Honorary mention
Now, most new headphones and earbuds offer at least one noise-cancelling microphone, which would be impossible (and not productivity), listing everything we like above. If you haven’t found your fit yet, here are more favorites worth considering.
The Beyerdynamic Amiron 300 costs $280: These simple-looking earbuds (8/10, wired recommendation) are a great way to experience quiet luxury. They have 10 hours of battery life and make up for noise cancellation, and have some of the best drivers for the vocals I hear in any earbuds.
Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds cost $298: Sony’s fifth-generation flagship earbuds (7/10, wired recommendation) shrink when tightening. These buds are smaller and slippery than previous XM4 buds (and too smooth when grabbing them). As before, they offer huge sound and noise, can exceed many options and need to match. In true Sony style, they offer a range of adaptive features and EQ controls while simultaneously keeping eight hours of playback without it, 12 hours without it. – Ryan Waniata
SoundCore Life Q30 priced at $60-85: Anker’s Soundcore series is nothing if not value awareness, and the Life Q30 offers an embarrassing extra list for their bargaining pricing. You get clear and warm sound, excellent features, plenty of battery life, and noise reduction that will get the job done even on long flights, although it won’t keep up with the flagship pair. It’s hard to complain when they spend hundreds of people, especially when the sale price sometimes drops to around $50.
Sony WH-1000XM4 priced at $250-350: Sony’s WH-1000X lineup has made some of the best noise headphones in nearly a decade, and the aging WH-1000XM4 (9/10, wired recommendation) is no exception. They are on sale regularly for $300, but it’s hard to find below full price, which is hard for a five-year-old.
Bowers & Wilkins PI8 earbuds for $400: Bowers & Wilkins’ PI8 (8/10, wired recommendation) offers a stylish, comfortable design, solid (although not Bose-Bose) noise reduction, and it sounds great. The call quality is also great, which maybe makes them perfect commercial earbuds, although their huge price will not attract everyone.
Bowers and Wilkins PX7 S2E for $400: The PX7 S2E has upgraded audio quality that delivers excellent sound in a stylish yet sophisticated design. They are also one of the most comfortable headphones we’ve tested, but their noise cancellation hasn’t increased to the top players for that money.
Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 priced at $400: These external ears from Beyerdynamic (7/10, wired recommendation) have the brand’s classic studio sound with tight high range and strong lows. The downside is that they don’t cancel noise like Sony, Bose and the others above. Still, they sound great and worth considering, especially if you can snap them up.
SoundCore Space A40 costs $60: Another top value A40 purchased from Anker’s Soundcore brand (8/10, wired recommendation) is our favorite cheap earbuds, especially as its price continues to drop. You will find elegant design, many features, high-quality sound and their class to eliminate noise.
Apple Beats Fit Pro for $199: The Beats Fit Pro is an aging, but still eliminates a pair of wireless buds, with excellent sound, easy-to-access physical buttons and rugged noise for boots. Add to that six hours of battery life and spatial audio compatibility with Apple Music and other services, you have one of the best earbuds ever.
EPOS/SENNHEISER adapts to 660 at a price of $210: Want a great sound, comfortable fit and high-quality noise cancellation technology instead of paying less for Sony or Bose headphones? Check out this collaboration between EPOS and Sennheiser. The EPOS/SENNHEISER Adaptation 660 (8/10, Wired Recommended) sounds great and is some of the lightest noise-cancelling headphones I have ever worn. They also have excellent microphones that are very silent on calls and zoom.
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