We found the 7 best noise-cancelling earbuds after extensive testing

Determining the top noise-cancelling earbuds requires extensive testing, with various brands and models each offering unique styles and features. To simplify the process, the Mashable team has reviewed the best ANC earbuds for you.

Comfort is a crucial factor when it comes to earbuds, as they are typically less comfortable than over-the-ear headphones. Many earbuds do not fit well in the ear or are uncomfortable to wear. However, Bose stands out for providing the most comfortable earbuds.

Despite Bose and Sony being the leading brands in noise-cancelling earbuds, other manufacturers also produce high-quality options. To find the best ANC earbuds, we tested a wide range of models to identify what makes a great pair of wireless earbuds.

Noise-cancelling earbuds are compact enough to fit in a pocket. All noise-cancelling headphones, including earbuds, have some passive noise cancellation. Over-the-ear headphones naturally block out noise by wrapping around the ears, while earbuds do not block sound as effectively. Instead, wireless earbuds deliver sound directly into the ear canal to drown out environmental noise. They primarily rely on active noise cancellation (ANC) to reduce external sounds.

The microphones in ANC-enabled headphones and earbuds listen to the surrounding environment and then invert the sound, effectively cancelling it. Sometimes, you may hear a slight buzzing or humming in the background, which is the ANC working. Ideally, the best ANC earbuds should not produce this buzzing sound.