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, active noise cancelling 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 925 pairs of headphones and earbuds, 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 wireless headphones. And check out our article on how to figure out which type of headphones are best for you. For those of you on a budget, you'll also want to check our picks for the best wireless Bluetooth earbuds under $50 and $100, as well as our best budget earbuds.
Our How We Test Headphones article takes you behind the scenes in our lab. You'll learn how we choose and purchase products and dive into the details of our review philosophy, from testing and scoring to writing and editing.
You can also discover how we produce recommendations like this one so that you can find the best headphones (or earbuds!) for your needs.
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Best Wireless Earbuds
TravelOffice WorkSports And FitnessNoise Isolation - Common ScenariosBuild QualitySee all our test resultsRecording QualityThe best wireless earbuds we've tested are the Sony WF-1000XM6. These top-of-the-line buds are an especially good choice if you want top-tier noise isolation along with strong call performance and don't mind paying a premium. The active noise cancelling (ANC) system, combined with the passive isolation from their memory foam tips, mean these buds do an incredible job blocking out the noise of everything from rumbling plane engines to high-pitched A/C whine. The improved mic captures your voice well and effectively separates it from all but the noisiest backgrounds.
Like their predecessor, the Sony WF-1000XM5, these buds have a warm sound with a boosted bass range that complements the balanced mids and treble. There are plenty of sound customization options available in the companion app, so you can dial in your preferred sound via the graphic EQ and presets. They last over eight hours on a single charge with the ANC enabled, which should get you through your workday without relying on the two charges in the case. Plus, they support codecs like LDAC and LC3, with LC3 also available for lower-latency playback.
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Best Mid-Range Wireless Earbuds
TravelOffice WorkSports And FitnessNoise Isolation - Common ScenariosBuild QualitySee all our test resultsRecording QualityIf you want excellent noise isolation for much less than the Sony WF-1000XM6, the Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro are the best true wireless earbuds we've tested in the mid-range price. They block almost as much low rumble and mid-range chit-chat as the Sony, though their seven-hour continuous battery life is shorter than the Sony's at almost nine hours. They have a bassier sound than the Sony, which can make your audio sound a bit boomy. You can adjust the sound to your taste using the app's EQ and personalized hearing test. You can even access EQ profiles from the case's touchscreen, along with features like battery status and the earbud locator assistant, which is unique among the picks on this list.
The Anker are amazingly comfortable thanks to their shallow in-ear fit and interchangeable stabilizers that bear a resemblance to the perennially popular Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen). Those stabilizers also mean they're stable in your ear while working out, and since they're waterproof, you can take them out on your next jog in the rain. There's also three-way Bluetooth multipoint, meaning you can simultaneously connect to a work laptop and phone, along with a personal device for your productivity playlist.
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Best Lower Mid-Range Wireless Earbuds
TravelOffice WorkSports And FitnessNoise Isolation - Common ScenariosBuild QualitySee all our test resultsRecording QualityIf you're looking for strong all-rounders and your budget can't stretch to the Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro, the OnePlus Buds 4 are the best Bluetooth earbuds in the lower mid-range. While their ANC can't match the performance of the Anker, it still does an amazing job blocking out most noise. And their mic also sounds a lot better in practice than our microphone score suggests, so they're a good option if you take a lot of calls. However, their battery life is just shy of five hours with ANC on, which is a couple of hours short of the near-seven offered by the Anker.
These earbuds have a warm sound profile that reproduces your audio with plenty of thump and rumble while keeping vocals and lead instruments clear and present. And you can adjust their sound with the companion app's six-band EQ and presets. Still, if you're a die-hard music lover and prioritize features like codec support above ANC performance, the EarFun Air Pro 4+ are a good alternative. They support a wider range of Bluetooth codecs, including LDAC, LC3, and aptX Adaptive, but their ANC isn't as strong overall, and their continuous battery life is even shorter than the Anker's.
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Best Budget Wireless Earbuds
TravelOffice WorkSports And FitnessNoise Isolation - Common ScenariosBuild QualitySee all our test resultsRecording QualityIf you don't want to spend more than $100, the Anker Soundcore Space A40 Truly Wireless are the best budget Bluetooth earbuds that we've tested. These relatively affordable earbuds come with all the bells and whistles you'd expect from more expensive models, like ANC and app support. Their ANC handily reduces common office and commuting noises, and they also come with an adaptive setting that automatically adjusts to the level of noise in your environment. With ANC on, they last for about eight hours of continuous use, and their case stores four extra charges. They also support multi-device pairing.
Out of the box, they offer a warm sound, with cozy-sounding vocals and lead instruments. Their companion app includes a graphic EQ and presets if you prefer a different sound. That said, the Anker also aren't the best option for workouts, since they aren't very stable, so they may slip out of place if you move your head around a lot. Instead, the OnePlus Buds 4 above are a better choice for workouts. If you're looking for picks for the gym, check out our recommendations for the best headphones and earbuds for running and working out.
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Best Cheap Wireless Earbuds
TravelOffice WorkSports And FitnessNoise Isolation - Common ScenariosBuild QualitySee all our test resultsRecording QualityThe Anker Soundcore P31i are the best cheap Bluetooth earbuds we've tested. These buds stand out because they offer features that are still uncommon at this price, including adaptive ANC, LDAC support, and multi-device pairing. While they can't match the performance of the more expensive Anker Soundcore Space A40 Truly Wireless, the P31i's ANC still does a decent job cutting down noise like passing cars, plane engine rumble, and background chatter. They're also very comfortable and lightweight, with a stable fit that works well for day-to-day use, and their built-in mic does a good job keeping your voice understandable in noisy places.
They last a little over seven hours on a single charge, and the case holds four extra charges, so they're easy to keep going through long days on the move. Their default sound profile is warm and bass-heavy, which suits modern pop well, but the treble roll-off means voices can lack sparkle and shimmer. Fortunately, their companion app offers a graphic EQ and presets, so it's easy to tweak the sound to your liking. If you care more about deep sound customization than ANC strength, consider the MOONDROP SPACE TRAVEL 2. Their app gives you much more control over the sound, including a parametric EQ, but their ANC is only okay, their battery lasts under five hours, and they don't have rated protection against dust or water.
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Best Earbuds For iPhone
TravelOffice WorkSports And FitnessNoise Isolation - Common ScenariosBuild QualitySee all our test resultsRecording QualityThe Apple AirPods Pro 3 are the best earbuds for iPhone users. These top-of-the-line earbuds pair and switch easily between Apple devices on the same iCloud account and can provide immersive audio through Apple Music. In supported regions, they can also translate conversations in real time, track your heart rate across compatible fitness apps, and work as hearing aids for mild to moderate hearing loss. However, those features aren't readily available when paired with non-Apple devices like Android phones.
These buds deliver a fantastic noise isolation performance that's on par with the Sony WF-1000XM6's, making them a solid choice for commuting or working in a noisy office. Their durable build and waterproofing mean they can handle getting rained on or driven down a dusty road. Plus, nine hours of continuous playback with ANC on will get you through most workdays or flights. They also automatically adjust their sound based on your ear fit and listening volume, so your audio sounds similar at different volume levels. If you find the in-ear fit of these buds too deep and uncomfortable, the Apple AirPods 5 offer a tipless design that avoids creating a plunger-like pressure on the ear. They have similar features and work seamlessly with the Apple ecosystem, too, but their one-size-fits-all shape may not suit everyone equally well.
Notable Mentions
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Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 5:
The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 5 have better build quality than the Sony WF-1000XM6, in large part because of their user-replaceable batteries. However, the Sennheiser's continuous battery life is shorter than the Sony's, and the Sony also have better ANC.
See our review -
Nothing Ear (3a):
The Nothing Ear (3a) are all-rounder stem earbuds that offer expanded sound customization compared to the Anker Soundcore Space A40 Truly Wireless. Their noise isolation performance falls short of the Anker's, but they have a parametric EQ and support virtual surround features for immersive listening.
See our review -
CMF Buds Pro 2:
The CMF Buds Pro 2 are less comfortable but more stable than the Anker Soundcore Space A40 Truly Wireless. The CMF's ANC isn't quite as effective as the Anker's, but their mic sounds better if you take a lot of calls.
See our review -
JBL Vibe Beam 2:
The JBL Vibe Beam 2 have a longer continuous battery life than the Anker Soundcore P31i and also offer a more balanced sound out of the box. However, the JBL's ANC isn't good, and their mic isn't as good at distinguishing your voice from noise around you.
See our review
Recent Updates
Oct 07, 2026:
We added the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 5 to our Notable Mentions for their user-replaceable batteries. However, they can't match the likes of the Sony WF-1000XM6 for ANC performance. We also added the Apple AirPods 5 as an alternative to the Apple AirPods Pro 3.
Aug 18, 2026:
We've added the Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro as our new mid-range pick. We've also removed our upper mid-range pick since the Anker outperform products in that price category. Our remaining picks are still relevant and in stock.
Jul 13, 2026:
We've looked over this article to ensure all our picks are still relevant and up-to-date but have made no changes to our picks. We've added the JBL Vibe Beam 2 as a Notable Mention for those looking for a more balanced sound compared to the Anker Soundcore P31i.
May 27, 2026:
The OnePlus Buds 4 are our new lower mid-range pick for their amazing ANC and stable fit. The EarFun Air Pro 4+ are an alternative for music listeners who are happy to sacrifice ANC strength for codec choice. We've also added the MOONDROP SPACE TRAVEL 2 as an alternative to the Anker Soundcore P31i, while the Nothing Ear move to our Notable Mentions.
Apr 15, 2026:
The Technics EAH-AZ80 are our new 'Best Mid-Range' pick, bumping the Nothing Ear down to lower mid-range. That makes the Anker Soundcore Space A40 Truly Wireless our 'Best Budget' pick, with the Anker Soundcore P31i replacing the JBL Vibe Buds True Wireless as our 'Best Cheap' pick. The JBL Vibe Buds True Wireless are now a Notable Mention, with the Anker Soundcore P25i a cheaper alternative to the Anker Soundcore P31i. Finally, we removed the Apple AirPods Pro 2 from our Notable Mentions.
FAQ
Wireless vs. true wireless: Are they different?
Yes. Wireless earbuds connect to your device without a cable, but some wireless models still use a cable between the earpieces. True wireless earbuds have no cable between the earpieces, making them more portable. With truly wireless models, 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 5, 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 of over 10 hours with ANC enabled to be a good result. Bluetooth LE Audio allows for more energy-efficient wireless transmission, which can help improve 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 better 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 that is a lower resolution at source, it'll be difficult to perceive any difference in sound quality. Most 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 streaming service or playing FLAC files, your audio will already have undergone some degree of compression. Bluetooth audio codecs, like LDAC and aptX Lossless, narrow 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.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best wireless earbuds for most people. We factor in the price (cheaper earbuds win over pricier ones if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no earbuds 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 and listening habits will matter more in your selection.