The best wireless earbuds have two things in common – awesome Bluetooth connectivity and audio performance. Manufacturers have been keeping up with the current trend and are constantly updating and improving their audio products to ensure a premium listening experience. In fact, the best wireless earbuds in the market have been getting hardcore improvements that may give the best wireless earbuds a run for their money.
Consumers may have different reasons for preferring or looking for the best wireless earbuds in the market. Whether it’s for commuting, fitness, office use or simply streaming music or podcasts for recreational purposes, the best wireless earbuds can really pull through. The best wireless earbuds also offer users the convenience of not having to worry about the fit and security because it can really stay put in the ears while providing quality sound. The best wireless earbuds on the market also offer pretty much the same features as that of over-the-ear wireless headphones at a cheaper price.
In this article, we will be sharing with you the best wireless earbuds to help you pick out the best choice for your needs and lifestyle. Before moving on to our product reviews, let’s discuss about two types of best wireless earbuds:
True wireless earbuds: the model has no cable, wire or whatsoever connected to it
Neckbud-style: also known as wireless neckbuds; has a single cable that joins ach ear bud; model is worn around the neck
Choosing the best wireless earbuds can be quite overwhelming, considering all the available designs and tech reviews out there. Hence, this guide aims to offer you the convenience of saving time and effort by laying out the best wireless earbuds in one article.
Table of Contents
- Best Wireless Earbuds: Sony WF-1000XM3 True Wireless Earbuds
- Best Wireless Earbuds: Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2
- Best Wireless Earbuds: Apple Inc. AirPods Pro
- Best Wireless Earbuds: OnePlus Bullets Wireless 2
- Best Wireless Earbuds: Beats Electronics PowerBeats Pro
- Best Wireless Earbuds: Jabra Elite 75t
- Best Wireless Earbuds: Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus
- Best Wireless Earbuds: Jabra Elite Active 75t
- Best Wireless Earbuds: Google Pixel Buds
- Best Wireless Earbuds: JLab JBuds Air
- Best Wireless Earbuds: Samsung Galaxy Buds Live
- Best Wireless Earbuds: Jaybird Vista
- Choosing the best wireless earbuds
- Best Wireless Earbuds: In a Nutshell
Best Wireless Earbuds: Sony WF-1000XM3 True Wireless Earbuds
What We Like:
- Effective noise cancellation
- App with lots of features
What We Don’t Like:
- Not suitable for sports
- Poor call quality
- Wonky touch controls
Packing up noise cancelling technology in an earbud can be really tricky, and we give two thumbs up to Sony for producing a noise cancelling earbud model, a truly premium wireless one at that. Of course, this pair of best wireless earbuds from Sony can’t offer the same noise cancellation level of over-ear headphones, but if you are looking for a model that has a sleek design and effective noise cancellation, this pair of best wireless earbuds can definitely do the job.
The Sony WF-1000XM3 runs on a six hour battery life with the ANC on and successfully combines impressive noise cancellation with great audio quality. This pair of best wireless earbuds also offers a rich, deep bass with impressive tonal balance that gives it a big edge over the competition.
For casual listening or media streaming, this is a good choice but if you intend to use this for fitness, this may not be the best wireless earbuds to choose because it lacks water-resistant protection. In terms of comfort, the earbuds are comfortable and each bud weighs not more than 0.3 ounces. If you have used AirPods before, you can compare that the touch controls of the Sony WF-1000XM3 are not as responsive. Listeners can play around with the built-in EQ or create their own preferred sound profile.
Some product reviews have revealed some minor issues with the Sony WF-1000XM3, but none too serious that can’t be overlooked. In fact, this is our top pick for the best wireless earbuds range, as it combines premium noise cancelling technology, ergonomic design and overall high quality performance that truly outdo the competition.
Best Wireless Earbuds: Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2
What We Like:
- hi-res audio support
- Top quality sound
What We Don’t Like:
- High cost compared to competition
When it comes to the best wireless earbuds, Sennheiser makes it to the cut with its decent noise cancellation technology, stunning sound quality and sophisticated design. The battery life, sound quality and craftsmanship of the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 makes it one of the best wireless earbuds in the market and a sassier and creative alternative to the Sony WF-1000XM3.
While the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 may be getting the rage when it comes to being fashionable, there have been reviews calling out the size of this best wireless earbuds contender. Apparently, the size is not too friendly with small ears, causing pressure or discomfort during long periods of usage. However, if you just plan to use it for recreational media streaming, this is one of the great deals.
If you’re looking for earbuds for small ears, we have some worthy recommendations you might want to check out.
Best Wireless Earbuds: Apple Inc. AirPods Pro
What We Like:
- Decent noise cancellation
- Can be used for tracking hearing health
What We Don’t Like:
- Pricey
It’s not really surprising that the AirPods Pro are included in the list of best wireless earbuds. If you have been a long time Apple earbuds user, you may have experienced some trickiness when it comes to getting the perfect fit. Fortunately, the latest AirPods Pro now has a much better fit along with an improved design to get more iPhone users to patronize the brand’s contender for the best wireless earbuds.
Apple’s best wireless earbuds also have a water resistant design and also comes with a wide range of convenient touch controls. Admittedly, the battery life of the AirPods Pro could be longer but on the brighter side, the noise cancellation technology is top notch.
iPhone users can surely say that Apple AirPods are a good choice for best wireless earbuds with its strong sound quality and more secure fit. Another feature that we like about this contender for best wireless earbuds is its additional microphone that provides a powerful noise canceling technology.
With the Apple AirPods, you can opt to drown the world out, especially when you are commuting or stuck in traffic, or you can also use the Transparency mode, which subtly allows external noise in without totally distorting the audio or tune of what you are listening to. This pair of best wireless earbuds from Apple comes with three pairs of swappable silicone ear tips, giving consumers more chances of finding the perfect fit. iPhone users enjoy the seamless pairing with iOS. There’s also an update where an all new spatial audio feature can create a movie or theatre-like sound experience, perfect for the movie buffs who like to binge watch at home.
At the end of the day, Apple AirPods Pro excel when it comes to providing clear and balanced audio. However, this pair of best wireless earbuds can’t compete with the bass performance of Jabra, Samsung and Powerbeats Pro. If you are always on the phone either for business or pleasure, these are the best wireless earbuds for you because it offers awesome voice quality.
Best Wireless Earbuds: OnePlus Bullets Wireless 2
What We Like:
- Magnetic on/off switch
- Strong wireless connection
What We Don’t Like:
- Not waterproof
- Fiddly inline controls
You may have known OnePlus for producing the popular smartphone models like OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7 Pro. However, the company also makes audio accessories, including OnePlus Bullets Wireless 2, a strong contender for the best wireless earbuds. If you are looking for the best wireless earbuds in the neck-bud category, this brand is a good choice.
The audio quality of this pair of best wireless earbuds boast of a lively presentation and an accurate soundstage. If you are a bass lover, you may not appreciate the Bullets Wireless 2 so much unlike other models in our list of the best wireless earbuds that have a bassier punch.
This pair of best wireless earbuds are also comfortable to wear and could actually make for a decent pair of fitness headphones. If there’s any drawback about this product, it’s the fact that it does not have a water-resistant rating and the inline remote controls have been reported to be a bit fiddly.
Best Wireless Earbuds: Beats Electronics PowerBeats Pro
What We Like:
- 25 hours battery life
- Comfortable fit
What We Don’t Like:
- Bulky carrying case
With its immaculate fit and high quality audio, it’s not really surprising that the Beats Powerbeats Pro is included in our list of best wireless earbuds. Even if you run around or jump up and down, this pair of best wireless earbuds just stays securely in the ears. The secure fit may be attributed to the ear hooks and three sets of silicone tips. In fact, this may just be the best wireless earbuds for working out. It offers water and sweat-resistance combined with a low profile, rugged design, ideal for athletes or fitness-inclined individuals.
For us, this is by far one of the best wireless earbuds that Apple has released, attributing to its small tweaks such as long battery life, pressure-reducing venting hole and superior sound quality. For best wireless earbuds ideal for office or house use, the Beats Powerbeats Pro is a decent choice.
This pair of best wireless earbuds from Beats is also recommended for people who love some extra dose of bass. The good thing is, even though it features a heavy bass, the sound still remains to be well-balanced and not too overpowering. Pairing the best wireless earbuds with devices is seamless, making it a great choice for people on the go or for those who are not so electronically inclined.
Best Wireless Earbuds: Jabra Elite 75t
What We Like:
- Compact buds and ear case
- EQ app customization
What We Don’t Like:
- Muddy bass
- No active noise cancellation
When it comes to the best wireless earbuds, size does matter. In this case, some people prefer really compact buds and the Jabra Elite 75t does not disappoint. The charging case and the headphones itself are much smaller than its predecessors while the battery life becomes longer.
Jabra Elite 75t also maintained the customization features that made the series a crowd favorite. Even though it doesn’t have active noise cancellation features, this is still one of the best wireless earbuds for making or taking calls. Jabra Elite 75t is backed up by powerful drivers, longer battery life and strong passive noise cancellation all jammed up in a compact design. This is one of the best wireless earbuds because it was made 20% smaller than Elite 65t without compromising the specs.This pair of best wireless earbuds are also IP55-certified which entails that its water and dust resistant, but don’t be complacent because it’s not sweatproof.
Bass lovers will certainly enjoy listening to the Jabra Elite 75t because it has a bass-forward sound that can be further customized through the Sound app. The soundscape is also great for regaining focus and drowning out distractions. This pair of best wireless earbuds has an impressive charging case that can hold up to 20.5 hours of extra juice while taking up very little space in the pouch or pocket.
Best Wireless Earbuds: Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus
What We Like:
- Long battery life
- Decent call quality
What We Don’t Like:
- Charging case only carries 1 extra charge
The Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus is the most awaited sequel to the Galaxy Buds line. This new addition is considered to be the best wireless earbuds for Android users. Samsung has retooled a lot of aspects – from the audio performance, design, down to instruments and vocal prominence.
Speaking of audio performance, this pair of best wireless earbuds are now powered with dual AKG drivers to pump out neutral, crisp sound that highlights vocals and instruments. Admittedly, the call quality could be better but this can be easily overlooked considering that it has a better battery life and wider set of controls than Apple AirPods.
This pair of best wireless earbuds has a user-friendly companion mobile app that allows users to seamlessly adjust ambient listening levels, customize touch controls and cycle through EQ modes. The Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus are also comfortable and come with a sleek charging case that also supports reverse charging. The Samsung Galaxy Buds comes in Aura Blue (the newest color), White, Black, Red and Light Blue.
Best Wireless Earbuds: Jabra Elite Active 75t
What We Like:
- Waterproof design
- Lengthy battery life
- IP57 certification
What We Don’t Like:
- Audio may bleed at very high volumes
If you like the Jabra Elite 75t but wish it had more sports-friendly features, look no further as we present to you the Jabra Elite Active 75t. At a glance, this pair of best wireless earbuds is pretty much the same with the existing Elite 75t but with more fitness-related features. It is more powerful than the AirPods Pro in terms of sound, durability and battery life, to name a few.
The design of this pair of best wireless earbuds make it a comfortable yet durable pair that boasts of IP57 certification, making it resistant to water, dust and sweat. In terms of music quality, the sound of the Jabra Elite Active 75t is clear, vibrant and balanced. Additionally, users can also manually tweak the audio through the built-in EQ or by choosing through various presets via the Jabra Sound app.
While this has passive noise cancellation, it can’t really match that of the AirPods Pro. However, this can still be considered as a strong contender for the best wireless earbuds sport as it is effective in minimizing ambient noise. Battery life is also impressive at 28 hours. With all its features laid out there, the Jabra Elite Active 75t is one of the best wireless earbuds for its price range.
Best Wireless Earbuds: Google Pixel Buds
What We Like:
- Works seamlessly with Google integration
- Sleek and modern design
- Wireless charging
What We Don’t Like:
- Same battery life span as AirPods
Google Pixel Buds may be considered as a neophyte when it comes to the best wireless earbuds range but this newbie is actually the first-ever true wireless earbuds that has impressed majority of critics and have gotten positive reviews from its release. Google Pixel Buds is the best wireless earbuds for Android users, offering an awesome Google experience and nailing all the basics along the way.
The Google Pixel Buds also received several upgrades externally and internally, with the most obvious one being making the product completely wireless with a comfy and stylish design that sits securely on the ears. The design is backed up by 12mm dynamic drivers that provide a rich, warm audio. Perhaps the strongest selling point of the Google Pixel Buds that make it one of the best wireless earbuds in the market is its seamless Google integration that gives users access to Google Assistant, Google Translate and basically hundreds of commands that come along with it. The instant pairing to Android devices and any device running on Google ecosystem are also non-negotiable perks.
If there’s any drawback, the Google Pixel Buds have the same battery life as that of the AirPods Pro with active noise cancelling. However, this pair of best wireless earbuds from Google comes with a powerful 24-hour charging case plus a quick charging technology – a 10 minute charge can give 2 hours of playback. There’s a software update that decreases phone dropout, better media playback for smartphones and enhanced auto recovery for Bluetooth connections.
Best Wireless Earbuds: JLab JBuds Air
What We Like:
- Strong bass
- Budget friendly
What We Don’t Like:
- EQ presets distort audio
- Bulky
The Jlab JBuds Air may just be the most overlooked true wireless models on the market. While it can’t really go head to head with high end best wireless earbuds like Powerbeats Pro or Elite Active series, it offers sporty features and a powerful bass at an awesome price point. For those who are on a budget, this pair of best wireless earbuds is highly recommended.
A fan of Spotify? You’ll love the JLab JBuds Air because with its powerful lows that dominate the soundscape, Spotify workout playlists sound more vibrant and livelier. This pair of best wireless earbuds also have built-in EQs but there are times when distortion of audio becomes noticeable.
This pair of best wireless earbuds are a bit on the chunky side but don’t mistake them for being heavy – in fact, it is very light and comfortable to wear. In terms of durability, the JLabs JBuds Air is also a strong contender, bearing an IP55 sweat-resistant rating. In terms of connectivity, the earbuds are powered by Bluetooth 5.0, ensuring a strong connectivity among devices.
The battery life of the JLabs JBuds Air may not be as long as the other brands in the best wireless earbuds category but it’s one of the best for what most other budget earbuds offer. The charging case also packs in two extra charges, making the slightly bulky shape forgivable.
Best Wireless Earbuds: Samsung Galaxy Buds Live
What We Like:
- High quality audio
- Sleek design
What We Don’t Like:
- ANC is not very effective
Samsung’s quirky, bean-shaped earbuds join our list of the best wireless earbuds in the market. Aside from looking all sleek and sassy, this pair of best wireless earbuds from Samsung is actually pretty powerful, with AKG 12 mm speakers and several other features that put it on a pedestal of pure genius functionality.
If you are a mobile music lover, you will truly appreciate the lively and accurate sound quality of the Samsung Galaxy Buds Live – the instruments are very distinctive and the vocals are clear and airy. It also comes with Spotify integration so users can easily access their favorite playlists with just a simple touch of a button.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds Live also comes with a companion app that allows users to customize the brand’s contender for best wireless earbuds. It has a built in EQ for sound tweaking and it also comes with touch controls, though the latter has been reported to be finicky at times.
Admittedly, the design of the Samsung Galaxy Buds Live is very different from the traditional designs that other models in our list of best wireless earbuds have. Granted, the design is not really for everyone but if you’re looking for a pleasant and comfortable fit, you’d be delighted to enjoy all these with the Samsung Galaxy Buds Live. Ironically, the biggest marketing thrust of this pair of best wireless earbuds from Samsung is the active noise cancellation feature but as per experience and majority of reviews, said feature is not as effective as other contenders in the same category.
Best Wireless Earbuds: Jaybird Vista
What We Like:
- Stable design
- Compact charging case
What We Don’t Like:
- Not recommended for long periods of usage
- Six hours battery life
Among all the contenders in the best wireless earbuds category, the Jaybird Vista offers one of the best durable designs and charging cases. With a rating of IPX7, the Jaybird Vista is the best wireless earbuds that actually pass the US military rugged compliant standards. If that’s not durable, we don’t know what is. This pair of best wireless earbuds can withstand wetness, drops, shocks, vibrations, etc.
Unlike other bulky charging cases that other contenders of the best wireless earbuds come with, the charging case of the Jaybird Vista is compact yet packs 16 hours of extra battery life. It also comes with a braided wire or loop that can easily be attached to items such as workout shorts, backpack, pouch, etc.
Another strong point of the Jaybird Vista that makes it one of the best wireless earbuds in the market is its secure fit. Jaybird gives its users one of the best stabilized fit in the market thanks to its variety of ear tips. However, stabilized fit does not always equate with comfort, and Jaybird Vista is a concrete example. These earbuds can’t really be worn for long periods of time because they tend to cause fatigue or discomfort. On-the-go individuals or athletes also need to check the battery levels every so often because the Jaybird Vista can only run for 6 hours and then it needs to be charged again.
Choosing the best wireless earbuds
Fit. There’s no one-size-fits-all ear tips hence, it would be best if you choose the best wireless earbuds that offers a lot of options. Fit also goes hand in hand with comfort – make sure that you also consider the comfort when trying to get the perfect ear tip fit. The fit of an earbud is also very crucial especially if you intend to use them during workouts or sports. Other factors to consider if you intend to use the earbuds for sports include sweat and water resistance.
Keep in mind that if you want to get the most out of your earbuds, you need to get a good seal in the ear. Even if you use the best wireless earbuds in the world, or the model with the highest rating or the most premium reviews, it will all fall on deaf ears (pun intended) if you don’t get a tight seal. Fortunately, most of the featured products in our list of best wireless earbuds come with various ear tip sizes so that you can get the perfect, or near perfect fit.
Battery life. In this very busy world today, almost everything is made to be compact, on-the-go and rechargeable. The best wireless earbuds are no exception; hence, when choosing the best wireless earbuds for you, make sure to look into the battery life, the charging case and the charging time.
Price. The best wireless earbuds are available in different price ranges. Of course, don’t expect affordable ones to be at par with the high-end, premium models. You need to know what specs and features you need so that you can choose the best wireless earbuds that fit not only your budget but your lifestyle as well.
Best Wireless Earbuds: In a Nutshell
The best wireless earbuds are very in demand in the market right now not only because it gives users freedom from wires and annoying cables while providing a crisp audio and comfortable fit for media streaming (YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, etc.) and for making phone calls. The best wireless earbuds also grants users an awesome hands-free experience while interacting with a digital or smart assistant via smartphone. While there are some negative comments and feedback pertaining to Bluetooth connection, microphone and battery life, the best wireless earbuds are still a crowd favorite and considered to be a worthwhile investment for people who are always on the go.
And that concludes our curated list for the best wireless earbuds. We hope that the collated reviews can help guide you in getting great deals and weighing between the cost and features of each product. All the items featured in this article can be purchased through Amazon.com.