The 5 Best Noise Cancelling Earbuds And In-Ear Headphones - Winter 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 the headphones 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 Sony WI-1000X Wireless are the best noise cancelling earbuds with a neckband that we've tested. These well-built headphones have an ANC feature that does an amazing job blocking out background noises. Whether you're on a crowded bus or working in a noisy office, you shouldn't be distracted by ambient noise.

Overall, they have a fairly neutral sound profile, and the little extra kick in the bass range makes them suitable for bass-heavy music genres, too. There's also a graphic EQ and presets available in the Sony | Headphones Connect app so you can customize their sound. They don't leak a lot of noise, and escaping audio sounds very thin, so you shouldn't really bother those around you if you're listening to music at loud volumes.

Unfortunately, these in-ears don't come with stability fins, so they may not be stable enough to wear during more intense workouts. Also, their in-ear design can feel fatiguing in your ear after long listening sessions. However, if you like earbuds with a neckband design, they're excellent noise cancellation makes them a solid choice.

The best wired noise cancelling earbuds that we've tested are the Bose QuietComfort 20/QC20. These comfortable, well-built headphones have incredible noise isolation, so they're a solid choice for working in your office or commuting without a lot of distractions. They're also stable enough to wear during your workouts, which is nice.

Overall, these headphones have a bass-heavy sound profile that adds thump and punch to your mix, so they're well-suited for fans of bass-heavy genres like EDM. They don't leak a lot of noise, and even if you're listening to music at loud volumes, escaping audio shouldn't be noticeable to those around you. Their microphone has a good recording quality, too, so they're a decent choice for making phone calls.

Unfortunately, they come with a slightly bulky in-line control module, which may not be ideal for all listeners. Also, they don't offer any sound customization features or a companion app. However, these simple wired earbuds with outstanding noise isolation still offer a fairly versatile overall performance.

If you're on a budget, the best passively isolating earbuds that we've tested are the Anker Soundcore Life Dot 2. These well-built truly wireless in-ears don't have an ANC feature, but they still offer an impressive noise isolation performance. They can block out higher-frequency sounds typically found in an office setting, like chatter from nearby coworkers.

They have a balanced sound profile that's suitable for listening to lots of different audio content, and the overemphasis in the bass range adds an extra thump and punch to your audio. They don't leak a lot of sound, so you can crank up the volume on your favorite music without bothering people around you. They're stable enough to wear to the gym, and they come with different sizes of ear tips and stability sleeves to help you get the best possible fit.

Unfortunately, you may still be able to hear some bass-heavy background noises like bus and plane engines while wearing these headphones, so they may not be ideal for your commute. Also, their 7.3-hour continuous battery life is just okay. Fortunately, their portable charging case offers around 12.5 extra charges, so you can recharge them while you're on-the-go.