I need a pair of ANC earbuds. Recommendations usually start with the pairs that match your smartphone: Air Pods, Pixel Buds, Galaxy Buds, One Plus Buds, or Moto Buds. If you opt for a pair from a trusted audio brand instead, you're likely choosing between Sony and Bose. I've used both the Sony WF-1000 XM6 and the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2), and they're the best in ANC power.

I put the earbuds in my ears and listened for ANC without music, then raised the volume to 50% and played music to see how environmental noise is perceived at a comfortable level.

In a coffee shop, the Bose earbuds turned most chatter into silence, while the Sony struggled with mid‑frequency noise. Under a rumbling AC unit at 60 decibels, the Bose made the hum silent even without music, whereas the Sony only dampened it. In a crowded mall, the Sony excelled at blocking conversations and high‑frequency sizzles, turning chatter into white noise the earbuds could cancel.

Overall, the Bose earbuds canceled more noise in most tests, but the Sony earbuds were more comfortable and still offered strong ANC in high‑frequency environments. I’d reach for Sony for comfort and Bose for superior noise cancellation.