The 7 Best True Wireless Earbuds - Fall 2023 Reviews

The Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless are the best true wireless earbuds we've tested. These high-end buds are the next generation of the Sony WF-1000XM4 Truly Wireless and have improved overall performance. They use memory foam ear tips combined with their noise cancelling (ANC) system to reduce a significant amount of ambient sound. The ear tips do most of the heavy lifting, as the ANC mostly targets bass-range noise like bus rumbles.

With the ANC on, they last well over eight hours continuously, and their case holds a couple of extra charges if needed. Out of the box, their warm sound profile adds a touch of extra boom to mixes without overwhelming vocals and instruments. You can also finetune their sound using their app's graphic EQ and presets. These buds support LDAC, too, which is Sony's proprietary codec for streaming hi-res audio. Unfortunately, not everyone will find their fit comfortable, especially if you have small ear canals.

If you want more comfortable earbuds, go for the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II Truly Wireless. Their silicone ear tips are shallower and put less pressure on your ear canals. Their ANC can also block out slightly more bass-range sound, which is handy for tuning out engine noise during long trips by bus or plane. However, the buds don't have nearly the same amount of customization features available and lack multi-device pairing.

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless are a great option if you're looking for premium buds at a slightly lower price point. While they don't have sound customization features like the Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless, they offer a few features for iOS that you might appreciate if you're an iPhone or MacBook user. Their H2 chip helps with easy pairing to Apple devices, and they support Spatial Audio, a surround sound feature meant to create a more immersive listening experience with compatible content.

Their adaptive EQ results in a warm sound profile, so your audio has a bit of extra boom and cozy-sounding vocals and instruments. They don't block out as much ambient noise as the Sony, but their ANC still offers excellent overall performance with a wide range of noise, including rumbling bus and plane engines. The earbuds last just under six hours of continuous use with ANC on and come with a case with four extra charges. They have a comfortable fit for most people, but you might find they wiggle out of your ears after a while and require repositioning.

Consider the Google Pixel Buds Pro Truly Wireless for something more reasonably priced. These earbuds have a less comfortable fit for most and aren't as well-built as the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless, but they still offer a great all-around performance. Their ANC feature does an excellent job of blocking noise, including rumbling engines during your commute. They support multi-device pairing, meaning you can stay connected with your phone and computer simultaneously.

They come in more colors than the Apple or Bose, so you can get them in bright colors like coral and lemongrass. Their V-shaped sound profile adds rumble and punch to your audio and keeps instruments and vocals clear and bright. You can also customize the sound with an in-app graphic EQ and presets. However, these buds have a somewhat bulky design compared to the previous picks and aren't as comfortable or stable for most.

The Jabra Elite 7 Pro True Wireless are around the same price and offer a more comfortable fit and better stability, making them less likely to slip out of your ears during workouts. However, their ANC feature blocks out much less noise, but they have a better mic performance, so they're better for phone calls than many truly wireless earbuds we've tested.

If you're looking for affordable earbuds, start your search in the lower mid-range with the Anker Soundcore Space A40 Truly Wireless. These earbuds don't have a virtual surround sound feature. Their warm sound profile lacks thump and rumble, making them less well-suited for bass-heavy music. However, it's well-balanced enough for various genres, and if you prefer a different sound, you can use the app's graphic EQ and presets for sound customization. They support LDAC, Sony's codec for hi-res audio via Bluetooth.

They also have an adaptive ANC system to adjust to the noise around you. It does a fantastic job of blocking out ambient sound and isolates from bass-range noise like rumbling engines more effectively than the Google Pixel Buds Pro Truly Wireless. The earbuds last more than eight hours of continuous use with ANC on, and they come with a case that holds an additional four charges.

Check out the JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless for wireless earbuds that won't break the bank. Unlike many budget-friendly options, they have a companion app, which gives you more control over their performance. They have a fairly well-balanced sound profile out of the box, but their app offers a parametric EQ and presets, so you can tweak them to suit your tastes. They don't have much more than this for extra features, so if you care about multi-device pairing or LDAC support, consider our lower mid-range pick instead.

They're fairly comfortable and lightweight, but getting a secure in-ear fit can be hard, and the buds can fall out over time. At this price point, it's also unsurprising that these buds lack noise cancelling. As a result, they don't block out much background noise, so they're not an ideal choice for noisy offices. On the upside, they last over eight hours continuously, and there are three extra charges if needed. They're also certified IP54 for resistance against dust and splashes of water.

The best cheap wireless earbuds we've tested are the JLab Audio Go Air POP True Wireless. It's not surprising that these earbuds lack stand-out features like the JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless' companion app. They're not completely without customization features, though. You can cycle through a few EQ presets with the onboard controls. With the default EQ setting, they have a bass-rich sound that adds punch and boom to your audio without overwhelming instruments and vocals.

They're well-built and rated IPX4 for resistance against light water exposure. Their stable fit makes them a solid inexpensive choice for the gym. They don't have ANC and don't passively isolate from as much noise as the Anker, but they do a decent job of blocking out ambient sound. They have a long nine-hour continuous battery life, meaning they can last through a workday or long flight, and their case holds three extra charges. The case's charging cable is built into it, which can be convenient, but it also means you must replace the earbuds if the cable gets damaged.

The Jaybird Vista 2 Truly Wireless are the best truly wireless earbuds for running we've tested. Unlike other picks on this list, these buds have a rugged and sturdy build, rated IP68, meaning they're fully dust-tight and protected from water immersion, making them a solid choice for tough hikes and outdoor activity. They're also very comfortable and have a stable in-ear fit, so they won't move around or fall out during a run. The case is also rated IP54 for dust and water resistance, so toss it in a bag without worrying about dirt or rain damaging your headphones.

These earbuds have a well-balanced default sound profile that you can customize with a parametric EQ and presets in the headphones' companion app. While their roughly five hours of continuous battery life is short for a 9-5 workday, it'll last through most workouts, and their case holds a few extra charges. Unfortunately, even though they have an ANC feature, it doesn't offer a very good noise isolation performance, so they aren't ideal if you want to isolate yourself from noise at the gym. That may not be an issue if you run outside since it makes it easier to stay aware of your surroundings.