Best wireless earbuds for Android

Apple users have the AirPods to cover their in-ear needs, but what wireless earbuds should Android users get? Thankfully, there are plenty of options available for them, too. Whether you’re an athlete, commuter, or general consumer, you’re bound to find something in among our picks for the best wireless earbuds for Android.

Editor’s note: this list of the best wireless earbuds for Android was updated on September 12, 2022, to include the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro as a top pick, and to address the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds I II release.

Why is the Sony WF-1000XM4 the best pair of wireless Android earbuds for most people?

If you want great noise cancelling, solid sound, and plenty of convenient features, then the Sony WF-1000XM4 is the perfect pair for you. These buds boast a set of features that rival the Apple AirPods, but because they aren’t exclusive to Apple devices, your Android phone can take advantage of them, too.

The earbuds support the LDAC Bluetooth codec, which is crucial for Android devices because AAC doesn’t reliably transmit at higher bit rates on the platform. Many models of earphones only support SBC and AAC, but thankfully the Sony WF-1000XM4 bucks that trend. Plus, the buds have an IPX4 rating, so sweating and splashes won’t harm them.

You will have to drop a pretty penny on the WF-1000XM4, but the excellent isolation and ANC and 360 Reality Audio support help compensate for that. You can always take advantage of touch controls, so you don’t have to constantly fish out your phone.

The one foible of these earphones is a slightly wonky default frequency response. However, you can easily use the included EQ in the Headphones Connect app (iOS/Android) to lower the bass and mids a bit, if you even notice it at all.

Need good noise-cancelling at a great price? Get the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds I

The Apple AirPods Pro is known for its excellent ANC, and if that’s what you crave on Android too, then the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds I delivers it at a good price to boot. These buds take all the noise cancelling tricks Bose is known for, and puts them into a small and portable package. ANC here is best-in-class and renders 250Hz frequencies nearly one-sixteenth their actual loudness. While the high-frequency attenuation isn’t quite as good as Sony’s flagship earbuds, you’re more likely to notice a difference as you toggle ANC on/off on Bose’s earphones than you would on Sony’s.

While these earphones support only the AAC and SBC, they deliver a good listening experience thanks to their noise cancelling chops. And if you don’t stare at your screen all day noticing mismatches between video and audio, you might not even notice anything else. They have an IPX4 rating, too, so they’ll stand up to workouts and a bit of drizzle. Plus, to add to the more in-ear-focused use case, you get auto play/pause and mono listening (right bud only).

There are both tap and swipe controls, so you can perform many commands without taking your phone out of your pocket. And stashing the buds in the charging case for just 15 minutes gives them up to two hours of playback time, meaning you won’t have to be without them for very long when on the go. Add to that the fact an EQ now comes as part of the latest firmware updates, and you have a flexible set of excellent ANC earphones to take practically anywhere.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro is great for those already in the Samsung ecosystem

A walled garden can be a cozy place, and Samsung understands that well with the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro. Much like the AirPods Pro (1st generation) with an iPhone, these earbuds will slot in nicely if you already own a Samsung Galaxy smartphone.

Samsung-exclusive features include a variety of perks. Most notably, you get the Samsung Seamless Codec which improves upon the Samsung Scalable Codec. With the Seamless Codec, you can enjoy 24-bit audio transmitted to the Buds 2 Pro (OneUI 4.0+ software required). You can also take advantage of WirelessPowershare, which lets you charge the case atop a compatible Samsung device. It’s a bit of a gimmick but comes in handy when you’re in a bind. Pairing the Galaxy Buds 2 to a compatible Samsung phone also opens the door for 360 Audio.

Non-Samsung Android phone owners can still use Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity along with the AAC and SBC codecs. No matter what OS you have, you can appreciate the buds’ IPX7 rating, making them some of the most water-resistant earphones on this list. The default sound follows our consumer target curve, with a slightly boosted sub-bass and bass response. Generally speaking, the Galaxy Buds 2 will please most listeners.

The Jabra Elite 7 Active is good for workout enthusiasts

For Android users that hit the gym hard, there’s the Jabra Elite 7 Active. These earbuds crank up the durability factor to an IP57 rating, so they’ll be fine no matter how hard you sweat.

And if you’re worried about zoning out too much and missing a set or running into someone, these earbuds’ HearThrough mode along with adjustable noise cancelling will help keep you aware of your surroundings. Alternatively, you can use either earbud for mono listening. Thanks to their silicone rubber material, you get a tight seal in the ear, so there’s little worry about them tumbling out.

Add to that a battery life of 7 hours, 10 minutes (according to our tests), and practically nothing will stop you. Plus, just five minutes of fast charging gives you 60 minutes of listening time. The one foible is these buds only support the SBC and AAC Bluetooth codecs, but you likely won’t be staring at your phone during workouts to notice latency issues.

The Google Pixel Buds A-Series is smart value

If value is your main concern, then the best wireless earbuds for Android in your case would be the Google Pixel Buds A-Series. It makes sense that buds by Google would integrate well within the Android ecosystem, and these do.

Though these earbuds aren’t fancy, you do get in-ear detection, touch controls, and a useful app with EQ presets. A lightweight build and comfortable fit mean that, while these may be more budget buds, they don’t “feel” cheap. You can even take advantage of the IPX4 rating to not worry about errant splashes or drips. Plus, Google Assistant is easy to access via voice commands or by pressing and holding the G logo on the buds, so seamless Android integration can be hands-free, too.

Two small pitfalls do exist, though. There’s only SBC and AAC Bluetooth codec support, and the Adaptive Sound feature instead of ANC can get distracting. Still, at this price, these earphones are a solid Android-tailored pick.

Should you get the Google Pixel Buds Pro instead of the Pixel Buds A-Series?

In our Google Pixel Buds Pro review, we note that this is Google’s first set of noise cancelling earphones and it’s a success with some drawbacks. Unlike the Pixel Buds A-Series, the Pixel Buds Pro earbuds lack concha wing tips that secure the buds to your ears. You get the same IPX4 rating as before but the Pro model includes an IPX2-rated case. Other new features include better microphone quality and battery life. The Pixel Buds Pro earbuds last just over 7 hours with ANC on, two hours longer than the non-ANC A-Series.

So what’s the catch? Well, the Pixel Buds Pro costs $199 USD, and this is double what the A-Series costs. You also get an oddly boosted bass response on the Pixel Buds Pro, which renders sub-bass notes about two times louder than mids. This can really hamper audio quality if you’re trying to hear higher-pitched vocals. Another thing we’re not too keen on is how you don’t currently get access to Google’s take on spatial audio. Instead, this is something you’ll have to wait for until the fall of 2022.

For those who want to try out the Google Translate integration feature, this is an advanced set of earbuds packed full of technology.

The Nothing Ear 1 is a great alternative to the AirPods Pro for half the cost

In our Nothing Ear 1 vs Apple AirPods Pro article, we discuss how these two stemmed sets of buds compare to one another. While the AirPods Pro comes out on top for iPhone owners, the Ear 1 is a great option for Android phone (or iPhone) owners who want a unique design and solid performance for less than $100 USD. Noise cancelling is slightly better on the AirPods Pro than the Ear 1, but neither headset reigns supreme among the likes of Bose, Sony, and even Sennheiser.

Sound quality is good with either pair of earphones too, though the Nothing Ear 1 has a louder treble response which some people may not like. With the Nothing app, you can only choose between a few EQ presets and Apple doesn’t even give you that option. Instead, you’re stuck with Adaptive EQ on the AirPods Pro. Remember, though, that you can usually adjust the sound in your music streaming app of choice. We like Nothing’s product because it’s fairly affordable and offers a lot of the same features as the AirPods Pro, like IPX4-rated earphones, a wireless charging case, and touch controls.

The Sony WF-C500 is a reliable all-rounder

If you can’t decide what features matter most to you, don’t want to spend a lot, and can live without ANC, then the Sony WF-C500 is a good set of Android earbuds.

While you don’t get many fancy features, you do get an app with an EQ and 360 Reality Audio to enjoy on compatible streaming services. To make up for the lack of ANC, there’s also pretty good isolation. Tap controls let you start and stop your music and take calls without looking at your phone, while letting you launch your voice assistant, too.

Again, there’s only support for SBC and AAC Bluetooth codecs, but that’s true of many more expensive options, too. Likewise, you still get an IPX4 rating, plus comfortable ear tips to enjoy your tunes throughout the day.

The best wireless earbuds for Android: Notable mentions

• Amazon Echo Buds (2nd Gen): These buds give you an ear tip fit test, which is always handy, ANC, and an IPX4 rating, but only average sound along with middling battery life. Still, they’re sleek and integrate with Android and your smart devices well via the Alexa app.
• Beats Studio Buds: Yes, Apple owns Beats, but these buds aren’t quite as exclusive to iPhones as the AirPods. The Studio Buds can quickly pair to Android devices and deliver enjoyable sound, so if you want fun, colorful buds, they slide in nicely within that niche.
• Bose Sport Earbuds: These comfortable workout earbuds with auto play/pause and an active EQ are a good choice if you need earphones that stay firmly in place thanks to their unique design.
• Edifier TWS1 PRO: This is the successor to the now discontinued Edifier TWS1. The PRO offers some notable improvements over its predecessor, including USB-C and fast charging. They’re still around $50 USD and now boast Bluetooth 5.2. Note that the older model is slippery, and you may want to keep a firm grasp on this newer rendition, too. Overall, these fit the bill well if you want cheap buds with aptX Bluetooth codec support.
• Grell Audio TWS 1: Audiophiles who want a to-go headset should get the TWS 1 from Grell Audio, brainchild of the former Sennheiser chief headphone engineer. The frequency response very closely follows our target consumer curve but sound quality isn’t the only thing this headset has going for it: it also has very effective noise cancelling and software features.
• Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro: You get many of the same features as the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro at a cheaper price. The ANC isn’t as good here as on the Buds 2 Pro, but it can still hush the world around you. These buds are worth considering if you have a Galaxy device and want to stay within the ecosystem for less money.
• Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless: A solid all-rounder, these buds boast SBC, AAC, and aptX and a decent app along with ANC. These buds are bulky and priced oddly compared to some other options, but they’re straightforward and sound good, too.
• Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 3: These noise cancelling earbuds have even better ANC than the CX Plus True Wireless, and you get the same IPX4 rating as the more affordable model. What makes the Sennheiser MTW 3 stand out from the CX Plus is its support for aptX Adaptive and wireless charging case.
• Sony LinkBuds S: These earbuds are about as plain as it gets, but what they lack in design, they make up for in performance. The active noise cancelling is excellent and the earbuds cost just $198 USD and often go on promotion for as low as $159 USD.
• TCL MOVEAUDIO S600: This AirPods Pro look-alike has a useful app and ANC. While the noise cancelling isn’t the best, it’s helpful to have and you get an IP54 rating, so these buds can stand up to some pretty tough conditions. They only have SBC and AAC Bluetooth codec support, however.

What you should know about Android earbuds

When buying wireless earbuds for your Android phone, you should keep a few things in mind. Here are the main features and design elements that deserve some scrutinizing prior to you hitting the “buy” button.

What are Bluetooth codecs, and which ones matter for Android?

A Bluetooth codec determines how your source device (smartphone) transmits audio to your wireless earbuds. e what get sound to your headphones from your device. To oversimplify it, a codec transforms digital signals in the device into wireless signals and then finally turns that back into sound in your headphones. If that sounds like a bit of an adventure, that’s because it is.

For that reason, it takes computing power and time to do all those tasks. As a result, latency may result where video and audio fall out of sync. And Android is particularly unreliable when it comes to latency. For all these reasons, it helps to pick headphones with aptX, LDAC, or Samsung Scalable codec support if you want visual and audible components to remain in step. Coincidentally, these are also the codecs to look for if you’re worried about sound quality over a Bluetooth connection.

These codecs are much more reliable on Android devices, but the last one only works with Samsung Galaxy devices. However, if you aren’t bothered by latency, then it likely won’t matter as much.

Why is the battery life so short for true wireless earbuds?

You may have noticed that all these wireless earbuds have rather limited battery life when compared to over-ear headphones, for instance. And unfortunately, that’s likely not going to change any time soon.

Physics, which governs all our lives, mandates that smaller batteries won’t last as long. Furthermore, that means earphones have a limited overall lifespan. For these reasons, manufacturers include charging cases with their true wireless earbuds. There’s not much you can do about that, but you can do some things to keep your battery as robust as possible.

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Frequently asked questions about wireless earbuds for Android