The Best Noise Canceling Earbuds
In today's noisy, fast-paced world, finding the right time to enjoy your favorite album or podcast can be a challenge. That's why we recommend a quality pair of noise-canceling earbuds to anyone that wants a mental break from the cacophony of their daily commute. Noise cancelation works by emitting "phase-inverted" sounds in response to the incoming noises of your environment. These phase-inverted sounds essentially eliminate the waveform of the unwanted noise. The physics behind noise-canceling technology can get a bit complicated, but the important thing is that it works. Thus, we've scoured the market for the best of the best in noise-canceling earbuds. Read on to discover the option that's right for you and your budget.
Samsung Galaxy Buds Live
As Good As It Gets
Leave it to Samsung to make the best darn noise-canceling earbuds that money can buy. Of course, earbuds of this caliber come with a premium price. That being said, there are pricier options out there that offer essentially the same features and quality, so if the Galaxy Buds Live fit in your budget, we say go for it. The bass tones are powerful, the mids are spacious and natural, and the treble is crisp and clear. Seriously, with dynamics this immersive, you’ll wonder if you’re actually standing in the studio with the recording engineers. And, of course, the noise-canceling technology is super effective. You can turn it on or off with the tap of a finger and it will instantly block out all those distracting sounds. Turn that subway ride into a musical soundscape with the Galaxy Buds Live.
Pros
- Excellent sound quality
- The battery life is long-lasting and each earbud can last 8 hours on a single charge (the case also has a battery that can charge them, extending the full playtime to 29 hours)
- Available in four “mystic” colors to match your personal style
- Responsive touch controls
Cons
- Taking phone calls and using the microphone saps the battery fairly quickly
Mpow X3 Wireless Earbuds Active Noise Cancelling
The Magic Touch
Those that want the best in “Smart” touch controls should consider this slick pick from Mpow. The Mpow X3 sports a highly responsive and intuitive touch control, so you can change a range of settings with simple taps to the earbud. What’s more, there’s virtually no learning curve. The X3 comes with a clear-and-concise user manual that teaches you how to control volume, change music, make calls, enable the active noise-canceling, and even conjure up a voice assistant, all with the tap of a finger. Of course, we wouldn’t recommend wireless earbuds based on the controls alone. This option delivers high-def audio that’s crystal-clear and dynamic. Bass tones in particular are super strong through these little, unassuming earbuds, so if you want total freedom of control and complete musical immersion, go with the Mpow X3.
Pros
- Great value for the price
- Punchy bass tones
- Each earbud can play music for 7 hours on a single charge, while the case can provide another 23 hours of juice
- The touch controls are intuitive and easy to learn
Cons
- The active noise-canceling has to be enabled each time you take them out of the case, so it’s not automatic (though enabling it is easy)
MuveAcoustics Drive
Hard to Misplace, Easy to Afford
Not all of us are ready to make the jump to wireless earbuds and that’s okay. After all, not only are wireless earbuds more expensive, they can also be a short-lived experience for those of us that are prone to losing such little devices. Fortunately, wired noise-canceling earbuds are more affordable and harder to lose. MuveAcoustics knows what we’re talking about. These earbuds cost little more than the price of a cheese pizza, yet they offer premium noise-canceling technology and high-fidelity audio. In fact, the quality of these earbuds is likely to surprise you. Crystal-clear and dynamic, MuveAcoustics earbuds breathe new life into your favorite albums and podcasts.
Pros
- Comes with 3 pairs of ear cushions, so you can pick the right size for your ears
- The affordable price can’t be overstated
- The durable cable is flat, so it’s less prone to tangling
- They don’t require charging
Cons
- The noise-cancellation won’t make you feel like you’re in space, but it’s effective enough to make it through those noisy subway rides
TaoTronics SounderLiberty 94
Keep it Moving, Without the Distractions
Athletes that use music to help them get into the zone should consider this option from TaoTronics. Not only are they excellent all-around earbuds, but they offer durability and water-resistance that you won’t find anywhere else. They’re also slim and form-fitting, so they’ll stay put no matter how hard you push it at the gym or the track. And if they still manage to slip out of your ears, TaoTronics throws in three differently-sized ear tips to make sure you find the perfect fit for you and your ears. Better yet, the battery life is super long, with each earbud able to deliver 8 hours of playback. Plus, the case can extend the total playback time to 32 hours, so you can keep moving all day long.
Pros
- The high-fidelity sound is beautiful and really helps you get into the zone
- The active noise canceling is powerful and blocks out all noises under 35dB
- They pair with your device really quickly
- Has a water resistance rating of IPX5, so they can handle your sweaty workouts
Cons
- Not the most intuitive touch controls, but we got used to them pretty quickly
- The active noise-canceling can reduce battery life
EnacFire E60 Wireless EarBuds
Affordable Luxury
Another great option for those with active lifestyles, this one from EnacFire comes at a bargain price point. And although they might not boast the fanciest style or the most durable construction, they actually deliver surprisingly high-quality sound with deep bass and immersive dynamics. The E60s also feature one of the best form-fitting designs, and they will stay in place in your ear without falling out during even the most explosive of workouts. The ability to charge wirelessly is another bonus feature that proves that cheap doesn’t always mean crummy.
Pros
- Excellent bang for your buck
- The portable case can extend playback to as long as 48H
- With a water-resistance rating of IPX8, these things can handle splashes of water and raindrops
- Available in five different colors
Cons
- They stay in your ear really well, but some people might not like how deeply they enter the ear canal
Frequently Asked Questions
How does active noise-canceling work?
The earbuds on our list feature active noise cancelation which essentially eliminates low-volume and low-frequency noises from your ear. Each earbud is equipped with a microphone that picks up external noises. This microphone plays back these external noises through the speaker in your earbud. However, this audio is transmitted with an inverted waveform. In other words, the audio of the external world is intercepted and neutralized.
Will noise-canceling earbuds eliminate all sounds?
No, but they’ll do a pretty good job of reducing the low-frequency and low-volume noises of modern life. In fact, most of this technology has a noise gate that only “cancels” sound waves within certain frequencies and volumes. Engineers enable this noise gate partly due to the limitations of the hardware but also so that you’ll be sure to hear any important, loud sounds in your environment. For example, loud intercoms reporting a schedule change on your typical subway ride will likely still be heard through noise-canceling earbuds.
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With the constantly shifting landscape in the world of technology, GameRevolution seeks to provide gamers and tech-enthusiasts with the information they need to select the right products for their needs. Since 1996, our experts have used their knowledge on all the latest gadgets – everything from headphones to standing desks – to help millions of people navigate specs and answer common questions.