The 6 Best Noise Cancelling Earbuds And In-Ear Headphones - Summer 2020
Reviews

The best in-ear noise cancelling headphones with a truly wireless design we've tested so far 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 quite 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, though 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 3-4 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 we've tested.

The best wireless noise cancelling earbuds we've tested so far with a neckband design are the Bose QuietControl 30. These Bluetooth headphones are comfortable to wear for long periods. Their adjustable ANC feature allows you to customize your noise isolation experience based on your preferences.

Overall, these headphones have very good noise isolation performance. Whether you're commuting or working in an office setting, they do a good job of reducing the ambient noise around you. They also have a decently neutral sound profile that makes them versatile enough for most music genres.

Unfortunately, they also have quite a bit of latency, which may cause sync issues between the audio you hear and the video you see. This may be disappointing if you want to use your headphones to watch a lot of movies and other video content. Some users have also reported issues with the rubber coating on the headband peeling off over time. However, with three different sizes of earbuds tips to choose from, it is easy to ensure a stable fit.

The best wired noise cancelling earbuds that we've tested to date are the Bose QuietComfort 20. These comfortable, durable earbuds have a straightforward and easy-to-use control scheme. Their compact design makes it easy to keep these portable headphones in your pocket or your bag while on the go.

The noise isolation performance of these earbuds is great. The ANC feature does an excellent job reducing ambient noise whether you're commuting or working in the office. They have a decently neutral sound profile, although some listeners may find it a bit bass-heavy.

On the downside, these headphones have a control module on the cable, which makes them a little larger than basic in-ear headphones. Some users may find it bulky, but the module is flat and the headphones are still very portable. Overall, these excellent noise cancelling headphones are versatile enough for most uses.

If you're looking for the best noise cancelling earbuds in the budget range, but don't care if they have ANC or not, as long as they block out a good amount of background noise, get the AUKEY Latitude Wireless. These Bluetooth in-ears block an impressive amount of sound passively, provided you get a proper fit and seal with the three sizes of tips that are included. Their stability fins help them stay in place quite well, making them a good choice for wearing to the gym.

Their noise isolation performance is excellent and, provided you achieve a proper fit, they do a better job of blocking out the low rumble of bus or plane engines than many budget ANC options we've tested. They also block more treble and mid-range frequencies than any other headphones we've tested so far, which is great for blocking out background chatter and AC or fan sounds in an office. Their sound profile is decently well-balanced, with a bit of extra bass that lends itself well to hip-hop or EDM, without being overpowering in genres like rock or country.

Unfortunately, their build quality is only decent, and the cable connecting the two earbuds is fairly thin. They also only last seven hours off a single charge, which is quite disappointing and is a lot less than similarly performing headphones, like the Anker SoundBuds Curve Upgraded 2019, though those headphones don't block nearly as much sound. Overall, the AUKEY are a great choice if you want to get some peace without spending a ton of money.