The Best Noise-Canceling True Wireless Earbuds for 2024

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Apple AirPods 4 With ANC — Credit: Tim Gideon

Do Noise-Canceling Earbuds Block All Sound?

Active noise cancellation (ANC) debuted in over-ear and on-ear headphones first but is now prevalent in wireless earphones. As the first word of the term suggests, active noise cancellation requires power, as opposed to passive noise reduction. Battery power feeds ANC circuitry that creates a live, inverse signal of the surrounding noise using microphones. Just like how adding a negative number to its positive equivalent nets zero, the goal here is to offset the ambient noise with inverse sound waves.

Does it work? That depends on the manufacturer and the character of the surrounding noise. Even competent ANC is typically far more effective against low to mid frequencies, especially unchanging, drone-like sounds such as from an engine or an appliance. The very best ANC does the same for some higher-frequency sounds, like office chatter and keyboard clicks. But a tight in-ear seal is what helps most against these sounds.

Speaking of an in-ear seal, passive noise cancellation (or passive noise isolation) uses the physical sealing-off of the ear canal to block out surrounding sound. There are no mics or batteries involved in this method, but it is, in many ways, more effective than active noise cancellation because it helps cut back frequencies across the board. Earplugs still exist for a reason—they work.

Bad Noise-Canceling Earbuds: What to Avoid

Lower-quality ANC circuitry often produces an audible high-frequency hiss—like white noise or tape hiss—that masks some of the higher frequencies it can’t eliminate. The easiest way to tell if this is happening is to activate the ANC in a totally quiet environment—if your headphones seem to make the noise floor louder, they are adding a hiss. Most earbuds we test add some degree of hiss, but the quality of the ANC dictates its prevalence.

Another aspect of low-quality ANC, especially in wireless headphones and earphones, is the difference in how music (or any audio) sounds when it is active. The ANC shouldn’t change how music sounds at all, but some models we test produce wildly different sound signatures when ANC is on, such as more bass, more treble, and higher volume levels. The effect (in most cases) isn’t too disruptive, however.

What Is the Ambient (or Transparency) Mode?

Plenty of true wireless models include a feature that allows you to monitor your surroundings without removing the earpieces. This is useful in offices and airports, as well as for runners who need to be aware of traffic and car horns. Not all true wireless earbuds with an ambient monitoring mode also include noise cancellation, but most of the ones we’ve tested do.

Many offer on-ear controls that allow you to cycle through ANC and ambient/transparency modes. We note whether earphones include this feature—along with how well it works—in each of our reviews.

Are Noise-Canceling Earbuds Worth It?

The best true wireless earphones that deliver audiophile-pleasing audio and excellent ANC can easily cost over $300, but those aren’t your only options. We’re starting to see some worthwhile, budget-friendly alternatives that deliver commendable noise cancellation and sound quality for under $100.

Whether they are worth the money depends on the character of noise is in your environment and how much it prevents you from focusing on whatever it is you need to do. If you can’t think clearly without silence or (at least a greater sense of quiet), noise-cancelling earphones are well worth the peace of mind they can bring.

Once you find the perfect pair, head over to our stories on five easy tips to extend the life of your headphones and eight ways you’re using your headphones wrong.