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 earbuds with a wireless design 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 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. You can also 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. 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.
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.
Aug 02, 2024: We recently changed the way we test noise isolation as part of our Test Bench 1.7 update. As a result, the Jabra Elite 10 True Wireless now replace the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless as our upper mid-range pick with the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 as an alternative choice. The AirPods are now our pick for iOS users. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Truly Wireless are now a competitor for the Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless. We also added the Nothing Ear Truly Wireless as a comparative product for sound quality because of their Bluetooth codec support.
Jul 08, 2024: The Sony LinkBuds S Truly Wireless have been added as the 'Best Mid-Range' pick with relevant text edits.
May 28, 2024: This article has been updated to compare the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 to the Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Truly Wireless to the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation). Minor text edits were made, and the Technics EAH-AZ80 True Wireless have been added to the Notable Mentions.
Apr 29, 2024: We've removed the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 3 from the Notable Mentions as they're already mentioned in the 'Best Mid-Range Bluetooth Earbuds' section. We've also added a note about the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 in that same section.
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) Truly Wireless, 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.