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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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? ›

The best pair of wireless earbuds for most people are the Sony WF-1000XM5. The Sony WF-1000XM5 comes with a variety of ear tip sizes and a USB-A to USB-C charging cable. It does not come with a free iPhone. The Sony WF-1000XM5 is a high-end set of earbuds that plays nicely on both Android phones and iPhones.

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

Which earbuds have the best sound quality? ›

The best sounding wireless earbuds we've tested are the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless. These high-end buds have a slightly warm sound profile, with more thumpy bass than the original Apple AirPods Pro Truly Wireless.

What is the number one earbud in the world? ›

The top three earbuds renowned for their exceptional performance and features are: Sony WF-1000XM4 for its superior noise cancellation and rich, immersive sound. Sennheiser CX True Wireless for high-quality audio and enhanced battery life. Apple AirPods Pro for noise cancellation, and Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio support.

Can you answer calls with wireless earbuds? ›

Some earbuds have buttons that you can use to place calls on hold, too, or to switch between calls. Check for volume controls and a physical “Mute” button, because those features could come in handy. You can do a lot more than just answer calls on your earbuds, too, so make sure to consider that, as well.

What is the best Bluetooth earpiece for phone calls? ›

All Reviews
ProductPhone Calls
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Wireless7.6
Razer BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed Wireless7.6
Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless 20237.6
Devialet Gemini II True Wireless7.6
11 more rows
4 days ago

Which earbuds are the best value? ›

The best cheap wireless earbuds you can buy right now
  • JLab JBuds Mini. ...
  • Sony WF-C500. ...
  • Soundcore by Anker Liberty 4 NC. ...
  • 1More PistonBuds Pro. ...
  • Donner DoBuds One. ...
  • JLab Go Air Pop. ...
  • JLab JBuds Air Pro. Inexpensive sports buds with strong sound. ...
  • Skullcandy Dime 3. An drop stem design with great call quality.
Mar 18, 2024

Are beats better than AirPods? ›

Given that price disparity, the AirPods Pro are superior in every way. The lack of the Beats Studio Buds' spatial audio and wireless charging are noticeable when comparing the two, but they're also noticeable when comparing other sets of earbuds on the market.

What earbuds are better than AirPods? ›

The best alternative to AirPods we've tested are the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Truly Wireless. These high-end earbuds rival the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless and have a wide variety of features to help you get the most out of them.

How do I know if my earbuds have good sound quality? ›

Sound Quality:Balanced Sound: Look for earbuds that offer a balanced sound profile with clear highs, rich mids, and defined bass. Avoid earbuds with overly boosted bass or harsh treble, as this can result in an unbalanced listening experience.

Are Beats earbuds good? ›

The Beats Studio Buds Plus are a competent, if slightly understated true wireless option for those who don't want the AirPods Pro. Though expensive, the buds seem to tick most of the boxes the average user may have, but no wireless charging and no equalizer mean power users will have less to gush about.

How do I find single earbuds? ›

With the Bluetooth device powered on and paired, open the Find My Device app on your Android device. If the Bluetooth headphones or earbuds are paired with the Android device and have Find My technology, then they will appear in the app. Tap your device on the list. The app will find your location.

Can I buy only one earbuds? ›

Even if you have lost one of the earbuds set, you don't have to buy a new set of earbuds again. Buy one earbud separately and couple it with the remaining one, and you can use them together as a pair again.

What are mono earbuds? ›

Mono Headphones

You likely already know that "mono" means "one" - in this case, one channel and one mic. This means that you get a single source of audio. So, if you recorded a band in mono, you would get all of the sound coming from one direction.

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