Best Noise Cancelling Earbuds of 2024

The first one on our list is Sony WF-1000XM5. The Sony WF-1000XM5 wireless earbuds stand out as a remarkable addition to Sony’s lineup, showcasing the brand’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of sonic excellence.

In terms of design, Sony has made significant enhancements, delivering a sleek and compact charging case that houses earbuds 20% lighter and 25% smaller than their predecessors. These changes enhance comfort and ease of fitting, making them an attractive option. The glossy plastic material adds a premium touch, while the touch controls on the matte surface prove responsive and intuitive.

The audio quality of the WF-1000XM5 remains impressive, delivering well-balanced, detailed sound with a touch of luxury in its design. The noise-canceling capabilities have seen improvements, with a 20% reduction in noise compared to the WF-1000XM4. The wind noise reduction structure and AI-driven noise reduction engine contribute to exceptional call quality. 

The transparency mode, which allows external sounds in when needed, is a handy feature. The touch controls now allow simultaneous operation of playback, sound modes, and volume adjustments, offering a welcome convenience.

Sony showcases future-proofing with instant Bluetooth pairing for Android and Windows, support for multiple audio formats, including LDAC and LC3, and hands-free voice control with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. 

Noteworthy is the impressive battery life, offering eight hours of playback with noise-cancelling between charges, and a pocketable case that can provide an additional two full charges.

However, concerns arise regarding sustainability, as the earbuds are not repairable, and the battery is non-replaceable, contributing to their disposable nature. 

Overall, the Sony WF-1000XM5 is a strong contender in the noise-canceling earbuds market, offering great sound, effective noise-canceling, and advanced features.

The second one on our list is Bose QuietComfort Ultra. The QuietComfort Ultra earbuds by Bose present a compelling upgrade to their predecessor, the QuietComfort Earbuds II, with notable improvements in both design and functionality.

In terms of design and comfort, the Ultra Earbuds maintain the familiar aesthetic of the previous model, with a few subtle enhancements. The metallic treatment on the outer stems adds a touch of sleekness, and the improved stability band attachment mechanism makes swapping sizes more convenient. The overall build quality remains top-notch, featuring glossy and premium materials.

Outstanding noise-canceling capabilities define the QC Ultra earbuds, setting a benchmark even among larger headphones. The oval tips and silicone wings ensure a secure fit, effectively sealing out external sounds. The “awareness” mode impresses, offering a natural audio experience with an automatic loud-noise reduction system.

Audio quality remains a strong suit for Bose, with clear and controlled processing, delivering a balanced sound profile. Functionality is further boosted by touch-sensitive controls, seamlessly handling volume, playback, noise canceling, and sound modes. The Bose Music app facilitates customization, updates, and a fit test for optimal comfort. 


Additionally, these earbuds support Google’s instant Bluetooth pairing and Qualcomm’s aptX Adaptive audio format, catering to Android and Windows users. While excelling in various aspects, the sustainability aspect raises concerns, as the earbuds are disposable with non-replaceable batteries. However, Bose offers replacement parts, including ear tips and charging cases. The battery life, with six hours of noise canceling and up to 24 hours with the case, competes well with industry rivals.

In short, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds maintain Bose’s reputation for delivering top-notch noise cancelling, impressive audio quality, and a comfortable fit.

The Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC true wireless earphones are an excellent choice for those seeking high-quality audio and effective noise cancellation without breaking the bank.  

In terms of design, Anker has made strides, not only in the earbuds themselves but also in their eco-friendly packaging, which is fully recyclable and free of plastic. The charging case is pocketable, charges wirelessly or via USB-C, and is easy to open one-handed.

Comfort and fit are maintained with an IPX4 water-resistance rating, making them suitable for workouts and runs. The touch controls, while not stem-based, are responsive and user-friendly, with the addition of wear sensors for auto-pause and resume functionality.

One standout feature is the impressive noise-canceling capability, claimed to reduce ambient sound by up to 98.5%. While the transparency mode may not match premium competitors, it remains serviceable and allows for awareness of the surroundings. The call quality is commendable, effectively suppressing background noise during calls.

The sound quality is praised for being close to the higher-tier Liberty 4 model, offering a robust and well-balanced sound signature with good bass response and clear mids and highs.

Battery life is a standout feature, with eight hours of playtime per charge and a total of 40 hours with the charging case. Disabling ANC extends this to an impressive 10 hours and 50 hours, respectively. The addition of LDAC support is noted as a nice touch for Android users.

In conclusion, the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC is recommended as one of the best noise-canceling earbuds under the $100 price range, excelling in various aspects and providing a compelling package for users seeking high-quality audio and features.

The fourth one on our list is SAMSUNG Galaxy Buds 2 Pro. The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro emerges as a formidable contender in the realm of true wireless noise-cancelling earbuds, marking a significant leap forward from its predecessor, the Galaxy Buds Pro. 

In terms of design, the Buds 2 Pro exhibits a compact and practical build, with a 15% reduction in size compared to the Galaxy Buds Pro. The charging case, though small and light, exudes a chic aesthetic and ensures secure storage for the earbuds. The construction is sturdy, featuring an IPX7 water resistance rating, making the buds sweat-resistant and suitable for brief submersion.

One of the standout features is its impressive active noise cancellation, surpassing many competitors in this department. The ANC functionality effectively minimizes external disturbances, creating an immersive auditory experience. The buds also showcase a wide soundstage, delivering high-end audio quality.

Control-wise, the touch panels offer seamless functionality, with customizable options for the touch-and-hold gesture. The wear detection, while unique, automatically pauses playback when both buds are removed from the ears.

Sound quality is a highlight, thanks to advanced audio technologies such as 360 Audio, 24-bit HiFi Sound, and a custom coaxial 2-way speaker tuned by AKG. The active noise cancellation feature performs exceptionally well, blocking out ambient noise efficiently, while the Ambient Sound mode proves handy for staying aware of surroundings. 

The battery life, while serviceable, may not be groundbreaking, but the case’s wireless charging compatibility adds convenience. The inclusion of Bluetooth 5.3 ensures reliable connectivity, and the buds seamlessly connect to other Android and IOS devices. 

To conclude, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro earns its stripes as a top-tier true wireless earbud, excelling in sound quality, Active Noise Cancelling capabilities, and seamless integration.

The fifth one on our list is Apple AirPods Pro-2nd Generation. The second generation of Apple AirPods Pro showcases a commendable evolution over its predecessor, offering a host of improvements that elevate the overall user experience.

The design retains the familiar AirPods Pro aesthetic, with subtle improvements such as a new Skin-detect sensor and a loop hook for a lanyard. Comfort is a strong suit, thanks to the continued use of soft silicon tips that conform comfortably to the ear canal.

The standout feature is the exceptional noise-cancelling capability, which has seen a substantial 2x improvement over the original AirPods Pro. This enhancement places the AirPods Pro 2 among the best noise-cancelling earbuds available in the market.

One of the notable improvements is the extended battery life, offering six hours on a single charge and a commendable 30 hours with the charging case. This upgrade ensures prolonged usage without frequent charging interruptions. The redesigned charging case, now equipped with water resistance and a built-in microphone for easier location tracking, adds practical functionality.

In terms of audio quality, the AirPods Pro 2 presents a balanced performance with a new custom amp and driver, catering to both lower and higher frequencies. The inclusion of Dolby Atmos spatial audio further enhances the immersive sound experience, providing a three-dimensional feel to music. 

The enhanced touch controls, including volume adjustment on the stems, contribute to a more user-friendly experience. While call quality remains decent, it hasn’t seen significant improvement, and some may find it slightly lacking compared to other premium features.

Overall, the Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Generation is a compelling choice for users seeking top-notch noise cancellation, spatial audio, and an overall refined wireless earbud experience.

The last one on our list is Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II. The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II presents a refined iteration in the truly wireless earphone market, showcasing Bose’s prowess in active noise-canceling technology.

Boasting a compact and thoughtful redesign, these earbuds offer a departure from the bulkier profile of their predecessor. The introduction of three different sizes of wraparound fins enhances stability, addressing fit concerns often encountered with wireless earbuds. The updated unit with stems contributes to a more streamlined and aesthetically pleasing design, especially notable in the reduced size of the accompanying case.

The control interface, featuring capacitive touch surfaces, offers convenience for music playback and call management, although a bit of customization is available through the Bose Music App.

The standout feature lies in the exceptional Active Noise Cancelling performance, delivering significant noise reduction in the low-end frequencies. The introduction of Aware mode with ActiveSense adds versatility, allowing users to remain aware of their surroundings while reducing certain unpredictable sounds. The self-adjusting sound feature, facilitated by the Bose Music App, provides a personalised audio experience through automatic equalisation based on the user’s ear canal shape.

Sound quality is another area where the Bose earbuds excel. The implementation of CustomTune technology allows for automatic calibration of Active Noise Cancelling and sound frequency based on the individual user’s ear canal.

While the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II excels in certain aspects, such as its lightweight, app-supported updates, and the innovative auto-EQ feature, some challenges persist. Users may find the fit somewhat tricky, with occasional issues related to the rotation of concha fins impacting case connections. 

Despite some challenges and peculiarities, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II emerges as a commendable choice for individuals seeking top-tier Active Noise Cancellation capabilities in a truly wireless form factor.