If you already have the latest and greatest smartphone, tablet, and laptop, you may be looking for the next gadget to keep these tech selections as cutting-edge as possible. What might be missing is a terrific pair of wireless earbuds.
Wireless earbuds harness the power of Bluetooth to establish a wire-free connection between many go-to audio-hosting peripherals. Once paired, you’ll be able to use your phone, tablet, or computer to adjust volume; many earbuds even have built-in volume controls. You’ll also be able to enjoy features like active noise-cancellation, spatial audio, and fast-charging capabilities.
The very best wireless earbuds
Sony WF-1000XM5
Killer audio and ANC
Sony’s flagship true wireless earbuds have been our top recommendation in the category for two years straight, and the WF-1000XM5 continue that tradition. The newest model features dedicated processors for both noise cancellation and regular audio processing while being lighter and smaller than their predecessors. But the premium quality comes with a price tag to match.
- Great audio quality
- Better comfort and fit than the last generation
- Great active noise cancellation
- Still a bulky design
- Expensive
Don’t expect Sony to sit on their laurels. As good as the Sony WF-1000XM4 were, the company has made sure to build on that with the WF-1000XM5. Considering the high price point, it’s a good thing that these earbuds are so excellent.
As is expected with this line of earbuds, the sound quality is great with its detailed and slightly bright sound signature that still manages to produce a warm, full, low-end. The ANC is equally impressive, offering some of the best in the business, possibly only beaten out by Bose. It’s good enough that you’ll feel comfortable skipping over-ear headphones for that next flight you have planned.
Sony WF-1000XM5 review: The buds to beat
Great audio + great ANC + great battery life = great earbuds
The battery life is another area in these earbuds’ favor, as it can last eight hours with the ANC on and twelve with it off. Really, there’s very little to fault with the XM5 to the point where it’s an obvious choice as the overall best earbuds available right now.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
Immersive audio, anywhere
Featuring breakthrough Bose Immersive Audio tech, these earbuds transport you to the heart of your music, placing every note and nuance around you with remarkable realism. Industry-leading noise cancellation technology silences distractions, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the rich, detailed audio, while a comfortable, secure fit ensures hours of listening pleasure.
- Superb ANC
- Premium immersive audio
- Very comfortable fit
- No multipoint
- No wireless charging
- Average call quality
If any product has earned its name, it is this. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds are a recent upgrade over their predecessor, the QuietComfort II. Bringing the best ANC of any consumer-grade earphones, these buds practically mute the world around you and yet create no ear pressure. And they are so comfortable that you may forget they’re there.
Adding Snapdragon Sound to their already-formidable arsenal, these Bose buds can decode aptX Adaptive audio, which brings high-resolution music to the extremely capable 9.3mm drivers, which do wonders in converting that into admirable sound. Bose’s version of spatial audio is arguably more capable than any others out there and a good reason to splurge on the Ultras.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds review: Sounds familiar
Last year’s earbuds learn some new tricks, but the experience is largely the same
While the audio features are absolutely awesome, there are some downsides. Bose still hasn’t considered adding multipoint connectivity, though these run on Bluetooth 5.3, and at 6 hours the battery isn’t anything to write home about. Neither does the case support wireless charging, but you can add this on with a $50 official case cover.
Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC
Fully featured at a great price
Need good ANC for cheap? Invest in the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC earbuds by Anker. These buds deliver rich, clear audio within noisy environments. The adaptive ANC tunes itself to suit the space you’re in, eliminating up to 98% of predictable background noises. Plus, the buds use HearID 2.0 to sculpt the perfect audio profile suited to your ears, which turns out excellent with LDAC support. With Bluetooth 5.3 multipoint connectivity, you can seamlessly connect and switch between your devices.
- Sounds as good as earbuds twice the price
- Feature-filled
- Good adaptive ANC
- Too much bass
- Capacitive controls require precise presses
- Call quality can be a little echoey
The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC is amazing for the price. They might not quite reach the heights of our #1 pick, but they sound as good and implement their features as capably as earbuds twice the price. While the audio is not perfect — there’s a bit too much bass — it is as good as earbuds in the $200 range, even though these only cost $100. Considering its low price, the ANC on hand is surprisingly robust, even offering manual adjustments as well as the ability to automatically respond to outside stimuli.
Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC review: Punching above their weight
Budget buds that don’t sound too cheap
On top of that, there’s plenty of fine-tuning in the app, including HearID, which runs you through a short test to create a completely personalized EQ preset. You can even remap the touch controls in the app, though they require careful presses to respond correctly. And that’s all the tip of the iceberg. The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC proves that you don’t have to compromise just because you’re on a budget.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
Consider these for a Galaxy phone
The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are Samsung’s smallest, lightest, and best wireless earbuds yet. They improve on the Galaxy Buds Pro in every way, with better sound quality, more fulsome active noise cancellation, and support for 24-bit audio. They’re also IPX7 water and dust-resistant.
- Full, satisfying sound
- Impressive ANC for earbuds
- Smaller and sleeker than last year’s with the same battery life
- 24-bit audio won’t benefit most listeners
- Multi-device support is limited on non-Samsung devices
- Battery life is just okay
Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are the strangely named follow-up to 2021’s Galaxy Buds Pro. They take what was great about the first generation — robust audio with a generous helping of bass, strong noise cancellation, and a comfortable shape — and jam it into smaller earbuds with a more modern, refined design.
Coming from the last generation, there aren’t many new features here. There’s support for 24-bit audio in compatible apps when the buds are paired with a Samsung phone, plus a gimmicky new head-tracking feature that tries to mimic directional audio, even in apps that don’t offer surround sound content.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro review: Remixing a classic
Samsung’s new Pro earbuds are really good, but not a necessary upgrade
The new buds also inherit the older model’s middling battery life of five hours per charge with ANC. Everything else is so good that these should be on your radar if you’re in the market for new, premium earbuds, but think twice before upgrading from last year’s pair.
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4
Sennheiser strikes back
Sennheiser never messes around when it comes to sound quality and noise cancellation, and the all-new Momentum True Wireless 4 is further proof that the top-dog audio brand isn’t resting on its laurels.
- Terrific sound quality
- Comfy design
- Very good battery life
- Expensive
- No spatial audio support
We loved our time with the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3, but the German audio brand is already moving into a new generation. Enter the Momentum True Wireless 4, a brilliant example of fine-tuned audio performance meeting next-level comfort and stability.
In our ears-on testing of the True Wireless 4, we were floored by the solid balance across the highs, mids, and lows. Codec support includes AAC, SBC, aptX, aptX Adaptive/Lossless, and LC3. The True Wireless 4 even includes Adaptive ANC with three presets (Off, Anti Wind, and On) that you’ll be able to choose from.
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 review: Premium and practically future-proof
Sennheiser’s flagship earbuds get even better, but they’re still pricy
Battery life is another big win for Sennheiser. The True Wireless 4 should last for up to 30 hours when you factor in charging case re-fuels. Said case can also be topped off via USB-C or wireless charging.
Google Pixel Buds Pro
Google’s best buds
With nice audio, strong ANC, and excellent battery life, the Pixel Buds Pro deliver a premium earbud experience in ways that Google’s past attempts could not. If you are an Android user with $200 to spend on earbuds, these are a great pick.
- Good audio with ample bass
- Competent ANC and a great transparency mode
- Great touch controls
- No high-bitrate codec support
- Somewhat bulky
- Can be tricky to get out of the case
With full and satisfying audio, ANC, and a great transparency mode, the Google Pixel Buds Pro deliver a premium earbud experience in ways Google’s past attempts couldn’t. Packed with useful features like the always-on “Hey Google” detection, Bluetooth multipoint, and marathon battery life, the Pixel Buds Pro don’t have any glaring weaknesses. While the Pixel Buds Pro did launch without a customizable equalizer, five-band EQ eventually made its way to the Pixel Buds app, addressing a considerable flaw the buds suffered at launch. Google even ironed out the connectivity issues that plagued the past couple of pairs released.
They don’t have the very best audio quality or ANC money can buy, but strong fundamentals, batteries that can go for up to seven hours (with ANC) on a single charge, and a hassle-free experience might be worth the premium to you.
Google Pixel Buds Pro review: Fourth time’s the charm
It only took five years, but Google finally got it right
So if you’re an Android user with $200 to spend on earbuds, the Pixel Buds Pro are a great pick. The buds fit might feel odd for some, but you get used to it rather quickly.
OnePlus Buds Pro 2
Look at that lovely green
The OnePlus Buds Pro 2 are a bit more expensive than the first generation was, but the AirPods-like stem-style buds have better sound quality and battery life. They’re also available in a lovely green color.
- Strong, bassy audio
- Very good call quality
- Multipoint connectivity and Fast Pair support
- Middling ANC
- Battery life could be better
The OnePlus Buds Pro 2 are a tame upgrade over the first-generation OnePlus Buds Pro, but the newer set features better sound and slightly improved battery life. The audio here is full and bouncy with lots of bass, but not too much. The call quality is also great.
OnePlus Buds Pro 2 review: Powerful sound at a reasonable price
Not a huge upgrade, but the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 are easy to like
Battery life is just okay at six hours on a charge, and ANC isn’t quite top of the line, but with a fun sound and a good feature set, these are easy earbuds to like at $179. If you’re into stem-style earbuds, the Buds Pro 2 have plenty to offer.
EarFun Air Pro 3
Good ANC and Hi-res sound
Immerse yourself in crystal-clear audio with the EarFun Air Pro 3 earbuds. These advanced earbuds boast powerful hybrid active noise cancellation, cutting out up to 43dB of ambient noise for an uninterrupted listening experience. Enjoy up to 9 hours of playtime on a single charge. The EarFun Air Pro 3 earbuds also feature a comfortable ergonomic design, intuitive touch controls, and IPX5 water resistance, making them perfect for everyday use.
- AptX Adaptive
- Good ANC
- Bluetooth 5.3 Multipoint
- Processed audio
- Lackluster app
- Dated design
Looking for good ANC and high-resolution audio for cheap? The EarFun Air Pro 3 earbuds have your back. The ANC is quite capable of cutting background conversation and predictable noise to practically zero. The buds also support aptX Adaptive, giving you the ability to hear high-resolution audio files or streams if you have access to them.
A basic stick design incorporates IPX5-rated protection along with responsive touch controls. The sound can be really fun with thumping bass and clear highs. However, the over-processed quality of the audio may grate on practiced ears. The buds have six mics that work in and out of the ears to pick up inner and outer noise and drive the ANC accordingly.
EarFun Air Pro 3 review: Budget buds that punch above their class
Feature-packed and rich audio — two keys that make for killer budget buds
For such low-cost buds, the app is good. While rather flat and unappealing in design, it brings core functionalities that a companion app should quite effectively. You get updates, custom equalizers, ANC controls, and so on.
Jabra Elite 10
Dynamic audio in a beautiful design
Get the Jabra signature sound with the Jabra Elite 10 earbuds. Featuring 10mm precision-engineered drivers, the earbuds bring Dolby Atmos like you’ve never heard before. Combined with Dolby Head Tracking spatial audio, you can truly immerse yourself in music and videos. The IP57-rated buds feature an above-average ANC system and multipoint connectivity via Bluetooth 5.3, but the battery at 6 hours (with ANC) could be better.
- Superb spatial audio
- IP57-rated protection
- Strong connectivity
- Unreliable mics
- No hi-res codecs
- Basic frequency response
Launched in August 2023, the latest musical offering from Jabra, the Elite 10, brings a lot to the plate. It has some of the best spatial audio tech in the market, using Dolby Head Tracking. When you combine that with the excellent Dolby Atmos decoding, music and videos come alive in your ears. The 10mm drivers don’t promise anything outstanding in the frequency response, but working in tandem with the amps, they do a great job of reproducing the Jabra signature sound that most people will love.
Jabra Elite 10 earbuds review: Comfort is king
These earbuds are great for when comfort is a priority
Jabra made these earbuds beautifully, with a premium look and finish that justifies the high price. That design does more than just look pretty — it also protects the buds with IP57-rated water and dust resistance. Inside, they carry a superb ANC solution and a 6-hour battery that is arguably all you may need daily. The Bluetooth 5.3 does an excellent job with multipoint connectivity. However, it falls short in the codec department.
Beats Powerbeats Pro
Great for commuting and light workouts
Even though the Beats PowerBeats Pro can be difficult to fit over your ears, once they’re locked in place, you’ll be able to enjoy one of the most secure fits offered by any wireless buds.
- Hard to dislodge
- Great sound and spatial audio features
- Good battery life
- Not ideal for Android devices
- No transparency mode
- Pricey
We had the privilege of testing the Beats PowerBeats Pro, and let’s just say that one of the earbuds’ best features is also one of its worst. We’re referring to the silicone ear fins that wrap around your ear for a super-stable fit. The downside is that they’re a major pain to properly hook; while the upside is they deliver one of the most secure fits we’ve ever seen on a pair of earbuds, once they’re actually in place.
In terms of sound quality, we really like the PowerBeats Pro’s performance. We tested the buds across multiple genres and found them to be well-balanced and punchy in all the right places. It’s not exactly flagship sound, but for less than $250, they check all the right boxes. Unfortunately, codec support is limited to just AAC and SBC, but the PowerBeats does support Dolby Atmos spatial audio.
Beats Powerbeats Pro review: Stuck in my head
These earbuds have no problem staying put, but may be a little iOS-centric for most Android fans
Battery life isn’t too shabby either. Considering this is an Apple product, getting stuck with a Lightning port isn’t exactly ideal, but the buds should last for up to nine hours on a full charge. And if you need a recharge in a pinch, five minutes in the charging case will get you an additional hour-and-a-half of playback.
JBL Tour Pro 2
For those who want a unique feature
With a built-in touchscreen that lets you access player controls and settings without reaching for your phone, the JBL Tour Pro 2 earbuds are certainly in a class of their own. Sonically, the buds sound great while also offering top-notch ANC and a long battery life. Unfortunately, they can be a bit pricey, and the multi-point connectivity could be better.
- Highly functional touchscreen case
- Exceptional active noise cancellation
- Great audio quality
- Expensive compared to comparable earbuds
- Multipoint connectivity is not fully baked
- Audio codecs are somewhat limiting
The JBL Tour Pro 2 are not cheap. But they may be the only pair of earbuds out there right now with a touchscreen on the charging case that allows you to interact with the earbuds in a way that won’t require you to pull your phone out, whether it’s answering calls or changing settings, like ANC.
As far as sound quality goes, these skew neutral, so they sound technically very good and lend themselves to all genres of music, but don’t have the most exciting sound out there. However, JBL has thoughtfully included its Personi-Fi feature, which creates a personalized EQ profile catered to your hearing.
JBL Tour Pro 2 review: Smart earbuds, smart case
No gimmicks here, the case should be a template for premium buds going forward
If you care about ANC — and you should — it’s exceptionally executed, easily blocking out ambient noise. If you care about lossless audio, things are a little less impressive, as there’s no support for LDAC or AptX. Multipoint connectivity is a bit underwhelming as well. At least they’re pretty comfortable to use.
Apple AirPods (3rd Generation)
Perfect for iOS and Mac
Got an iPhone or iPad? They need a good pair of earbuds, and for that, there’s not much better than the Apple AirPods 3rd Gen. Immerse yourself into the world of dynamic, rich music with excellent spatial audio with head tracking plus Dolby Atmos. Control your devices with direct voice assistant support, and get all-day wear thanks to the tipless comfortable fit. The IPX4 sweatproof buds come with stellar iOS integration. However, we do miss ANC.
- Well-balanced sound
- Many high-end features
- Perfect for Apple devices
- Not so good for Android
- Loose fit
- Eq isn’t user-friendly
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) are the best earbuds out of Apple yet for the price. If you have a moderately modern Apple device (iPad, iPhone, Macbook, etc.), then this is a no-brainer; the buds are seamlessly integrated into the OS itself and you get to play with numerous high-end features such as spatial audio and adaptive equalizer.
The no-frills, simplistic yet classy design goes a long way, while it also gives the advantage of being extremely comfy thanks to the lack of ear tips. However, that also translates into a comparably loose fit. The IPX4-rated buds have the Apple H1 chip inside that does a lot of processing of the incoming and outgoing audio and gives you the best sound that your ears can hear.
Speaking of which, for the price, you get a surprisingly accurate frequency response with these earbuds. The sub-bass response is strong, while the definitions in the highs carry your tune through. Apple’s excellent spatial audio feature (fixed or head-tracked) helps you to bring your music alive in the room. The mics are strong, too, and recognize every syllable spoken.
Apple’s AirPods Pro pack more power, but the regular AirPods deliver more bang for your buck – and make more sense if you’re an Android user eyeing them up, as you won’t be paying extra for too many iOS-exclusive features.
What are the best wireless earbuds you can buy?
We’re totally gung ho about wireless earbuds because these tiny sound titans are one of the best ways to experience your favorite playlists, podcasts, movies, and TV shows. And most earbud fans are truly going to dig the Sony WF-1000XM5. The sound quality on these buds is undeniable, and Sony went to great lengths to make its flagship buds more comfortable than its XM4s.
For the best money can buy, though, there are the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds. The QC Ultra from this premium pick delivers amazing audio, powerful noise cancellation, and one of the most secure and cozy fits of any earbuds we’ve ever tested.
Still, not everyone can afford a $300 purchase, which is why the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC earbuds are the ideal value option. They sound great, have solid ANC capabilities, and are less than $150.
Sony WF-1000XM5
Killer audio and ANC
Sony’s flagship true wireless earbuds have been our top recommendation in the category for two years straight, and the WF-1000XM5 look poised to continue that tradition. The newest model features dedicated processors for both noise cancellation and regular audio processing while being lighter and smaller than their predecessors. But the premium quality comes with a price tag to match.
