Best Noise-Cancelling Earbuds 2026: Sony WF-1000XM6 vs AirPods Pro 3 vs Bose QC Ultra 2 vs Galaxy Buds 4 Pro vs Technics AZ100 vs Pixel Buds Pro 2 vs EarFun Air Pro 4+

We compare seven flagship and value earbuds. AirPods Pro 3 is the top-rated pick, Bose leads on noise cancelling, Sony and Technics excel at both ANC and sound, and EarFun Air Pro 4+ has the best battery life and codec support. Here is which pair fits your phone and priorities.

Product	Price	Rating	Best for
Sony WF-1000XM6 Review	$329.99	4.2 / 5	Best call and mic quality in this group
Apple AirPods Pro 3	$249.00	4.5 / 5	Highest rating in the comparison (4.5)
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) Review	—	4.0 / 5	Best-in-class ANC, beating every rival here
Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro Review	—	3.5 / 5	Most pocketable case in the group, versus Sony's bulky case
Technics EAH-AZ100 Review: Flagship Earbuds With Top-Tier Noise Cancelling	—	4.0 / 5	ANC rated excellent, alongside Sony and Bose
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2	$229.00	4.0 / 5	Lowest listed price here ($229)
EarFun Air Pro 4+ Review	—	3.5 / 5	—

Product	Rating	Price	Noise cancelling	Water resistance	Battery	Codecs / Bluetooth	Standout trade-off
Apple AirPods Pro 3	4.5	$249	Improved over previous generation	IP57	Not listed	Bluetooth 5.3	Most comfortable fit, but many features need Apple devices and there is no EQ
Sony WF-1000XM6	4.2	$329.99	Widely praised	IPX4	Not listed	LDAC, LE Audio; Bluetooth 5.3	Strong ANC and calls, but loose fit with stock tips and a bulky case
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)	4.0	Not listed	Best-in-class	Not listed	Up to 6 hours	Not listed	Top ANC and a wireless charging case, but average battery life
Technics EAH-AZ100	4.0	Not listed	Excellent	IPX4	Longer than the AZ80	Not listed	Top-tier ANC, but Voice Focus AI can sound robotic on calls
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2	4.0	$229	Not specified	Sweat resistant	Not listed	No high-res audio support	Lowest listed price and a secure fit, but no iOS app
Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro	3.5	Not listed	Well-regarded	Not listed	Weaker than its other scores	Not listed	Pocketable Qi wireless case, but no multipoint
EarFun Air Pro 4+	3.5	Not listed	Not class-leading	IP55	10-12 hours, plus 4 case charges	aptX Lossless, LDAC, AAC, LC3; Bluetooth 6.0	Best battery and codec support, but weaker ANC and no spatial audio

Price and Ratings: AirPods Pro 3 Lead on Score, Pixel Buds Pro 2 on Price

The Apple AirPods Pro 3 have the highest rating in this group at 4.5. At $249, they also cost about $81 less than the Sony WF-1000XM6 ($329.99), which scores 4.2. Sony is the most expensive model with a listed price, so it has to justify the premium with noise cancelling, call quality and codec support.

The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 have the lowest listed price at $229 and score 4.0. That puts them level with the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) and the Technics EAH-AZ100. The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro and EarFun Air Pro 4+ share the lowest rating at 3.5. Prices for Bose, Technics, Samsung and EarFun were not supplied, so we can't compare them on cost.

Noise Cancelling: Bose Wins, Sony and Technics Close Behind

If silence is your top priority, the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) are the reference point. Their noise cancelling is widely regarded as best-in-class. One caveat: it is only a marginal improvement over the first-gen model, so current owners have little reason to upgrade for ANC alone.

The Sony WF-1000XM6 (widely praised ANC) and the Technics EAH-AZ100 (ANC widely rated as excellent) form a strong second tier. The AirPods Pro 3 and Galaxy Buds 4 Pro both get credit for improved or well-regarded ANC, but neither is described as class-leading. The EarFun Air Pro 4+ is clearly last here. Its ANC struggles with high-frequency noise, and one reviewer reports that it alters the sound.

Sound Quality, Codecs and Connectivity: EarFun and Sony Lead

For codec flexibility, the EarFun Air Pro 4+ leads this group. It supports aptX Lossless, LDAC, AAC and LC3 over Bluetooth 6.0, the newest Bluetooth version listed here. It also uses a hybrid balanced-armature plus dynamic driver setup. The Sony WF-1000XM6 is the only other model listed with LDAC, and it adds Bluetooth LE Audio. Reviewers also report better sound than its predecessor.

At the other end, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 have no high-res audio support, so audiophiles may be disappointed. They do offer balanced, natural sound. The Bose pair has no notable audio upgrades over its predecessor. The Technics AZ100 brings new drivers and Dolby Atmos, though its head-tracking settings are awkward to reach. The AirPods Pro 3 sound better than the Pro 2 but offer no EQ adjustment. On multipoint, EarFun has it and the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro do not.

Battery and Charging: EarFun Wins Clearly

The EarFun Air Pro 4+ leads on battery life. It lasts 10-12 hours per charge, and its case holds four full recharges. The Bose QC Ultra (2nd Gen) manages only up to six hours, and the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro scored notably weaker on battery than in other areas. The Technics AZ100 improves on its AZ80 predecessor here.

For wireless charging, Bose now includes a wireless charging case, Samsung's case supports Qi, and EarFun includes wireless charging as well. Samsung also wins on case portability: its square case is much more pocketable than the Buds3 Pro's. Sony's charging case, by contrast, is criticized as bulky.

Fit, Comfort and Durability: AirPods Pro 3 Win

For durability, the AirPods Pro 3 have the strongest water and dust rating listed (IP57). They also offer the most refined fit, with a rounded nozzle and extra tip sizes. The EarFun Air Pro 4+ follows at IP55. The Sony WF-1000XM6 and Technics AZ100 are rated only IPX4. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are sweat resistant, have a secure fit and suit workouts and running, which makes them the fitness pick among the Android-friendly options.

Fit is the Sony WF-1000XM6's weak spot. Its housing is larger than the XM5's, it can feel loose with the stock foam tips, and its eartip options are criticized as limited. Bose includes three eartip sizes plus three pairs of stability bands, which gives more room to fine-tune the seal.

Ecosystem Lock-In: Sony, Technics, Bose and EarFun Are the Most Platform-Neutral

Three of these earbuds work best with their own brand's phones. The AirPods Pro 3 keep many features exclusive to Apple devices. The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro reserve some features for Samsung phones. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are the hardest to recommend to iPhone owners: some features are exclusive to Pixel phones, and there is no companion app on iOS. The Sony, Technics, Bose and EarFun summaries list no such restrictions, so these are safer choices for mixed-device households.

Call Quality: Sony Wins

The Sony WF-1000XM6 is the best pick for calls, with strong call and microphone quality. The Bose (2nd Gen) also improves call quality over its predecessor. The Technics AZ100 is the risky choice for frequent callers, because its Voice Focus AI can make your voice sound robotic.

Verdict: Which Earbuds Should You Buy?

Best overall for iPhone owners: Apple AirPods Pro 3. They have the top rating (4.5), the best fit, IP57 durability, and a lower price than Sony.
Best noise cancelling: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen). Choose these if ANC matters more to you than battery life.
Best for calls and high-quality wireless audio: Sony WF-1000XM6. You get LDAC, LE Audio and strong mics, but test the fit first.
Best ANC alternative to Bose and Sony: Technics EAH-AZ100. Its ANC is excellent, but avoid it if you take a lot of calls.
Best for Pixel owners and workouts: Google Pixel Buds Pro 2. They have the lowest listed price and a secure, sweat-resistant fit.
Best for Samsung owners who value pocketability: Galaxy Buds 4 Pro. Skip them if you need multipoint or long battery life.
Best battery life and codec support: EarFun Air Pro 4+. They pack the fullest feature list here, as long as you can accept weaker ANC.