The 6 Best Noise Cancelling Earbuds And In-Ear Headphones - Spring 2021 Reviews

The best noise cancelling wireless earbuds with a truly wireless design that we've tested are the Apple AirPods Pro. They're quite comfortable as they don't enter the ear canal too deeply, and they're so lightweight that you barely even notice they're there. They look and feel premium and well-built, and have easy-to-use touch-sensitive controls on each stem. Their case is very small and supports wireless charging, and they pair seamlessly to all your Apple devices.

Their ANC is excellent, and they do a great job of blocking out the low rumble of bus and plane engines, as well as office sounds like background chatter and fan noise. They have a well-balanced and fairly neutral sound profile out-of-the-box, making them versatile enough for most genres and content. Unfortunately, they don't have any EQ options, and their lack of low-bass may be disappointing to fans of EDM and dubstep.

Like with a lot of Bluetooth headphones, their microphone isn't very good, and your voice sounds very thin and muffled. They also only last just under 5.5 hours off a single charge, which isn't nearly as long as most premium truly wireless options. On the bright side, Apple claims that a 20-minute charge will give you around three to four hours of playback, and their case holds around five additional charges, which is excellent. Overall, these are a good pair of in-ears that pack an impressive ANC feature and are among the best truly wireless headphones that we've tested.

The best noise cancelling earbuds with a neckband that we've tested are the Jabra Elite 65e. These comfortable, well-built earbuds offer an impressive noise isolation performance thanks to their ANC feature. They can block out the rumble of airplane and bus engines as well as higher-frequency ambient noise like the hum of AC units or people talking nearby.

They have a bass-heavy sound profile that adds a little extra thump and punch to your audio, which is ideal if you like bass-heavy music like EDM. If you prefer a different sound, there's even a graphic EQ available in the Jabra Sound+ app to help you customize them. Their in-line microphone also has decent recording quality, so your voice is clear and full-bodied to whoever's on the other end of the line, even if you're calling from a moderately noisy setting.

Unfortunately, they last for just over eight hours off of a single charge, which is decent but may not last through really long days on-the-go. They also tend to come in and out of stock frequently. If you're looking for neckband earbuds with similar noise isolation performance, you can also check out the Sony WI-1000X Wireless, though they aren't as comfortable or as well-built as the Jabra.

The best wired noise cancelling earbuds that we've tested are the Bose QuietComfort 20/QC20. These well-built earbuds have an incredible noise isolation performance thanks to their ANC feature, so you can focus on your audio whether you're commuting on a noisy bus or working in a crowded office. They're comfortable, and they even come with three different sizes of earbud tips to help you get the best possible fit.

They have a bass-heavy, dark sound profile that adds a lot of extra thump and punch to your audio, making them well-suited to fans of bass-heavy music like EDM. They don't leak a lot of noise, either, so you can crank up the volume on your favorite tunes without annoying those around you. Thanks to their 19-hour continuous battery life, they're a solid choice for long days on-the-go.

Unfortunately, the overemphasis in the bass range may be overwhelming for some listeners, especially those who prefer neutral sound. There aren't any sound customization features available, either, so you can't adjust their sound profile more to your liking. However, if you like an extra punch in the bass range, these wired headphones are a solid choice for noise cancellation.

The TaoTronics SoundLiberty 94 are the best budget noise cancelling earbuds that we've tested. These well-built and sturdy in-ears have an excellent noise isolation performance. The ANC system can block out bass-range noise like bus engines and reduce ambient chatter around you.

Even though they don't have stability fins, they have a decently comfortable fit that's stable enough for a jog in the park. They're also rated IPX5 for water resistance, although we don't currently test for this, and they don't leak a lot of audio, so you can listen to your favorite tracks at a high volume without disturbing others around you. Fans of EDM and hip-hop may especially enjoy their bass-heavy and dark sound profile that adds extra boom to your mixes.

Unfortunately, they lack any customization features, so you can't tweak them if you prefer a more neutral sound. Their 3.8-hour continuous battery life is quite short, so you may need to recharge them throughout your day. Luckily, their carrying case holds around three additional charges, and they have an auto-off timer to help conserve battery life when not in use.