Best Wireless Earbuds For Android - Fall 2024

The Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless are the best earbuds for Android with a wireless design we've tested. Even though they don't offer many Android-exclusive features, they still have some tricks up their sleeve. These headphones support LDAC, Sony's hi-res audio codec, which allows you to stream your favorite tunes with better sound quality than the default SBC codec. They also support Google Quick Pair, so connecting these headphones to your Android device is simple and easy.

Out of the box, they have a warm sound profile suitable for most kinds of audio. You can fine-tune their sound using their app's graphic EQ and presets. They also have an active noise cancelling (ANC) feature, and combined with their memory foam ear tips, they can block out a significant amount of background noise. That said, some users have reported that the ear tips aren't very comfortable because they put pressure on the ear canal.

If you're looking for buds with a more comfortable fit, check out the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Truly Wireless. They have a shallower silicone ear tip design, which puts less pressure on your ear canal for better comfort. The trade-off is that they block less high-pitched noise but still do a solid job of filtering out low- and mid-frequency noises like rumbling bus engines or ambient chatter. While they don't support Sony's proprietary LDAC, they can use aptX Adaptive, a codec that dynamically adjusts your audio content, providing either lower or higher latency for streaming video or better audio quality. However, unlike the Sony, the Bose don't support multi-device pairing.

If you want top-notch earbuds with your Android device, check out the Jabra Elite 10 True Wireless. While they lack the LDAC codec on the Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless, they still offer a stable connection with multi-device connectivity. Unlike the Sony, these earbuds have a less invasive fit thanks to their ergonomic silicone ear tips that don't go in as deep. Plus, their semi-open backs help relieve pressure that can feel unpleasant if you're sensitive to that vacuum-like sensation with some ANC buds. Despite a less invasive fit and semi-open design, their combined noise cancelling and isolation do an outstanding job of cutting out the low rumbles of buses and shrieking brakes on your commute.

The default sound supplies a good amount of bass, natural mids, and somewhat bright treble, which you can additionally adjust to taste in the OS-agnostic app, alongside access to spatial audio. You can adjust sidetone and HearThrough volumes in the app, alongside remapping controls. Their continuous 7.5-hour battery life is a bit shy of a full workday, but you can top them up in the case, which holds about three extra recharges. On the downside, they lack low-latency codecs or a low-latency mode, and while some apps and devices can offset latency, this can pose an issue for streaming videos in some cases.

If you watch a lot of videos, you can consider earbuds such as the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 3, packing a much greater selection of codecs, including aptX Adaptive (Low Latency). However, these are chunkier earbuds and can feel less comfortable than the Jabra.

The Nothing Ear Truly Wireless are the best buds we've tested for Android at this price point. They're comfortable, very well-built, and bring a broad feature set to the table. These slick, chrome-accented earbuds come equipped with ANC, 7.5 hours of continuous battery life (with almost four extra charges in the case), and support for common Bluetooth codecs like AAC and SBC, as well as the high-resolution LDAC and LHDC codecs. Plus, they support Google Fast Pair for seamless pairing with Android devices.

These buds have an excellent default sound profile, with tight bass that's not overbearing, buttery mids, and a smooth treble range response. There's plenty of scope for further customization in the Android-compatible companion app, which lets you adjust the sound with a graphic EQ and presets. That said, while their ANC is serviceable and will help isolate you against some common scenarios, they don't attenuate against external noise quite as well as the Sony LinkBuds S Truly Wireless. While they're a bit pricier, the Sony also deliver audio more consistently and feature support for Sony 360 Reality audio, which can create a more immersive listening experience. That said, their default sound profile isn't as balanced, and their mic has a worse recording quality and noise-handling performance.

The Anker Soundcore Space A40 Truly Wireless are a solid choice if you want something even more affordable. Their adaptive ANC feature adjusts itself to your environment, and it's fantastic at cutting out a wide range of background noise. Even with ANC on, they last for more than eight hours of continuous use, which is nice for long days at the office. Despite a more budget-friendly price, their performance rivals the Nothing Ear Truly Wireless in many ways. While they do leak a bit more audio than the Nothing, which might be an issue if you like to listen to your audio loudly around other people, their case holds four extra charges. Unlike the Nothing, they don't support Quick Pair for Android, but they do support multi-device pairing.

They're great for listening to music, with a warm sound profile that suits genres like rock and jazz. Elements like voices and instruments lack clarity and detail, but their companion app includes customization features like an EQ to adjust the audio to suit your tastes. If you prefer a more stable design in-ear fit for sports and fitness use, check out the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC Truly Wireless. While both buds also feature LDAC support, meaning you can enjoy high-quality wireless audio at a more wallet-friendly price than the Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless, the Liberty 4 NC are a bit more expensive than the A40, and their ANC performance isn't quite as good.

At the budget price point, the JBL Vibe Buds True Wireless are the best earbuds for Android that we've tested. While they don't have ANC like the Anker Soundcore Space A40 Truly Wireless, they stand out from other budget picks since they have a companion app, which is compatible with Android devices and offers a graphic EQ and presets so you can fine-tune their bass-rich sound to suit your tastes. While they don't have a premium build and lack a lid on the case, they feel well-made and have an IP54 rating for dust and water resistance.

Their battery lasts almost nine hours of continuous use, so they can last through a workday, and their case stores an additional three charges. Their auto-off timer will also save battery life if you forget to stick them back in the case. They don't have ANC and won't do much to block out noise like rumbling engines, but they do block out a good amount of mid-range noise like background conversations. They have a decently comfortable, stable fit, although they sit somewhat deep in your ears, which can create a plunger-like feeling when you remove the buds.

If you want aptX connectivity without compromising durability, the Jabra Elite 3 True Wireless are worth a look, although they can be a little more expensive. While both earbuds reduce noise through passive isolation, the Elite 3 block more low-pitched noises on the bus. For better battery life at a cheaper price, the Vibe Buds still edge ahead.

If you're a Samsung user, you'll want to check out the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro True Wireless. These buds have features unique to Samsung's ecosystem that you won't find anywhere else on this list. They support Samsung Seamless codec, a proprietary codec for improved audio quality, and they have a 'Game Mode,' which can lower latency with Samsung devices. Their ANC is excellent, making them a solid choice for long commutes or shifts at the office. Out of the box, they offer a fairly flat and neutral sound profile, and you can adjust it with an in-app graphic EQ and presets.

Their five-hour continuous battery life is short compared to other earbuds on the list, like the Nothing Ear Truly Wireless. Their carrying case supplies roughly 2.6 extra charges, but you might prefer the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE Truly Wireless if you want a slightly longer battery life. These much cheaper earbuds don't have as many extra features as the Buds2 Pro since they lack virtual surround sound and have a lower IP rating for water resistance. However, they last for around six hours of continuous use and support many of the same Samsung-centric features as the Buds2, including 'Game Mode.' They use Samsung Scalable codec instead of the Samsung Seamless codec and come in at a cheaper price.

That said, the brand has a more recent model, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro, which we've not reviewed, but their release means you can get the Galaxy Buds2 Pro at a compelling discount.