The Best Wireless Earbuds for Everyone (2024)

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Parker Hall

Gear

Ready to cut the cord? These are our favorite buds that will never, ever get tangled.

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Featured in this article

The Best Wireless Earbuds for Everyone (3)

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Wireless earbuds are one of those ideas that sounded like a dream at first: Pop a little headphone into each ear and listen to music or take calls untethered from everything. The first wireless buds were gigantic, died after a few hours, and had a bunch of other problems. Times have changed. There are now tons of new models that sound fabulous and work perfectly. After testing hundreds over the past four years, these are our favorite wireless earbuds, in a wide range of styles and prices.

For more top picks, check out our other audio guides, like the Best Wireless Headphones, Best Noise-Canceling Headphones, Best Cheap Headphones, Best Workout Earbuds, and Best Wired Headphones.

Updated October 2023: We've added the latest AirPods Pro, Jabra Elite 8 Active, Sony WF-1000XM5, Beats Studio Buds +, Jlab JBuds Mini, Technics EAH-AZ80, Oneplus Buds Pro 2, and JBL Tour Pro.

Special offer for Gear readers: Get WIRED for just $5 ($25 off). This includes unlimited access to WIRED.com, full Gear coverage, and subscriber-only newsletters. Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day.

  • The Best Wireless Earbuds for Everyone (7)

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    Parker Hall

Parker Hall is a senior editor of product reviews at WIRED. He focuses on audiovisual and entertainment products. Hall is a graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where he studied jazz percussion. After hours, he remains a professional musician in his hometown of Portland, Oregon.

Writer and Reviewer

TopicsShoppingbuying guideswireless earbudsearbudsHeadphonesaudio

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The Best Wireless Earbuds for Everyone (2024)

FAQs

What are the #1 wireless earbuds in the world? ›

  • Sony WF-1000XM5. The best true wireless earbuds. ...
  • Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) The best true wireless earbuds for Apple users. ...
  • Sony LinkBuds S. The best true wireless earbuds for Android users. ...
  • Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds. The best true wireless noise-cancelling earbuds. ...
  • Beats Fit Pro. ...
  • CNN Exclusive Deal.

What earbuds can you answer calls? ›

All Reviews
ProductRelease YearPhone Calls
OnePlus Buds 3 Truly Wireless20247.1
Sony WF-C700N Truly Wireless20237.1
JBL CLUB PRO+ TWS True Wireless20207.1
Jabra Elite 10 True Wireless20237.0
11 more rows
Apr 4, 2024

What are the easiest earbuds to use? ›

The Beats Studio Buds+ are some of the most comfortable earbuds I've tried, and they're also some of the easiest to use, thanks to physical buttons on the outside of each bud. They pair perfectly with Android or iPhone, despite Apple's ownership of the brand, and they come in a variety of colors.

Which is the No. 1 Earbud brand? ›

Comparison On Top Parameters
S.NoProductSuction Power (Pa)
1"OnePlus Buds 3 in-Ear TWS Bluetooth Earbuds"44 hours
2"JBL Tune 770NC Wireless Over-Ear ANC Headphones with Mic"70 hours
3"Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro, with Innovative AI Features, Bluetooth Truly Wireless Ear Earbuds"18 hours
4"Bose New Quiet Comfort"6 hours
6 more rows
Apr 22, 2024

Which wireless earbuds stay in best? ›

The JBL Reflect Aero TWS true wireless earbuds are the best workout headphones for the gym because they stay securely in place, they have simple controls, and they're waterproof and sweatproof (with an IP68 water-resistance rating).

What are some good but cheap earbuds? ›

Cheap picks for noise-canceling, workouts and more — all for $100 or less.
  • More options. Anker Soundcore Space A40. ...
  • More options. Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC. ...
  • EarFun Free 2S. Best budget earbuds under $50. ...
  • More options. JLab Go Air Sport. ...
  • Amazon Echo Buds (2023) ...
  • EarFun Air Pro 3. ...
  • More options. ...
  • Nothing Ear Stick.
6 days ago

How do I choose the right earbuds? ›

Here are our tips and factors that you should weigh on to choose the right pair.
  1. Understanding why pricing matters.
  2. Sound quality depends on codecs used.
  3. Look for battery life and a good charging case.
  4. Choosing earphones with right ear-tips and controls.
  5. Noise cancellation on wireless earphones.

Are beats better than AirPods? ›

After extensive testing, the AirPods Pro offer a far more balanced sound profile than the Beats Studio Buds. Beats have a well-earned reputation for emphasizing bass while sacrificing mid and high tones.

Which company earbuds is best in world? ›

Our Top 9 Picks
  • Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds. ...
  • Sony WF-1000XM5. ...
  • Etymotic ER3 XR. ...
  • Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC. Best Noise Cancellation Under $100. ...
  • Shure Aonic 215 (Gen 2) Most Effective EQ. ...
  • Tribit FlyBuds 3. Best Budget Fitness Buds. ...
  • Jabra Elite 8 Active. Best for Exercise Overall. ...
  • Nothing Ear (a) Most Stylish.

What is better than AirPods? ›

The best Apple AirPods alternatives you can buy right now
  • Sony WF-1000XM5. Better battery life, great ANC, and LDAC support. ...
  • Cambridge Audio Melomania M100. Great sound, long battery life and great value. ...
  • Beats Fit Pro. ...
  • Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro. ...
  • Jabra Elite 8 Active. ...
  • Jabra Elite 10. ...
  • Google Pixel Buds Pro. ...
  • OnePlus Buds 3.
Apr 8, 2024

What was the first wireless earbuds in the world? ›

In 2015, a Japanese company called Onkyo produced the first truly wireless earbuds. They created the first pair and launched them in September 2015, dubbed the "Onkyo W800BT".

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