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Truly wireless earbuds are relativelynew in the headphones market. While several models were made by lesser-known brands for a couple of years, they didn't become immensely popular until Apple released the first AirPods in late 2016. Since then, almost every company has thrown its hat in the ring. What used to be a relatively expensive product that lacked features is now available at every price point, with a performance that can match regular Bluetooth in-ears. While truly wireless headphones can't quite match the battery life of larger Bluetooth headphones, most popular options come with a charging case to extend their overall battery life while away from a charger.
We've tested over 180 pairs of truly wireless earbuds and in-ear headphones, and below are our recommendations for the best options. They tend to cost more than ordinary earbuds, so check out our picks for thebest cheap earbudsif you're looking for something more budget-friendly. You can also look at thebest in-ears and earbuds, thebest earbuds for iPhone, and thebest wireless earbudsfor more options.
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Best True Wireless Earbuds
Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless 80
Neutral Sound
7.1
Commute/Travel
8.5
Sports/Fitness
8.3
Office
7.7
Wireless Gaming
5.7
Wired Gaming
5.5
Phone Calls
6.8
Type In-ear
Enclosure Closed-Back
Wireless Truly Wireless
Transducer Dynamic
Noise Cancelling Yes
Mic Yes
See all our test results
The Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless are the best true wireless earbuds we've tested. These high-end buds are the next generation of the Sony WF-1000XM4 Truly Wireless and have improved overall performance. They use memory foam ear tips alongsidetheir noise cancelling (ANC) system to reduce a significant amount of ambient sound. The ear tips do most of the heavy lifting, as the ANC mostly targets bass-range noise like bus rumbles.
With the ANC on, they last well over eight hours continuously, and their case holds a couple of extra charges if needed. Out of the box, their warm sound profile adds a touch of extra boom to mixes without overwhelming vocals and instruments. You can also finetune their sound using their app's graphic EQ and presets. These buds support LDAC, which is Sony's proprietary codec for streaming hi-res audio. Unfortunately, not everyone will find their fit comfortable, especially if you have small ear canals.
See our review
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Best Upper Mid-Range True Wireless Earbuds
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless 21
Neutral Sound
7.4
Commute/Travel
8.2
Sports/Fitness
8.3
Office
7.3
Wireless Gaming
5.8
Wired Gaming
5.6
Type In-ear
Enclosure Closed-Back
Wireless Truly Wireless
Transducer Dynamic
Noise Cancelling Yes
Mic Yes
See all our test results
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless are a great option if you're looking for premium buds at a slightly lower price point. While they don't have sound customization features like the Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless, they offer a few features for iOS that you might appreciate if you're an iPhone or MacBook user. Their H2 chip helps with easy pairing to Apple devices, and they support Spatial Audio, a surround sound feature meant to create a more immersive listening experience with compatible content.
Their adaptive EQ results in a warm sound profile, so your audio has a bit of extra boom and cozy-sounding vocals and instruments. They don't block out as much ambient noise as the Sony, but their ANC still offers excellent overall performance with a wide range of noise, including rumbling bus and plane engines. The earbuds last just under six hours of continuous use with ANC on and come with a case with four extra charges. They have a comfortable fit for most people, but you might find they wiggle out of your ears after a while and require repositioning.
See our review
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Best Mid-Range True Wireless Earbuds
Google Pixel Buds Pro Truly Wireless 12
Neutral Sound
7.4
Commute/Travel
8.0
Sports/Fitness
8.0
Office
7.2
Wireless Gaming
5.5
Wired Gaming
5.4
Phone Calls
6.0
Type In-ear
Enclosure Closed-Back
Wireless Truly Wireless
Transducer Dynamic
Noise Cancelling Yes
Mic Yes
See all our test results
Consider the Google Pixel Buds Pro Truly Wireless for something more reasonably priced. These earbuds have a less comfortable fit for most and aren't as well-built as the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless, but they still offer a great all-around performance. Their ANC feature does an excellent job of blocking noise, including rumbling engines, during your commute. They also support multi-device pairing, meaning you can stay connected with your phone and computer simultaneously.
They come in more colors than the Apple, so you can get them in bright options like coral and lemongrass. Their V-shaped sound profile adds rumble and punch to your audio and keeps instruments and vocals clear and bright. You can also customize the sound with an in-app graphic EQ and presets. However, these buds have a somewhat bulky design compared to the previous picks and aren't as comfortable or stable for most.
If you're willing to spend a little more, the Jabra Elite 10 True Wireless offer a more comfortable fit and better stability, making them less likely to slip out of your ears during workouts. While their ANC feature blocks out less noise, their built-in mic has a better noise handling performance,so they're better for phone calls than the Google.
See our review
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Best Lower Mid-Range True Wireless Earbuds
Anker Soundcore Space A40 Truly Wireless 14
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Neutral Sound
6.8
Commute/Travel
8.3
Sports/Fitness
8.0
Office
7.5
Wireless Gaming
5.5
Wired Gaming
5.3
Phone Calls
6.4
Type In-ear
Enclosure Closed-Back
Wireless Truly Wireless
Transducer Dynamic
Noise Cancelling Yes
Mic Yes
See all our test results
If you're looking for affordable earbuds, start your search in the lower mid-range with the Anker Soundcore Space A40 Truly Wireless. These earbuds don't have a virtual surround sound feature. Their warm sound profile lacks thump and rumble, making them less well-suited for bass-heavy music. However, it's well-balanced enough for various genres, and if you prefer a different sound, you can use the app's graphic EQ and presets for sound customization. They support LDAC, Sony's codec for hi-res audio via Bluetooth.
They also have an adaptive ANC system to adjust to the noise around you. It does a fantastic job of blocking out ambient sound and isolates from bass-range noise like rumbling engines more effectively than the Google Pixel Buds Pro Truly Wireless. The earbuds last more than eight hours of continuous use with ANC on, and they come with a case that holds an additional four charges.
The Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC True Wireless offer a similar performance butfeaturea stem design that protrudes from your ear, providing more stability. They have a warmer sound profile than the Space A40, which will suit fans of EDM and hip-hop, whiletheir mic has a better recording quality. However, the Space A40 provide greater attenuation against bass range noise, and it's easier to achieve a consistent sound delivery with them.
See our review
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Best Budget Wireless Earbuds
JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless 11
Neutral Sound
7.4
Commute/Travel
7.3
Sports/Fitness
7.9
Office
6.9
Wireless Gaming
5.8
Wired Gaming
5.6
Phone Calls
6.9
Type In-ear
Enclosure Closed-Back
Wireless Truly Wireless
Transducer Dynamic
Noise Cancelling No
Mic Yes
See all our test results
Check out the JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless for wireless earbuds that won't break the bank. Unlike many budget-friendly options, they have a companion app, which gives you more control over their performance. They have a fairly well-balanced sound profile out of the box, but their app offers a parametric EQ and presets, so you can tweak them to suit your tastes. They don't have much more than this for extra features, so if you care about multi-device pairing or LDAC support, consider our lower mid-range pick instead.
They're fairly comfortable and lightweight, but getting a secure in-ear fit can be hard, and the buds can fall out over time. At this price point, it's also unsurprising that these buds lack noise cancelling. As a result, they don't block out much background noise, so they're not an ideal choice for noisy offices. On the upside, they last over eight hours continuously, and there are two extra charges if needed. They're also certified IP54 for resistance against dust and splashes of water.
If you're looking for wireless buds with lots of customization options, the Anker Soundcore P25i/P20i True Wireless can be found at an even more wallet-friendly price. These buds are more comfortable than the JBL and feature a whopping 22 EQ presets to choose from via their excellent companion app. However, while they offer a comparable battery life performance, their mic recording quality isn't quite as good.
See our review
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Best Noise Cancelling Earbuds
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Truly Wireless 52
Neutral Sound
7.3
Commute/Travel
8.3
Sports/Fitness
8.4
Office
7.5
Wireless Gaming
5.7
Wired Gaming
5.5
Phone Calls
6.2
Type Earbuds
Enclosure Closed-Back
Wireless Truly Wireless
Transducer Dynamic
Noise Cancelling Yes
Mic Yes
See all our test results
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Truly Wireless are the best noise cancelling earbuds we've tested. While both the Bose and the Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless are both premium earbuds, if you want something that blocks out a range of ambient noise, the Bose are the best pick.While the Sony block out more sound overall, this is largely due to their ear tip design, which significantly contributes totheir passive capabilities. On the other hand, the Bose have silicone ear tips, which are shallower andput less pressure on your ear canals. It's their ANC that's responsible for their outstanding noise isolation performance. Even with the ANC on, their continuous battery life still clocks in at a respectable seven hours, with three extra charges from the case.
They have a relatively neutral sound profile that's less bass-heavy than the Sony but still provideplenty of thump and rumble.They feature the same CustomTune technology as the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II Truly Wireless, which adapts the sound profile and noise isolation performance to the shape of your ears. However, this newest generation includes features like Immersive Audio - a spatial audio technology that uses head-tracking to create a more immersive, 3D sound. That said, their integrated mic's noise handling performance is poor, and they lack Bluetooth multi-device pairing, so you'll have to manually pair and unpair devices if you want to switch audio sources.
See our review
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Best Truly Wireless Earbuds For Running
Jaybird Vista 2 Truly Wireless 2
Neutral Sound
7.3
Commute/Travel
7.5
Sports/Fitness
8.4
Office
7.1
Wireless Gaming
5.8
Wired Gaming
5.7
Phone Calls
6.4
Type In-ear
Enclosure Closed-Back
Wireless Truly Wireless
Transducer Dynamic
Noise Cancelling Yes
Mic Yes
See all our test results
The Jaybird Vista 2 Truly Wireless are the best truly wireless earbudsfor running we've tested. Unlike other picks on this list, these buds have a rugged and sturdy build that's rated IP68, meaning they're fully dust-tight and protected from water immersion, making them a solid choice for tough hikes and outdoor activity. They're also very comfortable and have a stable in-ear fit, so they won't move around or fall out during a run. The case is also rated IP54 for dust and water resistance, so toss it in a bag without worrying about dirt or rain damaging your headphones.
These earbuds have a well-balanced default sound profile that you can customize with a parametric EQ and presets in the headphones' companion app. While their roughly five hours of continuous battery life is short for a 9-5 workday, it'll last through most workouts, and their case holds a few extra charges. Unfortunately, even though they have an ANC feature, thisdoesn't offer a very good noise isolation performance, so these headphonesaren't ideal if you want to isolate yourself from noise at the gym. That may not be an issue if you run outside since it makes it easier to stay aware of your surroundings.
See our review
Recent Updates
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Dec 19, 2023: We've added the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Truly Wireless as our 'Best Noise Cancelling' pick and added the Jabra Elite 10 True Wireless, Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC, and Anker Soundcore P25i/P20i True Wireless as alternatives. The Devialet Gemini II True Wireless and the JLab Audio GO Air POP have been added as Notable Mentions.
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Oct 18, 2023: We've checked our picks for accuracy and product availability. However, there hasn't been a change in our recommendations.
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Aug 21, 2023: We've replaced the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II Truly Wireless with the Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless, as the Sony offer a slightly better, more customizable performance. We've also replaced the Anker Soundcore Life Dot 2 Truly Wireless with the JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless, as the Anker haven't been in stock for a while.
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Jun 23, 2023: Due to ongoing issues with the availability of the Anker Soundcore Life Dot 2 Truly Wireless, we've modified the text to warn users that they may be hard to find.
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Apr 27, 2023: Removed the Jabra Elite 7 Pro Truly Wireless as the 'Best Sounding' pick and made them an alternative to the Google Pixel Buds Pro Truly Wireless.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently thebest earbudsbuy for most people in each price range. We factor in the price (cheaper headphones win over pricier ones if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no headphones that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).
If you would like to choose for yourself, here is the list of all our reviews for truly wireless headphones. Be careful not to get caught up in the details. There are no perfect headphones. Personal taste, preference, and listening habits will matter more in your selection.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
Truly wireless earbuds have gained popularity in the headphones market since Apple released the first AirPods in late 2016. They are now available at various price points and offer performance that can match regular Bluetooth in-ear headphones. While they may not have the same battery life as larger Bluetooth headphones, most popular options come with a charging case to extend their overall battery life when away from a charger.
Here are some key concepts mentioned in the article:
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Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless: These are considered the best true wireless earbuds in the article. They have memory foam ear tips and an active noise cancelling (ANC) system that reduces ambient sound. The earbuds have a warm sound profile and support LDAC, Sony's proprietary codec for streaming hi-res audio. However, the fit may not be comfortable for everyone [[1]].
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Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless: These earbuds are a great option for those looking for premium buds at a slightly lower price point. They have an H2 chip for easy pairing with Apple devices and support Spatial Audio for a more immersive listening experience. The ANC performance is excellent, but they may require repositioning for a secure fit [[2]].
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Google Pixel Buds Pro Truly Wireless: These earbuds offer a reasonably priced option. They have a V-shaped sound profile and support multi-device pairing. However, they have a somewhat bulky design and may not be as comfortable or stable for most users. The Jabra Elite 10 True Wireless is recommended as a more comfortable alternative [[3]].
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Anker Soundcore Space A40 Truly Wireless: These earbuds are in the lower mid-range and offer a warm sound profile. They have an adaptive ANC system and a long battery life. The Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC True Wireless is suggested as an alternative with a more comfortable fit and better stability [[4]].
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JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless: These earbuds are a budget-friendly option with a companion app for sound customization. They have a well-balanced sound profile and a long battery life. However, they lack noise cancelling and may not provide a secure in-ear fit for everyone [[5]].
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Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Truly Wireless: These earbuds are recommended as the best noise cancelling option. They have a relatively neutral sound profile and silicone ear tips for a comfortable fit. The ANC performance is outstanding, and they offer a long battery life. However, their mic's noise handling performance is poor [[6]].
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Jaybird Vista 2 Truly Wireless: These earbuds are considered the best for running. They have a rugged and sturdy build, are comfortable, and provide a stable in-ear fit. They have a well-balanced sound profile and a case with extra charges. However, their ANC feature does not offer good noise isolation [[7]].
Please note that the information provided is based on this article, and I have cited the relevant sections accordingly.
