The 8 Best Wireless Earbuds - Fall 2024

The best wireless earbuds we've tested are the Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless. These earbuds boast a new design and improved sound compared to their predecessor, the Sony WF-1000XM4 Truly Wireless. They have a smaller and more rounded shape, along with memory foam ear tips that help passively block out background noise. There's also an ANC feature on hand, though you may not notice much difference with it on or off because these ear tips do such a good job passively isolating you from ambient sound. Either way, they're a great way to focus on your tunes within noisy environments. They support Google Fast Pair, so they're a good choice for Android users, and you can pair these buds with up to two devices at a time, which is handy if you want to stay connected to your PC and smartphone simultaneously.

The similarly priced Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Truly Wireless go toe-to-toe with the Sony buds in most regards, including noise cancelling. The Sony do a better job blocking out treble-range sounds like an A/C hum, but the Bose fare slightly better in our real-world tests. If you consume a lot of videos, the Bose buds have a lower latency using the aptX Adaptive (low latency) codec, so you'll encounter fewer lip-sync issues. That said, the Sony deliver audio more consistently, and their mic rejects environmental noise a bit better than the Bose, so the person you're talking to will hear you better if you're in a busy area.

If you're looking for the best wireless earbuds that are a little more affordable than our top pick, the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 True Wireless are a great choice. They have superb noise isolation that does a great job blocking out everything from the rumble of train engines to the high-pitched whine of a nearby A/C unit. With their ANC on, they have a continuous runtime of almost eight hours, and they've got a further three charges in their carrying case. Out of the box, the Jabra have a mostly neutral sound profile that represents audio naturally. Vocals sound present and detailed without any honk, and kick drums are thumpy and exciting. Some users might find sibilants and cymbals a little piercing, especially compared to the relatively smooth top end of the Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless. However, you can tweak their sound using their great companion app's graphic EQ and presets.

Unlike the similarly priced Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4, the Jabra don't support low-latency audio codecs like aptX Adaptive (low latency). If you watch a lot of videos, you might prefer the Sennheiser, as lip-sync issues can be reduced when using its low-latency codec. On the other hand, the Sennheiser don't have as good a microphone or noise isolation as the Jabra, nor do they have any spatial audio features to match the Jabra's Dolby Spatial Sound.

The Sony LinkBuds S Truly Wireless are the best Bluetooth earbuds at a mid-range price point. Out of the box, they have a well-balanced sound profile that is well-suited for a variety of audio, and you can use the app's EQ to further customize the sound to your liking. Their seven hours of continuous playback and wireless charging are handy, though they don't last quite as long as the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 True Wireless. Their ANC also isn't as effective as the Jabra's, but it's still excellent and does a great job reducing external noises like ambient din and chit-chat.

These earbuds support multi-device pairing with two devices and have a lightweight design and comfortable fit. They come with four sizes of ear tips, the smallest of which work well for listeners with smaller ears. Unfortunately, their mic is a weak spot, so your speech won't be very realistic. That said, they support LDAC for high-quality audio streaming from your device to your buds, and they're compatible with Sony 360 Reality Audio, Sony's surround sound format, but it only works with compatible media.

If you're shopping in the low mid-range market, the Anker Soundcore Space A40 Truly Wireless are the best Bluetooth earbuds we've tested. They're a relatively affordable option with numerous features like ANC and app support. Their noise isolation performance punches above their price, so they can help reduce noise during your commute or at the office. You can also choose different modes to suit different situations, including an adaptive setting to automatically adjust to the amount of noise in your environment. With ANC on, they last about eight hours of continuous use, and their case stores four extra charges. Like the previous pick, they support multi-device pairing, too.

They have a warm default sound profile, with cozy-sounding vocals and lead instruments. Their companion app includes a graphic EQ and presets if you prefer a different sound, but unlike the Sony LinkBuds S Truly Wireless, they don't come with any virtual surround sound features. They aren't the best option for workouts since they don't have stability fins and aren't very stable, so they may slip out of place if you move your head around a lot. The Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC Truly Wireless are a good alternative if you want similarly performing buds with a slightly different shape. Compared to the Space A40's rounded look, the Liberty 4 have a more traditional stem design that some users may find preferable. The Liberty 4 also bring a touch more bass, though this muddies their reproduction of vocals and instruments a bit.

The JBL Vibe Buds True Wireless are the best Bluetooth earbuds in the budget category that we've tested. These earbuds are decently comfortable and have a good build quality. With a battery life of just over eight hours, they'll last the workday without needing a top-up, and their IP54 rating against dust and water exposure makes them well-suited for weekends on the go. Unlike the Anker Soundcore Space A40 Truly Wireless, they don't have an ANC system and won't cut out the deep rumble from bus and plane engines, though they do a better job at isolating you from office-type noise, like background chit-chat or whiny A/C units.

They have an excited, V-shaped sound profile, but their companion app offers a graphic EQ and presets to help you fine-tune their sound. That said, while the integrated mic's recording quality is decent, it does a sub-par job of separating your voice from background noise. The JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless do a better job in this regard, and their integrated mic has a very good recording quality, which makes them a better fit for taking calls. While they also have a more balanced bass and better controls, their fit isn't as comfortable or stable as the Vibe Buds, and they have a slightly shorter continuous battery life.

The JLab Audio GO Air POP True Wireless are the best cheap Bluetooth earbuds we've tested. Thanks to their good build quality and surprisingly long continuous battery life of around nine hours, they're worth checking out. Their carrying case also holds three additional charges if you need it. They can passively block out a satisfactory amount of ambient noise like office chatter; however, only rely on them if you're looking to cut down sounds like the rumble of bus engines, as they're less effective at tackling bass-range noise.

Using the 'JLab Signature' EQ, they have a bass-rich sound profile that delivers a bump of extra punch and boom to mixes. The extra bass doesn't overwhelm vocals and lead instruments, so they're still versatile enough for most types of audio content. They also don't come with a companion app, meaning that the only EQ options you have are the three EQ presets built into the earbuds, which gives you significantly less control over the audio than the JBL Vibe Buds True Wireless. However, they last longer than the JBL on a single charge.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds FE Truly Wireless are the best buds for sound quality that we've tested. These headphones are a great choice for listening to all sorts of genres, thanks to their neutral and balanced sound. Whether you're listening to bass-heavy genres like EDM or vocal-centric content like folk music, these buds reproduce voices and lead instruments with great clarity and accuracy. If you want to switch up their sound, their app has a couple of different EQ presets to choose from. They're lightweight and comfortable and have a stable fit for listening on the go. However, their battery only lasts for just over six hours, so they'll need a recharge to get you through long workdays.

Unfortunately, if you want volume controls, you'll need to remap them in the app. While they have an ANC system that helps block out ambient noise and A/C hum, it doesn't provide as much attenuation in the bass range as the Nothing Ear Truly Wireless. The Nothing also have a longer continuous battery life and support multi-device pairing. You can also choose Bluetooth codecs specific to your needs regardless of what brand of device you use, while the Samsung limits you to Samsung's own proprietary formats. That said, the Nothing are significantly pricier than the Samsung, and their microphone isn't as good.

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) Truly Wireless are, as the name states, the next generation of Apple AirPods Pro Truly Wireless and are the best earbuds for iOS. These earbuds have the same premium build and comfortable design as their predecessor. Plus, they come with many of the same Apple-exclusive features, like an H2 chip for easy pairing with iOS devices and virtual surround sound via Apple Music to help improve your soundstage experience. They have a well-balanced sound right out of the box, though their sound customization options are only available on iOS, unlike the Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless, which have a companion app that is fully featured on both Android and iOS. That means they're not the best choice for users who listen on multiple platforms, but if you stick to the Apple ecosystem, this won't be an issue.

Their ANC feature does a great job of blocking noise in the bass and mid-range. There's a 'Transparency' mode for when you want to hear your surroundings, but otherwise, you can't adjust the ANC. With ANC on, these earbuds last six hours off a single charge, and their case holds four extra charges, so you can always top it up.