Noise cancelling earbuds

Noise cancelling earbuds, that is with active noise cancelling (ANC), have microphones that listen to the noise around you and cancel it with an inverted signal. They work best on steady sound: a plane's engines, the train, the metro or the air conditioning of an open-plan office.

– TESNA Ultra: adaptive cancelling up to 50 dB that adjusts itself to the noise around you, Hi-Res sound over LDAC on compatible Android phones and 40 hours with the case.
– TESNA Free7: hybrid cancelling up to 38 dB in a bud of only 3.9 g, with four tip sizes including XS. Good for small ears and for sleeping on a plane.

Both work with iPhone and Android. Prices from 109 lei, with delivery in 1–3 days.

How much noise do they really cut? Read What adaptive ANC means and Earbuds for flying.

Bluetooth earbuds with active noise cancelling need not be expensive: the Free7 are the cheapest ANC earbuds in the range, from 109 lei.

WHAT TO CHECK

The decibels: a higher figure means more quiet, but how well the tip seals matters just as much.
Battery with ANC on: the Ultra 8 hours, the Free7 6 hours, plus the case.
For full-size headphones that cover the ear, see the over-ear range.

WHEN YOU NEED TO HEAR AROUND YOU

On the Ultra, press and hold the bud and the volume drops, so you hear an announcement at the station or someone speaking to you without taking it out. With the other models, switch ANC off or take a bud out. Noise cancelling does not stop voices and sudden sounds completely, but it makes them much quieter. If you fly often, read our guide to earbuds for flying; if you are not sure what adaptive ANC means, a separate guide explains it simply.

WHERE THEY HELP

Wireless ANC earbuds help you focus: for studying, in an open-plan office, at home when the neighbours will not stop, and for sleeping on a noisy night. They do not block every sound, but they make steady noise much quieter. All of them work with iPhone and Android.