Yes, AirPod Pros have noise cancelling built in

AirPod Pros come with active noise cancellation (ANC) as a standard feature. This means they use microphones and processing to detect outside sound and cancel it out in real time. When you turn noise cancelling on, you'll notice a significant drop in background noise — traffic, airplane engines, office chatter, and similar constant sounds become much quieter.

The feature works automatically once you enable it. You don't need to adjust settings or do anything special beyond turning it on. The AirPods handle the rest. If you have a newer model (AirPod Pro 2nd generation or later), you also get Adaptive Audio, which blends noise cancelling with transparency mode so you can hear important sounds like sirens or someone speaking directly to you.

Key Takeaways

  • AirPod Pros have active noise cancellation that you turn on through your device's Control Center or by pressing and holding the stem.
  • Noise cancelling works best in steady background noise like flights or traffic, and less effectively against sudden or irregular sounds.
  • You can switch between noise cancelling, transparency mode (which lets you hear the world around you), and off by long-pressing the stem or using settings.
  • Noise cancelling drains the battery faster than normal listening, so expect shorter listening time when it's active.

How to turn noise cancelling on and off

The quickest way is to press and hold the stem (the flat part at the bottom of either AirPod) for about two seconds. A voice will say which mode you're switching to. Keep pressing and holding to cycle through noise cancelling, transparency mode, and off. You can do this without taking out your phone.

If you prefer using your device, open Control Center on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Find the audio card (the one showing what's playing), press and hold it, then tap the noise cancelling icon at the bottom. It looks like a circle with sound waves. You'll see three options: noise cancelling (solid circle), transparency (circle with lines), and off (circle with a line through it). Tap the one you want.

On Android devices paired with AirPod Pros, you can control noise cancelling through the AirPods app if you've installed it, though the stem method works on any device.

When noise cancelling actually works well

Noise cancelling is most effective against steady, predictable sounds. Airplane engines, train noise, air conditioning hum, and highway traffic all drop significantly when you turn it on. These constant tones are easiest for the microphones to detect and cancel.

It's less effective against sudden or irregular sounds — a door slamming, someone shouting, or a dog barking. The system can't predict these sounds ahead of time, so it catches them after they've already started. You'll still hear them, though they may be slightly quieter. Human speech is also harder to cancel than machine noise, so conversations around you won't disappear completely.

Fit matters too. If your AirPods don't seal properly in your ear, noise cancelling won't work as well. Make sure you're using the right size ear tip — AirPod Pros come with three sizes (small, medium, large). You can test the fit in Settings on iPhone: go to Bluetooth, tap the info icon next to your AirPods, and select Ear Tip Fit Test. It will tell you if you have a good seal.

Transparency mode and Adaptive Audio

Transparency mode does the opposite of noise cancelling. It uses the microphones to pick up outside sound and play it through the AirPods so you can hear what's happening around you without taking them out. This is useful when you're listening to music but need to hear traffic, someone talking to you, or announcements.

If you have AirPod Pro 2nd generation or later, you also get Adaptive Audio. This mode automatically switches between noise cancelling and transparency depending on what's happening around you. If someone speaks to you, it lets their voice through. If you're in a noisy place, it increases noise cancelling. You turn it on the same way you'd turn on noise cancelling — press and hold the stem or use Control Center — but it's listed as a separate option.

Battery life with noise cancelling on

Noise cancelling uses extra power because the microphones and processing are constantly running. With noise cancelling on, you'll get about 4 to 6 hours of listening time per charge on AirPod Pro 2nd generation. Without it, you can stretch that to 6 to 8 hours. The exact time depends on volume level and how much you're using Siri or taking calls.

The charging case holds multiple charges. A full case gives you around 30 hours of total listening time, though that number drops when noise cancelling is on for most of that time. If you're using noise cancelling heavily, charge the case more often.

Troubleshooting noise cancelling that isn't working

If noise cancelling isn't making a difference, first check that it's actually on. Press and hold the stem and listen for the voice confirmation. If it says "noise cancelling off," you've been using transparency mode or the off setting.

Next, check your ear tip fit using the Ear Tip Fit Test in Bluetooth settings on iPhone. A poor seal is the most common reason noise cancelling seems weak. If the test shows a bad fit, try the next size up or down.

If fit is good but noise cancelling still isn't working, restart your AirPods. Put them back in the case for 10 seconds, then take them out. If that doesn't help, forget the AirPods from your device's Bluetooth settings and pair them again. On iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth, tap the info icon next to your AirPods, and select Forget This Device. Then hold the setup button on the back of the case until the light flashes white, and pair them fresh.

Comparing noise cancelling to transparency mode

The choice between noise cancelling and transparency mode depends on what you're doing. Use noise cancelling when you want to focus on music, podcasts, or calls and block out the world. Use transparency when you need to stay aware of your surroundings — walking outside, working in an office, or waiting for someone to talk to you.

Some people use transparency mode more than they expect to. If you find yourself constantly switching to hear announcements or conversations, Adaptive Audio (on newer models) might save you the trouble. It handles the switching automatically based on what's happening around you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do older AirPod Pros have the same noise cancelling as newer ones?

The original AirPod Pros (1st generation) have noise cancelling, but the 2nd generation version is more effective. The newer model also adds Adaptive Audio, which the original doesn't have. Both let you switch between noise cancelling and transparency mode using the stem.

Will noise cancelling work if I'm wearing a hat or glasses?

Hats and glasses don't stop noise cancelling from working, but they can affect the fit of the AirPods in your ear. If a hat pushes the AirPods out of position, you'll lose the seal and noise cancelling will be weaker. Make sure the AirPods are seated firmly before putting on a hat.

Can I use noise cancelling on a phone call?

Yes. Noise cancelling works during calls and helps the person on the other end hear you better by filtering out background noise on your end. You can turn it on or off during a call the same way you would while listening to music.

Does noise cancelling work with non-Apple devices?

Yes, AirPod Pros work with any device that supports Bluetooth, including Android phones and Windows computers. Noise cancelling functions the same way. You control it by pressing and holding the stem, though some Android apps may offer additional controls.

Why does noise cancelling sometimes feel uncomfortable?

Some people feel pressure in their ears when noise cancelling is on. This is usually caused by a poor seal — try a different ear tip size. If the pressure continues with a good seal, try transparency mode or turning noise cancelling off. The sensation is harmless but not everyone finds it comfortable.