Best Noise-Canceling Earbuds (2026): Bose, Apple, Samsung, Beats, and More
I’ve tested dozens of wireless earbuds. These are the best for when you want to tune out the world, wherever you are.
In the ever-competitive world of noise-canceling earbuds, Bose, Apple, Samsung, Beats, and others vie for the top spot. Bose's QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) currently reign supreme, offering exceptional active noise cancellation (ANC) and stellar sound quality. These earbuds excel in various environments, from bustling city streets to crowded subways, thanks to their impressive ANC.
However, they are relatively bulky and have a short battery life of just six hours. A worthy alternative at a lower price point is the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro, which delivers excellent ANC and improved battery life, along with IP55 dust and water resistance. For iPhone users, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 provide seamless connectivity and advanced features, including heart rate sensors.
Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro offer a dual-speaker audio system and Samsung-specific advantages, while Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 cater to Pixel phone users with solid ANC, smaller size, and long battery life. Sony's WF-1000XM6 earbuds, with their memory foam ear tips and ANC, offer unparalleled sound quality, but perfect fit can be a challenge.
Lastly, Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 provide strong ANC and sport-focused design, making them ideal for gym workouts, with full wraparound ear hooks ensuring a secure fit.
Written by urgent.news from Wired's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
