Sometimes I feel like the world's angry neighbor, shaking my fist at every shout or car horn, desperate for some peace and quiet. The din of the world persists, and that's where noise-canceling earbuds come in. I've tested the best noise-canceling earbuds on the market in multiple scenarios -- when the office gets too loud at work, overstimulating subway commutes, when my neighbor is blasting music, or when I'm reading in my Brooklyn apartment that overlooks a busy street.
The best noise-canceling earbuds don't just improve your music listening experience, they also offer up complete silence when you need zero distractions. Active noise cancellation (ANC) is a highly coveted feature in the current earbud market. With the help of tiny microphones on the earbuds' exterior, ANC earbuds actively listen to cancel out incoming sound waves, preserving quiet, and amplifying in-ear sound. No matter how strong a pair's noise-canceling powers are, it's important they don't have connectivity problems or major sound leakage issues.
My pick for the best noise-canceling earbuds overall goes to the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbudsfor their unmatched noise cancellation, amazing sound, and sealed earbud fit. I get lots of the best earbuds to try out, but these QuietComfort Ultra earbuds are the only ones I wear on flights, thanks to their top-tier noise cancellation that blocks out the harsh sounds of the engine. If Bose isn't your cup of tea (or if you want an earbud that's a little cheaper than its asking price), I've included a mid-range pick in Sony's LinkBuds Fit and the AirPods Pro 2 for people wanting to stay within Apple's ecosystem. Keep reading for more of my favorite noise-canceling picks.
FAQs on noise-canceling earbuds
What are noise-canceling earbuds and how do they work?
Noise-canceling earbuds use active noise cancellation (ANC) to reduce background noise and improve the overall sound quality of audio. ANC works by using mics to pick up external sounds, and then it generates sound waves that are the exact opposite wavelengths -- or "negative" of the external sounds -- to create a "cancellation" effect that reduces background noise.
Some noise-canceling earbuds also use passive noise cancellation, which is achieved through earbud design, such as using noise-isolating materials. These are particularly useful in environments with high levels of ambient noise, like airplanes or busy streets. They can also provide a better listening experience in general, reducing the need to use max volume to overcome background noise.
For more on how noise-canceling earbuds work, check out Christina Darby'sZDNET explainer.
Do noise canceling earbuds protect your hearing?
No, ANC earbuds should not be confused with a hearing protection device, and experts agree.
"Nobody should ever think of them as, in my opinion, pure hearing protection. They're not," says ENT Dr. Joe Donzelli. And while noise-canceling earbuds can offer some passive protection like any sound wave boundary, Dr. Donzelli assures that they don't deter the culprit of hearing loss -- inner ear trauma.
"Everything is all about the sound you're delivering through the headphones, so you can get the greatest noise cancellation ever, but if you just turn up the volume and expose yourself to high decibels for long periods of time, you'll then create inner ear trauma," Donzelli explains.
Also: Best bone conduction headphones
However, since listening to music at high volume for long periods of time can damage hearing, a good pair of ANC headphones may have some secondary hearing protection benefits.
"If someone is using ANC earbuds to get rid of ambient noise, they may not have to turn the volume up as loud to hear the in-ear sound," Donzelli says.
Essentially, here's how ANC earbuds may help: You find your ANC earbuds effectively cancel out distracting noises. Before, you had to blast the volume just to hear accurately, but thanks to the magic of ANC, the sound is clear at half the volume. Now, you're listening at a lower volume for longer and, therefore, likely have less exposure todamaging decibel levels, which means less inner ear trauma.
But Donzelli reiterates that the "tighter you put something in your ear and the louder you make it, the more damage. So, if somebody runs around with their [earbuds] turned up all the way with or without noise cancellation, it doesn't make a difference."
Do noise-canceling earbuds cause audio processing disorder?
A recent headline gained attention for claiming that the use of noise-canceling earbuds and headphones may be linked to a brain condition called audio processing disorder. As attention-grabbing and fear-mongering as the headline was, there's little research that backs that claim up.
"As a pediatric audiologist with specific expertise in the use of headphones, [I can say] there is no evidence APD can develop secondary to using any headphone, and certainly not active-noise-canceling (ANC) headphones,"Brian Fligor, PhD, PASC, president and clinic director at Tobias & Battite Hearing Wellness told Wirecutter.
Do noise-canceling earbuds cancel all noise?
Think of your finest pair of noise-canceling earbuds as high-end noise reducers-- not complete noise cancelers. It's confusing, but I'll explain.
You've probably tested out a pair of noise-canceling earbuds like Apple's AirPods Pro 2 or Bose's QuietComfort Ultra earbuds and still heard a little bit of noise and conversation with them in. Noise-canceling earbuds usually cancel out low-frequency noise, like the hum of an airplane engine, the AC unit in your apartment, or the sounds of a train. You might still hear people talking around you with your earbuds in, but the sounds of conversation will be reduced.
Are noise-canceling earbuds bad for you?
According to ENT Dr. Joe Donzelli, noise-canceling earbuds alone don't damage your hearing. Long exposure to unhealthy decibel levels is what causes trauma to the tympanic membrane, and therefore can damage hearing.
For reference, theHearing Health Foundationsays that sounds at or below 70 decibels are considered safe for our hearing and sounds at or above 80-85 decibels will damage hearing over time. If you're worried your listening levels are higher than this, you can easily monitor your earbuds' projected decibel levels via your smartphone settings.
Are noise-canceling earbuds good for sleeping?
Noise-canceling headphones can be great for sleeping or falling asleep, especially for stomach and back sleepers. However, I'll warn that while the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds are sure to cancel any sleep-inhibiting sound, they're a bit chunky -- especially for side sleepers. Also, keep in mind that they're not the best option in the case of an emergency since you're essentially tuned out to the world.
For earbuds especially tailored for sleeping, check out our list of the top headphones for sleeping.
Is noise-canceling harmful to hearing?
In short, no. Noise cancellation is not bad for your ears. However, some people have experienced dizziness while using noise-canceling modes.
What can I use my noise-canceling earbuds for?
There are many ways I use my noise-canceling earbuds. Yes, they're great for hearing more of your music. But you can also use them if you're feeling overstimulated by your environment and need some peace and quiet. I used them during the holidays whenever my family got in a fight I didn't want to listen to. I listen to them in the office when other people are taking conference calls around me, and I need to focus. They are an anxious and overstimulated person's best friend.
One guy on Reddit even used noise-canceling earbuds to tune out his wife in the morning -- and an entire morality discussion ensued in the Reddit thread. This is all to say that silence can be valuable, and if it's something you can't get enough of, get a pair of noise-canceling earbuds and see for yourself how much calmer and more productive you can be with them in.
