The 8 Best Noise Cancelling Earbuds And In-Ear Headphones - Fall 2019
Reviews

The best wireless noise cancelling earbuds that we’ve tested so far are the Bose QuietControl 30. They have a fairly lightweight neckband design with a comfortable earbud fit. They have very good noise isolation and are suitable for commuters, frequent flyers, or anyone who needs some peace and quiet from time to time.

These headphones have a well-balanced, versatile sound. They isolate noise very well and effectively block out the deep rumbles of bus and engines, which makes them a good choice to wear on the bus or subway. They have a decent battery life of 11.4 hours and an auto-off timer that you can adjust in the Bose Connect app to help save power.

Although they have efficient in-line controls, the power button is set in the rubber sleeve of the neckband, which makes it stiff and difficult to use. The rubber sleeve is also not the most durable and has been known to peel off the neckbands of some units after only a few months of use. However, there are very few earbuds that offer the level of noise cancelling, sound quality, and comfort that these headphones provide, making them an easy recommendation overall.

The best wired noise cancelling earbuds that we’ve tested so far are the Bose QuietComfort 20. They isolate remarkably well and have a comfortable earbud design which makes them easy to wear for long periods. They’re fairly portable, even with their ANC control module, and come with a soft fabric case that will help protect them in your pockets.

These headphones have excellent noise cancelling and can effectively reduce the intensity of noises of almost all frequencies. They cancel out sounds in the bass range, like the low rumble of bus or plane engines, to a great degree and are also very good at blocking speech as well as the higher-pitched noises produced by fans or A/C units. Their 19-hour battery life is great, and they can even be used while charging.

On the downside, they sound considerably boomy, especially compared to the wireless Bose QuietControl 30 which have a more balanced sound. Their controls also only work on either Apple or Android devices, so you’ll have to choose which variant you prefer when buying them, which can be annoying if you often use both types of devices. That said, if you’re looking for wired noise cancelling earbuds, they’re still the best we’ve tested so far.

If you need more sports-oriented noise cancelling in-ears, the best noise cancelling earbuds for working out are the Sony WI-SP600N Wireless. Their active noise cancelling (ANC) feature isn’t as strong as that of the Jabra Elite 65e, but they’re well-built and are rated IPX4 for light water resistance. They have a simple in-ear design that fits securely yet fairly comfortably, and they are very breathable.

These wireless in-ears have a very good control scheme that feels complete and provides good feedback. Their portable design is easy to stash in a pocket or a bag when you’re on-the-go, and their 5.6-hour battery life is long enough for a full workout. They’re compatible with the Sony | Headphones Connect app which provides a decent amount of customization options, and they have a standby mode to help save power when not in use.

Unfortunately, they sound rather mediocre. Although you can EQ their sound in the app, there are non-ANC in-ears that sound better out-of-the-box and achieve better passive isolation performance, like the Jabra Elite Active 65t or the JBL Reflect Mini 2. That said, these are still well-built and stylish wireless in-ears that are worth considering for athletes who prefer ANC headphones.

If you don't care whether your headphones actively or passively isolate against ambient noise as long as they block out enough of your surroundings during your busy commutes, the best noise cancelling in-ear headphones in the budget category are the KZ AS10. They’re simple wired headphones that are surprisingly well-built, with a detachable cable that you can replace and even upgrade with a microphone.

These headphones have good enough passive isolation for commutes, and since they barely leak you can play your music at much higher volumes without distracting the people around you. They have good audio reproduction and sound decent overall.

On the downside, they have bulkier earbuds than most in-ear headphones. Some may also find their wired design also a bit limiting. The wireless Jaybird Freedom have equally good passive isolation, but their short battery life is disappointing. The wired Beats urBeats3 also isolate noise very well and have a surprisingly decent in-line mic too, but their controls don't fully work on Android. If you're looking for a simple wired design that works with all devices, the KZ are the way to go.

The best noise cancelling truly wireless earbuds we've tested so far are the Sony WF-1000XM3. They're well-built wireless in-ear headphones that have a premium look and feel. They don't cancel noise as well as some of neckband-style earphones we've tested, like the Sony WI-1000X or the Bose QuietControl 30, but still do a lot better than Sony's other attempts at noise cancelling truly wireless earbuds.

These truly wireless earbuds sound balanced enough to be suitable for most music genres right out-of-the-box, and you easily adjust the way they sound with the fully-featured Sony | Headphones Connect app. They also have an auto-off timer that you can toggle in the app, which is useful since their battery only provides about 7 hours of playback. Their charging case is supposed to provide up to 3 extra charges, though, so they can last you all day if you keep them in their case when you're not using them.

Unfortunately, it can be a bit challenging to find a good fit with these earbuds. They come with lots of tip options, but they're all much larger than average, which is frustrating for those with smaller ears. The difficulty in finding a good fit negatively impacts both their bass performance and how well they isolate noise, so if they fit you well, you may find they deliver more bass and isolate more noise than what we measured.