These days, it’s not too tough to find good wireless earbuds, and there are plenty of discounts and deals available. Now is a great time to go ahead and buy that pair you’ve had your eye on. The world of wireless earbuds has come a long way since the early days when we had to put up with earbuds that didn’t sound great and often didn’t work well, all in the name of getting rid of those annoying cables. But things have changed a lot. Companies like Sony, Apple, Samsung, and others have learned from their mistakes and are now releasing their best earbuds ever.
In the high-end category of earbuds, you can experience outstanding noise cancellation and audio quality, but these factors may not be the top priorities for everyone. Perhaps you’re in search of the ideal earbuds for your workouts, or maybe you need a pair that excels both in Zoom calls and when enjoying your favorite music and podcasts.
Tech companies are now prioritizing compatibility between their earbuds and their own devices by offering unique features and functions. This is something to keep in mind as you explore your options. For instance, if you desire features like head-tracking spatial audio, you’ll need to pair AirPods with an iPhone or Samsung buds with a Samsung phone, depending on the brand you choose.
Best Wireless Earbuds
Sony WF-1000XM5
Sony’s top-tier WF-1000XM5 noise-canceling earbuds enhance the previous model by delivering superior sound quality, a slightly stronger active noise cancellation (ANC), and significantly improved comfort due to their smaller and lighter design.
Noise cancellation: Yes
Battery life: 8 hours (ANC on)
Water resistance: IPX4
Bluetooth codecs: LDAC, AAC, SBC
Multipoint: Yes
Works best with: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS
Ear tips: Foam (XS, S, M, L)
Similar to their predecessors, Sony’s latest WF-1000XM5 earbuds have once again claimed the top spot in our recommendations for the best overall noise-canceling earbuds. These earbuds feature larger drivers, resulting in more detailed and dynamic audio quality, all while retaining the warmth and clarity that made the 1000XM4s so enjoyable. Sony has also made significant advancements in its active noise cancellation (ANC) technology, approaching the performance level of Bose’s QC Earbuds II. These earbuds excel at eliminating background noise, and even with noise cancellation active, they offer an impressive eight hours of continuous listening on a single charge.
Addressing previous concerns about bulkiness and discomfort, Sony has managed to reduce the size of the 1000XM5s by 25 percent. As before, the company includes foam-style tips that expand within your ears to create an excellent seal, and now they’ve added a fourth (extra small) set of tips in the box for added comfort and customization.
On Android smartphones, the 1000XM5s offer support for Sony’s LDAC codec, providing higher-quality music playback. Additionally, they can deliver dynamic head-tracking spatial audio when used with supported video apps such as Netflix. Even if you’re not using LDAC or have an iPhone, these earbuds compete favorably with the very best premium earbuds focused on audio quality, such as Sennheiser’s Momentum True Wireless 2, and they come with significantly improved noise cancellation. Furthermore, they offer multipoint Bluetooth capabilities, allowing you to simultaneously pair them with two devices.
It’s worth mentioning that the previous model, the 1000XM4s, experienced battery issues over time as they aged. However, Sony claims to have addressed this problem with the new 1000XM5s by making adjustments to the charging algorithm, ensuring improved long-term battery performance.
Jabra Elite 7 Pro
The Jabra Elite 7 Pro set apart from other buds in the Elite lineup due to its call-centric features like MultiSensor Voice, which uses four microphones to improve call quality. There are also sensors that activate when it’s windy and transmit speech using vibrations along your jawbone. They have a noise canceling (ANC) system, too, though, like most Jabra headphones, they fall short of competitors from Bose and Sony in this regard.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds offer dynamic and immersive sound, along with the top-notch noise cancellation technology available in the realm of true wireless earbuds. If your goal is to enjoy your music in a serene environment, these earbuds are an excellent choice.
Noise cancellation: Yes
Battery life: 6 hours (ANC on)
Water resistance: IPX4
Bluetooth codecs: AAC, SBC
Multipoint: No
Works best with: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS
Ear tips: Silicone (S, M, L)
Bose’s QuietComfort Earbuds II stand out as the most potent noise-canceling earbuds available today. Among our top choices, they excel in providing a tranquil escape from the noise of daily life, immersing you in a personal world with your cherished music playlists or favorite podcasts.
Compared to Bose’s original QuietComfort Earbuds, the QC Earbuds II are significantly smaller, including their charging case—although it’s worth noting that the case doesn’t support wireless charging. These earbuds deliver rich and dynamic audio quality, with a noticeable emphasis on bass, surpassing the bass performance of Apple’s AirPods Pro, for instance. Bose has also improved comfort by introducing a two-piece ear tip and stabilizer fitting process, ensuring a better fit for a wider range of ear shapes.
Beats Fit Pro
The Beats Fit Pro earbuds come equipped with built-in wing tips that keep them securely in place, making them ideal for runs and workouts. These earbuds also offer impressive noise cancellation, and their sound profile strikes the perfect balance with just the right amount of bass and energy to keep you motivated.
Noise cancellation: Yes
Battery life: 6 hours (ANC on)
Water resistance: IPX4
Bluetooth codecs: AAC, SBC
Multipoint: No
Works best with: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS
Ear tips: Silicone (S, M, L)
The long-standing champion of fitness earbuds, the Powerbeats Pro, has finally met its match, and fittingly, it has been surpassed by the latest offering from Beats. The Beats Fit Pro replace the ear hooks of the Powerbeats with a new wing tip design, ensuring a secure fit during even the most intense workouts. This redesign results in a much more compact form factor for the earbuds, and their carrying case is now conveniently smaller as well. Additionally, the magnetic latching mechanism of these earbuds into the case eliminates the common annoyance of one or both buds failing to charge, a problem often encountered with the Powerbeats Pro.
In contrast to the Powerbeats Pro, the Fit Pros come with active noise cancellation that rivals that of the AirPods Pro. This feature allows you to work out without being bothered by external distractions. When you need to remain aware of your surroundings, the transparency mode on the Fit Pros is as natural-sounding and clear as that of the AirPod Pros.
If you happen to own an iPhone, the Fit Pros come with exclusive Apple features, including dynamic head tracking for spatial audio, automatic device switching, integration with Find My, and various other benefits. Android users, on the other hand, can access a Beats app that allows them to customize settings, monitor the battery status of the earbuds and case, and perform other functions tailored to their needs.
Apple AirPods Pro (second-gen)
The second-generation AirPods Pro represent an upgrade over Apple’s original pair, featuring significantly improved noise cancellation, enhanced sound quality, and built-in volume controls. Additionally, the case now includes a speaker that aids in locating misplaced AirPods, making them easier to find when needed.
Noise cancellation: Yes
Battery life: 6 hours (ANC on)
Water resistance: IPX4
Bluetooth codecs: AAC, SBC
Multipoint: No
Works best with: iOS, Windows, macOS
Ear tips: Silicone (S, M, L)
For individuals deeply entrenched in Apple’s ecosystem, the second-generation AirPods Pro offer an enticing blend of exceptional noise cancellation and improved sound quality compared to the original version. Furthermore, they come loaded with a range of features, such as spatial audio, audio sharing, seamless syncing across iCloud-connected devices, and more, which make them a perfect companion to Apple’s other products. Notably, they are the sole AirPods model that includes various sizes of ear tips for a personalized and comfortable fit, now even offering an extra small option.
The AirPods Pro come with a compact case that supports wireless charging, making them very convenient. Setting them up is a breeze – just open the case near your iPhone. These earbuds are lightweight and typically fit comfortably in most ears. Controlling them is simple, with pinch controls on the force sensor, and with the second-generation model, Apple introduced swipe-based volume controls. The AirPods Pro have a strong reputation for excellent voice call quality, and the second-gen earbuds maintain this high standard. Their active noise cancellation (ANC) has been improved from the original model and now competes with the likes of Sony. Additionally, the transparency mode has been enhanced to quickly reduce sudden, loud noises that may occur in your surroundings.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, known for their impressive audio quality, now bring support for 24-bit audio, enhancing your listening experience. They also feature a lighter, more compact design, offering a comfortable in-ear fit that surpasses the first Buds Pros in terms of comfort and wearability.
Noise cancellation: Yes
Battery life: 6 hours (ANC on)
Water resistance: IPX7
Bluetooth codecs: Samsung seamless, AAC, SBC
Multipoint: No
Works best with: Android, Windows, macOS
Ear tips: Silicone (S, M, L)
Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 2 Pro deliver outstanding sound quality, and that’s even before you tap into the optional 24-bit audio support. Compared to the first Buds Pros, these earbuds feature a smaller and lighter design that fits comfortably without protruding from your ears. When it comes to audio quality, they come second only to the Sennheisers among our top earbud choices.
Similar to how the AirPods Pro offer exclusive features with Apple devices, the Buds 2 Pro provide Samsung-specific features like head tracking for spatial audio and automatic device switching between Samsung devices. The compact charging case supports wireless charging, and these earbuds boast a reliable IPX7 rating for water and sweat resistance, making them even more durable than the AirPods.