When buying wireless earbuds, you may come across terms like ANC, ENC, noise cancellation, transparency mode, and AI microphones. For many buyers, it can be confusing to understand what these features actually mean and whether you need them. Two of the most common technologies found in modern wireless earbuds are ANC and ENC.
ANC stands for Active Noise Cancellation, while ENC stands for Environmental Noise Cancellation. Although both technologies are designed to deal with unwanted background noise, they work differently and are designed for different purposes. For example, ANC is mainly focused on reducing surrounding sounds that you hear, while ENC is primarily focused on improving microphone and call quality by reducing environmental noise around you. Some modern earbuds also combine ANC and ENC, giving users both noise reduction while listening and clearer voice calls.
In this blog, we will explain what ANC and ENC mean, how they work, the difference between ANC and ENC earbuds, their advantages and limitations, and some ANC and ENC earbuds available in Nepal from Quality Computer.
What is ANC?
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) reduces unwanted external sounds while you listen to music, watch videos, game, or travel. It uses microphones to d:etect surrounding noise and produces opposing sound waves to reduce it, especially for continuous background sounds .ANC is particularly useful for continuous background sounds such as:
Traffic noise
Bus and engine noise
Airplane cabin noise
Air conditioner noise
Fan noise
Office background noise
Café and public-place noise
For example, if you are travelling on a bus, ANC can help reduce the constant engine and road noise so you can focus more on your music or podcast. However, ANC does not mean that all external sounds completely disappear. Its effectiveness depends on the earbuds, microphones, fit, ANC implementation, and type of surrounding noise.
How Does ANC Work?
ANC uses microphones to detect surrounding noise and generates an opposing signal to reduce it. It works especially well against continuous sounds like airplane engines, buses, and air conditioners, making it useful for travel, studying, commuting, and noisy workplaces.
What is ENC?
ENC (Environmental Noise Cancellation) improves voice communication by reducing background sounds picked up by the earbuds' microphones. It helps your voice stay clearer during calls, even in noisy places with traffic, people, or wind. ENC technology helps reduce unwanted environmental sounds captured by the microphones so that your voice can be clearer to the person you're talking to. ENC is therefore particularly useful for:
Video meetings
Online classes
Business calls
Gaming voice chat
Voice communication
How Does ENC Work?
ENC uses multiple microphones and signal processing to separate your voice from background noise, making calls clearer. Earbuds with multi-mic ENC, such as the Hi Future Sonic AIR 4MIC ENC, can be useful for frequent callers.
ANC vs ENC Earbuds: Quick Comparison
Important Features to Check Before Buying ANC or ENC Earbuds
ANC and ENC are not the only things you should consider when buying wireless earbuds.
1. Bluetooth Version
Check the Bluetooth version of the earbuds. Newer Bluetooth versions can provide improvements in connectivity, efficiency, and supported features depending on the device. For example, several current Quality Computer earbuds use Bluetooth 5.3 or 5.4.
2. Microphone Quality
If you mainly use earbuds for calls, don't focus only on ANC. Check:
Number of microphones
ENC support
Voice processing
Call noise reduction
Microphone placement
For example, the Hi Future Sonic AIR uses 4-microphone ENC and is designed with call clarity in mind.
3. Battery Life
Battery life is another important factor. Look at:
Earbud playback time
Total playback time with charging case
ANC-on battery life
Charging time
Fast charging
USB-C charging
Remember that using ANC can reduce battery life compared with using the earbuds with ANC turned off. For example, the Ultima Boom 141 is rated for up to 45 hours total playtime with ANC off and up to 36 hours with ANC on.
4. Transparency Mode
Some ANC earbuds also provide a Transparency Mode. This feature allows surrounding sounds to pass through the earbuds using their microphones. It can be useful when you need to hear:
Someone speaking to you
Traffic
Announcements
Sounds around you
For example, both the Ultima Boom 141 and JBL Tune Flex 2 include ambient/transparency-related features.
5. Water Resistance
If you plan to use earbuds while exercising or outdoors, check the IP rating. Examples include:
- IPX4
- IPX5
- IP54
- IP68
The rating indicates the level of protection against water and/or dust according to the specific rating. For example, the Ultima Boom 141 has an IPX5 water-resistance rating, while the JBL Tune Flex 2 is listed with an IP54 rating.
ANC and ENC Earbuds Available in Nepal
Quality Computer currently lists a range of wireless earbuds with ANC, ENC, and combined ANC + ENC features.
Prices and availability can change, so check the product page before publishing or updating the article. Quality Computer's current earbud listings show these products and prices.
Ultima Atom 520 Pro ENC Wireless Earbuds
The Ultima Atom 520 Pro is a budget-friendly option with ENC noise cancellation, 13mm drivers, up to 45 hours of playback, and IPX5 sweat resistance. Quality Computer currently lists it at Rs. 1,590.
Best For: Users who want ANC for music and travel while also benefiting from ENC-assisted calls.
Ultima Boom 181 ANC Wireless Earbuds
The Ultima Boom 181 offers Active Noise Cancellation up to 32dB, transparency mode, quad microphones, Bluetooth 5.3, 13mm drivers, and up to 45 hours of total playtime. Quality Computer currently lists it at Rs. 2,250.
Best For: Users who want both listening-side noise cancellation and microphone noise reduction.
JBL Tune Flex 2 Earbuds
The JBL Tune Flex 2 is a higher-priced option with Adaptive Noise Cancelling, JBL Pure Bass Sound, 12mm drivers, six microphones, Bluetooth 5.3, up to 48 hours maximum playtime, IP54 protection, Ambient Aware, Talk Thru, and multipoint connectivity. Quality Computer currently lists the JBL Tune Flex 2 at Rs. 16,500.
Best For: Users looking for a more feature-rich wireless earbud experience for music, calls, travel, and everyday use.
ANC vs ENC: Which Earbuds Should You Choose?
The right choice depends on how you plan to use your earbuds.
Choose ANC Earbuds If:
You travel frequently
You listen to music in noisy places
You want to reduce external sounds
You use public transportation
You work in busy environments
You watch movies and videos
You want a more immersive listening experience
Choose ENC Earbuds If:
You make frequent phone calls
You attend online meetings
You use voice chat
You work remotely
You need clearer microphone communication
You frequently talk in moderately noisy environments
Things to Remember About ANC and ENC
ANC focuses on reducing the noise you hear, while ENC improves microphone clarity during calls. However, performance depends on factors like microphones, fit, software, and overall design. So, consider the complete specifications and your usage—not just ANC or ENC.
Conclusion
ANC vs ENC: ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) reduces external noise for a better listening experience, making it ideal for music, travel, and noisy environments. ENC (Environmental Noise Cancellation) reduces background noise picked up by microphones, improving voice clarity for calls, meetings, and gaming.
Choose ANC for better listening, ENC for clearer calls, or both for an all-around experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
ANC stands for Active Noise Cancellation. It uses microphones and audio processing to reduce unwanted external sounds that you hear while using the earbuds.
ENC stands for Environmental Noise Cancellation. It is mainly used to reduce background environmental noise captured by the earbuds' microphones during calls and voice communication.
ANC and ENC are designed for different purposes. ANC is mainly useful for reducing noise you hear, while ENC is mainly useful for improving microphone and call clarity.
ENC is particularly relevant for phone calls because it helps reduce environmental noise picked up by the microphones and can make your voice clearer to the person you're speaking with.
ANC is generally the more relevant feature for music because it is designed to reduce external sounds that can interfere with your listening experience.