In 2025, “Active Noise Cancellation” (ANC) is no longer a luxury feature for ₹20,000 Sony headphones. You can now get it for under ₹2,500.
But here is the problem: Marketing.
Brands claim “50dB Noise Cancellation” on a ₹1,500 earbud. Is that even possible? Or is it just a gimmick that ruins the music quality?
For this CSNR Gadget Review, I didn’t just read the spec sheet. I took these earbuds to the Delhi Metro and a busy coffee shop to see if they could actually silence the chaos.
Quick Verdict: The Top 3 Picks
| Model | ANC Strength | Sound Quality | Best For |
| Realme Buds T310 | 46dB (Best) | Bass Heavy | Commuters |
| CMF Buds (by Nothing) | 42dB | Balanced | Design/Style |
| Boat Airdopes 161 ANC | 32dB | Loud | Tight Budget |
My Opinion: The Truth About “Budget ANC”
Before you buy, you need to manage your expectations.
My Verdict: At ₹2,500, you will not get absolute silence.
These earbuds are great at cancelling Low-Frequency Noise (like the hum of an AC, the rumble of an airplane engine, or the “whoosh” of the Metro train).
However, they struggle with High-Frequency Noise (like people talking nearby, a baby crying, or a horn honking).
If you are buying these expecting the world to disappear like it does with AirPods Pro, you will be disappointed. But if you just want to lower the volume of the city by 50% so you can hear your podcast, these are excellent value.
1. Realme Buds T310 – The Silence King
Realme currently dominates the budget audio market in India. The T310 is the successor to the popular T300, and it is a beast.
Specs:
ANC: 46dB Hybrid ANC
Driver: 12.4mm Dynamic Bass Driver
Battery: 40 hours (Total)
Why it wins:
In my testing, the 46dB ANC was noticeably stronger than the others. Standing near a fan, the T310 cut the noise almost completely. The 360° Spatial Audio is a nice bonus for watching movies, making the sound feel wider.
Pros:
Strongest ANC in this price range.
Dual Device Connection (Connect to Laptop + Phone same time).
Fast Charging (10 mins = 5 hours).
Cons:
Build quality feels a bit “plasticky.”
Bass can be overpowering for classical music lovers.
2. CMF Buds (by Nothing) – The Style Icon
Nothing (the brand) is known for design, and their budget sub-brand CMF looks stunning.
Specs:
ANC: 42dB
Design: Matte finish with a unique dial case
Sound: Tuned by Dirac
Why it wins:
If you care about how your gadgets look, buy this. The distinctive orange/white case with the rotating dial (though mostly for fidgeting) stands out. The sound signature is very Balanced—vocals are clear, and instruments don’t get drowned out by bass.
Pros:
Best-looking case in the market.
“Wind Noise Reduction” actually works well outdoors.
App support (Nothing X) is clean and bug-free.
Cons:
ANC is slightly weaker than Realme.
No “Dual Device Pairing” on the base model.
3. Boat Airdopes 161 ANC – The Money Saver
If your budget is strictly under ₹1,500, Boat is usually the only option with ANC.
Specs:
ANC: 32dB
Price: Often ~₹1,299
Latency: BEAST Mode (Low latency for gaming)
Why it wins:
It brings ANC to the masses. The 32dB cancellation is basic—it will dampen the fan noise, but you will still hear the TV. However, for the price of a large pizza, you are getting functional ANC and very loud audio.
Pros:
Extremely cheap.
“Insta Wake N’ Pair” connects very fast.
Good for casual gaming.
Cons:
ANC hiss (white noise) is audible when no music is playing.
Battery life drops significantly with ANC ON.
Buying Guide: What Else Matters?
- Mic Quality (ENC):Don’t expect studio quality. All TWS under ₹2,500 struggle with calls in windy environments. Realme performs slightly better here due to AI noise reduction.
- App Support: Never buy a TWS without App support. You need the app to update firmware and customize the EQ (Equalizer). Both Realme (via the Realme Link App) and CMF (via the Nothing X App) have excellent apps that let you tweak the bass and touch controls.
Traveling with your new earbuds? Make sure your phone doesn’t run out of juice. Check our review of the Best Flight-Safe Power Banks.
Final Decision
For Commuters (Metro/Bus): Buy the Realme Buds T310. The stronger ANC is worth it.
For Office/Students: Buy the CMF Buds. They look professional and sound great for calls/meetings.
For Tight Budgets: Buy the Boat Airdopes. It’s the best entry-level option.
Pro Tip: To get the best noise cancellation, you must choose the right size ear tips (S, M, L) provided in the box. If the seal isn’t tight, even a ₹20,000 Sony headphone will fail.
