Are you looking for noise-canceling earbuds? In this guide to the best noise-canceling earbuds. You will find the list and reviews of the most valid models on the market.
This product category, especially noise-canceling earbuds, together with other wearables such as smart bands. It is not surprising that, alongside the traditional audio industry brands. The big tech companies are also focusing on the sector.
These are no longer accessories for listening to music or making calls. But real technologically advanced gadgets full of features that allow us to control various aspects of our life.
Below you will find first a review of the best earbuds of the moment. Then a short purchase guide on the factors and specifications to consider in choosing the right product. Here we focus on noise canceling earbuds. If you are looking for more, take a look at our guide.
Sony WF-1000XM3
Best noise canceling
Sony WF-1000XM3 – flagship headphones, which means that they have the appropriate package. This is especially true for interchangeable ear pads. Which, in addition to the earphones already worn on the headphones, are six more options: three pairs of silicone and three pairs of “foam” material. In addition to the actual headphones with ear pads and a case, a short (20 cm) USB-C cable and a traditional set of pieces of paper are included. Among them, by the way, I liked the brief management guide. Which quickly helped to figure out how and what works in this model.
Both the headphones and the WF-1000XM3 case can hardly be called laconic and minimalistic. The case is large and relatively heavy; jeans will fit in the fifth pocket only if you are wearing size XXXL. However, I always put the headphones in a regular pocket. So I did not experience any discomfort due to the dimensions of the case. In fact, it’s the only drawback is the absence of wireless charging is that competitors from Apple and Samsung have it, but they saved it here.
Sound quality is the strongest side of the Sony WF-1000XM3. Despite the fact that in these headphones, they refused to support not only the common AptX or AptX HD codecs. But also the proprietary LDAC, Sonya sounds at a very high level. Amazon price $129.99.
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Apple AirPods Pro
Best design
Like previous AirPods models, the novelty comes in a cardboard box. Inside of which, in addition to the headphones themselves, you can find a charging case, two additional sizes of silicone tips. As well as a cable from USB Type-C to Lightning.
New headphones at Apple were developed without much regard for the first and second-generation AirPods. So apparently, the Pro version has little in common with them. This is the best noise canceling earbuds. In addition, the length of the “legs” has changed, into which the body of the emitters smoothly flows. They have become shorter and now look neater.
Traditionally for AirPods, the new model is best sharpened for working with iOS devices. You can see the charge level in the operating system interface, enable or disable the noise reduction system, and activate the “transparency” mode. However, AirPodsPro also works well with Android smartphones. Allowing you to use the capabilities of the headphones to the maximum. The only thing is that you can switch between working modes only with them yourself through a touch sensor on one of the “legs.” But this is not a big problem, considering that the management was well implemented.
One of the important innovations in AirPods Pro, in comparison with other headphones of the company, is active noise reduction. Which works on the basis of a system from an external and internal microphone. The first one tracks external sounds. After which the H1 chip analyzes data in real-time, adapting the sound 200 times per second, and at the right time, creates an anti-noise that damps external noise. The second microphone is directed into the auricle, and thanks to it, the H1 chip can hear what the user hears and cut off the remaining noise. Latest price $263.95.
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Amazon Echo Buds
Best Alexa-enabled buds
The Echo Buds are true wireless earphones that integrate the Alexa voice assistant and are equipped with Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity (they connect to both the home network and the smartphone network via mobile data). The configuration and management, as for the other Echo devices, takes place with the Alexa app. All Alexa commands you can read first. These headphones, like most advanced ones, can still be used with Google Assistant or Siri (integrated into the phone).
The Echo Buds have fairly small dimensions (2 x 2 x 2cm) and low weight (about 7 g per headset). The design is rather simple, and for some. It may even be not very original: but you know, the Seattle giant is very pragmatic. Hardware is not always a priority, at least not as much as the final price for the consumer. The materials are good and resistant to sweat and splashes of water (class IPX4). Even if they are a little “plastic,” in particular when compared with Air pods (aesthetics, moreover, is one of the strengths of Apple).
The configuration of the Echo Buds takes a few minutes: just activate the Bluetooth and GPS of the smartphone and open the Alexa app. Which many of us already use with the other Echoes. After finding and pairing the device. You can change the various settings.
The pairing is immediate, even after the first use. The use is quite flexible: you can decide to use a headset or both. In this case, if one of the two is removed. As for the connection (Bluetooth 5.0), this is stable and fluid. Amazon’s latest price is $129.99.
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Sony WF-SP700N
Best AirPods Pro alternative
If you are one of those who do not like to wear full-size headphones, and especially in public, then you cannot worry, because our list contains interesting solutions for your taste. One such model is the Sony WF-SP700N, which, as you can see, are wireless headphones with earplugs. Despite the complete absence of wires, these headphones are quite confident and reliable in your ears, while not causing discomfort in most cases, as they are made quite ergonomically. It is clear that you will not please everyone, but sometimes it’s enough to just replace the ear pads, and you will feel the changes in yourself. As for the active noise reduction system, it copes perfectly well, and, for example, in the subway, you absolutely will not hear extraneous noise while enjoying your favorite music.
Their sound is also at a very decent level, despite the fact that they are small wireless plugs. Japanese engineers at Sony have, as always, managed to provide users with value-for-money quality. The only drawback due to such compactness is autonomy, which in this case, is only 3 hours. Although for a trip to work or training in the gym, this may be quite enough. Well, their average price of about $94.99.
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Master & Dynamic MW07 True Wireless
Audiophile sound
When you think of Master & Dynamic, certainly no cheap products come to mind. This is not the case even for these True Wireless MW07 earphones, which cost a good $299.00, or about twice that of many other alternatives and the same AirPods that have, in effect, launched this product category. You can also l read 7 Best Bluetooth Speakers to Buy in 2020.
As required by a product conceived for the world of luxury. Inside we find five pairs of rubber pads to adapt the earbuds to our ears, two pairs of lugs that guarantee greater hold, a USB-C cable for charging, an adapter from USB-C to USB-A, a clutch bag in velvet for transportation. Obviously, there are also the two earphones and the stainless-steel case that also allows you to charge the earphones for a total autonomy of 12 hours.
The MW07 does not have an activation button. A very convenient thing if you use a single device, while if you use several, you will have to pair from time to time, holding down the multifunction button and then going to the Bluetooth settings of your mobile phone.
The Bluetooth is of the 4.2 and supports the Apt-X codec. Compared to other proven solutions, thanks to the use of a particular antenna that allows a coverage range of 20 meters between the earphones and the audio source. In fact, we have never had problems with interrupted audio, even in crowded places such as a station at rush hour, a scenario that often puts devices of this type in difficulty.
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Huawei FreeBuds 3
Good sound quality
When you take the Huawei FreeBuds 3 out of their case, it is difficult not to immediately think of the AirPods (especially with the white model). But will the new Huawei headphones manage to compare? The answer is positive, also because the FreeBuds 3 focus precisely on the same strings: ease of use, convenience, and quality on a call. But let’s go in order.
From the constructive point of view. The FreeBuds 3 reorganize AirPods very much, and this is a great good. Just like the Apple earphones. These Huawei headphones also immediately transmit an excellent feeling of solidity. Taking in hand the FreeBuds 3, you immediately perceive.
The charging case is also very reminiscent of that of the AirPods. Although the FreeBuds 2 case is circular, otherwise the two cases look very similar. Both in shiny plastic, with silvery details, an LED. A small button to force the coupling, and a magnetic cover that does even the same – identical – sound when closed again.
Since there is a lot to talk about the functions, let’s start with the audio quality. The sound is very good overall, especially in the mid and high range. Unfortunately, the low frequencies suffer a little from the open design. Since there is not much passive isolation, the conditions for creating an enveloping groove are lacking. However, even on bass, Huawei has worked well to give a reference. They are still a bit better than those of the AirPods. And their average latest price today is about $129.99.
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