Best Noise Cancelling Earbuds In 2020 [ Updated List ]

We reviewed a good number of noise cancelling headphones for sleeping and most exhaustive list of noise cancelling devices months back. We got very good user response about the detailed article we featured. Many followers wrote back to us saying they wanted to know more about noise cancelling earbuds which may be used for sleeping or to get some quite time in noisy places like inside an aircraft. So, we reviewed some of the best products in this category and listed down following items which has good noise cancellation ability. Many buyers seem to fond of these as they are smaller compared to over the ear headphones and can be sleep with ease. We took some time to individually check them and here we present the best noise cancelling earbuds for different use & choice.

Our Top 20 Picks For Noise Cancelling Earbuds :

Bose Quiet Comfort 20 Acoustic Noise Cancelling Headphones – Best Noise Cancellation Earbud :

Bose is undoubtedly the leader in noise cancelling earphone segment. They continuously raised the bar and doing research and development to put latest acoustic electronics to achieve the active noise cancellation. The latest released bose QC 35 and earlier bose QC 15 both are noise cancelling over the ear headphone which were awesome in their design and noise cancellation ability. Now bose QC 20 is another awesome in-ear headphone but little pricey product from bose which is quite good in active noise cancellation. We bought a pair of it and tried to find what makes it an awesome product to have.

Noise Cancellation :

If you look at the price tag of the Bose QC20 earphone, the automatic question that will arise in your mind is whether it is prudent to buy this little expensive noise cancellation earphone. To tell the truth, if you forget about the noise cancellation part, Bose Quite Comfort 20 earphone itself is a class product to own. It can easily rank very high on the list of high quality ear phones for it’s highly impressive sound quality. Now coming back to the active noise cancellation, Bose QC20 does it best by a unique design. The special TriPort design makes enough space to include a pair of small microphones in this earphone. This highly sensitive microphones catch any ambient noise be it crowded street or aircraft engine sound and generates white noise to counter the ambient noise. Result is magnificent active noise reduction with premium quality sound output. When we tested this, we loved it because most of the active noise cancellation earphones create a humming sound when the active noise cancellation is ON. Bose QC20 Noise Cancellation Earbud is an exception in this and we loved it in all counts.  

Physical Design :

First of all we love the in-ear design of this product. Most of the noise cancelling earphones sit tight into the ear to make sure that less ambient noise passed inside. This is a physical design aspect to achieve better acoustic isolation. In case of Bose quite comfort 20, the ear phone attaches loosely to my ear and enough air can pass through. This helps to reduce sweating which I personally feel comfortable about. This weighs around 1.5 ounces and not at all bulky to carry when I am travelling.

On the design side it has bose’s signature triport design for better acoustic along with a pair of microphones to keep track of ambient noise. As usual the active noise cancellation is achieved by a exact opposite sound wave produced by the active noise cancellation circuitry. This is a proprietary chip designed by Bose.

QC 20 comes with three pairs of “stayhear” eartips which acts as a attaching mechanism to the outer ear and help the earphone to stay in place. The lithium ion battery is placed in the earphone control pod. I found that it can be quickly charged with a Micro-USB cable and for me it gives a back up of around 15 hours in breeze. All in all this is quite a premium product for having an peaceful session with your favorite music if you can afford the price it commands.

Key features :

  • Industry best triport design for active noise cancellation.
  • Designed to withstand sweat and dust.
  • Stay hear plus tips included for enduring comfort for long use.
  • Ideal companion for iPhone / iPad / iPod.

Audio-Technica ATH-ANC23 – Best Noise Cancelling Earbud for Office / Professional Use :

Audio Technica is for users who loves to wear a decent noise cancelling earphone product with relatively low price. This is a competitively priced earphone with only wired mode. Let us check together what Audio-Technica offered at this price range and whether it is worth to try this headphone.

Noise Cancellation :

The in ear noise cancellation is achieved by the special eartip design. The in ear asymmetrical gel like eartip helps me to put the earphone intact in my ear and create a good noise isolation. The ANC unit with the product has a catchy name – “QuitePoint noise cancelling switch box”. This unit contains everything for the active noise cancellation. The size of this unit is small, more like a cigarette lighter. Inside this I put a single AAA battery and that’s it. It is ready to do the magic. I made the ANC “on” and then played my favorite number. I found quite clear and crisp sound quality through out with minimal ambient disturbance.

Physical Design :

The build quality of Audio-Technica ATH-ANC23 is quite sturdy. The exterior is made of high quality strong plastics. The noise cancelling box is noticeable but does not create an issue if you are not participating in body contact game. The box is small and more importantly contains rechargeable AAA batteries. So, I have the flexibility to change it anytime and replace.

Overall this is a very good value for money product. If you have a tight budget and still wants a very good noise cancelling in-ear headphone with decent sound quality then just go for it.

Key features :

  • Replaceable rechargeable AAA battery.
  • Strong exterior built.
  • Very good Active noise cancellation.
  • Cheap price.

Cowin HE8D – Best Cheap Noise Cancelling Earbud :

The Cowin HE8D is made with advanced noise cancelling technology that integrates a hybrid sound system of balanced and dynamic armature drivers with HD high-fidelity sound. The earbuds are specially engineered with extra soft protein leather ear caps that fit snugly in your ears for long hours of fatigue-free listening. The Cowin HE8D is a Bluetooth earphone which operates wirelessly. It has an impressive bass and can reproduce sounds and acoustics with high precision. The earbuds are made with sophisticated sweat-proof material and designed for magnetic charging. They are lightweight, durable and easy to handle.

Noise Cancellation :

Cowin HE8D has a very good active noise cancellation mechanism which helps to nullify engine noise inside a aircraft or ambient noise in a crowded place. It has a good noise cancellation response at 28db for frequency range from 20 Hz to 2000 Hz. You should not expect complete noise reduction to zero but rest assured the ambient noise reduced to bare minimum to give you enough peace or enjoy the music track you love.

Physical design :

The Cowin HE8D is equipped with dual 1.57 inch drivers with Liquid Crystal Polymer diaphragm which optimizes heavy beats and is capable of delivering frequency beats up to 40kHz. The earphones produce distinct life-like sound at all volume levels with crisp high notes and a nuanced mid-range. The Cowin HE8D makes watching shows on Netflix and listening to music truly enjoyable. The earbuds are perfect for gym workouts as they have Liquipel Nano Coating protection against sweat and water damage. The Cowin HE8D comes with OTG magnetic charging which enables the user to charge the earphone with the help of any device that has a micro USB port. Three sizes of ear tips are included in the kit: small, medium and large. The device has an 18-month manufacturer warranty. The HE8D only operates wirelessly via Bluetooth. It is not a wired device.

Key features:

  • Active noise cancelling earphones
  • Bluetooth wireless earphones
  • Water-proof

Shure SE535-V – Noise Cancelling Earbud with Best Build Quality :

The Shure SE535-V noise cancelling earbuds are equipped with triple high definition micro drivers that deliver rich sound with resounding bass. The earphones are made with gold-plated 3.5mm MMCX connectors which can be rotated 360ᵒ for comfortable in-ear fit. It has a lock-snap function that enables the listener to adjust the ear pieces in the ear. The Shure SE535-V is primarily a wired device but you can also operate it wirelessly via the Bluetooth cable RMCE-BT1 which is available for sale separately.

Noise Cancellation :

Shure SE535-V is not essentially a pure active noise cancellation earbud. The ability to isolate the sound producing speakers from ambient noise and create strong, crisp sound is the spatiality of Shure SE535-V. Active noise cancellation technology eliminates up to 37dB of ambient sound to make the in-flowing audio more intelligible and enhance listening experience.

Physical design :

The Shure SE535-V ANC earphones are fitted on each side with one tweeter and two woofers for extra sound detail and clarity. Both flex and foam noise reducing sleeves are included in the kit. Foam ear tips expand inside the ear once inserted and fit compactly in your ear passage. The device includes a detachable 64” cable with wireform fit. The Shure SE535-V is available in three shades: transparent, bronze and red (limited edition). The box contains a sleeve fit kit, adapters, cleaning tools, protective case and an instructions manual.

Key features :

  • Wired active noise cancelling earbuds
  • Triple HD micro drivers
  • 360ᵒ rotatable audio connectors
  • Can function wirelessly with separate Bluetooth enabled cord

Libratone Q Noise Cancelling Earbud – Ultimate choice for Apple / iOS device :

The Libratone Q Adapt Lightning active noise cancelling earphones are excellent wired earphones crafted specifically for iOS devices and powered by the Lightning connector of Apple devices. There is no need for a separate battery. Just plug in and play. The earphones feature 4 levels of noise reduction. You can decide how much outside sound you want while listening to music and other things on your headphones. The Libratone Q offers a staggering 52 hours of battery life once fully charged.

Noise Cancellation :

There are few active noise cancelling earbuds truly designed for Apple iPhone or other Apple products. Libratone Q is one of them. The special feature which makes it premium, is the ability to adjust the amount of noise cancellation you want. Starting from Level 1 up to Level 4 of noise cancellation can be achieved. Level 1 is the most basic, where you can still get around 80% of ambient sound. In level 4, you can experience a reduction of 100% ambient noise.

Physical design :

The Libratone Q Adapt are USB Type-C headphones. It has ergonomically shaped earpieces for perfect in-ear fit. It has a four-button remote for play, pause, volume control, track change, answering calls, turning on the ‘Hush’ function and accessing CityMix (adjustable noise control feature). There is an in-built microphone and the cords are tangle-free and lightweight. Ear tips come in three sizes: small, medium and large. The device can also be controlled via the Libratone mobile app. It comes in four exciting colors and includes a protective pouch.

Key features :

  • In-ear wired active noise cancelling earbuds
  • Designed specifically for iOS devices
  • Powered by Lightning connector
  • 4 levels of noise control

Polk Audio 6000i Noise Cancelling Earbuds – Best Light Weight Design:

If you are looking for an active noise cancellation earphone with good bass and an affordable price, then Polk Audio 6000i is probably the right answer. There are couple of reasons why we loved it and then there are couple of problem as well. The best thing we loved about Polk Audio 6000i is the light-weight design with around 11 ounces in actual weight. During our evaluation test we loved to wear Polk Audio 6000i for it’s comfort and hence this noise cancellation earphone is in this list. Let us check together how this performs for active noise cancellation.

Noise Cancellation :

This in-ear headphone senses the ambient sound really well and create the noise cancelling waveform to counter that. The earphone’s good exterior construction and thick cable gives a feel of longevity. In fact during my use I found that Polk Audio 6000i is capable to withstand rough use well. I found distinctive Left and Right signage in the earphones very useful. It helped me to put the earphone correctly. The polished matte finish black and contrast metal finish earpieces looks quite a different from the standard products in the market.

Physical Design :

I found that the earbud is really comfortable when I use it indoor in a leisure mood or outdoor in a busy street. Thanks to it’s multiple pair of soft stayfit silicone tips, flange silicone tips and memory foam tips. All these accessories are so indispensable and I am sure one of the pair will surely fit your ear and gives you enough comfort in indoor and outdoor activities.

I found that the cable of 56 inches is long enough to use it during day to day activities. Probably the most unique feature I like is the “Push-to-hear” ambient control button. I personally never liked the idea that when I am using an active noise cancelling earphone, I need to put down the earpiece every time, when someone approaches me to say something. Polk Audio Ultrafocus 6000i wins my heart for this. All I did was switching on the push-to-hear control to minimize the ANC and let the ambient sound come in the earphone, so that I can also hear it whenever needed. Is not this a really helpful feature ? Other than that in the control you will find a volume adjustment option and a LED to show the AAA battery life.

All in all a good sound quality with better than average active & passive noise cancellation helped Polk Audio Ultrafocus 6000i to be placed high in this list. We hope that you will also find this product good to use for day to day activity.

Key features :

  • Included female-to-male cable, cable shirt clip, travel case for carry.
  • Built-in mic and remote for Apple devices.
  • Sound sensitivity up to 115 DB.
  • Dynamic balance driver gives full frequency range sound with minimal distortion.

Huawei 185 Noise Cancelling Earbuds – Best Comfort & Looks :

Huawei designed this active noise cancelling headphone with a distinct view towards providing maximum design quality and best comfort. What we liked about Huawei 185 Noise Cancelling Earbuds is the premium look it has. You can use this earbud with an iPhone and this earbud does not look cheap at all. Most importantly it comes with in a price tag of less than 100 dollars.

Now let us check some more details of it’s features –

Noise Cancellation :

First of all the in built active noise cancellation mechanism makes sure you are at complete peace in a flight or making your way in a busy street. The noise cancelling unit is packed in a small rectangular shaped body which of same metallic gold color as the earphone. The ANC performance is fine for a steady source of noise such as jet engine. But if you want to put it in a party where noise is more of random with many people talking together, you can not achieve complete silence. But as we all know that ANCs can not offer perfect noise cancellation in all situations always. Having said that Huawei 185 Noise Cancelling Earbuds are good in noise isolation in most of the daily use situations.

Physical Design :

Huawei ships three pairs of soft silicone tips for this earphone and I am sure, any one of it will perfectly fit in your ear. The one which I bought from amazon was nicely fit into my ear and I found that the medium sized eartip was the perfect match for my use. The other accessories you will find is a 3.5 mm USB charging adapter. You can charge the battery of the ANC from a Huawei phone but it is better that you keep the charging unit handy for use.

Last but not the least is the sound quality everyone wants to check before purchasing an earphone. This is the area Huawei AM185 earphone shines above many products. The Bass is quite rich and strong in most of the frequency ranges. The only area I felt little doubtful is the high frequency range, where I think there could be more detailing to the sound produced but overall quite satisfactory performance by this Huawei product. I checked Huawei information website and found that the dual driver technology along with balanced armature driver delivers the high quality audio that we are praising of Huawei. On a final note, I was quite impressed when using this product and would highly recommend if some one wants to check a sub $100 product.

Key features :

  • Dual driver to produce premium sound quality.
  • Comfortable wear.
  • Around 6 hours of battery life for daily use.

Sennheiser CXC 700 – Best Travel Companion Noise Cancelling Earbud :

The Sennheiser CXC 700 in-ear noise isolating earbuds are a good option if you are looking to buy earphones in this category. It is built with advanced Digital NoiseGardTM that has three levels or modes of noise reduction. It has TalkThrough feature which turns off active noise cancellation and mutes the in-flowing audio to allow the user to communicate without taking off the headphones. The Sennheiser CXC 700 has a bulky battery compartment that can be clipped to your upper garment with the help of the included clip. The CXC 700 runs on AAA batteries and lacks a rechargeable battery option. But that is good if you want to carry it for travel and trekking.

Noise Cancellation :

Sennheiser CXC 700 runs on an advanced digital technology called NoiseGardTM. The speciallity of this is to give 3 level of noise cancellation. Starting at level 1, primarily the cancellation knocks out the low frequencies. And then at level 2 & 3 it achieves more. With level 3 cancellation, you can simply achieve more than 90% active noise cancellation. The best part is, you can compare the noise cancellation quality at par with Bose QC20 and other class products.

Physical design :

The Sennheiser CXC 700 is equipped with three unique noise reduction modes and TalkThrough function. It gives the user the flexibility to adjust the inflow of ambient sound. It has a wired connection with a 3.5mm audio jack. The earbuds have an in-built microphone and are powered by AAA batteries. The in-ear design seals off the ear passage and keeps out surrounding distortions.  There are controls on the cord for volume change and for activating ANC. The Sennheiser CXC 700 lacks iPhone controls. The package includes three sizes of silicone ear pieces, one triple A battery, a earphone jack adapter, a carrying pouch and an airplane adapter. The earphones are slightly on the heavier side, weighing around 272 grams.

Key features :

  • Three modes of noise reduction
  • TalkThrough feature
  • Bulky battery compartment
  • Wired active noise cancelling earbuds

AKG K391NC – Best Noise Cancelling Earbud for Video & Conference Calling :

The AKG K391NC is a high-performance in-ear active noise cancelling headphone. It has an in-built microphone and universal in-line single button for mic and remote control. It comes with a detachable audio cable which facilitates quick and easy connection with a wide range of audio and video sources. The earphones are compatible with almost all kinds of smart phones and can be linked via the universal remote. The AKG K391NC can operate without power in passive mode with the audio bypass cable. The earphones have a closed-back design that ensures noise from the environment does not interfere with your music and also prevents the audio playback from escaping into the outside world. The excellent call quality with universal compatibility with any mobile phone gives AKG K391NC a distinct position as best noise cancelling earbud for calling. 

Noise Cancellation :

The AKG K391NC is a wired earphone with ANC technology. Active noise cancellation works by generating a second sound wave that has an opposite or inverted phase but same amplitude as the incoming ambient sound wave. The two waves merge and cancel each other out by a phenomenon called destructive interference. This filters out ambient noise and makes your music listening experience more enjoyable and free of disturbances.

Physical design :

The AKG K391NC has a frequency range of 12Hz to 24kHz. It has a brushed metal finish with grey earpieces and a black cord. The AKG K391NC is easy to carry around and handle. It is travel and workout-friendly. It has three sizes of silicone ear sleeves for exact fit. The in-line controls have buttons for answering calls, play/stop function but lacks volume control. The kit contains a flight adapter for accessing in-flight entertainment, a USB cable for charging, two cables for connecting with different smart phones and a protective fabric carrying pouch.

Key features :

  • Wired in-ear active noise cancelling earphones
  • Closed back design
  • Universal in-line single button for mic and controls
  • Stylish brushed metal finish

Phiaton BT 220 NC – Most Durable Noise Cancelling Earbud :

The Phiaton BT 220 NC noise isolating earbuds have been voted the best Bluetooth 4.0 earphones with microphone and AptX codec. Convenient Multi-user Connectivity lets you link the earphones to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. The Phiaton BT 220 NC has Near Field Communication (NFC) which allows easy and fast pairing with other NFC-enabled devices by tapping the device on the BT 220 NC dongle. Active noise cancellation technology reduces surrounding sound by 95% to make the sound flowing in from the earpieces more distinct and detailed. The Phiaton BT 220 NC has 14.3mm drivers and a frequency response of up to 27kHz.

Noise Cancellation :

Phiaton BT 220 NC has a very good noise cancelling ability which can be easily compared with the likes of Bose QC20 we discussed in this list. Though Bose QC20 noise cancelling earbud is one of the most sophisticated and state of the art item, still Phiaton BT 220 NC comes really close to it with ability to neutralize 95% of ambient noise perfectly.

Physical design :

The biggest advantage of the Phiaton BT 220 NC is its long-lasting battery. Once fully charged, it can play movies and music for 17 hours non-stop, and give 16 hours of uninterrupted calling time. At standby, it can last approximately 300 hours. The Phiaton BT 220 NC is built with CVC acoustic technology which ensures your phone conversations are 100% intelligible and distortion free, making every word clearer. The earphone also has EverPlay-X technology which lets you continue to listen to music or speak on the phone using the included microphone cable even when the battery is running low or if your audio device lacks Bluetooth capability. The box contains a USB charging cable, carrying case, an audio cable, ear tips in 4 sizes and a pair of comply foam tips.

Key features :

  • Extra-long battery life
  • Bluetooth cum wired earphone with mic
  • NFC, EverPlay-X technology

Harman Kardon Soho II Noise Cancelling Earbud – Best For Workout Time :

The Harman Kardon Soho II active noise cancelling earbuds combine comfort with improved sound quality. It cancels out noise interference from the environment using new-age noise reduction technology. The earphones are fitted with two 9 mm Harman Kardon drivers that ensure fatigue-free listening. The earphones are lightweight, and travel and workout-friendly. It has an in-ear design for a secure fit. The Harman Kardon Soho II comes with a built-in on-cable microphone and in-line remote control for volume, track change and a button for answering phone calls.

Noise Cancellation :

Harman Kardon Soho II active noise cancellation earbuds are new addition to our list considering the comfort it gives to the listener during a long session. Though up to the mark, the noise cancellation is not top notch if compared with Bose or AKG products. The noise cancellation is achieved by forward feeding through a mic which catches the ambient sound and then feed it to the noise cancelling white noise producing circuit. We found that the mic is little small in size considering other similar ANC earphones. May be the smaller size & design is the reason to get less efficiency for noise cancellation. But all in all look wise and sound performance is quite good for Harman Kardon Soho II, so if noise cancellation is a secondary requirement, then go buy it.

Physical design :

The Harman Kardon Soho II are a smartly designed wired noise isolating earbuds. It has a stainless steel body with black accents and gold-plated connectors. It has a 3.5mm audio jack and runs on rechargeable lithium ion batteries. When fully charged, it can last up to 35 hours of continuous noise cancelling playback. The package contains a stylish carrying pouch, a retractable cord, an in-flight adapter and a detachable cable 1.65 m in length. It has a minimum frequency response of 12Hz and a maximum of 24KHz. The device can be charged via the micro USB port. The ear tips are ergonomically designed and inspired by patent Freebit ear tips.

Key features :

  • Wired in-ear active noise cancelling earbuds.
  • Runs on rechargeable batteries.
  • Up to 35 hours of battery-life.
  • Travel-friendly design.

Meidong HE8 Noise Cancelling Earbuds :

There are buyers who can not compromise on sound quality of a earphone for anything else. We think if you are in that league then go for Meidong HE8 Noise Cancelling Earbuds. We tried to test this earbud during my journey in a flight, I got amazed by the level of ambient sound cancellation this earphone achieved. I can clearly hear every tone and details of the music with minimal noise distraction from the outside. I found that this is quite suitable to wear for a brisk run in a crowded street. First of all the good design with multiple silicone eartip size option makes sure that it does not fall from my ear and quality noise isolation technology creates very soothing experience for me in the street. The sound performance is above average with detailed and clean coverage on complete frequency ranges. If you want to play an action packed movie or a live Pop concert in your mobile device, then Meidong HE8 Noise Cancellation earbud can make enough bass to make it enjoyable. All in all we are very impressed by the outcome.

Noise Cancellation :

For the buyers who love to check the data, this earphone can cancel up to 32 DB of ambient noise and it achieves this by using a special chipset – AMS3421. The excellent noise cancellation capability helps reducing the ambient noise through ANC and enhances the output sound quality. The long battery backup of the earbud helps to achieve active noise cancellation of 10 hours. If you turn on the ANC during music play time, then the standard battery longevity is around 7 hours with normal volume. The ability of Meidong HE8 to cancel 32db of ambient noise helps to achieve a pristine sound output when the ANC is on. This is undoubtedly a very good option as far as noise cancelling earbuds are concerned.

Physical Design :

Meidong HE8 earbuds are really light weight at around 15 grams and very comfortable to wear. The specially manufactured ear wing has an ergonomic design which helps the pair attach in your ears easily. The earbud is made of silicone with special softness to give much comfort. We found that there are more than one in-ear earplug with different sizes. So, rest assured you will get a fitting one for your ear.

Key features :

  • Quality sound with high performance active noise cancellation.
  • 4.1 bluetooth compatibility with aptX streaming.
  • Ultra soft silicone earbuds with three different size option to fit in.
  • Light weight.

Sony WF-1000X – The Best Wire-free Noise Cancelling Earbud :

The Sony WF-1000X wireless active noise cancelling earbuds offer comfortable hands-free listening minus the hassle of wires. It is Bluetooth enabled and does not have wires connecting the two earbuds. You can operate the device through the Sony headphone Connect mobile app. It is compatible with both iOS and Android devices and features Smart Auto-settings and Smart Listening that keeps out ambient noise to enhance your music listening and movie watching experience. One important feature of the Sony WF-1000X is that you can select important ambient sounds that you need to hear such as traffic sounds while driving, even when the ANC is switched on.

Noise Cancellation :

Sony WF-1000X has a decent noise cancellation ability. When we tested the pair, we did not find anything too extraordinary as per Sony’s standard. We would rather say it does very good noise isolation with excellent adaptive noise reduction. In the adaptive mode, this earbud can sense your surroundings and tried to change the equalizers to match the best noise cancellation possible. In a busy street or inside a subway this mechanism comes very handy as you do not have to adjust the noise cancellation to get the optimum sound quality. All in all, if you are fine with better than normal noise isolation with a complete wireless earbud, then Sony’s WF-1000X is obviously worth a look.

Physical design :

The Sony WF-1000X has a truly minimalistic and futuristic design with inbuilt antenna and ear hooks for added support. The device fits snugly and compactly in your ear canal and stays there securely so you can enjoy hours of relaxed and wire-free listening. The Sony WF-1000X has a unique charging system. The earbuds are accompanied by a chargeable carrying case which once 100% charged provides 9 hours of battery life. You can listen to three hours of music non-stop per full charge and 75 minutes with a 15-minute quick charge. So all you have to do to charge your earphones is place them inside the hard carrying case with in-built lithium ion battery for a quick charging on the go. The Sony WF-1000X has two 6mm drivers and internal microphone for easy hands-free calling. The package contains a USB cable, three pairs of ear buds of different sizes, a hard carrying case and an instructions manual.

Key features :

  • Completely wire-free and wireless earphones
  • Active noise isolating earbuds
  • App controlled
  • Android and iOS compatible
  • Comes with a portable chargeable carrying case with in-built battery.

TaoTronics TT-BH06 – Best Sports Noise Cancellation Earbud :

The TaoTronics TT-BH06 Sports Earbuds combines state-of-the-art noise cancellation technology and smart ear piece design to offer superior listening experience. The TaoTronics TT-BH06 is one of the best noise isolating earbuds designed for crystal clear dialogues and vocals with balanced sound effects. It boasts the latest CVC Noise Cancellation 6.0 technology and is Bluetooth enabled. Its unique unobtrusive design keeps it out of your way while you are jogging, running or working out in the gym. It has a relaxed fit and lets you enjoy hours of hands-free cellular conversation.

Noise Cancellation :

The latest TaoTronics TT-BH06 Sports Noise Cancellation Earbuds boasts of state of the art CVC noise cancellation 6.0 technology which reduces ambient noises significantly without much distortion to your original track. With the active noise cancellation on, you can virtually worry free and enjoy your play time with minimal background noise.

Physical design :

The TaoTronics TT-BH06 earphones, once fully charged, are capable of functioning non-stop for up to 5 hours. It has twin audio drivers with CVC Noise Cancellation 6.0 technology that limits ambient noise for greater audio clarity and loudness. The TT-BH06 has Bluetooth which makes it very flexible. You can watch your favorite shows and movies and listen to music simply by connecting the earphones wirelessly to any Bluetooth enabled device like smart phones, tablets, etc. The earphones have Aptx codec which ensures uninterrupted Bluetooth transmission and clearer sound. It comes in three color options: white, black and green. There are three sizes of ear hooks for clipping the device to your ear, and three different sizes of ear tips for getting the right fit. The TT-BH06 can be charged via micro USB and a cable is included in the kit. A button for volume control and track change is provided on one of the earpieces.

Key features :

  • Bluetooth enabled wireless earphones
  • Up to 5 hours of non-stop play
  • Ear hooks – 3 sizes
  • Ear tips – 3 sizes

Mighty Rock HE8G Noise Cancelling Earbud :

The Mighty Rock HE8G active noise cancelling earbuds deliver disturbance-free sound with added comfort. Latest 4.1 bluetooth protocol to pair up and in-built mic gives it much needed hands free use which makes it more lovable by the users. These Bluetooth earphones enable fast pairing with other Bluetooth enabled devices like smart phones and laptops. The Mighty Rock HE8G is fitted with a mic, supports AptX codec and has a frequency range of 20Hz to 2000Hz. Charging is done via OTG charging cable or lithium battery. It weighs only 15 grams and fits compactly in your ear passage.

Noise Cancellation :

Mighty Rock HE8G noise cancelling earbuds has a special in built chip AMS AS3421 which has the ability to reduce ambient noise up to 32 db. The antiphase white noise generated by this chip makes the ambient noise drop in the listener’s ear and giving a peaceful soothing noise cancellation experience. We paired up with active noise cancellation turned on in a busy street and when we started playing a music number from Bryan Adams, it feels that we are in a live concert. Mighty Rock HE8G creates really good noise isolation compared to it’s competition. If turned on the ANC, then the battery life lasts for 11 hours without playing any music.

Physical design :

The Mighty Rock HE8G is designed for comfortable listening and easy hands-free conversation. The light weight, sleek and beautiful design makes it really comfortable to wear for long period of time without feeling any fatigue in your ear. The earphones are ideal for listening to music while travelling, exercising and doing other household activities. Battery lasts up to 5 hours for music listening. The Mighty Rock HE8G has a built-in microphone and can be charged using a micro USB port via charging cable. You can even use your phone to charge the device. The pack includes three pairs of ear tips: small, medium and large. It contains a protective covering case and an OTG charge cable.

Key features :

  • Bluetooth earphones
  • Active noise cancelling earbuds
  • Noise reduction up to 32dB
  • Ear tip in 3 sizes

Sony MDR NC 300D Active Noise Cancelling Earbud :

The Sony MDR NC 300D earphones boast active digital noise cancellation of up to 98.4% of ambient sound. It reduces the effects of noise from the environment, making the audio clearer, louder and more enjoyable. It has ergonomically designed earbuds that fit vertically and compactly in your ear canal. The headphones are fitted with 16mm drivers and feature three adjustable sound modes: normal, movie and bass. It has a controller that houses the battery, Monitor button and power, volume and sound mode controls. It is powered by AA batteries and has a maximum battery life of 20 hours.

Noise Cancellation :

The Sony MDR NC 300D digital active noise isolating earbuds employ state-of-the-art ANC technology to reduce distortions caused by surrounding ambient noise. The ANC apparatus produces a second sound wave that has an inverted phase but the same amplitude as that of the ambient sound. These two sound waves merge to form a new sound that is free of distortions and smoother. This mechanism which is applied across all noise cancelling devices is called destructive interference. Sony MDR NC300D earbuds has a 3 step noise cancelling mechanism where you can adjust the level of ambient noise you want to filter out. Though it has less battery life to offer, along with excellent noise cancellation ratio at 98.4% and excellent sound quality Sony MDR NC 300D is a classy choice for the music enthusiast.

Physical design  :

The durable design along with portability makes Sony MDR NC 300D a instant choice for many buyers. The Sony MDR NC 300D runs on standard alkaline AA batteries and cannot be operated with rechargeable batteries. The battery case is fairly bulky and lacks a shirt clip. This means you will have to keep it in your shirt pocket so that it does not dislodge the earbuds from your ears. The package includes a leather carrying case, silicone ear tips of seven different sizes in different colors, 6-M extension cord, one AA battery, an airplane adapter and cord adjuster.

Key features :

  • Wired in-ear active noise cancelling earbuds.
  • Up to 98.4% noise elimination.
  • 20-hour battery life.
  • Three sound modes: normal, movie and bass.

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There are couple of more products really worth looking when you are searching for a good active noise cancelling earbud. Though not in our above product list, still we highly recommend these products for a choice.

Leophile Zero – Best Noise Cancelling Earbud with Amazing Battery Backup :

The Leophile Zero active noise cancelling earbuds with Bluetooth are versatile dual action earbuds with both wired and wireless functionality. It is accompanied by an audio cable for dedicated wired listening while the in-built Bluetooth enables you to connect and play the device wirelessly. The Leophile Zero brings the best in headphone design with a lightweight and sturdy leather neckband designed for reducing pressure on your ears and offering long hours of comfortable hands-free listening and cellular calling. The earphones also feature incoming call vibration so you do not miss a single call.

Noise Cancellation :

Couple of unique things together make Leophile Zero a very sought after active noise cancelling earbud. First of if you need long hours of peace in a long distance flight, then battery power can become an important issue. 20 hours of single recharge battery means you can reduce ambient noise for long time. Also the ability of Leophile Zero earphone to cancel out low frequency noises so effectively, makes it a very good option. Though in our testing we found this earphone is not 100% effective to reduce environment noise, but there are very few earphone in the market which can reduces noise completely. Also Leophile Zero, gives one of the best in class sound output when ANC is on. Considering all these, we picked Leophile Zero as one of the best earbud with noise cancellation ability.

Physical design :

The Leophile Zero with Bluetooth and in-built microphone is one of the most effective active noise isolating earbuds around. They apply advance ANC technology to convert ambient sound to distortion-free sound. There is a separate button for switching on and switching off the ANC feature. The headphones are specially engineered for longer battery life with up to 20 hours of continuous play once charged fully. Should the battery run out, you can continue using the earphones with the help of the dedicated audio cable. The shape of the earbuds enables them to smoothly slide into your ear passage and remain there intact for better audio experience. The Leophile Zero comes with lifetime technical support and 18 months warranty. The kit includes one USB charging cable, earbuds in three sizes, two wire clips, one dedicated audio cable and a user manual.

Key features :

  • Wired cum wireless active noise cancelling earbuds
  • Up to 20 hours of battery
  • Leather neckband for extra support.

Linner NC-21 Lightening Noise Cancellation Earbud – Most Feature Packed :

The Linner NC-21 Lightening Active Noise Cancelling Earphones are wired sound devices made especially for Apple products like iPhone, iPad and iPod. The earphones have Apple MFi certification. There is a built-in microphone and a monitor button to turn on and turn off the ANC functionality. The three button in-line remote has controls for play, pause, adjusting volume and changing tracks. The earphones also let you activate Siri, the Apple chatbot, remotely, without having to physically access your iPhone.

Noise Cancellation :

Linner NC-21 produces optimum noise cancellation by reducing 97% of ambient noise through it’s advanced ANC circuitry. The interchangeable earpads are provided with this earphone to ensure that you use the most comfortable one. This makes sure that the earbuds completely seal your ear cavity to stop the ambient noise from entering in your ear. This also helps to increase noise isolation to achieve better noise cancellation.

Physical design :

The Linner NC-21 reduces up to 97% of ambient noise by generating a second sound that cancels out the incoming sound from the surrounding. The earbuds are compatible with any Apple device with Lightning connector. It draws power from the Lightning connector and hence, does not require a separate battery. The headphones have four sound modes: voice, treble, bass and balance. Therefore, according to what you are listening to or watching, you can adjust the equalizer settings to improve the audio quality and make it more realistic. The ear piece has an in-ear design for a comfortable fit. The Linner NC-21 takes care of regular software updates. It has a 3.5mm mini port for connecting the audio cable. The kit includes three pairs of ear tips in small, medium and large, two pairs of ear hooks, one hop pocket and an instructions manual. The Linner NC-21 is available in three color variants: black, space grey and rose gold.

Key features :

  • Wired active noise isolating earbuds
  • Compatible with iOS devices with lightning connector
  • 4 equalizer settings

Sony MDR NC13 Noise Cancellation Earbud – Best Value buy : 

The Sony MDR NC13 is one of the best noise cancelling earphones around. It is a wired headphone with 3.5mm single pin audio jack. It has an in-ear make for comfortable fit. The shape of the ear piece and ear tip is so designed that it does not allow outside sound to percolate into the earbud. However, the earbuds are slightly bulky and the entire device weighs around 136 grams. The MDR NC13 runs on triple-A batteries and has a large battery compartment which also houses the power button.

Noise Cancellation :

Sony MDR NC13 is quite known for it’s noise cancellation ability particularly in low frequency ranges. If you pair it up in a flight, you will be amazed to see the high active noise cancellation performance. As Sony mentioned the cancellation is up to 88% of ambient noise. The extra long battery life at around 100 hours amazed us. It helps long flight journeys more peaceful. Also you do not need to panic for recharging if you are using the active noise cancellation frequently. We found there is a small but distinguishable difference between ANC ‘ON’ & ‘OFF’. When the noise cancellation on, if you are listening something, then the volume drops. But the drop is not significant and you can still enjoy what you are listening.

Physical design :

The Sony MDR NC13 active noise isolating earbuds score high on performance and durability. It is built with powerful 13.5mm drivers. It can run for up to 100 hours on one AAA battery. Advanced noise cancellation keeps out ambient noise and makes in-flowing audio more distinct. It delivers decent midrange and highs and bass is also impressive. The earphones are fitted with a microphone and a button for activating ANC. A small LED light glows when the ANC is switched on. The earphones can also function without battery but the ANC won’t work in that case. The Sony MDR NC13 is supplied with three sizes of ear tips. The kit comprises of one AAA battery, a protective carrying case and an airplane adapter.

Key features :

  • Wired in-ear active noise cancelling earbuds.
  • Bulky earbuds and battery/control compartment.
  • Powered by AAA battery.
  • LED light indicates ANC.

B&O Play H3s Noise Cancelling Earbud – Best Lightweight Design with Premium Sound Quality :

The B&O Play H3s noise isolating earbuds are one of the most popular earphones with active noise reduction. On 100% battery, it can provide up to 20 hours of continuous noise cancellation. The earpieces are made from real aluminum and have a stylish brushed finish. The B&O Play H3s is a wired listening device with a 3.5mm mini jack. It is powered with 10.8 inch dynamic drivers for crystal clear sound quality and feel. The earphones have a special in-ear design for comfortable fit and micro bass port for deeper bass cover.

Noise Cancellation :

Bang & Olufsen always makes really premium sound experience for it’s buyers. This specially designed noise cancellation earbud is no difference. The active noise cancellation is achieved by the feed forward technology used in this earbud. The small but efficient mic used in this earbud catches the ambient noise in detail and then pass it on to the in built noise cancellation circuitry. This ANC circuit in turn reproduce the opposite phase white noise and feed that in the earphone to nullify the ambient noise. When we get our hand on it to test it, we got amazed by the amount of noise cancellation B&O achieved with this simple yet so effective feed forward sound cancellation technique.

Physical design :

The B&O Play H3s combines superior noise cancelling technology with wearing comfort. You can use the earphones for many hours at a stretch thanks to its ergonomic shape and long-lasting battery. So whether you are engaged in household chores or going workouts in the gym, the B&O Play H3s offers long hours of comfortable listening and calling. The B&O Play H3s was originally designed by Danish design engineer, Jakob Wagner who built the earphone from a single block of aluminum to give it an elegant look and perfect in-ear fit. The ear pieces are crafted with 26 air vents that enhance the acoustics performance of the device. It is scratch-free, lightweight and is custom-optimized for Apple devices, although it can function equally well with non-Apple products too. The B&O Play H3s also has a microphone and an in-line remote with three controls for adjusting volume and taking calls. The kit contains a protective case, ear pads in four sizes, ear tips in four sizes and a flight adapter.

Key features :

  • Wired active noise cancelling earbuds
  • Stylish aluminum body
  • Apple compatible
  • Up to 20 hours of non-stop playing

Important FAQ
 

Will noise cancelling headphones protect my hearing ?

Yes, noise cancelling headphones will protect your hearing.

Can noise cancelling headphones cause tinnitus ?

No, noise-cancelling headphones do not cause tinnitus. In fact, if anything, they help lower instances of tinnitus by preventing loud noises from interfering with the way our ears function. One of the causes of tinnitus is constant exposure to loud sounds generated by heavy machinery, chainsaws, gunfire, explosives and concert loudspeakers. Active noise cancellation protects our ears from these potential causes of harm, thus preventing incidences of tinnitus.

Are noise cancelling headphones OSHA approved ?

OSHA stands for Occupational Safety and Health Administration. It is a US agency under the Department of Labor. It is responsible for ensuring a safe and healthy work environment for all working people in America.

OSHA does not recommend the use of active noise-cancelling devices as it prevents workers from hearing machine, co-worker and environment sounds, all of which are critical for the safety of the workers. However, for high-noise work like construction and drilling, OSHA has brought out a booklet in which it supports the use of noise-attenuating headphones.

There are a few models that are OSHA-approved. These include the ISOtunes Audio noise-reducing earphones, Ruckus earplug earbuds and Plugfones Guardian earplug and earphone hybrid.

Overall though, OSHA has left it to the employers to exercise their judgments and decide whether active noise-cancelling headphones are needed in their lines of work, and to implement adequate safety steps to prevent accidents and injury to workers.

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Buy the most elegant gold headphones and white headphones to add more X-factors to your fashion quotient. 

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