In today’s fast-paced world, noise-canceling earbuds with a built-in microphone have become an essential accessory for those seeking high-quality audio and clear communication. Whether you are a frequent traveler, a busy professional, or a music enthusiast, having a pair of noise-canceling earbuds with a mic can greatly enhance your listening experience.
This article will introduce you to the top seven best noise-canceling earbuds with a mic, providing you with an overview of their features, benefits, and why they stand out from the competition.
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Top 7 Best Noise-Cancelling Earbuds with Mic – You Can Buy Now
List of the top 7 best noise-cancelling earbuds with mic below;
- Apple AirPods Pro
- Google Pixel Buds Pro
- Jabra Elite 85t Earbuds
- Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro
- Sony WF-1000XM4 Earbuds
- Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
- Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3
Noise-canceling earbuds with a built-in microphone offer a perfect combination of immersive audio and seamless communication. These earbuds use advanced technology to actively reduce external noise, allowing you to enjoy your favorite music or have crystal-clear conversations without any distractions. Let’s dive into the top seven options available in the market today.
1. Apple AirPods Pro
If you’re looking for a premium product with a less hefty price tag, consider the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless. These earbuds are usually less expensive than the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II Truly Wireless and have been on sale lately. Although their ANC system isn’t quite as powerful as the Bose’s in reducing ambient noise like bus engines or office chatter, they still deliver an excellent overall performance.
Since they’re an Apple product, they offer a couple of ecosystem-unique features worth checking out if you already own a MacBook or an iPhone, like Spatial Audio for a more immersive audio experience and an H2 chip for seamless pairing with other Apple devices. With their ANC on, they last nearly six hours continuously, and their carrying case supplies an extra four charges. They have a comfortable fit too, but the buds can wiggle out over time, which can be frustrating.
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Thanks to their adaptive EQ, they have a warm sound profile well-suited for genres like folk and jazz. They lack any sound customization features, so if that’s important to you, you’ll want to check out the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 3, which has a companion app with an EQ and presets at a similar price point. Their ANC performance is comparable, but they’re bulkier and less comfortable.
2. Google Pixel Buds Pro
The Google Pixel Buds Pro Truly Wireless are the best wireless noise cancelling earbuds at the mid-range price point we’ve tested. These buds don’t have the same premium build quality as the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless and aren’t as stable or comfortable for most.
They have a similar noise isolation performance and can easily cut down sounds like the rumbles from plane engines and chatty coworkers. Whether you’re on a long trip or commuting to work, they also last over seven hours with the ANC on, and you can top them up, thanks to the nearly two charges in their case.
They support multi-device pairing, meaning you can connect them to your PC and smartphone simultaneously. These buds have a decently comfortable fit, but they’re bulky and can pop out of your ear over time, causing a drop in bass. Once you ensure a good fit, they deliver a touch of extra thump, rumble, and boom, while vocals and instruments are bright and sparkly. You can even fine-tune their sound using their companion app’s graphic EQ and presets.
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However, if comfort is a top priority, you’ll want to consider the Sony LinkBuds S Truly Wireless instead. Their smaller, more lightweight design ensures you can wear them for long periods without experiencing fatigue. Their ANC also offers excellent overall performance, but it doesn’t block out as much of the low rumble of car engines as the Google headphones.
3. Jabra Elite 85t Earbuds
Jabra’s Elite 85t really has it all: smooth and balanced sound, comprehensive controls, a compact form factor, great features, and, of course, impressive active noise cancellation. While it’s not on par with what you’ll enjoy from Bose’s, Apple’s, or Sony’s top models, it’s just a tier below them and more than strong enough to make them a great choice as your go-to noise cancelers.
The 85t’s robust ANC is all the more impressive given the earbuds’ semi-open design, which keeps your ears feeling comfortable for long periods. While a more bulbous design means the fit isn’t quite as secure as other Jabra buds, their oval tips assure you won’t hear yourself chewing, walking, or jogging like you might with more sealed ear tips. Despite this, music is intimate and noise canceling is effective.
Read this: The 7 Best Noise-Cancelling Earbuds for Android – Top Picks!
The Elite 85t’s controls are customizable through Jabra’s excellent Sound+ app, allowing you to configure the buds’ two easy-push buttons as you see fit. Also customizable are noise cancellation and transparency modes. The latter is among the most natural-sounding you’ll hear on the market, keeping you aware of your environment in style. The controls allow them to transition seamlessly between ANC and transparency modes, even while wearing gloves.
As for downsides, the battery isn’t quite as good as what you’ll get from Sony’s WF-1000XM4, and the fit isn’t as stable as workout buds. Finally, while you can use one bud at a time, only the right one will pull off the trick, which makes them less versatile in this use case than some competitors.
4. Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro
For Android phone users, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro is the go-to choice, especially for those with a Samsung Galaxy phone. Their six audio presets sound great (Normal, in particular, has excellent midrange response and vocal clarity), and the ANC delivers great low-end cancellation of airplane drones and a modest midrange improvement to handle clicky keyboards or coffee shop conversation.
The design is smaller than the Galaxy Buds Pro by 15%, giving them a slimmer profile when worn. Their fit is solid, and with IPX7 water resistance they’re a good workout solution. Samsung has also changed to a matte finish over the gloss of previous iterations, which is a look we prefer.
Read more: Discover The Top 7 Best Noise-Cancelling Earbuds for Airplane Travel in 2023
The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are loaded with features such as Easy Pair and Auto Switch, Bixby voice control, 360 Audio, and 24-bit high-res audio. All of those features are Android-specific, as there isn’t an iOS app, and the 24-bit audio support relies on certain Samsung Galaxy phones. Their five-hour battery life is on the low end (and in our testing, it came in a little under that number), but a quick five-minute charge in the case will get another hour of listening.
5. Sony WF-1000XM4 Earbuds
The WF-1000XM4 are excellent noise-canceling earbuds, with fantastic sound quality and an innovative design. Our Best Overall pick before the Bose QCEII and updated Apple AirPods Pro released, the Sony XM4 offer some of the best sound you’ll hear from a set of ANC earbuds.
Because of Sony’s impressive noise cancellation technology, the audio they produce is all the more accessible. You’ll find tranquility with these earbuds on a level that’s hard to find with any headphones.
The XM4 is incredibly customizable—Sony’s Headphones Connect companion app lets you tweak EQ, along with a variety of other features, to your heart’s content. With the XM4 connected to Headphones Connect, the earbuds become smart enough to know when to swap between noise cancellation and ambient audio, based on your routines and locations.
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The XM4s touch controls allow you to map their volume controls to their touchpad using the app, but only at the expense of losing access to other functionality, which is a shame. In addition to this, we would have appreciated seeing a few extras like Find My Earbuds functionality–something we expect from a set of ANC earbuds in this price range. Despite these minor complaints, the XM4 is still some of the best all-around noise-canceling earbuds you can buy.
6. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II Truly Wireless are the best noise-cancelling earbuds we’ve tested. These premium buds are the next generation of the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Truly Wireless and have a top-tier ANC system. Whether traveling on a noisy plane or working in a busy office, these buds help isolate you from an outstanding amount of ambient noise.
With their ANC on, they last well over six hours continuously. If you need to top them up, their carrying case supplies three additional charges. These buds have a more bass-heavy sound than our test rig measures due to the shape of our rig’s ear canals. Subjectively, they have extra thump, rumble, and boom, making them a solid choice for genres like EDM and hip-hop.
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While the bass also muddies vocals and instruments, their companion app has a graphic EQ and presets if you prefer a different sound. Unfortunately, despite having a high price tag, they’re missing features like multi-device pairing, so you can’t connect them to multiple devices simultaneously. They also have a somewhat bulky fit compared to other picks on this list but remain comfortable.
7. Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3
Entering their third generation here, Sennheiser’s Momentum True Wireless earbuds prove the brand is still a major contender in the space. The noise-cancelling earbuds remain among the best in class with brilliant audio.
A long spec sheet that offers great battery life (28 hours), aptX Adaptive Bluetooth codec support, and the bonus of extra in-app personalization features. Oh, and they’re cheaper than the Momentum True Wireless 2 (below) when they initially launched. They’re nice and comfortable, deliver one of the most mature, spacious, and refined performances on the market, and have impressive noise-cancelling to boot.
Read more: 5 Best Noise-Cancelling Earbuds for Airplane Travel – Keep You Calm and Distracted!
Building on an already winning recipe with an improved feature set, a decent step up in performance, and a kinder price tag, the Momentum True Wireless 3 is a great option if you’re in the market for premium noise-cancelling earbuds.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, noise-canceling earbuds with a built-in microphone have become a necessity for individuals seeking an immersive audio experience and hassle-free communication. The top seven options mentioned in this article, including the Apple AirPods Pro, Sony WF-1000XM4, Jabra Elite 85t, Bose QuietComfort Earbuds, Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2, Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro, and JBL Free X, offer outstanding features and performance. Consider your personal preferences and requirements to choose the perfect pair of noise-canceling earbuds with a mic that suits your needs.
FAQs
Are noise-canceling earbuds worth it?
Noise-canceling earbuds are definitely worth it, especially if you frequently find yourself in noisy environments or desire high-quality audio without any distractions.
Can noise-canceling earbuds block out all external noise?
While noise-canceling earbuds are effective in reducing external noise, they may not completely eliminate all sounds. However, they significantly minimize background noise for an enhanced listening experience.
Can I use noise-canceling earbuds during phone calls?
Absolutely! Noise-canceling earbuds with a built-in microphone allow you to make or receive calls with clear voice quality, ensuring you stay connected while enjoying the benefits of noise cancellation.
How long do the battery life of noise-canceling earbuds last?
Battery life varies among different earbud models. However, many noise-canceling earbuds offer several hours of playback time, and some even come with additional battery backup in the charging case.
Can I connect noise-canceling earbuds with multiple devices simultaneously?
Some noise-canceling earbuds support multipoint connectivity, allowing you to connect them with multiple devices simultaneously. Check the specifications of the earbuds you’re interested in for more information.