The Best Wireless Earbuds for Everyone
If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more. Please also consider subscribing to WIRED
Best OverallGoogle Pixel Buds A-SeriesRead more
Best Noise CancelingBose QuietComfort Ultra EarbudsRead more
Best UpgradeSony WF-1000XM5Read more
Pro Earbuds for LessAnker Soundcore Space A40Read more
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 few 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 March 2024: We've added the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds to our top recommendations and added the Montblanc MTB 03 to Honorable Mentions.
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.
- Photograph: Google
Best Overall
Google Pixel Buds A-SeriesComfortable 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.
- Photograph: Amazon
Best Noise Canceling
Bose QuietComfort Ultra EarbudsWe’ve said it before, and by God, we’re going to say it again: If you want absolutely, positively the most effective noise-canceling around, buy a pair of Bose. The QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are simply untouchable. The noise-canceling leaves you free to enjoy their naturalistic, vivid sound, without giving any indication of leaving even the faintest trace of counter-signal or any other indication of how hard they must be working. If you want to leave the outside world behind while you’re enjoying your favorite tunes, these are the earbuds for you. —Simon Lucas
- Photograph: Sony
Best Upgrade
Sony WF-1000XM5Sony'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).
- Photograph: Anker
Pro Earbuds for Less
Anker Soundcore Space A40These sub-$100 earbuds from Anker (8/10, WIRED Recommends) boast noise canceling, wireless charging, and up to 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 don't want to spend three figures, these are the best we've tried. Too bad they're not as stylish as Google's Pixel Buds A-Series.
- Photograph: Apple
Best for iPhones
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) with USB-CThe 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 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.
- Photograph: Google
Best for Android Phones
Google Pixel Buds ProIf 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.
- Photograph: JLab
Best Under $50
JLab Audio Go AirNot 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.
- Photograph: Jabra
Best for Workouts
Jabra Elite 8 ActiveThe 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.
- Photograph: JLab Audio
Best for Small Ears
JLab Audio JBuds MiniThese 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.
- Photograph: Samsung
The Best for Samsung Owners
Samsung Galaxy Buds2 ProIf 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 make up 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 per charge with noise canceling on, 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.
- 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.
- Photograph: Beats
Most Secure Fit
Beats Fit ProThe Beats Fit Pro (9/10, WIRED Recommends) have the same H1 chip featured inside the older Apple AirPods Pro but pack a much more comfortable and ergonomic design that stays put in nearly any scenario. 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 workout earbuds for the iPhone, and beyond.
These buds 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 with your choice of four colors, ranging from stark white to pinkish purple.
