The best wireless earbuds, all real-world tested: I've covered wireless buds for 10 years, and these are the best for all budgets

Date:
Tue, 30 Sep 2025 15:31:25 +0000

Description:
Our reviewers spent over 600 hours testing these earbuds, so heres my verdict on the best wireless earbuds for iPhone, Android or anything else.

FULL STORY ======================================================================

Ive been managing guides to the best wireless earbuds for over five years,
and testing and reviewing earbuds for well over a decade now, so I understand better than most the myriad options out there in 2025, and how confusing it can be to find the perfect one for you and crucially, at the right price.

I put this guide together with our Audio Editor, Becky Scarrott (formerly of What Hi-Fi?) to make choosing your next pair of earbuds as straightforward as possible. Each set of earbuds has been championed by one of us, with clear reasons for why it made the cut.

The choices are based on around 600 hours of testing between us and our wider team of expert reviewers. And its worth noting that we tested plenty more earbuds than the ones youll see here, each measured against the class-leaders in its price bracket and put through our rigorous earbuds testing methodology .

Weve aimed to cover all the key needs, from different budgets and phone platforms to varying levels of audiophile demands. On budget specifically, very few people pay full price for earbuds these days, thanks to frequent sales. In many ways, these discounts reflect the real prices. Thats why, in each write-up, weve included the price you should actually be aiming to pay. Hopefully, that means youll walk away with a pair you love for a competitive real-world price. The quick list

Want to cut to the chase and find out which wireless earbuds are the best? Below, youll find a roundup of our choices. You can also jump to a more detailed review of every pick, along with our price comparison tool to help you find the best deals. Best overall 1. Technics EAH-AZ100



The best wireless earbuds overall

These highly accomplished buds are all-rounders, delivering excellent sound, strong noise cancellation, and features like triple-point connectivity. Comfortable, versatile, and great across the board, theyre easily our top pick.

Read more below Best mid-range 2. Cambridge Audio Melomania A100



The best mid-priced wireless earbuds

We gave these buds a rare 5-star score in our review and for good reason. In terms of build quality, features and, most notably, performance, they far exceed expectations for the price. An easy recommendation.

Read more below Best budget 3. Nothing Ear (a)



The best budget wireless earbuds

Nothing delivers fun and expansive audio, high-quality active noise cancellation, good app-based features, and the company's signature cool design, all for a fantastic budget price.

Read more below Best for ANC 4. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)



The best wireless earbuds for noise blocking

The new best-of-the-best for noise cancellation, and with a really enjoyable and lively sound to match. Despite being slightly chunky, they comfortable
and secure in the ear, too.

Read more below Best for Apple 5. Apple AirPods Pro 2



The best wireless earbuds for Apple fans

These work seamlessly with Apple products for auto-switching between devices, using Find My if they're lost, Dolby Atmos spatial audio, and more. The sound and noise cancellation are superb, and they get huge discounts.

Read more below Best open earbuds 6. Huawei FreeArc



The best wireless open earbuds

Open earbuds are booming, and these rank among the best-sounding pairs weve tested, and are very well-priced. They're also very comfortable, though there's no ANC and the app is a pain to load on Android.

Read more below

Load the next products... Best for Samsung 7. Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro



The best wireless earbuds for Samsung users

These buds have special sauce with Samsung phones, including very hi-res
audio and spatial audio, that makes them a perfect fit, along with great
sound and noise cancellation.

Read more below Best for sound 8. Bowers & Wilkins Pi8



The best wireless earbuds for supreme sonic clarity

With the best sound weve heard from wireless buds, the Pi8s are an
audiophiles dream. ANC is as good as Bose, fit is excellent, and theres optional wired connection. Our top pick for sound but honestly, theyre amazing all-round.

Read more below Best for battery life 9. JBL Live Beam 3



The best wireless earbuds for battery life

With 10 hours from the buds with ANC on, and 48 hours from the case, these earbuds go on and on and on. The cool screen on the case is a highlight too, as is the sound.

Read more below About this guide

Testing and enjoying wireless earbuds is inherently a subjective experience while you can measure their audio output scientifically, that doesnt automatically translate into musical talent, and doesnt tell you much about their value. But testing subjectively also makes it hard to rate and rank them, since we cant demonstrate it over the internet, so heres how I approach it.

The main thing is that weve scored and rated these earbuds in different areas in comparison to each other, based on our direct comparisons, so that while our scores in this guide might be subjective, they are still consistent . To ensure this consistency, we created our earbuds testing methodology , to make sure that reviewers are using some of the same tracks for sound comparisons (our playlist is public, and you can try it at home), with equivalent-quality audio sources, and are testing the microphones and battery life in the same way.

Microphones are the one part of wireless earbuds performance that can be communicated over the internet, so while weve scored them here, Ive also included recordings so that you can make your own judgement.

We check and update this guide all the time, looking for how new releases or price drops may affect our rankings I include an update log, so that were transparent about how its evolved over time. The best wireless earbuds you
can buy The best wireless earbuds overall Image 1 of 5 (Image credit: Future
/ Simon Lucas) Image 2 of 5 (Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas) Image 3 of 5 (Image credit: Future) Image 4 of 5 (Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
Image 5 of 5 (Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas) 1. Technics EAH-AZ100

The best wireless earbuds balancing beautiful sound and advanced features Weight: 5.9g (buds) | Frequency response: 20-40,000Hz | Drivers: 10mm | Battery life: (Up to) 12h (earbuds); (up to) 29h (charging case) Balanced and convincing sound Amazing feature list Great comfort and fit Noise cancelling can be bettered Notable sound difference with ANC on or off

1-minute summary: I'm blown away by what the Technics EAH-AZ100 can do. Even though they're far from cheap, they're somehow amazing value, because they
not only pack in so many great features (including triple-point Bluetooth connectivity, which is still something only the older Technics EAH-AZ80 and this newer model can do), but they sound absolutely phenomenal with the
active noise cancellation turned on, thanks to their Magnetic Fluid speaker driver, which has been distilled from Technics' much more expensive in-ear monitors. It's a bit of a shame that they sound noticeably worse with the ANC turned off, though I personally never have it turned off, so this minor flaw won't stop me from loving these buds. I should also note that if the best possible noise cancellation is your priority, then Bose still has these beat but the ANC is very good in general.

The Technics are just such incredible all-rounders, and offer so much:
they're comfortable and fairly light, they switch instantly between three devices of any platform, they support Dolby Atmos from any compatible device, they sound good enough to satisfy audiophiles, the 10-hour battery life with ANC on is great their faults are real picky stuff, and I think they're the real deal for most people.

Read our full Technics EAH-AZ100 review Reasons to buy

You want a vibrant and revealing sound: With the ANC turned on, these walk the very fine line between being insightful and honest to the music, and
being energetic and just plain fun to listen to.

You want to switch between devices easily: The triple-point connectivity is almost unique, and makes it seamless to move between phone, tablet and laptop without re-pairing no matter what company they're from.

You want comfortable and fairly small buds: Technics has fit all of this
tech into lightweight and pretty small earbuds, so they're good for people
for small or larger ears, and stay comfortable for long periods. Reasons to avoid

You like to listen without noise cancellation turned on: The sound is immediately and clearly weaker when you turn the ANC off, so if you like to
do that often, they're not such a hit.

You need the absolute best noise cancellation: They don't do this badly at all, but the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds at #4 on the list can do it just that bit better.

You're on a budget: They're so good that they're easily worth the price of $299 / 259, but several premium options here plus their predecessor, the Technics EAH-AZ80 can be found for significantly less.

Show full expert analysis In-depth analysis Technics EAH-AZ100 test results Technics EAH-AZ100 real-world test results

Sound quality (ANC on)

5 / 5

Sound quality (ANC off)

4 / 5

Mic quality

4 / 5

Battery life (ANC on)

10 hours

Battery life (ANC off)

12 hours ^ Back to the top The best mid-range wireless earbuds Image 1 of 4 (Image credit: Future) Image 2 of 4 (Image credit: Future) Image 3 of 4
(Image credit: Future) Image 4 of 4 (Image credit: Future) 2. Cambridge Audio Melomania A100

The best wireless earbuds for a mid-range price Weight: 4.7g per bud | Frequency response: Not specified | Drivers: 10mm Neodymium dynamic | Battery life: 11 hours (buds) 39 hours (case) Expressive, energetic and enjoyable sound Great specification at the price Effective noise cancellation Low frequencies can sound fractionally estranged Very worthwhile price-comparable alternatives

1-minute summary: Cambridge Audios true wireless earbuds have always been good, but the Melomania A100 take them to a new level of bang-for-your-buck. We gave these earbuds a rare full five stars in our review because, for a
very reasonable price, you get everything you need. Theyre packed with features, including solid noise cancellation, a neat charging case, and thoroughly entertaining sound. When it comes to getting truly satisfying sound, I don't think you can do any better for the price but you don't have to give up on modern features to get there. A connoisseur's choice, without the price tag that usually comes with such a label.

Read our full Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 review Reasons to buy

You have a high-quality source player: With top-tier codec support and excellent sound quality, the A100 buds are the ideal match for serious audio setups.

You prefer a tailored fit: The ultra-slim charging case slips easily into
any pocket no bulky bulges or outfit compromises required.

You appreciate the extras: If the name Matt Berry means anything to you, having him as your audible feedback voice is a small but endlessly enjoyable bonus. Reasons to avoid

You want spatial audio or a few more advanced features: The feature list
here is good, but it doesn't quite have everything.

You like a splash of color: Plenty of similarly-priced rivals come in more than just black or white, if variety is your thing.

You prioritize bass: Look, the sound is great here, especially for the
money. But we did note in our review that at the low-end there are some integration issues.

Show full expert analysis In-depth analysis Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 test results Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 real-world test results

Sound quality (ANC on)

4.5 / 5

Sound quality (ANC off)

4.5 / 5

Mic quality

2.5 / 5

Battery life (ANC on)

6 hours

Battery life (ANC off)

11 hours ^ Back to the top The best wireless earbuds on a budget Image 1 of 4 (Image credit: Future) Image 2 of 4 (Image credit: Future) Image 3 of 4
(Image credit: Future) Image 4 of 4 (Image credit: Future) 3. Nothing Ear (a)

The best wireless earbuds under $100 / 100 Weight: 4.7g | Frequency response: Not listed | Drivers: 11mm | Battery life : 5.5 hours (buds) 24.5 hours
(case) Energetic and expansive sound Good-quality active noise cancellation Small case and cool design No wireless charging Middling battery life

1-minute summary: I cannot believe the price of these earbuds for what you get. Not only do they look the absolute business, they sound it too.
Nothing's 2024-issue earbuds are the cheaper siblings to the flagship Nothing Ear (which launched on the self-same day), but unless you want the hearing test and subsequent personalized sound profile reserved for the flagship set, I'd save your money and opt for these. You do get in-ear detection, excellent ANC, a low-lag toggle for gaming, detailed sound quality, issue-free multipoint to two devices, an ear tip fit test plus a Find My Earbuds
feature, which issues a rattlesnake-style sound from whichever bud you're trying to locate. They're a joy to listen to, especially given their lowly sub-$100 / 100 asking fee, which continues to be reduced in price. And let's not forget that those pinch-able stems now offer you a direct line to ChatGPT whenever you need it, as long as you have a Nothing phone with the latest Nothing OS installed. Hardly nothing worth shouting about, I think you'll agree

Read our full Nothing Ear (a) review Reasons to buy

You want great ANC for less: These offer the best noise-nixing power we've heard for the price.

You go for serious sound quality: The Ear (a) are a seriously fun and
zealous listen, aided by their support for LDAC higher-res wireless tech.

You like your tech bold-looking: I've never had so many people stop me and ask what my earbuds are (I had the yellow set). Reasons to avoid

You want spatial audio support: The similarly priced Sony WF-C700N offer
this from certain services, but you won't find it here.

You need top-tier stamina: 5.5 hours with noise cancellation on is
distinctly average again, the Sony buds mentioned above offer 7.5 hours.

You'd like Nothing's hearing test and personalized sound profile: F or that, you'll need to shell out a little more, for the flagship Nothing Ear.

Show full expert analysis In-depth analysis Nothing Ear (a) test results Nothing Ear (a) real-world test results

Sound quality (ANC on)

4.5 / 5

Sound quality (ANC off)

4.5 / 5

Mic quality

3.5 / 5

Battery life (ANC on)

5.5 hours

Battery life (ANC off)

9.5 hours ^ Back to the top The best wireless earbuds for ANC Image 1 of 5 (Image credit: Future) Image 2 of 5 (Image credit: Future) Image 3 of 5
(Image credit: Future) Image 4 of 5 (Image credit: Future) Image 5 of 5
(Image credit: Future) 4. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)

The best wireless earbuds for sheer noise-cancelling power Weight: 7.7g per earbud | Frequency response: Not listed | Drivers: 10mm | Battery life: 6 hours (buds) 24 hours total (with case) The best noise cancelling of any earbuds Excellent, energetic sound Stable and comfortable fit Average battery life Bulkier than most earbuds Limited EQ tweaks

1-minute summary: Just when I thought Boses noise-cancelling chops couldn't get much better in a set of earbuds, the QCU Earbuds 2 land on my desk and prove me wrong. I enjoyed the greater dynamism, punch, energy and zeal this time around and their ability to do great work with sound applies to the ANC too. This particular Bose iteration provides a sonic backdrop as welcomingly silent, cocoon-like and relaxing as Ive ever experienced in an in-ear design. But that's far from the end of the praise where this particular Bose vintage is concerned and yes, that is a reference to the wine-like colorway. This time around, you also get an embedded wax guard to avoid any gunk sneaking past the outer shells, wireless charging from the box, and multi-point connectivity that works seamlessly, things the original Ultras bizarrely lacked on their release. Some of the best earbuds on the market for energetic sound and class-leading noise cancellation? Without a doubt.

Read our full Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) review Reasons to
buy

Noise cancellation is paramount: These earbuds block outside sound better than anything else we've tested to date.

You like an exuberant, energetic sound: When it comes to vibrancy and
attack, Bose's new buds are overflowing they're a really enjoyable listen.

You want to feel a secure fit: These Bose buds are somewhat bulky, but they're held in place safely by fitting both in the ear canal and sitting against the outside of the ear too. Reasons to avoid

You want a more neutral, hi-fi sound: We had a great time with the super-lively sound, but purists may prefer the Technics or Bowers & Wilkins options here.

You want a slim, light bud: At 7.7g per earbud, they rank among the heavier options you'll feel them in the ear more than some here.

You're on a budget: Getting the best noise cancellation available doesn't come cheap though you might find the first-gen Ultras for a good deal these days.

Show full expert analysis In-depth analysis Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds test results Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds real-world test results

Sound quality (ANC on)

5 / 5

Sound quality (ANC off)

N/A

Mic quality

4 / 5

Battery life (ANC on)

6 hours

Battery life (ANC off)

N/A ^ Back to the top The best wireless earbuds for Apple fans Image 1 of 5 (Image credit: Future) Image 2 of 5 (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff) Image 3 of 5 (Image credit: TechRadar) Image 4 of 5 (Image credit: Future) Image 5 of 5 (Image credit: Future) 5. Apple AirPods Pro 2

The best wireless earbuds for iPhone owners Weight: 5.3g | Frequency
response: Not listed | Drivers: Custom Apple design | Battery life : 6 hours (buds) 30 hours (case) Top-tier active noise cancellation Great sound quality Lots of very smart features for iPhone Average battery life No lossless support No good for Android

1-minute summary: I still use AirPods Pro 2 all the time, for exactly the reason they remain the most popular earbuds on the planet: they work so seamlessly with my Apple gear, they sound great, they're super-light and comfortable, and the active noise cancellation is right near the top of the class. The auto-switching between devices is so useful, and as a movie fan I really enjoy the Dolby Atmos spatial audio support. And I can't tell you how often I've made use of the nearly-unloseable case, with tech that means your iPhone can literally point you towards them (and the case can make noise).
But I also don't want to understate how much I like their small and slim
case, and non-bulky bud design. As with all AirPods, they're only really recommendable if you only want to connect them Apple gear, because they lack device-neutral multi-point switching or any kind of app control on Android. You can get better sound quality too, and Bose beats them for noise cancellation power. But as a complete package for Apple users, AirPods Pro 2 are incredibly hard to argue with and because they regularly drop to under $170 / 180, they're actually excellent value too. We should mention that the AirPods Pro 3 have now arrived, boasting better fit, heart-rate monitoring, real-time translation and a claimed 2x ANC performance over this Pro 2 model. Will they replace them in this guide? Possibly. We're working on a full
review of those now.

Read our full Apple AirPods Pro 2 review Reasons to buy

You want superb sound and noise cancellation: The audio quality is
extremely strong, and the noise cancellation is nearly as good as you can right now.

You're in the Apple ecosystem: They've got lots of extra features for iPhone users, including Spatial Audio and Find My support and they switch
seamlessly between all your devices.

You want small and light earbuds: The case is smaller and slimmer than the competition, and the buds themselves are lighter than average. Reasons to avoid

You want good battery life: These are distinctly average when it comes to
the battery most buds match or beat them, even with similar features.

You want to involve non-Apple devices: Android users miss out on the
majority of features, and they won't auto-switch between an iPhone and, say,
a Windows PC.

You want them in anything other than white: We really wish Apple would offer some colors, like it does for AirPods Max. But no.

Show full expert analysis In-depth analysis Apple AirPods Pro 2 test results Apple AirPods Pro 2 real-world test results

Sound quality (ANC on)

4.5 / 5

Sound quality (ANC off)

4.5 / 5

Mic quality

4.5 / 5

Battery life (ANC on)

6 hours

Battery life (ANC off)

9 hours ^ Back to the top The best wireless open earbuds Image 1 of 6 (Image credit: Future) Image 2 of 6 (Image credit: Future) Image 3 of 6 (Image credit: Future) Image 4 of 6 (Image credit: Future) Image 5 of 6 (Image credit: Future) Image 6 of 6 (Image credit: Future) 6. Huawei FreeArc

The best wireless earbuds with an open design Weight: 8.9g (buds) 67g (case)
| Frequency response: 20-20,000Hz | Drivers: 17mm x 12mm | Battery life: 7 hours (buds) 23 hours (case) Top-tier sound Competitive price Comfortable fit App download pains Middling battery life Would benefit from ANC

1-minute summary: Open earbuds are booming in popularity, and from the options available today, I think the Huawei FreeArc are the best for msot people, by a hair. These are the best-sounding open wireless earbuds weve tested so far for close to this price, with a soundstage and energy that outshine the rest. While open designs tend to sacrifice audio detail for situational awareness, the FreeArc buds manage to balance both. Theyre also comfortable, lightweight and stay secure during workouts as well as
day-to-day life. The IP57 rating is a nice bonus too, making them great for outdoor or gym use. I do have some caveats, though: there's no ANC, and you have to sideload the Android app if you want to use it, though iPhone and Huawei users wont have this issue. But the FreeArc still strike an impressive balance between comfort, sound quality and value, and I think they're the
best alternative to the more traditional in-ear buds in this guide for this price.

Read our full Huawei FreeArc review Reasons to buy

You care about sound quality: If audio fidelity matters to you but you
still want the benefits of an open design, the FreeArc buds are your best
bet.

Youre working with a mid-range budget: The Huawei FreeArc may not be super-cheap but if you're spending in the mid-range, they offer excellent value for money.

You have an iPhone or Huawei phone: Android users might struggle with the
app setup, but iPhone and Huawei users can expect a smoother experience. Reasons to avoid

You want to wait between charges: There's decent battery life from the buds themselves, but the case only adds 23 hours total. If you dont regularly top up your devices, that might feel a little limiting.

You want to listen in noisy places: They shine in quiet settings, where the sound quality can really stand out. But in loud environments, background
noise can easily overpower your audio.

You have an Android phone and want to use the app: As we've mentioned, installing the app is frustrating for Android users. Not impossible, but possibly not worth it though you can use them without the app.

Show full expert analysis In-depth analysis Huawei FreeArc test results Huawei FreeArc real-world test results

Sound quality (ANC on)

N/A

Sound quality

5 / 5

Mic quality

2.5 / 5

Battery life (ANC on)

N/A

Battery life

7 hours ^ Back to the top The best wireless earbuds for Samsung fans Image 1 of 5 (Image credit: Amanda Westberg) Image 2 of 5 (Image credit: Future)
Image 3 of 5 (Image credit: Future) Image 4 of 5 (Image credit: Amanda Westberg) Image 5 of 5 (Image credit: Future) 7. Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro

The best wireless earbuds for Samsung Galaxy phone owners Weight: 5.4g (buds) 46.5g (case) | Frequency response: 20-40,000Hz | Drivers: 10mm dynamic driver + planar tweeter | Battery life: 6 hours (buds) 30 hours (case) Great sound, and serious Hi-Res skills Strong noise cancellation Classy, comfortable
design and finish Battery life is only average Some key features are Samsung-only Delicate ear-tips

1-minute summary: I think it's fair to say that Samsung took some pages from the AirPods book with its latest Pro earbuds, switching them to 'golf club' design with stems, and keeping some of their best features exclusive to Samsung Galaxy devices. It means that for users of other Android devices, I'd generally point you to other options but for Samsung owners, they're pretty damn great, and those exclusive options are juicy. The head-tracked spatial audio is really effective, and Samsung's devices support Dolby Atmos, so you're getting the best version of it. The 24-bit Hi-Res Audio support is
kind of mind-blowing as a feature, and means you really eke the most out of music streaming services with lossless support. The AI features are not
really essential yet, but I suspect they'll get developed and improved rapidly, so they're future-proof. Most importantly, these earbuds sound excellent and offer strong active noise cancellation, so make an excellent package for the Galaxy fans especially because Samsung tends to get aggressive with discounts, so they'll probably be great value if you buy smartly.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro review Reasons to buy

You have a Samsung Galaxy phone: The Buds 3 Pro offer a load of extra
smarts when used with Samsung phones, including spatial audio and AI
features.

You want Samsung's best audio quality: Samsung's 24-bit audio (again, if you have its own phones to use with the buds) is superb for elite music fans.

You want strong active noise cancellation: These are highly effective at cutting off the outside world, without being big and bulky. Reasons to avoid

You want big features on another phone brand: General Android users won't
get as much from these buds, and iPhone users don't even get an app to
control them.

You want the absolute best value: They're excellent, but they're not cheap, and non-Samsung owners won't get as much out of them.

You don't like a stick design: Samsung changed from its previous buds-only design to a stick design that's especially futuristic. It won't be for everyone.

Show full expert analysis In-depth analysis Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 test results Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro real-world test results

Sound quality (ANC on)

4.5 / 5

Sound quality (ANC off)

4 / 5

Mic quality

3.5 / 5

Battery life (ANC on)

6 hours

Battery life (ANC off)

7 hours ^ Back to the top The best wireless earbuds for sound Image 1 of 5 (Image credit: Future) Image 2 of 5 (Image credit: Future) Image 3 of 5
(Image credit: Future) Image 4 of 5 (Image credit: Future) Image 5 of 5
(Image credit: Future) 8. Bowers & Wilkins Pi8

The best wireless earbuds for superlative sound Weight: 7g per earbud | Frequency response: Not stated | Drivers: 12mm carbon cone | Battery life: Up to 6.5 hrs (buds), up to 20hr total Levels of detail and dynamism rarely
heard Hugely improved comfort; better stamina Effective noise cancellation No hearing or fit tests No spatial audio Battery life is still beatable

1-minute summary: Let's not be coy; the Pi8 are are completely different to the unreliable (and quite uncomfortable) Pi7 S2 that Bowers & Wilkins put its name to before them. The company approached the challenge of solving the
older siblings' snafus with both humility and grace too, completely redesigning the driver housings to look, it must be said, not unlike the also-excellent 2023 Technics EAH-AZ80 and adding an upgraded DAC, DSP and amplifier. Yes, the Pi8 effectively bypass Qualcomm's digital-to-analog converter for even better audio quality compared to their direct rivals.
B&W's commitment to sound doesn't surprise me though; what does is fact that they can nullify noise as well the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds or the AirPods Pro 2. That feeling of being wrapped in a comforter of silence happens, but without any sense of wind-tunnel nausea. Also, you finally get on-ear volume control, which something I've been begging companies to implement for years, particularly in this premium sector. There's no spatial audio with head-tracking and no ear-tip fit tests or hearing profiles. No,
B&W wants music (unaltered and at its most detailed) to be the star of the show here and the company has met the brief and then some. I cannot fault the sound quality the Pi8 earbuds are able to deliver wirelessly, or when using the case as a transmitter for aptX Adaptive quality at up to 24-bit/96kHz.
And that is not something I often write.

Read our full Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 review Reasons to buy

You prioritize sound quality above all else: These buds offer the most zealous, balanced, detailed audio I've heard in a true wireless earbuds design. And the ANC? It's top-tier too.

You want buds that really fit: B&W has reworked everything here. Put them in and just leave them no twisting, wedging or jamming them in again.

You want a wired connection too: The case for the Pi8 can be connected to USB-C ports or 3.5mm ports, and beams the sound to the buds in high quality perfect for in-flight entertainment. Reasons to avoid

You want spatial audio: No dice here, I'm afraid, in any form.

You want personalized sound tests: No, you don't get that here either.

You need to access ANC profiles and volume at all times: You have to choose between on-ear volume control, scrolling between your ANC profiles, or accessing your voice assistant.

Show full expert analysis In-depth analysis Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 test
results Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 real-world test results

Sound quality (ANC on)

5 / 5

Sound quality (ANC off)

5 / 5

Mic quality

4 / 5

Battery life (ANC on)

6.5 hours

Battery life (ANC off)

8.5 hours ^ Back to the top The best wireless earbuds for battery life Image
1 of 4 (Image credit: Future) Image 2 of 4 (Image credit: Future) Image 3 of
4 (Image credit: Future) Image 4 of 4 (Image credit: Future) 9. JBL Live Beam 3

The best wireless earbuds that go on and on Weight: 5g per earbud | Frequency response: 20 Hz - 40 kHz | Drivers: 10mm dynamic | Battery life: Up to 12 hrs (buds), up to 48hr total Very impressive audio Screen is fun and can be
useful Excellent battery life Somewhat weak spatial audio ANC isn't as strong as class leaders

1-minute summary: The fact that they're in this guide as my 'best for battery' recommendation is valid there's a whacking great touchscreen on the box and try as I might, I couldn't get it to affect the 12-hour stamina
within the earbuds, or the 48-hour total including the case, during my tests. I'll be honest though, I also really wanted to get these earbuds into this guide to highlight both their lock-screen wallpaper novelty (which might put people in mind of the Polaroid stickers people used to adorn their phones
with a few years ago), and that their sound is deadly serious. The audio quality in the Live Beam 3 is delicious; that famous Harman curve of rich
bass and elevated treble, now represented in the best way. Also of note is Personi-Fi, which creates an excellent personalized sound profile, and JBL's splendid call-handling perks. OK, the spatial audio profiles didn't wow me, and the ANC is fine rather than ground-breaking, but so much else did
surprise me that they're more than worthy of a spot here. And did I mention, they're not even JBL's flagship earbuds, so prices are refreshingly low?

Read our full JBL Live Beam 3 review Reasons to buy

You want the best battery: If you want a reliable pair of buds you'll
rarely need to charge, you've found them. 10 hours with ANC on from the buds, and 48 hours total is massive.

You like cool new tech ideas: Some people might think the screen on the case is a gimmick, others will love this addition and make great use of it it works well.

You enjoy personalized sound profiles: F ire up JBL's Personi-Fi test and
get to listening you'll soon see what all the fuss is about. Reasons to
avoid

You're not always a fan of in-ears: They were comfy during testing, but some people might find they go too far into your ear canals.

Spatial audio is a priority: You do get some sense of immersion, but you won't get that directional, three-dimensional 'where are my earbuds' style presentation here.

You want only-the-best ANC: The noise-cancellation here is good and there
are plenty of options for tweaking it but you won't get that 'bubble of silence' feeling you get from Bose earbuds

Show full expert analysis In-depth analysis JBL Live Beam 3 test results JBL Live Beam 3 real-world test results

Sound quality (ANC on)

4 / 5

Sound quality (ANC off)

4 / 5

Mic quality

4 / 5

Battery life (ANC on)

10 hours

Battery life (ANC off)

12 hours ^ Back to the top Best wireless earbuds test results comparison More wireless earbuds we've tested

AceFast AceFit Pro: A pair of open buds that look cool, but ultimately disappoint in several key areas, including a poor battery life, lack of features and several critical design issues. Read our full AceFast AceFit Pro review to find out more.

AKG N5: Theres plenty to like about the AKG N5, from impressive audio
quality to a solid feature set. But design quirks and underwhelming battery life hold them back from standing out in a competitive field. As we found in our full AKG N5 review , theyre premium buds, just not quite at a price that feels justified.

Apple AirPods 4: Apple's newest ice-white stemmed buds arrived in September 2024, in two flavors. You can see our full AirPods 4 review for our thoughts on the non-ANC model, but the cheaper set don't feature here because, honestly, we think you can do better for your money.

Anker Soundcore Liberty 5: These Anker buds are a great cheaper alternative to AirPods, which is what they're probably designed to be. They deliver detailed audio, solid bass and they're packed with features. Audiophiles
would ultimately be disappointed, however, and ANC isn't anything special either. But do take a look at our Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 review for the full story.

Anker Soundcore Aeroclip: Open earbuds are having a real moment, and as
youll see in our Anker Soundcore Aeroclip review , we loved this fresh take
on the form factor, which clips around your ear. The audio is surprisingly good, and the fit is comfortable. Theres some sound leakage and not quite enough waterproofing to make them a top pick but if youre after an open design, theyre well worth checking out.

Anker Soundcore C40i: Another pair of open earbuds that have some notable pros, like decent 3D audio and an impressive bass response. But they ultimately can't compete with the sheer amount of top-performing rivals in this category, especially when comfort and battery life are lacking. Take a look at our full Anker Soundcore C40i review for more.

Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation : These sound great and have noise cancellation that's far better than we ever expected anything without a real in-ear seal to achieve. They also have impressive spatial audio, and
lots of other smart features for iPhone users, which we explored in our AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation review . However, the AirPods Pro 2 are basically always around the same price as these, and they're superior, so these don't make the list while that's true.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (1st Gen): The audio and ANC superiority of the new model has kicked these out of our list above, but if you can find
them for a great discount while stocks last, we'd happily recommend them! They'll be a bargain around the $200 / 200 mark especially because their noise cancellation is still second-best-in class. Here's our full Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds review for more on them.

Bowers & Wilkins Pi6: These B&W buds feel premium, are comfortable to wear and sound great. As you'll see from our Bowers & Wilkins Pi6 review , we really enjoyed testing them. However, they are a little pricey, especially considering they're light on some of the top-tier features we'd expect to
see, and we experienced some minor connectivity issues.

CMF Buds Pro 2: We recently tested these budget buds that come in a range of funky color options that put the usual beige, white and black options to shame. And we liked parts of them very much in our CMF Buds Pro 2 review ,
but the overall package just doesn't match the likes of the Nothing Ear (a) above, or other options.

Earfun Air 2 NC: These budget wireless earbuds are well worth considering if you're looking for effective ANC at a very low price. However, read our
Earfun Air 2 NC review and you'll discover they don't deliver in terms of detail and we don't love the design either. Still, for the money they're not bad at all.

Edifier Lolliclip: Another strong open earbud option, the Lolliclip wraps around your ear and delivers impressive sound for the design. Uniquely, they also offer health tracking features like heart rate and blood oxygen monitoring. The companion app is a bit underwhelming, and EQ options are limited but definitely check out our full Edifier Lolliclip review if youre curious.

Google Pixel Buds Pro 2: Battery life in Google's August 2024-issue flagship buds is good, plus they're small and (hang it all) ridiculously cute-looking, but otherwise these Google buds were sadly disappointing across the board. We don't want to knock them any more here we just want you to be aware of why they're not featured but read our Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 review to find out why.

Happy Plugs Clip: Another pair of open earbuds and while these may look cool and we liked the charging case, they ultimately disappointed in some critical ways. Audio quality is poor, they're lacking in features and the design
leaves a lot to be desired. Read the full details in our Happy Plugs Clip review.

Huawei FreeArc: If youre curious about the open earbud trend, Huaweis
FreeArc buds are a great place to start. Youll get top-tier sound, a comfortable fit, and a solid price point. As we note in our Huawei FreeArc review , theyre not flawless getting the app can be tricky on some devices, and battery life is just okay but if youre intrigued, theyre well worth a closer look.

JLab Epic Open Sport: With thumping bass and an open ear design, these buds are a great choice for fitness. But they're not exactly cheap and competition is fierce in the open earbuds space, which is why they didn't quite make this guide but are still well worth considering if you need sports buds. Take a look at our full JLab Epic Open Sport review for more.

JLab Go Pods ANC: These super cheap JLab buds are a solid pick if you want effective ANC on a budget. They're not the most polished all-rounders but if your top priority is cutting noise without spending too much, then they're a smart choice. Read our full JLab Go Pods ANC review to find out more.

LG xboom Buds: Were not going to lie, we were a bit disappointed by these buds. Yes, they sound good, especially the bass, and you get solid Auracast support plus a great companion app. But they fall short on style and comfort, which kept them out of our top picks. However, its worth reading our full LG xboom Buds review if youre curious.

Noble FoKus Rex5: These bold-looking buds are finished to an incredibly high standard with great specs and a sound we described as "speedy and insightful" in our Noble FoKus Rex5 review . However, if your ears are on the small side, you're unlikely to get on with them as they're quite big. And if you like bass, they're lacking a bit in that low end.

OpenRock S: The open earbuds category is getting competitive and the
OpenRock S do a good job at justifying themselves, with a stable fit, solid battery and affordable price. But they feel a little too functional with a charging case that's too chunky and an overall sound that falls short when compared to rivals. Read all the details in our OpenRock S review .

Sony LinkBuds Fit: We rated these as being some of the most comfortable and stable earbuds we've ever tested in our Sony LinkBuds Fit review , which is obviously perfect for the fitness audience they're aimed at. We said that their "bold sound" is ideal for workouts, and while the ANC isn't amazing, it does a good enough job. Annoyingly, though, the touch controls aren't as reliable as we'd like, and we really think they should come with more sizes
of in-ear tips. Still, if you want Sony quality in workout buds, they're well worth consideration.

Sony WF-1000XM5: A massive pair of earbuds (metaphorically they're really rather small in literal terms) that aren't on our list. Why? Well, they're good, but we don't think they're better than competing models at the same price ie. Bose and Technics. As we said in our Sony WF-1000XM5 review , the ANC was sadly weaker than expected, and sonically they are beaten by the Technics EAH-AZ100 sitting pretty at the top of this guide.

Sony WF-C700N: These are five-star earbuds, and you can read why in our full Sony WF-C700N review , but the short version is that they're super-comfortable, have lots of great features, and sound fantastic for their affordable price. So why aren't they in the list? Because the Noting Ear (a) kicked them out by hitting all of the notes above, but slightly better in
most ways. It's a tough world out there

Sony WF-C710N: If youre after another budget-friendly option, check out our Sony WF-C710N review . Theyre not in this main guide because theyre not perfect no LDAC support, the new colorway looks a bit cheap, and the on-ear controls could be better. But if you want affordable ANC that performs surprisingly well, theyre definitely worth a look.

Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro: Xiaomi's February 2025-issue wireless buds are better
than the non-Pro Buds 5 (we tested the 'regular' Bluetooth option, not the concurrently-released Wi-Fi-enabled set ) but they're twice the price, and although our Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro review is largely positive, we just felt there are better options out there for the money. How to choose the best wireless earbuds

With so many wireless earbuds to pick from, how do you know which are right for you? There are a few key considerations you need to bear in mind.

The first is price. How much can you afford? You can get a good pair of wireless earbuds for under 100/$100. But often you do get what you pay for in terms of connectivity, build and noise cancellation.

Next up is form. Do you intend to hit the gym, bike or pavement with your earbuds? Then you'll need a design that'll stay put. Or maybe small and minimal is what you're after, so opt for a pair of discrete true wireless buds.

The best sounding earbuds are exactly that our pick of the wireless earbuds that sound fantastic. These are far from the best cheap earbuds out there,
but if you're passionate about hearing music with clarity, richness and powerful bass, these are the ones you need to consider.

It's still important to pick earbuds that feel good in your ears, but the models in our guide above have been picked for sound quality first and foremost, with those that excel in extra features such as noise cancellation or workout-friendly designs noted separately. What kind of speakers do wireless earbuds use?

All the wireless earbuds in our guide produce their sound using dynamic

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