10 Best Noise Canceling Headphones Under $100 – Buyer’s Guide

Shikhar Mehrotra

March 5, 2022

Unwanted noise may be a highly distracting issue whether you are listening to music while riding your bicycle on a busy road, watching a movie on an OTT platform, or even during a phone conversation at a humming vegetable market. It can cause a break in your enjoyment of your leisure activities and cause a disturbance in your work sessions. Because most individuals are exposed to noise on a regular basis as a result of their on-the-go lifestyle, putting on our wireless earphones should assist us to continue working or listening to music without interruption. However, not all headphones or your favorite Apple Airpods are capable of performing this function as well as others. As a result, noise-canceling headphones come to the rescue as an outstanding answer to the situation at hand. And if you’re looking for one, you’ve come to the perfect spot. We hope that our selection of the best noise-canceling headphones under $100 will assist you in making an educated purchase.
The noise-canceling headphones are meant to block out ambient noise, allowing you to watch your favored anime and audio material from Spotify uninterrupted without interruption. Almost anybody can discover the correct headset if they have a thorough grasp of the features, surrounding factors, and their own hearing requirements. When it comes to headphones, it is often believed that if you want the greatest sound possible, you should be prepared to empty your wallet. However, this isn’t always the case. There are a plethora of good noise-canceling headphones available for less than $100, so you can put your money to good use without burning a hole in your wallet.

Table of Contents show

Best Noise Canceling Headphones Under $100

1. Anker Soundcore Life Q30

2. COWIN E7 ANC Headphones

3. OneOdio Active Noise Cancellation

4. TaoTronics Hybrid Noise Cancelling Headphones

5. LETSCOM Active Noise Cancelling Headphones

6. Mpow Active Noise Cancellation

7. VANKYO C751

8. Sony WHCH710N

9. JLab Audio Studio ANC

10. Treblab Z2-B

11. Edifier W820NB Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Headphones

Buyer’s Guide – Take Care of the Following Things While Getting a Set of Noise Canceling Headphones

FAQs

What is Active Noice Cancellation Technology?

Best Noise Canceling Headphones Under $100

1. Anker Soundcore Life Q30

The Anker Soundcore Life Q30 headphones use impressive techniques to suppress external noise that can hinder your music listening experience. The product claims to cancel 95 percent of unwanted noise through hybrid noise cancellation technology. Soundcore Life Q30 headphones fit perfectly as the cups are soft and comfortable. Since they don’t weigh much, you can listen to music for a long time without feeling uncomfortable. Also, these headphones are travel-friendly as they are adjustable and can be folded to fit in your travel bag or regular backpack.

One interesting thing to note about these headphones is that they come with noise cancellation modes like outdoor, travel, and indoors. You can choose the mode according to your ambiance. The large drivers are able to produce clear and life-like sounds. A feature that might be specific to this model is the presence of silk diagrams, that balance well between bass and treble. Not only can the headphones survive up to 40 hours with noise cancellation on, but they can also do an unmatchable 60 hours with noise cancellation off.

The Q20 headphone has a built-in microphone for audio output on its side. This feature makes phone calls more convenient. The recording quality of this microphone is good, and the result turns out quite clear. The ear cups are made from memory foam padding, for providing the ultimate comfort. With touch controls on the ear cups, you can control your music, answer or make phone calls, and toggle between noise cancellation and transparent mode. That surely puts in the list of the best noise canceling headphones under $100.

Specifications

Reasons to Buy

Hi-Res Sound certified
Excellent battery life
Impressive noise cancellation
Touch-sensitive ear caps
Comfortable memory foaming
Quick charge support
Available in three decent colors

Reasons to Avoid

Average microphone
Plastic built
No fast codec support
Slightly bulky

Bottom Line

These headphones from Soundcore are full of useful features, and cover all the requirements that one can have. They would be ideal for someone who loves listening to music, even while travelling as the Hybrid noise cancelation helps with clearing out the extra sound. They have got NFC, the new Bluetooth version and you do not need to carry a separate Micro USB cable for charging them.

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2. COWIN E7 ANC Headphones

Comfort and functionality are the core features of the COWIN E7 helmet design headphones. These active noise-canceling headphones have many unique features that make them easy to wear for hours. The exterior of the COWIN E7 looks standard and comes in a decent palette of the basic industry standard colors. The material is a mixture of plastic and metal that is hard to beak and should have a reasonable life span.

Talking about sound quality, the 45mm drivers are simply great. A larger driver size allows the device to produce accurate frequencies, with ample amount of bass. And so is the case with this one. The highs are clear, the mid tones are well-balanced and the lows are thumpy. Overall, the sound signature is completely up to the mark.

It’s a lightweight headphone which can be used for a long time, with its comfortable earpads and long battery life of 30 hours. The headphone can cancel busy office, cabin, and city noise which can obstruct your listening experience. In terms of sound quality, the Cowin E7 does its job quite well. You would enjoy your favorite music on this one, with adequate bass and treble. Large 45mm drivers are perfectly capable of producing accurate frequencies. Another feature that might entice you is the availability of Type-C and NFC.

These headphones are easy to play around with. The command classification covers all the basic functions such as volume, charge, and call control buttons. Speaking of charging, it takes a total of four hours to completely charge these headphones. Based on the built-in 750mAh battery, the COWIN E7 offers a solid 30-hour playtime. If you need to use them for a short session, the 10-minute charge time will easily run the headphones for at least one hour.

Specifications

Reasons to Buy

Decent battery life
Hybrid noise cancellation
Lightweight – good for long hours of usage
Comfortable memory foaming
USB C charging support

Reasons to Avoid

Average microphone
No fast codec support
Bluetooth v4.0 is slightly outdated

Bottom Line

These headphone from Cowin can be ideal for anyone. Given the lightweight built, and the memory foams on the earpads, they are good for prolonged use. If you do not handle too many calls in a day, go for them without a second thought.

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3. OneOdio Active Noise Cancellation

It is a great headphone with excellent sound quality and noise cancellation technology. Inside the headphones are 50mm neodymium speakers that play an important role in providing excellent sound play. These headphones are designed to ease the hassles that come along with the new normal of work from the home format. The headphone gives handy features to receive or cut the phone calls. They are designed to provide maximum comfort with pillow-like softness and assured 30 hours of playtime. The headphones come with 18 months warranty period with easy customer service.

This inexpensive helmet is designed for maximum comfort with the best possible sound quality. The headband and earmuffs are padded so you can enjoy long hours of music with maximum comfort. OneOdio is powerful because it is used in a guitar amp to control the quality of your music tracks. OneOdio is also known for its revolutionary Share Port technology that allows you to pair your device with a 3.5mm audio cable while simultaneously sharing and streaming your audio tracks through a shared audio cable. If you wish to buy one of the best noise canceling headphones under $100, this might be a good choice for you.

Specifications

Reasons to Buy

Large 50mm drivers deliver excellent sound
Can be used for professional mixing and sound grading
Google assistant enabled
The single side monitoring feature
Adapter free headphone
Passive noise cancellation

Reasons to Avoid

Slightly uncomfortable when using for long hours
The quality of the cable provided in the box is not good
Not waterproof
Does not support wireless playback

Bottom Line

These headsets from OneOdio are excellent at what they do – produce good quality sound. Someone who is a professional DJ, who likes to mix and produce sound, or someone who loves to record themselves can go for these, as they make an excellent pair of monitoring headphones.

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4. TaoTronics Hybrid Noise Cancelling Headphones

A great alternative to the Sound core Life Q30 is the Taotronics BH090. The BH090 Q30 isn’t that impressive, but if you’re looking to spend a little less, they’re worth considering. The sound quality of the Taotronics headphones is excellent, and balanced, with no distortion/cracks in the lower pitch. The bass isn’t overwhelming, but overall, everything sounds good with these headphones. Active noise cancellation is also a great advantage that works best when low-frequency noise is blocked.

With C type charging port even five minutes of charging can make your headphones last for around 2 hours. The headphones have received great reviews from buyers and have stood their long-duration tests on durability of both material and quality. The Bluetooth 5.0 wireless connection is as solid as you could want. The 35-hour battery life is sufficient for long-haul flights, and you can get an additional two hours of playtime from just two minutes of charging. The BH090’s painted plastic design won’t give you the highest-quality feel you have ever experienced, but it does the job.

Specifications

Reasons to Buy

Solid built quality
Sits comfortably on the head – ideal for long hours of usage
Pairs really fast with your device
Excellent battery life (without ANC)
Supports quick charging
Quick charge support

Reasons to Avoid

Not too compact
Does not support fast Bluetooth codec such as AptX
When ANC is on, the music quality changes a bit

Bottom Line

TaoTronics has done a good job with this product, making it durable and versatile. Whether you are a professional, a student or a casual listener, these would not disappoint you in any way. The minimalistic design is appealing, especially with the black color. Type C support with fast charging is the main highlight of this device at this price point.

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5. LETSCOM Active Noise Cancelling Headphones

A few headphones on this list might make your pockets feel slightly light but that is not the case with LETSCOM H081. If you’re trying to spend as little as possible while getting some quality headphones, these are for you. From a design point of view, the H081 looks great. They have a very basic design that comes in black or red and there is no garish logo or shiny plastic feel to it. Thanks to the well-padded headband, the headphones are also very comfortable to wear.

The foldable design makes it a compact device as your travel partner, as it fits conveniently in your travel bag without taking much space. The modern 5.0 version Bluetooth connection gives lag-free long-distance connectivity. Enjoy the powerful bass of strong authentic built-in speakers which provide premium sound quality. The dynamic 40mm drivers produce decent sound, for all low, mid and high tones.

LETSCOM’s powerful drivers and HiFi sound are much better than the H081 sound. Everything is in good balance and when you combine it with effective noise cancellation the result is very good. Moreover, the 35-hour battery life is also an option with the upgraded models. Even with the basic model, the LETSCOM is one of the best noise canceling headphones under $100.

Specifications

Reasons to Buy

Very lightweight
Earpads are soft and comfortable
No static interference from low or high frequencies
ANC works well
Supports quick charging – 10 mins charge for 1 hour of playback
Can also be used as wired headphones, in case the battery runs out

Reasons to Avoid

Call quality using the microphone on the device is average
ANC does not handle high pitch sounds really well
The non-availability of Type – C might bother you, as it has become an industry standard

Bottom Line

With modern looks and versatility, the Letscom ANC headphones are a wise choice in the segment. They perform well in every aspect, be it sound, noise cancelation, or even comfort while wearing. One thing to keep in mind, these do not come with Type C charging. As mentioned earlier, if you are comfortable with carrying two different charging cables, go for this one.

Buy on Amazon

Also Read – 10 Best Gaming Laptops Under $1500

6. Mpow Active Noise Cancellation

For the times when you are on a long trip or an international flight, this is the headphone you need that won’t discharge halfway. There are too many headphones on this list with good battery life, but the Mpow H17 goes one step further.The MpowH17 headphones promise a 45-hour runtime per charge, which is staggering regardless of the price. Best of all, with just ten minutes of charging, you will still have two hours of playback.

With a detachable cable feature, built-in microphone form factor, compatible with multiple software and devices premium leather material performs as one of the best headphones in this range. If you are looking for decent performing headphones in your budget you can go for MpowH17.

The battery life offered in this nearly as impressive as the 60 hours you get with the Q30. However, with these, you will have to spend a lot less. In addition to excellent battery life, the Mpow H17 also offers excellent audio quality, thanks to the 40mm speakers that produce deep, powerful bass. These headphones can be changed to suit travel, they have a physical switch to control active sounds, and the earpads are nice and soft for music listening sessions.

Specifications

Reasons to Buy

Very lightweight
Good sound quality for the price
Excellent overall battery life, even with ANC on
Earpads are soft and comfortable
ANC works well
Supports quick charging – 20 mins charge for 1 hour of playback

Reasons to Avoid

While not listening to music, the ANC creates a loud and noticeable buzzing noise, which might not be pleasant for some people
The built of the headphones has been designed to snugly fit on your head, but it might be too tight in some cases

Bottom Line

The battery life of these Mpow headphones is simply good. If you are an average user, the headphones would last you for a couple of days. The Micro USB cable supports fast charging, and the microphone is good enough for attending calls. All-in-all, these are a decent choice for the given price range.

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7. VANKYO C751

Most of the brands on this list are quite famous in one way or another. Mpow and LETSCOM may not be household names, but they are popular in the world of cheap headphones. Then there are companies like Vankyo that are largely unknown but still manage to bring great devices to the market, that offer both value for money and good quality devices.

This low and mid-range frequency blocking noise cancellation technology headphone comes with long hours of playtime where just 10 minutes of charging will go for 2 hours. The lightweight minimal design makes it compact for traveling as it comes with a travel kit where you can carry it around safely. You can use the headphone in your room, bustling streets, during travel, commute, and even during work. With its multiple noise cancellation technology, it makes it a preferable choice for multiple uses.

The Vankyo C751 might not be on top of the list of budget-friendly noise-canceling headphones, but they deserve to be on your radar. It all starts with this active noise cancellation using a hybrid ANC and feed-forward model. This reduces ambient noise by up to 90%, which means that the function is very efficient. There are also 40mm speakers for powerful sound, and Vanco talks about its rich bass performance.

You can expect up to 30 hours of uninterrupted playtime on the Vancouver C751, Bluetooth 5.0 is available, and the headphones fold flat for easy portability. Best of all, Vankyo comes with a free tote bag to store in your purse or suitcase, making it one of the best noise canceling headphones under $100.

Specifications

Reasons to Buy

Noise cancelation works fine
Battery life is decent with and without ANC
Bluetooth connection and range is excellent
Earpads are soft and comfortable
Can swivel 90 degrees and foldable for carrying while traveling
USB C charge cable

Reasons to Avoid

Very bulky in terms of device weight – not suitable for long hours of usage
Cups and hinges do not feel as durable
In terms of sound quality, highs are not that good on this particular model

Bottom Line

If you are someone who is getting a headphone for attending calls wirelessly, this might be the ideal choice for you. However, do take care of the weight of this device. Not recommended for people with neck aches, as they do carry some weight.

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8. Sony WHCH710N

Sony is one of the most famous audio manufacturers out there. People simply love their products when it comes to headphones, earphones, television sets etc. The WH series from Sony consists of headphones that offer active noise cancellation in a budget. While the device is priced at a rough $100, it comes with all the required features. For an instance, these Sony headphones have Bluetooth 5.0, which is power efficient and offers a better connectivity than the older versions. You can even tap your phone on these, with NFC on and they would connect instantly.

The driver size appears slightly small on paper, but Sony knows how to pull things together really well. This product offers one of the best sound stage in this price range. Each frequency is finely tuned, which altogether produces a rich, clear and bass-rich sound. With active noise cancellation on, the device runs for up to 30 hours. The battery life extends when you switch off the noise cancellation. There is a microphone for taking up calls while wearing these headphones.

You can play your favorite music through Bluetooth, or you can connect through a wire as well. The memory protein earpads adjust according to the shape of your ear, providing additional comfort for long hours of usage. There is no fancy light or Type-C fast charging, but these Sony headphones are simply good at what they do.

Specifications

Reasons to Buy

Very lightweight and compact
Excellent overall battery life, even with ANC on
The Ambient mode lets you listen to your surroundings even with headphones are on
Earpads are soft and comfortable
Fast charging support
Active Noise Cancelation works great

Reasons to Avoid

In terms of design, the headphones look outdated
There is no multi-device pairing
The small size of drivers causes limitations in the frequencies that can be produces

Bottom Line

As a manufacturer, Sony does not need any introduction. They have been dominating the audio device market since long, with their durable and high quality products, some of them even setting the industry standard. The WH series is another excellent product, covering all features. Go for it if you want to invest in a decent pair of headphones.

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9. JLab Audio Studio ANC

These headphones are far above the competition in some aspects. JLAB audio in Kansas is known as “plush cloud foam pillows,” owing to the fact that these headphones are more comfortable for a long listening period. In terms of design, these are a clean, minimalistic pair of headphones that you can buy.

This is designed as a studio headphone which you can also use during travel, work, and daily commute. The headphones let you enjoy a fully hands-on experience where you can change, skip tracks, pause, start and do various other activities through the headphone without using the phone itself. The headphone weighs 9.6 ounces which makes it perfect for long use without making users feel uncomfortable.

The noise cancellation in these headphones does a good job and prevents tough sound effects like construction work. However, these compartments are quite small when low-frequency noises such as an aircraft engine collapse are taken into account. The feel and tone are relatively balanced, although the lack of detail in the low end can be seen. The emphasis is on kick drums and bass lines, which can be a good deal for fans of electronic music. These headphones are a great example of the old saying, “you pay for what you get.” For less than $ 60, you can get a pair of ears with decent sound quality, noise reduction performance, and design.

Specifications

Reason to Buy

Can be used for long without any discomfort
The sound quality justifies the price
EQ3 sound equalizer support
Earpads are soft and comfortable
Active Noise Cancelation up to 80%
Decent battery life for this price

Reasons to Avoid

The charging cords and AUX cord provided in the box are really short, you might have to buy them separately
Might be too tight for people with big heads

Bottom Line

The sound equalizer with these headphones is a good additional feature. However, the drivers are a little smaller to our liking. Anyways, if you need if for kids, or college going students, these headphones work just fine.

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10. Treblab Z2-B

TREBLAB Z2 Bluetooth Active Noise full HD aptX wireless headphones come with the Z2’s aptX Bluetooth connectivity, active noise cancellation, and excellent sound quality. They are among the best wireless headphones offering durability, long battery life, and great looks which make them perfect as your outdoor companion. The TREBLAB Z2 Bluetooth Headset lasts as long as you need it and never lets you down. They have the longest battery life of an impressive 35 hours. These Bluetooth headphones can keep you running or working out in the gym for weeks without charging.

The headphone is designed to complement multiple activities like phone calls and workouts where users can wear it comfortably for long hours without feeling heavy. The sweatproof technology makes it ideal to be used during physical activities such as runs, hiking, and long gym hours.

If the headphones are no longer charged, don’t worry as they come with an AUX flat cable that allows you to keep turning the Z2s into regular wired headphones. They are well made, with soft plastic and a lightweight design. The 3.5mm jack is a nice perk when the battery dies (which is rarely the case if it charges up to 35 hours), but the micro-USB port should be a thing of the past.

Specifications

Reasons to Buy

The microphone can be used for attending calls even in a noisy environment
ANC with T-quiet technology is excellent
Supports Bluetooth 5.0 AptX codec
The sound quality is decent
Battery life would last for at least one day of usage

Reasons to Avoid

Absence of a C Type connection
With ANC on, the battery struggles through the day

Bottom Line

Yet another product in the price range that suffices all the criteria of being one of the best noise canceling headphones, that too under $100. The microphone would help you attend calls in a noisy environment. Other than that, the AptX technology offers fast and seamless Bluetooth.

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11. Edifier W820NB Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Headphones

It’s conceivable that the Edifier W820NB active noise canceling (ANC) headphones, which lack metal embellishments, leather cushioning, and some companies’ identifiers, will be your next audio purchase. You can enjoy high-quality streaming while being able to block out distracting background noises like the buzz of the metro. The headset’s battery life is astounding, allowing you to travel the world on just one or two charges.

Features:

Certified High-Resolution Audio – With a frequency range of 20Hz to 40KHz, Japan Audio Association’s Hi-Res Audio certification standard boldly displays professional-level high definition resolution. The enormous sound-producing components use a titanium-plated composite diaphragm, which allows the performance to be retracted and replayed freely while preserving all of the performance’s rich characteristics.
Active Noise Cancelation – It is possible to reduce noise up to 38dB with the help of hybrid active noise reduction technology, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the music.
Ambient sound – Use the ambient sound monitoring mode to keep tabs on changes in the surrounding environment while listening to music. This keeps you safer and more dependable since you won’t miss critical information.
Clear Voice Capture – Even if you’re in a noisy place, the other person will be able to hear your voice clearly. It has CVC / Call Noise reduction technology, which makes it easier to separate the human voice from other noises.
Gaming Mode – With a delay of just 80 milliseconds, the visual and audio are synced, and the voice can be heard in its precise location. It’s simple to take control of the battlefield and have fun at the same time.
50 Hours of Continuous Playtime – This allows you to play without having to worry about running out of battery!! With ANC on, you can play for 29 hours, whereas without it, you can play for 50 hours.

Specifications:

Reasons to Buy:

Excellent ANC
Ambient ANC mode
Long battery life
Good microphone/call quality
Clear, balanced sound

Reasons to Avoid:

No aptX support

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Also Read – 10 Best Wireless Earbuds Under $50

Buyer’s Guide – Take Care of the Following Things While Getting a Set of Noise Canceling Headphones

Impedance: It is basically a measure of resistance to electric current, that is present in the coil of a headphone. There is a whole concept in Physics about wires and how they transmit electric current, but we do not need to know that. What you really need to know is that headphones with higher impedance count require more power, especially to deliver high volume levels. That being said, a 32Ω headphone would require more power to operate than a 16Ω headphone. When it comes to earphones and headphones, an impedance level of 16Ω to 80Ω is optimum for using them with smartphones and laptops.

Frequency Response Range: In all the listings above, you must have noticed this term in the ‘specifications’ section. Let me explain it a little further. So basically, sound travels across a medium in the form of waves, and every wave has its own frequency. It is the frequency of a wave that decides its characteristic, and how it would sound to the human ear. Technical enough? In simple words, the larger the frequency range of a audio device (be it earphones, headphones or even speakers), larger is the variety of sounds it can produce in optimum quality.

A frequency range of 20Hz to 20kHz is generally the standard range you get in an earphone, and is also termed as the audible frequency spectrum. The lower end, that is 20Hz represents bass, while the upper end, that is 20kHz represents the trebles or the highs.

Driver Size: In theory, a large driver produces better sound as it has more space to vibrate the air molecules, which ultimately are the carrier of sound waves. But that is not always the case. A good 40mm driver can easily beat a 50mm driver in terms of sound quality, as the material of the driver, impedance and other factors play a role too. While buying a headphone, look out for devices with larger diaphragms in general. A driver size of 40mm is optimum, however the Sony headphones in the list have a 30mm driver, and they perform equally good.

Range: The devices on this list run on a Bluetooth connection. Now the thing with all forms of wireless devices is the operational range; up to what distance from your mobile phone would the headphone work. That is what is meant by range and it is measured in units of distance, i.e. meters or feet. A range of 8 to 15m is the standard and what you should expect in this price point. However, devices with latest version of Bluetooth offer a stronger connection even within the range.

Supported Bluetooth versions: As stated in the earlier point, the Bluetooth version affect the overall sound quality and battery life of the headphone. A device with Bluetooth 5.0 would have lower latency, stronger range, greater power efficiency and offer better sound quality than a device that supports Bluetooth 4.0 or 4.1.

Microphone: Not all devices perform good when it comes to wireless call quality. If you are someone who needs to attend calls on his wireless headphones, go for the ones with advanced cVc noise reduction microphones. They would help you attend calls in a noisy environment, and would also offer a better calling experience in terms of call quality.

Battery Life: In this price range, you can expect a headphone to deliver anywhere between 20 hours of playback time with ANC, to 40 hours without ANC. The difference is due to additional battery consumption during cancelling noises.

Charging: While the industry is moving on to TYPE C ports with all electrical gadgets such as laptops, desktops, mobile phones, tablets and even flash drives, some manufacturers omit the Type C port to cut costs. What they offer is Micro USB ports with support of fast charging, which is reasonable. However, if you do not wish to carry a separate charging cable and brick for your headphones, select among the ones who actually have a C port.

FAQs

What is Active Noice Cancellation Technology?

Unwanted background noise can be reduced with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), which employs a noise canceling mechanism. ANC chipset inverts sound waves, and a speaker inside the earphone cancels outside sound by neutralizing it. The system is built on these three components: external and internal microphones that “listen,” an ANC chipset, and a speaker. To put it another way, it’s like adding 2 outside and -2 inside to get 0.

The ANC chipset can process active noise canceling using either:

A feed-forward ANC system utilizes an external microphone on the earphones to provide feedback to the user.
Feed-back ANC systems have microphones on the earphones themselves.
A hybrid ANC system is a mix of a feed-forward and a feed-back ANC system, so it can be used for both.