Best wireless earbuds under $200

True wireless earbuds, aka wireless earbuds, look like the future. In fact, they look like the kind of future with jetpacks and hoverboards that actually work, and now that wireless tech has matured, you can snag a pair of buds on any budget. With improvements to Bluetooth stability and ergonomics, it’s no wonder folks are shedding cables before ditching wheels. These are the best wireless earbuds under $200 that can bring the future to you today.

Why is the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro the best wireless earbuds under $200?

If you have an Android phone, there’s a good chance it’s a Samsung phone. Much like how iPhone users default to the AirPods Pro (more on that below), it should follow that Samsung users get the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro. For one, you benefit from the Samsung Seamless Codec, which constantly adjusts for quality and stability and potentially offers 24-bit audio. All other users get their pick of AAC or SBC.

A battery of 4 hours and 50 minutes with the (pretty darn good) active noise cancelation (ANC) enabled means the Galaxy Buds Pro suits a commute well. Meanwhile, the sound profile works well with most music. It has a reasonable dose of bass and a strong emphasis on higher frequencies, making it consumer-friendly. The app also includes EQ presets, so you can find one for your tastes.

With a very good microphone and IPX7 rating, you can pretty much do anything and go anywhere with the buds. From professional Zoom calls to jogging in the rain, Samsung has it figured out. Samsung’s buds even have touch controls, and this generation no longer has the oversensitivity of previous iterations. However, there are plenty of other options below if you don’t care for the design or mic quality. Plus, if you have an iPhone, you’ll miss out on too many features for it to be worth it.

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) is the best pair of wireless earbuds for iPhone owners

Apple popularized the wireless earbud revolution with the (not so amazing) AirPods (2nd generation) and (3rd generation), but don’t confuse those for the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation), which come with ANC and silicone ear tips so you can find a good fit. If you have an iPhone, the efficiency of the H2 chip, along with fast pairing and easy device switching, makes the AirPods Pro a good choice. iPhone owners also get the benefit of battery optimization, Spatial Audio, head tracking, hands-free Siri access, and more.

Apple smartened up and got the AirPods Pro (2nd generation) an IP54 with the latest USB-C version of the earbuds for better dust resistance and more universal charging. The frequency response sounds pretty decent, with a pleasant amount of bass and audible mids. The microphone is quite good, and the stemmed design helps with that. If you want something that just works, try the AirPods Pro (2nd generation). If you don’t mind the Apple tax, at least you know what you get isn’t a gamble.

The Grell Audio TWS 1 sounds as great as it looks

Former Sennheiser chief headphone engineer Axel Grell has a new project: the Grell Audio TWS 1 active noise canceling wireless earphones. If you’re an audiophile who wants Bluetooth earbuds that put sound quality first, the TWS 1 is a solid contender. Right out of the box, these earphones sound great, and you can take the sound quality a step further with the SoundID app. Not only can you let Sonarworks’ software create a custom sound built around your hearing abilities, but you can also create a granular custom EQ of your own.

Sound quality aside, these earbuds have a beautiful design with Gorilla Glass-covered touch panels that allow you to control playback and field calls like most wireless earphones. The large panels make for an easy target, so you shouldn’t have to deal with misfires often. The charging case is fairly large to accommodate the earphones, though, which may be a turn-off to those with particularly small bags or pockets.

Grell Audio’s active noise canceling and “noise annoyance reduction” (NAR) effectively combats background noise, but it isn’t technically the most effective ANC on the market, which is purposeful. NAR constantly adjusts the ANC intensity based on how loud your environment is so that it sounds more natural and less jarring, which some listeners experience with other top-tier ANC headsets. The foam ear tips do a great job of handing frequencies higher than 1kHz, so you shouldn’t hear much in the way of generic room noise like chatter.

The Sennheiser Sport True Wireless Earbuds are a comfortable set of workout earbuds

If your goal is to get an excellent pair of dedicated workout buds, the Sennheiser Sport True Wireless Earbuds have your back with a secure fit via wings and six different-sized ear tips.

Like any good set of exercise-ready earbuds, the Sport Wireless Earbuds have an IP54 rating against dust and sweat. Touch controls work well on the buds, and Sennheiser’s app has EQ and adjustable commands. Plus, the frequency response is very nice, with a great bass and mids response, with some slight under-emphasis in the treble.

Utilizing Bluetooth 5.2, Sennheiser ensures you get a good selection of codecs with aptX (for Android users), AAC (for iOS), and SBC. With a battery life of 7 hours, 13 minutes, and two additional charges in the case these will outlast pretty much any hike or marathon you throw at them.

The best bang for your buck is Beats Studio Buds Plus

Updating the successful formula of the Beats Studio Buds are the Beats Studio Buds Plus. Despite belonging to the Apple empire, the Studio Buds Plus works just as well with Android as they do with iOS. They come with good ANC for less than the AirPods Pro (2nd generation), too.

One of the standout features of the Beats Studio Buds Plus is the battery life, which reaches a very impressive 8 hours and 22 minutes with ANC enabled. The noise canceling works where it counts, in filtering out low-frequency noises, and the passive isolation is pretty good, too.

While the tuning of the Studio Buds Plus is a bit more low-end than our ideal, it’s far better for most music than older Beats, which were really bassy. Beats include the standard AAC and SBC codecs, which is fine for most. There’s an app as well, but besides updates, it doesn’t do much, and if you’ve got an iPhone, it’s all integrated into your settings instead. The only bugaboo to keep in mind is that the Studio Buds Plus uses buttons and not touch controls, which can interfere with your fit.

Should you get the Google Pixel Buds Pro for Android?

For the tech and productivity-minded amongst us, the Google Pixel Buds Pro feels future-forward in a friendly format. These Mentos-shaped earbuds have exclusive features such as Google Translate integrated into the buds to translate a speaker on the fly. The noise canceling is rather good, too. Folks who want spatial audio with head tracking can pair the Pixel Buds Pro with a Pixel phone as well.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 is a great alternative to the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro

While we love the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, the fact of the matter is that the Galaxy Buds 2 also have solid noise canceling for less money. If you don’t need all the bells and whistles of the Buds 2 Pro, like the IPX7 rating, we recommend saving for this equally competent set of buds. Of course, you should look at both and see which fits your life better. For example, you’ll compromise on the IPX2 rating and more pared-back settings in the app.

No ANC? No problem with the Jabra Elite 4

If you don’t need ANC and just want some reliable earbuds that sound good, try the Jabra Elite 4. By default, these earbuds supply a good frequency response (and the app has EQ too). The Elite 4 utilizes aptX and SBC codecs, which is solid for Android users, although not ideal for iOS. While Jabra also has the exercise-oriented Jabra Elite Active 4, the non-active model still has a robust IP55 rating and improved isolation properties. Uniquely, Jabra designed the Elite 4 with a Goldilocks combination of functionality, pricepoint, and sound. Best of all, it’s well under $200.

The best wireless earbuds under $200: Notable mentions

• Anker Soundcore Space A40: These budget-minded earbuds have a lot of great features, such as ANC for a cut price of $79 at Amazon.
• Beats Fit Pro: These buds feature stabilizers to keep them in your ears and come in a myriad of colors, too (for $159 at Amazon). They can be fussy with some Android devices, but in-ear detection and a decent ANC rate as some of their upgraded features.
• Beats Powerbeats Pro: Beats workout earbuds have an IPX4 rating, secure ear hook design, and battery life (10 hours, 52 minutes). You need a Lightning cable to charge the case, which may be frustrating for those who don’t use Apple products. Still, the Powerbeats Pro is generally for iPhone owners since it has the same H1 chip as the AirPods Pro. Try it for $159 at Amazon.
• Bose Sport Earbuds: These stalwart earbuds have been around for a couple of years and do all the exercise tasks you might throw at them well. Importantly, they grip your ears with stabilizers and sound pretty good, too. Pick them up for $165 at Amazon.
• Bose Sport Open Earbuds: This is for the person who does not want or need ANC. In fact, this person wants to hear everything. With such a niche set of earphones, the Bose Sports Open keeps you aware while you exercise and provides a stable fit (for on the product’s website). Its AAC and SBC codec support only, and the case doesn’t provide any battery charging.
• Google Pixel Buds A-Series: This headset is ideal for Google Pixel phone owners and Android phone owners at large. You get a pretty consumer-friendly sound when you enable the boosted bass EQ mode, and the default frequency response is great for spoken word content like audiobooks or podcasts. These sell for $94 at Amazon.
• Jabra Elite 7 Pro: Durable noise canceling earbuds with tons of customization from the Jabra Sound+ app. The Jabra Elite 7 Pro checks almost all the right boxes for $199 at Amazon.
• Jaybird Vista 2: If you plan on running over your earbuds while dunking them in mud, the Vista 2 sports IP68 and MIL-STD-810G certifications. The price teasingly sits just below $200 ($117 at Amazon), which is why it’s here. However, you get good sound quality and a comprehensive app. Great isolation and above-average ANC make the Vista 2 a solid alternative.
• Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless: This pair of wireless earbuds bring great noise canceling at a reasonable price ($89 at Amazon). You don’t get many extras with these earbuds, but Sennheiser makes sure that all music sounds good through this headset with its neutral-leaning frequency response.
• Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 3: The third time is the charm with the MTW line of earbuds from Sennheiser. On this go, Sennheiser includes stabilizing wing tips and support for aptX Adaptive. This is a great pair of earbuds for listeners who value sound quality and ANC, but the price makes it a bit cost-prohibitive ($169 at Amazon).
• Shure AONIC Free: If you don’t like noise canceling or just don’t want it, the AONIC Free from Sennheiser is a great headset (for $199 at Amazon). These earbuds feature narrow-diameter nozzles and comfortable memory foam ear tips. The headset does a great job of blocking out noise without the need for ANC. You still get great Sennheiser sound and build quality, along with an excellent software experience on any mobile OS.
• Sony LinkBuds S: These subtle-looking earbuds feature excellent ANC and a solid frequency response curve with LDAC and AAC. Check them out for $148 at Amazon.
• Sony WF-C500: This fresh pair of wireless earbuds from Sony feature DSEE upsampling and an IPX4 rating. Listeners get many of the same bells and whistles as the premium Sony WF-1000XM4 for less than half the price, $98 at Amazon.

What you should know about wireless earbuds under $200

How long do wireless earbuds last?

This seemingly simple question has a few answers. On average, most wireless earbuds have a standalone battery life of between four and six hours, with the charging case providing an extra two or three charge cycles. In other words, you can get anything from 12 to 24-plus hours of battery out of your true wireless earbuds and the case before you need to recharge them.

While the battery life is still the Achilles’ heel of any wireless product, some manufacturers have an ace up their sleeves. Many cases can quickly charge your earbuds. You’ll commonly see specs like 10 minutes of charging provides 60 minutes of listening. Some manufacturers like OnePlus go above and beyond with their fast charging speeds, but most stick to the “10 minutes yields one-hour” standard. It’s a stat worth checking because you want to listen and not wait around for your buds to charge.

What are Bluetooth codecs?

Bluetooth codecs help make the difference between an okay sound and a very good sound, and here’s your friendly reminder that the headphone jack is still the queen of quality. Codecs allow your smartphone or laptop to communicate with your headset. Every Bluetooth audio device supports SBC by default, so at the very least, your earbuds can stream over that. If you’re steeped in the Apple ecosystem, all you need to know is AAC is your codec of choice.

For Android users, the situation seems more nebulous and dependent on both your device and your use case. If the earbuds in question only have AAC and SBC, sometimes you get better quality results with SBC. Otherwise, to reduce latency (which is a real bugaboo with Bluetooth and video), look for higher resolution options like aptX or aptX-LL. Some manufacturers (similar to Apple) have chosen to optimize for their own ecosystem. Samsung’s proprietary codec works best with other Samsung products.

Basically, pay attention to codecs. SBC might be a one-size-fits-all situation, but maybe you want some tailoring.

What is a frequency response?

If you’ve poked around our site enough, you’ve probably seen frequency response charts. Basically, we measure how closely an audio product reproduces sound relative to our house curve (consumer or studio). In our updated frequency response charts, cyan represents the product in question, and the pink line represents the SoundGuys curve. Although many people prefer a studio or “flat” response, most of us average listeners like a bit more bass and treble in our tunes. You can read more about the SoundGuys house curves, but the gist is that this is what works well for most people.

A good frequency response is one that does not unduly hide other frequencies by being too loud. In other words, if bass sounds are too loud, you probably can’t hear quieter sounds of other frequencies as well. That’s how human brains work. We just don’t process quieter sounds as well as louder ones. This often results in folks turning up the volume, and you want to keep your hearing, right?

Why does fit matter?

A contributing factor in finding the perfect true wireless earbuds has to do with fit. Fit matters because we can post about all sorts of awesome features, but none of them make a difference if the buds fall out of your ears. More often, the topic of fit means something more subtle. Do the buds adequately seal your ear? A poor fit actually alters your perception of the frequency response.

Fortunately, most earphones ship with a selection of different-sized ear tips, and when in doubt, try a third-party option. We also typically include measurements of ear tips when reviewing a product so you can compare it to what you already have.

What is isolation/active noise canceling (ANC)?

Remember know how fit matters for hearing things correctly? It also matters for achieving isolation. Isolation works much in the way that earplugs do: by creating a physical barrier between your ears and the noisy world. Inherently, some designs isolate better than others. Sometimes, that’s so you can hear your surroundings out of safety. Isolation works best typically for higher-pitched incidental sounds, like clangs in a café.

Active noise cancellation uses microphones that detect your environmental surroundings and basically use the opposite soundwaves to cancel the noise out. Frequently, there is a small delay while it detects the environmental noise. For that reason, ANC fights droning sounds best because it is somewhat predictive in nature. A fast, brief burst of sound is typically too quick for ANC to dramatically quiet it, hence why isolation is the best tool for clangs. ANC is your friend for airplanes, as it typically works on repeating sounds that land in lower frequencies.

How we choose the best wireless earbuds under $200

At SoundGuys, we perform objective tests to measure things like frequency response, isolation, microphone quality, and more. In order to do so, we use a Bruel & Kjaer 5128 head and torso simulator (HATS) with an anatomically realistic ear canal and outer ear. We also use a standardized setup to test the microphone quality of products with pre-recorded phrases from a calibrated artificial mouth in our test chamber. This allows us to present standardized microphone samples to you so you can judge the quality of various products and compare them across the board. After we collect all of this data, we then score each product through a variety of objective and subjective measures.

Our team then confers with one another regarding the best products for a given category, and we present our list to you. It’s not over after we hit “publish,” though. Instead, we treat every article as a living document that we update as new and worthy products come out.

Why you should trust SoundGuys

We have no ulterior motives. All of our contributors abide by a strict ethics policy. This means none of us receives compensation from manufacturers, and we don’t do direct sales. Our site features no advertisements or “hit pieces.” SoundGuys only makes money when readers choose to purchase a product through a referral link to a retailer. Because of this model, we have no financial reason to suggest or prefer one product over another.

Our recommendations are based on our years-long industry experience and each product’s merit. We use review copies of products, but none of us can keep the products. Instead, we do giveaways or gift them to worthy causes. In other words, we do our best to provide accurate and fair content. We endeavor to correct our mistakes and constantly improve our testing methods. Our goal at SoundGuys includes making sure you are well-informed and can make the best decision for your needs.

Frequently asked questions about wireless earbuds