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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, noise isolation 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?
Best Wireless Earbuds – Sony WF-1000XM6
The best wireless earbuds we’ve tested are the Sony WF-1000XM6. These buds are the next generation of the Sony WF-1000XM5, bringing improvements in noise cancelling and microphone performance. They have a similarly warm sound to their predecessor, with a boosted bass range that complements the balanced mid and treble presentation. 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, or even simulate the soothing ambiance of a cafe using the new ‘Background Music’ feature.
The tweaks made to the ANC system, combined with the passive isolation from their memory foam tips, mean these buds have incredible noise isolation. They attenuate everything from rumbling plane engines to high-pitched electrical noise, letting you dial in your chosen level of ambient awareness. The improved mic captures your voice well and effectively separates it from all but the noisiest backgrounds. They can 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 high-res streaming codecs like LDAC and LC3, the latter of which can also be used for lower-latency playback.
Best Upper Mid-Range Wireless Earbuds – Technics EAH-AZ100
If you’re looking for strong all-rounders but don’t need the absolute best ANC on the market, check out the Technics EAH-AZ100. These earbuds boast a new design and improved sound compared to the brand’s previous flagship earbuds, the Technics EAH-AZ80. They have a smaller and more rounded shape and improved internals. Their excellent ANC attenuates noise from the din of airplane cabins to the rumble of car engines. While the buds’ passive isolation isn’t as strong as the Sony WF-1000XM6 and their foam tips, the Technics’ over 12-hour battery life with ANC on will last you through most flights. They support Google Fast Pair, so they’re a good choice for Android users, and you can pair these buds with up to three devices at a time, which is handy if you juggle multiple personal or work devices.
The similarly priced Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) go toe-to-toe with the Technics buds in most regards, including noise cancelling. The Bose are more comfortable and stable, plus they have a more mid-forward sound than the Technics, which means sounds like vocals are more present in the mix. But some may prefer the Technics’ smoother sound. If you consume a lot of videos or play games on your phone, both earbuds support lower-latency codec options: LC3 on the Technics and aptX Adaptive on the Bose. That said, the Technics earbuds have a longer battery life and support Spatial Audio for more immersive listening.
Best Mid-Range Wireless Earbuds – Technics EAH-AZ80
If you’re interested in three-way multipoint but are happy to sacrifice a little battery life to keep costs down, the Technics EAH-AZ80 are the best Bluetooth earbuds in the mid-range price bracket. These buds have a comfortable, stable fit and an IPX4 rating that keeps them safe from the occasional splash of rain. While their ANC is a step down from the Technics EAH-AZ100, it still does an impressive job cutting down on noise across the frequency range. It’s especially effective in office environments, where it effectively reduces chatter and keyboard clacking. The EAH-AZ80 have a warm default sound profile that suits most kinds of audio content. If you prefer a different sound, you can use the graphic EQ and presets in the app to tweak the profile to your liking.
As mentioned, these earbuds also support three-way Bluetooth multipoint, which is useful if you often switch between multiple devices. They last a little over seven hours on a single charge with ANC on, which is decent, but you get noticeably less runtime than with the more premium Technics EAH-AZ100. Still, the AZ80’s mic performs very similarly to their more expensive cousins, so if you’re looking for strong all-rounders that won’t break the bank, they’re a good pick.
Best Lower Mid-Range Wireless Earbuds – OnePlus Buds 4
The OnePlus Buds 4 are the best lower mid-range wireless earbuds we’ve tested. Their ANC is excellent and reduces everything from low train rumble to higher-pitched fan noise. They’re also comfortable enough for long listening sessions and have a very stable fit, so they stay put with little adjustment during brisk walks or gym sessions. It’s worth noting that their mic sounds better in practice than our 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 short of the seven offered by the Technics EAH-AZ80. But some features like AI translation are limited to compatible OnePlus phones.
These earbuds have a warm sound profile that reproduces your audio with plenty of thump and rumble, while still 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 fit can loosen over time.
Best Budget Wireless Earbuds – Anker Soundcore Space A40 Truly Wireless
If 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. Don’t let their price fool you: these relatively affordable earbuds come with all the bells and whistles you’d expect from more expensive models, like ANC and app support. In fact, their noise isolation performance punches above their price. They handily reduce common office and commuting noises and 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.
They have a warm default sound profile, with cozy-sounding vocals and lead instruments. Their companion app includes a graphic EQ and presets if you prefer a different sound, but the OnePlus Buds 4 have a more stable fit and better real-world call performance. The Anker also aren’t the best option for workouts since they don’t have stability fins and aren’t very stable, so they may slip out of place if you move your head around a lot. If you want similarly performing buds with a slightly different shape, the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC Truly Wireless are a good choice. Compared to the Space A40’s rounded look, the Liberty 4 NC have a more traditional stem design that some may find preferable. The Liberty 4 NC also have a bassier sound and a longer nine-hour battery life, though they don’t cancel noise as well as the Space A40.
Best Cheap Wireless Earbuds – Anker Soundcore P31i
The Anker Soundcore P31i are the best cheap Bluetooth earbuds we’ve tested. These buds stand out for the price because they offer features that are still uncommon at this level, 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 sound customization than ANC strength, consider the MOONDROP SPACE TRAVEL 2. Their app offers unusually deep tools for the price, including a parametric EQ, Auto EQ, and a database of user-shared DSP configurations. However, their ANC is only okay, their sub-five-hour battery life is shorter, and they don’t have an IP rating.
Best Earbuds For iPhone – Apple AirPods Pro 3
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 are the best earbuds for iPhone users. These top-of-the-line earbuds have a fantastic noise isolation performance that’s on par with the Sony WF-1000XM6, but their many Apple-exclusive features can limit their usefulness for non-Apple users. Their H2 chip allows you to easily pair and switch between Apple devices on the same iCloud account and access virtual surround sound via Apple Music for a more immersive listening experience. Depending on the region, iPhone model, and OS version, you can access unique features like Live Translation and use the buds’ built-in heart rate monitors to track your fitness across different apps. Their fantastic ANC means they can act as hearing protection. Plus, they can be used as hearing aids for mild to moderate hearing loss, though availability varies by region.
Their durable IP57 rating means they can handle dust and water exposure. Plus, nine hours of continuous playback with ANC on will get you through most workdays or flights. These use Adaptive EQ to adjust their sound to fit your unique hearing and anatomy, along with an automatic loudness-contour EQ, so your audio sounds the same at different volume levels. However, unlike the top picks, there’s no manual equalizer to alter the bassy and slightly peaky treble response. Still, if you find the in-ear fit of these buds uncomfortable, the Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation offer similar features and work seamlessly with the Apple ecosystem.