The best noise cancelling earbuds for most people are sealed, in-ear models such as the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen), which lead Scorata’s ANC ratings. Budget and open-ear picks suit tighter limits, and sleeping needs a different checklist.
For the wider decision on fit, features and price, see how to choose wireless earbuds. This guide narrows that down to noise control and sorts earbuds by use.
Side-by-side comparison of noise cancelling earbuds
| Earbuds | Reported ANC performance | Planning use |
|---|---|---|
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) | Highest ANC attribute score in the category, 4.9; battery listed as a reviewer complaint | Choose for the strongest cancellation, and check battery hours before buying |
| Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5 | Handles commuting, aircraft rumble, offices and low-frequency noise very well | Suits frequent travellers and office workers |
| Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max | Repeated praise for commute, airplane, gym, household and street noise | Suits a mixed routine across several noisy places |
| Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro | Widely considered strong against steady travel, fan and city noise | Suits steady city and transit noise |
| Poly Voyager Free 20 | Effective for office chatter, engines, hums and daily commuting; transparency mode quality listed as a complaint | Suits office and daily commuting if you rarely use transparency mode |
| Sony WF-C710N | ANC the clearest consensus strength, described as unusually strong for budget earbuds | Suits buyers who want real ANC without flagship cost |
| Apple AirPods 5 | Open-ear ANC unusually effective against steady travel, street and office noise; trails sealed Pro-style earbuds in the loudest environments | Suits those who prefer an open-ear fit and moderate noise |
| Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE | One subway-focused test found ANC only barely adequate in very loud environments | Better for lighter noise than a loud subway |
| Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 | ANC depends on seal and struggles with wind and voices | Choose only if the fit seals reliably in your ears |
These observations come from Scorata’s active noise cancellation ratings, which summarise reviewer findings rather than a single lab test, so treat the ordering as a guide and not a ranking to the decimal.
Active cancellation versus passive isolation
Active noise cancellation (ANC) uses microphones and electronics to counter sound, while passive noise isolation is the physical block created by the ear tip sealing the ear canal. Good earbuds combine both, and a weak seal undermines the electronics.
What ANC does well
ANC works best on steady, repetitive sound. Reviewers summarised by Scorata describe the Apple AirPods 5 open-ear ANC as effective against steady travel, street and office noise, and the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5 as strong on low-frequency noise such as aircraft rumble. If your noise is an engine, a fan or a hum, ANC is the feature to pay for.
Where passive isolation takes over
Passive isolation matters most where ANC struggles. The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 is described as seal-dependent and weaker with wind and voices, which shows how a poor fit limits the electronics. The open-ear AirPods 5 trails sealed Pro-style earbuds in the loudest environments, so an open design is a trade for comfort and not the strongest option in a roaring subway.
The practical rule is simple. Pick ANC for constant background noise, and spend effort on fit for everything else, because sudden sounds and voices depend more on the seal than on the electronics.
Best noise cancelling earbuds for commuting
For commuting, sealed earbuds with strong ANC against steady transit noise are the safest choice. Several models are consistently praised for it in Scorata’s category summary.
- Strongest overall: the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) hold the highest ANC attribute score, 4.9. Its reviewer cons include battery, so check the listed hours against the length of your daily journey.
- Best for travel variety: the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5 handles commuting and aircraft rumble very well, and the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max earns repeated praise for commute, airplane, gym and street noise.
- Best for city noise: the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro is widely considered strong against steady travel, fan and city noise.
- Best for mixed office and commute days: the Poly Voyager Free 20 is effective for office chatter, engines and hums.
- Best budget pick: the Sony WF-C710N has ANC described as highly effective and unusually strong for budget earbuds.
If your commute is a very loud subway, be cautious with the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE, since one subway-focused test found it only barely adequate there. On a quieter bus or train it may be enough, and the saving can be worth it.
Best noise cancelling earbuds for sleeping
Sleeping changes the priorities. Comfort lying on your side and a stable, secure fit matter more than peak cancellation, so a small, low-profile earbud with comfortable ear tips is usually the better target.
Passive isolation still decides how much steady noise gets through, and ANC then handles hums such as fans, the type of sound reviewers say ANC counters well. Avoid bulky designs that press into the pillow, and test different ear tip sizes for a seal that stays comfortable over a long period. Open-ear fits such as the AirPods 5 are comfortable for some people, but they let more sound in than sealed earbuds in loud surroundings. Before committing, check the return window so a poor fit does not become a wasted purchase.
Ear tips, transparency mode and battery life
Three practical features separate earbuds that look alike on a spec sheet: ear tips, transparency mode and battery life.
Ear tips
Ear tips are the seal. Fit is a recurring complaint category: reviewers list ear tip fit as a con for the Sony WF-1000XM5. Try every supplied size and choose the one that blocks the most sound without discomfort, rather than defaulting to the pre-fitted tip.
Transparency mode
Transparency mode lets outside sound in through the microphones, which helps with announcements and crossing roads. Its quality varies, and the Poly Voyager Free 20 lists transparency mode quality as a con. If you switch it on often, treat it as a deciding feature, not an extra.
Battery life
Battery life is worth checking with ANC on, since that is how you will use these earbuds. Reviewers list battery as a con for the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen), so compare the maker’s stated hours with ANC on and off, and match them to your longest stretch between charges. A case that recharges the earbuds helps, but the earbud runtime sets how long one listening session lasts.
Which earbuds to choose
- Maximum cancellation: choose the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen), and confirm the battery suits your day.
- Frequent flyer or office worker: the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5 is described as handling aircraft rumble, offices and low-frequency noise very well.
- Tight budget: the Sony WF-C710N delivers ANC that reviewers rate as strong for its class.
- Open-ear comfort: the Apple AirPods 5 works for moderate noise, but expect weaker results than sealed earbuds in the loudest places.
- Sports and active use: the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 depends on a good seal, so try it before relying on its ANC.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best noise cancelling earbuds?
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) have the highest ANC attribute score on Scorata at 4.9. The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5, Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max and Sony WF-C710N are strong alternatives at different needs and budgets.
What is the difference between ANC and passive isolation?
ANC uses microphones and electronics to cancel steady noise, while passive isolation is the physical seal made by the ear tip. A poor seal weakens both, as seen with the seal-dependent Beats Powerbeats Pro 2.
Which are best for commuting?
Sealed models with strong ANC suit commuting best. The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5, Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max, Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro and Poly Voyager Free 20 are all praised for commuting or travel noise.
Is open-ear ANC as good as sealed earbuds?
Not in the loudest places. The Apple AirPods 5 is effective against steady travel, street and office noise, but it trails sealed Pro-style earbuds in the loudest environments.
Does transparency mode matter?
It matters if you need to hear announcements or traffic while wearing earbuds. Quality varies, and the Poly Voyager Free 20 has transparency mode quality listed as a complaint.
