The best pair of wireless earbuds does more than sound great. They should be comfortable, easy to use, sport a good mic for calls, and have a battery that won’t leave you stranded on a plane without a podcast to pass the time. And that’s just the bare minimum. Features like active noise cancellation, spatial audio, wireless charging, or maybe an app for personalized EQ are also increasingly must-haves.
That sounds like a lot to take into account, but don’t worry, we made the decision easy with this list of the best wireless earbuds on the market for pretty much every occasion, including exercising, lots of bass, and blocking out the maximum amount of noise.
Best overall wireless earbuds: Sony WF-1000XM5
Sony’s $300 flagship wireless earbuds, the WF-1000XM5, are some of the best-sounding wireless earbuds we’ve ever tested. Using a new 8.4-millimeter Dynamic Driver X in each bud (the drivers on its predecessor, the WF-1000XM4, were 6 millimeters in size), the new WF-1000XM5 are a very noticeable step up in performance, giving your music more presence and oomph without sounding like the wireless earbuds are being overdriven or pushing the limits of what they’re capable of.
Bass lands harder with more thump in your ear, drums have a more satisfying snap, and all without vocals getting lost in the mix. They also offer strong active noise cancellation and impressive adjustable EQ settings. Compared to the WF-1000XM4, these are 25% smaller and 20% lighter, which might not sound like much, but at the scale of wireless earbuds, that amount of shrinkage makes a world of difference. Read More—Andrew Liszewski
Best wireless earbuds for bass: OnePlus Buds 4
Bass isn’t always the first thing I look for in a pair of earbuds, but when it’s there (like, really there), you notice it right away. That was certainly the case with the OnePlus Buds 4, which are feature-packed and bass-heavy buds that won’t break the bank. While some wireless earbuds that focus on bass can sound oversimulated, the OnePlus Buds 4 do a great job of providing natural-sounding low end that feels voluminous. And that’s just with the out-of-the-box tuning. Once you factor in OnePlus’s app-based ear-tuning test that gives you personalized audio and EQ presets, it sends what’s already a very solid pair of wireless earbuds to another level.
One of the best parts is you don’t have to break the bank to get quality bass in a pair of wireless earbuds, either. The OnePlus Buds 4 stay competitive on pricing and are already marked down to just $100 (as of this writing). Read More—James Pero
Best wireless earbuds for running: Sony LinkBuds Fit
You could run with any pair of wireless earbuds in your ear, technically, but just because you could doesn’t mean you should—and Sony’s LinkBuds Fit are proof. There are quite a few things that make the LinkBuds Fit ideal for exercise, but a big one is that they’re designed to fit both comfortably and snugly in your ears. Unlike other wireless earbuds that are covered in hard plastic, the LinkBuds Fit have a silicone outer shell that makes any contact with your ear less abrasive.
Another thing I love about the LinkBuds Fit is the emphasis on customization. Both the buds and the case come with interchangeable colors (nice pastel ones, too), which you can swap out at will. Obviously, nice colors aren’t the most important thing when you’re jogging, but being able to change out covers when they get a little grimy from sweat is a nice perk. —James Pero
See Sony LinkBuds Fit at Amazon
Best budget wireless earbuds: Nothing Ear A
It’s not often you get style and substance in a pair of wireless earbuds, but Nothing offers that with its Ear A, which is a budget-focused alternative to its flagship Ear wireless earbuds. The first thing you’ll probably notice about the Ear A is the fact that, unlike Nothing’s other wireless earbuds, they actually come in a color that isn’t black or white. That color happens to be a Playdate-esque yellow that is hard to find elsewhere in the world of earbuds. On top of that, there’s also Nothing’s signature transparent shell and a charging case that looks like a lunchbox. Altogether, it’s a fun, thoughtful package that doesn’t feel budget in the slightest.
But looks aren’t everything: for $80, you also get solid sound and active noise cancellation (ANC) as well as access to the Nothing X app, which has a hearing test for personalized EQ. Nothing’s Ear A are a complete package when it comes to wireless audio, and they prove that you don’t need to spend a fortune to get good sound, ANC, and lots of features to match. Plus, some of us are sick of defaulting to AirPods every time. —James Pero
Best open wireless earbuds: Bose Ultra Open Earbuds
Just a few years ago, it probably wouldn’t have made sense to put a category for open earbuds on a list, but times change, and so do trends. Open earbuds prove it’s not all about ANC, and I agree with that philosophy. If you’re looking for a pair of wireless earbuds that actually lets you hear your surroundings, there’s arguably no better pair than Bose’s Ultra Open Earbuds. I’ve tested quite a few pairs of open earbuds at this point, including entrants from Sony and Nothing, but Bose’s still have by far the best sound and the best design in my opinion.
Unlike other open earbuds, Bose’s version, which is more like a clip, tucks behind your ear, and a plastic knob wraps around to secure the speaker from the front. Thanks to some audio engineering magic, you’re still able to hear audio from a speaker behind your ear, and surprisingly well. Outside of having the most comfortable design of any pair of open earbuds I’ve used, Bose Ultra Open Earbuds also have the best sound. It’s not easy to make open wireless earbuds that can effectively weather the storm of street noise or a crowded subway platform, but Bose’s Ultra Open Earbuds do a damn good job, even if you have to pay a hefty premium to snag a pair for yourself. Read More—James Pero
See Bose Ultra Open Earbuds at Amazon
Best premium wireless earbuds: Technics EAH-AZ100
I’ve used a lot of wireless earbuds, but just because I’ve kind of seen it all doesn’t mean I can’t still be impressed. When I put Technics EAH-AZ100 in my ears, I knew their hi-fi marketing wasn’t just talk. A proprietary magnetic fluid driver that drastically minimizes distortion gives the EAH-AZ100 clear sound and a deep, natural-sounding bass that makes me feel like I’m one step closer to hearing tunes how the artist intended.
Sure, $299 is a lot of money to spend on wireless earbuds, but I can say without a doubt that these buds sound better than similarly priced over-ear headphones that I’ve tried, and the sound isn’t the only thing they have going for them. On top of delivering truly hi-fi audio, the EAH-AZ100 also boast an impressive 10 hours of battery life outside the case with ANC on.
Given the fact that sound and battery life are arguably two of the most important things in a pair of wireless earbuds, Technics’s EAH-AZ100 tops my list of premium buds, even if the ANC is just okay. Read More—James Pero
Best wireless earbuds for iPhone: AirPods Pro 2 (with USB-C)
AirPods Pro 2 (with USB-C) may be two years old, but they’re still the most full-featured earbuds that Apple makes. If you’re looking for premium ANC, the AirPods Pro 2 beat the 2024 AirPods 4 despite their age, thanks to an in-ear design with silicone tips that provides better passive and active noise cancellation with a tighter seal in your ears.
For me, it’s also about comfort. There are people out there who detest ear tips over long periods, but there’s nothing like making sure a pair of earbuds is secure while you’re commuting or going for a run. Plus, with AirPods Pro 2, you get exclusive features like adaptive audio, conversation awareness, and a touch-sensitive volume slider on the stems for quick adjustments. Combine that with a MagSafe wireless charging case, a built-in speaker for Find My, and a lanyard keychain loop, and you’ve got a full package that’s worth the premium. Read More—James Pero
Best noise-canceling wireless earbuds: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)
ANC isn’t always the most important aspect of wireless earbuds, but in the right situation, it could be. Having tested Bose’s second-gen QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) on an airplane and in the subway, I can confidently say that there’s no other pair that I’d rather rely on to block out screaming babies or ear-damaging train noise. In this generation, Bose also makes improvements to its ActiveSense technology for smoother adaptive ANC and adds wireless charging, which is great to have in any gadget, wireless earbuds included.
These wireless earbuds are no slouch sound-wise either, and while they aren’t as clear as true hi-fi buds, they hold it down with solid bass and plenty of features in the Bose app, including custom EQ. The design might divide some, but I think the QuietComfort Ultra 2 look pretty cool, despite being on the bigger side for wireless earbuds.
If you’re a fan of the way Bose combines minimalism with creativity, similar to its Ultra Open earbuds, then you’ll probably love the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) all the same. Read More—James Pero
