The Best Noise-Canceling Earbuds of 2026, Tested
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It's not just you; studies have shown that the world is quite literally getting louder . But, thankfully, noise-canceling headphones are getting better every year — and more portable. The best noise-canceling earbuds can compete with some over-ear options, and they're a convenient way to take your tunes on the go or simply quiet the noisy outside world.
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Whether you're working in a café, riding the train, or on a long-haul flight seated in 75B, noise-canceling earbuds are a pocket-friendly option for everyday use.
How Does Noise-Canceling Work?
Bose is credited as the first company to make noise-canceling headphones commercially available, and, unsurprisingly, they still make some of the best options. The first active noise-canceling (ANC) headphones were designed for use in aviation, but the tech has come a long way.
According to Bose , "Miniature microphones in the earcups or earbuds listen to the outside noise frequencies and emit the exact opposite signal to effectively 'cancel out' both sets of sounds when the soundwaves collide."
Of course, as the technology has become more widespread and with more brands offering at least some ANC options, there's greater variation in quality and performance. That's why we set out to find the best noise-canceling earbuds.
How We Picked the Best Noise-Canceling Earbuds
We tested all of the options below in a variety of environments, seeing how they handled everything from noisy jet engines to the hum of the office HVAC to the bustle of city streets.
Of course, the ability to silence the outside world isn't the only criterion for being the best noise-canceling earbuds (for that, you can simply pick up a pair of earplugs ). Instead, we also evaluated factors like audio performance , call quality , comfort, and battery life to find the best noise-canceling earbuds. Read on for our picks.
BEST OVERALL
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2
$299.00
Quick Summary: The competition might get fiercer every year, but Bose still delivers the best noise-canceling on the market
Stated Battery Life:Up to 6 hours with the earbuds, 24 with the case
Water Resistance Rating: IPX4
Bose's latest QuietComfort Ultra earbuds may not have been a radical revamp of the first generation, but they're just enough of an improvement for Bose to retain its title as the king of noise-canceling. The earbuds have the same excellent performance found on the first generation, but add features like wireless charging to the case and the ability to turn off touch controls in the app.
As for noise canceling, these are simply the most powerful ANC earbuds currently on the market. "Quiet" mode dims outside distractions across a range of frequencies, from low electrical humming to coffee shop chatter, but the best feature of these earbuds is how widely customizable they are. You can set multiple ANC modes across 10 levels of noise-canceling, and there are bonus features like immersive audio and a new cinema mode.
While they hold up the "quiet" end of QuietComfort, they also stack up when it comes to comfort. The stabilizer band makes these some of the most secure in-ear earbuds I've tested, besides earbuds with ear hooks , and I'm able to wear them for extended periods without my ears tiring. That said, they run on the big side, so they may not be the ideal earbuds for small ears .
Full Review: Bose's Second-Generation QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Are an If-It-Ain't-Broke Upgrade
RUNNER UP
Sony WF-1000XM6
$329.99
Quick Summary: Sony's latest noise-canceling earbuds are among the best-sounding on the market, though the price is steep
Stated Battery Life: Up to 8 hours with the earbuds, 24 with the case
Water Resistance Rating: IPX4
Sony's latest WF-1000XM6 earbuds were a significant — and welcome — redesign of the tech giant's flagship earbuds. They feature a more ergonomic fit that sits more snugly in the ear, while maintaining the same excellent sound quality and noise-canceling that the 1000XM series is known for.
The biggest quirk with these earbuds is the foam eartips, which can take some adjusting to find a secure fit. But with a proper fit, they deliver top-tier active noise-canceling. Crucially, they're among the best-sounding wireless earbuds on the market, with detail that doesn't overly emphasize bass, mids, or treble. You can also tweak the audio performance using Sony's Sound Connect app. The ANC can be adjusted in the app by adjusting the transparency level, and there's a dizzying array of customization options and tweaks that can be made to make the earbuds your own.
The case is larger than it needs to be, the ear tips may not work for everyone, and the price is steep. But otherwise, the earbuds deliver meaningful improvements to what was already one of the best noise-canceling earbuds you can buy.
Full Review: Sony's Latest Flagship Earbuds Are a Pricey But Worthwhile Upgrade
BEST FOR IPHONE
Apple AirPods Pro 3
$224.00 $249.00
10% off
Quick Summary: While their usefulness is limited for non-iOS devices, the AirPods Pro 3 are still some of the best earbuds thanks to excellent ANC and features like heart-rate tracking.
Stated Battery Life: Up to 8 hours with the earbuds, 24 with the case
Water Resistance Rating: IPX4
AirPods were already among the best earbuds on the market, and Apple made a major improvement with the addition of a heart rate sensor for the third generation. And while smart rings or watches are great, they can interfere with certain athletic activities. In our testing, we found the AirPods' heart rate sensor to be accurate when compared with a smartwatch.
Beyond heart rate tracking, the latest AirPods Pro feature a slightly redesigned shape that fits more securely in the ear, with a shorter, less pronounced stem. The controls are easy to use, with a volume slider under the stem and a pinch sensor that's dependable while on the go or working out. As for noise-canceling, these earbuds are among the best on the market, rivaling leaders like Sony and Bose. They can capably handle a variety of distractions, and the transparency mode keeps you aware while walking or working out outdoors.
There are some limitations, including limited functionality for Android phones and a lack of customizable EQ. But for iPhone users, the AirPods Pro 3 remain among the best noise-canceling earbuds you can buy.
Full Review: Apple's AirPods Pro 3 Prove That Good Things Take Time
ALSO GREAT
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds
$179.00
Quick Summary: Bose's QuietComfort Earbuds are a more affordable alternative to the flagship Ultra earbuds, while still delivering great sound and ANC.
Stated Battery Life: Up to 8 hours, 31.5 with the case
Water Resistance Rating: IPX4
If you don't want to shell out $300 for Bose's flagship QC Ultra earbuds, the QuietComfort earbuds are a capable alternative. They have a pod-shaped design and a larger clamshell case, and they're available in a range of poppy colors.
At $179, they're competitively priced, and while the ANC isn't as robust as the QC Ultra Earbuds, it's far from underwhelming. I found that it effectively reduced the noise of a busy street, allowing me to enjoy music without having to crank up the volume. The stabilizer band also makes them suited for workouts if you don't want to bring your most expensive earbuds to the gym.
The case is bulky, and it's slightly annoying to have to download a separate app for these earbuds, as they don't work with Bose's main app. However, they deliver solid audio performance and the industry-leading ANC that Bose is known for, all in a more affordable package.
Full Review : Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Review: Premium Performance at a Not-So-Premium Price
BEST VALUE
Nothing Ear (a)
$79.00 $99.00
20% off
Quick Summary: With a stylish design, affordable price, and solid ANC and audio quality, these are excellent everyday earbuds.
Stated Battery Life (ANC ON): 5.5 hrs buds, 24.5 hrs case
Water Resistance Rating: IP54
Nothing's Ear (a) earbuds are among my favorite earbuds for everyday use. The compact design is pocket-friendly, and the stylish transparent design is eye-catching, making these earbuds a joy to use. In terms of shape, the earbuds draw clear inspiration from AirPods, featuring a thin stem and pinch controls.
They're lightweight and comfortable in the ear, and the feature-rich app includes customizable EQ and controls. There are four ANC levels: low, mid, high, and adaptive, as well as three modes: ANC on, transparency mode, and off. By default, pinching and holding switches between ANC on and transparency mode, with a quirky exhale sound indicating transparency mode. Setting the ANC strength, however, requires going in the app.
At $99, they're also an impressive value and one of the best earbuds under $100. The battery life is just average, particularly with ANC enabled, and the Nothing Ear (a) does not support wireless charging. Despite some minor drawbacks, the audio quality, rich features, and ANC of these earbuds make them tough to beat at this price point.
BEST SOUNDING
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4
$199.95 $299.95
33% off
Quick Summary: With impressive audio performance and solid ANC, Sennheiser's Momentum True Wireless earbuds are ideal for audiophiles.
Stated Battery Life:Roughly 7 hours, 30 with the case
Water Resistance Rating: IP54
Sennheiser is known for stellar audio performance, and the Momentum 4 True Wireless earbuds deliver on that promise. They also have a luxe feel, with a stylish fabric-covered case and metal accents on the earbuds. The in-ear design is also very comfortable, with a natural and secure fit.
While audio-focused brands often excel in sound performance but fall short on software or technology, Sennheiser managed to cover all the bases. The sound quality is up to the standard you'd expect from such a storied brand, with impressive clarity and detail. But the ANC performance was a surprise, and while it doesn't offer the monastic silence of Bose, the Momentum 4 True Wireless earbuds can capably handle a variety of distractions.
The earbuds also feature a transparency mode for situational awareness and adaptive ANC to adjust to your surroundings. As for audio quality, the earbuds boast lossless audio with codecs like aptX and aptX Adaptive.
The combination of audio performance, style, and comfort makes the Momentum 4 True Wireless one of my favorite noise-canceling earbuds, despite the bulky case and the availability of stronger ANC.
BEST BUDGET
Earfun Air Pro 4
$62.99 $79.99
21% off
Quick Summary: Earfun manages to pack an impressive number of features into an affordable package, including customizable EQ and ANC. The solid audio performance makes these tough to beat for the price.
Stated Battery Life: 11 hours with buds/52 hrs with case (ANC off)
Water Resistance Rating: IPX5
Earfun's Air Pro 4 earbuds have an admittedly unremarkable look, borrowing from the stemmed design found on AirPods. But despite their affordable price, they don't cut corners where it counts. The Air Pro 4 offers surprisingly impressive audio quality, with support for Qualcomm's aptX Lossless, Snapdragon Sound, and LDAC codecs.
These earbuds feature dependable ANC to reduce background noise, which is customizable in EarFun's straightforward app. There's also a transparency mode, plus wind reduction and adaptive ANC to suit a range of different environments.
The earbuds have an impressive battery life as well, with a stated battery life of up to 11 hours with the earbuds, plus 41 hours with the charging case. Additionally, they support wireless charging and fast charging, plus features like Google Fast Pair and in-ear detection to pause when you take an earbud out.
Ultimately, these are some of the best value earbuds on the market, with an impressive number of features for under $100 .
BEST FOR ANDROID
Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro
$249.00
Quick Summary: Samsung made substantial improvements to its noise-canceling, and the latest Galaxy Buds Pro shine in sound quality.
Stated Battery Life: 6 hours earbuds/26 with the case (ANC on)
Water Resistance Rating: IP57
Samsung's latest Galaxy Buds were a meaningful upgrade over the previous generation, with a better fit, improved noise canceling, and a more appealing design. Admittedly, they're not the best option if you don't have a Samsung phone, but if you do, they're an excellent companion that rivals the top-tier AirPods Pro 3.
Where they really shine is sound quality; the improved dual-driver design delivers robust and engaging bass, without muddying the mids or highs. You can also adjust the EQ in the settings, or play with features like spatial audio. All controls are adjusted in the settings rather than in a standalone app, similar to how Apple handles AirPods.
The ANC is more than capable of handling daily distractions without you having to crank the volume, although AirPods still have them beat for pure noise reduction. The ANC is adjustable, or you can turn on adaptive ANC, responding automatically to your environment.
Ultimately, if you're looking for superb-sounding, comfortable earbuds and you have a Samsung phone, the $250 Galaxy Buds are a worthwhile buy.
Full Review: Samsung Bets on Sound Quality With Latest Noise-Canceling Earbuds
BEST FOR WORKOUTS
Anker Soundcore Sport X20
$79.99
Quick Summary: If you need affordable workout earbuds with ANC, Anker's Soundcore Sport X20 are comfortable and durable.
Stated Battery Life (ANC ON): 7 hrs buds/28 hrs case
Water Resistance Rating: IP54
If you're looking for a pair of workout earbuds with ANC, Anker's Soundcore X20 earbuds are a great option thanks to features like adjustable noise-canceling and comfortable ear hooks for use at the gym. The earbuds have a physical button, rather than touch controls, which helps prevent accidental presses during workouts.
These have remained a top pick for the best earbuds with ear hooks because of the comfortable, flexible fit of the ear hooks. The IP68 rating also makes them durable enough to withstand the toughest workouts.
The straightforward Soundcore app allows you to adjust the ANC levels, and the earbuds also have a wind reduction feature for outdoor running or especially breezy days. The Soundcore app also features customizable EQ, and the earbuds deliver up to 7 hours of listening time on a single charge or and 28 in the case with ANC on, and more with ANC off.
If there's room for improvement, it's the audio quality. The X20 earbuds are solid, but they don't have the same clarity as earbuds from brands like Apple and Sennheiser. That said, for just $80, you get feature-rich earbuds that are great for workouts and everyday use.
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