Best wireless earbuds 2024 — reviewed by audio experts (2024)

Whether you want the best wireless earbuds for listening to music in the highest quality possible, or seek a model with the best in class ANC, we're here to help.

With more models to choose from than ever before all claiming similar specs and features, finding the best wireless earbuds for your exacting needs can be confusing. Here we break down the best buying advice on what you should consider when looking for the best wireless earbuds. Whether that's long battery life, strong ANC, clear transparency modes or just great sound quality across all kinds of media, we do all the hard work for you and break down all the top-performers we've tested to help you find the right model for you and your platform at the best price.

All our top choices listed here are based on extensive testing carried out by experts with more than 30 years of experience testing all kinds of audio products including headphones and wireless earbuds.

Read on for our pick of the best wireless earbuds to undergo our rigorous review routine.

The Quick List

The best wireless earbuds to buy right now

Best wireless earbuds overall

While the Sony WF-1000XM4 was a top-ranking model in this best wireless earbuds for several years and continues to be on sale via Sony's store and online retailers, the popular model has been outperformed by the new Sony WF-1000XM5 flagship. The lastest model arrived in July 2023, and demonstrates how Sony's XM-series earbuds go from strength to strength with each new generation.

As the latest flagship, the WF-1000XM5 wireless earbuds are smaller and lighter, yet they're equipped with some of the strongest features and performance we've ever seen from a pair of 'buds. They have some of the most dynamic and engaging sound we've heard, and their noise-canceling performance easily matches that of the Apple AirPods Pro 2 and get close to the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (both listed below).

Battery life hasn't been stepped up over thei XM4 predecessor. But at 8 hours with ANC enabled, these top-tier Sony wireless earbuds still outperform close rivals and have some of the highest battery life of any set of more recently launched earbuds. There's LDAC support for higher-quality music, adaptive listening mode, Google and Alexa digital assistant support, and full EQ customization. Call quality is greatly improved, thanks to a new noise reduction engine with AI that's able to make voices clear even in noisy surroundings. Wind noise was kept to a minimum too, thanks to the mesh on the feed forward microphone helping to reduce its influence during calls. Ultimately, these are Sony's best ever and the best wireless earbuds package around right now.

Read the full Sony WF-1000XM5 review.

Best wireless earbuds for value

Regarded as a budget alternative the an MSRP at $120 / £99 / AU$199, the WF-C700N builds on the entry-level WF-C500, one of the best cheap wireless earbuds with great sound. The WF-C700N integrates robustactive noise cancelation(ANC) and come with decent battery life at the price. Sound quality is powerful with Sony’s impressive sound signature at the forefront, alongside proprietary technologies like360 Reality Audioand DSEE Extreme.

The adaptive ANC technology built in to the WF-C700N is remarkable at the price. It learns your behavior and tweaks noise neutralization to your environment, and low- and mid-frequency sounds went unnoticed around the house and out and about. Call quality was high and the mics silenced most background interference for clear-sounding phone conversations, making these a versatile option that have few rivals even as the most affordable model in this roundup.

Read the full Sony WF-C700N review.

Best wireless earbuds for iPhone owners

Although updated to the AirPods Pro 2 USB-C in September 2023, we've been consistently impressed by the 2nd Generation model since they arrived in September 2022. There are plenty of reasons why they continue to beat most other wireless earbuds, and they are without doubt the best ANC earbuds for iPhone users. As the most versatile model for all kinds of lifestyles, the AirPods Pro 2 take performance to the next level. Externally, they look extremely similar to the first generation, but battery life was increased to offer 6 hours on a single charge from the earbuds and up to 30 hours from the wireless charging case.

Designed foriPhone owners looking for a more tailored listening experience, we think the AirPods Pro 2 are the pinnacle of Apple technology. While testing them out for all kinds of active lifestyle activities, we found that the fit had been improved to the point where they're a viable option for the best sports headphones, and suitable for runners and gym workouts alike. Not only are the earbuds IPX4-rated for protection from sweat and light showers, but now too is the case itself.

On the audio front, Apple's H2 chip with custom amp and driver delivers impressive low and high frequencies, and you can use the iPhone's TrueDepth camera to create a personalizedspatial audiosound for one of the bestDolby Atmosmusic experiences of any pair of earbuds. Noise cancelation is the best we’ve experienced from the AirPods Pro series so far.

Read the full Apple AirPods Pro 2 review.

Best wireless earbuds for noise cancelation

We've been blown away by the noise canceling capabilities of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds since they arrived in late 2023. We thought nothing could top the ANC of their predecessor and still available Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2, but the QC Ultra Earbuds raise the ANC game and are a brilliant follow up.

Sound quality is great, and Bluetooth streaming includes aptX Adaptive support to for compatibility with high-performance audio codecs. The strength of the noise cancelation is second to none, and we liked that you can customize sound profiles with 10 different degrees of isolation as presets that balance ANC and awareness depending on your activity. Additionally, the Ultra's Aware transparency passthrough mode sounds highly natural, while ActiveSense automatically lowers ambient sounds when loud noise is detected.

As with the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, the Ultra Earbuds have Bose's new immersive audio tech for a 3D sound experience no matter what you're listening to. Sadly though some features are MIA, and there's no wireless charging or multipoint connectivity on board.

Read the full Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds review.

Best AirPods alternative

Jabra’s flagship Elite 10 are a more affordable option compared to rival wireless earbud flagships from the likes of Bose and Sony. In fact, when it comes to sound quality and ANC performance, these Jabra earbuds stood up well in our Sony WF-1000XM5 face-off. They sport upscale features in a luxe design that’s comfortable to wear for longer listening periods, and although not quite everything hits the flagship mark in terms of battery life and a lack of extensive special features compared to the top ranking models, the Elite 10 deserve a place in the best wireless earbuds.

Active noise canceling is double that of its predecessor, and the Elite 10 carries Jabra’s own spatial sound tech with Dolby head tracking to deliver strong sound with great bass and detailed highs straight out of the box. There’s a multi-band EQ control, and although there’s no aptX or LDAC support for faster data transfers over Bluetooth, they're competitively priced and their overall performance makes them a strong option at the price.

Read the full Jabra Elite 10 review.

Best wireless earbuds for Galaxy phones

Samsung's Galaxy Buds 2 Pro set out to rival the AirPods Pro 2, at least for Galaxy owners. During our testing we found the sound alone makes the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro worth the investment, giving listeners a high quality audio experience and compelling 3D sound with precise head tracking. Samsung’s ANC holds its own against the category leaders and blocks out close to 90% of ambient noise. The updated design also provides improved comfort and noise isolation.

We found these buds operated well across all Bluetooth-enabled devices, but Galaxy smartphone owners get to enjoy cool features like Easy Pairing and compatibility with Samsung's Scalable Codec. It’s upsetting that Bixby (Samsung's voice assistant) doesn’t perform up to its potential, though the mediocre battery life with ANC on is a greater disappointment. Since our review, Galaxy smartphone and Buds 2 Pro owners now get 360-degree audio recording, too.

Take a look at our Samsung promo codes for the latest discounts from Samsung.

Read the full Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro review.

Best wireless earbuds for durability

Jabra’s Elite 8 Active are made from military-grade materials for unbreakable protection. They're the most durable wireless earbuds we’ve ever seen. They combine much of what makes the company’s Elite 10 flagship earbuds so successful, while being perfectly suited to fitness fans with IP68-rated earbuds, offering the strongest water and dirt ingress protection of any pair of wireless earbuds. Even the changing case is IP54-rated.

With powerful 6mm dynamic drivers, Jabra’s sound signature will put a spring in your step to jumpstart workouts. Adaptive active noise cancelation, spatial audio, and battery life are some of the best we’ve encountered from a pair of wireless earbuds built for active lifestyles, and the Elite 8 Active wireless earbuds benefit from solid feature support across both iOS and Android devices.

Read the full Jabra Elite 8 Active review.

Best wireless earbuds for active lifestyles

The Beats Fit Pro wireless earbuds rank #1 in our best sports headphones for iPhone users with active lifestyles. They're a culmination of Apple and Beats’ greatest triumphs, packaging AirPods Pro-like performance into an updated Studio Beats design.

When we tested the Beats Fit Pro, our reviewer was impressed by the amazing sound quality, which was backed by a proprietary transducer that keeps bass punchy, while also balancing frequencies to hear crisp mids and detailed highs. Spatial Audio for immersive 3D sound has also been added, making this the first Beats product to feature the technology. Popular features tied to Apple's H1 processor are available, including automatic switching between Apple devices and FindMy to help locate misplaced buds. We also appreciate the integrated wingtips, which keep the buds secure during runs and intense workouts.

Android users do get to bask in the sonic upgrades, though all other iOS-related features remain exclusive to iPhone and iPad users. The lack of features available on the Android app also means limits to what the Fit Pro can perform on Google’s mobile platform.

Read the full Beats Fit Pro review.

Best wireless earbuds under $50

There are numerous budget wireless earbud options out there, but none have managed to maintain their position as the best under $50 as successfully as the PistonBuds Pro. While they unlikely to replace a pair of AirPods Pro, these are a cost effective backup solution with plenty of appealthat can be had for a fifth of the price.

In fact, battery life is comparable with the AirPods with ANC enabled, which is falling behind durations for the majority of new rivals, and call quality isn't anything to write home about. But these shortcomings are forgivable when factoring in the strong audio and noise cancelation performance these buds deliver, and give the Piston Buds Pro mass appeal.Ultimately, These are a win for budget-conscious consumers who desire outstanding ANC and sound in a stylish, affordable package.

Read the full1More PistonBuds Pro review.

FAQ

What do IP-ratings mean?

IP-ratings refer to the level of Ingress Protection (IP) from liquids and dirt that a device is protected from. This is part of a device's durability.

IP-ratings explained:The first digit refers to the level of protection from solid particles, such as dust and sand. The scale ranges from 0 (no protection) to 6 (dust-tight) for full protection. For example, an IP6X rating ensures that the device is completely dust-tight, making it ideal for harsh outdoor conditions or industrial settings where fine dust particles are common.

The second digit refers to a devices resistance to moisture, and the scale ranges from 0 (no protection) to 8 for the highest level of protection. For example, with an IPX4 rating, earbuds are protected from water splashes from any direction, while an IPX7 rating ensures that the device can be submerged in water up to 1 meter (around 3 feet) for 30 minutes without any damage.

Most common IP ratings explained

How to choose

With so many wireless earbud options to choose from, you may find it difficult to settle on one. There are several factors to weigh up, and which one is most important depends on personal preference. Follow out list of considerations to factor in when choosing the best wireless earbuds for you.

1. Design: When buying a new pair of wireless earbuds, it can be helpful to think about where you want to wear them. If you're going to use them on a run, for example, you may want a pair that offers the most secure fit and a high water resistance rating like all the models in our best sports headphones.

Whatever type you choose, make sure the earbuds are well built and comfy to wear for about 1 to 2 hours daily.

2. Sound quality:Different models offer different sound, and since you’re buying a pair to enjoy music individually, it’s important to find headphones that match your sound preference, be it heavy bass or distinctively clear to where you can hear the littlest nuances in recordings. Some models like the NuraTrue Pro (top) offer personalized sound via companion app, which allows the user to create their own profiles and tweak EQ levels to their hearing.

3. Battery life:Battery life is also key in choosing the best wireless earbuds. Wireless earbuds can last about 5 to 10 hours and offer extended playtime with their bundled charging cases — always make sure one is included.

4. Accessories:It's disappointing spending money on a new pair of wireless earbuds only to find that you need to buy the accessories separately. Any models that come with a carrying case, charging cable, user guide, and extra ear cups or tips are solid purchases.

5. Pricing considerations:Obviously, price is a big consideration when looking for the best headphones. Although there are always exceptions, big-name brands will typically command a bit extra, but generally speaking, the less you spend on a pair of headphones the greater the chance that sound and features will be compromised. Going for a budget option isn't always the best choice, as any money you save on your purchase won't do you much good if you're constantly needing to recharge your audio gear, or the sound quality is poor.

As the saying goes: timing is everything; and right now many of our favorite models arediscounted at online retailers, meaning you can bag a bargain for even less. Bookmark ourheadphone dealspages to keep track of the latest discounts.

How we test the best wireless earbuds

The best reviews criteria carried out by audio experts

With more than 30 years experience in testing and reviewing consumer audio products for all kinds of media outlets and big-name brands around the world, the Tom's Guide audio team follows a rigorous test regime when it comes to determining the best products for recommendation in our buying guides.

In determining the best wireless earbuds, we consider fit, battery life, sound quality, design and value (are they worth the price?). We also factor in features like how well the controls work and how easily the earbuds pair with our playback devices.

In terms of sound quality, we listen to many sample tracks that span a number of genres, including hip-hop, rock, jazz, classical and R&B, while evaluating volume, clarity and fullness. We also make phone calls to assess both call quality and microphone performance.

To discover more information on what we listen for during our testing and reviewing process, take a look at our companion page on how to get thebest headphone sound for you.

During the testing phase, our reviewers wear each pair of headphones for several hours at a time throughout the course of a week. Reviewers will make a note of the battery life performance in real world use, and assess how well this matches the rated battery life provided by earbud makers.

Star ratings explained: We evaluate earbuds based on a five-point system (1 = worst, 5 = best). If a product hits nearly every mark, it’s awarded a coveted Recommended badge, while our Best Value award speaks for itself. Only products with truly exceptional performance across the board are awarded an Editor's Choice badge.

For more information, check out our how we test page for Tom's Guide.

Contributions from: Alex Bracetti, Simon Lucas, Nick Pino

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