The best noise-cancelling earbuds 2024: top ANC earphones for all budgets

For music lovers who want the clearest, purest sound devoid of low-level constant interruptions, the best noise-cancelling earbuds are essential. You no longer need to invest in large, over-ear cans to block out unwanted noise for an immersive, forget-the-world listening experience; now, you can get that with smaller, more convenient earbuds. And you can simply slip back into their pocket-sized charging case when you need to be back in the room.

Some of the best noise-cancelling earbuds in this guide even rival the models in our best noise-cancelling headphones roundup in terms of performance and features. Several rank in our best earbuds guide too, our ultimate list of the best buds today. We’ve put a lot of true wireless earbuds in our ears (and through their paces), and for sound quality, features and comfort, only the best options make it here. 

You'll find our recommendations for the best ANC earbuds here, from affordable pairs to throw in a coat pocket to more premium options. If you're specifically looking for totally wireless 'buds, check out our best true wireless earbuds guide too. And safe travels, friend. 

Written by
Senior audio staff writer Becky Scarrott, in a field
Written by
Becky Scarrott

Becky is a senior TechRadar writer (which she has been assured refers to expertise rather than age) focusing on all things audio. Before joining the team in early 2022, she spent three years at What Hi-Fi? reviewing everything from wallet-friendly wireless earbuds to huge high-end sound systems. Prior to gaining her MA in Journalism in 2018, Becky freelanced as an arts critic alongside a 22-year career as a professional dancer and aerialist – any love of dance starts with a love of music. Becky has previously contributed to Stuff, FourFourTwo and The Stage.

The quick list

Do you want to find out which noise-cancelling earbuds are the best? Below, you'll find a roundup of our top choices. You can also jump to a more detailed review of every top pick, along with our price comparison tool to help you find the best deals.

The best noise-cancelling earbuds of 2024

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The best noise-cancelling earbuds overall

The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 lying beside their case and a phone.

(Image credit: TechRadar)
The best noise-cancelling earbuds overall

Specifications

Acoustic design: Closed
Weight: 6.2g (per bud); 59.8g (charging case)
Frequency response: Not specified
Drivers: 9.3mm full-range dynamic drivers
Battery life: 6 hours (buds); 3 extra (charging case)

Reasons to buy

+
Smaller, more comfortable design
+
Best-in-class noise cancellation
+
Beautiful sound

Reasons to avoid

-
Call quality could be better
-
No support for high-def wireless codecs
-
No wireless charging
BUY THEM IF

✅ Noise-cancellation really matters to you: These buds are at the top of the ANC game as it stands right now, and that’s without compromising on the sound quality.

✅ You want beautifully balanced sound: CustomTune works remarkably well, with a heck of a lot of details and textures coming through. 

DON'T BUY THEM IF

❌ You’d prefer high-definition wireless sound quality:
With support for just low-definition wireless codecs, the QCE II may not be for everyone.

❌ Size and wireless charging matter to you: Despite Bose managing to shrink its flagship ANC buds, the QCE II aren’t the smallest true wireless options you can get.

The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 are our top picks for sheer ANC power and they're an upgrade on the already fantastic original Bose QuietComfort buds. The biggest improvement here is CustomTune audio. Bose has figured out a way to customize both the audio response and noise cancellation of the QCE II to the individual user’s ear canal. The result is fantastic ANC that's a vast improvement even over the originals – which were our top pick for some time.

However, improvements to ANC aren't at the expense of sound quality. In our review, we wrote: "We can’t stress this enough – the sound is very well balanced, with a heck of a lot of details and textures coming through. And if you still find you need to tweak it, you can via the EQ in the app."

Bose also improved the design of the QuietComfort Earbuds this time around. They weigh 6.2g per bud, which Bose says is a whole 30% smaller than the originals and, therefore, feel much more comfortable to wear for longer periods of time. They also come with a range of both ear tips and stability bands to ensure you get the perfect fit. It took us a while to figure this out during our testing, but once we did it was worth it.

These new buds might not be the cheapest picks in this guide and battery life leaves a lot to be desired at only 6 hours from the buds and 3 hours from their charging case. But, if you can afford to splurge, these are hands-down the best noise-cancelling true wireless earbuds you can get for your money today. 

Read our full Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 review

The best budget noise-cancelling earbuds

Earfun Air Pro 3 buds held in a hand above a wooden table

(Image credit: Future)
The best budget noise-cancelling earbuds

Specifications

Acoustic design: Closed
Weight: 52g
Frequency response: N/A
Drivers: Not listed
Battery life : ANC off: 9 hours (buds) 36 hours (case); ANC on: 7 hours (buds) 37 hours (case)

Reasons to buy

+
Great all-rounders
+
Excellent battery life
+
Solid noise cancellation

Reasons to avoid

-
No wearing detection
-
Sound is fun but not fantastic
-
Stem design not for everyone
BUY THEM IF

✅ You like the long stem design:
Many buds have a stem these days but these are on the longer side.

✅ You want all-rounder buds for less:
Few buds tick the boxes for comfy design, good ANC, solid sound and great battery life for under $100/£100. 

DON'T BUY THEM IF

❌ You need ANC that places you in a cocoon of silence: ANC is good here, but it doesn’t deliver that almost eerie silence you get from higher-end buds.

❌ You want compact buds:
The stem design literally stands out and the mirror finish does draw attention to the buds, rivals are more subtle.

If you're on a budget the EarFun Air Pro 3 earbuds are our top recommendation. The ANC doesn't deliver the cocoon of silence you'd expect from higher-end options, but we thought it was good – especially considering the price. The buds block a decent amount of bass range sounds, like the rumble of traffic. Other features include an impressive 45 hours of battery life in total, including the case, as well as multipoint pairing, which we found worked well. 

The Earfun Air Pro 3 come with some good audio specs. And, while these noise-cancelling earbuds might not win awards in sound quality, those specs deliver an audio performance that is great for the price, although not perfect. 

Design-wise, they look a little boring with long stems. When you first pick up these buds you’ll notice they feel plasticky – by which I mean: cheap – but that’s kind of good news as they’re also incredibly light at 52g for both buds and case. We often find the lighter the buds, the comfier the fit, but that's not always the case.

The Earfun Air Pro 3 buds are accomplished, especially considering their price. Amid a sea of similarly-priced efforts on Amazon, they stand out thanks to their superior design and solid audio chops, showing a high level of competence and excellent value. 

Read our full Earfun Air Pro 3 review

The best mid-range noise-cancelling earbuds

Sony WF-C700N earbuds close-up in a hand, on gray background

(Image credit: Future)
The best mid-range noise-cancelling earbuds

Specifications

Acoustic design: Closed
Weight: 4.6g per earbud
Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
Drivers: 5mm
Battery life: 7.5 hours (buds) 15 hours total (with case) with ANC on

Reasons to buy

+
The most detailed, immersive audio at the level
+
Incredibly comfortable and secure
+
Great app and 360 Reality Audio support

Reasons to avoid

-
No on-ear volume control
-
No LDAC support
BUY THEM IF

✅ You have smaller ears: These earbuds are some of the most secure and comfortable we've tested.

✅ You want the best sound-per-pound value on the market: You get effective ANC alongside the most exciting and fun audio at this level.

DON'T BUY THEM IF

❌ Your ears are on the large side
There's every chance these lovely little units might even be too small for you.

❌ You want the track to turn off when you remove them:
This isn't a feature of the WF-C700N. Small gripe for some, potential game-changer for others.

The Sony WF-C700N are our top noise-cancelling earbuds if you're looking to spend mid-range money around the $100/£100 mark. Multi-point connectivity and adaptive sound control are also here (you can select 'Walking', 'Waiting', 'Travelling' or 'Registered places' in the app, which is frankly incredible at this level) 

Their talents go above and beyond their Adaptive ANC, too, into Sony's 360 Reality Audio, guided by the excellent Sony Headphones Connect app. Plus you get Sony's standard DSEE audio 'upscaling' engine. Those with a Tidal account are in for a real treat, but even when I stream lossy Spotify tracks or much better Apple Music streams, the WF-C700N put on a resoundingly agile, meaty, enthusiastic performance. 

The build quality is good and they're 37% lighter and 38% smaller than the higher-end Sony WF-1000XM4 buds. For that reason, these are some of the most easy to wear, comfortable earbuds we've ever had the pleasure of wearing. While a little fuller over the body, they fit without having to screw them in, in any way. And thanks to the new material (which Sony says "holds on to the inner cup of your ear") they stay put for hours on end. 

Yes, the Sony WF-C700N earbuds can be bettered by rivals. But not for this money. You'll have to set your sights much farther up the food chain if you want to beat this suite of features and sound quality. 

Read our full Sony WF-C700N review

The best all-rounder noise-cancelling earbuds

The sony wf-1000xm4 true wireless earbuds pictured on a grass surface next to their charging case

(Image credit: TechRadar)
The best all-rounder noise-cancelling earbuds

Specifications

Acoustic design: Closed
Weight: 7.3g
Frequency response: 20-40,000Hz
Drivers: 6mm
Battery life : 8 hours (earbuds) 16 hours (charging case)

Reasons to buy

+
Rapid, full-bodied and eloquent sound
+
Truly useful features
+
Impressive call quality

Reasons to avoid

-
Unremarkable battery life
-
No aptX support
BUY THEM IF

✅ You need the best all-round buds: They can be beaten for sound, ANC, and comfort – but only by a combination of alternative models.

✅ You know a great control app when you use one:
The Sony Headphone app is an absolute tour de force of stability, functionality and general usefulness.

DON'T BUY THEM IF

❌ ANC is more important than sound quality: They cancel noise well. But the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 do it better.

❌ You think aptX is the pinnacle of sound quality:
Sony doesn’t agree, but LDAC is a good alternative, and is supported by most newer Android phones.

The Bose QuietComfort earbuds surpass the Sony WF-1000XM4 in terms of noise cancellation effectiveness. However, no other model comes close to offering such excellent quality across the board as these Sony noise-cancelling earbuds. They're also cheaper, which is why we think they're a good option for most people. Features include Speak-To-Chat, DSEE Extreme audio upscaling, and adaptive noise cancellation. You'll also get a decent 8 hours of battery from the buds and a further 16 hours from the charging case.

In terms of sound quality, we found these headphones to boast vigor and enthusiasm in their presentation during our testing, tempered by unarguable control. Meanwhile, at the lowest frequencies, they convey bass sounds with substance, texture, and an absolute stack of detail. Dynamically, too, there's little to criticize. The WF-1000XM4 are capable of switching from ‘ear-splitting’ to ‘almost silent’ and back again in an instant.

These buds weight 7.3g each, which means they're significantly smaller than their predecessors, but not the most compact options on this list. Having said that, they are incredibly comfortable to wear – although they did take a bit of fiddly insertion for us to get used to them at first.

The Sony WF-1000XM4 buds offer impressive ANC performance with great sound, ergonomics, and build quality. Although you'll find better noise-cancelling buds on this list (we're looking at you, Bose), if you want the full package at a slightly better price, you can't go wrong with the Sony WF-1000XM4 buds – there's a reason why they've remained at the top spot in our best true wireless earbuds guide for years.

Read our full Sony WF-1000XM4 review

The best noise-cancelling earbuds for Apple

AirPods Pro 2 buds pictured next to their charging case on a wooden surface

(Image credit: TechRadar)
The best noise-cancelling earbuds for Apple

Specifications

Acoustic design: Closed
Weight: 5.3g
Frequency response: Not listed
Drivers: Custom Apple design
Battery life : 6 hours (earbuds) 30 hours (charging case)

Reasons to buy

+
Astounding noise-stopping power
+
Very good sound quality, too
+
Small and very lightweight

Reasons to avoid

-
Average battery life
-
No aptX or LDAC support
BUY THEM IF

✅ You want great sound: The AirPods Pro 2 sound brilliant and shut out the real world so well.

✅ You've got all manner of Apple things: If you've got an iPad, Apple TV, Apple Watch or similar, then you'll really get the benefit of these buds.

DON'T BUY THEM IF

❌ You want to save money: Not the most expensive buds, but you can find cheaper options that do similar – but, crucially, not better.

❌ You don't have an iPhone: If you're in the Android world, you won't get as much benefit from these earbuds.

The AirPods Pro 2 might not be as accomplished as the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 at the top of our list in terms of ANC, but they're not far off. We found the noise-cancelling to be so good in the Pro 2 buds it was almost eerie. As with other ANC buds, there's a transparency mode on offer for conversations, and that's now been upgraded so it adapts to your conversations, making them sound more natural. Features-wise, these buds have a lot to offer, but you'll get the most from them – like 'Find My' features – if you have an iPhone.

During our testing, we found the audio performance to be stunning, offering up a rich sound regardless of genre and a wide and expansive soundstage, which is thanks to new drivers and amplifiers. One of the key features here is the ability to set up Personalized Spatial Audio, where a scan of your face and ears will be able to re-calibrate the sound performance of the AirPods Pro 2.

Design-wise, they look similar to the Pro model that came before them. Expect the clean lines and solid build quality Apple is famous for, and slightly smaller stems that protrude from your ears. We enjoyed wearing them and liked the addition from volume control in the stems.

As always with Apple products, the AirPods Pro 2 are best suited to those with an iPhone and a big budget. If that's you, these are among the most impressive noise-cancelling earbuds you can buy today and are well worth the higher than average price tag.

Read our full Apple AirPods Pro 2 review

The best noise-cancelling earbuds for Samsung

the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro in their case on a wooden surface

(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
The best noise-cancelling earbuds for Samsung

Specifications

Acoustic Design: Closed
Weight: 5.5g
Frequency Response: 20 - 20,000 Hz
Drivers: Custom Coaxial 2-way
Battery Life: Up to 5 hours (buds) and 18 hours (with case)

Reasons to buy

+
Vastly improved hi-res sound quality
+
Solid ANC
+
Classy, comfortable design and finish

Reasons to avoid

-
Battery life is only average
BUY THEM IF

✅ You own a Samsung Galaxy smartphone: These buds present themselves on your device for easy pairing and give you handy home-screen widgets.

✅ You want Samsung's best sound-per-pound audio quality: We didn't expect to enjoy Samsung's immersive, expressive, head-tracked 24-bit audio as much as we did.

DON'T BUY THEM IF

❌ You prioritize a long-lasting battery: Five hours with ANC deployed (or eight without it) won't get you through a long-haul flight without charging.

❌ You own an iPhone: You'd need to be looking to earbuds that offer a dedicated app for iOS.

If you own a Samsung phone and want the best noise-cancelling around, the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are for you. These buds are packed full of useful perks such as excellent ANC, voice detect, wearer detection and customizable on-ear controls – all of which work very well indeed – plus IPX7 water ingress protection. The only downside is there's a slightly underwhelming battery life of 5 hours on offer here and up to 18 hours from the case, which is small and easily pocketable.

If you own a Samsung Galaxy device (and thus, access to the Samsung Wearable companion app and home-screen widget) is 360 audio with optional head-tracking, thus allowing you to use your phone as the focal point to direct more of that new end-to-end 24-bit high-res audio to whichever ear you prefer. Sheryl Crow's Soak Up the Sun has us nodding our heads happily as we seek out backing vocals other earbuds can't deliver as cleanly or with as much space around each singer.

At 5.5g per bud, the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are smaller, more comfortable and less arrogant than many Samsung has previously launched (remember the Galaxy Buds Live?). In our review we wrote: "The result is a stylish, minimalist, secure and ergonomic fit that almost feels as if you're not wearing earbuds."

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro prioritize great 24-bit sound and head-tracked spatial audio in a design that fits comfortably and noise-cancelling that delivers the goods and then some. If you have a Samsung phone to make the most of additional features, these buds are excellent value for your money.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro review

The best noise-cancelling earbuds for sound

The Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 S2 true wireless earbuds in their charging case against a wooden surface.

(Image credit: Michael Winkel)
The best noise-cancelling earbuds for sound

Specifications

Acoustic Design: Closed
Weight: Earbuds: 7g (each) Charging case: 47g
Frequency Response: Not listed
Drivers: 9.2mm Dynamic Drive with Balanced Armature
Battery Life: 5 hours for earbuds (ANC off) Additional 16 hours from charging case. 15 minute charge = 2hrs playback

Reasons to buy

+
Delightful sonic insight and clarity
+
B&W's music app is a joy to use
+
Hi-res support adds value

Reasons to avoid

-
Battery life is only marginally improved
-
ANC is hit-and-miss for efficacy
-
Users with smaller ears may struggle here
BUY THEM IF

✅ You want best-in-class music: For music clarity, breadth, depth and impact, the Pi7 S2 are unbeatable. But you'll have to shell out for it.

✅ You've already paid for Tidal: If you use a hi-res streaming service, these buds will make the most of every MQA or FLAC file you've got. 

DON'T BUY THEM IF

❌ You're on a tight budget: Simply put, these are not a wallet-friendly proposition. This is Bowers & Wilkins, after all...

❌ You want the best ANC and passthrough profiles:
Your (premium-level) money would be better spent on Bose or Apple's flagship earbuds. 

The Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 S2 buds don't offer the best ANC of the bunch, but if you want good immersion and truly excellent sound, these are for you. You'll find the usual features here, as well as audio transmission – connect the case's USB-C port to a computer or analog audio source, and sound broadcasts in aptX quality to the buds. However, B&W has shied away from ear-fit tests, EQ presets and hearing profiles – when they sound this good, we don't care. But, if you're someone who likes to crank up the bass in your earbuds, you can't do that here. Having said that, B&W's music app is truly a joy to use.

In our review, we said that these buds are "sonically outstanding" and "practically perfect in every way." They provide delightful sonic insight and clarity, and hi-res support on offer here adds immense value. During our testing, we found the 2001 remaster of XTC's Wake Up on Tidal to be crisp and frankly joyous, as jagged guitars attack each ear in a cohesive and well-balanced mix. We wrote: "FKA twigs' Two Weeks celebrates every drop of bass and thud in the backing track, but never at the expense of Tahliah Debrett Barnett's ethereal and breathy vocal." 

The buds have a jewel-like build and finish, which we found quite beautiful. But this is Bowers & Wilkins, so the finish here was always bound to be classy. The case too is pocketable, and feels every millimeter a premium product. Our only issue with the design is the size. At 7g per bud, they're a fair bit heavier than rivals, so might not be the best choice for smaller ears. 

Yes, these earbuds offer a better-quality listen than any other similarly wireless design on the market. So if you're looking for fantastic sound and good ANC, pick these up – just be prepared to pay a high-end price for them. 

Read our full Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 S2 review

The best noise-cancelling earbuds for features

The Technics EAH-AZ80 true wireless earbuds in their charging case on a white background

(Image credit: Future)
The best noise-cancelling earbuds for features

Specifications

Weight: 7g
Frequency response: 40-20,000Hz
Drivers: 10mm
Battery life: (Up to) 7h (earbuds); (up to) 25h (charging case)

Reasons to buy

+
Poised, revealing sound
+
Triple-point connectivity
+
Outstanding comms and comfort

Reasons to avoid

-
Noise-cancelling and battery life are nothing special
-
Could conceivably sound more animated
BUY THEM IF

✅ You prioritize comfort: A carefully considered design and lavish selection of silicone ear tip makes them incredibly comfortable. 

✅ You want to switch between devices: Triple-point connectivity is rare, and it’s brilliantly convenient for those of us with many sources of audio.

DON'T BUY THEM IF

❌ You intend to wear your earbuds all day: Even at its best, the battery life available here is nothing special – long-haul flights are a non-starter.

❌ You prefer an animated, exciting sound: For all of their poise, balance and accuracy, they don’t produce the most out-and-out animated sound

The Technics EAH-AZ80 buds sound great, deliver decent ANC performance and are packed full of more features than any other options on the list. There's triple-point connectivity (a first in a product of this type), which proves stable and useful, high-resolution LDAC codec compatibility as well as the more prosaic SBC and AAC alternatives, and thanks to ‘Just My Voice’ technology these earbuds are far less prone to wind-noise interference than any number of rivals. In our review we wrote that battery life is just fine with 7 hours from the buds and 25 hours from the case.

But these buds aren't just about the cool features. They make an accomplished sound we called "swift and accurate" and "balanced and detailed" in our review. They offer convincingly realistic and coherent listening in all circumstances. Granted, it's not the most energetic sound we've heard but we think most people would find it to be a thoroughly enjoyable listen. ANC is fine, but not the best on this list by a long way.

The Technics EAH-AZ80 buds have a carefully considered design, along with a lavish selection of silicone ear tips, so they should stay comfortable no matter the size or shape of your ears. The plastic they're made from feels sturdy and robust even though they only weigh 7g each – the charging case is an equally trim 50g. 

The Technics EAH-AZ80 represent great value. There are minor shortcomings in terms of battery and ANC, but in our opinion they look and feel every bit of the asking price, and all their clever functions are implemented flawlessly.

Read our full Technics EAH-AZ80 review

The best earbuds from Sennheiser

A single Sennheiser Momentum 4 True Wireless earbud being held in a hand

(Image credit: Future)
The best Sennheiser can do in earbuds

Specifications

Weight: 6.2g per bud
Frequency response: 5Hz - 21kHz
Drivers: 7mm, TrueResponse dynamic
Battery life: 7.5 hours per earbud, 30 hours in total

Reasons to buy

+
Excellent sound quality
+
Good noise cancellation
+
Strong battery life and feature set

Reasons to avoid

-
Noise-canceling isn't anything special
-
Call quality and customization could be better
-
No spatial audio
BUY THEM IF

✅ You want to future-proof your listening gear: Bluetooth 5.4, LE Audio, Auracast, Qualcomm’s S5 Sound Gen 2 platform, promising 16-bit/44kHz streaming – but also 24-bit/48kHz pending a future firmware update. It's all here.

✅ You like a premium finish: The earbuds and smooth, pocketable case here feel reassuringly premium – largely because they are. 

DON'T BUY THEM IF

❌ You want the absolute best ANC money can buy: Look, the Momentum TW4 are very good indeed as an overall package, but if you just want that bubble of silence, look to Bose. 

❌ You want spatial audio side-sauce: For this, Sony outshines Sennheiser, but again, as an overall package Sennheiser's proposition gets the nod. 

Wireless charging, a very acceptable 7.5 hours of listening time with ANC deployed plus a stacked Bluetooth codec support (you're getting the latest Bluetooth 5.4 version, aptX Lossless, LC3, and other usual Bluetooth suspects) make Sennheiser's newest earbuds a viable proposition even at the money. 

Unlike the Sony WF-XM1005, there is no support for spatial audio here, sadly, and call quality is fine rather than exceptional, even with a new feature Sennheiser calls “AI improved voice pickup and call virtualization”. 

It would be great to be able to customize features such as transparency, but we're told those extra perks will soon be added in an update. 

One other thing to note: the buds may be a tad bulky for those with smaller ears, but thanks to the thorough Fit Test in the app (and several tips supplied to achieve an ideal seal), the Momentum TW4 buds should work for most wearers. 

Want an impenetrable bubble of silence around you? Bose does it better – but for good noise cancellation plus excellent sound, the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 have an awful lot going for them. 

Read our full Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 review

The best noise-cancelling earbuds for Sony fans

The Sony WF-1000XM5 true wireless earbuds

(Image credit: Future)
The best noise-cancelling earbuds for Sony fans

Specifications

Weight: 4.2g per earbud
Frequency Response: Not stated
Drivers: 8.4mm Dynamic driver X
Battery Life: 8hr earbuds, 24hrs total in the case

Reasons to buy

+
Agile, meaty and fun listen
+
Very comfortable and secure earpieces
+
Battery life maintained from XM4

Reasons to avoid

-
ANC can be beaten
-
Occasional connectivity issues
-
On-ear volume control is a tad hit and miss
BUY THEM IF

✅ You want the newest flagship Sony option: The sound is certified Sony and if you're used to the app and want the newest kids in town, you'll love them.

✅ Tidal is your chosen music streaming account: You can unlock Sony's proprietary 360 Reality Audio in conjunction with Tidal's top-tier DSEE upscaling.

DON'T BUY THEM IF

❌ You prioritize active noise cancellation: The Bose QCE II are still the best at nixing noise, despite all the advances here – but only by a small margin.

❌ You want triple device connectivity: Multipoint to three devices isn't a feature of the WF-1000XM5 but the similarly-priced Technics EAH-AZ80. 

The WF-1000XM5s are the latest high-end earbuds from Sony. They don't rank as highly as the XM4s in our guide as we still think they're excellent all-rounders, but if you're a Sony fan looking for the freshest flagship buds with some great improvements, grab these. Sony has thrown everything it can into these much smaller earbuds, including LDAC, the firm's top-tier DSEE upscaler, and Bluetooth 5.3. Battery life is competitive at 8 hours from the buds and 24 hours total from the case. However, we experienced connectivity drop-outs in our testing, rated the ANC performance as average and did find the app looked too busy.

Performance-wise, these buds deliver. If you have Tidal you're in for a treat because you get Sony's 360 Reality Audio support – aka 24 object-based channels arranged in a 360-degree soundstage, which Sony launched back in 2019. You'll also find Adaptive Sound Control, which is optimized according to what you're doing. The result is sound that's 100% bona fide Sony quality, we wrote that these buds provide "a zealous, exciting listen" in our review. Call quality is also much better in this iteration of the buds, and you can even answer calls by nodding your head. 

The design is similar to the XM4s that came before them, but they're 25% smaller and 20% lighter than the older class-leaders. The result is that the Sony WF-1000XM5s are beautifully compact, ergonomic earpieces. Sony is making real strides to ensure its buds fit a broader range of ears and we like that there's an extra set of foam tips with these buds. We found them incredibly comfortable to wear. 

If you want the best value Sony experience, we still recommend the XM4s higher in this list. But ANC is improved here and you'll get all of the latest specs from Sony. If that matters to you and you can afford them, you can't go wrong and we do highly rate these Sony WF-1000XM5 buds.

Read our full Sony WF-1000XM5 review

The best noise-cancelling earbuds for sports

Th Beats Fit Pro true wireless earbuds in their charging case on a red backdrop

(Image credit: Future)
The best noise-cancelling earbuds for sports

Specifications

Acoustic design: Closed
Weight: 5.6g
Frequency response: Not stated
Drivers: 9.5mm dynamic
Battery life (on-board): 6 hours (earbuds) 24 hours (charging case)

Reasons to buy

+
Active noise cancellation
+
Spatial audio on Apple Music
+
Better battery life
+
H1 chip for hands-free Siri

Reasons to avoid

-
ANC could be stronger
-
More expensive than Studio Buds
-
Can be uncomfortable
-
Android users miss out on features
BUY THEM IF

✅ You want an AirPods Pro-like experience for less:
The AirPods Pro 2 are better buds, but you'll find a similar experience and features here.

✅ You want them to feel comfy and secure: Our top picks for movement throughout the day with fins, a stable fit and a good battery life. 

DON'T BUY THEM IF

❌ You want excellent ANC: The noise-cancelling here is fine at this level, but if you want ultimate immersion look to the Apple AirPods Pro 2 instead.

❌ You have an Android phone: You'll get a good experience with Android, but iPhone users are going to get the most from the features here.

If you're looking for good noise-cancelling while you're working out, the Beats Fit Pro are our top choice. You can think of these as the original AirPods Pro in a different design. You get the same Apple-specific features (Spatial Audio, Siri) provided you have an iPhone, Android users should look elsewhere. You'll get a marginally better battery life here than from other Beats buds. 6 hours with ANC from the buds themselves and an additional 18 hours with the charging case.

There's a custom-designed driver here for a bassy low end. The new sound profile Beats has gone with keeps things exciting with elevated highs and lows and good overall clarity. We really enjoyed testing Dolby Atmos with these buds. In our review we wrote: "Being able to dynamically change the audio mix as you move your head is electrifying—giving you a concert-like experience anywhere."

Design-wise, they're build for movement. An IPX4 water-resistance rating makes them sweat-proof. There's also a prominent wing tip that gives you a better fit when you're working out, it's built as part of the buds themselves, giving extra flexibility. Once they're in they stay put, although some users may find they become a little uncomfortable over longer periods: the wing tip is fairly unforgiving. 

The Beats Fit Pro aren't the best on the list for ANC, although it's decent here. But they are arguably the best Apple-made earbuds for gym-goers and outdoor exercise, especially if you want to save a little money and not splash out on the AirPods Pro 2 but enjoy a few of the same features. 

Read our full Beats Fit Pro review

How to choose the best noise-cancelling earbuds

If you're looking for the best noise-cancelling earbuds, a good place to start is the design. Do you need earbuds for working out? Then look for a pair that come with a water-resistance rating of IPX4 or above, interchangeable eartips, and earhooks that will keep them securely in place while you exercise. 

Do you want a pair of noise-cancelling earbuds for the commute? Then you may want to consider a pair with a simple design that look unobtrusive.

It's also a good idea to have a budget in mind before you start looking for a pair of noise-cancelling earbuds. Earbuds that block out ambient sound most successfully tend to be more expensive, with most of the best models costing at least $200 / £200 / AU$300. However, you can still get great active noise cancellation on a budget, with some of the best earbuds in this guide costing less than $100 / £100 / AU$150 – just don't expect best-in-class ANC at mid-range and budget prices.

Of course, noise cancellation isn't the only thing to consider when buying a pair of earbuds. Whatever you're buying earbuds for, you want them to sound fantastic. If you consider yourself an audiophile, look for models with aptX HD or aptX Adaptive support, so you can enjoy your hi-res audio streams and get the most detail out of your music.

How we test the best noise-cancelling earbuds

We've thoroughly tested all of the noise-cancelling earbuds in this guide, so you can be confident that you're making an informed decision when you buy. 

We've spent lots of time using these earbuds in different situations, putting the active noise cancellation to the test in noisy environments, on public transport, on flights, and in shared offices – and of course we listen to a wide range of music from various sources to check whether the noise cancellation negatively affects your music collection. However effective the noise cancellation is when deployed, it's no good if the track you're listening to becomes constricted, tinny or otherwise compromised. 

The audio performance of these earbuds is thoroughly analysed to test how well balanced they are across the frequencies, how wide the soundstage is, and how much detail they eke out from audio files. 

Battery life and connectivity are also tested rigorously, so you can be sure that the earbuds you're buying live up to the manufacturer's claims.

Latest updates to the best noise-cancelling earbuds

4 March 2024
Added Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 as the best option from Sennheiser. Updated copy throughout. 

30 August 2023
Updated rankings to reflect recent discontinuations and launches as well as added new quick menu formatting and rewrote product entires. 

Becky Scarrott
Senior Audio Staff Writer

Becky is a senior staff writer at TechRadar (which she has been assured refers to expertise rather than age) focusing on all things audio. Before joining the team, she spent three years at What Hi-Fi? testing and reviewing everything from wallet-friendly wireless earbuds to huge high-end sound systems. Prior to gaining her MA in Journalism in 2018, Becky freelanced as an arts critic alongside a 22-year career as a professional dancer and aerialist – any love of dance starts with a love of music. Becky has previously contributed to Stuff, FourFourTwo and The Stage. When not writing, she can still be found throwing shapes in a dance studio, these days with varying degrees of success.  

With contributions from