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Best Overall
Google Pixel Buds A-Series
Best Noise-Canceling Buds
Sony WF-1000XM5
Pro Earbuds for Less
Soundcore by Anker Space A40
Best for iPhones
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) with USB-C
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.
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Photograph: Google
Best Overall
Google Pixel Buds A-Series
Comfortable fit, solid sound, good looks, and a sub-$100 price make the Pixel Buds A-Series (8/10, WIRED Recommends) our favorite wireless earbuds for most people. In addition to an AirPods-matching five hours of listening time and an IPX4 sweat-resistance rating for workouts, these headphones pair instantly with Android devices, and Google Assistant integration is excellent. (They still pair very quickly with iPhones, but not as fast as buds made by Apple. You won’t be able to use Google Assistant on iPhones.) The egg-shaped case adds an extra 19 hours of listening time.
The ear fins keep them very stable in the ears, and the audio quality is also better than Apple’s entry-level buds, with bolder bass aided by the excellent seal formed by the silicone ear tips.
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Photograph: Sony
Best Noise-Canceling Buds
Sony WF-1000XM5
Sony’s fifth generation WF-1000XM5 (7/10, WIRED Review) earbuds are again the best it has ever made, with a more sculpted and ergonomic case, as well as some of the best noise reduction I’ve ever heard from a pair of regularly sized wireless earbuds (read: everything other than the bulky Bose models). They cost a bit more than the outgoing XM4 model, but these new headphones boast some of the most advanced functionality in terms of EQ, touch controls, and adaptive noise canceling available on the market. They even sound decent on calls.
You get eight hours of battery life with noise canceling on, 12 with it off, and two additional full charges in the wireless charging case (which happens to be one of the sleeker cases on the market).
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Photograph: Anker
Pro Earbuds for Less
Soundcore by Anker Space A40
These sub-$100 earbuds from Anker (8/10, WIRED Recommends) boast noise canceling, wireless charging, and 10 hours of battery life when they’re in your ears. That’s a lot of features for such cheap earbuds. Pair that with decent overall sound quality with a comfortable and lightweight design and they nearly give Apple’s AirPods Pro a run for their money. If you’re in need of a pair of noise-canceling earbuds but you don’t want to spend three figures, these are the best option we’ve tried. Too bad they’re not as stylish as Google’s Pixel Buds A-Series.
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Photograph: Apple
Best for iPhones
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) with USB-C
The latest AirPods Pro (8/10, WIRED Recommends) come with USB-C in the charging case and a revamped audio architecture, but otherwise they’re identical to the previous generation. Along with six hours of juice and a case with a speaker to help use Apple’s “Find My” feature, they have touch controls for quick volume adjustments.
Noise-canceling and call quality are among the top of the market, and make these excellent for both work and play. Plus, a new IP54 rating means they’re resistant to both dust and water (great for gym rats). Updates that come with iOS 17 mean that existing AirPods owners and new buyers alike can enjoy new transparency features, including the ability to have the headphones turn down the volume automatically when they detect you speaking. This is great for those who hate removing an earbud for a quick chat, although I’ve found it as more of a wake-up call to how much I speak to my pets. If you own an iPhone and like to listen to songs at home or on the go, these are a really great choice.
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Photograph: Google
Best for Android Phones
Google Pixel Buds Pro
If you’re an Android owner who wants the simple experience touted by your Apple-toting friends, the Pixel Buds Pro (9/10, WIRED Recommends) offer the best bang for the buck. You get a relatively wide soundstage with punchy bass, plus all the bells and whistles you’ll want in the modern world. Beam-forming microphones and noise-canceling tech make these great on calls and in airports, and eight hours of battery life with noise canceling on means you’ll make it to your destination before needing to pop the buds back in the included wireless charging case. Another cool feature is multi-device pairing, which allows you to be connected to your phone and laptop at the same time.
Google has since added some new features via a firmware update, including support for Bluetooth Super Wideband to improve the quality of voices over phone and video calls; support for Clear Calling to reduce background noise; and Conversation Detection, which will pause music when you start talking and switch to Transparency mode so you can hear who you’re talking to without having to take the buds out.
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Photograph: JLab
Best Under $50
JLab Audio Go Air
Not everyone has hundreds of dollars to spend on wireless earbuds. Thanks to JLab, you can spend as little as $30 (and they frequently go on sale too). The company has made a name for itself building big-name-rivaling earbuds for much less, and the Go Air (8/10, WIRED Recommends) are no different. For $30, you get five hours of battery life and a comfortable fit—plus they’re sweatproof. The downside? They’re heavier on the bass than other models, and the open-topped case will need frequent cleaning, as it attracts gunk.
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Photograph: Jabra
Best for Workouts
Jabra Elite 8 Active
The folks at Jabra scanned thousands of ears to come up with sleek, comfy designs, and that continues with the Elite 8 Active. WIRED associate reviews editor Adrienne So says these remain some of the best-fitting earbuds and they also stay secure. They have an IP68 water resistance rating, and the sound quality, noise-canceling tech, and mic quality are excellent. The best part? Physical buttons to control your music! Your sweaty hair will no longer interrupt your tunes.
Jabra often continues to sell old models for years, which means you’ll have no problem replacing ear tips, the case, or even a bud as needed. That also means you should keep an eye out for a nice discount for the still-great Elite 7 Active.
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Photograph: JLab
Best for Small Ears
JLab Audio JBuds Mini
These teeny tiny earbuds from JLab are meant to be stored on your keychain, allowing you to always have a pair of headphones in a pinch. But I like them for another reason: They’re perfect for all the small-eared folks who complain they can’t get a good fit from a pair of wireless headphones.
At $40, these are worth a shot for anyone who can’t seem to find a pair small enough for them. They even come in five cool colors, which makes them easy to match your vibe. An IP55 rating keeps them safe from dust and water, with three sizes of tips to make sure they seal well in your ears. The only downside? Battery life, which is just 5.5 hours per charge, or 20 hours total with the case.
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Photograph: Beats
Most Secure Fit
Beats Powerbeats Pro
Apple’s Powerbeats Pro (8/10, WIRED Recommends) are beefier than many earbuds on this list, and that’s by design. They’re made to provide a super-secure fit during even your sweatiest workout—which they’ll stay protected from, thanks to an IPX4 water-resistance rating. They sound far better than Apple’s standard AirPods or almost any pair of Beats you’ve heard before, and they squeeze an impressive nine hours of life out of a charge (18 extra hours with the portly 3 x 3-inch square case they come in).
One of the most helpful features is their ability to automatically pause or route calls back to your phone if you take one of them out of your ear. That said, many of their features don’t work when you pair them with an Android phone, but the core functions will. Better yet, they frequently go on sale for around $150.
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Photograph: Samsung
The Best for Samsung Owners
Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro
If you own a Samsung phone and are trying to get the most out of it, these are your best buds. The Galaxy Buds2 Pro (9/10, WIRED Recommends) might not have the multi-device connectivity of the Pixel Buds Pro, but they more than makeup for that on sound, where a pair of dual dynamic drivers deliver hyper-clean hi-fi.
You’ll also get a super comfortable fit and five hours of playback with noise canceling on per charge, and an IPX7 rating means they’re good for workouts. Other “pro” features include support for spatial audio and 24-bit sound, provided you have a modern Samsung device to pair these to. Best of all? They come in an adorable purple, and the wireless charging case easily fits in even the smallest pants pockets.
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Photograph: Beats
AirPods Alternative
Beats Studio Buds +
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.
These earbuds replace the older Beats Studio Buds we also liked, and in this model, there’s up to 1.6X more noise reduction, better microphones for calls, and a larger 36 hours of overall battery life including the juice from the charging case. Like the AirPods Pro, these also support spatial audio, so you can watch your favorite films and listen to your favorite Dolby Atmos audio tracks with ease.
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Photograph: Beats
For iPhone Owning Gym Rats
Beats Fit Pro
The Beats Fit Pro (9/10, WIRED Recommends) have the same H1 chip that is featured inside the older Apple AirPods Pro but packs a much more comfortable and ergonomic design. Add to that the six hours of battery life with active noise canceling turned on and some of the best sound we’ve heard south of the $200 mark, and you’ve found yourself some of the best earbuds for the iPhone.
They work well with Android devices too, thanks to an app that allows you to adjust the functions of the buttons and take a fit test. You even get style options. The Beats Fit Pro come in four colors, ranging from stark white to pinkish purple.
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Photograph: Samsung
Also Great for Android
Samsung Galaxy Buds2
Samsung’s Buds2 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) are—by far—some of my favorite headphones for Android. For around the same price as a standard pair of AirPods, you get noise canceling, better battery life (five hours with noise canceling, 7.5 hours if it’s off), and some of the lightest, most comfortable buds around. The Buds2 come with a wireless charging case and a dual-driver array for better bass.
Frustratingly, the companion app only works for Android, so iPhone users won’t be able to access the EQ controls, ping for the location of a lost earbud, run Samsung’s fit test, or use Samsung’s Bixby voice assistant (no loss). It’s also worth noting that some people have had issues with these earbuds causing irritation in their ears. I did not experience this, but if you do, be sure to return the buds immediately.
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Photograph: Technics
For Multitaskers
Technics EAH-AZ80
Technics’ EAH-AZ80 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) have the ability to pair to three different devices at once, which makes this high-end workhorse pair the best we’ve found for those who tend to be bouncing between phone and Zoom calls.
Beyond that party trick, they also have excellent noise canceling and multiple ear tip shapes and sizes for a comfortable fit. Sound is superb, with the sleek buds offering a clear and precise stereo image—WIRED contributor Ryan Waniata says these are among his overall favorites for sheer audio performance.
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Photograph: Sony
Best for Traveling Around Town
Sony LinkBuds
It can be dangerous working out in public or riding your bike with earbuds on. That’s why I like the Sony LinkBuds (8/10, WIRED Recommends), which have physical holes in the middle of each driver to allow sound in from the outside world. You’ll hear announcements at the supermarket alongside your tunes, or an oncoming car before you cross the road. They also come with a super small charging case, which makes them good to leave in a jacket pocket.
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Photograph: Shokz
An Earbuds Alternative
AfterShokz OpenRun Pro
Fellow WIRED reviewer Eric Ravenscraft loved his time with the Shokz OpenRun Pro (8/10, WIRED Recommends), which wraps around your head and uses bone conduction technology to let you hear music and the outside world. I like the smaller footprint of the above Sony LinkBuds, but these have a more secure design and come with 10 hours of battery life for extra-long workouts.
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Photograph: Grado
For Headphone Nerds
Grado GT220
If you want a more audiophile-like wireless listening experience, check out this no-frills pair from Grado Labs. The Brooklyn brand is known for its excellent headphones and turntable cartridges, and it has branched out to truly wireless earbuds. The GT220 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) are comfortable and ergonomic, and they deliver a quality version of the company’s transparent sound. In fact, WIRED senior associate editor Adrienne So says they fit so well you don’t need noise canceling.
An IPX4 rating and six hours of battery life outside the included charging case are respectable specs, and they look nondescript enough to take with you anywhere, unlike Grado’s larger, flashier headphones.
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Photograph: Bowers & Wilkins
Honorable Mentions
Other Buds We Like
Every month seems to bring new sets of earbuds with longer battery life and more compact designs. As such, we can’t list everything we like. But if you’re still hunting, here are some other recommendations.
OnePlus Buds Pro for $130: These AirPods-esque earbuds sound great, look great, and work just about the same as the Apple product, though they’re designed for Android. If you want that, go ahead. I just happen to think some of the designs above are much sleeker.
JBL Tour Pro 2 for $250: When I first saw photos of these headphones at CES 2023, I believed that a screen on a pair of wireless earbuds—to see how much battery is left, play and pause music, etc—would be awesome. It turns out that while the earbuds are totally fine and they are totally decent sounding, I don’t need a screen on the case. At all. I don’t think I looked at it once, beyond testing, while using the headphones. So much for that.
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 for $179: Noise cancellation finally arrives on Sennheiser’s excellent high-end earbuds. You’ll have to shell out a lot for them, but they do have some of the best sound quality you’ll find. With this model, Sennheiser also fixed the bug in the first Momentum pair that drained the battery after a week or so even if you didn’t use them.
Raycon Everyday Earbuds for $80: These YouTuber-beloved earbuds are actually a decent cheap pair (7/10, WIRED Review). They are small and light, and they come with an IPX6 rating, which makes them great for workouts.
Master & Dynamic MW08 Sport for $299: The Sport are a great option that come with active noise canceling and a striking design, but the high price keeps them out of the reach of most people.
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Photograph: Daniel Lozano Gonzalez/Getty Images
How We Define Wireless Earbuds
An Explainer
We’ve seen this category go by many names: true wireless earbuds, truly wireless earbuds, completely wireless earbuds, fully wireless earbuds, wirefree earbuds. These days, if a pair of earbuds connects to your phone/computer via Bluetooth and has no cord that connects the left bud to the right, we just call them wireless here at WIRED. Wireless sets typically come with two popcorn-sized buds, each with a battery inside, and a charging cradle that carries extra battery power and keeps them safe when you’re not wearing ’em. Other kinds of wireless earbuds have a cable or neckband that connects the two buds together, usually found on workout earbuds.
Ridding yourself of all cords can feel liberating, but these do come with issues, such as limited battery life (don’t buy any with less than five hours), confusing controls, and reliance on a charging case. They’re also easier to lose than traditional earbuds, and replacing one bud can be expensive.
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Photograph: Apple
Earbuds to Avoid
Why Didn’t We Include AirPods?
As a general rule, you should avoid earbuds that don’t support the Bluetooth 5.0 standard or don’t offer at least five hours of battery life. Batteries in wireless headphones degrade over time, so the better your battery life is at first, the more tolerable it will be in two to three years.
There are so many models available now that it’s tough to mention all the earbuds we’re not huge fans of. But we do want to note that while Apple’s standard AirPods (first, second, or third-gen) do some things well, we just don’t like them all that much. (Read our review.) They get OK battery life, come in a compact case, and work well for calls, but they don’t fit all ears well, and since they don’t have ear tips or wings, you’re out of luck if they’re loose. Want clear, high-fidelity music? Get another pair on this list or the AirPods Pro (see above), which cost a bit more but are legitimately great headphones.
