Fitbit Versa 4 vs. Versa 3: The last-gen Versa 3 is the better smartwatch and fitness tracker

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Fitbit's Versa line of wearables are some of the  best fitness trackers  on the market. With accurate GPS, Bluetooth connectivity, and compatibility with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, most folks can benefit from their usefulness and versatility. The current version is the Versa 4, a smartwatch we ultimately found to be a disappointing next step, and one that's hardly an upgrade over the previous generation Versa 3. In fact, we still rate the Versa 3 as the top budget pick in our  best Fitbit  and  best smartwatch  guides. The bottom line is this: The Versa 4 doesn't change enough about the Versa 3 to justify its higher price point. Because Fitbit stopped selling the Versa 3, we recommend considering a refurbished model of the device instead of upgrading to the Versa 4. Here's why. Fitbit Versa 4 Shop at Amazon  Shop at Best Buy  Shop at Walmart  Fitbit Versa 3 Shop at Amazon  Shop at Dick's Sporting Goods  Fitbit Versa 4 vs. Fi...

The best noise-cancelling headphones of 2024


 

When listening to music, there's nothing worse than annoying background noise drowning out your favorite songs. That's why noise-cancelling headphones have become so popular. Using built-in microphones and audio processing, the best noise-cancelling headphones can block ambient sounds so you can focus on your playlist without any pesky distractions.

We put several top models through our testing process to pick the five best noise-cancelling headphones you can buy. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra are a real standout and deliver the most impressive active noise cancellation (ANC) that we've come across. For budget buyers, we also recommend the affordable Anker Soundcore Life Q30, which offer ANC that's way better than we expected for such a low price.   

Below are all five of our recommendations for the best noise-cancelling headphones. Each of our picks has been selected with different needs and budgets in mind, but they all provide a great listening experience.

Our top picks for the best noise-cancelling headphones

Best overall: Bose QuietComfort Ultra - See at Amazon

Best budget: Anker Soundcore Life Q30 - See at Amazon

Best sounding: Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless - See at Amazon

Best features: Sony WH-1000XM5 - See at Amazon

Best in-ear: Sony WF-1000XM5 - See at Amazon

Best overall

A pair of white Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones resting on their carrying case on a table.
Bose's QuietComfort Ultra headphones provide the best noise-cancelling performance we've tested. 
Ryan Waniata/Insider
Bose QuietComfort Ultra

Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra once more put the brand on top, with best-in-class noise cancelling wrapped in a sleek and comfy design.

What we like
  • Class-leading noise cancellation
  • Clear and balanced sound
  • Premium and comfy design
  • Multipoint pairing
What we don’t like
  • Spatial audio is a mixed bag
  • Battery life is just OK

Bose has the current upper hand in the ongoing race for the best noise-cancelling headphones. The brand's QuietComfort Ultra provide class-leading audio suppression to go along with great features, a comfortable design, and the best sound we've heard from a pair of Bose headphones. 

The Ultra ooze luxury from the moment you pull them from their zippered case. The headphones use sleek and durable materials like dimpled aluminum along the arms and band and plush padding coated in soft protein leather. The ear cups are foldable and fully collapsible, making the headphones easy to pack for travel. Battery life is solid at 24 hours, though we would have liked to see a bit more, given the Ultra's price point.

As for performance, the Ultra's noise cancelling is supremely powerful, edging out everything we've tested. It's fantastic at silencing low-end sounds like fans or street noise but also effective for higher frequencies, wholly eliminating sounds like keystrokes and muffling voice chatter, even without music playing. And when you do want to let in outside noise, the Ultra's Transparency mode is among the most natural sounding we've heard. 

The Ultra's sound quality is also a step up for the series. Music comes through with deft precision, detail, and balance across genres, especially after bumping down the bass a notch or two with the Bose Music app's three-band EQ. As with other Bose headphones, instrumentals can sometimes sound slightly sharp and overly processed, but it's toned down here for an overall pleasing presentation. Calls come through with crystal clarity as well.

The headphones also boast Bose's new spatial audio feature, which includes head tracking that can move the soundstage with you independent of your source device. We had mixed results with this, as the feature can sometimes create an echo effect, especially with video content. The headphones are otherwise well-appointed, with features like Multipoint Bluetooth to connect two devices simultaneously, customizable noise-cancelling modes, and a wind buffering setting.

As for controls, the Ultra's mix of hard keys and a volume slider touchpad work well. We would have liked to see a dedicated key for noise cancelling and transparency mode, but that's a minor complaint. Even with a price that goes beyond any pair of QuietComfort headphones before them, the Ultra are a worthy investment, offering a premium experience and noise cancelling that can't be beaten.

Best budget

A pair of Anker Soundcore Life Q30 headphones on a table with a phone, watch, passport, and wallet.
The Soundcore Q30 are the best noise-cancelling headphones you can buy on a budget. 
Walmart
Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Hybrid Noise Cancelling Headphones

Anker’s Soundcore Life Q30 headphones offer noise-cancelling performance that’s much better than it should be for the money, alongside solid sound quality and massive battery life.

What we like
  • Great noise cancelling for the money
  • Massive battery life
  • Comfortable and foldable design
What we don’t like
  • Bass gets heavy without EQ

Thanks to the latest advancements in noise-cancelling technology, you don't have to spend a ton of money to get some decent peace and quiet. Anker's Soundcore Life Q30 are a great example, and at well under $100, they're a relatively easy investment. 

The Q30's noise cancelling ranks among the best for their price point, doing an especially good job in the lower registers. It's certainly not as effective as the pricier models on our list, especially in the upper frequencies, but the Q30's ear cups also offer solid passive noise isolation, which helps to defray some of the ambient annoyances in your life.

Anker's Soundcore headphones consistently punch above their weight when it comes to audio performance, and the Q30s hold their own in this department, especially after a few tweaks to their hefty bass in the Soundcore mobile app for Android or iOS. There you can also customize other settings, swap between three noise-cancelling modes, and engage the available sleep mode to activate ambient sounds as you drift off on your commute. 

The Q30s fit comfortably thanks to their solid padding and collapse for travel. Convenience features like Multipoint Bluetooth pairing and the ability to activate transparency mode by holding your hand on the right ear cup recall fancier models that cost double or triple the price, while their massive battery life is among the best you'll find.

If you're after a solid pair of noise-cancelling headphones but simply can't stomach the high prices of other top models, Anker's Soundcore Q30 are a very enticing option.

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