Verdict
Using ANC, the QuietOn 4 earplugs effectively block out background noise, creating a cocoon of silence that passive earplugs can’t match. This version’s curved design means that the earplugs sit more comfortably and securely in the ear canal, which also improves the passive noise blocking. With excellent battery life (28 hours per charge), these are the best earplugs I’ve used and ideal for anyone who has trouble sleeping or even just for bringing some calm to a journey.
-
Very comfortable to wear
-
Long battery life
-
Very effective
Key Features
Introduction
A high-tech solution to cutting out noise while you sleep, the QuietOn 4 earplugs use active noise cancellation (ANC) to give you a bubble of silence while you sleep. Far more effective than passive models, they’re the ideal tool to cut out the sounds of the street, or even a snoring partner.
With a smaller design than the original set, these earbuds fit more comfortably. Sure, they’re expensive, but they’re the best earplugs that I’ve ever used.
Design and Features
- Self-charging case
- Choice of ear tips
The QuietOn 4 are a refinement over the previous model, the QuietOn 3.1, which I reviewed back in 2022. This new version comes in black, rather than the white of the original. I think that QuietOn has missed a trick here, and should offer the earbuds in a variety of colours. That would be particularly useful if you and your partner both buy a set.
Externally, the black charging case looks very much like the one that shipped with the QuietOn 3.1. This case, as with regular in-ear buds, contains a battery and charges the earplugs.
There’s a handy battery-meter at the back: three LEDs is fully charged, and when you’re down to one flashing LED, it’s time to charge using the USB-C port on the back.
Each charge of the earplugs should last for 28 hours, and the case provides three additional charges. From empty, between the earplugs and case you’ve got enough power for 112 hours of use.
Assuming eight hours of sleep per night, you should be able to go for around two weeks before needing to charge the case.
Flip open the case, and there’s a pair of tiny earplugs inside. These buds have been redesigned, with a curve to mimic the ear canal for a tighter fit.
QuietOn ships the earbuds with a set of Comply foam eartips, but there’s a choice of three additional sizes to pick from. When inserted, they should form a tight, complete seal, but they should be comfortable. It’s worth experimenting a little to get the right fit; otherwise, you won’t have the best experience.
Each earbud also has a wax guard to protect it. If you need them, you can buy additional tips separately.
Although identical, each bud is marked with a letter to show which ear it’s for. That’s useful, but the grey-on-black lettering, combined with its small size, means they’re hard to read, particularly in the dark.
There are no controls on the QuietOn 4. When you take them out of the case, they start in hear-through mode for 15 seconds. This lets you clearly hear what’s going on around you, and this mode is there so you can tell when the ANC kicks in: you go from a world of noise to one of silence.
With the QuietOn 3.1, you could hold the case up to the buds to turn hear-through mode back on, but the QuietOn 4 ditches that option. That’s no bad thing: activating hear-through mode on the 3.1 model was fiddly and, ultimately, it felt pointless; far easier to take a bud out when you need to hear clearly.
Performance
- Excellent comfort
- Brilliant noise cancellation
Living in London, I find earbuds particularly useful in the summer months when I have to sleep with the windows open. I’ve been using the QuietOn 3.1 earplugs since I reviewed them, but the QuietOn 4 is a clear step forward.
With the new design, the QuietOn 4 earplugs fit better, so there’s a better natural seal, and they block noise better before you take ANC into account. With ANC activated, the sound blocking is immaculate.
ANC works best with constant, low-frequency noise, so it deals well with traffic driving past, talking and even snoring. With the better seal, I find the QuietOn 4 better than the 3.1 version. With the older model, I found that they didn’t do so well blocking out a TV, but the new ones do much better, to the point that I can easily go to sleep while my wife watches something.
I have a far less disturbed sleep with them in; the general noise outside is wiped out, giving me a cocoon of silence.
These earplugs are also useful in a variety of situations, such as flying or even travelling by train. Having to sit on a four-hour train journey sat opposite two dull men speaking in monotone about which running shoes they have, the QuietOn 4 stopped me from having to throw myself out of the window.
Comfort is much better with these earplugs, too. The older ones were good, but over a night they could slightly irritate towards the morning, or I’d occasionally have one drop out. The QuietOn 4 feel more comfortable, and they sit more firmly, too.
Battery life is as good as is claimed, and these earplugs last all the way through the night without trouble, and then I pop them back in the case to charge up again.
Should you buy it?
Whether you want to block out the sounds of the street or just travel in peace, these ANC earplugs are brilliant.
You only occasionally need earplugs
If you don’t use (or need) earplugs often, then these are expensive for occasional use.
Final Thoughts
As expensive as a set of ANC earbuds, the QuietOn 4 are certainly expensive for earplugs. But, they’re worth it. Better than passive earplugs, they effectively block out everything, giving you silence almost anywhere. In fact, they’re so good that after I reviewed them, I bought another pair for my wife.
If you want peace and quiet while you sleep, either at home or on the move, then look no further.
How We Test
We test every pair of sleep earbuds we review thoroughly over an extended period of time. We use industry-standard tests to compare features properly. We’ll always tell you what we find. We never, ever, accept money to review a product.
Find out more about how we test in our ethics policy.
- Tested for more than a week<br><br>Tested with real-world use<br>
FAQs
No, these earbuds are for noise cancellation only.
Test Data
Full Specs
| QuietOn 4.0 Review | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | – |
| IP rating | No |
| Battery Hours | 28 |
| Weight | 167 G |
| Release Date | 2026 |
| First Reviewed Date | 15/09/2026 |
| Model Number | QuietOn 4.0 |
| Noise Cancellation? | Yes |
| Frequency Range | – Hz |
| Headphone Type | In-ear |
| UK RRP | £259 |
| USA RRP | TBC |
