Getting distracted by background noise while listening to music or taking calls can be frustrating. Earbuds With Effective Noise Isolation are designed to block out ambient sound, allowing you to immerse yourself in your audio. With so many options on the market, finding the best noise isolating earbuds for your needs can be tricky.
Recent Released: The 7 Best Air Tube Headphones Under $50 in 2023
In this article, we review the 10 best noise isolating earbuds available on Amazon in 2023 based on critical features like sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, and value. Whether you’re looking for wireless earbuds to use while commuting or working out, top-of-the-line models with premium noise cancellation, or affordable options under $100, you’ll find the perfect pair here.
How We Chose the Best Earbuds With Effective Noise Isolation
In choosing the top 10 noise isolating earbuds on Amazon, we looked at a variety of factors including:
- Noise Isolation/Cancellation: How well do the earbuds block out ambient noise passively through a tight seal and/or actively via electronic noise cancellation?
- Sound Quality: How well do the earbuds reproduce audio with clarity, depth, and little to no distortion?
- Comfort: Do the earbud tips fit securely without causing pain during extended wear?
- Battery Life: How long do the wireless earbuds last on a single charge?
- Connectivity: Do the wireless earbuds pair easily and maintain a stable Bluetooth connection?
- Extra Features: Do the earbuds offer useful bonus features like transparency/ambient mode, wireless charging, sweat/water resistance, or companion apps?
- Value: Do the earbuds provide a solid combination of performance and features for the price?
With these factors in mind, we combed through thousands of reviews to select the top-rated noise isolating earbuds available on Amazon that deliver great bang for your buck.
The 10 Best Earbuds With Effective Noise Isolation on Amazon
1. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds top our list for their industry-leading active noise cancellation. These wireless earbuds block out the most ambient noise of any product on this list, eliminating up to 90% of outside sounds.
Key Features
- Superior active noise cancellation with multiple levels
- Balanced sound profile with deep bass
- Comfortable silicone tips provide a tight seal
- 6 hours battery life (18 total with charging case)
- Weather/sweat resistant (IPX4 rating)
- Companion app to customize settings
With their noise-masking prowess, excellent call quality, and vibrant sound, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds are ideal for frequent travelers and city dwellers. The only downsides are the high price and large charging case.
2. Sony WF-1000XM4
The Sony WF-1000XM4 earbuds are a close second for their stellar combination of audio performance and noise cancellation. They deliver crystal clear sound with thumping bass and impressively hush ambient noise.
Key Features:
- Industry-leading noise cancellation
- Big, immersive sound
- 8 hours battery life (24 hours with charging case)
- Integrated Bluetooth chip for stable wireless connection
- Transparency mode to let in ambient sounds
- Adjustable EQ in companion app
With a comfortable fit, sleek design, and comprehensive companion app, the Sony WF-1000XM4s are versatile performers perfect for commutes, flights, or tuning in to music at home.
3. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)
Apple’s second-generation AirPods Pro earn a spot on this list for offering strong noise cancellation and excellent transparency mode in a lightweight, comfortable design perfect for iPhone users.
Key Features:
- Great active noise cancellation
- Immersive spatial audio with dynamic head tracking
- Transparency mode allows ambient sounds through
- 6 hours battery life (30 hours with MagSafe charging case)
- IPX4 sweat and water resistance
- Seamless connectivity and controls on iOS devices
While they lack the sound quality of higher-end options, the AirPods Pro 2 provide a seamless user experience for Apple fans looking for portable earbuds suitable for everyday use.
4. Sony WF-1000XM3
Despite being succeeded by the 1000XM4, the previous generation Sony WF-1000XM3 still make the list for their effective noise cancellation, engaging sound, and cheaper price point.
Key Features:
- Impressive noise isolation performance
- Detailed, bass-rich sound
- 24-bit audio signal processing
- 6 hours battery life (24 hours with charging case)
- Quick charging (90 minutes of playtime from 10 minutes charging)
- Customizable controls and EQ
For their lower cost, the Sony WF-1000XM3 remain a smart alternative to the 1000XM4 if you can live without the latest features. Their compact size and terrific noise isolation still satisfy.
5. Beats Fit Pro
The innovative Beats Fit Pro earbuds stand out for their secure, comfortable fit perfect for active lifestyles and their strong Apple device integration.
Key Features:
- Innovative wingtip and ear tip design for secure fit
- Excellent noise cancellation
- Punchy, bass-heavy sound
- Transparency mode to hear surroundings
- 6 hours playtime (24 hours with case)
- Qi wireless charging case
- iOS features like “Hey Siri” and audio sharing
With sweat and water resistance and amazing iOS integration, the tailored fit of the Beats Fit Pro makes them ideal Apple earbuds for workouts and active use. Android users may want more features for the price.
6. Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
Samsung’s premium true wireless earbuds, the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, deliver excellent noise isolation for the price along with great sound quality and deep Samsung device integration.
Key Features:
- Outstanding active noise cancellation
- AKG-tuned sound with wide soundstage
- Low-latency Bluetooth connection for videos/gaming
- IPX7 waterproof and sweatproof
- 29 hours total battery life (with case)
- Seamless pairing and auto-switching with Samsung devices
For Samsung smartphone or tablet users wanting noise-blocking earbuds with dynamic, immersive sound, the affordable Galaxy Buds 2 Pro make an excellent choice over more expensive rivals.
7. Shure Aonic 215
Audiophiles will love the Shure Aonic 215 for their unmatched sound quality and ability to isolate audio with a tailored fit and up to 37dB of noise cancellation.
Key Features:
- Customizable fit with sound isolating design
- Rich, accurate audio reproduction
- Wired connectivity via Bluetooth/Lightning/USB-C cables
- Durable build with 7 hours continuous playback
- Removable sleeves to match ear canal shape
- iOS/Android app with EQ presets
While lacking wireless functionality, the impeccable sound and noise isolation of the Shure Aonic 215 appeal to musicians and discerning listeners who want a personalized listening experience.
8. Anker Soundcore Life P3
For shoppers on a budget, the Anker Soundcore Life P3 earbuds provide surprisingly decent noise isolation and bass-rich audio at a fraction of the cost of premium models.
Key Features:
- Affordable price under $100
- Respectable noise cancellation for cost
- Customizable EQ and transparency modes in app
- Up to 7 hours playtime (35 hours with case)
- USB-C and wireless charging
- IPX5 water resistance rating
While they won’t satisfy audiophiles, the lively sound, active noise cancellation, and cost savings of the Soundcore Life P3 make them a great value pick.
9. 1More ComfoBuds Pro
Another reasonably priced option with solid noise isolation are the 1More ComfoBuds Pro. They stand out for their comfortable fit and support for advanced Bluetooth codecs.
Key Features:
- Impressive noise cancellation technology
- Warm, balanced sound profile
- Smallest/lightest noise cancelling earbuds
- 5 hours playtime (20 hours with case)
- LDAC, AAC, and SBC codec support
- Customizable controls and hearing ID test
For under $100, the 1More ComfoBuds Pro give you quality active noise cancellation without breaking the bank. Their lightweight comfort makes them easy to wear all day.
10. Etymotic Research ER2SE
Lastly, the Etymotic Research ER2SE demonstrate that passive noise isolation can be extremely effective when done right. Their deep in-ear fit blocks even loud environments better than many active noise cancellation earbuds.
Key Features:
- 35-42dB noise isolation through deep in-ear fit
- Accurate, neutral audio tuned for detail
- Detachable cable (3.5mm or USB-C)
- Extremely compact, lightweight aluminum body
- Includes assorted eartips for custom fit -Unbeatable noise blocking under $100
While not for everyone, the Etymotic ER2SE show that with a good seal, passive isolation can suffice over active noise cancellation for those on a strict budget.
Earbuds With Effective Noise Isolation Comparison Table
| Model | Style | Noise Cancellation | Battery Life | IP Rating | Price |
| Bose QuietComfort | True wireless | Excellent (active) | 6 hrs (24 hrs with case) | IPX4 | $$$ |
| Sony WF-1000XM4 | True wireless | Excellent (active) | 8 hrs (24 hrs with case) | IPX4 | $$$ |
| Apple AirPods Pro 2 | True wireless | Very good (active) | 6 hrs (30 hrs with case) | IPX4 | $$ |
| Sony WF-1000XM3 | True wireless | Very good (active) | 6 hrs (24 hrs with case) | IPX4 | $$ |
| Beats Fit Pro | True wireless | Very good (active) | 6 hrs (24 hrs with case) | IPX4 | $$$ |
| Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro | True wireless | Very good (active) | 5 hrs (29 hrs with case) | IPX7 | $$ |
| Shure Aonic 215 | Wired | Excellent (passive) | 7 hrs | N/A | $$$ |
| Anker Soundcore Life P3 | True wireless | Good (active) | 7 hrs (35 hrs with case) | IPX5 | $ |
| 1More ComfoBuds Pro | True wireless | Good (active) | 5 hrs (20 hrs with case) | N/A | $ |
| Etymotic ER2SE | Wired | Excellent (passive) | N/A | N/A | $ |
What to Look for in Noise Isolating Earbuds
Earbuds With Effective Noise Isolation use a combination of passive and active techniques to block external sound:
- Passive isolation depends on a tight seal between the eartip and ear canal to physically prevent outside noise from entering. Custom-fitting ear tips are most effective.
- Active noise cancellation (ANC) uses built-in microphones to analyze ambient noise and cancel it with inverse sound waves. More advanced ANC chips cancel more noise.
Other key factors when choosing noise isolating earbuds include:
- Audio quality: Look for earbuds that reproduce music with accuracy, depth, and minimal distortion.
- Comfort: The earbuds shouldn’t cause pain over long listening periods. Stable, ergonomic designs stay put.
- Battery life: For wireless earbuds, battery life of at least 5-6 hours is ideal for all-day use between charges.
- Wireless connectivity: Bluetooth earbuds should have stable connections, good range, and support for advanced codecs.
- Extra features: Water/sweat resistance, onboard controls, transparency modes, and companion apps add functionality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much noise can Earbuds With Effective Noise Isolation block out?
A: It depends on the model, but the best can block ambient noise by up to 30-40 decibels, shutting out most loud environments. Quality active noise cancellation earbuds cancel about 85-95% of mid-range ambient frequencies.
Q: Are noise isolating earbuds safe for your hearing?
A: As long as you keep the volume at moderate, safe levels, noise isolating earbuds pose no inherent risks to hearing. They allow listening at lower volumes by shutting out ambient noise. But loud volumes in any headphones can damage hearing over time.
Q: Do noise isolating earbuds work for phone calls?
A: Yes, many noise isolating earbuds like AirPods Pro use beamforming microphones and algorithms to isolate speech and filter out background noise effectively during calls and video chats. Active noise cancellation is disabled during calls to prevent voices from getting cancelled out.
Q: Can you sleep with noise isolating earbuds?
A: Some noise isolating earbuds are comfortable enough to sleep with, but experts don’t recommend wearing any earbuds or headphones overnight. Sleeping with earbuds may irritate ear canals, become dislodged and create a choking hazard, or endanger hearing by playing audio all night.
Q: Are noise isolating earbuds good for working out?
A: Absolutely. Noise isolating workout earbuds allow you to focus on your music or audio coaching without noisy gym distractions. Look for sweatproof/waterproof models like the Beats Fit Pro designed to stay put during vigorous exercise.
Conclusion
From true wireless models with the most cutting-edge active noise cancellation to custom in-ears with unrivaled passive isolation, there are noise isolating earbuds tailored for every budget and listener. Consider your needs for audio performance, comfort, battery life, and budget, and review our top recommendations to experience your music, movies, calls, and more without pesky ambient noise.