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The best cheap noise canceling earbuds
You don’t need to spend a lot of money to get great noise canceling earbuds.
Chase is Brand & Partnerships Manager at SoundGuys’ parent company Authority Media. As a founder of the non profit organization Music For Mental Health, Chase is also passionate in uncovering the ways music creation and listening can serve individuals and the community. You can find music he produces by searching his name on Spotify, Apple Music, and all other streaming platforms. Chase studied Commerce and Applied Music Technology at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada.
If you’re trying to get effective noise canceling on a budget, good news—there are more solid options now than ever before. A few years ago, cheap ANC earbuds were more hype than help, often delivering poor sound and ineffective noise reduction. That’s no longer the case. In our testing, we’ve found a growing number of affordable models that don’t just cancel noise—they do it well, with respectable battery life, decent sound, and surprisingly capable connectivity.
Whether you’re looking to drown out airplane noise, focus better at the office, or just enjoy podcasts without background hum, there’s something here that’ll get the job done without draining your wallet. We tested each of these picks in our SoundGuys lab and have ranked them based on their noise canceling performance.
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- Compare tableProductVotes
- 23 total votes23 total votes
$59
7.9
8.3
5.0
8.0
8.5
6.0
10.0
9.5
- 17 total votes17 total votes
$90
7.8
8.1
3.5
9.5
8.0
6.2
10.0
9.8
- 24 total votes24 total votes
$100
7.7
8.4
5.0
8.0
8.0
6.3
5.0
9.5
- 14 total votes14 total votes
$100
7.7
8.0
5.0
8.5
9.0
6.3
5.0
9.8
- 0 total votes0 total votes
$30
7.7
7.9
7.5
9.0
8.0
5.2
5.0
8.8
- 13 total votes13 total votes
$39
7.6
8.2
5.0
9.0
8.5
5.9
5.0
8.8
- 0 total votes0 total votes
$50
7.5
7.8
7.5
8.5
4.0
5.7
5.0
9.8
- 13 total votes13 total votes
$59
7.4
8.1
3.5
9.0
8.0
6.0
5.0
8.8
- 6 total votes6 total votes
$80
7.4
8.3
5.0
8.5
8.0
6.2
5.0
6.3
- 1 total votes1 total votes
$100
7.2
8.0
7.5
9.0
8.0
6.3
10.0
0.0
- 1 total votes1 total votes
$80
7.0
7.6
2.5
8.2
8.5
6.3
5.0
8.8
- 9 total votes9 total votes
$90
7.0
7.5
3.5
9.8
8.5
5.7
0.0
9.5
Product chart
In the chart above, you can see how the best noise canceling earbuds compare based on their price and the ANC score we measured for each.
We test and measure all of our noise canceling earbuds the same way, regardless of the price tags. This includes objective measurements using our trusted Bruel & Kjaer 5128 for isolation, ANC effectiveness, and frequency response. We test battery life and microphones the same way each time, too. In essence, by repeating the same tests utilizing the same methods, we can objectively analyze the data to discover answers to questions about sound and noise cancelation.
Of course, we are all humans living in the real world, and what appears great on paper does not always work as advertised. That’s why we also tested and reviewed the earbuds on this list in actual use conditions. We want to make sure that our tests and subsequent scores inform how we choose the best.
Here at SoundGuys, we’ve been testing audio products for over a decade. Our team comprises audio product experts who have tested hundreds of different headphones, earbuds, and speakers. Moreover, our team comes from diverse backgrounds and a wealth of expertise, including audio engineering, film production, journalism, podcasting, music production, and even touring musicians.
Everything we recommend results from our objective measurements and great subjective experiences. Ultimately, we want you to enjoy your purchase or, at the very least, leave our site with a little more knowledge about the inner workings of audio. To see why you can trust us with your purchase decision, make sure to check out our ethics policy.
As with anything “cheap,” you ought to expect to make some concessions because it’s not just hype and marketing that differentiates the best (and more expensive) ANC earbuds from the rest. You might’ve noticed that some of our picks for the best list aren’t from the most instantly recognizable brands, and that doesn’t mean the quality is worse, only that you aren’t paying for the cachet of, say, Apple. Sure, the reputation of Bose or Sennheiser (for instance) is well earned because their products are consistently pretty good. Rest assured, we’ve tested these choices out, so you don’t have to gamble. Cheap ANC earbuds are a boon for all of us, but we want to make sure you don’t misstep and buy the wrong ones.
Bear in mind that with budget-friendly ANC earbuds, you probably won’t get everything you want, but you can get close. You may get great ANC, but maybe the app isn’t the best, or the controls have some limitations that premium sets aren’t hampered by, or maybe the mic is a weak point. Here, we’ve tried to round up some options to cover most priorities. If you’re an Android user, you might have to dig a little to get something with codecs other than AAC or SBC. At this point, you’d be hard-pressed to find anything good with spatial sound on a budget. However, technology has improved vastly in recent years, so you can find some gems for not much money.
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Best overall pick: SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro+
We pick SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro+ as our best overall choice for wireless earbuds under $100 thanks to a rare combination of advanced codecs, strong ANC, and a very high MDAQS-derived sound score. The Capsule3 Pro+ use xMEMS drivers and support LDAC, and their PeatsAudio app includes a 10-band custom equalizer for detailed tuning. In our testing the ANC reduced noise by up to 30dB and the earbuds are lightweight and comfortable at about 5g each. Battery life was weaker with ANC on (about 3 hours 53 minutes), but the charging case provides multiple extra charges. This pick also earned recognition for Best Sound Quality due to an overall MDAQS rating of 4.9, which indicates most listeners will enjoy the tuning.
Sourced from SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro+ review – SoundGuys.
Best Battery Life pick: Skullcandy Method 360 ANC
We named the Skullcandy Method 360 ANC our best battery life pick because it delivered a long runtime in our testing: about 7 hours and 43 minutes with ANC on and roughly 32 hours total with the case. Rapid Charge is useful too, supplying around 2 hours of playback from a 10-minute charge. The earbuds lean on Bose drivers and tuning, and their fit and included tips made them comfortable for extended wear — they also earned recognition for Best for Comfort. Connectivity is straightforward with Bluetooth 5.3 and multipoint support, and the app provides a 5-band EQ and ANC controls. These traits make the Method 360 ANC a strong choice for commuters and active users who need long battery life and a secure fit. Sourced from Skullcandy Method 360 ANC review: Bose sound on a budget? – SoundGuys.
Best for Android users pick: SOUNDPEATS Air5 Pro
The SOUNDPEATS Air5 Pro are our pick for Android users because they support LDAC and aptX Lossless alongside Bluetooth 5.4, letting compatible Android phones stream higher-resolution audio. The PeatsAudio app brings a 10-band equalizer, adaptive EQ features, and multipoint connectivity, while Adaptive ANC reduces external noise by an average of about 83% in testing. These earbuds are light and comfortable at roughly 4.8g each, and fast charging delivers a useful boost (about 2 hours from 10 minutes). Battery life with ANC on measured about 3 hours and 54 minutes, and the case claims up to 37 hours total. Sourced from SOUNDPEATS Air5 Pro review: High-end features at a budget price – SoundGuys.
Best Call Quality pick: CMF Buds Pro 2
The CMF Buds Pro 2 earn our best call quality recognition thanks to six microphones combined with an AI noise-reduction algorithm that keeps voices clear in noisy situations. Call audio can sound slightly muffled at times, but overall clarity and background suppression were notable strengths. The buds also include a unique Smart Dial on the case for tactile volume and playback control, and the Nothing X app adds a circular tri-band EQ and customization. In testing they lasted about 6 hours and 15 minutes with ANC on and offer useful fast-charge speeds. These features make them a solid pick for users who prioritize clear voice calls and hands-off controls. Sourced from CMF Buds Pro 2 review: Big features, small price, smart dial – SoundGuys.
Best Value pick: EarFun Air Pro 4
We selected the EarFun Air Pro 4 as our best value pick because they pack rare features for under $100: Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX Lossless and LDAC, a 10-band equalizer plus 30 EQ presets, wireless charging for the case, and strong battery life. In our testing the earbuds ran about 8 hours and 44 minutes on a single charge and the case extended total playback to around 41 hours. Strong ANC reduced perceived loudness by about 75% in the highest setting, and the EarFun Audio app adds wide customization and a find-my-earbuds function. They also earned a badge for Best for iPhone users given reliable AAC performance and multipoint connectivity. Sourced from EarFun Air Pro 4 review – SoundGuys.
Our verdict
Across these wireless earbuds under $100, we recommend the SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro+ when sound quality and modern codec support matter most, especially given its 4.9 MDAQS overall score and LDAC support. If you prioritize long runtimes for commuting or travel, the Skullcandy Method 360 ANC stands out for battery life and comfort. For Android owners who want the most from compatible phones, the SOUNDPEATS Air5 Pro offers LDAC and aptX Lossless support, while the EarFun Air Pro 4 delivers the best overall feature set for the price, including wireless charging and long battery life.
The CMF Buds Pro 2 are the clear choice for call-heavy users thanks to their mic array and AI noise reduction, and they bring convenient Smart Dial controls. Remaining models we tested but did not place—CMF Buds 2 and OnePlus Buds 4—also have roles: the CMF Buds 2 offer strong ANC performance (noted attenuation peaking in useful frequency ranges and long case runtime), while the OnePlus Buds 4 are comfortable, work best with OnePlus phones (unlocking LHDC and other features), and provide competitive ANC and mid-range battery life, so they could fit buyers looking for those specific strengths.
FAQ
If you wonder why you should care about ANC, consider that the less interference from the outside world your music competes with, the lower you can keep your volume to hear your music. If your volume remains at a safe level, then you have a much better chance of avoiding noise-induced hearing loss. Additionally, some folks use noise canceling earbuds as a way to better focus on a task by muting the distractions of a less-than-ideal environment.
ANC is a complicated enough task and relatively new, so we see the greatest differences between new and old ANC units and flagship and budget units. When compared to decades of research and design behind studio headphones (for example), through which the differences between cheap and expensive studio headphones eventually lead to diminishing returns, the gap between budget ANC earbuds and premium ANC earbuds is more striking. You can expect your wallet-friendly ANC earbuds to attenuate some noise but not necessarily do it as well as the latest top-tier ANC earbuds. Conversely, your brand new budget noise canceling earbuds may outperform last year's flagship because the technology rapidly improves each year.
Implementing noise canceling capabilities in earbuds requires more space-consuming hardware, adding to the manufacturing costs. Wireless earbuds with ANC use multiple microphones to receive external sounds and processors to counteract them with anti-noise signals.
You should expect at least an IPX4 rating against moisture most of the time on any noise canceling earbuds. Be careful if you choose to purchase earbuds with less than an IPX4 rating, and consider something more durable if you plan on exercising.
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