The 6 Best Wireless Earbuds For iPhone - Fall 2023 Reviews

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless are the best wireless 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. While it lets you seamlessly pair the buds with other Apple devices, it also improves their audio reproduction by automatically adjusting their bass and treble levels depending on your listening volume.

Additionally, they 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 eliminates much of the low rumbly noise from engines during a commute, making it easier to hear your music in busy environments. They offer versatile overall performance and will do well whether you're traveling, exercising at the gym, or plugging away at the office.

If you want Apple's AirPod design without spending top dollar for their flagship model, consider the Apple AirPods (3rd generation) Truly Wireless. While they're less feature-heavy than our top pick, these AirPods have an open-back, one-size-fits-all build that some users may prefer. This design doesn't block background noise, and the buds leak audio at high volumes. However, they're lightweight, 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 also 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 also have a 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.

The Apple-friendly Sony WF-C700N Truly Wireless are the best we've tested in the mid-range. You'll lose out on many proprietary features by choosing a pair of buds not manufactured by Apple, but since the manufacturer doesn't currently make mid-range buds, these are the best available in this price range. The Sony headphones don't have an H1 or H2 chip like our previous picks but can still easily pair to your device via the button on their charging case. They do a good job cutting out ambient chit-chat and the high-pitched hum of an AC unit, but they won't keep you isolated from low-frequency background noise, like a rumbly bus or plane engine. They're also rated IPX4 for protection against water splashes.

Their default sound profile is well-balanced and versatile enough for all kinds of audio content. Unlike Apple's wireless headphones, the Sony headphones' sound profile can be fine-tuned using their companion app's graphic EQ and presets. While they aren't compatible with Apple Music's Spatial Audio, they have their own proprietary virtual soundstage called 360 Audio. However, a subscription to a compatible streaming service like Tidal will be required. Their battery lasts around eight hours with ANC on, but their carrying case only comes with one additional charge, which is disappointing compared to the Apple AirPods (3rd generation) Truly Wireless' five.

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, making connecting them to your other Apple devices easy. 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. Fortunately, they still have low iOS latency, ensuring your audio and visuals stay in sync when you stream videos.

These in-ears have a neck cable design, so you can wear them around your neck when not in use. Unfortunately, their low price is reflected in their durability, 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. 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.

Although the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II Truly Wireless' lack Apple-centric features like Spatial Audio or an H2 chip, these premium in-ears have one of the best noise cancelling systems on the market. Their powerful ANC does a better job than the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless at isolating you from the low rumble of bus engines and ambient office chatter. However, they only last around seven hours on a single charge, so you'll need to take advantage of their carrying case's three additional charges if you want them to last the whole day.

These buds have a more bass-heavy sound profile than what we measure. This is because of the shape of our test rig's ears, which affects bass delivery. Subjectively, the buds deliver more boom than our graph shows, and it muddies vocals and instruments. You can customize their sound to your liking using their app's 5-band graphic EQ and presets. The Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless are a good alternative if you want earbuds that block more noise in the treble range, like the hum of AC units. However, they don't do as well as the Bose with blocking out bass and mid-range noises like bus engines and ambient chatter, which are more likely to disturb you while out and about.

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

The Beats Powerbeats Pro Truly Wireless are the best wireless earphones for iPhone geared for sports we've tested. Thanks to their ear-hook design, 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'll survive an outdoor hike. 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, like cymbals, in the treble range 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.