Unlock your ultimate audio experience with the 15 best wireless earbuds, expertly curated for every music lover!
Wireless earbuds have become essential for anyone with a smartphone. The trend began when the iPhone 7 eliminated the traditional audio jack, and now, most smartphones have followed suit, leaving only a few niche models that still feature this functionality.
The good news is that today’s market is flooded with a wide variety of wireless earbuds. Whether you're looking for budget-friendly options that get the job done or high-end models packed with features for audiophiles, there’s something for everyone. However, with so many choices available, it can be overwhelming to find the perfect pair.
That’s where we come in! Whether you’re searching for an affordable option or ready to invest in top-tier sound quality, we’ve rounded up a selection of earbuds that cater to your specific needs. Let’s simplify your search and help you find the ideal wireless earbuds!
1. 1More PistonBuds Pro Q30 Wireless Earbuds
The 1More PistonBuds Pro Q30 true wireless earbuds are hands down the best for upgraders on a tight budget. With a starting price that’s a penny before additional deals and discounts, the buds bring desirable features like customizable sound with enhanced spatial audio capabilities, reliable noise cancellation, sleek design, and comfy fit. Offering access to the last-mentioned bit at this price point is a major shift for this category, and sets a new standard for cheap wireless earbuds.
Wired and wireless earbuds by 1More have always delivered great audio quality for the money, and the PistonBuds Pro Q30 are no exception. I was equally impressed by the balanced sound and wide array of tools for customizing it. The noise cancellation with adjustable modes I experienced is also commendable for a set of earbuds with an impulse-buy price.
With their lightweight build and an IPX5 rating for water resistance, the 1More PistonBuds Pro Q30 are a dependable pair of wireless earbuds for exercises of all intensities. Having said that, I found the buds’ touch-sensitive controls a bit tricky to get used to — but dealing with their learning curve at this price category is a fair tradeoff.
2. Beats by Dr. Dre Fit Pro Wireless Earbuds
The Beats Fit Pro earphones are the brand’s best true wireless offering and, hands down, a great option for Apple users. Thanks to the tech giant’s H1 chip, they deliver spatial audio sound with dynamic head tracking. The experience is incredibly lifelike with enhanced content, though you should know it’s only available on Apple hardware.
Powered by a custom audio driver, the Beats Fit Pro earphones deliver a balanced sonic experience. Apple’s H1 chip mentioned above also allows the buds to respond to hands-free Siri voice commands and to seamlessly switch between all devices that use the same iCloud account.
Compared to the cheaper Studio Buds from the same maker, the Beats Fit Pro has a more secure fit with integrated wingtips. The setup makes the earbuds a great option for exercising. You can order the product in a multitude of colors.
3. EarFun Free Pro 3 Wireless Earbuds
By providing a mixture of high-quality sound, reliable noise cancellation, top-notch comfort, and solid battery life for their form factor, the tiny earbuds exceeded my expectations across the board. If you are looking for the best performance and most features for the least money, the Free Pro 3 should be on your shortlist.
Equipped with Qualcomm Snapdragon Sound tech, the Pro 3 produced detail-rich sound during my testing, especially when linked to an Android phone . The buds’ noise cancellation is far from the levels of pricier Apple, Bose, and Sony rivals, but it is solid for a product with an impulse-buy price tag. The EarFun companion app has a stellar selection of tools for customizing the experience.
I like that the Free Pro 3's storage case is compatible with wireless charging despite its miniature size. EarFun offers the earphones in black, white, and blue. If you prefer a stem design, consider the similarly priced Air Pro 3 earbuds from the same maker.
4. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) with USB-C Case
Apple’s second-generation AirPods Pro earphones with a USB-C case are hands-down the best for iPhone , iPad , Mac , and Apple Watch users. Thanks to the H2 wireless chip, the earbuds deliver better sound, including immersive spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, superior noise cancellation, and longer battery life than the iconic first-generation. Of course, they will also link to all Apple devices that use the same iCloud account.
The audio quality of the AirPods Pro is balanced, enjoyable, and among the best in the price range. Thanks to a handy new feature dubbed Adaptive Audio , the earphones can automatically switch between noise cancellation and transparency mode and even adjust the volume depending on your surroundings.
Remarkably, the charging case of the latest AirPods Pro got a ton of upgrades. The accessory packs the Apple U1 chip, so you can track it like an AirTag. To top things off, the essential gadget has an onboard speaker and an official IP54 rating for water and dust resistance, like the earphones.
5. Sony WF-1000XM5 Wireless Earbuds
A follow-up to a bona fide legend , Sony’s WF-1000XM5 true wireless earbuds are today’s best in terms of sheer acoustic capabilities. Thanks to cutting-edge audio hardware and support for lossless audio codecs, the buds deliver sound with higher audio fidelity than any rival. Their noise cancellation is also excellent, though I’d give the Bose earbuds a slight edge for offering multiple modes and customization options of the essential feature.
Regarding sound and noise cancellation, the WF-1000XM5 earbuds are a significant upgrade over the previous generation, thanks to larger audio drivers and upgraded processing tech. Plus, the buds are sleeker, smaller, and comfier without cutting corners in durability and battery life. Their battery endurance and storage case with wireless charging set them apart from their Bose rival.
These are the true wireless earbuds to get if sound quality is your utmost priority and their admittedly hefty sticker fits your budget. I’m constantly testing earbuds, but the WF-1000XM5 will be my go-to if I have to pick just one set.
6. Jabra Elite 8 Active Wireless Earbuds
Jabra’s Elite 8 Active wireless earbuds are the best for exercising, whether you are a casual gym visitor or a seasoned ultramarathon participant who’s constantly training outdoors.
Sound-wise, the Elite Active 8 performed admirably across the board in a manner befitting their price tag. The out-of-the-box sound is nicely balanced, presenting an audible harmony between good bass, vibrant treble, and harmonious mid-range. The noise cancellation of the Elite 8 Active earbuds is stellar, too. The earbuds swiftly did away with the clanking noises of weights at the gym, helping me enjoy the music and focus on my reps. During my Midtown Manhattan walks to work during rush hour, the earbuds reduced the traffic noise to a barely audible thrum.
The Elite 8 Active earbuds are among the comfiest I have tested. Their lightweight build (each earbud weighs only 5 grams), ergonomic shape with soft silicone tips, and integrated vents for reducing in-ear pressure buildups allowed me to spend hours without removing them. My favorite bit about the ergonomics of the Elite 8 Active is that, unlike many rivals that have additional ear fins to keep them in place, the Jabra earbuds don’t require them. I used the buds to run on a treadmill and to perform thousands of jumping jacks and didn’t worry about them falling off.
The invisible clicky button controls of the earbuds are excellent and vastly better than the touch-sensitive layouts of many competitors. Their tactile responses make controlling the playback, adjusting the cancellation, and taking calls easy, even with sweaty hands or during a rainy outdoor run.
7. Google Pixel Buds Pro Wireless Earbuds
The Pixel Buds Pro — Google’s best wireless earbuds yet — are excellent for Android users. In addition to a comfy fit, incredible battery life, and super easy Android smartphone pairing, the colorful earbuds offer seamless Google Assistant integration. You can manage audio playback, take calls, send messages, control connected appliances, and open apps, among many other things, with voice commands.
Google equipped the Pixel Buds Pro with custom audio drivers whose audio quality is worthy of the price range. The same goes for the earbuds’ noise cancellation and call quality.
8. Soundcore Sport X20 Wireless Earbuds
Unlike similarly priced rivals that are only splash- and sweat-resistant, the IP68-rated Soundcore Sport X20 can survive complete submersion in water and exposure to dust. Such toughness ensures that the earbuds can survive even the world's toughest races, like a strenuous ultramarathon. Their secure fit with comfy around-ear hooks and clicky button controls will also appeal to outdoor workout aficionados.
9. Sony LinkBuds S Wireless Earbuds
The LinkBuds S true wireless earbuds by Sony deliver supreme comfort and unrivaled ambient sound capabilities. The latter allows you to remain aware of your surroundings anytime, anywhere, without the need to remove the lightweight buds. While testing, I wore them for hours during at-home work sessions and outdoor walks without missing an important delivery or losing track of the NYC traffic around me.
Best of all, unlike the first-ever Sony LinkBuds that required donut-shaped audio drivers to achieve that level of comfort, the S iteration also offers more immersive sound and onboard noise cancellation. Sony accomplished this feat by treating the buds to a traditional design with silicone tips but larger air vents to let in more ambient noise. Thanks to well-tuned audio drivers and a sophisticated audio processor, the LinkBuds S earbuds produce excellent and easily customizable sound.
10. Denon PerL Pro Wireless Earbuds
The PerL Pro wireless earbuds by Denon deserve your close attention not only for their amazing sound with immersive spatial audio and powerful noise cancellation — those are a given in this price category — but also for their ability to deliver a sonic experience that’s precisely tailored to your or the person your shopping for's hearing. The last-mention bit utilizes Massimo Adaptive Acoustic Technology to measure the frequency sensitivity of your ears precisely.
Massimo is well-known for offering consumer gadgets with medical-grade accuracy, so it’s no surprise that its tech is miles ahead of any competitor. Setting up personalized listening on the PerL Pro requires a short hearing test in a quiet place using the buds’ companion app. Once complete, the personalized profile is available on any content you stream on the earbuds.
11. JBL Tour Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds
JBL’s Tour Pro 2 wireless earbuds have the most feature-rich charging case in the business. The high-tech accessory rocks a touchscreen that allows you to control the audio playback, take or reject calls, adjust the noise cancellation, and even customize the sound without reaching for your phone to open the earbuds’ companion app.
While testing the Pro 2, I found the above feature incredibly convenient while using the buds on my MacBook and iPad on my office desk and at home, respectively. I didn’t need to reach for the charging case on the go. I usually keep such wireless earbuds’ accessories in my backpack, while my phone is always in my jeans pocket.
12. Bose Ultra Open Wireless Earbuds
As their name suggests, the all-new Bose Ultra Open wireless earbuds have an open-ear design without silicone ear tips. Their unique form factor allows you or a loved one you're shopping for to be constantly aware of your surroundings, unlike other noise-canceling options.
The unique ear fit and lack of silicone tips also make the Ultra Open more comfortable than their standard counterparts. The clip-on buds also look like fashion accessories, not a run-of-the-mill set of earphones.
The Ultra Open earbuds produce Bose's signature high-quality sound that’s easily customizable via the Bose Music app. Despite their open-ear design, the buds pump out impressive bass that’s noticeably stronger than the low-range output of their rivals.
13. Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro Wireless Earbuds
The Galaxy Buds2 Pro earbuds are Samsung’s answer to the Apple AirPods Pro, offering outstanding comfort and seamless integration with the tech giant’s Android smartphones . When paired with a Galaxy phone, the earbuds can stream Hi-Fi sound, which is a contender for best-in-class. Plus, you can charge them wirelessly off the back of many top-shelf Samsung Galaxy phones.
Thanks to a duo of audio drivers per earphone, the Galaxy Buds2 Pro deliver phenomenal sound, stellar noise cancellation, and excellent call quality. The buds can activate ambient mode by detecting your voice, like the previous generation . This bit reminded me of the much pricier Sony WF-1000XM4 above while testing Samsung’s earbuds.
14. Beats Studio Buds + Wireless Earbuds
The Beats Studio Buds+ wireless earbuds — the legendary brand’s latest — are our new top pick for most consumers. A sequel to a product we’ve been recommending for the past two years, the new iteration brings next-level sound and noise cancellation, a comfier fit, and longer battery life while retaining the same timelessly cool design and agreeable price category. The Studio Buds+ are available in black, ivory, and an all-new transparent finish, which I like quite a lot.
While testing the earbuds, I once again liked not having to use an app to achieve optimal sound and noise cancellation — both were well-balanced and excellent out of the box. I also tip my hat to Apple for making the new Beats earbuds effortless to integrate with Android and Chrome OS devices as with its own. I only wish the new earphones had a case with wireless charging capabilities.
15. Marshall Motif II ANC
The Motif II A.N.C. lets you carry the iconic Marshall sound wherever life takes you. With enhanced active noise cancellation, you can immerse yourself in your favorite tracks without distractions. Plus, the companion app allows you to elevate your playlist, ensuring the music that matters most is always front and center.
Enjoy an impressive 30 hours of total playtime with the charging case, and 6 hours on a single charge—perfect for long listening sessions. Designed with sustainability in mind, the case and earbuds are crafted from 70% post-consumer recycled plastic , offering both style and eco-friendliness.
With BT LE Audio technology, the Motif II A.N.C. guarantees a stable connection, so you can stay locked into your music without missing a beat. Don’t let anything get between you and your favorite sounds—experience the freedom of the Motif II A.N.C. today!
