with a good quality microphone mean a higher price tag. However, you may be better off making the investment upfront rather than being frustrated with a poor-quality microphone in the long run.

Other features that the best active noise-canceling earbuds have are controls such as play/pause, next/previous song, and the ability to turn active noise canceling on and off or up and down, depending on how aware your surroundings are you need to be.

I would highly recommend getting earbuds with the ability to change the ANC depending upon your environment.  For example, if you are walking around a city, it is best to have it turned off or turned right down for your own safety.

6. Price

As stated above, if you want the best quality sound, the best in terms of noise-canceling, and all the best features, you will be looking at a premium-priced pair of earbuds. 

I recommend considering the above points and determining what features are most important to you. 

If you focus on just one or two must-have features, this will help reduce the price you need to invest in for a good quality pair of noise-canceling sound earbuds.  

Noise Cancelling Earbuds Review

After considering the above points, you should now have a good idea of the best earphones for your specific needs.  Let’s take a closer look at some of the best sound-canceling earbuds currently on the market.

1. Bose Noise Cancelling Earbuds QuietComfort 20

World off; music on with the high-quality Bose noise-canceling earbuds – QuietComfort 20. 

These are great noise-canceling in-ear earphones, with great sound quality and the ability to turn the noise canceling on / off or up / down depending upon how much you want to be connected to your outside environment while listening to music. 

Just touch the button to activate the Aware mode if you want to hear what is happening around you.

These noise isolating earbuds are also designed with StayHear technology to comfortably fit the user’s ear and come with 3 different ear tip sizes.

These Bose earbuds also come with an inline microphone plus a remote to easily switch to calls. 

Specifications and features:

  • Noise cancelling
  • Microphone: yes
  • Average Battery Life: 16 hours
  • Charging time: 2 hours
  • Connection: Wires
  • Control: 4 Button remote
  • Weight: 44g

Click here for the best price for the Bose QuietComfort 20 noise-canceling earbuds.

2. Bose Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds – QuietControl 30

Another great pair of in-ear sound-canceling earbuds is the QuietControl 30 Bose wireless noise-canceling earbuds. 

Bose provides one of the best wireless earbuds on the market today. The QuietControl 30 has great sound,  a beautiful neckband design, wide cone-shaped tips, and flexible fins so that they secure fit to users. 

They contain Bluetooth chips, processors, and batteries for ultimate functionality and longevity.  

A great feature of these Bose Bluetooth earbuds is the ability to turn the noise canceling on / off or up / down depending upon how much you want to be connected to your outside environment.

Specifications and features:

  • Noise cancelling
  • Microphone: yes
  • Average Battery Life: 10 hours
  • Charging time: 3 hours
  • Connection: Bluetooth / Wireless
  • Control: 5 buttons
  • Weight: 23g

Click here for the best price for the Bose QuietControl 30 Noise Cancelling Earbuds.

3. Sennheiser Noise Cancelling Earbuds – CX200 Twist to Fit

If you are looking for a great budget pair of noise-canceling earbuds, I highly recommend these Sennheiser Earbuds.

For a budget model, the CX200 Twist to Fit earbuds have great sound and good noise cancellation and come with different-sized ear adapters for enhanced comfort.

Specifications and features:

  • Microphone: no
  • Noise cancelling
  • Connection: Wired
  • Weight: 5 g

Click here for the best price for the Sennheiser Noise Cancelling Earbuds.

4. Sony Noise Cancelling Earbuds

You will love these high-quality wireless Sony noise-canceling earbuds, with fantastic hi-res audio and digital noise cancellation to reduce background noises.

Via the smart app, you can control your level of background noise depending upon your environment.

These earbuds include hands-free calling and vibration notification of incoming calls and messages.  You can take calls with the click of a button.

Specifications and features:

  • Noise cancelling
  • Microphone: yes
  • Average Battery Life: 10 hours
  • Charging time: 3.5 hours
  • Connection: Bluetooth / Wireless
  • Weight: 1.3 pounds

Click here for the best price for the Sony Noise Cancelling Earbuds.

5. AKG K391NC Noise Cancelling Earbuds

Sound quality is a guarantee for AKG active noise-canceling earbuds with their over 65 years in the business of being a leader in creating headphones. 

Some of the features of these active noises canceling earbuds include 40-hour playtime, an in-line microphone, and remote control so you can make calls from your smartphone as well as Skye or FaceTime, and they even come with a flight adapter. Hence, it is compatible with most in-flight entertainment systems.

Specifications and features:

  • Noise cancelling
  • Microphone: yes
  • Average Battery Life: 35 hours
  • Charging time: 2 hours
  • Connection: Wires
  • Control: 3 buttons remote control
  • Weight: 8g without cables

Click here for the best price for the AKG K391NC Noise Cancelling Earbuds.

6. Audio-Technica ATH-ANC23 Noise Cancelling Earbuds

If you just want the best cheap noise-canceling earbuds, then I recommend considering these earbuds. 

The Audio-Technica earbuds can reduce background noise up to 90 percent whilst also providing great sound.  These earbuds have great battery life and come with a flight adapter so that you can use them for in-flight entertainment.   

Many people recommend these as one of the best budget noise-canceling earbuds on the market.

Specifications and features:

  • Noise Cancelling
  • Microphone: no
  • Average Battery Life: 60 hours
  • Charging time: 2 hours
  • Connection: Wires
  • Control: 2 buttons
  • Weight: 26g without cables

Click here for the best price for the Audio-Technica ATH-ANC23 Noise Cancelling Earbud.

7. Phiaton BT 220 Bluetooth Noise Cancelling Earphones

The Phiaton Bluetooth noise-canceling earphones are a great mid-range product. 

They won’t break the bank by combining all the great features such as Bluetooth, wireless, active noise cancellation, good sound quality, and NFC technology.

These in-ear noise-canceling Bluetooth earbuds will last you the longest of flights, with up to 17 hours of playtime, 300 hours on standby, and will recharge within 1.5 hours.

You can choose to click the device on your shirt or use the neck strap.

Specifications and features:

  • Noise Cancelling
  • Microphone: yes
  • Average Battery Life: 10 hours
  • Charging time: 2 hours
  • Connection: Bluetooth / wireless
  • Control: Set of Buttons with Clip Remote
  • Weight: 30 grams

Click here for the best price for the Phiaton BT 220 Bluetooth Noise Cancelling Earbuds.

8. TaoTronics Noise Cancelling Earbuds

TaoTronics offer another good budget option for those who want all the features without the price tag.   

These earbuds are a great travel companion, with 90 percent of noise canceled out and up to 15 hours of playtime. These earbuds come with an additional pair of earbuds and hooks in different sizes to suit various ear shapes for enhanced comfort.

Specifications and features:

  • Noise Canceling
  • Microphone: no
  • Average Battery Life: 15 hours
  • Charging time: 2 hours
  • Connection: Wires
  • Control: Multi-function Buttons
  • Weight: 25 grams

Click here for the best price for the TaoTronics Noise Cancelling Earbuds.

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  1. Fia says:

    Fantastically thorough piece

  2. Pusat Jagaan says:

    Just what I needed!

    I’ve been browsing Amazon for hours, and there is just so many options!

    Bose is too expensive. I might as well go with the Sony. I guess their slight difference in quality won’t make much difference.

  3. peter parker says:

    This is truly a great read for me!! Once again, thanks for the quality articles you post on your blog!! That is very interesting You definitely made my day with this awesome post. I am always searching for informative stuff like this! I will check here often for more cool stuff

  4. liam rocks says:

    Thanks, – for sharing the great post and I truly appreciate your hard work. The information is really noticeable. Some time back I have purchased a fresh Earphone but those were not up to the mark but you provided me the best information And I will purchase a new Earphone for surely. Please share another post very soon as I am waiting to read out another wonderful post so that I can update my travel bag

  5. Alexa says:

    A wonderful list will read all the features and chose what suits me thank you

  6. Francis says:

    Nice review. t might be worth mentioning if you can add to your next listing the xFyro waterproof earbuds.