Choosing the best wireless earbuds involves evaluating several vital factors, including superior sound quality, effective active noise cancellation (ANC), excellent noise isolation, long battery life, and user-friendly controls. Additionally, they should be compact and portable yet easy to handle and difficult to misplace. After testing over a dozen models in various scenarios—such as driving, walking, working at my desk, and watching movies—here are the top wireless earbuds recommendations to meet your needs.
Best Wireless Earbuds: Top 10 Portable Brands Reviewed!
Technics EAH-AZ80 Earbuds
The Technics EAH-AZ80 earbuds offer an impressive balance of audio features, making them a top pick overall. Priced at around $298, these earbuds provide up to 7 hours of battery life with a wireless charging case and boast a waterproof rating of IPX4. While they may not excel in every category—such as being the absolute best in sound quality, noise cancellation, or advanced features—their combination of attributes consistently makes them reliable. The touch-sensitive controls are highly customizable, allowing users to tailor their commands, and the earbuds’ comfortable fit ensures they stay secure and pleasant to wear for extended periods.
The Technics EAH-AZ80 delivers solid performance across various aspects, including sound clarity, active noise cancellation, and overall usability. The earbuds produce rich bass and clear highs, making them suitable for audio content from music to podcasts. Although its noise-canceling feature can sometimes struggle with excessive external noise, it performs well and recovers quickly. Overall, the Technics EAH-AZ80 provides a well-rounded experience, making them a versatile choice if you’re looking for a blend of excellent features rather than the top performer in any category.
Baseus Bowie MA10 earbuds
The Baseus Bowie MA10 earbuds are an excellent choice for budget-conscious buyers. They are priced at around $50 and offer impressive features for their cost. They provide up to 8 hours of battery life and have an IPX6 waterproof rating, making them suitable for various activities. While they lack the audio clarity of higher-end models, the sound quality is surprisingly good, given the price. Including active noise cancellation (ANC) at this price point is a notable advantage, though it may not match the performance of more expensive earbuds.
Despite their affordability, the Baseus Bowie MA10 earbuds do have some drawbacks. Connectivity issues occasionally arose during testing, such as difficulty pairing the earbuds or inconsistent connections between the buds and the phone. However, these issues are typical for budget models and can often be resolved by reinserting the earbuds into the case and retrying. Overall, if you’re seeking a cost-effective option with decent ANC and good battery life, the Baseus Bowie MA10 offers solid value for those on a tight budget.
Sony WF-1000XM5
For those seeking the highest-quality sound in wireless earbuds, the Sony WF-1000XM5 is a top contender, priced around $300. They deliver exceptional audio performance with nuanced details that excel across all genres, from metal to hip-hop. The earbuds also feature a robust equalizer with 11 presets and customizable EQ options, allowing users to fine-tune their listening experience. However, the controls are limited; volume adjustments require multiple taps, and playback controls are restricted, which might not suit everyone.
Comfort is another highlight of the Sony WF-1000XM5, as they are small and designed for extended wear. The case is compatible with wireless charging, and the battery life offers up to 12 hours of playtime, which holds up well in practice. While the earbuds might be slightly challenging to remove from the case for those with more giant fingers, their superior sound quality and adequate ANC make them an excellent choice for audiophiles willing to invest in premium audio performance.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds are a standout choice for those seeking top-notch noise cancellation. Priced at $249, these earbuds block out environmental noise, providing an almost eerie silence that allows uninterrupted listening. Whether you’re on a noisy flight or in a bustling cafe, their advanced ANC technology effectively eliminates background disturbances, though loud, sudden noises like a person sneezing may still penetrate.
Along with its outstanding noise-canceling features, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra offers immersive audio that enhances the overall listening experience, making it feel like the sound surrounds you. However, this comes with a trade-off in battery life; with ANC on, the battery lasts around four hours, significantly reducing from the usual six hours and being a drawback for extended use. Despite this, the combination of superior ANC and high-quality sound makes these earbuds compelling for audiophiles willing to compromise on battery longevity.
Poly Voyager Free 60+ UC earbuds
The Poly Voyager Free 60+ UC earbuds are ideal for travelers who need versatility and convenience. Priced at $291, these earbuds have a unique feature: a Bluetooth transmitter built into their carrying case. This allows you to connect the case to in-flight entertainment systems or laptops via a 3.5mm-to-USB-C jack, bypassing the need for cheap airline earbuds. The case also includes a Bluetooth dongle, enabling a direct connection to devices when needed.
While the ANC on these earbuds effectively reduces ambient noise, such as the hum of airplane engines, it does not offer the highest level of noise cancellation compared to other options. However, their versatility and range of features, including wireless charging and a waterproof rating of IP54, make them a practical choice for frequent travelers who value convenience and adaptability over top-tier sound quality or ANC.
Jabra Elite 8 Active earbuds
For those who push their earbuds to the limit during exercise, the Jabra Elite 8 Active earbuds are a top choice. Priced at $200, these earbuds are built to withstand rigorous conditions with an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. They meet military-grade durability standards, including shock resistance and HACT testing for saltwater exposure. This robust design ensures they can handle intense workouts and harsh environments, backed by a two-year warranty against water, dust, and sweat damage.
These rugged earbuds offer comfort and functionality for extended use. They feature physical buttons that remain responsive even when wet, making them easy to control during sweaty sessions. The slim, wireless-charging case fits conveniently into a pocket or gym bag, and the battery life is sufficient for long workouts. If you need earbuds that can endure the rigors of exercise while delivering reliable performance, the Jabra Elite 8 Active is a solid choice.
OnePlus Buds 3
The OnePlus Buds 3 offers excellent value in the midrange segment, priced around $80 to $100. These earbuds provide impressive sound quality with balanced audio that delivers solid bass without compromising mids and highs. The design resembles Apple’s AirPods Pro, featuring an earbud-and-stem style that many users find comfortable and familiar. Although the sound quality isn’t as refined as higher-end models, it meets the needs of most listeners at this price point.
OnePlus Buds 3 stand out particularly for Android users, especially those with OnePlus devices, as they offer customizable controls and a seamless Bluetooth experience akin to AirPods. The earbuds come with a respectable battery life of up to 44 hours, including the case, though they lack wireless charging and are only rated IP55 for water resistance. If you’re looking for a well-rounded, affordable option with good features and intuitive controls, the OnePlus Buds 3 is a strong choice.
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds
For those who prioritize staying aware of their surroundings while enjoying their music, the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds offer an excellent solution. Priced at $299, these earbuds are designed to let external sounds in, making them ideal for activities like jogging, walking, or biking, where situational awareness is crucial. Although they do not feature noise cancellation, they provide impressive sound quality while ensuring you remain conscious of your environment.
The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds clip onto your ear helix rather than sitting inside the ear canal, which can be a divisive design choice. While this design enhances awareness of ambient noise, it may take some getting used to and might become uncomfortable during prolonged use. Despite these considerations, the sound quality and the ability to stay connected to your surroundings make these earbuds compelling for active users who value safety and sound clarity.
Samsung Galaxy Buds FE
The Samsung Galaxy Buds FE offers exceptional audio quality for its $80 price point, delivering impressive sound that rivals more expensive models. However, to keep costs down, Samsung made some sacrifices, including omitting wireless charging and providing a lower IP rating for water and dust resistance, features often found in similarly priced competitors.
Designed with comfort and functionality in mind, the Galaxy Buds FE features a new wingtip design that provides a secure fit all day long. They also include Active Noise Cancellation to block ambient sounds and support real-time translation through the Live Translate feature on Samsung Galaxy devices. With intuitive controls for adjusting settings and seamless auto-switching between devices, these earbuds provide a well-rounded experience despite their few compromises.
Beats Fit Pro
The Beats Fit Pro, priced at $160, is a strong choice for Apple users, seamlessly integrating with iOS for a user-friendly experience. They deliver a solid listening performance, featuring active noise cancellation and spatial audio-enhancing immersion. The earbuds’ snug fit and secure design makes them a good option for various activities, from workouts to daily commutes. However, they do come with a few drawbacks. Unlike competitors, you cannot manually adjust the spatial audio or noise cancellation settings, which may limit customization for some users.
Additionally, while the Beats Fit Pro offers valuable features, its charging case lacks wireless charging capability and feels somewhat bulky and less refined than other options. The case’s larger size and less premium build might be off-putting for those prioritizing portability and aesthetics. Despite these minor issues, the earbuds remain a compelling choice for Apple users seeking a reliable and well-integrated audio solution.
Conclusion:
The best wireless earbuds offer a range of features tailored to different needs and budgets. The Technics EAH-AZ80 provides balanced performance with solid sound and customizable controls, while the Baseus Bowie MA10 is a budget-friendly option with decent ANC and battery life. The Sony WF-1000XM5 excels for premium sound, though the Bose QuietComfort Ultra stands out for top-notch noise cancellation. Whether you’re a traveler, athlete, or Android user, there’s a pair of earbuds designed to meet your specific requirements.
