We buy our own products and put them under the same testing methodology so that you can easily compare them. Unlike most websites, we do not get our products directly from the manufacturers, which means our units aren’t handpicked and actually represent what you would buy yourself. We spend a lot of time comparing the products side-by-side to validate our results and we keep them until they are discontinued so we can continually go back and make sure our reviews are always accurate.
Whether you’re looking to block out the hustle and bustle of your daily commute or are wanting to mask out the chatter of a lively office, noise cancelling earbuds can help. Earbuds and in-ear headphones offer a couple of advantages over other types of headphones. Their compact, portable design makes them easy to carry around and use on-the-go. Wireless earphones are even more convenient since you don’t need to worry about wires getting in your way when you’re dashing out the door. Some in-ear headphones can block out quite a bit of sound passively; however, they tend to enter the ear canal quite deeply, which can be uncomfortable for some. Earbuds with active noise cancelling (ANC) can mask a wide range of noises and generally have a more comfortable fit.
We’ve tested 118 earbuds and in-ear headphones so far and below are our top picks for the best wireless noise cancelling earbud to buy in 2019.
Bose QuietControl 30: Comfortable ANC earbuds with a well-balanced sound
Type: Earbud
Enclosure: Closed-back
Wireless: Yes
Noise Cancelling: Yes
The best wireless noise cancelling earbuds that we’ve tested so far are the Bose QuietControl 30. They don’t cause very much fatigue after long periods of use thanks to their comfortable earbud fit, which makes them good travel headphones. They have an ergonomic neckband design and a neutral, well-balanced sound.
These wireless ANC earbuds reduce a lot of noise in the bass range, which is great if you take the bus to work or are a frequent flyer and want to reduce the intensity of the deep engine rumbles. They’re also great at cancelling out speech, have very low leakage, and can pair to two devices simultaneously, which is ideal for office use.
Although the QuietControl 30 feel well-built at first, there have been reports that the neckband peels apart with time. This issue is mostly cosmetic but can affect the functionality of the headphones if the controls are exposed. While our unit did start peeling after only a couple months of use, the controls weren’t affected, and many users won’t have any issues at all. All things considered, the Bose QC30 still remain very good noise cancelling earbuds thanks to their great isolation, balanced sound, and comfortable fit.
Sony WI-1000X Wireless: Well-built in-ears that are customizable and have ANC
Type: In-ear
Enclosure: Closed-back
Wireless: Yes
Noise Cancelling: Yes
If you like being able to customize the way your earphones sound, then get the Sony WI-1000X. They’re well-built wireless in-ears with good ANC. Their neckband is lightweight and features a cable management slot so you can control the amount of cable length you need. They have a good control scheme that’s fairly easy to use and are good travel headphones.
They are compatible with the Sony | Headphones Connect app for iOS and Android which provides access to lots of customization features, like a graphic EQ, room effects, sound positioning, and more. It also features a noise cancelling optimizer and adaptive sound control, so you can choose to tune into your surroundings when needed, like while commuting.
On the downside, the in-ear fit of these headphones makes them less comfortable to wear for long periods of time than the Bose QuietControl 30. Their default sound profile can also sound a bit sharp and piercing on certain tracks. Thankfully, you can take advantage of their companion app to EQ the way they sound to your liking.
Jabra Elite 65e: Versatile earbuds with ANC and a decent mic
Type: Earbud
Enclosure: Closed-back
Wireless: Yes
Noise Cancelling: Yes
If you’re looking for noise cancelling earbuds that are good for taking lots of calls, then get the Jabra Elite 65e. They have a comfortable earbud fit, similar to the Bose QuietControl 30, but have a much better integrated Bluetooth microphone. They’re very well-built and are a solid mid-range alternative to the QC30.
Their microphone sounds significantly better than most Bluetooth microphones we’ve tested, and they also have a mic muting button, which makes them a decent choice for taking calls on-the-go. They have decent noise isolation and do a good job at masking out disruptive office noises without leaking much sound. They can also pair to two devices simultaneously, which is great if you often like to switch between your smartphone and desktop PC at work.
Unfortunately, their default sound profile sounds rather ordinary. They thin out vocals and lead instruments and lack detail and presence. Fortunately, you can customize the way they sound with the Jabra Sound+ app, which provides a 5-band EQ. The app also features different noise cancelling profiles and can even play ambient noise to help you focus.
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Jabra Elite Active 65t: Sports-oriented truly wireless in-ears with great passive isolation
Type: In-ear
Enclosure: Closed-back
Wireless: Truly wireless
Noise Cancelling: No
If you prefer the compact format of truly wireless in-ears and don’t mind if your headphones don’t have ANC, then get the Jabra Elite Active 65t. They have a sporty design with a sleek matte blue finish that looks great, and they are rated IP56 for superior dust and water resistance. They have great passive isolation and leak hardly any sound at all, so you can raise your listening volume to block out more noise without bothering your colleagues or fellow commuters.
They have great audio reproduction out-of-the-box and can be customized with the Jabra Sound+ app, like the Jabra Elite 65e. Their battery provides just over 5 hours of continuous playback, which won’t be enough to last you a full workday if you don’t take breaks, but if you place them in their charging case when not in use, they’ll last up to 16 hours.
Unfortunately, these in-ears have fairly bulky earbuds that don’t fit particularly well in smaller ears. They also push quite a bit on the outer ear, which can be fatiguing over time. That said, if they fit you well, the Jabra Elite Active 65t are very good at isolating noise passively and provide a solid listening experience overall.
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AUKEY Latitude: Budget in-ears with outstanding passive isolation
Type: In-ear
Enclosure: Closed-back
Wireless: Yes
Noise Cancelling: No
If you’re looking for wireless in-ears that isolate a lot of noise on a budget, then get the AUKEY Latitude. They isolate more noise than some ANC over-ears we’ve tested and provide pretty good value for their price. They’re decently well-built headphones that have magnetic earbuds for improved cable management and come with a variety of earbud tip and stability fit options to help you find the right fit.
They isolate a great amount of noise, especially in the mid and treble ranges, like common workplace noises such as office chatter or A/C sounds. They do a pretty good job at blocking out sounds in the bass range too, which makes them good for commuters. They sound decent, with deep, punchy bass that’s particularly well-suited to bass-heavy genres. They have a decent 7-hour battery life.
On the downside, they’re not the most comfortable in-ear headphones we’ve tested. In order to isolate so much noise, their earbuds protrude quite deeply into the ear canal, which can be uncomfortable for some and tends to feel fatiguing after a while. That said, if you’re looking for a cheap way to block out the noise of your daily commute, then the Latitude are hard to beat.
This guide may have been updated. To see all our measurements and our current recommendations for the best noise cancelling earbuds, please go here.
