Whether you have a phone with no audio jack or prefer the freedom of going wireless, picking the most suitable wireless earbuds is a matter of preference. If you're looking for earphones to use at the office, noise isolation and battery life might be your top priorities; if you need in-ears for the gym, you'll probably care more about fit and durability. There are specialized models to fit virtually every need; some are even versatile enough to keep up whether you're running a marathon or sitting on the bus. With so many different models to choose from, where do you start?
We've bought and tested over 275 pairs of wireless earbuds and in-ear headphones, and below, you'll find our recommendations for the best wireless earbuds to buy. If you're curious about wireless headphones, consider our recommendations for the best Bluetooth headphones. You'll also want to check our picks for the best wireless Bluetooth earbuds under $50 and $100 if you have a specific budget.
The best wireless earbuds we've tested are the Technics EAH-AZ100. These earbuds boast a new design and improved sound compared to the brand's previous flagship earbuds, the Technics EAH-AZ80. They have a smaller and more rounded shape, and many internal improvements. Their excellent ANC attenuates noise from the din of airplane cabins to the rumble of car engines; while the headphones' passive isolation isn't particularly strong with their silicone tips, their over 12-hour battery life with ANC on will last you through most flights. They support Google Fast Pair, so they're a good choice for Android users, and you can pair these buds with up to three devices at a time, which is handy if you juggle multiple personal or work devices.
The similarly priced Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Truly Wireless go toe-to-toe with the Technics buds in most regards, including noise cancelling. The Technics headphones do a better job blocking out mid-range sounds like office chatter, but the Bose have the edge when it comes to handling bassy noise like engine rumble. If you consume a lot of videos or play games on your phone, the Bose buds match the Technics' low-latency LC3 codec with their aptX Adaptive codec support, so you likely won't encounter audio-visual desync. That said, the Technics headphones have a longer battery life and support Spatial Audio for more immersive listening.
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If you're looking for wireless earbuds that can be found at a cheaper price than our top pick, the Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless are great. While the Sony's MSRP is similar to that of our top pick, they often go on sale at a discounted price. They have amazing noise isolation that attenuates sound from the rumble of train engines to the high-pitched screech of brakes on the road. With their ANC on, they have a continuous runtime of 8.75 hours, and they've got a further two charges in their carrying case. Out of the box, the Sony headphones have a relatively warm sound that represents audio accurately. Vocals sound present and detailed without any honk, and kick drums are thumpy and exciting. Compared to the Technics, the Sony's treble more closely matches our target, reproducing harmonics and high-register vocals and instruments as bright and articulated. That said, you can tweak their sound if you prefer something different using their great companion app's graphic EQ and presets.
While these headphones support Bluetooth LE and the LC3 codec for lower-latency wireless connection, device compatibility for the technology is still relatively limited. If you're planning on doing some mobile gaming, you might prefer the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4, as you're less likely to encounter compatibility issues with their aptX Adaptive (low-latency) codec. On the other hand, the Sennheiser headphones are lacking in some premium features like virtual surround support.
The Nothing Ear are the best Bluetooth earbuds that we've tested at a mid-range price point. Out of the box, they have a well-balanced sound profile that suits a variety of audio, and you can use the Nothing X app to tweak their eight-band EQ to suit your tastes. These buds have a solid 7.5-hour battery life with another 3.7 charges in their case. Though their ANC isn't as effective as that of the Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless, it still does a decent job of reducing external noise to keep listeners isolated from the outside world.
These earbuds have excellent connectivity, supporting multi-device pairing and Google Fast Pair. They also work with LDAC to provide high-quality lossless audio streaming. They also bring their own flair with ChatGPT integration and a Find My Earbuds function; the Nothing X app allows you to access ChatGPT's conversation mode with earbud controls to receive answers to your questions on the fly. If you want a similar sound profile with better noise cancelling and access to spatial audio, the Sony LinkBuds S Truly Wireless are a viable option. However, their microphone performs worse, and they cost a bit more.
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 for 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 Nothing Ear, they don't come with extra features like ChatGPT integration. They also 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. If you want similarly performing buds with a slightly different shape, the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC Truly Wireless are a good choice. Compared to the Space A40's rounded look, the Liberty 4 NC have a more traditional stem design that some may find preferable. The Liberty 4 NC also have a longer nine-hour battery life, though they don't cancel noise as well as the Space A40.
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 higher-frequency noise, like background chit-chat or whiny A/C units.
They have a mildly bass-heavy sound, but their companion app offers a graphic EQ and presets to help you tune their sound to your taste. That said, while their integrated mic has decent recording quality, it does a subpar 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 very good recording quality, which makes them a better fit for taking calls. While the Vibe Beam have a transparency function, their fit isn't as comfortable or stable as the Vibe Buds, and they have a slightly shorter continuous battery life.
The Anker Soundcore P25i are the best cheap Bluetooth earbuds we've tested. Thanks to their good build quality and continuous battery life of nine hours, they're worth checking out. Their carrying case also holds two additional charges if you need them. They're a step up from the JBL Vibe Buds True Wireless in comfort and stability, but they're missing premium features found on the more expensive pick, like an auto-standby timer to conserve battery and a graphic EQ. While they don't have ANC, the Anker can passively block out a bit of ambient noise like office chatter; however, don't rely on these earbuds if you're looking to cut down noise like the rumble of bus engines—they're less effective at tackling bass-range noise.
Out of the box, they have a bass-rich sound profile that delivers a ton of extra punch and boom to mixes. Depending on your tastes, the extra boom might be too much; fortunately, their app has a whopping 22 EQ presets for customizing your sound. If multitasking on different devices is important to you, consider the Skullcandy Dime 3 True Wireless, which support multi-device pairing with up to two devices simultaneously. However, compared to the Anker, you'll sacrifice some comfort and mic recording quality.
The Nothing Ear (a) are the best buds for sound quality that we've tested. They are a great choice for listening to a variety of genres, thanks to their balanced sound. Whether you're enjoying bass-heavy genres like EDM or vocal-centric content like folk, these buds reproduce voices and lead instruments with great clarity and accuracy. Compared to something similarly priced, like the Anker Soundcore Space A40 Truly Wireless, these buds have more control over their sound signature. You can even switch up the Nothing's sound with their app's graphic EQ and toggle Sony's LDAC Bluetooth codec to enjoy high-quality audio. To further facilitate your listening experience, these buds are comfortable, come with multiple silicone tips, and have a 5.5-hour battery life. They also have decent ANC, though it's not as good as the Anker's.
As the close relative of the Nothing Ear (a), the Nothing Ear sound similar and come with a few more features, including an eight-band EQ and longer battery life, albeit at a steeper price. If you need some extra bass in your buds and you're willing to sacrifice some comfort and money, look at the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4, which sound warm out of the box and can be EQ'd even further for that extra thump.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) are the best earbuds for iPhone. These earbuds have a premium build and comfortable design, similar to other Apple products. They also come with many Apple-exclusive features, like an H2 chip for easy pairing with iOS devices and virtual surround sound via Apple Music to help improve your immersion. They have a warm sound out of the box. However, their sound customization options are only available on iOS, unlike the Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless, which have a companion app that has full functionality on both Android and iOS. This means the AirPods aren't the best choice for users who listen on multiple platforms.
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 them up. If you find the in-ear fit of these buds uncomfortable, the Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation have similar features and also work seamlessly in the Apple ecosystem. However, the AirPods 4 ANC don't support Apple's new Hearing Test and Hearing Aid functionality (currently limited to certain countries) like the AirPods Pro (2nd Generation).
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II Truly Wireless are capable noise cancelling earbuds that filter out more low-pitched noise with a less invasive feeling fit than the Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless. They're cheaper than the Sony headphones, which outperform the Bose's mid-range and high-pitched noise attenuation. They also lack virtual surround sound and support for hi-res audio codecs.
See our reviewThe Creative Aurvana Ace 2 True Wireless are earbuds with a unique hybrid driver design that uses an xMEMS Cowell driver as well as a dynamic driver in each bud. They support aptX Lossless and aptX Adaptive (high quality) for higher-resolution audio. However, they don't necessarily sound better than dynamic driver buds with real-life use, and they're not as sturdy as the Nothing Ear (a).
See our reviewThe Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro are flagship ANC buds that rival the Sony WF-1000XM5. Alongside their remarkable noise isolation, the Samsung come packed with features like spatial audio with head tracking, and a nine-band graphic EQ. However, many of these features—like access to SSC, their hi-res audio codec—are exclusive to the Samsung ecosystem. Their battery life also doesn't last as long, clocking in at six hours compared to nearly nine hours on the Sony.
See our reviewThe JLab Audio GO Air POP True Wireless are value-oriented earbuds like the Anker Soundcore P25i/P20i. They typically come in at a lower price than the Anker. However, in exchange for the lower cost, you'll have only three EQ preset options to choose from compared to the Anker's 22. The JLab are also not as comfortable as the Anker, though they're just as stable in your ears.
See our reviewThe CMF Buds Pro 2 are less comfortable, but more stable earbuds than the Anker Soundcore Space A40 Truly Wireless. Both are ANC-enabled, though the Anker performs slightly better at attenuating noise on average. That said, the CMF have a better sounding mic and virtual surround features that can enhance your immersion.
See our reviewWe've changed our top pick to the Technics EAH-AZ100, which have a combination of a long battery life and superb noise isolation performance. This shifts the previous top pick, the Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless, to the upper mid-range slot. We've also made adjustments throughout the article, including adding the CMF Buds Pro 2 to the Notable Mentions section.
We've replaced the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 with the Technics EAH-AZ80 as our upper mid-range pick due to the Jabra's waning availability.
We've updated our pick in the cheap category from the JLab Audio GO Air POP True Wireless to the Anker Soundcore P25i/P20i True Wireless for their more customizable sound and more comfortable fit. No other picks have changed, but we've refreshed some product mentions in the article.
We recently tested the Nothing Ear (a) Truly Wireless, which are our new 'Best Sounding' pick, with the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 3 as a new comparison for bassheads. We also changed our mid-range pick to the Nothing Ear Truly Wireless to account for price shifts and retained the old pick, the Sony LinkBuds S as a comparison. The AirPods 4 ANC Truly Wireless are now mentioned in 'Best For iOS' instead of the Apple AirPods Pro (1st Gen).
Sep 16, 2024 : The Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 True Wireless are our new upper mid-range pick for their superb noise isolation, comfortable fit, and good mic performance.
Wireless vs. true wireless: Are they different?
Yes. While wireless headphones have been around for some time, 'true wireless' or 'truly wireless' is a more recent term to describe earbuds. Whereas the term 'wireless' describes earbuds that connect to your device without a cord or cable, some of these buds will still have a connecting wire between them. 'True wireless' buds stand out because they don't have this connecting wire, opting for a cable-free design that gives you unparalleled portability and mobility. Each earbud has its own battery and Bluetooth chip, so they can connect to each other without the need for a wire.
How do I keep true wireless earbuds from falling out of my ears?
When faced with this issue, it's important to consider what purpose you're using your buds for. True wireless designs are a natural choice for exercising, but some are better suited to staying put during intense activity, thanks to features like stability fins or hooks. It's also important to get the right fit. Traditional earbuds, like the Apple AirPods (3rd Generation), have a one-size-fits-all design that nestles loosely into your outer ear, and you can easily dislodge them during exercise. In-ear designs are instead inserted directly into the ear canal and usually come with a range of ear tip sizes to ensure a solid, stable fit that's unlikely to come loose. Finally, it's worth considering the form factor of your buds. Bulkier, heavier designs are more susceptible to falling out than light, ergonomic designs.
What is considered good battery life for true wireless earbuds?
Battery life for true wireless earbuds will vary quite a bit depending on the buds themselves, your usage, and whether you're using battery-draining features, like active noise cancelling (ANC) or lossless, high-quality audio streaming. That said, we usually consider a continuous battery life (without any extra charges from the case) of over ten hours to be a good value with ANC enabled. We're also seeing the release of new true wireless earbuds that support Bluetooth LE Audio. These buds use new LC3 codecs to allow for more energy-efficient wireless audio transmission, resulting in even longer continuous battery life.
Are premium wireless earbuds worth it?
While the extra expenditure on a pair of premium wireless earbuds doesn't guarantee they'll sound amazing, it usually ensures a higher build quality and more investment in design. Manufacturers that have been producing premium headphones for some time might also have established a reputation for excellence in certain aspects; for example, Bose is well-known for earbuds with high external noise isolation. Premium earbuds will also often come with features that aren't available in budget alternatives, like compatibility with high-quality codecs or spatial audio support. So, it's often a question of whether you value these kinds of features and would use them enough to justify the increased price tag.
Do wireless earbuds have better sound quality?
Wired headphones and earbuds can provide better sound quality than their wireless counterparts, but if you're listening to music at a lower resolution at source, it will be difficult to perceive any difference in sound quality. Bluetooth codecs compress audio so it can be more easily transmitted, resulting in lower-quality audio playback. However, unless you're subscribed to a lossless audio music streaming service or playing FLAC files, your audio will already have undergone some degree of compression. Bluetooth audio codecs, like LDAC and aptX (Lossless), are narrowing this divide, enabling audiophiles to play high-quality audio files over a Bluetooth connection. Ultimately, sound quality is subjective; however, applying an EQ to tailor the sound profile to your preferences is usually possible.
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best earbuds without wires for most people. We factor in the price (cheaper headphones win over pricier ones if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no headphones that are difficult to find or almost out of stock in the U.S.).
If you would like to choose for yourself, here's the list of all our reviews for wireless earbuds and in-ears. Be careful not to get caught up in the details. There are no perfect headphones. Personal taste, preference, and listening habits will matter more in your selection.
What do you think of our picks? Let us know below.
Looking for a personalized buying recommendation from the RTINGS.com experts? Insiders have direct access to buying advice on our insider forum.
Good god that picture gives me helllllaaaa anxiety… YOU KNOW HOW LONG ITLL TAKE TO PUT ALLL THOSE BACK IN THEIR CASES?!?!?!?!?!?!? LIKE 11 TO A WHOLLLLLEEEEE ASSSSS 13EEENNNN MINNNUTESSSS!!!!!
Ion got dat kinda time for this sorta fuckery. Guess just gotta throw em alll out now
That’s a really helpful clarification, thanks very much.
Am I correctly understanding that you’re saying the $89 Nothing Ear (a) sound better than the $300 Technics and $220 Sony earbuds that are the current high-end picks? That’s…surprising to say the least, but I can’t find anything in the writeup that implies anything other than “These are the best sounding earbuds one can buy.” But you also only explicitly compare them (both here and in the full review) to earbuds that are < $100. Can you clarify? Thanks.
Hi, this is a fantastic question. The way our recommendation articles are structured, we provide picks based on both price and usage. A more complete description would be “Best Sounding (Barring the other picks on the list, and considering other factors).” So the Best -> Mid-Range -> Budget will be what we think are overall the best in each price category, reliant on any use cases we specify in the title of the article. For example, as the article is Best Bluetooth, we still generally pick the best option overall, but we will put a bit of extra weight on connectivity features like expanded codec support, Bluetooth LE, or 3-way multipoint. For more defined use cases like Best Gaming, we may elect to disqualify a pick based on the lack of a certain feature (like a microphone).
With this added context, the answer to your question about the Nothing Ear (a): we found them to be the Best Sounding from the pool of other products besides the ones on the list, when balanced with both their price point and overall features.
I hope this helps illuminate our process, and while not always obvious, we do take great care when we create and update recommendation articles to include picks that we feel won’t lead anyone astray, which often leads to some, let’s call it, enthusiastic debate within the audio writing team about which picks to settle on.
Let me know if you have any other questions, N
Am I correctly understanding that you’re saying the $89 Nothing Ear (a) sound better than the $300 Technics and $220 Sony earbuds that are the current high-end picks? That’s…surprising to say the least, but I can’t find anything in the writeup that implies anything other than “These are the best sounding earbuds one can buy.” But you also only explicitly compare them (both here and in the full review) to earbuds that are < $100. Can you clarify? Thanks.
Update: We’ve changed our top pick to the Technics EAH-AZ100, which have a combination of a long battery life and superb noise isolation performance. This shifts the previous top pick, the Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless, to the upper mid-range slot. We’ve also made adjustments throughout the article, including adding the CMF Buds Pro 2 to the Notable Mentions section.
What do you think of these changes? Let us know
Hey! Thanks for your question. Honestly, it’s a tough call between these earbuds. The ‘best’ pick is usually the one we think everyone will like the best, but if it’s on the list, we like them. That said, at this tier of ANC buds, it’s more about preferences than necessarily pure performance. People tend to prefer touch controls (as on the Sony) over buttons on the Jabra, for example, but that doesn’t mean the Jabra are worse. Also, Jabra announced they no longer plan to continue producing true wireless earbuds, while Sony are still making earbuds and updating the apps and firmware. We don’t expect this discontinuation will impact the performance of the Jabras, but in the interest of future-proofing people’s experience, it’s easier to place the Sony at the top. Hope that helps!
Got it, thanks!
Hey guys! As always, love the work that you do. Curious as to why the Sony WF-1000XM5 is considered the best wireless earbud when your own comparison against it and the Jabra Elite 8 Active 2nd Gen is as follows… “The Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 True Wireless are a better choice for most use cases than the Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless. Both buds offer similar levels of comfort and stability, though the Jabra are better built with an IP68 rating against dust and water damage. The Jabra headphones have a more balanced default sound profile and even have a ‘smart case’ that allows you to connect devices via a wired USB-C or aux connection. While the Sony headphones are well-known for their excellent noise isolation performance and passively isolating tips, the Jabra buds offer even more attenuation, and their silicone tips also provide a solid seal. The Jabra have a better-quality mic with better noise handling. Given the Jabra retail for less, they seem like the natural choice for most users unless you value the Sony’s LDAC compatibility or more bass-heavy sound.” Shouldn’t the Jabra’s be the best on this list?
Hey!
Thanks for your question. Honestly, it’s a tough call between these earbuds. The ‘best’ pick is usually the one we think everyone will like the best, but if it’s on the list, we like them. That said, at this tier of ANC buds, it’s more about preferences than necessarily pure performance. People tend to prefer touch controls (as on the Sony) over buttons on the Jabra, for example, but that doesn’t mean the Jabra are worse. Also, Jabra announced they no longer plan to continue producing true wireless earbuds, while Sony are still making earbuds and updating the apps and firmware. We don’t expect this discontinuation will impact the performance of the Jabras, but in the interest of future-proofing people’s experience, it’s easier to place the Sony at the top.
Hope that helps!
We’ve just released a new video that mentions the Nothing Ear here.
Hey guys! As always, love the work that you do. Curious as to why the Sony WF-1000XM5 is considered the best wireless earbud when your own comparison against it and the Jabra Elite 8 Active 2nd Gen is as follows…
“The Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 True Wireless are a better choice for most use cases than the Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless. Both buds offer similar levels of comfort and stability, though the Jabra are better built with an IP68 rating against dust and water damage. The Jabra headphones have a more balanced default sound profile and even have a ‘smart case’ that allows you to connect devices via a wired USB-C or aux connection. While the Sony headphones are well-known for their excellent noise isolation performance and passively isolating tips, the Jabra buds offer even more attenuation, and their silicone tips also provide a solid seal. The Jabra have a better-quality mic with better noise handling. Given the Jabra retail for less, they seem like the natural choice for most users unless you value the Sony’s LDAC compatibility or more bass-heavy sound.”
Shouldn’t the Jabra’s be the best on this list?
Update: We’ve updated our pick in the cheap category from the JLab Audio GO Air POP True Wireless to the Anker Soundcore P25i/P20i True Wireless for their more customizable sound and more comfortable fit. No other picks have changed, but we’ve refreshed some product mentions in the article.
What do you think of these changes? Let us know
We’re certainly open to it if they receive enough interest. You can vote for them in the headphones pipeline. Do you have hands-on experience with them?
I have them and they are absolutely gorgeous. Definitely a hot contender for the “Best Earbuds” spot. I liked them better than the Sonys.
We’ve just released a new video that mentions the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless here.