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ANC wireless earbuds

Read Cult of Mac’s latest posts on ANC wireless earbuds:

EarFun’s top budget earbuds punch way above their weight [Review] ★★★★

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EarFun Air Pro 4 Plus with closed case★★★★
For under $100, EarFun Air Pro 4 Plus are killer.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

The budget wireless earbuds market has become increasingly competitive, but this EarFun Air Pro 4 Plus earbuds review finds they manage to stand out with a compelling combination great sound, premium features and aggressively good value. Priced at $100 — with a launch discount coupon on Amazon bringing it down to about $80 —  these earbuds challenge what we’ve come to expect from the sub-$100 category. And they do so while going toe-to-toe with Apple’s $249 AirPods Pro 3.

EarFun Air Pro 4+ earbuds bring hi-res sound for under $100

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EarFun Air Pro 4+ earbuds
With dual drivers and Hi-Res Audio certification, you can count on good sound.
Photo: EarFun

New EarFun Air Pro 4+ noise-canceling earbuds are the world’s first Hi-Res certified dual-driver wireless buds with adaptive noise cancellation under $100, EarFun said Monday. So they offer Apple users a potentially compelling alternative to AirPods Pro at less than half the price.

And a launch discount makes the price even harder to resist. See below. 

5 best Sennheiser earbuds for iPhone users

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Best Sennheiser earbuds for iPhone
When it comes to the best Sennheiser earbuds for iPhone, users are spoiled for choice.
Photo: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

Pairing your iPhone with the right earbuds shouldn’t be a compromise. While Apple’s ecosystem makes AirPods the obvious choice, Sennheiser’s German-engineered earbuds deliver superior sound quality that transforms how you experience music, podcasts and calls. We ranked the five best Sennheiser earbuds for iPhone users, with picks for various price points and uses.

From flagship audiophile options to budget-conscious picks, here’s everything you need to know about finding your perfect Sennheiser earbuds for iPhone.

8 best Sony headphones for iPhone users

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Best Sony headphones for iPhone
Choose the best Sony headphones to use with iPhone.
AI image: Grok

Finding the perfect Sony headphones for iPhone might seem challenging when Apple pushes its own audio ecosystem so heavily. This comprehensive guide examines each model’s features, pros, cons and pricing to help you find the perfect match for your specific needs and budget. Let’s dive into what makes these Sony headphones exceptional companions for your iPhone.

AirPods Pro 3 teardown puts foam-infused ear tips under the microscope

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iFixit AirPods Pro 3 teardown
iFixit found plenty of reasons why even pro technicians wouldn't want to mess with these.
Photo: iFixit

iFixit released its teardown of Apple’s new AirPods Pro 3 Wednesday, providing a close-up look at new features including the foam-infused ear tips Apple includes for greater sound isolation, as well the new battery scheme and repositioned rare-earth magnets. 

But the group’s major finding should be unsurprising to anyone familiar with the company’s wireless earbuds. The latest generation earns the same dismal 0 out of 10 repairability score that has plagued the product line since its inception nine years ago.

Score Beats Studio Buds+ at 41% off

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Beats-Studio-Buds-Plus-transparent
With Beats Studio Buds+, we love the transparent color choice
Photo: Apple

Need great wireless earbuds but not into spending hundred of dollars? Amazon is currently selling Beats Studio Buds+ for the uncommonly low price of $169.95 $99.95 — a whopping 41% off. 

Or if that deal expires — it’s only good for a limited time — you can get a pair of the more basic Beats Studio Buds for $99.95 (a third off). See more below.

AirPods Pro 3 rumors: Heart rate monitoring, design changes and more

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AirPods Pro 3 rumors
Here's everything to expect from Apple's premium earbuds.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple looks poised to unveil its highly anticipated AirPods Pro 3 at its Awe Dropping event on September 9, marking the first major update to the premium noise-canceling earbuds since 2022. Multiple sources suggest the third-generation model will bring significant hardware upgrades alongside Apple’s continued software feature rollouts. Check out all the AirPods Pro 3 rumors below.

Find audio bliss with 2025’s best noise-canceling headphones

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Graphic to illustrate roundup of the best noise canceling headphones and earbuds.
When both silence and music are bliss, make sure you pick the ideal noise canceling headphones or earbuds.
Photo: Grok Aurora AI

Whether you’re navigating a noisy commute, seeking focus in a bustling office, trying to unwind during air travel or simply blissing out to your favorite tunes, the right pair of noise-canceling headphones can transform your audio experience. These sophisticated devices do more than just play music — they create a mobile personal sanctuary.

Active noise cancellation (ANC) technology has evolved dramatically in recent years, with options ranging from premium over-ear headphones to compact wireless earbuds. The best models excel not just at blocking out unwanted noise, but also deliver exceptional sound quality, comfortable fit and long battery life.

Our comprehensive guide discusses key factors like a model’s noise-reduction capabilities, audio performance, comfort during extended wear and additional features that enhance the user experience. Find help navigating the options to find your perfect audio companion below.

Give your ears the Prime Day gift of great headphones for (much) less [Buying guide]

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Prime Day headphones
There's nothing like a great pair of insanely expensive headphones. But Prime Day helps!
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

If you’re like me, Amazon Prime Day is partly about scoring cool stuff you otherwise find uncomfortably pricey. I can’t go around buying every set of headphones and earbuds that catch my eye. But with Prime Day headphones deals, maybe I can sneak something sweet-sounding past my sense of guilt, you know?

And so can you! Check out some of the absolute best Amazon Prime Days deals on headphones and earbuds below. I found wishlist-worthy cans and buds with savings of $100 or more (in some cases, much more — even discounts of $305 off primo open-back cans, $315 off top noise-canceling headphones and $150 off some seriously nice earbuds).

Score the best Prime Day deals on Beats headphones and earbuds

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Beats Studio Buds deal
These are very solid noise-canceling earbuds for about $50 after discount.
Photo: Apple

Right now you can get the best Amazon Prime Day Beats audio deals on great headphones and earbuds — some pretty close to their lowest prices ever. For example, a fresh price drop on Beats’ awesome flagship headphones, Beats Studio Pro, gives you a whopping $180 discount. At just $169.95, they’re 51% off and just $10 above their lowest-ever price.

Another great example? You can nab a whopping $80 off the excellent Beats Studio Buds+ at just $89.95 — a 47%-off discount! And you get the new Powerbeats Pro 2 sport earbuds for $198.95, or $80 off.

Soundcore Liberty 5 earbuds challenge AirPods Pro 2 at half the price [Review] ★★★★★

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Soundcore Liberty 5 earbuds review★★★★★
Soundcore Liberty 5 noise-canceling earbuds sit in their wireless charging case.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

After four solid generations before them, Soundcore Liberty 5 wireless noise-canceling earbuds are compact audio powerhouses. My Soundcore Liberty 5 earbuds review finds they challenge premium noise-canceling earbuds like AirPods Pro 2 for about half the price. In fact, Liberty 5’s price ($130) went down from Liberty 4’s starting price by $20.

While Apple, Sony and Bose dominate the high-end market, Soundcore steadily refined their Liberty series to deliver impressive sound quality without the premium price tag. During my testing, the earbuds demonstrated remarkable performance in a variety of ways, along with a limitation or two.

Soundcore Liberty 5 earbuds boost noise canceling, immersive sound

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Soundcore Liberty 5 earbuds
The updated earbuds comes in four colors.
Photo: Soundcore

Newly updated Soundcore Liberty 5 noise-canceling wireless earbuds pack enhanced voice reduction, more-adaptive active noise cancellation (ANC) and improved Dolby immersive audio, the Anker Innovations brand said Wednesday.

And did we mention the price dropped by $20 since Liberty 4? So now they’re even less expensive than Apple’s various AirPods Pro 2, at $129.

Nab Powerbeats Pro 2 sports earbuds for $50 off

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Powerbeats Pro 2 deal
The ear hooks keep them secure no matter how hard you push your workout.
Photo: Beats

The sleek new Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds designed to stay on during workouts of any intensity only came out in February 2025. But you can already get a 20% discount. That brings down the list price from $249.99 to $199.99, a savings of $50. And that applies to all four color choices!

So maybe you buy these and that becomes your motivation to get back to the gym. Everybody wins.

Powerbeats Pro 2 vs. AirPods Pro 2: Which premium Apple earbuds should you choose?

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Powerbeats Pro 2 vs. AirPods Pro 2
When it comes to Apple's top noise-canceling earbuds, it's an easy choice for some and a tough choice for others.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple’s audio lineup recently expanded with the arrival of Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds, creating an interesting competition with the established AirPods Pro 2. Both high-end wireless earbuds share Apple’s technology backbone but target different segments of the market. So in a Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 vs. AirPods Pro 2 comparison, which should you choose?

Let’s compare these premium options across design, features, performance and value to help you determine which is right for your lifestyle.

Redesigned Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds feature heart-rate monitoring

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Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds launch - athlete
The redesigned Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are like AirPods Pro 2, but for workouts.
Photo: Beats

The redesigned Powerbeats Pro 2 unveiled Tuesday are Apple’s first earbuds to feature built-in heart rate monitoring. The fitness-oriented wireless earbuds feature ear hooks for a secure fit during workouts. Plus, they come with Apple’s H2 chip and bring adaptive EQ, Spatial Audio and improved active noise cancellation with Transparency Mode.

Apple calls the new Powerbeats Pro 2 “the most advanced product we’ve ever developed.”

EarFun’s top new earbuds feature real-time AI language translation

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EarFun language translation earbuds
EarFun Air Pro 4+ will translate languages in real time, the company said.
Photo: EarFun

The new flagship EarFun Air Pro 4+ noise-canceling earbuds feature AI-powered language translation. EarFun also will roll out other new products this week at CES, the big consumer electronics show in Las Vegas. The lineup includes clip-on earbuds and hook-on open-ear earbuds for workouts, affordable noise-canceling over-ear headphones, and an Auracast USB-C dongle that can enable lossless audio for devices. If you’re looking for a comparison with AirPods Mac, check out how they stack up against these new releases.

Boldly designed ‘subwoofer’ earbuds boast 3 drivers but mixed performance [Review] ★★★

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Between 3ANC earbuds★★★
Status Audio's Between 3ANC wireless earbuds features three drivers per bud and a distinctive look.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

Over about a week of testing for this Status Audio Between 3ANC earbuds review, I found the distinctive buds to be a product of intriguing contrasts — ambitious in some areas while falling short in others.  Currently priced at $179 (recently reduced from $199 and $249 before that), the earbuds try to compete with industry leaders like AirPods Pro 2 through a unique triple-driver design and striking looks. In fact, these earbuds even claim in ads to have a “subwoofer” for the low end. But while Between 3ANC buds boast good sound, I found overall performance results somewhat mixed.

Creative Aurvana Ace 2 earbuds: A glimpse into portable audio’s future [Review] ★★★

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Creative Aurvana Ace 2 earbuds review★★★
The earbuds and case feature a transparent black finish. They have great sound but need to boost other features to be great all around.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

After testing Creative Aurvana Ace 2 earbuds, I’ve found them to be a fascinating glimpse into the future of portable audio technology — albeit with some growing pains at this early stage. The $149.99 buds — often discounted — represent one of the first consumer implementations of xMEMS solid-state driver technology. But the impressive audio quality doesn’t make these earbuds as great as they could be because of other shortcomings.

Aurvana Ace 2 came out about a year ago, but this marks my first time experiencing xMEMS Labs micro speakers I’ve written about several times, so I was happy to try them out.

Feature-packed Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro earbuds make a great choice for most [Review] ★★★★

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Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro earbuds★★★★
The upgraded charging case with display and touch bar is pretty cool, especially for keeping tabs on battery level.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

The new Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro wireless noise-canceling earbuds are the flagship of Anker’s Soundcore earbuds lineup, promising and delivering great sound and high-end features at a more accessible price point than some competitors, like AirPods Pro 2. After putting the Liberty Pro buds through their paces in various scenarios, I’m happy to recommend them for most users in this Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro earbuds review.

And that nifty new charging case with display screen and touch bar is pretty cool. But it’s a bit of a gimmick because it doesn’t do anything you can’t do with the app or touch controls. That said, most earbuds charging cases don’t have those features at all (yet).

Bowers & Wilkins aims for stellar sound with 2 new sets of noise-canceling earbuds

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new Bowers & Wilkins earbuds
The sleek and stylish Pi8 earbuds are Bowers & Wilkins' most advanced set yet.
Photo: Bowers & Wilkins

The new Bowers & Wilkins Pi6 and Pi8 wireless, active noise canceling (ANC) earbuds aim to redefine the premium earbud market with upgraded features, impeccable design and stellar sound quality, the venerable brand said Wednesday. The new buds come from the same team behind the company’s acclaimed Px7 S2e and Px8 headphones.

“I’m thrilled that the Bowers & Wilkins team has once again been able to raise the bar for premium design, performance and quality in the headphone category,” said Giles Pocock, vice president of Brand Marketing at Bowers & Wilkins, founded way back in 1966. “Our new Pi6 and Pi8 earbuds are truly special — I’m certain they will be just as successful as our Px7 S2e and Px8 headphones have been.”

EarFun’s top new noise-canceling earbuds: Great sound, great price [Review] ★★★★

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EarFun Air Pro 4 earbuds★★★★
Once again, EarFun brings great value with its excellent new Air Pro 4 wireless noise-canceling earbuds.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

EarFun launched its new flagship Air Pro 4 active noise-canceling (ANC) wireless earbuds Monday, calling them “the world’s first Auracast-supported earbuds under $100.” And the new buds run true to form for EarFun. They’re great-sounding, well-equipped earbuds that present an excellent value at a list price of $90. And EarFun Air Pro 4 present an even better value with the launch discount (see below).

Get spatial audio on the cheap with Creative’s new headphones and earbuds

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Creative Zen SXFI headphones and earbuds
Creative brings spatial audio to its new buds and cans using proprietary technology.
Photo: Creative Technology

Creative Technology’s new Creative Zen Hybrid SXFI over-hear headphones and Creative Zen Air SXFI true wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds offer an immersive, three-dimensional soundscape through Super X-Fi technology, the company said.

That’s another way of saying “spatial audio.” And both noise-canceling devices are affordable. Now available for preorder, the cans list for $99.99 and the buds go for $79.99.

New Sennheiser Accentum noise-canceling earbuds won’t break the bank

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Sennheiser Accentum earbuds
Sennheiser's new Accentum earbuds use photos and an app to map your ears.
Photo: Sennheiser

The sleek new Sennheiser Accentum True Wireless noise-canceling earbuds seem destined to compete with top buds like AirPods Pro 2 and the best from the likes of Sony and Bose. Yet they cost just under $200, the German audio brand said Monday, opening preorders with shipping to commence May 21.

So what else sets the buds apart, other than moderate pricing? Accentum earbuds feature Sennheiser’s TrueResponse wavefront sculpting, which analyzes the unique anatomy of your outer ears to create a precise sound projection tailored to you.

Popular low-cost noise-canceling earbuds get spatial audio

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Baseus Bowie MA10S earbuds
The wireless charging case tells you its battery status. The buds feature spatial audio.
Photo: Baseus

The affordable and popular Baseus Bowie MA10 wireless noise-canceling earbuds just got a big upgrade with spatial audio, alongside a more compact design and a digital display for battery life on the case, the company said Tuesday. The new ones are called Baseus Bowie MA10s.

Baseus called the previous version its best-selling product on Amazon last year and said the buds “have been recommended by Oscar-class composers to ensure a quality sound experience.” And you can get them for a lot less than buds like AirPods Pro 2 — just $40.