Best Wireless Earbuds of 2026

I've reviewed hundreds of wireless earbuds for CNET, and these are my current top picks at a variety of prices.

CNET staff -- not advertisers, partners or business interests -- determine how we review products and services. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission.

Determine how much you're willing to spend on wireless earbuds and how that lines up with quality and functionality.

Your earbuds should offer a comfortable, secure fit. The seal will determine how noise-isolating they are, so keep an eye out for how tight of a seal they provide.

In case the earbuds break or aren't a great fit for your ears, it's important that the retailer offers a good return policy.

You want headphones that hold up well over time, so look for models that we note have sturdy build quality with a high IP rating.

Determine which features matter most for your specific use cases -- commuting, exercise, professional calls -- and invest in a pair of buds accordingly rather than paying for features you may not use.

Consider how long you anticipate using your earbuds between charges. Single-charge runtime typically ranges from 5-12 hours, with ANC reducing battery life by about 20-30%.

If you know you'll be listening in busier environments, look for earbuds with ANC. Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology uses microphones and special processors to generate anti-noise that neutralizes any ambient sound.

My favorite wireless earbuds -- I evaluate a new pair almost every week -- not only fit comfortably but deliver impressive sound quality, effective noise cancellation and strong voice-calling performance. While many of the best wireless earbuds have premium price tags, I'm always looking for good values and have included some top budget earbuds. I've fully reviewed or done hands-on testing with all the earbuds on this list, which I update regularly as new wireless earbuds are released.

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With so many great earbud options, it's hard to declare one model the best overall. Apple's new AirPods Pro 3, which feature a host of improvements, including a better fit, noise canceling and sound quality, currently top our list and are easy to recommend to Apple users.

Bose's new QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd gen) also feature superb noise canceling and excellent sound quality. The recently released Earfun Air Pro 4 Plus is a top value pick along with the Baseus Inspire XP1 and Baseus Inspire XC1, which feature "Sound by Bose" (check out our best-sounding wireless earbuds list).

We added the recently released Shokz OpenFit Pro and Baseus Inspire XC1 and moved the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, Beats Studio Buds Plus, Anker Soundcore P41i, Skullcandy Method 360 ANC and Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 to the other products we tested section.

While I didn't get a new H3 chip and I was hoping that the charging case would be able to convert into a Bluetooth transceiver to use the buds on a plane with an inflight entertainment system, I did get most of what I was looking for in the AirPods Pro 3. The changes may seem incremental to some folks, but all the key elements such as fit, sound quality and noise cancellation have been noticeably leveled up along with single-charge battery. They're about as close as earbuds get to being complete: excellent noise cancellation, strong voice-calling performance and sound quality that rivals the very best. Few buds excel in all three areas -- and the Pro 3s manage it while packing in plenty of extra features, including their new heart-rate monitoring feature. Read my full review.

As I said, these buds are significantly improved in the four most important areas: fit, sound quality, noise cancellation and battery life. The result is that you don't feel like you're making any compromises when buying the AirPods Pro 3 if you're an Apple user.

While they work with Android devices, you lose many of the AriPods 3's extra features if you're not using them with Apple devices and its iPhones and iPad in particular. They also may just be a little too expensive for many folks.

As far as the hardware goes, the QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) look exactly the same as the original QC Ultra Earbuds, although Bose has added a new plum color to the line. There are two small changes. The 2nd Gen Ultra Earbuds now support wireless charging, a feature that should have been available with the originals. The included ear tips now have wax guards, a fancy way of saying there's a silicone mesh that now covers the holes in the tips.

The reality is, they don't seem like a true 2.0 product. But they do feature improved adaptive noise canceling that's truly impressive (it's neck-and-neck with the Apple AirPods Pro 3's noise canceling for the best ANC in a set of earbuds), along with some sound quality enhancements, including a new spatialized immersive audio Cinema mode that widens the soundstage and makes "video content more lifelike" with clearer dialog. The mode also helps with spoken-word audio content like podcasts and audiobooks.

New features available in both the original QC Ultra Earbuds and Gen 2 model include:

Feature upgrades available exclusively to the Gen 2 model include:

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra offer a comfortable, secure fit and feature superb noise canceling and excellent sound quality. While the improvements to this model are incremental, it's good that Bose has made some upgrades to an already great set of noise-canceling earbuds. They also work well with both iOS and Android smartphones.

They're pretty pricey and a little bigger than some earbuds like the AirPods Pro 3 and Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro.

Last year, I awarded a CNET Editors' Choice to Earfun's Air Pro 4 earbuds, saying they were "hard to beat for the money." The same can be said for Earfun's new-for-2025 Air Pro 4 Plus, which also earned a CNET Editors' Choice award. Though these earbuds aren't without a few small shortcomings, those could easily be fixed with future firmware updates. At around $80 on Amazon, the Plus model costs $20 more than the standard Air Pro 4, but features a pretty significant upgrade to sound quality. (Note: Apply the code AP4PCNET at checkout on Amazon to get an additional 10% off.)

The buds are equipped with a new dual-driver system that pairs a 10mm dynamic driver with an "ultra-light FeatherBA" balanced-armature driver that helps improve bass and treble performance. Typically, earbuds with dual drivers cost significantly more (these are the first earbuds that cost less than $100 that I've seen with dual drivers). The Earfun Air Pro 4 Plus also offer a comfortable fit and a pretty robust feature set, along with improved noise canceling that's quite decent. (Read my full review.)

If Earfun could figure out a way to raise the level of the voice-calling performance of its flagship earbuds from a B- to an A- or so, they'd be the almost perfect sub $100 true-wireless earbuds. We'll see if we get some tweaks and small improvements with future firmware upgrades, but as it stands, the Air Pro 4 Plus are still excellent for the price.

A trickle of earbuds from value oriented brands have come out in the last year in collaboration with Bose, which has been gradually expanding its "Sound by Bose" initiative that brings its brand to more affordable headphones and earbuds. Like the Bose-infused Skullcandy Method 360 ANC earbuds, the Baseus Inspire XP1 feature very good sound in a set of comfortable earbuds that share some similarities with Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds, particularly how they fit (they have similar ear tips to the Ultras and the buds fit my ears quite well). Out of the box, they have a fairly balanced, though marginally V-shaped sound profile with slightly accentuated bass and treble and slightly recessed mids (the mids do sound warm and natural). But like Bose headphones and earbuds they're designed to sound good (smooth) with a variety of music genres and they feature strong, punchy bass and relatively detailed sound along with a fairly wide sound stage.

While their noise canceling isn't up to the level of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen)'s superb ANC, it's quite respectable, especially for a set earbuds that don't cost much more than $100 (and may dip to $100 during the holiday buying season). The Inspire XP1 are rated for up to 6 hours of battery life with noise canceling on and they have an IP54 water-resistance rating, which means they're splash-proof and dust-resistant. It's also worth noting that they're equipped with Bluetooth 6.1 and Dolby spatial audio, though I didn't notice much of a difference in sound quality when I turned the spatial audio on (there's a mode for music and movies).

The buds are well-designed and sound very good for the price, with solid all-around performance, including good noise canceling and decent voice-calling performance with 3 microphones per bud.

The Earfun Air Pro 4 Plus feature slightly better sound for less. But I like the fit of these buds slightly better.

The AirPods 4 are, unsurprisingly, the fourth generation of Apple's original true-wireless earbuds that feature an open design, which means they don't have silicone ear tips like the AirPods Pro 3. Not only do they feature a slightly smaller design and better sound than their predecessor, but they're equipped with Apple's H2 chip that improves overall performance and powers Apple's ever expanding AirPods features, though they don't have the AirPods Pro 2's Hearing Aid mode. Read my Apple AirPods 4 review.

The AirPods 4 comes in two versions: a $129 entry-level model and a $179 step-up model with active noise canceling. ANC is a rare feature for open earbuds because it typically doesn't work with an open design, but these are the first open buds I've tried to have active noise canceling that actually works (it's about half as strong as the AirPods Pro 2's noise canceling and 25% as strong as the AirPods Pro's 3). That's pretty cool and worth the extra $50 if you can afford it.

A lot of people don't like having ear tips jammed in their ears and find open earbuds more comfortable (plus, you can hear the the outside world for safety reasons), and the AirPods 4 are made for those Apple users. They also sound very good for open earbuds and feature excellent voice-calling performance along with Apple's spatial audio and likable pinch controls. The AirPods 4 with Active Noise Canceling are more special simply because they feature noise canceling. No, the AirPods 4 with ANC's noise-muffling capabilities aren't that great compared with what you get with the AirPods Pro 3 and top noise-canceling earbuds like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) or the Sony WF-1000XM5. But that it works at all and is reasonably effective is kind of wild because, as I said, noise canceling and open earbuds usually aren't a good mix.

While their slightly smaller, updated design fits a wider range of ears more securely, some folks may not get a secure fit. The AirPods Pro 3 offer a more flexible fit because they include five different sizes of ear tips. They also deliver better sound with more bass in a noise-isolating design (the AirPods Pro 3's excellent noise canceling is significantly better than that of the AirPods 4 with ANC).

The Shokz OpenFit Pro come in white or black for $250.

Shokz wanted to equip its new flagship OpenFit Pro open earbuds with active noise cancellation, but that's not easy with open earbuds. Instead, it ended up dialing back expectations and calling the tech inside these new ear-hook style buds, "OpenEar Noise Reduction." It's a good thing it did because, during time testing the OpenFit Pro, they didn't reduce ambient sound nearly as well as the Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation. But they sound impressive for open earbuds, are comfortable to wear and have the premium build quality you'd expect from a set of earbuds that cost $250. Read review.

Like Baseus' noise-isolating Inspire XP1 earbuds that I rated highly, the Inspire XC1 feature "Sound by Bose" and a more premium design than earlier Baseus earbuds. The XC1 don't sound as good as the XP1, but they sound very good for open earbuds and are equipped with dual drivers, one of which is a Knowles balanced-armature driver that helps improve treble performance. While they don't produce as much bass as noise-isolating earbuds like the Inspire XP1, their bass performance is better than I expected. The buds' sound is pretty full, especially in quieter environments, though they do better with less bass-heavy material (I did notice a bit of distortion at higher volumes with certain tracks with harder driving bass).

While I slightly prefer the design and fit of Bose's Ultra Open Earbuds (as well as the design of their case) and think the Bose buds sound more natural and a tad better overall, the much more affordable Inspire XC1 fit comfortably and offer top-tier sound for clip-on open earbuds (and they play louder than the Bose), as well as decent voice-calling performance with good background noise reduction. They also have an IP66 water-resistance rating, which means they're fully waterproof and dust-resistant. I also appreciated that they have a programmable physical button on each earbud to control playback, multipoint Bluetooth (so you can connect two devices to the buds simultaneously) and a low-latency mode for video gaming and video watching.

The buds have been tuned by Bose engineers and their default EQ setting in the app is "Sound by Bose," but you can also tweak the sound a bit with six additional presets, including a bass boost mode and a custom EQ setting. The buds support the SBC and AAC codecs along with LDAC for Android users (it has to be turned on in the app). Battery life is solid at around 8 hours on a single charge with volume set at 50%.

The Inspire XC1 stack up well against the more expensive Shokz' Open Dots clip-on earbuds and while they're not quite as good overall as Bose's Ultra Open Earbuds, they cost less than half the price and sound nearly as good.

If you can't afford this model, Baseus also makes the MC1 Pro, which sometimes gets discounted to around $50. The Inspire XC1 look very similar but have a more premium design and upgraded sound.

Samsung's Galaxy Buds 3 FE ($150) look nearly identical to the flagship Galaxy Buds 3 Pro ($250) but are missing those buds' LED lighting element, have a single-driver design instead of a dual-driver design and leave off a few other extras. Now that I've fully tested the Buds 3 FE, I'm impressed with their performance. If you don't mind missing those features, they're a better value than the Buds 3 Pro. Read my full Galaxy Buds 3 FE review.

If the Buds 3 FE fit differently and had worse sound quality, noise-canceling and voice-calling performance than Buds 3 Pro, they'd be hard to recommend. But there's no fall-off in those key departments -- the noise canceling on the Buds 3 FE seems improved and some people may actually like the sound of the Buds 3 FE slightly better than the Buds 3 Pro. If you looking for a pair of more Android-centric earbuds that nail fit, sound and voice-calling and also feature decent noise canceling, they're an excellent option. 

When I dug a little deeper into the feature comparisons between the two Galaxy buds, I realized that the Buds 3 FE were missing more features than I thought they did. The majority I could live without (LED lighting elements, wireless charging and head-tracking for spatial audio, for example), but I really like Buds 3 Pro's built-in voice commands and voice-detection features.

The original Powerbeats Pro were released in May 2019, so Beats has had a lot of time to plot how to improve the second generation of its popular ear-hook style true-wireless sport earbuds. And improve they have -- by quite a bit. Not only do they feature a new, more refined design with better ergonomics, but new drivers, a more powerful Apple H2 chip, a new built-in heart-rate sensor and, yes, active noise canceling for the first time in a pair of Powerbeats. And that noise canceling is quite good, as is the sound quality and voice-calling performance -- so long as you get a tight seal from one of the five different included eartips. Read my Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 review.

These new Powerbeats Pro 2 fit my ears better thanks to Beats improving the overall ergonomic shape of the earbud and completely redesigning the ear hook -- it's 50% smaller and incorporates nickel-titanium alloy, so it's both flexible and durable. The buds themselves are 20% lighter.

Fitness enthusiasts prefer earbuds with ear hooks to prevent their buds from falling out of their ears during intense workouts. Typically, such earbuds don't offer the greatest performance, but the Powerbeats Pro 2 share many of the same qualities and features as the AirPods Pro 2, featuring very good sound quality, along with strong noise cancellation and voice-calling performance. In short, they're versatile, also performing well as everyday earbuds. It's also worth noting that while the Powerbeats Pro 2 have some Apple-exclusive features, Beats does have an app for Android users that makes these more Android-friendly than AirPods.

While Beats has improved the Powerbeats Pro 2's design and ergonomics, they still may not be a comfortable fit for everybody's ears, and some people may not get a truly tight seal from any of Beats' eartips. (I had an issue and had to use another set of eartips from my collection.) If you don't get a tight seal, you'll likely be unimpressed with the sound quality and noise canceling and may want to return them to the store where you bought them. (Try to find some alternative eartips before you do that.)

While the boxy design of Status' wireless earbuds isn't for everybody, its new Status Pro X buds have slimmed down -- they're 22% smaller than the company's Between 3ANC buds, with a 11% smaller case -- and should fit more ears better. They also have a new triple driver set up: an "enlarged" 12mm dynamic driver supported by two Knowles balanced armature drivers. The result is earbuds that deliver top Bluetooth sound quality highlighted by excellent clarity and bass definition along with good stereo separation, with instruments well-placed in the soundstage allowing you to hear each one distinctly.

The earlier Between 3ANC buds also had good sound quality, but the new model's sound just seems richer and fuller; it's clearly a level up. Just as importantly, Status has improved the noise canceling and made the transparency mode to sound more natural. Both aren't quite as good as the Apple AirPods Pro 3's ANC and transparency, but they're now quite respectable. And the voice-calling performance is also very good based on my tests in the noisy streets of New York City. The buds have three mics in each buds and Status says it's introduced Voiceloom AI Speech Enhancement, which "leverages deep neural net training to filter out background noise during voice communications."

IP55 splashproof and dust-resistant, the buds have "high-resolution" LDAC codec support to go along with Bluetooth LE Audio, enabling the LC3 codec and Auracast broadcast audio with a future firmware update. Status' companion app for iOS and Android has also been upgraded and now has robust EQ options, customization of the controls (the buds have touch controls as well as a physical button) and FindMy support. Finally, battery life is decent with up to 8 hours on a single charge with noise canceling off and another 24 hours in the charging case, which supports wireless charging. With noise canceling turned on the battery life is more like 6.5 hours at 50% volume.

You're looking for earbuds that offer excellent sound quality, strong noise canceling and top-tier voice-calling performance -- and you like the idea that they look a little different from from your typical AirPods-like stick earbuds.

The Status Pro X are pricey at $300. I like their sound slightly better than the AirPods Pro 3, but their price makes them harder to recommend over the AirPods Pro 3 for Apple users (they're a little better suited to Android users). I didn't love the ear tips that ship with the buds and used my own to get a tight seal.

Panasonic's latest flagship earbuds, the Technics EAH-AZ100, feature a more compact design than the earlier EAH-AZ80 buds (the AZ100s are 10% smaller and 16% lighter) along with improved sound quality, noise-canceling and voice-calling performance. One of the key upgrade here is Panasonic's newly developed proprietary Magnetic Fluid Driver that Panasonic says creates "clean, high-resolution, low-vibration and low-distortion sounds for the most authentic, balanced audio that's true to the original source." This type of driver is found in Technics high-end EAH-TZ700 wired in-ear monitors ($1,200), and it's been miniaturized for use in the AZ100s.

I thought the AZ80s sounded really good, and these new AZ100s sound even better, with clean, accurate sound that brings out details in your music you don't hear with lesser earbuds (Android users get support for Sony's high-quality LDAC audio codec). As for extra features, there's Dolby Atmos spatial audio with head tracking, plus you can pair with up to 3 devices simultaneously (most multipoint Bluetooth-enabled earbuds allow you to pair to two devices).

The Technics EAH-AZ100 are among the best-sounding earbuds, so if sound quality is a priority, they should be on your short list. Also, the fact that their noise-canceling and voice-calling performance has improved slightly is icing on the cake.

While earbuds like the AirPods Pro 2 don't sound as good as these earbuds, they do offer superior noise-canceling and voice-calling performance for less money along with an even more robust feature set, particularly for iPhone users.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro stand out with their excellent fit, impressive sound quality and top-notch voice-calling performance. Though Samsung has added stems (it calls them "blades" and they have integrated LEDs) to these flagship earbuds, this new design works better for more people -- I found the buds lightweight and comfortable to wear. The sound quality is noticeably improved from the previous Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, with superior treble clarity and bass definition, producing a cleaner, more accurate sound. The ambient mode, which lets external sound into the buds, works very well, sounding natural with no audible hiss. And I liked that the buds have their own built-in voice-commands (they do not require a wake word like Google Assistant or Siri), an underrated feature. Read my Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro review. 

Samsung had some kinks to work out with these buds at launch (they paused shipping them for a time), but they're excellent earbuds, with improved performance across the board. The stem design is a little controversial for fans of previous Galaxy buds, but I like their design and they're essentially Samsung's version of the AirPods Pro 2 but geared towards Android users and Galaxy device owners in particular who can take advantage of a few Samsung-only features like support for its "high-resolution" Samsung Seamless Codec (there's a Galaxy Wear app for Android users).

While I've used them with my iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone users should probably look elsewhere, as there's no iOS app, meaning all updates and settings are only available via the Galaxy Wear app for Android. Those seeking the absolute best noise cancellation available might be disappointed, as the active noise cancellation, while good, is slightly behind what's offered by competitors. Finally, users with larger ear canals may not be able to get a tight seal with the included ear tips (only three sizes are provided). Since the ear tips are custom-designed for these buds, finding compatible third-party options can be challenging.

When Sony set out to design its WF-1000XM5 flagship noise-canceling earbuds, it was looking to address some gripes folks had with their predecessor, the WF-1000XM4 earbuds that came out in 2021. Not only are the XM5s smaller, but they also offer improved performance pretty much across the board, with better noise canceling, sound quality and voice calling performance. Overall they're impressive -- easily among the top earbuds on the market. Equipped with 8.2mm speaker driver units and two new proprietary Sony chipsets (V2 Integrated and QN2e Noise-Canceling processors), the earbuds deliver rich sound with nice detail, clear mids and punchy, well-defined bass. Read my full WF-1000XM5 review.

I try a lot of new earbuds but I keep coming back the the WF-1000XM5s because they're just all-around very good earbuds, with strong overall performance and a solid feature set, including LDAC audio codec support for Android users and Sony's Speak-To-Chat feature that automatically lowers the volume of your music and puts the earbuds into ambient sound mode so you can easily have a conversation without removing your buds. Also, now that the buds have been out for around two years, they're often on sale and you can also find well-priced refurbished units.

While these earbuds are more compact and should be a good fit for more people's ears, they still might not fit some ears. Not everybody will get a tight seal from the included foam ear tips, even though they're available in four size options. Also, note that next-gen Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds should be coming in 2026.

When they're in your ears, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 look a lot like the original Pixel Buds Pro and retain the stabilizer fins that help lock the buds in your ears. But they're smaller than their predecessor and Google equipped them with its new Tensor A1 chip, which offers more processing power and boosts their performance across the board. How you ultimately feel about them will largely depend on how well they fit your ears. That's the case for most noise-canceling earbuds, but with the Pixel Buds Pro 2, if you don't get a tight seal from the included ear tips, there's a massive dip in both sound quality and noise-canceling performance. If you do get a tight seal, these buds deliver excellent sound, strong noise-muffling capabilities and a robust feature set, particularly for Android and Google Pixel phone users. Read my Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 review.

For Pixel device owners, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 have some extra appeal because they're designed to work more seamlessly with your Pixel devices (there's automatic switching between Pixel smartphones, tablets and watches) and also feature "Clear Calling" for Pixel smartphones, which does improve voice calling performance a bit. That said, Android owners can take advantage of most of the Pixel Buds Pro 2's features, including hands-free Google Assistant and "Conversation Detect" feature that pauses what you're listening to and puts the buds in transparency mode when you start talking to someone.

I'll start by pointing out that while buds work just fine with iPhones, iPhone users miss out out several features, so Apple users should probably look elsewhere. From an ergonomic standpoint, the buds' smaller design should provide a better fit for a wider range of ears, but some people may find that the original Pixel Buds Pro fit their ears better. Also, some Android owners may be disappointed that the buds support neither Qualcomm's AptX or Sony's LDAC audio codecs (AAC and SBC are supported). Lastly, it's a little annoying that the white case can pick up stains from objects in pockets, though the case is easy enough to clean off with a alcohol wipe.

Whenever a new pair of Momentum True Wireless earbuds drops, I always find myself saying, "Wow, these sound good." Sound quality has always been the MTW's biggest strength, and that remains the case with the fourth-gen version. 

There's been some modest improvements in other areas, particularly with the noise cancellation performance and the reliable, hiccup-free Bluetooth connection I had with my phone. At the same time, the voice-calling performance could be better, and I'm a little disappointed that these aren't even more of an upgrade over their predecessor. Still, the Momentum True Wireless 4 are excellent earbuds that I have no problem recommending, particularly when they're discounted.

The biggest reason to buy these is for their audiophile-grade natural, accurate sound. And while the buds are a tad large, I their design (they fit my ears well) and the case is nice, too. But look for them at a discount because they've been out since February 2024.

Some competing models like the AirPods Pro 2 are more compact and have a much more robust feature set and better noise-canceling and voice-calling performance. Also, if you prefer earbuds with bigger bass, these may not be for you.

Simply put, the Pi8s are fantastic-sounding earbuds that benefit from a clearly improved design from the Pi7 S2 and Pi5 S2. It's debatable whether the Pi8s sound $150 better than the step-down Pi6s, but there's no doubt these are some of the best-sounding earbuds on the market, if not the best (everybody's sound tastes vary, so it's hard to declare one set of buds the best-sounding overall). 

Like with the Pi7 S2, sound quality is the highlight here, along with the charging case's ability to transform into a Bluetooth transceiver. Noise cancellation seems improved, and noise reduction during calls seems better, but the voice-calling performance wasn't as good as what I got with Apple's AirPods Pro 2 and Samsung's Galaxy Buds 3 Pro.

The Pi8 earbuds are easily among the top earbuds for sound quality, with refined, spacious sound and deep, well-defined bass. Also, their noise-canceling and voice-calling performance has improved from their predecessor, making them better earbuds all around. Lastly, the fact that the case can turn into a Bluetooth transceiver is a nice feature for frequent travelers who want to use their wireless earbuds with an in-flight entertainment system.

The Pi8 are pricey earbuds that will be out of many people's price range. And while models like the AirPods Pro 2 may not feature as impressive sound quality, they do offer slightly better noise-canceling and voice-calling performance (and some other extra features) and cost less.

The Live Beam 3 earbuds look similar to the earlier Live Buds Pro 2, which I liked a lot, especially when they go on sale for less than $100. Essentially JBL's AirPods Pro 2 competitor, their distinguishing feature is the 1.45-inch touchscreen LCD integrated into their charging case that acts as a remote control for the buds and allows you to access their features. Equipped with 10mm drivers, not only do they offer clear, well-defined sound with punchy bass but their noise-canceling and voice-calling performance are very solid. Their battery is also good -- they offer up to 10 hours of battery life with ANC on and 12 hours with it off at moderate volume levels (a 10-minute charge gives you four hours of battery life). Available in four color options, they're IP55 splash-proof and dust-resistant.

Note that JBL's flagship Tour Pro 3 earbuds also have an integrated LCD but feature dual drivers, which deliver even better sound than these buds with a little more depth and detail. However, the Live Beam 3 often sell for $50 off their $200 list price, which makes them a better deal overall.

The Live Beam 3 are really solid performing, well-designed earbuds that should most ears comfortably. Some may see the the touchscreen LCD as a bit of a gimmick, but it is useful as a remote control for the buds and a differentiating feature.

My only minor gripes would be that the buds look a tad cheap for their somewhat elevated lists price. Also, the charging case is a bit larger and heavier than most charging cases becauseit has that built-in touchscreen LCD.

Before anything else, you'll want to figure out how much you're willing to spend on new true wireless earbuds. A quick tip -- consider the price-to-performance ratio rather than just the lowest price. Entry level models ($30-$80) typically offer decent sound but fewer premium features. Mid-range options ($80-$150) balance sound quality with features like basic ANC and water- and dust- resistance (IP ratings). Premium models ($150-$300+) deliver superior sound engineering, advanced noise cancellation, extended battery life and other specialized features. Determine which features matter most for your specific use cases -- commuting, exercise, professional calls -- and invest in a pair of buds accordingly rather than paying for features you may not use.

Active noise cancellation technology uses microphones and special processors to generate anti-noise that neutralizes any ambient sound. Adaptive ANC automatically adjusts to your environment, while adjustable systems let you control noise cancellation levels manually. Some premium models offer specialized noise cancellation for different environments (airplanes, traffic noise, ambient chatter). If you know you'll be listening in busier environments, look for earbuds with ANC. Do keep in mind that active noise cancellation can limit both battery life and sound quality, so if you're hoping to salvage those, look for buds that advertise a natural-sounding transparency mode that allows ambient sound in without digital artifacts.

Expect to be using your buds for long stretches of time? Be sure to consider the battery life. Single-charge runtime typically ranges from 5-12 hours depending on feature usage, with ANC reducing battery life by about 20-30%. Charging cases should provide two to four full recharges, expending total playtime anywhere from 15 to 40 hours. If you're crunched for time, look for fast-charging capabilities that offer at least 1 hour of playback from 5-10 minutes of charging. Some premium models include wireless charging cases or even reverse charging from other devices like phones and laptops. Also consider battery degradation -- like any battery-powered device, expect maximum battery capacity to drop up to 80% from its original specifications after several charge cycles.

Today's earbuds are often jam-packed with features that can make a huge difference in your listening habits. For one, connectivity technologies like Bluetooth 5.2+ offer improved range (up to 800 feet), lower power consumption and better connection stability, while Bluetooth multipoint connectivity allows simultaneous connection to multiple devices at once. If you want the best sound possible, advanced codec support impacts audio quality substantially. Look for AAC compatibility for Apple devices, or aptX Adaptive or LDAC for Android. Control interfaces vary from touch-sensitive panels to physical buttons and voice commands for those looking for easy ways to switch songs, adjust volume or answer calls. Microphone arrays with beamforming technology and AI noise suppression dramatically improve call quality if you're taking meetings on-the-go. Companion apps offer customizable EQ settings, firmware updates and location tracking features to keep your buds' features in one spot. Consider how you plan to use your buds and choose the features best suited to your needs.

You want earbuds that hold up well over time, so look for models that I note have sturdy build quality. This is especially important with true wireless earbuds, which are more susceptible to loss or damage due to their size. Construction materials can impact longevity -- premium models use reinforced plastics, aluminum or even carbon fiber components to keep them safe from scratches and dents. Most wireless earbuds have an IP rating, or a designation of how dust- and waterproof a product is: IPX4 (splash resistant), IPX5 (protected against water jets), IPX7 (protected for immersion up to 1 meter for 30 minutes) or the highest IP68 (fully dust- and water-proof). Buds with higher IP ratings are more likely to withstand the elements should you need your earbuds outside normal use. Be sure to consider the charging case's durability, too, with reinforced hinges and quality materials to prevent common failure points. Case dimensions are key for portability, so look for cases under 3 inches in length and 1.5 inches in height for a comfortable pocket fit. Keep in mind that while wireless charging compatibility adds convenience, it may slightly increase the size of the case.

It's key that the earbuds you buy sit in your ears well and offer a comfortable, secure fit. If you don't get a tight seal with noise-isolating earbuds, sound quality and noise cancelling can be dramatically impacted for the worse. Look for models with different ear tip sizes (typically S/M/L) in different materials (silicone for durability, memory foam for comfort and isolation) to help achieve the proper fit. Also consider earbuds with fit tests in companion apps that analyze seal quality. If you plan on running or otherwise heavy movement in your earbuds, look for wingtips -- sometimes called sport fins -- that lock the buds in your ears. Keep in mind that many third-party vendors offer compatible ear tips and fins to help secure your earbuds if you can't find a model that fits your ears.

I's critical to buy your buds at a retailer that has a good return policy, in case the buds break or aren't a good match for you and your listening needs. Manufacturer warranties typically range from 1-2 years, with premium brands often offering better customer service and replacement options. Research how companies handle common issues like single earbud failure or charging case defects. Retailer return policies supplement manufacturer warranties -- major electronics retailers typically allow 14-30 day returns, while specialized audio retailers sometimes offer more extended evaluation periods. If you're on the quest for the perfect earbuds, be sure to get a longer trial period to assess their performance.

I follow CNET's unbiased evaluation process for all of my wireless earbud testing. In the CNET sound lab, I compare similarly styled and priced models side-by-side based on six key criteria: design, sound quality, noise-canceling performance, extra features, voice-calling and value.

I first assess how comfortable the true wireless earbuds fit (their ergonomics), typically testing each model for several hours across multiple days. I test all included ear tip sizes (typically S/M/L) and evaluate their stability during movement or other physical activity. Build quality assessments include stress testing case hinges and folding mechanisms, examining material durability and verifying IPX ratings, or dust- and water-resistance through exposure to appropriate environmental conditions.

For earbuds with an IP rating, I expose the buds to both dust and water to test their durability.

I evaluate sound quality and music experience by listening to a set playlist of music tracks specifically selected to evaluate different frequency ranges and acoustic characteristics:

I evaluate noise-canceling performance by wearing the earbuds in the same spot indoors near a noisy HVAC unit to see how well they muffle lower frequencies (about 65dB of broadband noise). I then head out to the busy streets of New York City to use the buds in a real-world environment, testing their performance in:

I test wireless earbuds on the streets of New York City to see how they fare in noisy environments.

Some great-sounding earbuds aren't loaded with features, but I do take into account what extra features are on board and test them accordingly. Modern features include everything from quick-access awareness to transparency modes (your music pauses and the headphones open up to the outside world so you can have a conversation). I test special sound modes like EQ customization or bass modes as well as the efficiency of ear-detection sensors that automatically pause your music when you take the earbuds out of your ears. Bluetooth connectivity is tested by subjecting the earbuds to a wireless range test or repeated device-switching if Bluetooth multipoint is included. I also take a look at the companion app for the earbuds (if there is one) and test its user-friendliness.

When I test voice-calling performance, I make calls in the noisy streets of New York and evaluate how well the earbuds reduce background noise and how clearly callers can hear your voice. We assess their reaction to traffic noise and windy conditions for microphone performance. We also move between quiet and noisy environments to test their response, then collect feedback from call recipients about voice clarity and background noise reduction.

Finally, I determine value after evaluating the strength of the earbuds against all these criteria and what the buds are able to deliver compared to other models in their price class. Great sounding, feature-packed headphones that offer a great bang for your buck earn top marks in this category.

Beats Studio Buds Plus: Compared to the original Beats Studio Buds, which remain on the market, the newer Studio Buds Plus buds are significantly improved, with better sound, noise canceling and battery life. Additionally, they now deliver very good voice-calling performance. Read my Beats Buds Plus review.

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds: They weren't the first clip-on earbuds, but Bose's Ultra Open Earbuds really kickstarted this sub-genre of true-wireless earbuds. They're somewhat overpriced, but otherwise, there's a lot to like about them, including a surprisingly comfortable, secure fit and very good sound quality for open buds. Initially, the buds didn't feature multipoint Bluetooth pairing, but the feature was added in July of 2024. Read my Bose Ultra Open Earbuds review.

Skullcandy Method 360 ANC: In a surprise move, Skullcandy joined forces with Bose in 2025 to create a budget version of Bose's $299 QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds. With "Sound by Bose," not only do the Method 360 ANC buds sound better than most earbuds in this price class (they sound very similar to Bose's $170 QuietComfort Earbuds), they also fit comfortably and securely thanks to Bose's Fit Kit system that features stability bands to lock the buds in your ears. They were featured on our best wireless earbuds list and remain a good value, but Skullcandy has released the Method 540 ANC in 2026 (it has a 20% slimmer smaller case). Read the Skullcandy Method 360 ANC review.

Anker Soundcore Liberty 5: The Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 are solid all-around wireless earbuds that offer good sound quality and improved noise-canceling and voice-calling performance for a fairly affordable price (around $90).

Anker Soundcore P41i: Anker's earlier Soundcore P40 buds have a stand built into their charging case for propping your phone up for video watching. The new P41i not only includes an integrated stand, but also a 3,000-mAh battery and USB-C cable that turns the case into a power bank for charging your phone. (Owners of older iPhones can also get a version with an integrated Lightning cable that costs $10 more.) While the case is a little heavy and bulkier than many earbuds cases, I like the two-devices-in-one concept. Note that while it doesn't offer high-speed charging, it does charge at 10W speeds, which isn't too shabby.

Noble Fokus Amadeus: Noble, the maker of "artisanal" in-ear monitors and headphones, is edging into the more mainstream earbuds market with its most affordable buds yet, after releasing its Fokus Mystiq ($359), Rex 5 ($449) and Prestige ($599) models in recent years. While the Fokus Amadeus ($320) buds are on the large side, they do fit a little more comfortably than the company's earlier buds, and they feature active noise canceling. Though their noise-muffling capabilities are merely decent (the ANC is certainly a step behind what you get with Bose and Sony flagship models), their sound quality is exceptionally good. The buds are equipped with 8.3mm custom triple-layer drivers, and the sound is open and nicely detailed, and the well-defined bass is deep and visceral without sounding boomy. Instruments feel distinctly and appropriately placed in the sound stage, and I appreciated that the natural sounding mids, where vocals live, are slightly forward and don't get eclipsed by the treble and bass. Noble's top-of-the-line Prestige buds are considered more analytical, which may be what some audiophiles are looking for. But the Amadeus buds have a bit warmer sound profile and aren't so revealing that they overly accentuate the flaws in less well-recorded tracks. These are buds you can use for long stretches without any listening fatigue, and they work well for a variety of music genres.

Sony LinkBuds Fit: Truth be told, in some ways, I like Sony's LinkBuds Fit better than its flagship WF-1000XM5 noise-canceling earbuds. While they don't sound quite as good or have noise canceling that's quite on par with those buds, they're lightweight (4.9 grams) and fit my ears comfortably and securely. Part of that is due to Sony's new Air Fitting Supporters, but it's also redesigned its eartips and included a wide range of sizes, including XL tips that fit my ears well. Despite being a slight step-down from the WF-1000XM5s for performance, their sound quality, noise canceling and call-quality performance are all very good. They also have built-in voice controls.

Earfun Air Pro 4: Earfun is now shipping the Earfun Air Pro 4 Plus (see above), which have a dual-driver design and sound better for about $20 more. The Earfun Air Pro 4 are still a very good value, but I like the Plus model better.

Shokz Open Fit 2: Shokz has released the upgraded OpenFit 2 Plus with a slightly upgraded design and other small improvements, so the original OpenFit 2 buds have been on sale. This model fit my ears more comfortably than the originals and have superior sound quality with more bass and better clarity. They sound excellent for open earbuds, at least in quieter environments.

Beyerdynamic Amiron 300: While Beyerdynamic’s original Free Byrd impressed with sound quality, its new-for-2024 Amiron 300 earbuds address the previous design shortcomings with a compact, lightweight form factor that fits my ears well. The sound quality is outstanding -- rich, detailed and fairly open with a very pleasant tonal balance out of the box. There's impressive instrument separation that allows you to distinctly hear each element in complex tracks. The bass response is particularly noteworthy -- articulate and punchy without overwhelming the mix -- while the midrange offers nice clarity and accuracy, which benefits vocal reproduction. Voice-calling performance is solid thanks to three microphones in each bud, with callers reporting they could hear me well even in noisy environments, with only minimal background noise intruding. 

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds: Bose has announced that it will be shipping its improved QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd gen) in the "summer" of 2025 in the U.S., which means you'll be able to find discounts on the original QC Ultra Earbuds, which feature excellent sound and previously best-in-class noise-canceling performance.

Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC: Anker released the new Liberty 5 earbuds in 2025, but this 2023 model remains a decent value at around $90. It offers decent noise canceling and a similar level of sound quality as the Liberty 5 (it's quite good but not great). However, the Liberty 5 has improved noise-canceling and voice-calling performance.

Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2: Once included on this list, Jabra has discontinued the 2024 Elite 8 Active Gen 2 after announcing it decided to gradually wind down the Jabra Elite product line. Still, we liked their incredible durability (they survived several drops without a scratch) and enhanced spatial sound powered by Dolby Audio. They make for great sport earbuds if you can get your hands on them. I have a full Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 review if you're still interested in the discontinued buds.

Sennheiser CX: If you can't afford Sennheiser's flagship Momentum True Wireless 3 earbuds, the CX are a good alternative. They feature very good sound, plus decent noise cancellation and voice-calling performance. The only issue is they stick out of your ears a bit and may not fit some smaller ears. This model, which often sells for less than $100 on Amazon, doesn't feature active noise cancellation but the step-up CX Plus does (the CX Plus is also a good value, particularly when it goes on sale). Learn more about the budget model in my Sennheiser CX true wireless earbud review.

Beats Studio Buds: The Beats Studio Buds look a lot like the rumored stemless AirPods some people have been waiting for. Geared toward both iOS and Android users, they are missing a few key features on the Apple side of things (there's no H1 or W1 chip), but they're small, lightweight true wireless earbuds that are comfortable to wear and offer really good sound. Their noise cancellation isn't as good as the AirPods Pro's, but they do have a transparency mode and they're decent for making calls. Learn more in my fullBeats Studio Buds review that includes a more in-depth look at the features.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro: The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro offer improved noise cancellation along with very good sound and voice-calling performance, plus support for high-resolution wireless audio streaming if you're a Galaxy device owner with the right setup. Their biggest upgrade may be their new design and smaller size, which make them a better fit for more ears. Aside from their somewhat high price tag, their only drawback is that some of their key features only work with Samsung Galaxy devices. Read my full Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro review to learn more about the Android-enabled earbuds.

JBL Tour Pro 2: JBL's Tour Pro 2 earbuds have received a lot of attention for bringing something new to true wireless earbuds: a full color touchscreen display embedded in the case that allows you to access the earbuds' key features and control playback as well as adjust volume levels. It's a bit of a gimmick but also useful. While the buds could sound slightly better for their list price, overall the JBL Tour Pro 2s are very good earbuds that offer a good fit, a robust feature set, strong battery life, plus solid noise cancellation and voice-calling performance. I took a closer look at the earbuds in my full JBL Tour Pro 2 review in 2023.

Sony LinkBuds S: Unlike the "open" LinkBuds, the LinkBuds S are traditional noise-isolating true wireless earbuds with tips that jam in your ears. They're more compact and lighter than Sony's former flagship WF-1000XM4 and also feature Sony's V1 processor (Sony has since released the more compact WF-1000XM5). While their sound and noise cancellation don't quite measure up to either XM4 or XM5's, they're still quite good. They're the Sony buds for people who can't afford Sony's flagship earbuds but want 80% of those buds' features and performance for significantly less. Read more about them in my hands-on review of the Sony LinkBuds S.

Sony WF-1000XM4: Released in 2021, Sony's WF-1000XM4 earned a CNET Editors' Choice Award. They're still excellent earbuds, but Sony has now released the next-gen WF-1000XM5. They may be a good option if you find them at a good discount. If you're interested in the model, I took a closer look in my full Sony WF-1000XM4 review.

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3: The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 were among the best new true wireless earbuds of 2022. They're still among the best truly wireless earbuds, but Sennheiser has released the upgraded Momentum True Wireless 4. Also, the newer AirPods Pro 2 and Sony WF-1000XM5 buds are arguably superior, so only look to buy the Momentum True Wireless 3 when they're significantly discounted. Learn more about the impressive buds in my full Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 review.

Beyerdynamic Free Byrd: Beyerdynamic may be late to the game, but it's finally introduced its first true wireless earbuds, which feature active noise cancellation, up to 11 hours of battery life (with noise cancelling off) and impressive sound quality. Read our Beyerdynamic Free Byrd review.

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX: Bang & Olufsen's $399 Beoplay EX buds are the company's best true wireless earbuds. They feature a comfortable, secure fit (except perhaps for those with really smaller ears), top-notch build quality, great sound, good noise cancellation and improved voice-calling performance over B&O's EQ buds, with three microphones in each earbud they help with reducing background noise while picking up your voice. They're out of most people's price range, but they're arguably the best earbuds out there with stems and offer slightly superior sound to the AirPods Pro 2 with better clarity, deeper more powerful bass and richer, more accurate sound. Learn more about the premium model in my full Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX review.

Sony LinkBuds: The LinkBuds are, in a sense, Sony's answer to Apple's standard AirPods. While they don't sound as good as Sony's flagship WF-1000XM4 or the LinkBuds S noise-isolating earbuds, they offer a discreet, innovative design and a more secure fit than the AirPods, as well as decent sound and very good voice-calling performance. Like the third-gen AirPods, their open design allows you to hear the outside world -- that's what the ring is all about. Check out my Sony LinkBuds reviewfor more.

Before 2015, wireless earbuds had a cord between the buds. Still, they were called "wireless earbuds" because they offered wireless Bluetooth streaming and didn't have a headphone cable that plugged into your device. Some companies still make those types of wireless earbuds -- the Beats Flex is one example -- and some people like having a cord that allows the buds to dangle from your neck when not in use.

True wireless earbuds, like the AirPods, have no cord between them. They are entirely cord-free and link wirelessly to create a stereo pair. They are sometimes referred to by the acronym TWS, which stands for true wireless stereo. 

Today, the two terms are largely interchangeable, and you'll find that most companies (and users) refer to all wireless earbuds as just that -- wireless earbuds.

At the end of the day, it comes down to which model is best suited for your usage. Generally, wireless earbuds are the better option for those who need on-the-go listening. When you're working out or running, going totally wireless is liberating. Newer phones often don't have a headphone jack, so you'll need to go wireless to listen from your phone -- unless you get Lightning or USB-C earbuds or use an adapter.

Still, wired models make more sense for folks who are generally more tethered and value the best sound quality possible. Wired earbuds generally offer better sound quality as their higher bandwidth allows for uncompressed, lossless audio. That said, most people won't notice a difference in most situations. If being "with the times" is a concern of yours, many Gen Zers have taken to making the "humble" wired headphones cool again, particularly Apple EarPods.

So, if you prioritize convenience and quick connections from multiple devices, true wireless earbuds work well. But if sound quality is your primary concern, wired earbuds are generally superior.

For true wireless earbuds, a "good" battery life typically means anywhere from 5-8 hours of continuous playback on a single charge, with the charging case providing an additional 15-30 hours of total battery life. Premium models often push the upper limits of this range (8-10 hours per charge), while budget options may deliver just 4-5 hours. Keep in mind that features like active noise cancellation (ANC) can reduce your listening time by 20-30%. For all-day listening, look for earbuds that offer quick charge capabilities (e.g., 5 minutes of charging for 1 hour of playback) and wireless charging cases.

They each have their pros and cons, and it largely comes down to a matter of preference and which style of headphones you like to wear. Some people simply don't like having ear tips jammed in their ears and prefer over-ear headphones (over-ear headphones tend to be more comfortable than on-ear headphones). However, true wireless earbuds are much more compact than full-size headphones and can be carried in a pocket, making them ideal for on-the-go listening or activities like exercising and commuting to work (on the flip side, they're easier to lose). Technically, true-wireless earbuds also tend to be more durable since they have dust- and water-resistance ratings (IP ratings) that are missing from most over-ear headphones. That said, over-ear headphones offer much better battery life on a single charge and can be more comfortable to wear over longer periods, which makes them better suited for work use.

As far as cost goes, you can find relatively inexpensive earbuds and full-size headphones, but there are certainly more budget earbuds to choose from. Premium earbuds and over-ear headphones can cost upwards of $250, with certain high-end audiophile headphones costing well over $500 (there are high-end wired earbuds that also cost a lot). Overall, the top over-ear headphones tend to cost a little more than the top true-wireless earbuds. While it can get a little pricey to own multiple pairs of headphones and earbuds, many people buy a few models to swap between depending on the activity.

Executive Editor David Carnoy has been a leading member of CNET's Reviews team since 2000. He covers the gamut of gadgets and is a notable reviewer of mobile accessories and portable audio products, including headphones and speakers. He's also an e-reader and e-publishing expert as well as the author of the novels Knife Music, The Big Exit and Lucidity. All the titles are available as Kindle, iBooks, Kobo e-books and audiobooks.