The next gen of true wireless earbuds that last enough for a long-haul flight will be soon released with Bluetooth LE Audio or the most recent audio codec LC3 and Ultra-low energy processor. So currently there hasn’t been Bose Quiet Comfort 35II that can last up to 20 hours yet for TWS but we have more options. And active noise cancelling TWS just last more or less than 5 hours.
Post’s hightlights
- NC TWS’ battery can last up to 8 hours
- No ANC TWS with performance comparable to Bose QC35
- Adaptive NC will be a feature soon for TWS, this can automatically adjust the NC effectiveness in real-time depending on how earbuds fit into the ears. It’s like earbuds only cancel out the noise when they hear incoming noises, that will save battery life.
- Jabra Elite 85t have 11 level of ANC.
- Huawei FreeBuds Pro are capable of switching ANC to three different levels automatically.
Active noise cancelling feature requires battery to operate its function.
Josiad – TheBestEarbuds.com
Fact about listening to music in noisy environment – the cheap earbuds, mid-range and true wireless earbuds sound the same. I tested and verified this information while I’m on 3-Hour bus, but when switching my ANC earbuds ON this pair sound the best since they cancel out car engine noise – severely effect the earbuds’ sound.
No valid technical data specifies which one is better than another – until you have them on and acknowledge the difference. Even though companies claimed how many dB their earbuds are able to cancel out, for example Airpods – 38 dB, FreeBuds Pro 40 dB, but in the real world, their performance is varied. I’ve rounded up 5 pairs that do the job.
AKG N400
Bluetooth chipset: BES model not specified
Samsung acquired AKG to enter the TWS audio market and they take on other brands with with Galaxy Buds series – quite successful products.
Apparently the AKG N400 was engineered by AKG – with their long-history hardware configuration and sound-tuning the N400 definitely are solid TWS earbuds. Everybody crave for ANC feature so N400 just included it to compete.
Equipped with 8.2mm dynamic driver, the N400 performs even better than Galaxy Buds+ also great for the price. It also have better IPX rating – with number 7.
Touch control is responsive to activate BixBy, Siri or Google Assistant. Silicon jacket is similar to Buds+ and included comply memory foam tips maximize the comfort.
Aside from great sound profile, which I listed them as top TWS sound, the N400 have 6 hours battery life between charges, and double from the charging case.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds
ANC performance rating: 9.0/10
Best ANC that trades off the size, the Bose QuietComfort EarBuds weighs 8.5 grams.
If you prioritize the sound – dynamic, energetic sound and wide soundstage for sports, ANC performance and movies the Bose QuietComfort EarBuds will be the top pick.
Pros
- Outstanding ANC performance
- More comfortable with StayHear® Max tip design which is softer and lighter
- Best sound for a pair of TWS ANC earbuds
Cons
- Bulky
- Average call quality
Sony WF-1000XM3
ANC performance rating: 8.0/10
Apple Airpods Pro
ANC performance rating: 7.5/10
With recent Spatial Audio release, Apple Airpods Pro brings surrounding audio effect into the ear, taking your movie watching experience to a whole new level. Together with excellent call quality and sound, the AirPods Pro are smallest ANC earbuds.
Huawei FreeBuds Pro
ANC performance rating: 7.5/10
AirPods Pro alternative for Huawei phone users. Except the Spatial Audio feature, the FreeBuds Pro have something called dynamic noise cancellation that is on par with or even better than top ANC TWS earbuds.
Galaxy Buds Live
ANC performance rating: 6.0/10
It’s hard to say the Galaxy Buds Live could do the job for noise cancelling, but I add them into this list as a optional if you prefer something different from the rest.
Like Airpods and Bose QuietComfort 20, the Galaxy Buds Live have an unsealed style, so the buds sit outside your ear canals.
The Galaxy Buds Live last more than 8 hours if ANC is ON.
AMAZON ECHO BUDS
Amazon Echo Buds is no difference from others that they cancel out low-and mid frequency ranges jet engine. Their sound profile is less natural than AirPods Pro.
Boltune Wireless Earbuds Active Noise Cancelling – Alternative for Airpods Pro
This pair is much cheaper than Airpods Pro – but it’s functional, comfortable and noise-isolating.
Claimed as enhanced bass earbuds, but actually the Boltune’s bass is decent, I think its sound is rather focusing on mid-range which is clear and bodied.
The noise cancellation performance is “not that bad” it can literally reduce the noise by 28dB. With 4 mics they work well for call and the battery is 5 hours.
Audio-Technica ATH-ANC300TW
1More’s True Wireless ANC
Recently the 1More’s True Wireless ANC get THX certified for their sound and ANC that their sound and performance has dramatically improved with firmware update.
The earbuds have textured Carbon Fiber Finish and the charging case have a great build quality with aluminum alloy and wireless charging feature.
Equipped with QCC3034, which supports Qualcomm aptX and TWS+ low-latency, the 1More’s True Wireless ANC have 4 hours of battery life with ANC On and 5 hours ANC off.
Libratone Track Air+
Technics EAH-AZ70W
The true performer for both sound and NC.
Included features such as transparency mode, touch control work flawlessly too.
A lot of factors determine the ANC performance such as how good the earbuds seal into your ears and how they deal with the noise. They can subtract certain noises effectively but given the complexity of surrouding sound they can’t cancel out all of the noise – image you are in a place where chatting, road noise, horning are mixed up.
The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 would be the last pair in your shortlist though they are not on pair with Airpods Pro or WF-1000XM3 but they do sound good (probably the best sound in TWS realm) – clear, high purity.
Qualcomm recently released the next gen of ultra-low power Bluetooth processors (QCC514x and QCC304x series) that significantly reduces the power consumption. And the ANC earbuds that can last longer than 10 hours will be on the market soon.
Budget ANC TWS
Most of them are outsourced from the same companies, so they look pretty similar both for functionalities and sound, though their looks and controls are varied from one to another.
Tozo NC9, TaoTronics SoundLiberty 94, and 20Decebel ANC all have the same hardware, key specs, sound and ANC performance.
These are the best ANC TWS you can buy under $100, ANC is known for their effectively blocking out the low-frequencies like AC, flight engine, but these earbuds can do with high pitches as well.
Edifier NB
Bluetooth chipset: Qualcomm QCC3026
Edifier NB are cheap, but less tech implemented mean they get longer battery life. With 13 large-size dynamic unit, the bass is big and the sound overall is impressive.
How Active Noise Cancelling Earbuds Work?
Most advanced ANC earbud have 2 microphones, the outward-facing mic to pick up ambient noise and the inward-facing mic to pick up the other noises in the ears and the noises that is not cancelled out by the first channel.
How To Pick A Pair Of ANC TWS Earbuds
ANC and its technology, sound, design, comfort and fit, Bluetooth connection, battery life, wireless charging case.
Models reviewed – tech specs, Bluetooth chipset, ANC technology and design.
233621 Zen. Wireless Noise-Canceling Earbuds
ANC performance rating: 7.0/10
The 233621 Zen features Qualcomm QCC5124’s hybrid ANC with dual mic to capture feedback, feedforward noises. They are cheap and come in smaller size than top ANC performers.
Pros
- Good sound
- Good ANC performance but not great
- Transparancy mode
- IXP4 rating
- Qualcomm AptX support.
Cons
- Average call quality
Amazon Echo Buds
Bose QC Earbuds
Edifier TWS NB2
FreeBuds Pro, FreeBuds 3
Honor FlyPods 3
Haylou T16 TWS
LINNER NC100
Xiaomi Air 2 Pro
TicPods ANC
Oppo Enco X
Oppo Enco W51
Realme Buds Air Pro
Sony WF-1000XM3
Sony WF-1000X
Sony WF-SP700N
Samsung Galaxy Buds Live
Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro
Urbanista London True Wireless Earbuds
ZMI PurPods Pro
1MORE ComfoBuds Pro
35dB noise cancelling capcity, 3 mics for NC tech, 13.4mm ultra-dynamic unit driver, IPX4 rating, quick charging 15min for 2 hours of listening, 6 hours of battery life with ANC on.
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