These days, you don't need to sacrifice portability or affordability if you want headphones that make your music sound good. While earbuds can't create the expansive, natural soundstage that some over-ears can, you still have plenty of choices if you want earbuds with quality sound. There's no genuine one-size-fits-all approach to determine what sounds best to everyone, but there are certain qualities you'll want to keep an eye on when looking for the best-sounding earbuds.
A neutral sound profile is ideal since it's versatile: most people find it sounds good with a wide range of music genres. However, some people prefer more bass, while others like a brighter sound. As long as there's a balance between bass and treble, with a clear and even mid-range in between, you can find something that suits your tastes without sounding muddy, cluttered, or dull. Some earbuds also offer extra features like an EQ, so you can adjust the sound profile or virtual surround sound for a more immersive listening experience.
We've tested over 845 pairs of headphones, and below are our top recommendations for the best wireless earbuds for sound quality. See our recommendations for the best in-ear headphones, the best earbuds for bass, the best neckband headphones, and the best true wireless earbuds.
Quick Look
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 Sounding Wireless Earbuds
Audio Reproduction Accuracy7.9Frequency Response Consistency8.9Stereo Mismatch8.9Bass Profile: Target Compliance7.6Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance8.3See all our test resultsTreble Profile: Target Compliance7.2The best sounding wireless earbuds we've tested are the Technics EAH-AZ100. These top-tier earbuds deliver a warm but smooth sound, which makes them a great fit for everything from EDM to jazz. If you prefer a different sound, the Technics Audio Connect app includes an 8-band graphic EQ to tailor the earbuds' sound to your liking. They support three-way multipoint Bluetooth pairing, so you can easily jump between several devices like phones and laptops. They also offer amazing noise isolation performance, blocking out everything from the rumbles of a bus engine to high-pitched ANC whine, and an impressive 12-hour battery life.
That said, if you're an Apple user, the EAH-AZ100 face stiff competition from the Apple AirPods Pro 3. The Technics don't include an H1 or H2 chip for seamless pairing with Apple products, so if you're deeply enmeshed in Apple's ecosystem, the Apple may be a better fit for ease of use. The Apple's ANC also betters the Technics'. Still, the Technics earbuds offer advantages of their own: they support newer audio tech like the LC3 codec, work well across Android, Windows, and Apple platforms, and their 12.2-hour battery life outpaces the Apple's 9 hours.
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Best Sounding Upper Mid-Range Wireless Earbuds
Audio Reproduction Accuracy7.8Frequency Response Consistency8.1Stereo Mismatch9.1Bass Profile: Target Compliance8.1Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance8.8See all our test resultsTreble Profile: Target Compliance9.3If you're looking for the best sounding earbuds in the upper mid-range price bracket, the Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless are an excellent choice. These true wireless earbuds offer warm sound profile out of the box, with a balanced treble that makes them easy to listen to for long sessions. That bass boost, generally well-controlled midrange, and smooth treble response means they're well-suited for everything from bass-heavy genres like techno to vocal-led audio like pop music or even podcasts. If you prefer a different sound profile, you can tweak the EQ in their companion app.
Like the more expensive Technics EAH-AZ100, the Sony support LDAC. But unlike the three-way Bluetooth multipoint of the Technics, the Sony max out at two-way support. Similarly, the Sony's nine-hour battery life can't match the Technics' 12, and their ANC, while impressive, can't match the superb performance of our top pick. Still, for comparable sound at a lower price point, the Sony make a compelling proposition.
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Best Sounding Mid-Range Wireless Earbuds
Audio Reproduction Accuracy7.6Frequency Response Consistency7.8Stereo Mismatch7.4Bass Profile: Target Compliance9.4Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance8.8See all our test resultsTreble Profile: Target Compliance7.9The Nothing Ear are a great pick if you're looking for the best sound quality earbuds at a more affordable price point. Like the Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless, the Nothing buds and their app are compatible with Android and iOS, though they also lack an H2 chip for seamless pairing with your iOS devices. Nonetheless, out of the box, the Nothing earbuds have a few tricks up their sleeves, such as a slightly warm default sound profile with a balanced mid-range that accurately represents voices and instruments. Their lightly rolled-off treble might sound dull to some listeners, but their companion app offers an 8-band parametric EQ that lets you tweak specific frequencies of your choosing. Plus, the app includes sound personalization based on your hearing.
Their continuous battery life is a solid 7.5 hours with ANC enabled. These earbuds also have your Bluetooth connectivity covered with multi-device pairing and a great selection of codecs: AAC for iOS devices and high-quality codecs for Android, like LDAC and LHDC. They also come with an IP54 rating, so they'll survive dusty trails and splashes from the rain. However, you don't get virtual surround sound, and the ANC isn't as powerful as that of the earbuds we've picked further up the page.
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Best Sounding Mid-Range Wireless Earbuds
Frequency Response Consistency8.7Bass Profile: Target Compliance9.0Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance8.9See all our test resultsTreble Profile: Target Compliance7.4If you're looking for a less expensive option, consider the close relative of the Nothing Ear, the Nothing Ear (a). These earbuds are comfortable and have responsive controls. From the factory, these buds have a sound profile that resembles their more expensive sibling, with a little extra bass, balanced mid-range, and gently rolled off treble. If you prefer more sparkly audio, you can use their companion app's graphic EQ and presets to tweak the sound to your liking. The Ear (a) have a shorter 5.5-hour battery life and worse microphone quality than the more expensive Nothing Ear.
They're also nicely feature-rich for their price. You get multipoint pairing, wear detection, and support for Android's Quick Pair, all in a lightweight and IP54-rated design. Their ANC isn't as strong as premium models, particularly with low-end noise like engine rumble, but it's still decent enough for day-to-day use like commuting or working at a cafe. And they also support LDAC for high-resolution audio. If you're after a stylish, capable pair of earbuds that sound good out of the box and don't break the bank, the Ear (a) are worth a look.
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Best Sounding Budget Wireless Earbuds
Audio Reproduction Accuracy6.4Frequency Response Consistency5.3Stereo Mismatch9.4Bass Profile: Target Compliance9.7Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance9.4See all our test resultsTreble Profile: Target Compliance5.9The Anker Soundcore Space A40 Truly Wireless offer good sound for a budget-friendly price. Out of the box, their sound profile is slightly warm, with a bit of extra warmth to keep basslines feeling immersive. Their midrange is generally balanced, so voices sound true-to-life, while the treble is smooth and non-fatiguing, making these cans ideal for long listening sessions. If you prefer a brighter sound, their companion app includes a graphic EQ and presets, so you can easily tune them to your liking. They also support high-quality LDAC audio and have amazing ANC performance, especially given their price. And their eight hours of continuous battery life is actually longer than the more expensive Nothing Ear (a)'s.
If you don't need ANC but wouldn't mind a longer battery life, consider the JBL Vibe Buds True Wireless. These budget earbuds have a lively sound profile with a bit more thump in the bass and presence in the upper mid-range than our pick, which works well for hip-hop and pop. Their treble is also more pronounced than the A40's, giving cymbals extra sparkle. But their nine-hour battery life is the main attraction here. That said, they lack noise cancelling support, so they're less versatile in different environments.
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Best Sounding Cheap Wireless Earbuds
Audio Reproduction Accuracy7.1Frequency Response Consistency7.7Stereo Mismatch5.6Bass Profile: Target Compliance9.4Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance9.5See all our test resultsTreble Profile: Target Compliance9.7If you want cheap earbuds that punch above their weight, look no further than the Skullcandy Dime 3 True Wireless. They have a mostly well-balanced sound profile, with a bit of extra bass on tap, an accurate mid-range, and a bright treble response that adds sizzle to sibilants. While they don't have a graphic EQ that you can't tweak yourself like the Anker Soundcore Space A40 Truly Wireless, they do have three built-in EQ presets to adjust the sound a little. These in-ears also don't have an active noise cancellation function, but they still block out a decent amount of noise passively and have some premium features, like Bluetooth multi-device pairing.
They have a stable, reasonably comfortable fit, although some may find it a little too deep inside the ear. Their battery also lasts over eight hours on a single charge, which is enough to get you through an average work day. Plus, with an IPX4 rating, they're resistant to light rain and sweat, making them a good choice for casual workouts or commuting.
Notable Mentions
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Beats Powerbeats Pro 2:
The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are workout-focused earbuds that offer a balanced sound and superb ANC performance. Unfortunately, their companion app doesn't offer an EQ to customize their sound to your liking, and their 7-hour battery life is much worse than the Technics EAH-AZ100's 12 hours.
See our review -
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen):
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) are a great choice for bass heads. Their warm sound adds plenty of thump and punch to kick drums, and their superb ANC blocks out plenty of noise. However, their treble range isn't as well-controlled as the Technics EAH-AZ100.
See our review -
Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 S2 True Wireless:
The Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 S2 True Wireless are premium buds with a bass-heavy sound. They support aptX Adaptive, which is good for streaming high-quality audio. However, their sound isn't as customizable as the Technics EAH-AZ100's, and their continuous battery life is significantly shorter.
See our review
Recent Updates
Oct 14, 2025:
The Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless replace the Technics EAH-AZ80 as our upper mid-range pick for their superior battery life and noise isolation performance. The Apple AirPods Pro 3 replace the Apple AirPods Pro 2 as an alternative to our top pick and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) replace the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Truly Wireless in our Notable Mentions.
Jul 10, 2025:
The Technics EAH-AZ100 are our new top pick for their warm but controlled sound and impressive battery life. The Sony WF-1000XM5 are a cheaper alternative with a shorter battery life, and the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation), an Apple ecosystem alternative. The Technics EAH-AZ80 are our new upper mid-range pick, thanks to their build. The Anker A40 are our new budget pick, with the JBL Vibe Buds an alternative for their more pronounced treble. Finally, we added the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 to our Notable Mentions.
Feb 24, 2025:
The JBL Vibe Buds True Wireless replace the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4NC Truly Wireless as our budget pick because of their more balanced sound and cheaper price.
Nov 28, 2024:
The Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 True Wireless are the new top pick, replacing the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4. The Nothing Ear (a) Truly Wireless replace the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE Truly Wireless as the mid-range pick after being updated to v1.8 of our test bench. The Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC Truly Wireless are the new budget pick with the JBL Tune Buds True Wireless as a comparison, as they both bring ANC to the ~$50 range. Removed the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro True Wireless comparison as the relevant pick had other options for high-quality audio codecs outside Samsung Scalable.
Oct 25, 2024:
The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 are our new top pick because their cross-platform companion app allows both Android and iOS users to customize the sound profile to suit their taste. The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless are now an alternative top pick for users who are heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best wireless earbuds for sound quality to buy for most people in each price range. 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. 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.