Jane
Active noise cancellation (ANC) is a must-have feature for earbuds, and for good reason. Thanks to small microphones on the earbuds outside, ANC technology detects and cancels unwanted sounds, letting you enjoy your music or podcast in peace. While a strong ANC function is key, it’s just as crucial that the noise-canceling wireless earbuds don’t have connectivity issues or cause sound leakage. After all, you want quiet and clear sound without frustrating interruptions.
Key Considerations When Selecting Noise-Canceling Wireless Earbuds
- Budget: First, you’ll want to decide how much you’re comfortable spending on new earbuds. The good news is that affordable options are improving constantly, so you can snag a solid pair for under $60 without compromising too much on quality. But if you’re eyeing premium brands like Sony, Apple, or Bose, be ready to shell out a lot more for that extra performance and sleek design.
- Fit: Getting the right fit for your earbuds is super important. They should feel comfortable and stay secure in your ears. Sound quality and noise cancellation can suffer if noise-isolating earbuds don’t create a tight seal. On the other hand, open earbuds don’t rely on a seal, but they still need to be comfy and fit snugly enough so they don’t slip out while you’re using them.
- Return Policy: Since your earbuds fit is so crucial, buying from a retailer with a solid return policy is smart. If the earbuds don’t feel right or aren’t a good fit for your ears, you can quickly return or exchange them without any hassle.
Top Noise-Canceling Wireless Earbuds of 2025
1. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
The QC Ultra Earbuds aren’t a huge leap from Bose’s already fantastic QC Earbuds 2 from 2022 but are a bit better. They should fit most ears comfortably and offer top-notch noise cancellation—arguably the best in the market. Their transparency mode sounds natural, and the new ActiveSense feature kicks in to adjust ANC if the noise around you gets too loud, like the AirPods Pro’s Adaptive Audio. On top of that, they’ve got improved sound with more clarity and a new Immersive Audio feature that opens up the listening experience.
2. Sony WF-1000XM5
When Sony released the WF-1000XM4 earbuds in 2021, we gave them a CNET Editors’ Choice award. They’re fantastic, but we had minor complaints, like their larger size and how they didn’t fit every ear perfectly. Sony listened to feedback when designing the next-gen WF-1000XM5 earbuds. The XM5s are smaller and offer better performance across the board, from improved noise canceling to better sound quality and voice calling. Are they flawless? Not precisely, especially at $300—$20 more than the previous model, they’re still imposing and quickly rank among the best earbuds.
3. Apple AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C)
Apple made a big move with its new iPhone 15 models by switching from Lightning to USB-C, and it did the same with the AirPods Pro (2nd generation). The new AirPods Pro 2 with MagSafe (USB-C) is almost identical to the previous Lightning version, offering excellent sound, noise canceling, and voice call performance. However, they come with small but noticeable upgrades, like improved dust resistance and a new acoustic design that supports Lossless Audio when paired with the Vision Pro.
4. Earfun Air Pro 4
Earfun is one of our top picks for affordable earbuds, and their Air Pro 4 buds build on the solid foundation of the Air Pro 3s with a few nice improvements that make them a bit better overall. A standout update is a switch from Qualcomm’s QCC3071 to the newer QCC3091 chip, which supports aptX Lossless Audio for those who want that extra audio boost. Plus, if you’re shopping on Amazon, you can snag an additional 10% off using the code EAP4CNET at checkout.
5. Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
You’re in for a treat if you can get a good seal with one of the three sizes of ear tips that come with the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro. While the noise cancellation could be slightly stronger, the sound quality is a noticeable upgrade over the Buds 2 Pro. On top of that, these earbuds come packed with great features, and their voice-calling performance is awe-inspiring.
6. Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
Google has made some smart tweaks to the Pixel Buds Pro 2, making them smaller and more comfortable for a wider range of ears. These new buds are powered by Google’s Tensor A1 chip, which boosts processing power and brings the “hands-free, eyes-free” Gemini virtual AI assistant. As long as you get a snug fit and tight seal (which is key for great sound and noise cancellation), the Pixel Buds Pro 2 offer fantastic sound quality, strong noise-muffling, and a solid range of features, especially if you’re using an Android or Google Pixel phone.
7. JBL Live Beam 3
The Live Beam 3 earbuds have a similar design to the earlier Live Buds Pro 2, which I like, especially for under $100. These earbuds are JBL’s answer to the AirPods Pro 2, and they stand out with a unique feature: a 1.45-inch touchscreen LCD built into the charging case, which acts like a remote for the buds and lets you access their features.
With 10mm drivers, they deliver clear, punchy sound, and their noise canceling and voice-calling performance are impressive. The battery life is solid, too, up to 10 hours with ANC on and 12 hours off at moderate volume; a quick 10-minute charge gives you four hours of use. They come in four colors and are IP55 splash-proof and dust-resistant, making them a great all-around option.
8. Sony LinkBuds Fit
Sony’s new LinkBuds Fit fit better than the flagship WF-1000XM5 noise-canceling earbuds, offering a lightweight (4.9 grams) design that stays comfortable and secure in my ears. While they don’t quite match the sound quality or noise cancellation of the WF-1000XM5s, their improved fit is thanks to Sony’s new Air Fitting Supporters and redesigned ear tips. They come in various sizes, including XL tips that fit me perfectly. Even though they’re a slight step down from the premium model, they’re still a solid choice overall.
9. Beats Fit Pro
While the Beats Fit Pro aren’t technically AirPods, they’re built on the same tech platform as the AirPods Pro (since, yes, Apple owns Beats). Unlike the more budget-friendly Studio Buds and the newer Studio Buds Plus, the Beats Fit Pro comes with Apple’s H1 chip and packs in most of the same features as the AirPods Pro, including active noise canceling, spatial audio, and Adaptive EQ. I’d go as far as to call them the sports AirPods you’ve always wanted.
10. Bowers & Wilkins Pi8
The Pi8s are amazing-sounding earbuds and feature a noticeably improved design compared to the Pi7 S2 and Pi5 S2. Whether they’re worth the extra $150 over the Pi6s (also released in 2024) is debatable. Still, there’s no denying that these are some of the best-sounding earbuds out there, possibly the best; though sound preferences can be pretty personal, it’s tough to call one pair the absolute best for everyone.
11. Apple AirPods 4 with ANC
If you’re after a simple pair of AirPods, the standard AirPods 4 ($129) are a solid choice, and you can usually snag them for closer to $100 during flash sales. While they aren’t as cheap or compact as the AirPods 2, they offer much better sound quality and come with many more features, making them an excellent value for the price.
12. Nothing Ear
At first glance, Nothing’s latest $149 Ear noise-canceling earbuds might seem like a repeat of their Ear (2) model, especially since they don’t have a “3” in the name or follow Apple’s typical naming conventions. You could even think they’ve taken a step backward, but that’s untrue. While they look the same as the Ear (2), some key internal upgrades, particularly in sound quality, noise cancellation, and battery life, make them a noticeable improvement over their predecessor.
13. Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4
Every time a new pair of Momentum True Wireless earbuds comes out, I can’t help but think, “Wow, these sound amazing.“ Sound quality has always been their standout feature, and that’s still true with the fourth-gen version. Other areas have some nice improvements, especially with noise canceling and a smooth, reliable Bluetooth connection with my phone. That said, the voice-calling performance could be better, and I was hoping for a bit more of an upgrade over the previous model. Even so, the Momentum True Wireless 4 earbuds are fantastic, and I’d have no hesitation recommending them.
How We Evaluate Noise-Canceling Earbuds
We test noise-canceling headphones and earbuds by focusing on six key factors and comparing similar models in style and price. These factors include design, sound quality, how well they cancel noise, voice-calling performance, features, and overall value. This helps us give you a clear picture of how each pair stacks up.
- Build and Aesthetics: When evaluating design, we consider how comfortable the headphones or earbuds feel and whether they fit well. We also pay attention to the build quality and the easy and intuitive controls. We also check their earbuds’ water- and dust-resistance ratings to see their durability in different conditions.
- Audio Performance: To assess sound quality, we listen to a curated music playlist and compare the earbuds to other top options in their price range. We focus on key aspects like bass definition, clarity, dynamic range, and the sound’s natural feel. These factors help us determine how well the earbuds deliver a rich and balanced listening experience.
- Noise Cancellation Effectiveness: To test noise-canceling performance, we start by wearing headphones near a noisy HVAC unit indoors to see how well they handle low-frequency sounds. Then, we take them to the streets of New York, putting them to the real-world test by seeing how they block out not just street noise but also people’s voices. This gives us a clear idea of how effective noise canceling is in different environments.
- Additional Features: While some fabulous workout headphones and earbuds keep things simple, we also consider any extra features they offer. These might include quick-access awareness modes, transparency modes that let you have a conversation without taking off your headphones, or ear-detection sensors that pause your music when you remove them. We also check out the companion app (if there’s one) and its easy use.
- Voice-calling: To test voice-calling performance, we make calls while walking through the busy streets of New York. We pay attention to how well the headphones or earbuds block out background noise and how the person on the other end can hear us. This helps us understand how well they handle real-world calling situations.
- Overall Value: We assess value by looking at how well the headphones or earbuds perform across all these key areas. We also compare their features and performance to other models within the same price range. Ultimately, it’s about what they offer for the price and how they stack up against the competition.
Find Your Perfect Noise-Canceling Earbuds Today
Choosing the best noise-canceling earbuds involves balancing sound quality, comfort, and effective noise cancellation. Whether you’re after high-end features or budget-friendly options, there’s something for everyone. You can find the perfect pair that fits your needs and lifestyle by considering key factors like fit, performance, and value.
