Block out the world around you with these ANC wireless earbuds - Android - US apps and news

Block out the world around you with these ANC wireless earbuds - Android

«««««

»»»»»

True wireless earbuds have come a long way in the few short years they've existed, and now with so many options with ANC, it can be tough to decipher which are the best noise-canceling true wireless earbuds. Early offerings like the first-gen AirPods were expensive and lacked many features, but as time went on, prices went down, and additional features have been implemented — one of which is noise cancelation. True wireless earbuds that can block out ambient sound are more common than ever before, and today, we're highlighting six of our favorite ones — including the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds as our top overall pick. Here's a power-packed list of the best noise-canceling true wireless earbuds you can buy right now. Best Overall: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Bose has established a reputation for creating some of the best noise-canceling headphones on the market, and now, it's brought that same level of prowess to the earbud space. The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds have arrived, and t...

Best Overall: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds

Bose has established a reputation for creating some of the best noise-canceling headphones on the market, and now, it's brought that same level of prowess to the earbud space. The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds have arrived, and they're incredible.

Regarding noise cancellation, the QuietComfort Earbuds have 11 levels of the feature for you to play with. Whether you want to block out everything or just dull background sounds, you have that control. There's also a Transparency Mode, allowing you to easily hear everything around you even when you still have the earbuds on. When it comes to raw ANC power, it doesn't get much better than this.

Audio quality is top-notch (as you'd expect), with the QuietComfort Earbuds delivering audio that's super crisp and detailed. You can expect up to six hours of continuous battery life, the charging case allows for another 12 hours of use, and there's support for Qi wireless charging when you need to refuel. There's also an IPX4 rating, helping to keep the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds protected against rain or sweat.

So long as you're OK with the bulky design and very steep price, the QuietComfort Earbuds are a fantastic option.

Pros:

11 levels of noise cancellation
Crisp and detailed audio
IPX4 water-resistant
Six hours of continuous playback
Wireless charging

Cons:

Bulky design
Expensive

Best Overall

Bose QuietComfort Noise Canceling Earbuds

$279 at Amazon
$279 at Best Buy
$279 at Walmart

Block everything out

With 11 customizable levels and a Transparency Mode, the QuietComfort Earbuds are noise-canceling champs.

Best Alternative: Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro

Alongside the announcement of the Samsung Galaxy S21, the company also gave us the refreshed Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro. These earbuds were updated in nearly every way over their predecessors, and perhaps the most significant change is the inclusion of active noise cancellation.

Though this isn't the first time ANC was in a pair of the company's true wireless earbuds, Samsung Galaxy Buds Live got that honor — the ANC works pretty well given the unique shape of the Buds Live — on the Galaxy Buds Pro the feature works way better. The in-ear design allows for a better seal, yet because Samsung includes a vent, you don't get that plugged-up feeling when wearing the earbuds.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro also has a very clean and balanced sound profile outside of the active noise cancellation. You can make some adjustments within the app to better fit your preferences. Some other features include a transparency mode that can let in some outside noises. There's a voice detect option that will lower your music volume when speaking and speaking. These are a solid option if you are looking for great-sounding earbuds that have good ANC. With an IPX7 rating, these are also excellent for workouts.

Pros:

Fantastic sound
ANC works well in most situations
Very comfortable
Great option for workouts with an IPX7 rating

Cons:

Touch controls can be finicky
Transparency mode needs some improvements
Battery life could be better

Best Alternative

Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro Bluetooth Earbuds

$190 at Amazon
$190 at Best Buy
$190 at B&H

Going pro

A low-profile look with a clean, even sound profile and with the inclusion of a solid ANC system make for an excellent choice.

Best for Phone Calls: Jabra Elite 85t

Following up on the excellent Jabra Elite 75t, we now have the new and improved Elite 85t. Once again, Jabra proves that it's one of the best in the business right now when it comes to high-quality wireless earbuds.

The Elite 85t sound fantastic, delivering much more powerful audio compared to the 75t. Thanks to 12mm drivers in each earbud, the 85t play music with a wide soundstage and deep, yet accurate bass. The out-of-the-box listening experience is impressive enough on its own, but you can kick things up a notch by using the Jabra MySound+ app to fine-tune the EQ settings to your exact liking.

Jabra also killed it with the ANC performance of the 85t, managing to block out most background sounds with ease. Combine that with a comfortable design and a compact case that supports both USB-C and wireless charging, and there's not much to dislike. Battery life isn't the best we've ever seen, and having mono audio playback limited to the right earbud only is annoying. Still, the overall experience of the Jabra Elite 85t is not one you want to miss.

Pros:

Truly fantastic audio
ANC is very effective
Personalized EQ feature
Super comfy
Wireless and USB-C charging

Cons:

Average battery life
Limited mono playback

Best for Phone Calls

Jabra Elite 85t True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds

$230 at Amazon
$230 at Best Buy
$230 at Walmart

Another incredible option

Jabra's latest iteration of wireless earbuds comes in the form of the Elite 85t, which are outstanding in almost every way.

Best Value: Mpow X3

If you can't justify the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds' cost, check out the Mpow X3. Mpow may not be a household name, but the value and features you're getting with the X3 are hard to ignore.

Right off the bat, the Mpow X3 sound really good. They offer a big and balanced sound stage, big bass, and block out around 28dB of ambient noise so you can focus on your music. They're also backed by long battery life, getting up to 28 hours of total use between the earbuds and the included charging case.

There are capacitive touch areas on both earbuds, making it super easy to control your playback without touching your phone. You can also use these controls for controlling the ANC and prompting the voice assistant on your phone.

Pros:

Good sound with deep bass
Responsive touch controls
Charges via USB-C
28-hour total battery life

Cons:

Cheap charging case
Doesn't have wireless charging

Best Value

Mpow X3

$60 at Amazon
$54 at Walmart

Lots of features, lots of value

The Mpow X3 stands out as one of our top recommendations, offering a huge list of features at a wallet-pleasing price.

Best Premium: Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2

For shoppers that want to go all-out with some of the most premium wireless earbuds money can buy, the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 are bound to get your attention. We don't consider them to be the best overall pick given the enormously high price, but if sticker shock doesn't affect you, there's plenty to like.

Being audio gear from Sennheiser, it shouldn't come as any surprise that the Momentum True Wireless 2 sounds outstanding. With bass, mids, and treble that are all perfectly tuned, you end up with a listening experience unlike anything else. That's also accompanied by highly effective ANC, ensuring you can focus on your music and not distracting background noise. Similarly, Sennheiser includes a transparent hearing mode so you can stay in touch with the world around you when needed.

You can expect around 28 hours of total battery life between the earbuds and the included charging case, which features a gorgeous fabric finish that stands out from the competition. Sennheiser's touch controls are also pretty great, allowing you to control music playback, prompt your phone's voice assistant, or enable/disable ANC and the passthrough mode through various customizable touches.

It's a shame that Qi wireless charging isn't offered, given how much money Sennheiser is asking for the Momentum True Wireless 2. Still, that omission aside, this is a truly elite package in every other way.

Pros:

Sleek fabric case
Top-notch sound quality
Transparent hearing mode
Great touch controls
28-hour total battery life

Cons:

Doesn't have wireless charging
Extremely expensive

Best Premium

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 Bluetooth Earbuds

$250 at Amazon
$250 at Best Buy
$246 at Walmart

Go above and beyond

The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 aren't for everyone, but if you want a thoroughly premium experience, they deliver.

Best Premium Alternative: Sony WF-1000XM3

Should you be in a position where the money isn't an obstacle, and you want one of the very best wireless earbuds you can find, might we turn your attention towards the Sony WF-1000XM3. These are some of the most expensive earbuds of this form factor that you'll find, but the flagship experience they provide is well worth it.

A lot is going on with the WF-1000XM3, so here's the elevator pitch. These things sound outstanding. All of the earbuds on this list sound good, but the WF-1000XM3 kicks things up a notch with rich, powerful sound and some of the best active noise cancelation you can find. Battery life is also strong with a 24-hour total endurance, and when you need to top-up the charging case, it's done via USB-C.

Another win for the WF-1000XM3 is the gesture control. Take one earbud out of your ear, and the music automatically pauses. Put it back in, and the music resumes. It's a small thing, but in day-to-day use, it is one of those conveniences that's hard to live without once you've experienced it for yourself.

Pros:

Some of the best ANC you'll find
Outstanding audio quality
Reliable 24-hour battery life
Automatic play/pause gesture
Case charges with USB-C

Cons:

Lacks water-resistance
Charging case is huge

Best Premium Alternative

Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless Earbuds

$228 at Amazon
$230 at Best Buy
$190 at Walmart

Treat yo' self

You'll pay a pretty penny to own the WF-1000XM3, but if you have a flexible budget, these are among the best earbuds you can get.

Best Comfort: Samsung Galaxy Buds Live

If you've ever worn a pair of uncomfortable earbuds, you know just how irritating they can be on your ears. With the Samsung Galaxy Buds Live, that's not something you'll ever have to worry about. The Buds Live ditch the traditional earbud shape for something that looks a lot like a bean, and while it may be offputting at first glance, it actually works incredibly well.

Rather than forming a seal inside your ear, the Buds Live simply rests in the outer part of your ear. This means they cause little-to-no irritation after long listening sessions, don't give you that plugged up feeling other earbuds tend to be a victim of, and are an excellent fit for people who have a difficult time wearing "normal" earbud options.

That open design means Buds Live don't have the best active noise cancellation we've ever heard, but for low-frequency sounds like a dishwasher or air conditioner, they get the job done. They also sound incredible, have a reliable battery life, and offer many extra features through the free companion app.

Pros:

Unique shape is extremely comfortable
Fantastic audio quality
Microphones are very good
Lots of features in the companion app
Total battery life of 29 hours

Cons:

ANC isn't very strong

Best Comfort

Samsung Galaxy Buds Live True Wireless Earbuds

From $120 at Amazon
From $150 at Best Buy
$150 at B&H

Your ears will thank you

Good comfort is a huge factor when buying a new pair of earbuds, and in these regards, the Galaxy Buds Live come out on top.

Best Battery Life: Dyplay True Wireless Earbuds

Continuing with our recommendations, this next set of truly wireless earbuds comes from Dyplay. Right off the bat, Dyplay's buds caught our attention with the stark red loop against the black charging case. I'm not sure how useful this will be for you in day-to-day use, but it's a unique design choice that helps the package stand out.

Bluetooth 5.0 is available to give you a strong and reliable wireless connection, along with support for AAC and SBC audio codecs for great-sounding music. Dyplay's earbuds also offer some of the best battery life you'll find, featuring up to seven hours of continuous use with a total life of 45 hours when you factor in the charging case.

As long as you don't mind the lack of a proper water-resistance rating, these buds are worth a look.