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The 6 Best Wireless Earbuds For iPhone - Fall 2024

Updated Aug 08, 2024 at 03:00 pm
Best Wireless Earbuds For iPhone

If you own an iPhone, iPad, Mac, iPod, or all of the above, you've likely looked into what Apple offers for headphones. They've released a few models under Apple's AirPods lineup and their subsidiary brand, Beats, but they don't have a wide selection to choose from. As such, not all recommendations on this list utilize Apple's W1/H1 and H2 chips, which let headphones pair seamlessly to your Apple devices. However, it's not strictly necessary, and most Bluetooth headphones will still work with Apple devices. Additionally, since newer iPhones no longer have a headphone jack, opting for a wireless pair of headphones is easier.

We've tested over 270 wireless in-ears and earbuds; below are our top recommendations for the best wireless earbuds for iPhone users to purchase. See our recommendations for the best wireless Bluetooth earbuds, the best earbuds with a mic, and the best true wireless earbuds.


  1. Best Earbuds For iPhone

    The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless are the best earbuds for iPhone we've tested. These premium and iconic buds are a good choice for anyone looking for the full Apple experience. These headphones have an updated H2 chip instead of the H1 chip found in their predecessor, the Apple AirPods Pro Truly Wireless. This chip lets you seamlessly pair the buds with other Apple devices and also improves their audio reproduction by automatically adjusting bass and treble levels depending on your listening volume.

    They also support Apple Music's Spatial Audio—a feature that orients compatible audio with your head movements—creating a more immersive experience. Thanks to their adaptive EQ, which adjusts the sound based on the shape of your ear, you'll get consistent playback every time you use them. Their ANC also blocks out most of the low rumbly noise from engines during a commute, making it easier to hear your music in loud environments. If your iPhone operates iOS 17 or later, you can also mute and unmute the mic by pinching the stem during a call, which is very handy. They offer versatile overall performance and will do well whether you're traveling, exercising at the gym, or plugging away at the office.

    See our review

  2. Best Upper Mid-Range Wireless Earbuds For iPhone

    The Nothing Ear Truly Wireless are the best upper mid-range Bluetooth earbuds for your iPhone. While they lack the H1/H2 chip and Apple's Spatial Audio implementation exclusive to Apple and Beats products, they boast a wealth of other appealing features. In lieu of the easy device switching you get with H1/H2 chips, the Nothing buds have multi-device pairing, so you can still switch between your iPhone and any other Bluetooth device, though they don't have quick pairing with iOS. They're not too dissimilar from our top pick, the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) Truly Wireless, in design, fit, and comfort. Like the AirPods, which have controls on the stems, the Nothing buds use pinch controls to reduce accidental misfires.

    These earbuds' companion app offers loads of sound personalization, too. The hearing test can alter the tuning to suit your listening, and you have a choice between a simple graphic EQ and a comprehensive parametric EQ. Besides that, their default sound is quite neutral, with a good amount of rumble and boom, natural-sounding lead instruments, and clear vocals.

    Their ANC is helpful for focusing or commuting, though it's not quite as powerful when handling mid-range chatter and ambient din as the top pick. The Nothing buds still filter out boomy construction noises and high-pitched sounds like shrieking subway brakes well. If you expect to wear your Nothing buds at the office or on a flight, they'll need fewer recharges than our top pick, thanks to a longer continuous battery life. Plus, their microphone system handles noise really well, allowing callers to hear you, even in noisy conditions.

    See our review

  3. Best Mid-Range Wireless Earbuds For iPhone

    If you want Apple's AirPod design without spending top dollar on the flagship model, consider the Apple AirPods (3rd generation) Truly Wireless. While they're less feature-packed than our top pick, these AirPods have an open-back, one-size-fits-all design that some users may prefer. This design means they don't block background noise, and the buds leak audio at high volumes. However, they're lightweight and sleek and have an H1 chip for seamless pairing with other devices in your Apple ecosystem.

    Like our top pick, they have an adaptive EQ that adjusts the buds' sound to your unique ear shape. It creates a well-balanced and bright sound profile, but the buds still struggle to make a thumpy low-bass due to their open-back design. They don't have an EQ in their companion app, but you can adjust some basic audio settings if you have a compatible iOS device via the 'Accessibility' tab. They have a solid 6.8-hour continuous battery life, and their carrying case holds roughly five additional charges. Unfortunately, the buds don't have volume controls, which is inconvenient. Still, they're worth a look if you want something more affordable.

    See our review

  4. Best Budget Wireless Earbuds For iPhone

    In the budget price range, the Beats Flex Wireless are the best earphones for iPhone we've tested. They have fewer features than other picks on this list but still offer solid performance for their budget price. They come in a few colors to match your style and have a W1 chip that makes pairing with iOS devices easier. The W1 chip is an older processor than the H1 or H2 chips, so you can't benefit from features like "Hey Siri" voice activation.

    Their neck-cable design allows you to wear them around your neck when not in use. Unfortunately, their low price is reflected in their build, as some users have reported that their units stopped working within a year of purchasing them. As budget headphones, though, they're easier to replace if they're broken or lost. Their bass-heavy sound profile is well-suited for genres like EDM and hip-hop, thanks to their extra thump and boom. However, unlike our mid-range pick, they don't have an EQ to help you adjust their sound.

    See our review

  5. Best Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds For iPhone

    The Jabra Elite 10 True Wireless are the best wireless earbuds for iPhone with active noise cancelling. While the Jabra Elite 10 True Wireless lack the H2 chip found on the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) Truly Wireless, their full-range noise isolation is more powerful overall. Even though the second generation Jabra model is already out (and you can expect our review soon), these are still very capable true wireless buds for your iPhone. The Elite 10 filter out a bit more low-pitched and high-pitched external sounds than the Apple earbuds. You can wear them in all sorts of conditions, too, thanks to their wind-reduction mode, which mitigates annoying noises created when wind interacts with the mics and ANC system. Plus, their IP57-rated earbuds ensure that dust and rain won't hinder their performance.

    The buds' continuous battery life (with ANC enabled) lasts an hour longer than our top pick. Out of the box, they're fairly bright sounding, which you can tune to your liking in the companion app's EQ. While they don't have Apple's specific Spatial Audio, you can use the app's Spatial Sound function, which is compatible with Dolby Atmos and offers head-tracking for an immersive experience. In addition, they're quite stable-fitting due to their pleasant silicone-covered housing. While the Jabra buds feel comfortable, consider the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Truly Wireless if you want buds that feel good and include stabilizers to fit different ear shapes. However, the Bose's noise isolation isn't quite as powerful as the Jabra's.

    For more ANC in-ears, check out our article on the best noise cancelling earbuds.

    See our review

  6. Best Wireless Sports Earbuds For iPhone

    The Beats Powerbeats Pro Truly Wireless are the best wireless earphones for iPhone geared for sports we've tested. Thanks to their ear hooks, they stay in place during runs or workouts at the gym. They're significantly more stable in-ear than the similarly priced Apple AirPods (3rd generation) Truly Wireless. They're also comfortable, well-built, and rated IPX4 for resistance against water splashes, so they can survive some light rain if you're exercising outside. They last over 11 hours continuously on a single charge, and their carrying case holds roughly one extra charge, which is handy in a pinch.

    They have a fairly neutral sound profile that suits different kinds of audio. The bass and mid-ranges both deliver audio with good fidelity, but sibilants in the treble range, like cymbals, sound dull and lifeless. You can't adjust their sound profile since their companion app has no customization controls. They also don't support Apple Music's Spatial Audio feature, but their H1 chip still lets you seamlessly pair them with Apple devices, like your iPhone.

    Read more about sport-oriented earbuds in our article on the best wireless earbuds for running and working out.

    See our review

Notable Mentions

  • Beats Fit Pro True Wireless: The Beats Fit Pro True Wireless offer many of the same iOS-related features as the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless, like Spatial Audio and an H1 chip for seamless pairing. However, their fit isn't as comfortable, and their ANC blocks significantly less ambient noise. See our review
  • Anker SoundCore Liberty Air 2 Truly Wireless: The Anker SoundCore Liberty Air 2 Truly Wireless are budget-friendly in-ears. They're similar in design to Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless, but unlike the Beats Flex Wireless, they don't have Apple's H1 chip. See our review
  • JBL Vibe Buds True Wireless: The JBL Vibe Buds True Wireless are wallet-friendly earbuds. While they lack the spatial audio features and H1/W1 chip found in the Apple AirPods (3rd Generation) Truly Wireless, they deliver a more balanced sound with plenty of bass on tap. They have a similarly comfortable fit that's slightly more stable, thanks to their in-ear seal. See our review
  • OnePlus Buds 3 Truly Wireless: If you're looking for a pair of buds that offer some quality-of-life upgrades over the Beats Flex Wireless but still won't break the bank, consider the OnePlus Buds 3 Truly Wireless. While they lack the Beats' neckband design and W1 chip, they offer the same comfortable fit and improved stability. Plus, their ANC system does a solid job of isolating you from external distractions. See our review

Recent Updates

  1. Aug 08, 2024: The Nothing Ear Truly Wireless have been added as the upper mid-range pick; the Apple AirPods (3rd Generation) Truly Wireless have been moved to the mid-range pick. The Jabra Elite 10 True Wireless have replaced the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Truly Wireless as the noise cancelling pick.

  2. May 13, 2024: We've added the OnePlus Buds 3 Truly Wireless as a Notable Mention, as they offer ANC at a budget price point.

  3. Mar 11, 2024: We've made minor updates to the text and checked that the products are in stock. However, our recommendations haven't been changed.

  4. Jan 11, 2024: We've removed the discontinued Bose Sport Earbuds Truly Wireless and the Bose Sport Open Earbuds Truly Wireless from our picks and added the JBL Vibe Buds True Wireless instead.

  5. Nov 13, 2023: Replaced the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II Truly Wireless with the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Truly Wireless, which offer a similar overall performance with the addition of a virtual surround sound feature.

All Reviews

Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best wireless headphones for iPhone for most people to buy. 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 everywhere).

If you would like to choose for yourself, here is the list of all our reviews for wireless earbuds and in-ear headphones, sorted by Quick Pair (iOS) support. 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.