AirPods do block out background noise to a degree.
If you own a pair of Apple’s wireless Bluetooth earphones you might have asked yourself the question: “Do AirPods block out background noise?”
AirPods use active noise cancellation (ANC) technology, which detects and counteracts external sounds. But exactly how does ANC work? And how much noise can AirPods block out?
We’ve done some research to get ‘under the hood’ of AirPods, looking closely at their technology, benefits and limitations.In this article, we’ll address the ‘why?’, ‘how?’ and ‘how much?’ of AirPods’ noise-canceling capabilities.
Skip to:
- How does ANC work on AirPods?
- Seal and fit
- Limitations of noise cancellation
- Environmental factors of noise cancellation
- Transparency Mode
- Could AirPods get better at blocking background noise?
- Which AirPods are the best for blocking out background noise?
- AirPods noise blocking FAQs
How does ANC work on AirPods?
The predominant feature of AirPods in blocking background noise is Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology. Although, there are other factors at play, which we’ll discuss later on.
AirPods Pro, released in 2019, were the first AirPods to feature ANC technology. ANC is essentially a system that uses microphones to detect external noises and counteracts them with the anti-noise signals that it generates.
It is low-frequency sounds, such as the hum of a fan or engine, or the rumble of a train, that ANC is best at cutting out.
ANC can cancel out these low-frequency noises and give you an audio experience that is just better. You’ll be able to concentrate more on what you are hearing in your earphones and be less distracted by what’s happening around you.
Did you know: The story of noise canceling headphones goes all the way back to 1933, when Dr Paul Lueg patented the technology.
Seal and fit
ANC is a neat feature that certainly plays a role in cutting out certain kinds of noises. But it might not be the biggest factor when considering ‘do AirPods block background noise?’…
The seal and the fit of your earphones are just as important.
Have you ever noticed the difference between the fit of premium earphones like AirPods and cheaper earphones that you might have picked up at your local store?
AirPods rely on a secure seal between the earbuds and your ear canal to maximize noise isolation. The better the seal, the more effectively background noise can be blocked. This principle can be applied to many areas of soundproofing, such as how to soundproof windows.
And you can always make the seal and fit of your AirPods even better. You can buy different ear tip sizes to ensure a customized fit for various ear shapes and sizes. This doesn’t just make them more comfortable, it also reduces noise.
Limitations of noise cancellation
Let’s make this absolutely clear if we didn’t earlier in the piece: AirPods can effectively reduce background noise, but they may not completely eliminate all external sounds.
Don’t be mistaken in thinking that AirPods can block out any sound. Sudden or irregular noises, such as honking horns or loud conversations, can still be audible to some extent.
Also, high-frequency sounds like chirping birds or rustling leaves may not be entirely blocked out.
Remember – AirPods do better at blocking out consistent, low-frequency external noises.
Environmental factors of noise cancellation
How good AirPods are at canceling noise will also be influenced by the environment you are in.
If you are in a quieter area, AirPods can be excellent at blocking out ambient noise and allowing you to enjoy your audio. However, in extremely loud environments or places with irregular and unpredictable noise patterns, like crowded streets or busy cafés, noise cancellation may be less effective.
So be realistic – if you are in a very loud place, the chances are that AirPods aren’t going to cancel out all the noise around you.
But what happens if you actually want to hear what’s going on in the world around you? After all, there might be times when you need the opposite – to hear external noise in order to be more aware of your surroundings. Luckily, AirPods from the 2nd generation onwards (starting with AirPods Pro) have Transparency Mode, which we’ll talk about below.
Transparency Mode
Noise control doesn’t just mean noise reduction. Apple introduced Transparency Mode in AirPods Pro to give you control over your audio.
The manufacturer says that Transparency Mode allows you to switch seamlessly between noise cancellation and a mode that actually amplifies transparency. By letting external sounds pass through your earbuds, you can hear more of what is going on around you.
When is Airpods Transparency Mode useful? We think that this mode would be most helpful when you are doing things like walking across a busy street or talking to people while you have your AirPods in.
Could AirPods get better at blocking background noise?
Because Apple releases regular firmware updates, there is a chance that AirPods could get even better at blocking background noise. Existing limitations are periodically addressed, and might include enhancements to the ANC algorithm, refinements of noise cancellation capabilities, and more compatibility with different environments.
We recommend keeping your AirPods updated. This will ensure you are leveraging the most optimized version of the product.
Which are the best AirPods for blocking background noise?
Looking at AirPods alone – rather than all noise-canceling earbuds – our recommendation for the best Airpods for blocking background noise is the AirPods Pro (2nd generation). Research by the New York Times shows that AirPods Pro can reduce background noise by 23 dB.
How much of a difference does a 23 dB background noise reduction make? Simply subtract 23 dB from these common background noises:
| Sound | dB level | dB level with ANC Mode |
| Whisper | 30 | 7 |
| Refrigerator hum | 40 | 17 |
| Air conditioner | 60 | 37 |
| Traffic (from inside a car) | 80 | 57 |
| Train engine | 95 | 72 |
Check AirPods Pro (2nd generation) price on Amazon
We haven’t considered AirPods Max in making this recommendation. That’s because AirPods Max are technically headphones rather than earbuds, covering your whole ear. AirPods Max reduce background noise by 26 dB.
Check AirPods Max price on Amazon
Not an Apple user? We’d also like to point you in the direction of three other noise-canceling options for earbuds.
Best noise-canceling earbuds (which aren’t AirPods)
Anker Soundcore Space A40
These budget-friendly earbuds have an ANC feature similar to AirPods. This will cut out low-frequency noises – from a train or airplane engine to a fan. You can also expect the cancellation of some mid-range noises like voices. Eight hours of use in one charge is another plus point.
Check Anker Soundcore Space A40 Truly Wireless price on Amazon
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
These are top performers which come for a price. Billed as ‘the world’s best noise-canceling earbuds’, users and industry reviews back up their immersive sound qualities. With these beauties, you can actually personalize the way you cancel noise in tandem with sound performance.
Check Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II Truly Wireless price on Amazon
TaoTronics SoundLiberty 94
TaoTronics SoundLiberty 94 is another option to serve you well on the morning commute. The ANC system does affect the battery life, which isn’t the longest. The sound profile – which can’t be adjusted – has been described as “boomy”. Maybe one for electronic music lovers.
TaoTronics SoundLiberty 94 were out of stock on Amazon when we looked, but you can have a search to check if they have become available
AirPods noise blocking FAQs
How can I activate active noise cancelation mode on my AirPods?
It’s possible to turn on ANC mode from your AirPods Pro. You will just need to switch between modes.
Simply press and hold your finger on the force sensor that is located on the stem of your AirPods. Listen out for a chime. When you hear the chime this means you have switched mode.
It’s not hard to find ANC mode in this way, because there are only three modes to switch between. These are; 1) ANC mode, 2) Transparency Mode, and 3) Off.
You can customize the modes you switch between in the Bluetooth settings on your device (iPhone, iPad or Mac).
If pressing on your AirPods seems a bit fiddly, or you are worried you’ll apply too much force, there are other options. You can also switch to ANC mode directly from your iPhone, iPad, Mac or Apple Watch. Here are Apple’s instructions on activating ANC mode from your device, rather than your AirPods.
Can I use AirPods instead of earplugs for ear protection?
You may have considered using your AirPods in place of ear plugs to protect your ears. This might be in the scenario of being in an uncomfortably loud place, or somewhere you want to limit the noise but still hear the noise (a loud gig, for example).
We should point out right away – AirPods are not designed for ear protection. However, they may be able to bring noise down from dangerous to more comfortable levels.
What’s the difference between ANC mode and Transparency Mode?
ANC mode can block background noise, with microphones detecting external sounds and counteracting them before you hear them. This canceling of external noise helps to block out background sound.
Transparency Mode can be seen as the opposite of ANC mode. This mode is designed to allow external sound in, allowing you to hear more noise around you and be more aware of your surroundings.
Both ANC mode and Transparency Mode work more effectively when you have AirPods that fit your ears well.
The second generation of AirPods Pro also offer Adaptive Transparency. Adaptive Transparency is activated in the AirPod Settings of your iPhone or iPod. This is another way of reducing the loud noises around you.
Will using ANC mode drain my battery?
Having your AirPods Pro in ANC mode will shave off about 10% of your listening time.
The usual listening time offered by AirPods Pro is five hours. If your AirPods Pro are in ANC mode, this reduces the listening time a little to 4 and a half hours.
It’s good that ANC mode can block out background noise, but does it drain your battery in the process? ANC mode does reduce the battery life of your AirPods to some degree. That’s because it is a feature that works your AirPods hard and demands power. Your earbuds will consume more power and eat through your battery quicker.
Why isn’t ANC mode working?
If you find ANC mode isn’t working, try this: Reset your AirPods by placing the earbuds back in their case. Once they are inside close the lid for 10 to 15 seconds.
This action has the result of resetting your AirPods, which should restore the ANC mode functionality.
You may also try this resetting method if Transparency Mode is not working.
Why don’t my AirPods sound clear?
You may have noticed that the sound quality from your AirPods has become less clear; muffled even. This can happen gradually or quickly. The good news is that AirPods are one of the best earbuds on the market and the issue is not serious…
In most cases, muffled sound from AirPods is due to the accumulation of dirt and gunk on the speakers of the earbuds. Whether it’s ear wax or general gunk – in order to restore the sound quality of your AirPods, you should give your AirPods a good old clean.
Clean your AirPods with a soft, dry cloth. Never use water, soap, or any sharp object to clean them. In order to clean the speaker meshes inside, try using a cotton swab.
Are there any alternatives to ANC mode?
There are other types of noise cancellation and reduction that you can find on other earbuds and headphones.
These include; Passive Noise Cancellation, which uses intelligent design to keep out unwanted noise, fitting your ear in a way that reduces surrounding noise entering; Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation, an advanced form of ANC that adjusts to your environment automatically using speakers and microphones; and adjustable ANC, which puts you in control of the noise cancellation levels, allowing you to adjust the volume of background noise you hear.
