In the hustle and bustle of modern life, Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) earbuds are, quite simply, a revelation! Imagine immersing yourself in the melodies of your favourite songs or getting lost in a thoughtful podcast without the intrusion of external noise—this is the beauty of ANC earbuds.
In an attention-demanding world, where our senses are constantly bombarded, owning a pair of ANC earbuds is a step towards crafting your own oasis of calm. Whether you’re a music enthusiast, a busy professional, or anyone in between, the allure of crystal-clear sound and peaceful isolation is undeniable.
But what do you need to look for in a pair of ANC earbuds? Which are the top models for each price range? If you’re asking these questions, this is the article for you! We’ll tell you everything you need to know about these incredible audio tech marvels, including the biggest features and benefits of ANC earbuds and everything you need to consider when choosing your perfect pair. We’ll also discover some of the very best models available right now.
What Is ANC in Earbuds?
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology is a revolutionary feature in personal audio. It’s like having your own personal sound bubble, where your audio entertainment takes centre stage and the outside world’s noise is reduced to a whisper. ANC earbuds achieve this by intelligently detecting external sounds and emitting counter frequencies to neutralise them.
But this isn’t just about enhancing your music experience. With these wonderful little devices, you can create a private audio environment wherever you go. Whether in a bustling city or a noisy office, ANC earbuds offer a gateway to your own audio nirvana, immersing you in pure, uninterrupted soundscapes.
How Does ANC Work?
ANC earbuds use microphones to pick up external sounds and generate inverse sound waves that cancel out these noises. With advanced algorithms and impressive processing power, they deliver near-perfect silence for the wearer. Some models also have multiple microphones, helping you fine-tune the noise cancellation and adjust it in real time based on your unique surroundings.
Pros and Cons of ANC Earbuds
Active Noise Cancellation has the power to transform your listening experience. Still, every silver lining has a cloud, and ANC earbuds are no exception. So, let’s explore all the pros and cons of incorporating ANC technology into your daily soundscape.
Pros
- Enhanced Listening Experience: By filtering out distracting background noise, ANC earbuds can seriously improve the quality of your audio experience. This allows you to better appreciate the nuances in your music or podcasts, even in noisy environments.
- Concentration Boost: By minimising ambient noise, ANC earbuds can help you focus better, whether you’re working, studying, or just immersing yourself in your favourite tunes. They’re like a ‘do not disturb’ sign for your ears!
- Stress Reduction: Noise pollution is a source of stress and fatigue, and it’s affecting more and more people —in fact, noise is a health problem for one in five EU citizens! ANC technology offers the chance to immerse yourself in a tranquil space, reducing the impact of environmental noise and potentially lowering stress levels.
Cons
- Battery Life: ANC earbuds require more power to run their active noise cancellation feature, which can lead to shorter battery life than non-ANC earbuds.
- Cost: The technology behind ANC usually makes these earbuds more expensive than their basic counterparts. This could be a deciding factor if you’re working with a limited budget.
- Sound Quality Trade-offs: While ANC can improve your overall listening experience by removing external noises, it can sometimes alter audio quality. Purists and audiophiles may argue that the sound is not as ‘true’ as it would be without ANC.
What to Look For When Buying ANC Earbuds
If ANC earbuds sound right up your street so far, you might be getting ready to start searching for your perfect set. But wait! Before you start browsing, let’s take a minute to understand exactly what you need to look for when picking the right ANC earbuds for you.
Key Features to Consider
- Battery Life: Look for ANC earbuds that perfectly balance effective noise cancellation and battery endurance. Models that offer a quick-charge feature can be game-changers, letting you plunge back into your sonic safespace with minimal interruption.
- Sound Quality: Modern audio technology has advanced rapidly in recent years, so high-fidelity sound is non-negotiable. Opt for earbuds that excel in noise cancellation but also deliver crystal-clear audio quality. You might even consider a model with customisable sound profiles so you can tailor the audio experience to your liking.
- Comfort and Fit: Since you’ll wear these earbuds for extended periods, comfort is key. Seek out designs that include various ear tip sizes or those made from memory foam to ensure a snug fit.
- Durability and Water Resistance: Life is unpredictable, and so is the weather. Earbuds equipped with water-resistant features can better stand the test of time, making them suitable companions for all your escapades.
- Connectivity: In the wireless era, seamless connectivity is a must. Ensure your ANC earbuds support the latest Bluetooth standards for quick pairing and a stable connection. Multipoint pairing is a bonus, allowing you to switch between devices effortlessly.
- Controls and Accessibility: User-friendly controls, whether touch-sensitive or via physical buttons, enhance your listening experience. Some earbuds also offer voice assistant integration, adding greater convenience to your day.
- Price vs. Quality: Balancing cost and quality is the final and often decisive factor. Investing in a more expensive pair often yields better noise cancellation, superior sound, and enhanced durability. However, there are also budget-friendly options out there that can perform remarkably well without breaking the bank.
Are ANC Earbuds Worth It?
In a word? Absolutely! Investing in ANC earbuds is a decision your ears will thank you for. More than just blocking out the outside world, they allow you to focus, relax, or simply enjoy your music to the fullest.
The beauty of ANC earbuds lies in their ability to adapt to your lifestyle. For the avid traveller, they become a shield against the hum of aeroplanes and trains, making your journeys more enjoyable. For the fitness enthusiast, they offer the motivation of crystal-clear tunes without the distraction of gym noises. And for the everyday user, they provide an escape, a way to momentarily step away from the demands of life and sink into a world of their choosing.
The latest ANC earbuds come equipped with some pretty magical features. You’ll find models that automatically adjust the level of noise cancellation based on your environment or even pick up a level of background ambient sound when you need to be aware of your surroundings.
The Best ANC Earbuds
With the huge number of options out there (and often high price tags to match), shopping for a pair of ANC earbuds can be pretty daunting. Whether you’re looking for exceptional sound quality, superior noise cancellation, or a snug and comfortable fit, this is a decision you just need to get right. Luckily for you, we’ve done all the hard work!
We recently released a deep-diving video that examines some of the very best models on the market—so good, in fact, that most of them are still at the top of their game today. So, let’s take a look at our list of the top choices in ANC earbuds, whatever your budget.
$$$: Bang and Olufsen BeoPlay EX – $399
When it comes to premium ANC earbuds, the Bang & Olufsen BeoPlay EX stand out – and not just because of their price tag! The BeoPlay EX showcases a sleek design with an aluminium ring and glass touch surface on the buds, complemented by a sturdy metal case. The touch controls are intuitive, offering the basics like play-pause, track control, and ANC mode toggle, along with the added convenience of volume adjustment. Importantly, battery life is outstanding – with ANC active, we managed close to 7.5 hours in our tests, surpassing the advertised 6 hours.
Pros
- Top-of-class IP57 water and dust-proof rating
- Android Swift and Microsoft Swift pairing
- Connect to two devices simultaneously
- In-ear sensors automatically pause and restart music when you remove and replace an earbud
- Incredible sound quality
- Beosonic disc sound customisation
- Excellent battery life
- Good, not great microphone performance
Cons
- Active Noise Cancellation performance is average at dealing with all but low frequencies
- Adaptive mode and wind reduction are ineffective
- Despite using premium materials, the design is fairly generic
- Glass surface is prone to fingerprints
- The charging case is quite bulky
- Earbuds have a tight seal that can become uncomfortable with extended use
- Users need to create an account to access the app
- Firmware updates take 30 minutes, and you have to keep the app open throughout!
$$$: Final ZE8000 MK2 – $399
We took an in-depth look at the first incarnation of the audiophile-friendly ZE8000 from Final Audio. We loved their incredible sound quality and comfort for long listening sessions, but we were less impressed by their ANC, transparency, and battery life. So, have the updated MK2s improved things?
Well, yes and no! Firstly, the sound is still incredible, even better than before. The depth and clarity offered by the ZE8000 MK2 earbuds are stunning, and they even support lossless audio formats for the very highest quality audio. Also in the plus column is improved ANC performance, now with better isolation than their predecessor. However, battery life is still average at best, coming in at around five hours, with another ten from the charging case.
Pros
- Outstanding audio performance
- Supports lossless audio formats
- Improved ANC performance
Cons
- ANC is still not as effective as other models
- Unimpressive battery
- Companion app isn’t particularly intuitive or reliable
$$$: Bowers and Wilkins PI7 S2 – $371
The 2nd gen Bowers and Wilkins PI7 S2 are quite the step up from the somewhat patchy performance of the original earbuds, but some things stay the same. Bowers and Wilkins give its audio products a consistent sound you love or hate – spiky trebles, hard-hitting big bass, and a super fun sound. At lower volumes, we think these are some of the nicest-sounding buds on our list. And with excellent comfort, a secure fit, and IP54 dust and water resistance, they’ll stay with you through the toughest workout.
Pros
- Reasonable ANC performance
- Built-in 3.5mm jack and transmitter in charging case
- Great microphone performance, even in noisy and windy conditions
- Quickly connect to previously paired devices in the app
Cons
- Average battery life (advertised at five hours, but we managed 4.5 in our tests)
- No EQ features to tune audio
- Limited on-device controls (no volume)
- Can only connect to one device at a time
- Transparency mode is passable at best (and only available in-app)
$$: Technics AZ80 – $298
We loved the Technics AZ80. Unlike some of the other entries in this list, the companion app is spectacular, with a huge number of customisation options—custom EQ, touch control customisation, tweakable ANC and transparency, voice prompt customisation, amendable latency, and the ability to decide what happens when you take the buds out of your ears!
Coupled with incredible connectivity (connecting to up to three devices at the same time) and a better-than-advertised battery life of six hours in our test, there’s plenty to love about these in-ears.
Pros
- Incredible companion app with spectacular customisation options
- Great multipoint connectivity
- IPX4 water resistance
- Incredible transparency mode
- Good microphone performance in noisy and windy conditions
Cons
- Audio performance not suited to all genres (particularly affecting rock and metal)
- The case doesn’t feel very solid
- Full LDAC audio coding is only available when connected to a single device
$$: Audio Technica ATH TWX9 – $299
Coming from Audio Technica, you know that the ATH TWX9 earbuds are going to do audio right. But the first thing that strikes you is the quite stunning design, with unique soft textures, a stylish shape, and five fancy LED lights making quite the first impression. And somewhat uniquely, these earbuds come with 12 different tip sizes, covering different widths as per usual, but also different lengths for different insertion depths.
But the design isn’t all aesthetics. With a physical button and a touch surface, you have good control options. But what’s even better is the companion app’s ability to customise every touch.
Pros
- Sleek, modern, and ergonomic design
- Great customisable control options
- Excellent audio quality
- Custom and preset EQ options
Cons
- Poor microphone performance
- Rigid ANC options with unspectacular performance
- Below average transparency
- Uninspiring battery life
$$: Apple AirPods Pro 2 – $250
Apple haters, look away now, but in all honesty, the Apple Airpods Pro 2 kill it. These buds tick a lot of boxes, starting with their insanely good active noise cancelling. Volume controls are a significant addition, and they are the only buds in this list that have top-tier ANC and transparency. You’ll hear very little white noise with these, making it possible to wear the Airpods Pro 2 for longer stretches of time.
Contrary to what Apple haters think, the AirPods Pro Gen 2 sound GREAT. Between the buds and the charging case, you’ll get up to 30 hours of battery life, which is just mad. They also come with Apple’s proprietary Spatial Audio, which works great for certain albums and contributes to the AirPods Pro 2’s excellent audio performance.
Pros
- Incredible battery life
- Top-of-the-class ANC and transparency
- Great audio quality with Spatial Audio
- Comfortable to use for extended periods
Cons
- So-so microphone performance
- Limited functionality outside the Apple ecosystem
- Bland and fairly uninspiring appearance
$: Oppo Enco X2 – $145
We may be going down in price, but that doesn’t mean we’re going down in quality! The Oppo Enco X2, in our opinion, offers some seriously S-tier sound – after a little tweaking. Firstly, you can choose between LDAC, LHDC and AAC codecs. Then, you’ll have to enable the Enco X Classic preset. Finally, do the “Golden Sound” hearing test, and then you’re all set to enjoy the incredible audio of these underdog buds. The Enco X2 are easily our favourite when it comes to treble, bass and soundstage performance (after those three adjustments). And how do they look and fit? Well, the looks aren’t much to write home about, but the fit is excellent, with great comfort and grip.
Pros
- Surprisingly good audio quality
- Great ergonomic design
- IP54 water and dust resistance
- Gaming mode for lower latency
- Fast charging case – five minutes of charge gives two hours of use
Cons
- Average ANC and transparency performance
- Worse-than-advertised battery life
- No custom EQ options
$: Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro – $159
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are certainly compact, fitting as well in your pocket as they do your ears. They also have a pretty unique look, which is great if you like your buds without their stems. With IPX7, you don’t need to worry about water splashes, and the fast charging function is very effective – five minutes of charging can provide one hour of use. Wireless charging is also available, along with in-ear sensors, multipoint connection across Samsung devices, 360 audio, and an experimental low latency mode.
Pros
- Compact design
- IPX7 water resistance
- Intuitive touch controls
- Excellent ANC and transparency
- Good background noise isolation on the microphone
Cons
- Poor microphone performance in windy conditions
- Need to pair with Samsung devices to maximise performance
- Buds are quite small and may not grip all ear shapes
- Average battery life
$: BeyerDynamic Free Byrd – $139
The cheapest option on our list, the BeyerDynamic Free Byrd earbuds offer a whole lot for a little bit of money! Starting with the superficial, the packaging and accessories are all on point. The product comes in a nicely packaged box with a good selection of tip options, including foam and silicone tips. The inclusion of different sizes and shapes is great for comfort.
During our test, we managed to get a battery life of just under eight hours with ANC and APTX Adaptive enabled. We also enjoyed a stable user experience, with a solid multipoint connection and a user-friendly, bug-free app. Extra freedom comes with all the extras like an in-ear sensor, Google fast pair and a low latency mode for gaming. Also, in terms of sound, you can complete a hearing assessment test and then move a slider to choose to what extent that applies to your listening experience.
Pros
- Great battery life
- Good companion app
- Impressive microphone performance in windy and noisy conditions
- Good choice of tips
Cons
- Audio performance isn’t for everyone
- Excessive volume jumps when increasing/decreasing levels
- ANC and Transparency are only ok
Final Thoughts on ANC Earbuds
So, that was our list of what we think are the top ANC earbuds you can buy right now. No matter your budget, if you love high-quality audio and want to step into the world of active noise cancelling, there’s an ANC earbud option out there for you – and we hope this guide can help simplify your search!
But did we miss some amazing ANC earbuds you can’t live without? Then let us know! Drop a comment below, or join the conversation on the DHRME YouTube channel!