What is the difference between ANC and ENC in earbuds?

ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) blocks background noise from reaching your ears while listening to music. ENC (Environmental Noise Cancellation) only filters background noise for the person you are calling.

Best TWS Earbuds Under ₹1,500 with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC Tested)

Bhomvrat Rai

• 📅 Updated October 2026 • ⏱️ 7 min read • ✓ Verified Testing

Every audio brand today advertises "Noise Cancellation" on their ₹1,299 earbuds. But there is a massive catch that most buyers don't know: ENC (Environmental Noise Cancellation for calls) is NOT the same as ANC (Active Noise Cancellation for your ears).

ENC only helps the person on the other end of your phone call hear you clearly by filtering microphone wind noise. Real ANC uses outward-facing microphones to generate anti-noise soundwaves that physically cancel out engine hums, ceiling fan whirrs, and metro rumble inside your ears.

🎧 The Verdict on Sub-₹1,500 ANC: In 2026, real hybrid ANC has finally trickled down to the budget tier. While you won't get Sony WH-1000XM5 silence, budget earbuds can now eliminate up to 28dB to 32dB of low-frequency rumble.

Comparison Table: Tested Budget Earbuds

Earbuds	ANC Level	Driver Size	Battery (With Case)	Latency (Gaming)
boAt Airdopes 141 ANC	Up to 32dB Real ANC	10mm Bass Drivers	42 Hours	50ms Beast Mode
Realme Buds T110	AI Deep Call Noise (ENC)	10mm Dynamic Bass	38 Hours	88ms Super Low
Noise Buds VS104 Pro	Instacharge 25dB ANC	11mm Titanium	40 Hours	45ms Low Latency
Boult Audio Z40	Environmental ENC	10mm BoomX Tech	60 Hours (Massive)	60ms Combat Mode

1. boAt Airdopes 141 ANC — The Undisputed Budget ANC Champion

If blocking out room ceiling fan noise and bus engines is your primary goal, the boAt Airdopes 141 ANC is the most consistent performer under ₹1,500. With up to 32dB of active sound suppression, pressing and holding the right earbud instantly attenuates continuous low-frequency drone.

✓ Strengths

Noticeable 32dB active noise cancellation.
Punchy bass tuned specifically for Bollywood and EDM tracks.
Type-C ASAP charging (10 mins charge = 2 hours playtime).

✗ Weaknesses

High-pitched human chatter is not fully blocked (standard for budget ANC).
Case shell is slightly bulky for tight jeans pockets.

Audio Quality Checklist for Everyday Commuters

Driver Diameter: 10mm to 13mm dynamic drivers provide warm bass response without clipping vocals.
Latency: If you play battle royale games like BGMI, make sure the earbuds support dedicated gaming mode with latency below 50ms to prevent audio sync delay.
IPX Rating: Minimum IPX5 sweat resistance is mandatory for gym workouts and light drizzle.

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