Wireless technologies provide us with more freedom in terms of movement while staying connected in the digital realm. As it continues to evolve, it elevates the experience by adding more useful features. In this case, noise cancelling earbuds allow you to use the audio features of your mobile device minus the connecting wires.
Some people find these wires a nuisance because they limit your movement or they get tangled somewhere else. Wireless headphones not just removed the wires but also widened the range where you can connect to your smartphone or tablet. Bluetooth headphones, for example, allow you to remain connected even 30 feet away from your device. Unlike wired headphones that are only about 2 to 4 feet long.
Premium earbuds are also designed to fit the ears comfortably so they will not fall, or, will not hurt your ears even when you wear them for a long time. Meanwhile, noise cancelling earbuds add another layer of comfort to the user by removing unwanted noise and audio distortions from the sound you receive. This way, you only hear clear voices during conversation and beautiful sound dynamics from the music you listen to.
Noise cancelling earbuds typically cost more than wireless earphones alone. Thus, you have to take due diligence in choosing the one that best fits your needs, lifestyle, and budget. Here at Top Best Reviews, we reviewed popular noise cancelling earbuds models and came down to our best three lists. Check them out.
| Name | Key Feature | |
|---|---|---|
| Bose QuietComfort Noise Cancelling Earbuds– Editor’s Choice | Optimized Active EQ | Check Price |
| Jabra Elite 85t True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds | Adjustable Active Noise Cancellation and Hear Through levels | Check Price |
| Sony WF-1000XM4 Industry Leading Noise Canceling Truly Wireless Earbud Headphones | Long battery life at 8 hours in a single charge; extendable up to 16 hours when charged using the case | Check Price |
Bose QuietComfort Noise Cancelling Earbuds – Editor’s Choice
These noise cancelling earbuds are one of the most popular models, and it is not without a reason (or more). This pair is true to its description – it is effective, comfortable, and reliable. As one of the renowned brands in audio technology, Bose stayed committed to its quality and performance promise.
These Bose earbuds utilize the QuietComfort technology that effectively filters out the noise, distortions, and other unnecessary sounds from your surroundings so you can only hear a voice crisp and clear and music with its sound dynamics like bass.
These noise cancelling earbuds do not just weed out the noise but also improve the sound and voice qualities in the process. It utilizes high-fidelity audio technology that optimizes the sound quality automatically regardless of what sound level you are in. This goes both ways – you receive high-quality sound on your end, and you deliver yours to the other end. The built-in microphone is able to utilize the same technology that keeps your voice clear minus the noise.
The Bose QuietComfort Noise Cancelling Earbuds also offers the Aware mode. This feature allows users to still be in touch with their surroundings while listening to the music from their noise cancelling earbuds. You get to be in the middle of everything while your wireless earbuds strike a good balance for that more comfortable audio experience.
These noise cancelling earbuds also utilize a number of modern features. Instead of buttons, you can select modes and adjust settings using capacitive touch technology – tap, swipe, or soft press. It is now easier to activate or adjust features even when they are worn. Also, the music you are playing or the podcast or video you are watching automatically pauses when you remove the earbuds from your ears.
The Bose QuietComfort Noise Cancelling Earbuds are resilient to damaging factors like moisture and dust. The pair are equipped with mesh material in the ports to keep dust from entering. They are also IPX-4 rated for weather, sweat, and water resistance.
These noise cancelling earbuds offer up to 6 hours of listening time in a single charge. The carrying case also serves as its charging hub that is capable of replenishing your battery for up to 12 hours more. To further prolong the battery life, the carrying case slash charging hub can be plugged for charging or wirelessly charged via any Qi-certified wireless charging mats, which you can buy separately.
This wireless earbud headphones are designed to cling to the natural contours of your ears for comfortable wearing. The hardware design also helps the noise cancelling technology by providing passive noise blocking.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Control via capacitive touch (on the hardware), via the app, and voice command | Expensive |
| Battery life up to 6 hours | |
| Aware mode | |
| Rich sound dynamics with deep bass | |
| Optimized Active EQ | |
| Bluetooth 5.1 | |
| IPX-4 rated for weather, sweat, and water resistance | |
| Equipped with Bose Noise Cancelling technology | |
| Music automatically pauses when you remove the buds from your ears |
Conclusion
The Bose QuietComfort Noise Cancelling Earbuds has powerful noise cancelling technology that allows you to hear audio clear and have a more enjoyable experience. Meanwhile, the Aware mode provides you with an option to still know what’s going on in the world around you while you are engaged in a conversation or streaming music while your noise cancelling earbuds are on.
Jabra Elite 85t True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds
These noise cancelling earbuds provide you with control over “how much” sound you want to take in. You can adjust the ANC, or Advanced Noise Cancellation, to the level of noise you can take in. In the same way, you can also adjust the Hear Through mode or that level of sound from your environment. This way, you can fine-tune the balance of audio you hear without the environment being too masked. All of these can be adjusted via the Jabra app.
The Jabra earbuds are equipped with advanced audio technology that is well-supported by state-of-the-art hardware. On top of the adjustable headphone noise cancelling features are 6 microphones for that crystal-clear conversations. Aside from the ANC feature, these noise cancelling earbuds also have wind protection for that clearer audio. Meanwhile, it is also equipped with 12-millimeter speakers with bass for that rich sound quality during music or podcast streaming.
The Jabra Elite 85t True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds has a long battery life, providing you with up to 5.5 hours of continuous usage with the ANC on. Meanwhile, you can get up to a total of 25 hours of battery life with the use of its Qi-certified charging case.
The charging case doubles as your noise cancelling earbuds’ safe storage space. It is made magnetic to hold your earbuds in place.
The Jabra Sound+ app is also a powerful partner so you can maximize your noise cancelling earbuds’ wide array of features.
First, the MySound tests your hearing level to create your personal custom profile for that enjoyable and clear audio and music experience.
Next, the MyControl allows you to personalize the earbud button controls according to your most used features.
Lastly, the MyFit allows you to control ANC and Hear Through levels based on your current situation or at the moment’s preference.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Adjustable Active Noise Cancellation and Hear Through levels | It still allows some noise to pass-through |
| Battery life of up to 5.5 hours in a single charge; up to 25 hours with the Qi-certified charging case | |
| Equipped with 6 microphones with wind protection; 12 mm speakers with bass | |
| Uses the powerful Jabra Sound+ to customize settings | |
| With built-in Alexa that allows you to make calls, launch Spotify, and ask for directions | |
| IPX4-rated | |
| Bluetooth 5.1 |
Conclusion
Users of Jabra Elite 85t True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds love the open design that is more comfortable to use. The adjustable settings allow for a personalized experience, too.
Sony WF-1000XM4 Industry Leading Noise Canceling Truly Wireless Earbud Headphones
Sony developed one of the best and most advanced noise cancelling earbuds in its early introduction stages in the market. Now that it was faced with some serious competition, it evolved in attempts to stay ahead of the pack. These noise cancelling earbuds are now equipped with upgraded features from the previously lauded model.
These Sony wireless headphones claim to be equipped with the best noise cancelling technology – both on the hardware and software sides. This is possible with its improved and redesigned microprocessor that significantly improved its noise cancelling capability. On top of that, these noise cancelling earbuds’ integrated microphones now have better sensing features with the earbud tips also playing a role in keeping the noise out while providing the user a comfortable fit.
These Sony earbuds are integrated with 4 microphones to help itself pick up your voice loud and clear. Your noise cancelling earbuds then passes it through a strong digital signal processing technology to filter the noise and wind to deliver your voice crystal clear to the other end.
The Sony WF-1000XM4 Industry Leading Noise Canceling Truly Wireless Earbud Headphones also provides you with an exceptional music streaming experience. These noise cancelling earbuds are equipped with 6-millimeter drivers with bass that are also backed up with a powerful sound processor for that rich sound quality with less distortion.
Your Sony headphones provide the longest battery life in a single charge – a full 8 hours of uninterruptible use. You can extend this by charging it using its case to extend it to another 16 hours.
Looking for the best workout headphones? These noise cancelling earbuds can protect themselves from sweat, rain, and water splashes with its IPX-4 rating. Meanwhile, it is also ergonomically designed for long-wearing with a shape that fits your ear’s cavity.
Aside from built-in touch controls, you can also use Alexa for voice command, and the Sony Headphones Connect app to adjust the controls like the ambient sound settings, ANC level, etc.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Industry-leading powerful ANC | Some find it uncomfortable to wear when your ears are small |
| With built-in Alexa | |
| 4 microphones and 6-millimeter driver/speakers with bass | |
| Long battery life at 8 hours in a single charge; extendable up to 16 hours when charged using the case | |
| IPX-4 weather resistance rating | |
| Speak to Chat feature |
Conclusion
The Sony WF-1000XM4 Industry Leading Noise Canceling Truly Wireless Earbud Headphones is a significant improvement from its predecessor.
Final Verdict
The best wireless earbuds are leaning towards convenience, but, the best noise cancelling headphones are also focusing on providing the best audio experience and performance.
With those key performance indicators, the best noise cancelling earbuds on this list is the Bose QuietComfort Noise Cancelling Earbuds.
The Bose QuietComfort Noise Cancelling Earbuds has outstanding ANC to provide an almost face-to-face quality conversation. Its powerful audio technology is able to reproduce music for that rich music streaming experience minus the distractions in your environment.