Yes—many Beats headphones include active noise cancellation, though availability and strength vary by model and fit.
What Noise Cancellation Means On Beats
Active noise cancellation, or ANC, uses microphones to sample outside sound and plays an inverse signal to reduce steady hums. Think plane cabins, bus drones, desk fans, and air conditioners. Sharp sounds still slip through, but the bed of low droning gets cut down so music, podcasts, and calls stand out.
On Beats, ANC comes with a partner mode called Transparency. That mode pipes in outside sound so you can hear announcements and quick chats. Many models also offer an Off mode, which saves battery and can help if you feel pressure when ANC is enabled.
Which Beats Models Offer ANC
Over-ear models: Beats Studio Pro includes adaptive ANC and a handy Transparency mode. Beats Studio3 Wireless also supports ANC through Pure ANC. The on-ear Solo Pro from 2019 included ANC too, but it is no longer sold through Apple. Current on-ear Solo 4 does not include ANC.
In-ear models: Beats Fit Pro, Beats Studio Buds, and Beats Studio Buds+ all include ANC and Transparency. Solo Buds do not include ANC. Powerbeats models focus on stability and battery life rather than ANC.
Do Beats Block Noise With Active Cancelling?
Short answer: yes, on the models listed above. The level of hush depends on design, seal, and tuning. Over-ear designs like Studio Pro tend to dampen more low-end rumble. In-ear buds can rival that when the ear tip seals well. On-ear sets do less against deep rumbles because they don’t fully cover the ear.
Real-world take: droning engines, subways, and HVAC fade down strongly on Studio Pro and Fit Pro. Keyboard clicks, quick speech, and clattering dishes drop less. That mix is normal for ANC across brands.
How To Pick The Right Beats For Noise Control
If you fly often, go with an over-ear model. The large cup and padding add passive isolation, which gives ANC an easier job. For gym time and commutes, Fit Pro sits steady in the ear and holds a seal during movement. If you want a lighter pocket case, Studio Buds+ keeps ANC plus a small footprint.
Check comfort. Some folks sense ear pressure with ANC. If that happens, try Transparency or turn noise control off until your ears settle in. Also test clamping force on over-ear sets. A gentle squeeze feels fine for an hour; too much pressure distracts from the music.
Setup Steps That Boost ANC
Get A Proper Seal On Earbuds
Swap tips until you get a snug fit. A quick shake should not loosen the buds. Use the fit test in the Beats app or on iOS to verify the seal. A tight seal redirects low-end sound away from the ear canal and lets ANC work at full strength.
Seat Over-Ear Cups Correctly
Rotate and slide the yokes so pads wrap the ear with no gaps around glasses arms or sideburns. Tiny gaps leak bass and weaken ANC. If you wear glasses with thick temples, try thinner frames or tweak angle so the pad edge sits flush.
Turn On The Right Mode
On supported models you can switch between noise control modes from the headset or from your device. Apple details the steps for Studio Pro and for Fit Pro. There’s also a system-level panel on iPhone and iPad for noise control modes, which lets you pick ANC, Transparency, or Off from the volume slider.
Everyday Use Tips
Balance ANC, Transparency, And Off
Use ANC for planes, trains, and shared offices. Flip to Transparency for crosswalks and gate calls. Switch to Off when you want max battery or when outside noise is light.
Dial In Volume Without Overdoing It
ANC helps you listen at lower levels. Start low, raise one notch at a time, and keep some headroom. Your ears will thank you after a long flight or shift.
Keep Firmware Current
Updates can refine ANC behavior and fix edge cases. With Apple devices, updates arrive over the air. On Android, use the Beats app to pull the latest release.
When ANC Feels Weak
Two things matter most: seal and source of noise. If voices seem loud, that’s expected; human speech has quick changes that ANC doesn’t fully cancel. If a steady roar sticks around, reseat the cups or try larger ear tips. A small tweak often adds a big bump in hush.
Wind can trip up the microphones. If gusts flutter the sound, cup a hand to block the wind or swap to Off until you step indoors. On buds, tuck the stem or outer shell under a beanie brim for a minute when you cross a breezy street.
Call Quality And Noise
During calls, the mics try to lift your voice and lower the background. That is a separate system from ANC. In loud traffic, speak closer to the mic opening and face away from the wind. If the caller hears rumble, move a few steps to a shielded spot, then resume.
Battery Life With ANC On
ANC draws extra power. Over-ear sets last longest because they carry bigger batteries. Buds balance size with features, so expect fewer hours when ANC runs full time. Many sets include a fast-charge perk that adds hours from a short plug-in during a layover. Plan a top-up during long days and trips ahead.
Controls You Can Use
On Studio Pro, press the system button twice to cycle ANC and Transparency. On Fit Pro and Studio Buds+, press and hold the “b” button on either side to switch modes. You can remap press-and-hold to Siri or to different mode cycles through device settings or the Beats app on Android.
Noise Cancelling By Model: Quick Reference
The table below lists current and common past models with their ANC status and a one-line note. Use it as a fast guide while you shop or set up.
| Model | ANC | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Beats Studio Pro (over-ear) | Yes | Adaptive ANC plus Transparency |
| Beats Studio3 Wireless (over-ear) | Yes | Pure ANC generation |
| Beats Solo Pro (on-ear) | Yes | Discontinued; still found at retailers |
| Beats Solo 4 (on-ear) | No | On-ear set without ANC |
| Beats Fit Pro (in-ear) | Yes | Secure wing, strong seal |
| Beats Studio Buds+ (in-ear) | Yes | Compact case, ANC and Transparency |
| Beats Studio Buds (in-ear) | Yes | ANC works best with a snug seal |
| Beats Solo Buds (in-ear) | No | Focus on size and price |
| Powerbeats Pro (ear-hook) | No | Great hold for workouts; no ANC |
ANC Versus Passive Isolation
Pads and tips block sound before electronics kick in. That passive block knocks down mid and high tones that ANC barely touches. Think of ANC as the bass reducer and the physical seal as the lid on the jar. When both line up, engines fade, clatter softens, and your tracks can play at safer levels.
When To Skip Noise Control
There are moments when you want full awareness. Crossing streets, biking near traffic, or listening for a boarding call all fall in that bucket. Flip to Transparency so you catch cues without yanking out an earbud. In quiet rooms, Off mode saves power and gives your ears a rest from processing.
Travel And Work Scenarios
Flights
On a plane, ANC cuts engine drone and cabin whoosh. Pair ANC with a soft foam ear tip on buds or a plush pad on over-ear sets for the best outcome.
Open Offices
Low HVAC hum fades, leaving keys and chatter at a lower level. Music at a steady, modest level turns that office mix into a softer backdrop that lets you write or code without raising volume.
Cafés And Libraries
Milk steamers and door chimes punch through more than engines do. A seal upgrade helps. Wear the buds a touch deeper, twist for a lock, or try the next tip size until the hiss drops back.
Care And Fit Upgrades
Wipe pads and tips after sweaty sessions so the seal stays tight. Replace ear tips every few months if they loosen. If over-ear pads get flat, swap them for fresh pads to bring back comfort and passive isolation.
Quick Setup Paths On Apple And Android
On iPhone, open Control Center and long-press the volume slider to reach the Noise Control button. Pick ANC, Transparency, or Off without digging through menus. On Android, install the Beats app to access mode switching, fit tests, and button mapping in one place.
Answers To Common Confusions
Why Does Speech Still Come Through?
ANC handles steady sounds best. Speech arrives in bursts and changes pitch rapidly, so it gets less reduction. A better seal can trim it more, yet some speech will remain audible for safety.
Why Do Ears Feel Pressure?
That feeling comes from the way ANC reduces low-end energy. Many people adapt in a few days. Switch to Transparency or turn modes off for a bit if it feels odd, then try again.
Do I Need To Run ANC All Day?
No. Use it when noise rises. When rooms are quiet, switch to Off and save battery. You still get the full sound of your music without the extra processing.
Final Take: Choose The Beats That Match Your Day
If you want the deepest hush, pick an over-ear model with ANC. For workouts and commutes, Fit Pro gives you ANC in a stable shell. For pocketable buds with a tiny case, Studio Buds+ does well. Paying attention to seal, placement, and mode choice brings the best from each set.