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After testing dozens of earbuds, I realised ANC and ENC are not what many think

After testing dozens of earbuds, I break down ANC and ENC, how they work, and why you need to understand the difference before buying.

Updated on: Sep 25, 2026, 14:08:13 IST

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Long battery life

Budget friendly

Best overall

FAQs

Our Picks

Product	Rating	Price
Long battery life Oppo Enco Air 5 True Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds with 52dB Real time ANC,Upto 54Hrs Playtime,Triple-Mic AI Clear Call,Low Latency,Fast Charging.(Midnight Black)View Details
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OnePlus Buds 4 TWS Earbuds with Upto 55dB Real-time ANC, Adaptive Mode, Dual Drivers with DACs, 3D Audio, Upto 45hrs Music Playback, ,Dual-Device connectivity, 47ms Low Latency, Zen GreenView Details
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Budget friendly realme Buds T500 Pro TWS Earbuds with 12.4mm Drivers, Upto 50dB ANC,3D Spatial Audio, 56H Playtime, AI ENC, IP55 Rating, and 45ms Low Latency BT 6.1 (Chocolate)View Details
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Noise Master Buds 2 with Sound by Bose Truly Wireless Earbuds (2026),51dB Adaptive ANC, Hi-Res LHDC Audio,360° Spatial Audio with Head Tracking, 6-mic ENC, Dual Pairing, Fast Charge & BT v6.1 (Aurum)View Details
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GOBOULT Newly Launched Tenet Pro with ANC TWS Earbuds, 75H Playtime, Amp App Support, 32dB ANC, Quad Mic ENC, Dual Device Pairing, 13mm Driver Ear Buds, Bluetooth 6.0 Wireless Earbuds (Crimson Red)View Details
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Every product we recommend is chosen through a combination of Primary Research and Secondary Research.

Any gadget that you buy today, be it a smartphone, laptop or even a small gadget like earbuds, comes with random specifications and big numbers. But once you buy that gadget, you realise that the number often means nothing in your daily usage.

Two such specifications are ANC and ENC in earphones. Now, these sound very similar, but they are completely different things.

One is for your music listening experience, while the other is for clarity during voice calls. But no brand really clarifies this. They just slap these buzzwords on the product page, and you buy the product thinking it is the best gadget for you.

I explained them to you in simple words, but if you want to know more, here is a brief explanation.

ANC vs ENC

Feature	ANC	ENC
Full form	Active Noise Cancellation	Environmental Noise Cancellation
Main purpose	Reduces surrounding noise while listening to music	Reduces background noise during voice calls
Works for	Music, videos and general listening	Voice and video calls
How it works	Uses microphones to detect outside noise and creates an opposing sound wave	Uses microphones to detect and filter surrounding sounds from your voice
What you notice	Quieter surroundings and better immersion	Clearer voice for the person on the other end
Useful for	Flights, traffic, offices and noisy places	Calls in busy streets, offices and crowded places

In reality, you have to look for both of these features in the earphones you want to buy. To ease the hassle of going through each and every pair of earbuds, I have curated a list of earbuds with ANC and ENC that you should consider for your next purchase.

LONG BATTERY LIFE

1. Oppo Enco Air 5 True Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds with 52dB Real time ANC,Upto 54Hrs Playtime,Triple-Mic AI Clear Call,Low Latency,Fast Charging.(Midnight Black)

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The Oppo Enco Air5 is a feature-packed pair of TWS earbuds with excellent battery life, reliable multipoint connectivity and a compact, lightweight design. The ANC does a decent job with constant background noise, but struggles in louder environments. I found the sound quality good enough for everyday listening. Long listening sessions can get uncomfortable, which is another thing to keep in mind. The biggest positives are the battery life, connectivity and useful HeyMelody app. Read my full Oppo Enco Air5 review.

Specifications

Driver
12mm dynamic bass driver

ANC
Up to 52dB real time ANC

Battery
Up to 54 hours with charging case

Microphones
Triple mic AI noise reduction

Latency
Up to 47ms

Connectivity
Bluetooth 6.1 with dual device connection

Reasons to buy

Strong ANC for the price.

Long battery life.

Reason to avoid

Bass can dominate some tracks.

No high resolution audio codec support.

What are buyers saying?

Reviews generally praise the sound, comfortable fit, battery life and ANC. Users also like the connectivity, although some feedback points to inconsistent touch controls and call performance in very noisy surroundings.

Why you should choose this product?

Choose it if you want a balanced everyday package combining effective ANC, long battery life, comfortable earbuds, good calling and useful multipoint connectivity without moving into premium pricing.

2. OnePlus Buds 4 TWS Earbuds with Upto 55dB Real-time ANC, Adaptive Mode, Dual Drivers with DACs, 3D Audio, Upto 45hrs Music Playback, ,Dual-Device connectivity, 47ms Low Latency, Zen Green

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Every product review clearly lists the Pros and Cons, giving you a balanced view.

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The OnePlus Buds 4 brings dual drivers, dual DACs and up to 55dB real time ANC to the mid range TWS segment. Its 11mm woofer and 6mm tweeter aim to deliver a fuller sound, while LHDC support and spatial audio add more flexibility for compatible devices. Battery life reaches up to 45 hours with the case, and dual device connectivity makes switching between a phone and laptop easier. The earbuds also offer IP55 protection and low latency gaming.

Specifications

Driver
11mm woofer and 6mm tweeter

ANC
Up to 55dB real time ANC

Battery
Up to 45 hours with charging case

Codec
LHDC 5.0, AAC and SBC

Latency
Up to 47ms

Connectivity
Bluetooth 5.4 with dual device connection

Reasons to buy

Excellent noise cancellation performance.

Comfortable and stable fit.

Reason to avoid

ANC reduces battery life considerably.

Some features work better with OnePlus phones.

What are buyers saying?

Reviews praise the strong ANC, comfortable fit, sound quality and microphone performance. The main criticism is battery life with ANC enabled, while some specialised features remain tied to compatible OnePlus devices.

Why you should choose this product?

Choose it if ANC and audio quality are your priorities. The dual driver setup, LHDC support, spatial audio and strong noise isolation make it particularly suitable for music and travel.

BUDGET FRIENDLY

3. realme Buds T500 Pro TWS Earbuds with 12.4mm Drivers, Upto 50dB ANC,3D Spatial Audio, 56H Playtime, AI ENC, IP55 Rating, and 45ms Low Latency BT 6.1 (Chocolate)

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The realme Buds T500 Pro packs an unusually long feature list for its segment, including 12.4mm drivers, 50dB ANC and 56 hours of claimed battery life. It also supports LHDC, spatial audio, AI based environmental noise cancellation and Bluetooth 6.1. The compact case and lightweight earbuds make them easy to carry, while 45ms latency targets mobile gaming. IP55 protection adds resistance against dust and water, making them suitable for commuting and everyday outdoor use.

Specifications

Driver
12.4mm Hi Res dynamic driver

ANC
Up to 50dB noise cancellation

Battery
Up to 56 hours with charging case

Microphones
Six mic AI ENC

Latency
Up to 45ms

Connectivity
Bluetooth 6.1 with LHDC

Reasons to buy

Punchy sound and strong bass.

Excellent feature set for the price.

Reason to avoid

Bass can overpower vocals.

Battery drops sharply with ANC and LHDC.

What are buyers saying?

Buyers frequently praise the bass, sound quality, comfortable fit and ANC. Some users report good value overall, although reviews also mention weaker outdoor calling and occasional concerns about battery life.

Why you should choose this product?

Choose it if you want a feature rich pair at a relatively affordable price. Its strong bass, ANC, long claimed battery life, LHDC and gaming mode cover most everyday requirements.

4. Noise Master Buds 2 with Sound by Bose Truly Wireless Earbuds (2026),51dB Adaptive ANC, Hi-Res LHDC Audio,360° Spatial Audio with Head Tracking, 6-mic ENC, Dual Pairing, Fast Charge & BT v6.1 (Aurum)

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The Noise Master Buds 2 offer both 51dB adaptive ANC and six-microphone ENC, and after using them for over a week, I found the noise cancellation to be a significant improvement over the previous generation. The improved fit and rubber fins create a tighter seal, which also helps with passive noise isolation. The Bose tuned sound is crisp and detailed, while calls benefit from the improved microphone setup. I also liked the head gesture controls, solid battery life and premium finish. However, the larger case is less pocketable, the tight fit can get uncomfortable during long sessions, and bass heavy music does not sound as punchy. Read my full Noise Master Buds 2 review.

Specifications

Driver
12.4mm dynamic driver

ANC
Up to 49dB adaptive ANC

Battery
Up to 44 hours with charging case

Codec
LHDC 5.0

Microphones
Six mic ENC

Protection
IPX5 water resistance

Reasons to buy

Rich sound with strong bass.

Good ANC performance.

Reason to avoid

Call quality can be inconsistent.

Battery life could be better.

What are buyers saying?

Buyers mostly praise the rich sound, deep bass, comfortable fit and ANC. However, calling performance receives mixed feedback, with some users reporting weak microphones despite otherwise good audio performance.

Why you should choose this product?

Choose it if sound quality is more important than maximum battery life. Bose-tuned audio, adaptive ANC, LHDC and spatial audio make it geared towards music and entertainment.

5. GOBOULT Newly Launched Tenet Pro with ANC TWS Earbuds, 75H Playtime, Amp App Support, 32dB ANC, Quad Mic ENC, Dual Device Pairing, 13mm Driver Ear Buds, Bluetooth 6.0 Wireless Earbuds (Crimson Red)

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The GOBOULT Tenet Pro focuses on delivering a long list of features at a budget price. It offers 13mm drivers, 32dB ANC and a claimed 75-hour total battery life, along with quad-microphone ENC and dual device pairing. Bluetooth 6.0 and 45ms low latency target users who also game on their phones. App support adds further controls, while the lightweight design and IPX5-style protection make the earbuds practical for commuting, workouts and everyday listening.

Specifications

Driver
13mm dynamic driver

ANC
Up to 32dB ANC

Battery
Up to 75 hours with charging case

Microphones
Quad mic ENC

Latency
Up to 45ms

Connectivity
Bluetooth 6.0 with dual device pairing

Reasons to buy

Exceptional claimed battery life.

Large drivers at a budget price.

Reason to avoid

ANC is less powerful than rivals.

Sound tuning may favour bass.

What are buyers saying?

Early feedback focuses on the attractive pricing, long battery claim, bass heavy sound and feature set. Reviews also suggest that ANC is useful but should not be compared directly with more expensive earbuds.

Why you should choose this product?

Choose it if battery life and value matter more than advanced ANC. The large driver, app support, dual pairing and gaming mode give you plenty of features for everyday use.

BEST OVERALL

6. realme Buds Air 8 Pro TWS Earbuds with 11mm+6mm Dual DAC Drivers| 55dB ANC| 6-Mic VPU| 3D Spatial Audio |50H Playtime| IP55 Rating (Master Black)

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The realme Buds Air8 Pro offer decent ANC along with a six-microphone setup and AI noise reduction for calls. During my testing, I found the ANC good enough for daily commuting, office use and casual travel, although using the maximum setting can create noticeable pressure in the ears. Call quality, on the other hand, was better than expected, with voices remaining clear even in busy surroundings.

The biggest highlight is the powerful bass, which makes these earbuds particularly enjoyable for hip hop, EDM and other bass-heavy music, while vocals and instruments still remain clear. I also liked the comfortable fit, excellent battery life and genuinely useful AI translation features. Read my full review for my detailed experience with the realme Buds Air8 Pro.

Specifications

Driver
11mm and 6mm dual dynamic drivers

ANC
Up to 55dB real time ANC

Battery
Up to 58 hours with charging case

Codec
Hi Res LHDC

Microphones
Six mic ENC

Connectivity
Bluetooth 5.4 with three device connection

Reasons to buy

Excellent battery endurance.

Strong ANC and connectivity features.

Reason to avoid

Default sound is bass heavy.

Touch controls can feel insensitive.

What are buyers saying?

Reviews praise the battery life, ANC, comfort, bass and feature set. Some users also report good calling performance, while criticisms include occasional connectivity issues and the need to adjust the default sound profile.

Why you should choose this product?

Choose it if you want strong ANC, long battery life and extensive features. Triple device connectivity, LHDC, dual drivers and spatial audio give it plenty of flexibility for daily use.

Top 3 features of best earphones

Earbuds	ANC	Battery life	Driver setup
OPPO Enco Air5	Up to 52dB	Up to 54 hours	12mm single driver
OnePlus Buds 4	Up to 55dB	Up to 45 hours	11mm + 6mm dual drivers
realme Buds T500 Pro	Up to 50dB	Up to 56 hours	12.4mm single driver
Noise Master Buds	Up to 49dB	Up to 44 hours	12.4mm dynamic driver
GOBOULT Tenet Pro	Up to 32dB	Up to 75 hours	13mm single driver
realme Buds Air 8	Up to 55dB	Up to 58 hours	11mm + 6mm dual drivers

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FAQs
ANC and ENC serve different purposes. ANC reduces surrounding noise while listening, while ENC helps make your voice clearer during calls.

Many earbuds offer both ANC and ENC, but they are separate features. Check the specifications before buying.

Not directly. ANC mainly reduces noise for the listener, while ENC is designed to reduce background noise picked up during calls.

No. ENC is primarily designed for voice calls and does not directly improve music listening or reduce noise for the listener.

If you listen to music in noisy places and also take frequent calls, having both features can make the earbuds more versatile.

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