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Best wireless earbuds

I got no strings to hold me down.
By
July 27, 2023
Best all-around
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 noise canceling earbuds in black against a white background.
7.7
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Positives
Bluetooth 5.2 with SBC, Scalable Samsung Codec, and AAC
Sound quality and good ANC
In-app ear tip fit test
Fast and wireless charging
Negatives
Lacks aptX
No iOS app support
Sensitive touch controls
The Bottom Line.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 is one of the best options for Android phone owners for its solid active noise canceling (ANC), good sound, and various features.Read full review...
Best iPhone
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation)
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) wireless earphones in white coming out of the MagSafe charging case which stands vertically.
7.9
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Positives
Active noise canceling and Adaptive Transparency modes
Great auto-wear detection
Water-resistant buds and case
Pressure-sensitive stems and sliding controls
MagSafe, Wireless, and Apple Watch compatible charging
Negatives
Charges via lightning cable
No way to customize the EQ without third-party app
Price
The Bottom Line.
The AirPods Pro (2nd generation) is the default for iPhone owners for its convenience and sound quality.Read full review...
Best for workouts
Beats Fit Pro
Product shot of the Beats Fit Pro in Stone Purple colorway.
7.7
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Positives
Android and iOS compatibility
In-app ear tip fit test
Noise canceling/Transparency
USB-C case with fast charging
Secure, compact fit for exercise
IPX4-rated earbuds
Negatives
Fairly large case
Known ANC update issues
The Bottom Line.
The Beats Fit Pro buds fit extremely well and work with Android and iOS devices. When you use these buds with an iPhone, you still get special features like pesronalized Spatial Audio too.Read full review...
Best ANC
Sony WF-1000XM5
8.7
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Positives
Excellent ANC and Isolation
Comfortable
360 Reality Audio
SBC, AAC, and LDAC support
Extra features in app
Foam ear tips
Negatives
Cost
Default sound too bassy
The Bottom Line.
Featuring a more comfortable design, outstanding ANC performance, and fantastic battery life, the Sony WF-1000XM5 have secured their place as one of the best noise canceling earbuds on the market.Read full review...
Best bang for buck
Jabra Elite 7 Active
The Jabra Elite 7 Active in navy against a white background.
7.9
Check price
Positives
Great sound quality
IP57 rating
Adjustable ANC/HearThru
Great mobile app
USB-C, wireless, and fast charging
Negatives
No aptX (SBC/AAC only)
Potential pressure/comfort issues
ANC only okay
The Bottom Line.
This is a great jack-of-all-trades headset.Read full review...

True wireless earbuds have matured tremendously since their debut. Once rife with sub-par picks, the category is now teaming with premium options from audio stalwarts like Sony and Bose. Heck, we’re even seeing affordable active noise canceling (ANC) options flood the market too. As a quickly evolving category, wireless earbuds blur the line between audio devices and smart wearable technology. Our selection of the best wireless earbuds covers everything from ANC to workout picks, and if this list is too rich for your blood, check out our picks for the best wireless earbuds for under $100.

What's new?

  • This list of the best wireless earbuds was updated on July 27, 2023, to include the latest Sony WF-1000XM5 in our top picks.

For our top five picks, you can find the isolation and frequency response charts at the end of each image gallery. You can learn more about how to read our charts.

The best pair of wireless earbuds for most: Samsung Galaxy Buds 2

Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 is the best wireless earbuds for most people because it has great noise canceling that outdoes its price. The Galaxy Buds 2 is reasonably priced and can often be found between $100-129 USD. There’s no app support on iOS. So iPhone owners, we recommend you get something else. Still, if you can’t stay away from the Buds 2, borrow a friend’s Android phone for updates.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 2
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2
7.7
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 noise canceling true wireless earbuds with one 'bud out of the open, angled charging case.Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 galaxy wearable app home settings screenshot.The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 noise canceling true wireless charging case with the USB-C input in view.A person wears the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 noise canceling true wireless earbuds.The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 noise canceling true wireless earbuds in the open charging case while connected to the Galaxy Wearable app on a Samsung Galaxy S10e.The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 noise canceling true wireless earbuds next to the extra ear tips.The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 noise canceling true wireless earphones in the open charging case on top of a Samsung Galaxy S10e smartphone in pink.A chart depicts the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 frequency response (cyan) relative to the SoundGuys Consumer Curve V2.0.A chart depicts the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 isolation and noise canceling performance, with low-frequency sounds rendered one-quarter as loud with ANC on than without the earbuds in at all.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2
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Sound quality is great: AKG tuned the drivers to reproduce slightly amplified mids for consumer-friendly sound. This broad, slight emphasis bodes well for popular genres of music. Anyone who enjoys a bit more oomph to an underscoring kick drum will appreciate these buds. ANC performance is very good and renders 90Hz frequencies one-quarter of their original perceived loudness.

With the Galaxy Buds 2, you get premium features and access to big updates... if you have an Android phone.

You operate the Galaxy Buds 2 via a touch panel on each earbud. As with all earbuds in the Samsung Galaxy Buds line, the Galaxy Buds 2 touch panels are very sensitive. We often experience command misfires which isn’t the case with other true wireless earbuds. But if you can accept the sensitive touch panels, you’ll enjoy stable Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity and support for two high-quality Bluetooth codecs: the Samsung Scalable Codec and AAC.

The company is dogged about releasing firmware updates that cover connection improvements. One of the best reasons to get the Galaxy Buds 2 is because of how liberal Samsung is with its updates. The first-gen Galaxy Buds received an update that enabled direct Spotify access, and we expect to see this same support throughout the Buds 2 lifecycle.

If you want better ANC to filter out those mids and lows and more robust waterproofing capabilities, it may be worth bucking up for the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro. See the section near the end of our list for more details.

More and more of us rely on our earphones as communication devices; I take hands-free calls nearly every day. Anyone who spends a silly amount of time in conference calls or quelling their parents’ anxieties can do so clearly with the Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus microphone system. It may not be quite as clear as the AirPods Pro or Sony WF-1000XM4, but it’s about the best you can get for the price.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 microphone demo (Office conditions):

Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 microphone demo (Windy conditions):

How does the microphone sound to you?

9814 votes
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2Samsung Galaxy Buds 2
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2
Compact design • In-app ear tip fit test • Sound quality
MSRP: $149.99
A fine pair of noise canceling earbuds that might get lost in the confusing line of other Buds.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 don't rattle the world of audio wearables, but they do their job well as a pair of everyday earphones. Sound quality is very good and bound to please most ears, and the noise canceling edges out that of the Galaxy Buds Pro. Still, you may have a hard time choosing the Buds 2 over the more premium Buds Pro and more affordable Buds Plus.

The best earbuds for iPhone owners: AirPods Pro (2nd generation)

The AirPods Pro (2nd generation) has ear tips for a better fit than the standard AirPods, great active noise canceling, and playback controls built into the stem. When using the AirPods Pro (2nd gen) with an iPhone, you get seamless connectivity and a host of control options directly from your phone’s Control Center. If you have other Apple source devices, you can seamlessly switch between them with the AirPods Pro (2nd generation) thanks to its H2 chip.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation)
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation)
7.9
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) earbuds rest on a black surface with the case in the background.A hand holds the right earbud of the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) to show off the stem.The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) ear tip separated from the housing.Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) charging case lanyard loop while the case rests in a tech pouch.The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) case is open and laying at an angle to show the earbuds and their sensors.A person wears the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) in profile view.The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) case open with one of the earbuds on a burlap sack, and the Nothing Ear 1 case in the background.The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) case is open and contains the earbuds next to an iPhone 12 mini, which prompts the user to update to iOS 16.A chart depicts the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) noise canceling and isolation performances; the former is very effective when you get a good seal.A chart depicts the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) and AirPods Pro (1st generation) frequency responses, revealing the newer pair has a louder bass response.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation)
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation)
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Adaptive Transparency mode uses microphones to amplify the sounds around you so you can hear your surroundings better. The “adaptive” part of this mode means the technology can quiet loud, sudden sounds like construction or a fumbled frying pan. This works surprisingly well and is a major upgrade to the standard transparency modes found on other earphones.

The other side of the same coin is noise canceling, and the AirPods Pro (2nd generation) ANC performance is even better than before. It will hush your surroundings significantly and render low-frequency rumbles anywhere from one-half to one-eighth of their original perceived loudness. You can read all about how the ANC compares between the first and second-gen AirPods Pro models in our detailed versus article.

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) lays on a wooden surface next to the Apple AirPods Pro (1st generation), earbuds out of case.
The AirPods Pro earbuds are pretty hard to differentiate.

Sound quality is very good with the AirPods Pro (2nd gen), and while we wish there was an integrated custom EQ in the Apple Settings app, we don’t feel there’s much need for it. At least, most general listeners won’t feel compelled to change the sound because it really is that good by default. If you want to customize the tuning, you’re left to your own devices by creating a custom EQ through your music streaming service app or downloading a dedicated EQ application. If you listen to Apple Music, you can choose from numerous EQ presets.

Unlike the old AirPods Pro, the second-gen model has sliding touch controls (along with taps). With a sliding gesture, you can increase or decrease the volume without saying, “Hey Siri,” or reaching for your phone. We also like that the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd gen) case has a speaker on the bottom that will emit a sound to help you locate it. If you know your AirPods Pro is not in your current room or home, but can’t remember where you placed it, open the Find My app to see a map with the case or buds’ last location.

If the AirPods Pro is a bit too rich for your blood, there are a handful of solid AirPods Pro alternatives out there for iPhone and Android users alike. You can even snag the first-gen AirPods Pro for on the product's website.

The AirPods Pro’s mic system is very good for wireless earbuds, but its quality declines when there’s background noise.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) microphone demo (Office conditions):

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) microphone demo (Street conditions):

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) microphone demo (Windy conditions):

How does the microphone sound to you?

7134 votes

Editor’s note: Our standardized test setup plays back pre-recorded phrases from a calibrated artificial mouth in our test chamber, with or without simulated background noises, simulated reverberant spaces, or artificial wind. This means that samples from every product can be directly compared, making it far easier to make meaningful comparisons between products regarding the raw speech quality or the product’s ability to reject noise. While this setup is consistent, it’s unable to allow the earbuds to detect speech as they would in the real world (using vibrations), so you’re likely to experience something different than our demos above.

Beats Studio Buds noise canceling true wireless earphones in the open charging case.
The Studio Buds works nearly as well on iOS as it does on Android, the only other Beats product we can say that about is the Beats Fit Pro.

The Beats Studio Buds compares rather well against Apple’s old flagship AirPods Pro and works just as well on Android as on iOS. The microphone is quite good. However, active noise canceling is only okay. Unlike other Beats products, the Studio Buds closely follows our consumer curve, meaning its default sound should please most listeners. It can be had for $99 at Amazon.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)
Impressive ANC • Comfortable fit • Wireless charging
MSRP: $249.00
One of the best true wireless earbuds for iOS users.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) modestly improve upon the first-generation AirPods Pro and feature the same iconic look. Apple's upgraded H2 chip begets better noise canceling and battery life, while the case's U1 chip and integrated speaker let you precisely locate the case. If you own an iPhone, the AirPods Pro 2 are an obvious choice.

The best earbuds for working out: Beats Fit Pro

The Beats Fit Pro is one of the best workout earbuds you can find. The concha wing tips create a secure fit that’s nearly impossible to shake loose. While the case doesn’t have an IP rating like some of the other company flagships, you do get a nice IPX4 rating for the earphones, protecting them from splashes and sweat. We also like that the Beats Fit Pro works nearly as well on Android devices as it does on Apple devices, all for less than $200.

Beats Fit Pro
Beats Fit Pro
7.7
The Beats Fit Pro noise canceling true wireless earbuds in the open case and next to the two extra pairs of ear tips, all of which are in the purple variant.The Beats Fit Pro noise canceling true wireless earbuds in the open charging case and next to a Samsung Galaxy S10e with the Beats app open. The app has a purple tint to it, presumably to match the earphones.A woman's hand pockets the Beats Fit Pro noise canceling true wireless earbuds case which is in the color purple.The USB-C input on the Beats Fit Pro case next to the USB-C to USB-C cable, which is very short.The Beats Fit Pro noise canceling true wireless earbuds in purple lay in the open charging case against a black fabric background.The Beats Fit Pro isolate fairly well, but also cancel a decent amount of noise.A plot showing the frequency response of the Beats Fit Pro, a set of earphones that fit the SoundGuys consumer target (pink) fairly well outside of the mids and highs.
Beats Fit Pro

Unlike many earbuds, the Fit Pro features button controls that require pressing the “b” logo on either bud to perform certain controls. For many athletes, buttons are easier to operate when exercising than touch controls, so it’s a smart move by the designers.

Noise canceling is very good and outperforms the AirPods Pro (2nd generation) when quieting certain sub-bass frequencies. This is great for muting your commute to the gym and reducing the clang of weights on the gym floor. Regarding sound quality, Beats remains Beats and boosts the bass on the Fit Pro. While the bass boost is audible, it’s tasteful and doesn’t render detail imperceptible during pop and hip-hop tracks. Apple’s Adaptive EQ technology is baked into the headset, automatically adjusting the bass and midrange response based on your surroundings.

Using the Beats Fit Pro to take calls from a quiet environment yields good, accurate vocal reproduction. Like the AirPods Pro series, the microphones don’t do very well in windy conditions.

Beats Fit Pro microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Beats Fit Pro microphone demo (Office conditions):

Beats Fit Pro microphone demo (Windy conditions):

How does the microphone sound to you?

5888 votes
Beats Fit ProBeats Fit Pro
Beats Fit Pro
Good fit and stabilizing ear wings • Android and iOS compatible • In-app ear tip fit test • ANC and transparency
MSRP: $199.95
Beats Fit Pro are true wireless noise-cancelling earbuds that work just as well with Android devices
The Apple-owned Beats Fit Pro are just as easy to use with an Android device as they are with an iPhone, fitting well with multiple ear tips, and boosted bass sound quality. The only downsides are the price tag and ANC issues.

The best noise canceling earbuds: Sony WF-1000XM5

The Sony WF-1000XM5 are an expensive set of earbuds that plays nicely on both Android phones and iPhones. These earbuds feature two new processors: the Integrated Processor V2 and the HD Noise Canceling Processor QN2e, allowing improved noise canceling performance, even in the low frequencies. They also support SBC, AAC, and LDAC codecs and have a versatile app.

Sony WF-1000XM5
Sony WF-1000XM5
8.7
A chart depicts the Sony WF-1000XM5 frequency response which has a bit more bass than the SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve recommends.Sony WF-1000XM5 charging case open on the table with the earbuds placed behind the caseThe Sony WF-1000XM5 charging case open with the earbuds inside beside a green iPhone 13 Pro and the ear tip selection and USB charging cableClose up of a man wearing the left earbud of the Sony WF-1000XM5One hand holding the Sony WF-1000XM5 inside of the charging case with the lid open
Sony WF-1000XM5

Sony provides four sets of memory foam ear tips, which effectively mold your ear canal and block out background noise better than their predecessors, the WF-1000XM4. You can even use the Headphones Connect app to check that you selected the right tips for your ears. This is absolutely necessary for a pair of ANC earbuds, as good isolation begets optimal noise cancelation.

Sound quality is quite good, too, though you’ll notice a slight over-emphasis in the mid-bass frequencies. Again, you can quickly fix this within the mobile app by lowering the bass and midrange response. The earbuds support the SBC, AAC, and LDAC Bluetooth codecs, meaning anyone can enjoy high-quality audio. Because the foam tips guarantee a good seal, isolation and ANC are incredibly effective on the WF-1000XM5. Anyone who wants a handsome pair of wireless earbuds with stellar active noise canceling, battery life and a reliable IPX4 rating should save up and shell out for these earbuds.

Sony WF-1000XM5Sony WF-1000XM5
Sony WF-1000XM5
Great ANC • Improved sound quality • Comfortable fit with four ear tip options
MSRP: $299.99
The Sony WF-1000XM5 have even better noise canceling than the WF-1000XM4. Sony made these its most comfortable earbuds by shrinking them and including XS-L memory foam ear tips. The WF-1000XM5 support advanced features like multipoint connectivity and spatial audio with head tracking. You also get plenty of customization options through the free mobile app.

Most versatile earbuds: Jabra Elite 7 Active

If you’re looking for a truly great pair of wireless earbuds, your search is over with the Jabra Elite 7 Active. While this set of earphones only supports SBC and AAC, you can change the sound profile within the companion app’s EQ module. Jabra’s earphones have an IP57 rating, making them unusually durable relative to most other earbuds.

Jabra Elite 7 Active
Jabra Elite 7 Active
7.9
Jabra Elite 7 Active earbuds inside the charging case on a wood tableJabra Elite 7 Active on table with cable and ear tipsJabra Elite 7 Active earbuds in the rain.Jabra Elite 7 Active earbuds on table with eartips taken off.Jabra Elite 7 Active charging case placed on a wood surface.Jabra Elite 7 Active next to Jabra Elite 7 ProA chart showing the frequency response of the Jabra Elite 7 Active closely aligning with our house consumer curve.A chart showing the isolation and ANC performance of the Jabra Elite 7 Active with at least 20dB of attenuation throughout most of the audible frequency spectrum.
Jabra Elite 7 Active
Jabra Elite 7 Active
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The Jabra Elite 7 Active has active noise canceling, but it isn’t the best around. That said, if you can get a good fit with the earbuds, you’ll benefit greatly from the solid passive isolation. The earbuds do a fine job of passively blocking out frequencies above 1kHz. It’s not as if the ANC is bad here; it’s just not the best. The Elite 7 Active’s ANC can quiet frequencies lower than 1kHz to half their original loudness.

Jabra’s default frequency response for the Elite 7 Active boosts bass slightly more than our target curve suggests, but it should still sound good to most people. Plus, you can always adjust the sound from the mobile app (iOS/Android). The microphone system does a fine job of quieting background noise. Still, the click and clack of your keystrokes will still come through to the person on the other end of the call.

For the price, it’s as if you’re getting multiple headsets in one with the Elite 7 Active.

The Elite 7 Active does a pretty good job of relaying voices amid incidental noise like ringing phones and clacking keyboards.

Jabra Elite 7 Active microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Jabra Elite 7 Active microphone demo (Office conditions):

How does the microphone sound to you?

6016 votes
Jabra Elite 7 ActiveJabra Elite 7 Active
Jabra Elite 7 Active
Great sound • ANC • IP57 rating
MSRP: $179.99
A great companion to any workout.
The Jabra Elite 7 Active is ideal for workouts and is a good pair of true wireless earbuds in general.

The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is very comfortable

An aerial view of the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II with the open case and earbuds, as if the buds are spilling out.
The Bose QC Earbuds II looks completely different from the first-gen model.

Listeners who want ANC that rivals the Sony WF-1000XM4 but with an arguably more comfortable, stable fit should get the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds. These earbuds feature an IPX4 rating and nearly perfect touch controls that precisely register when you make a command. We find the QC Earbuds to be about as comfortable as wireless earbuds get, and the USB-C case supports wireless charging, which is a nice addition.

While the original $299 price tag will scare many listeners away, patient buyers can typically find Bose products like these earphones on sale near holidays. With even a modest discount, these earphones are worth it. Just be sure to update to the latest firmware upon

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds IIBose QuietComfort Earbuds II
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
Self-adjusting sound • Bluetooth 5.3 • Bose's best ANC to date
MSRP: $299.00
Bose put its best ANC technology in these earbuds
The QuietComfort Earbuds 2 feature Bose's best audio know-how. They personalize the sound quality and isolation to fit your ears each time you wear them. They also come with Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C charging, and can last 6 hours on a charge (24 with the case).

The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II has an okay microphone. We’ve certainly tested better microphones in true wireless earbuds, but it isn’t so bad that it should necessarily deter you from buying the headset.

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II microphone demo (Office conditions):

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II microphone demo (Street conditions):

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II microphone demo (Windy conditions):

How does the microphone sound to you?

3488 votes

Should you get the Google Pixel Buds Pro?

Google debuts its take on noise canceling wireless earbuds with the Pixel Buds Pro. Many of the features remain the same between the Pixel Buds Pro and the more economical A-Series earbuds, which you can read all about in our Google Pixel Buds Pro review. Wireless charging fanatics will prefer the Pro version since the A-Series lacks this feature. The Pixel Buds Pro case is also more durable than most earbuds’ cases and merits an IPX2 rating. Both sets of Google earbuds share the same IPX4 rating, but most athletes will prefer the stabilizing ear wings on the A-Series. Google ditches the wing tips on the Pro model. So, if you need wings, the A-Series can be found for $94 at Amazon.

The Google Pixel Buds Pro case is open with the lid propping the case up, revealing the buds.
The case lid props up the buds for easy access, and the “G” logos on the earbud touch panels are hard to miss.

If you’re looking at raw noise canceling performance, the Pixel Buds Pro outdoes the AirPods Pro (1st generation) and Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro. Passive isolation is a bit inconsistent when it comes to sounds above 1kHz. That is likely a consequence of the pressure-relieving vents that reduce the “plugged ear” feeling.

The Pixel Buds Pro is a powerful headset that taps into the Google ecosystem. You can integrate the buds with the Google Translate app for live translation and use “Hey Google” to access Google Assistant. For $200, though, people may want more like an in-app EQ and more customization options.

The Google Pixel Buds Pro microphone is alright, but it emphasizes sibilant sounds (s-, sh-, z-) too much, making the audio somewhat unpleasant to listen to.

Google Pixel Buds Pro microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Google Pixel Buds Pro microphone demo (Office conditions):

Google Pixel Buds Pro microphone demo (Windy conditions):

How does the microphone sound to you?

2858 votes
Google Pixel Buds ProGoogle Pixel Buds Pro
Google Pixel Buds Pro
Active noise-cancelling • Android integration • Google Assistant features
MSRP: $199.00
The Pixel Buds Pro introduce ANC to the series
The Google Pixel Buds Pro are the first in the line to offer active noise canceling. Obviously, they also have tight integration with Android and tons of support for Google Assistant commands, including the popular translation features.

Is the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro any good?

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are sitting in and covered in water droplets on a tropical themed outdoor blanket with a water bottle in the background.
The buds are IPX7 rated for waterproofing, which should cover most wet activities or environments you’d take the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro.

Where the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 has an IPX2 rating, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro has a more durable IPX7 rating. This makes it much more reliable to use during workouts and on rainy days, as the buds can withstand one meter of water for up to 30 minutes. Another reason one might opt for the Buds Pro is that it features some of the best ANC we’ve tested, handily outperforming the AirPods Pro (1st generation).

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro buds fit most ear sizes well, and you get to choose from three sizes of silicone ear tips. Samsung also features an ear tip fit test in its Galaxy Wearable app (Android only). The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro comes at a hefty cost, but Samsung’s earphones tend to go on sale fairly regularly.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro microphone is pretty good at accurately relaying your speaking voice.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro microphone demo (Street conditions):

Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro microphone demo (Windy conditions):

How does the microphone sound to you?

6509 votes
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 ProSamsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
Comfortable fit • Enhanced noise-cancelling technology • Satisfying battery life
MSRP: $229.99
Samsung's reliable earbuds upgraded
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro earbuds provide great sound and feature active noise canceling. They meld a great fit and comfort with a vast range of ear tips. Efficient ANC and five hours of battery life sweeten the deal.

Is the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 3 worth it?

A hand holds the open case of the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 3 with blurred rocks in the background.
The very strong case magnet hampers single-handed operation, but this also means it stays closed in your bag.

The MOMENTUM True Wireless 3 is a pair of noise canceling earbuds that improves upon the previous generation with some of the best ANC we’ve tested. The second-generation MOMENTUM True Wireless earbuds looked nice but left a lot to be desired. Now, Sennheiser’s ANC competes with Sony and Bose. You get the same IPX4 rating as before, and Sennheiser throws in stabilizing ear fins to better keep the buds in place while you work out.

Sound quality is very good, and the bass and midrange response closely follows our consumer curve. You can create a custom EQ with the Smart Control app (iOS/Android) and disable the touch controls from there too. While this headset exceeds most listeners’ $200 budget, those who want something stylish with plenty of functionality will like the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 3.

The mic on the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 3 is not great, and you probably won’t want to use it in any less than ideal conditions.

Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 3 microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 3 microphone demo (Office conditions):

Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 3 microphone demo (Street conditions):

How does the microphone sound to you?

3701 votes
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3
SG recommended
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3
Great sound quality • Feature-rich app with custom EQ • Broad codec support
MSRP: $249.95
These feature-rich earbuds exceed all expectations.
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 show you can have great sound, great active noise-canceling, and a sturdy build all at once in a pair of true wireless earbuds.

The best wireless earbuds: Notable mentions

The Google Pixel Buds A-Series on driftwood with a smartphone.
The Pixel Buds A-Series looks nearly identical to the standard first-generation Pixel Buds and very similar to the Pixel Buds Pro.
  • Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 ($38.99 at Anker): These earbuds with angled nozzles may just be your best bet for a budget pair of wireless earbuds. It features great isolation and pretty good mic quality. You can EQ the bassy default sound from the Soundcore app.
  • Bose Sport Earbuds ($165 at Amazon): These workout earbuds have a comfortable and stable fit, an IPX4 rating and a few creature comforts like automatic ear detection. It doesn’t isolate very well, but this shouldn’t be an issue when working out because you want to be aware of your surroundings.
  • Jabra Elite 7 Pro ($199 at Amazon)): This set of durable earbuds has great battery life and will survive nearly any adventure. The Jabra Elite 7 Pro also sounds great, has a high-quality microphone, and has tons of features from the Jabra Sound+ app.
  • Jaybird Vista 2 ($117 at Amazon): This is a durable set of workout earbuds with an IP68 rating for the buds and an IP54 rating for the USB-C case that also supports wireless charging. You get a comprehensive app experience on iOS and Android and accessible features like mono listening. Jaybird adds active noise canceling to these earbuds, which isn’t the best, but the passive isolation makes up for it.
  • JLab Epic Air Sport ANC ($89 at Amazon): This set of buds directly competes against the Beats Powerbeats Pro and costs a heck of a lot less. You get pretty good ANC for the price, and a consumer-friendly sound profile that you can change with the earbuds’ built-in EQ presets.
  • Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless ($89 at Amazon): Sennheiser’s earbuds sound and look great, and the ANC performance is better here than most other ANC earbuds. You get an IPX4 rating for the buds, along with touch controls. For the reasonable price, it’s worth checking out.
  • Sony LinkBuds ($178 at Amazon): Listeners who want to hear their surroundings and their music all at once will like these donut-shaped earbuds. With Sony’s design, the buds don’t block your ear canals but also remain in place (unlike the AirPods). These buds are more covert than bone-conduction headphones, which is a big plus.
  • Sony LinkBuds S ($148 at Amazon): Unlike the standard LinkBuds, the LinkBuds S features a traditional earbud design without donut holes. Noise canceling performance is close to the WF-1000XM4 and outperforms the previous Sony WF-1000XM3 flagship earbuds.

What you should know before you buy wireless earbuds

Users commonly cite connection issues with their true wireless earbuds, and companies have handled this in several different ways. Solutions range from tweaking Bluetooth to implementing completely new hardware.

Close-up shot of the Bluetooth toggle turned on for iOS device.
Bluetooth is turned on in iOS and Android.

All wireless headphones connect to your source device via Bluetooth. Typically, one earbud is the primary receiver, and the other is the secondary receiver. Rather than simultaneously send a signal to both earbuds, many smartphones send the signal to the primary, passing data along to the secondary one. This results in a split-second delay between the audio. Manufacturers account for this delay and calculate it into the playback. This way, the earbuds are synced up for playback, and you don’t notice a lag. Most likely, you’ll notice a delay when watching videos; the sound won’t match the person’s words. But you won’t be able to tell if you’re listening to podcasts or music.

Then you have something like the Apple AirPods, which handles the wireless issue a little differently. Apple’s H1 works alongside the regular Bluetooth chip. This dedicated chip helps make the pairing process smoother (if you’re on iOS). It establishes a stronger connection between the earbuds and the source device, resulting in significantly fewer skips. This is limited to Apple-owned hardware, like Beats products and the AirPods.

A hand holds a Apple AirPods (3rd generation) earbud by the stem to reveal the open-type fit and embedded sensors.
The Apple AirPods (3rd generation) didn’t make the cut among the best wireless earbuds for its poor fit, sound quality, and limited feature set.

We’re witnessing a wireless epoch. It’s no longer niche or novel to listen completely untethered on your way to work. Technological advancements have lowered the financial barrier to entry, and cheap wireless options are readily available to budget listeners.

Wireless earbuds can still be for you if you don’t commute, especially if you like to exercise. Nothing’s more convenient than listening completely wire-free. There are many great wireless workout earbuds for runners and gym rats alike. Numerous companies have gone the extra mile by getting products officially IP certified, but they also integrate useful athletic features (e.g., ear hook design, silicone wing tips, Ambient Aware mode).

While it’s true that battery depletion is a problem, resulting in a shortened lifetime of wireless earbuds compared to their on-ear or over-ear headphone alternatives, you’re paying a premium for convenience. For some of us, it’s easy to justify the cost. Others may be better off with wired earbuds or dealing with bulkier wireless headphones.

What is isolation, and what is frequency response?

A chart compares the Sennheiser IE 300 (cyan) frequency response against the SoundGuys Consumer Curve V2 (pink), revealing a pleasing sound for most consumers.
The cyan line represents the Sennheiser IE 300, and the pink line is our house curve. You can see that the cyan line is notably lower in the 2-6kHz range.

When it comes to headphones getting a proper seal is one of the best ways to make your music sound better. Some earbuds have active noise canceling, which uses tiny microphones to help cancel outside noise, but most options don’t have this nifty feature. Instead, they rely purely on passive isolation or blocking sound just by physically being in your ear.

Then there’s frequency response. You can learn more about frequency response and how it affects how you hear your music by clicking here. We at SoundGuys have an in-house studio curve and consumer curve that we posit as the ideal for each instance. In our charts, the pink line represents our house curve, and the cyan line represents the headset in question. Many people like a bit of a bass frequency boost, but remember that too much of a bass boost can degrade sound quality.

How long do wireless earbuds last?

Generally speaking, the standalone battery life of wireless earbuds averages anywhere from four to six hours of battery life. Anything that falls above or below that is unusual. The cases typically provide an extra two to three charge cycles, giving you at least 12 hours of total playtime.

As far as why battery life is so short on all wireless earbuds, you don’t have to dig too deep into it to get the reason why. Truly wireless earbuds are simply too small. Batteries still rely on physics, and it’s hard to stuff a battery into something so tiny, which is why they all come with cases that will charge up your headphones when they’re not in use. This is pretty bad for the environment, and there aren’t too many eco-friendly headsets to choose from.

What is a Bluetooth codec?

true wireless earbuds - Graph of Bluetooth codec signal strength vs dropped seconds of audio
LDAC 330 underperformed compared to aptX and aptX HD.

As with any nascent product category, early adopters will need to know a bit more about the tech that defines it. Namely, you need to know what to look for when figuring out if a product will be good or not. With Bluetooth audio, that means figuring out what Bluetooth codecs both your phone and your earbuds support.

As per our investigative testing, LDAC isn’t necessarily Hi-Res. What’s more, AAC is bunk when used on Android devices and should really only be used when listening via iPhone. If your Android phone automatically streams over AAC, you can always force developer settings to mandate SBC streaming instead. Android users, stick to aptX.

How we test wireless earbuds

By using a dummy head, audio engineers can test out how audio products will perform for most people—and so do we. Specifically, we tested frequency response, isolation, and battery life to keep things simple. You can read more about it here to learn more about the specifics.

  • For each product, we played several sine sweeps through the earphones and logged the frequency response once we arrived at a repeatable result demonstrating the hallmarks of a good seal.
  • To test the battery, we use pink noise and a real-time analyzer to find the setting needed to output consistent audio peaking at 75dB(SPL) over the products. We play music on an infinite loop. This means every reading can be directly compared to each other.
  • To test isolation, we took a sample of pink noise at 90dB(SPL) at one meter, once with the headphones off and another with the headphones on. We then subtracted one curve from the other.

While these three tests are simple, they cover the biggest areas of concern with wireless earbuds. Remember that your battery life will vary if you tend to crank the volume. Additionally, you could squeak out better isolation performance if you use third-party tips.

We try to get as much hands-on time with products as possible before declaring them one of the best. This means that the products on this list have been put through our full review process. But what do we do when we haven’t spent time with a product? Lots and lots of research. We spend hours browsing through forums and discussions within the audio community. Even if we’ve already reviewed a product, we usually do this anyway to get as much of a birds-eye view of the landscape as possible.

Why you should trust SoundGuys

A woman wears the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds noise canceling true wireless earbuds.
The Bose QC Earbuds are quite a bit larger than the competition.

We’ve had our finger on the pulse of wireless earbuds since they hit the market. We pride ourselves on our ability to show our work and justify why we selected certain products over others. We go to great lengths to make dense, abstract concepts accessible to our readers. SoundGuys takes integrity very seriously.

Everything we recommend results from our objective measurements and great subjective experiences. Ultimately, we want you to enjoy your purchase or, at the very least, leave our site with a little more knowledge about the inner workings of audio.


Frequently asked questions

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro is objectively the better set of earbuds compared to the original Galaxy Buds Pro when it comes to noise canceling performance. However, if you think the original Galaxy Buds Pro ANC performance is good enough, there may not be much of a reason to upgrade. You get slightly better microphone quality on the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, along with the more advanced Samsung Seamless Codec; otherwise, these earbuds have more similarities than differences.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro microphone demo (Street conditions):

Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro microphone demo (Street conditions):

Which microphone sounds better?

2805 votes
The Apple AirPods Max and Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) on a wooden slab next to each other.
Your AirPods Max will have a much longer life-of-battery compared to the AirPods Pro (2nd generation).

We have an entire article detailing the lifespan of true wireless earbuds’ batteries (Spoiler: wireless earbuds’ batteries only last a couple of years with daily use.) Wireless headphone battery cells are much larger, so you don’t need to charge them as frequently. Since you’re not subjecting wireless headphone batteries to the same daily charge-and-deplete cycle that you do with wireless earbuds, they degrade much slower. In other words, wireless headphone batteries last significantly longer than their wireless in-ear counterparts.

Wireless headphones have the added advantage of wired playback. This means that even when the battery fully degrades, you can still connect it to your device’s headphone jack and audio media playback.

Yes, either Bose QC Earbuds II earbud supports mono mode.

The Sony WF-1000XM4 charging case open next to the Sony WF-1000XM5 charging case with one ear bud in front of the case from each product
The WF-1000XM4 are great earbuds, but the WF-1000XM5 are even better.

The decision to upgrade from the Sony WF-1000XM4 to the newer WF-1000XM5 really depends on your personal needs and preferences. In our detailed breakdown between the Sony WF-1000XM4 and WF-1000XM5, we found that the XM5 earbuds edge out the XM4 regarding ANC. So if you’re looking for a significant upgrade in sound quality, you might not find it worth the additional cost, as the improvements in these areas aren’t substantial.

However, the WF-1000XM5 does have improved comfort, with a design that fits more securely in the ear. If you’ve had issues with the WF-1000XM4 staying in your ears, this might be a compelling reason to consider the newer model.

The chart below shows that the new earbuds attenuate sub-bass frequencies up to 32dB, whereas the max sub-bass attenuation for the WF-1000XM4 is about 28 dB. Additionally, the WF-1000XM5 has a more consistent active noise cancelation from 100-300Hz than the WF-1000XM4. You won’t observe any odd filtering noise with the WF-1000XM5.

A chart compares the Sony WF-1000XM5 vs Sony WF-1000XM4 ANC performance, revealing the XM5 buds block out more noise.
The WF-1000XM5 has better noise canceling and isolation than the WF-1000XM4.

That said, the WF-1000XM4 holds its own against modern flagships. The ANC and isolation are effective, and you get most of the same software features as the WF-1000XM5, making them the better bang for your buck.

This answer is constantly changing, but the JLab Epic Air Sport ANC lasts a whopping 15 hours and 31 minutes on a single charge.

Actually, there are a few TWS models out there, many from Jabra: the Jabra Elite 7 Pro (which tops our list on multipoint) and Jabra Elite 85t all have multipoint as a feature. Check out our article on multipoint for more. Sony has also confirmed the WF-1000XM4 and LinkBuds will be receiving an update with multipoint soon too.

The now discontinued Galaxy Buds Plus comes with a few pairs of interchangeable silicone ear tips, so you should be able to find a decent fit. However, earbuds that are designed for adults reach maximum volumes that we don’t recommend for children because they can damage their hearing. We’d recommend checking out our explainer piece on kids’ headphones for more information or looking for a volume limiter.

Deciding which headset is better depends on quite a few factors. For iPhone users, you will benefit more from the Apple AirPods due to H1 chip integration which affords hands-free access to Siri, easy iOS device switching, audio sharing, and more. The same can be said for the Pixel Buds A-Series. Google’s earbuds provide a more seamless experience on Android than iOS. Both work with their opposing platform, though. The Google Pixel Buds (2020) provides a better fit, but the AirPods keep you more aware of your surroundings. Still, Google enables environmental awareness via the spatial vents on the bottom of each earbud. We have an in-depth Google Pixel Buds A-Series vs Apple AirPods article that goes into much greater detail on the matter.