We can watch how true-wireless earphones develop and multiply with each passing year. It’s no surprise that wireless earbuds have become the most popular headphones on the market.
Apple’s AirPods and AirPods Pro are the best-selling Bluetooth headphones, and we expect the AirPods Pro 2 to be released later this year. There are several more wireless earphones to choose from if you don’t want to use AirPods. It’s clear that the greatest wireless earphones aren’t limited to Apple products. Every month, new wireless buds are produced, increasing your options.
Wireless earbuds like the basic AirPods and Sony’s new LinkBuds come with ear tips, but some don’t. In addition to being comfy and secure in your ears, noise-isolating earbuds with various sized silicone or foam ear tips provide active noise-canceling to help hide the outside world. A good seal also improves sound quality and bass response.
The best earbuds are comfortable to wear, have great sound quality, can make and receive calls, have a long battery life, and are water-resistant. Wireless charging and a small charging case are also helpful. While some of the top models are pricey, I’ve included several more affordable possibilities. You can get good earbuds for under $100, and sometimes even less.
I’ll keep updating this list of the best wireless earbuds.
WF-1000XM4 Sony
It’s The Best There Is
Of course, no earbud is perfect, and not everyone will enjoy the Sony WF-1000XM4 buds’ fit or be able to afford their hefty price. These earbuds, on the other hand, check all the boxes if you’re seeking for great-sounding earbuds with active noise cancellation, strong voice-calling features, and a long battery life.
Beats By Dre Fit Pro
For Everyday Use, The Best Sports Buds
Following the release of the third-generation AirPods, Apple has released another another set of earphones, this time from Beats, its music division. Although the new Beats Fit Pro ($200) aren’t technically AirPods, they share the same technology platform as the AirPods Pro. Unlike Beats’ previous, less priced Studio Buds, the Beats Fit Pro has Apple’s H1 chip and majority of the AirPods Pro’s features, such as active noise cancellation, spatial audio, and adaptive EQ. They’re the sports AirPods you’ve always wanted, in my opinion. They might even be better than the AirPods Pro for some folks.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2
Samsung With A Better Fit
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 is available in four colour variations and is more similar to the current Galaxy Buds Pro and Galaxy Buds Live, which both have eye-catching glossy curved shapes and the same small charging case as this latest edition. In fact, the Buds 2’s shape and fit (which are 15% smaller and 20% lighter than the Buds Plus) make them a potentially more appealing option to the somewhat better-sounding Buds Pro.
The Buds 2 have active noise cancellation, just like the Buds Pro. That means all of the new Galaxy Buds models now have active noise cancellation, however the Buds Live, which are open and don’t have ear tips, have a slight advantage. While the Buds 2 appear to be tiny Buds Pros, I found them to be more like the Buds Live in that they barely stick out of your ears and are relatively unobtrusive. They pick up less wind noise because they fit flush with your ears and have that curved design.
Apple Airpods Pro With Magsafe Are Now Available
It’s Still Difficult To Beat
The Apple AirPods Pro are a terrific pair of truly wireless headphones with noise cancellation, even if they don’t sound quite as magical as you’d expect from a $249 model. That’s thanks to their award-winning design and fit, increased bass performance, effective noise cancellation and spatial audio, and a virtual-sound mode for watching movies and TV shows (only works with iPhones and iPads running iOS 14 or higher).
When you want to make a call or listen to music while working out, they’re a great Apple device to use. They’re pricey at $250 from the Apple Store, but the good news is that they usually sell for $200 or less elsewhere. The new version also includes MagSafe compatibility, allowing these to work with magnetic wireless chargers.
Linkbuds By Sony
Newest And Most Inventive Design
In some ways, the LinkBuds are Sony’s answer to Apple’s regular AirPods. While they don’t have the same quality sound as Sony’s flagship WF-1000XM4 noise-isolating earbuds, they do have a more discreet, unique design and a more secure fit than the AirPods, as well as good sound and excellent voice-calling capabilities.
Their open design, like the third-generation AirPods, lets you to hear the outside world, which is what the ring is all about. As a result, they’re a good alternative for people who need to hear what’s going on around them for safety concerns or simply don’t enjoy having ear tips in their ears. Speak to Chat and Wide Area Tap are two more features that set them apart. Instead of touching on a bud, you can control playback by tapping on your face, right in front of your ear.
They’re splash-proof to IPX4, and their fins, which Sony refers to as Arc Supporters, help them stay in your ears and function well for jogging and other sports.
Air Pro 2 By Earfun
Budget-Friendly Option
The Earfun Air Pro 2 not only has good active noise cancellation, but it also has good sound quality for its price, with overall well-balanced sound, fair clarity, and good bass performance. Some of Earfun’s buds have a little too much treble push, which is commonly referred to as “presence boost,” but these buds mainly avoid it. They do have a greater sound quality than the original Air Pro.
The earbuds include some unique features, such as an ear-detection sensor (music pauses when you remove the buds out of your ears) and a case with USB-C and wireless charging. They’re splash-proof with an IPX5 designation and have a battery life of up to seven hours on a single charge at moderate volume levels, though you’ll probably get closer to six hours with noise cancelling enabled.
In addition, there is a transparency setting that allows ambient sound to enter. It actually sounds pretty natural, and it’s a lot closer to the AirPods Pro’s amazing transparency mode than I expected. Unfortunately, there isn’t a companion app to modify the sound or upgrade the firmware.
The Air Pro 2’s voice calling capabilities are touted by Earfun (the buds feature three microphones in each earbud), and while call quality was decent, these didn’t eliminate background noise as well as the new Soundpeats T3, which are also good for the money ($40). While the Soundpeats T3 performs better during calls, the Earfun Air Pro 2’s noise-canceling and transparency modes are superior, and the Soundpeats lack an ear-detection sensor. The Earfun Air Pro 2 buds also have a superior sound quality, with a richer, more dynamic sound.
Earbuds By Bose Quietcomfort
Noise Cancellation Is Excellent
Bose’s QuietComfort Earbuds are superb true wireless earphones in many aspects, especially when it comes to sound and noise cancellation, which are among the best available right now in a set of earbuds. They clearly outperform Apple’s best-selling AirPods Pro in terms of performance. However, the Bose’s smaller form, somewhat more comfortable fit, and superior voice-calling capabilities make it difficult to declare the AirPods Pro the clear winner. In the end, it comes down to your priorities.
3rd Generation Airpods
The Best Earphones For Open Ears
“Those seem like the AirPods Pro sans ear tips,” you’ll undoubtedly think when you see the new design of the third-generation AirPods ($179). You wouldn’t be far off the mark. While not identical twins, the AirPods 3 are designed similarly to the AirPods Pro, with shorter stems and pinch controls. Aside from the form update, which should suit most ears better than the AirPods 2nd Generation (albeit not very small ears), the sound quality has greatly increased. In addition, the AirPods 3 have a longer battery life and are officially water-resistant.
Beoplay EQ By Bang & Olufsen
Exceptional Quality
In spite of its high price, Bang & Olufsen’s earlier Beoplay E8 earphones were good but uninspired. In addition to great sound and adaptive noise suppression, the Beoplay EQ earbuds also have a natural-sounding transparency option. Each bud contains three microphones, which is suitable for voice calls.
Also, the touch controls on the exterior surface of the buds are made of aluminium, as is the aluminum-shelled box.
This is similar to costly Sony and Sennheiser earbuds. They are comfortable, secure, and splash-proof (IP54). The battery lasts around 6.5 hours at moderate noise levels, and the casing gives two extra charges.
Strong, dynamic sound with a wide soundstage and strong, defined bass. The treble shines and the mids are natural. Truly wireless earphones with amazing sound quality. I didn’t get tired of listening over time. AptX is available on Bluetooth 5.2 devices that support AptX audio codec. They have AptX Adaptive.
Is the $120 cheaper Sony WF-1000XM4 a better camera? The answer depends on how well they fit and how well the ear tips seal your ears. Sennheiser’s large tips ended up being the best fit for my ears. If you can afford them, they’re fantastic. Simply buy them from a retailer that allows returns if unsatisfied.
Studio Buds By Beats
Compact And Lightweight
The Beats Studio Buds resemble the anticipated stemless AirPods that some have been anticipating. They’re designed for both iOS and Android users, and while they lack a few critical capabilities on the Apple side (no H1 or W1 chip). They’re small, lightweight buds that are comfortable to wear and produce excellent sound. While their noise cancellation isn’t as powerful as the AirPods Pro’s, they do have a transparency mode and can make calls.
In the end, their bestselling features are their fit and sound quality, and they’re approximately $50 less expensive than the AirPods Pro and step-up Beats Fit Pro, which do include the H1 chip and support Apple’s spatial audio virtual surround function (for Apple user only).
Momentum True Wireless 2 By Sennheiser
Exceptional Buds
The Momentum True Wireless 2 are among the best-sounding earbuds on the market. A little smaller, more comfortable design that earned them a CNET Editors’ Choice Award in 2020. They list for $300, but are now selling for closer to $200 as we wait for the Momentum True Wireless 3 to arrive (which is expected in 2022).
These employ Bluetooth 5.1 with AAC and AptX codec support (for devices that support AptX, like as Samsung’s Galaxy smartphones).
Are Wireless Earbuds Worth The Cost?
Several recent stories have discussed how Gen Z is reviving the “humble” wired headphone, specifically Apple EarPods. That’s fine, and we don’t mind wired headphones, but they can be a pain. Going wireless when exercising or running feels liberated. Also, most modern phones lack a headphone jack, forcing you to go wireless unless you buy a Lightning or USB-C headphone or utilize an adaptor for a 3.5mm connector.
Alternatively, you can get wired headphones. Some people prefer neckband earbuds since they may let the cord dangle around their neck while not in use. True wireless earphones give more freedom and are stored in a small charging case. The sound quality and stability of their wireless connection have both increased in recent years.
While there are plenty of high-end wireless earbuds available, there are also plenty of decently priced options, some under $50.