Active noise cancellation (ANC) has made it possible to enjoy even the smallest details of music, even when you are in a crowd. So, it’s no surprise that people tend to go for AirPods with noise cancelation.

However, some people often wonder which AirPods have ANC and which ones do not. In their defense, some modern AirPods models still don’t have noise-canceling features, making things confusing. So, we’ve listed all the AirPods variants with and without active noise cancellation.

AirPods Pro and charging case on table

Which AirPods Models Support Active Noise Cancelation?

The following models of AirPods come with full support foractive noise cancelation, aka ANC. Let’s take a look.

AirPods Pro

The AirPods Pro is one of the high-end variants of Apple’s Bluetooth earbuds. They’re designed for those who need the best audio experience and comfort. Both the 1st generation and 2nd generation AirPods Pro support active noise cancellation.

The second-generation model, often calledthe AirPods Pro 2(available for $249), uses computational algorithms and spatial audio to enhance the audio quality even further. You also get up to 6 hours of listening time with ANC enabled.

AirPods Max on a table

AirPods Max

The AirPods Max is the flagship over-the-ear Bluetooth headphones from Apple. Being the most extensive offering in the AirPods lineup at $549, the AirPods Max also comes with active noise cancellation. It delivers high-fidelity audio while offering the benefits of ANC, such asTransparency mode.

This premium pair of headphones will work for up to 20 hours with ANC andspatial audioenabled. The luxury-focused design does not compromise on listening comfort, either, thanks to the premium build quality.

AirPods 3 next to iPhone

Which AirPods Models Lack Active Noise Cancelation?

The following AirPods models, on the other hand, do not offer active noise-canceling features due to their price point.

AirPods are the baseline Bluetooth earbuds from Apple, costing just $169, and the first generation was launched back in 2016. As of now, however, Apple sells only the 2nd generation and 3rd generation models of AirPods. Both of these models do not have ANC. Still,the AirPods 3 is one of the most-loved models.

On the bright side, AirPods deliver better battery life and comfort for many. In addition, the AirPods 3rd generation offers passive noise cancelation, thanks to its design. It also comes with Personalized Spatial Audio.

Don’t Buy the Wrong AirPods for Active Noise Cancellation

You have seen that multiple AirPods models come with support for active noise cancellation, whereas the budget-friendly ones stick with passive noise cancellation.

But, as you probably know, AirPods aren’t the only option when you need noise-canceling headphones or earbuds. So, if you’re interested in alternatives, look for some key features.