The Best Noise Cancelling Earbuds of May: Reviews & Buyers Guide

Top Picks

• Best Overall: NEW Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II  

The QuietComfort Earbuds 2 are now official after weeks of leaks, and because of their exceptional noise-canceling qualities, they have shot to the top of our purchasing recommendation. They perform even better than the original, still-available earbuds (below). These are an amazing follow-up that offers superior audio, excellent call quality, and unmatched ANC. ActiveSense and CustomTune, two exclusive technologies, provide excellent sound and noise neutralization balance.

• Best with Alexa Built-in: Sony WF-1000XM4 Industry Leading  

The improved Sony WF-1000XM4 sounds even better than the previous Sony WF-1000XM3, which was a long-term member of the club of the best ANC earbuds. The noise cancellation on these earbuds is on pace with the premium price tag, due to the newest Sony V1 chipset, and the overall immersive sound helps you block out distractions even more. The battery life of the previous model is also longer. The WF-1000XM4 can easily last 7 to 8 hours with ANC turned on, however the WF-1000XM3 can barely last 6 hours.

• Best Sound: Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) Wireless Earbuds 

Apple's new AirPods Pro 2 has been released, offering considerable improvements over the well-liked first model to boost performance. Externally, they resemble the original version very closely, but the battery life has been improved to allow 6 hours of use from the earphones on a single charge and an additional 30 hours from the wireless charging case. The case itself is now IPX4-rated in addition to the earphones. These represent the peak of Apple technology and are intended for iPhone users seeking a more customized listening experience.

• Best Long Battery Life: Bose QuietComfort Noise Cancelling 

While still in stock, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds are a little lower on our list owing to the introduction of the superior next-generation QuietComfort Earbuds 2 and Apple AirPods Pro 2. Aware and Transparency modes in a software update improve ANC performance over the version they shipped with. However, they have outstanding voice call performance, despite generally having the excellent sound quality that does not quite meet the most recent requirements. Even if the buds are a little large and don't have the best battery life, you should be able to easily block out engine noise on a protracted journey thanks to the charging case.

• Best Quality: SAMSUNG Galaxy Buds 2 Pro True 

Samsung's ANC, which is equivalent to the best in its class, mutes almost 90% of background noise. Furthermore, the revised design improves comfort and noise isolation. Three microphones are integrated into each earbud to give the highest possible sound separation from outside disturbances and to decrease wind noise. The short ANC playtime provided by Samsung's noise-canceling devices is disappointing. The sound of the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, on the other hand, is worth investing in since it provides a fascinating 3D audio experience and high-quality music.