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The 6 Best Wireless Earbuds For iPhone - Winter 2024 Reviews

Updated
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 260 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 earbuds, the best earbuds with a mic, and the best truly wireless earbuds.


  1. Best Earbuds For iPhone

    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. It lets you seamlessly pair the buds with other Apple devices, and it 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. 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

    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

  3. Best Mid-Range Wireless Earbuds For iPhone

    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 they don'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 they can still easily pair to your device via the button on their charging case. Their ANC system does a good job cutting out ambient chit-chat and the high-pitched hum of an A/C unit but 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.

    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

    Although the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 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' when isolating you from the low rumble of bus engines and ambient office chatter. They're the successor to the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II Truly Wireless. They offer a similar overall performance, with the addition of 'Immersive Audio,' which the manufacturer intends to make the soundstage seem wider.

    Out of the box, they have a bass-heavy sound profile that lends rumble and punch to your audio, with instruments and vocals remaining clear and detailed. You can customize their sound to your liking using their app's 5-band graphic EQ and presets. 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. 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 an A/C unit or a noisy computer fan. However, they don't do as well as the Bose with blocking out bass and mid-range noises like bus engines and ambient chatter, so they aren't as suitable for getting peace and quiet on the bus or in a busy office.

    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

Recent Updates

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. Sep 15, 2023: Confirmed product picks. Minor text updates for accuracy and clarity.

  5. Jul 19, 2023: We've validated the picks on this list and confirmed they're the best for iPhone users.

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.