Now that most new headphones and earbuds offer at least a modicum of noise cancellation, it would be impossible (and unproductive) to list everything we like above. But if you still haven’t found what you’re looking for, here are a few other favorites worth considering.
Apple Beats Fit Pro for $199: The Beats Fit Pro are an older but still excellent pair of wireless earbuds, with great sound, easy-to-reach physical buttons, and solid noise cancellation. Add to that six hours of battery life, spatial audio support for Apple Music and other services, and you have one of the best earbuds ever “designed in California.”
Sony WF-1000XM4 for $290: Sony’s WF-1000XM4 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) continue to offer some of the best noise cancellation we’ve heard in headphones, and the same super-customizable sound we love about Sony’s over-ear headphones. They’re increasingly hard to find and are a bit big for smaller ears, but the extra size allows for fantastic battery life.
Amazon Echo Buds for $45: Amazon’s second-generation Echo Buds (8/10, WIRED Recommends) don’t offer the same level of quietness as the best earbuds on our list, but they’re still a good budget option. Amazon’s built-in Alexa voice assistant lets you set timers, check the weather, and control your earbuds hands-free. The earbuds also sound pretty good, making them worth considering several years later.
Epos/Sennheiser Adapt 660 for $152: Want great sound, a comfortable fit, and high-quality noise-cancelling technology for less than you’d pay for a pair of Sony or Bose headphones? Check out this collaboration between Epos and Sennheiser. The Epos/Sennheiser Adapt 660 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) sound fantastic and are some of the lightest noise-cancelling headphones I’ve ever used. They also feature excellent microphones for great quietness on calls and Zooms.
