Modern audio technology has made it possible to enjoy excellent active noise-cancellation (ANC) without the need for bulky over-ear headphones. Well-known companies like Sony, Bose, and even Apple now offer true wireless earbuds with the ability to block out annoying background noise. This means you can groove to your favorite tunes during your daily commute, morning jog, or just about anywhere else. The best noise-cancelling wireless earbuds excel not only in blocking out noise but also in delivering great sound quality and long battery life. Some even come with handy features like adaptive transparency modes, ensuring you stay aware of important sounds around you.
Earbuds That Silence the World with Noise Cancellation
Sony WF-1000XM4
Sony’s WF-1000XM4 earbuds, known for their top-notch quality, offer a premium listening experience in a compact design. Wondering what makes them worth the price? To begin with, they boast an impressive battery life of 8 hours with active noise cancellation (ANC) and around 12 hours without ANC. The charging case, which can be charged via USB-C or wirelessly with a Qi charger, provides an additional 16 hours of battery life. So, even if you’re on the go for an extended period, your Sony WF-1000XM4 earbuds won’t leave you high and dry.
The WF-1000XM4 earbuds come with some fantastic extra perks. They feature Sony’s 360 Reality Audio for a virtual surround sound experience, and there’s also a handy companion app that allows you to customize the sound using EQ settings to match your personal preferences.
| Pros | Cons |
| Excellent sound quality | bit pricey |
| ANC is great | |
| A great deal |
Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro
If you’re using a Samsung phone, it’s important to highlight the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro. These are Samsung’s smallest and lightest earbuds, and they represent their best offering so far. What sets them apart is their support for 24-bit audio quality and how seamlessly they connect with Samsung Galaxy phones.
The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro covers the essentials quite well. They offer decent battery life (5 hours with ANC and 8 hours without), are protected from sweat with an IPX7 rating for gym use, and provide a pleasing full sound experience. However, they don’t particularly shine in terms of ANC and sound quality; they’re good but not exceptional in those aspects. Keep in mind that these earbuds are designed specifically to work seamlessly with Samsung Galaxy phones, making them a solid choice if you’re fully committed to the Samsung ecosystem.
| Pros | Cons |
| Perfect match for Samsung Galaxy phones | Prices are a little high |
| Audio support at 24-bit |
Bose New QuietComfort Earbuds II
The QuietComfort Earbuds II comes with a sleeker and more modern design, making them lighter and more comfortable to wear in your ears compared to the older version. Although the charging case can’t be charged wirelessly, it now holds more battery, totalling about 18 hours of power. When you combine this with the 6 hours of battery life on the earbuds themselves, you’ll have a full day’s worth of battery life in your pocket. Additionally, just a quick 20-minute charge can provide you with around 2 hours of listening time.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II comes with the latest Bluetooth version (5.3), ensuring a strong and reliable connection. They also have an IPX4 rating, so you can confidently use them at the gym and not worry about sweat. If the price tag of nearly $300 doesn’t deter you, these earbuds deliver the premium experience you’ve been looking for.
| Pros | Cons |
| ANC performs well | The price is very high |
| Wears pretty comfortably | |
| Excellent sound balance |
Google Pixel Buds Pro
The Pixel Buds Pro offers great audio quality, powerful active noise cancellation (ANC), and impressive battery life, providing a premium earbud experience that surpasses Google’s previous models. If you’re an Android user willing to spend on earbuds, these are an excellent choice.
One of the best things about the Pixel Buds Pro for Android users is Google’s Fast Pair feature. It makes connecting the earbuds to your Android phone incredibly easy. Simply open the charging case near your phone, tap the notification, and you’re ready to go.
| Pros | Cons |
| Long battery life | Supports only AAC and SBC codecs |
| A good balance of sounds | Weaknesses in ANC |
| Google Fast Pair support |
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3
If you want the best sound quality from your wireless earbuds, consider the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3. They deliver exceptional sound that you can fine-tune to your preferences using the detailed equalizer settings. Plus, they offer around 7 hours of battery life on the earbuds (with ANC turned on), and the case provides an extra 21 hours of playback, ensuring your music keeps going when you want it.
Although the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 offers outstanding ANC and sound quality, its Transparency Mode might not meet your expectations, as it can make the audio sound somewhat tinny. Nonetheless, the Sennheiser Smart Control app is a great feature. It not only allows you to fine-tune the sound using the EQ but also lets you customize the touch controls to make the experience uniquely yours.
One of the most impressive things about the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 is its support for Qualcomm’s aptX Adaptive and aptX audio codec. These codecs offer excellent audio quality and maintain stable, high-quality connections with low bit rates. Not many true wireless earbuds offer this feature, but it helps address several common issues that can arise with Bluetooth audio when using other, more common codecs.
| Pros | Cons |
| Great sound | Transparency mode not too good |
| Provides support for Qualcomm’s aptX Adaptive and aptX audio codecs |
Apple AirPods (3rd Generation)
The new AirPods (3rd Gen) offer fantastic sound quality and come with a bunch of handy features. If you’re looking to upgrade from the previous AirPods, they deliver exactly what you’d expect, unless you’re someone who prefers in-ear tips. However, it’s important to be aware that some external sounds may still seep in when using them.
| Pros | Cons |
| Great Sound | There is no EQ adjustment |
| Deep, natural bass with crisp, clear highs |
Conclusion
In 2023, there are many different wireless noise-canceling earbuds available. These earbuds can suit various tastes and requirements. Whether you want earbuds that work well with your devices, provide great sound, or offer a mix of features, you can probably find a pair that will make your listening experience better. As technology keeps getting better, portable audio is always changing and improving, so we can look forward to more exciting things in the future.