Ever been annoyed by the by the crying baby two rows back on your long-haul flight, or the loudest keyboard in the “open office” experiment you are now part of? Ever been annoyed by the size and heft of over-the-head noise-canceling cans? 

Best true wireless earbuds with active noise cancellation

Sony 1000XM3

They last more on a charge and are cheaper than Apple’s finest, but are bigger and less resistant to your sweat and tears while you work out. Tap on the bud, though, and immediately get a conversation through, and, with the latest software update from 11/26, Sony added Alexa support, as well the ability to adjust the volume using the headphones’ touch sensor.

Apple AirPods Pro

Just as long rumored, Apple stepped in the wonderful world of true wireless noise cancellation with the new AirPods Pro buds that are on top of that water resistant, so brace yourselves for people on the treadmill next to you not hearing what you are shouting at them.

Yes, the new AirPods Pro don’t cost $230 (or $199 on sale) as Sony’s direct WF-1000XM3 competitors, but Apple is rather pricing them directly as much as the PowerBeats Pro, even though they last less on a charge than Sony’s noise-cancelling buds. They are, however, more sweat resistant and more elegant-looking than the Sony pair, plus the fit and the call quality when paired with an iPhone is some of the best out there.

Amazon Echo Buds

Best noise-cancelling wireless earphones with neckband design

Plantronics BackBeat Go 410

Despite getting the last year’s tech treatment, Plantronics’ BackBeat Go 410 have a few undeniable advantages before the abovementioned buds – they are wireless but not truly wireless, so you won’t have to deal with searching for the left one under the couch, or lug a charging case with you at all times. 

They are priced at entry-level, since syncing and battery spacing are non-issues with the neckband design. There are other advantages, like cutting off the battery-chugging ANC by simply dropping the buds down so they magnetically attach to each other.

Sony WI-1000X

If you have wisened up enough to realize the advantages of the neckband design and aren’t worried about the respective “OK boomer” memes, our last proposition may be your best bet on the quest to find the ultimate ratio of excellent active noise cancellation and great battery life. Again, Sony isn’t doing itself any favors by naming the WI-1000X as it did, but managed to churn out a product worthy of carrying the brand that was once synonymous with quality audio. 

On top of that, the neckband design provides solid 10 hours of battery life with ANC on – the best battery life of the bunch here – as well as aptX HD Bluetooth that can play 24bit/48kHz streams if you have them handy. Audio quality is very balanced with a still-punching bass, and if your battery runs out, you can just plug them in a regular jack with the provided adapter cable. For a Benjamin less than the Bose with the same great ANC and sound but more features, these Sonys are a no-brainer for those who don’t mind neckbud wireless designs.

All in all, Sony’s somewhat clumsily named WF-1000XM3 and WI-1000X are the best (not budget) options if you are looking for wireless bud sets with good audio and active noise cancellation to lessen that droning jet sound on long haul flights. The AirPods Pro are best if you are in the Apple ecosphere, while the Echo Buds and BackBeat Go 410 are good options for those who are looking to tune in and zone out on a budget.