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03Best noise cancelling wireless earbuds under $100
If you’re looking for the best noise cancelling earbuds you can get at the moment, then you’re in the right place.
Noise cancelling technology is a popular feature of earphones and headphones nowadays, but it must be said: some noise cancelling products are better than others. So we’ve compiled a list of the best options on the market right now, from big players like Bose, Kokoon and Sony.
If you’re the kind of person who is often on-the-go, and likes to be well-equipped, you might find something useful in our list of best portable power banks.
Whether you’re looking to relax to your favourite album on your commute to work, want to get a good night’s sleep, or fancy getting into a focused headspace at the gym, almost everybody will have a use for noise cancelling audio technology. We’re also aware that noise cancelling capability can be a premium feature added to the cost of earbuds, so we’ve included a budget-friendly option too.
In terms of features, we’re primarily comparing battery specs, as well as sound quality and Bluetooth capabilities. 5.3 is the latest in BlueTooth technology and has the strongest connectivity and furthest range, though anything 5.0 and above is the norm nowadays.
With regards to audio quality, LDAC allows high resolution audio to be transmitted over Bluetooth – so this is something audiophiles might want to be on the lookout for. SBC and AAC is the standard audio coding technology used by BlueTooth devices.
There should be something for everybody on this list, so let’s dive in.
Best noise cancelling earbuds
Best overall noise cancelling earbuds – Bose QuietComfort II Earbuds
Bose QuietComfort II Earbuds
Sound
SBC and AAC
Playtime
6 hours
Playtime with Charging Case
24 hours
Fast Charging
20 mins = 2 hours
Bluetooth
5.3
- Device-free use with touch interface
- Stylish appearance
- Great battery life
- Very expensive
First up, we have the Bose QuietComfort II Earbuds, an impressive bit of kit that boasts lots of features. They’re wireless, and connect to your device via the latest BlueTooth technology, with a range of 30ft. What’s more, the QuietComfort Earbuds II use active noise cancellation, tailored to your ears and the atmosphere around you, so you can enjoy deep, immersive sound undisturbed.
These earbuds should also be comfortable for everyone, as they come with a Bose Fit Kit, which includes three pairs of ear tips and three pairs of stability bands, all made from soft silicone for long-lasting comfort and a secure fit. A particularly handy feature is that if you want to listen to your music or take a phone call with just one earbud, you can take out either and the other will keep on playing.
The Bose QuietComfort II Earbuds have a touch interface on the main body from which you can control everything, freeing your hands so you can stay focused. With simple swipes and taps, you can play or pause music, as well as the noise cancellation level.
Further, when not in use, you can store your Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II in the portable charging case, so they can charge whilst they’re in your pocket. The quick-charge option also provides up to 2 hours of battery life from a 20-minute charge, if you don’t have time before leaving the house.
Finally, the QuietComfort II’s come in 4 different, stylish colours, which is a nice touch.
It must be said that these heavy-hitters do have a relatively whopping price tag, but considering the myriad features Bose have packed in here, they may be a good investment nonetheless.
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Best noise cancelling earbuds for sleep – Kokoon Nightbuds
Kokoon Nightbuds
Sound
SBC and AAC
Playtime
10+ hours
Playtime with Charging Case
N/A
Fast Charging
N/A
Bluetooth
5.0
- Extremely comfy
- Designed with sleeping in mind
- Comes with MyKokoon app
- Need to be charged daily
- Mediocre audio quality
Next up, these earbuds are specifically designed to help guarantee a good night’s sleep. When the earbuds are paired with the MyKokoon app, their noise masking technology helps reduce external disturbances and their sleep-sensors adjust your audio and introduce white noise as you drift off to sleep. They’re the ultimate sleep aid for use in bed or when relaxing, especially for side sleepers.
The Nightbuds ensure you can switch off anywhere at any time. Use them for sleeping at home or elsewhere, or for relaxation and meditation in a loud place. Their noise masking ability when used with audio can make a real difference.
The Nightbuds have been designed using a specialised sleep-sensing technology, which means your MyKokoon app audio will fade out and white noise will be introduced as you fall asleep. The Nightbuds are incredibly thin and soft, and therefore should be comfortable enough to wear whilst you sleep, and they come with different tips in various sizes to suit.
A nice touch is that the MyKokoon app includes an audio library providing sleep techniques and meditation exercises used in cognitive behaviour therapy, to help you fall asleep faster, and relax more easily. Further, the sensors in the Nightbuds share your sleep data with the app and provide you with insights such as time spent asleep and time it took to fall asleep.
So, if you’re having sleep or relaxation issues, these really might be a worthy investment for you. As they are earbuds for a specific purpose in mind however, the price tag is pretty big.
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Best noise cancelling wireless earbuds under $100 – Soundcore by Anker Space A40
Soundcore by Anker Space A40
Sound
LDAC
Playtime
10 hours
Playtime with Charging Case
50 hours
Fast Charging
10 mins = 4 hours
Bluetooth
5.2
- All-round fantastic specs
- Sleek, minimalist design
- Amazing fast charge capabilities
- No wear sensors
And last, but by no means least, we have the best budget-friendly option: the Soundcore Space A40. These boast impressive noise cancelling technology, which blocks out a wide range of distracting noises, so you’ll always be able to focus.
They do this by detecting external noises and automatically selecting a suitable level of noise cancelling for your surroundings. That means these are great for just about anywhere – indoors, outdoors, commuting, even on a flight.
The A40’s have lots of battery: the case on full charge is enough to support playtime of 1,000 songs or 25 movies in fact. The earbuds themselves have a 10-hour single charge playtime, and the fast charging feature gives you 4 hours of listening from just a quick 10-minute charge.
Thanks to Soundcore’s impressive double-layer diaphragm driver system, the Space A40’s produce sound with strong bass, clear mids, and bright treble. That’s a lot of complex technology packed into a small space.
These earbuds are nice to look at too: very light, small, and available in black, navy and white. They’re fantastic all-rounders, and for less than <$100, you really can’t complain.
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Frequently asked questions
Is it worth getting noise cancelling earbuds?
It depends on how much you’re listening to music – noise cancelling technology definitely helps to create a more immersive listening experience, and it also may prevent possible hearing loss, from not needing to turn up the volume of your music as much.
What is active noise cancelling?
Active noise cancelling is a technology that reduces background noise by emitting noise itself, to cancel both noise sources out.
