Welcome to the What Hi-Fi? guide to the best wireless earbuds on the market right now.
There have been some big changes this month as a new flagship Sony model has made an immediate impact on our buying guide. We’ve also seen a new pair unveiled by Huawei and tested a new top-of-the-range pair from Samsung.
Our experts have been testing audio and video products for close to 50 years and we have been testing wireless earbuds ever since the product category first emerged nearly a decade ago. We have reviewed and continue to review models from the biggest brands in the space, such as Apple, Bose and Sony.
Using our huge database of wireless earbuds reviews and combining it with the knowledge of our experts, we have narrowed things down to bring you this list of the very best pairs currently on the market.
Each one is a class leader in its own unique way. Whatever your requirements or budget, we are confident we can recommend a pair which ticks all your boxes.
Our star rating will give you some insight into how we feel about a particular pair, but you'll also find thorough overviews on all the models listed below. We have also flagged pairs that have won a What Hi-Fi? Award, which is another stamp of approval and guarantees you are getting the best buds at their level.
Looking for over-ears? Check out our best wireless headphones guide.
Want a quiet life? Our best noise-cancelling earbuds page is for you.
Not keen on spending too much? Seek out the best budget wireless earbuds
March 24th: Added Sony WF-1000XM6 as best overall wireless earbuds, moved Technics EAH-AZ100 and Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 to ‘also consider section’. Tested the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro and also added them to the 'also consider' section.
Hi. I'm Deputy Editor of What Hi-Fi? and have been testing headphones, hi-fi kit and TV/AV products for the best part of 18 years. I use wireless earbuds every day and have heard and tested hundreds of pairs over the years from a huge number of brands. Every pair on this list deserves a spot based on their all-round ability and price and I'm sure they will all bring you hours of listening enjoyment.
The best wireless earbuds overall
There’s a new king of the wireless earbuds castle. The Sony WF-1000XM6 are the latest in a long line of excellent flagship wireless earbuds from the tech giant, and this new pair picks up where the WF-1000XM5 left off as the best overall pick in this wireless earbuds buying guide.
Its latest earbuds cost the same as their predecessors, the WF-1000XM5, but deliver a step up in performance that not only justifies an upgrade, but also puts rival pairs such as the Technics EAH-AZ100 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) in the shade.
The Sonys deliver a detailed, dynamic, and hugely musical sound. They also display a natural warmth and tone that we haven’t experienced from a Sony flagship before
In our Sony WF-1000XM6 review, we said, “Everything that you expect to be present in a pair of flagship wireless earbuds is there: a fantastic sense of timing, an expressive midrange, weighty yet well-defined bass and crisp, nicely controlled highs. The Sonys cover all the bases and then some.”
Sonically, they’re great, but the buds also deliver excellent noise-cancelling, giving even the best that Bose has to offer a run for their money.
The XM6 do a great job of isolating you from your environment and feeling natural while they do it. Whether you’re walking by a busy road or sitting on a long-haul flight, the Sony’s cope extremely well with anything thrown at them.
Add a good spread of features, impressive call quality and solid eight-hour battery life into the mix, and you have a pair of earbuds that’s tough to beat.
Our only minor grumbles are the eartip material and the number of eartip options Sony gives you. We’d like a larger option and also for the tips to feel a bit more secure in place – we found it can take a couple of attempts to get a good fit/seal
Read the full Sony WF-1000XM6 review
I wasn't sure if Sony's latest flagship wireless earbuds, the WF-1000XM6, were going to be able to improve on the WF-1000XM5, but once again, the tech giant has delivered the goods. The new model makes the old pair sound a little lean and lacking natural warmth. And the bass performance of the new pair is exceptional – it's weighty yet tight and superbly defined. The new benchmark for sound at this price.
Best cheap wireless earbuds
These true wireless earbuds aren't from what you'd consider one of the larger, heavy-hitting brands, but they are ridiculously affordable and sound great for the money too!
The Earfun Air are also packed with features. Noise-cancelling is out of the picture at this price, but there's excellent noise isolation and these well-fitting earphones are comfy to wear too. They're also waterproof to IPX7 standards (submersible in one metre of water for up to 30 mins), support virtual assistants and include Qi wireless charging.
Calls sound clear, and the battery life is seven hours from the buds and a further 28 hours from the charging case. Amazingly, we think it all feels fairly premium too. The Bluetooth 5.0 connection is solid and stable and for the money, and during testing we found the wireless earbuds offer a "grippy, energetic" sound.
If you’re after something fun-sounding that won't break the bank, the Earfun Air wireless earbuds could be just the ticket and are often found with money off. They've also been around a fair while now but we've tested the newer EarFun Air 2 and don't think they are as convincing at the money. If you want a wider selection of affordable earbuds, check out our full round-up of the best cheap wireless earbuds.
Read our full Earfun Air review
A popular test track of mine in the early noughties, we’ve recently rediscovered Let's Get it Started while testing various wireless earbuds. What we love about this tune is it doesn’t mess around. Fergie’s opening vocal salvo tees up the song beautifully with emotion and an echo that will show the Sonys’ ability to extract detail. Then the track explodes into a funky test of timing and rhythm with a probing, agile bassline that needs to be communicated and crisp, attacking percussion that needs to have real impact and dynamism. Testing the WF-1000X5, they match the energy of the track blow for blow, starting and stopping at speed. View the album on Amazon.
Best mid-price wireless earbuds
Sony’s ability to make a great pair of wireless earbuds has once again come to the fore with its latest mid-price pair. The WF-C710N are so good we have relegated their predecessors, the WF-C700N, to ‘also consider status’ on this very page.
The earbuds slot neatly between the budget WF-C510 (no ANC, below) and premium WF-1000XM5 (above).
The WF-C710N buds are chunkier than their predecessors but still very comfortable and easy to get to grips with. And, Sony’s new Glass Blue finish looks interesting and eye-catching too.
The Sonys boast responsive touch controls, Bluetooth 5.3 and SBC and AAC codec support. You also have features like auto pause and wear detection, which pause music when you remove an earbud and kick it back into life when you put it back.
Battery life is a very solid eight and a half hours with Bluetooth and active noise cancelling engaged. Add the charging case to the equation, and you’re looking at a total of around 30 hours.
To help with the ANC, Sony has added an extra mic to each bud compared to the old model and you can tell. The 710N extract more out of low-frequency rumblings. Call quality is great for the money, too, with voices sounding clear and natural with minimal wind interference.
Sonically, the Sonys are very strong contenders. They sound more dynamic and detailed and full-bodied than their predecessors, yet maintain that amazing Sony musicality that keeps you tapping away with every track you play through them.
Add everything together and you’re looking at one of the most easily recommendable pairs of wireless earbuds we’ve tested so far this year.
Read our full Sony WF-C710N review
Best wireless earbuds for battery life
When Sony announced it was launching a successor to the WF-C500, which have been in this list for a while now, we weren’t sure if Sony could deliver another budget pair that delivered the goods. But the Japanese giant has delivered another masterclass in cheap wireless earbuds.
They also last for a mighty impressive 11 hours per charge (with Ambient Sound Mode and DSEE switched off) which is one hour more than the previous model.
Admittedly, the WF-C510 look and feel cheaper than their predecessors, but the sound quality on offer is anything but. In fact, we’d go so far as to say the WF-C510 are a clear step up from the older model. They deliver all the musicality and detail that we loved from the WF-C500 but add a newfound sense of richness and body that helps reinforce their abilities throughout the frequency range.
The level of entertainment you get from them belies their budget price tag. For the money we were blown away by “the way they dig out emotion and detail” and praised the way they “serve up a solid, weighty and driven sound”. We think the only way you’ll better the sound quality is to jump up a level to the WF-C700N which you’ll also find on this page.
But if you want an affordable and wonderfully musical pair of wireless earbuds then you don’t really have to look past the WF-C510. They also have more useful features than the outgoing pair too, such as Multipoint Bluetooth and Ambient Sound Control. You can control playback and volume using the built-in buttons on each bud so the user experience is as simple and intuitive as you could wish for too.
It's worth noting that following the launch of the WF-C510 you can now pick up the older WF-C500 with some impressive savings if you shop around online. While they don't sound as good as the newer model, they still boast ten-hour battery life and build quality is arguably better. Just something to consider.
Read our full Sony WF-C510 review
Best noise-cancelling wireless earbuds
If you know a bit about Bose, you’re probably aware that it makes some of the best wireless earbuds in the business. And its latest flagship pair is arguably its finest to date.
The QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) take everything that we liked about the originals (which previously held this spot in the buying guide) and elevate it to a new level.
Comfort levels and build quality are still a cut above many rivals. The plastic used by Bose feels premium to the touch, and when combined with the soft silicone eartips and stability bands (which tuck into the top part of your inner ear), they feel locked-in but also super comfortable, even with only three sizes of eartip to choose from.
Battery life remains at six hours per charge, with the wireless charging case providing three more charges. That’s in keeping with most rivals at the money, although the Technics EAH-AZ100 (see below) trump that with an impressive ten hours per charge and total battery life of 28 hours.
The Bluetooth 5.3 earbuds include AAC and SBC codec support, like most rivals, and there’s aptX Adaptive for those using a compatible smartphone or tablet.
Bose has managed to up the quality of its call quality and noise-cancelling with the 2nd Gen Ultras, and the ANC is a real highlight.
As we said in our review, “Noises across the sonic spectrum… simply dissolve into near-insignificance, with harsher and more intrusive sounds shut out even more effectively than before”. This makes them the perfect entry for this buying guide.
Sonically, Bose has done a great job here too, with the QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) boasting improved clarity and detail, plus a greater sense of bass depth, all the while remaining composed and controlled at all times.
An entertaining and hugely likeable pair of wireless earbuds with outstanding noise-cancelling abilities.
If you want more options, check out our guide to the best noise-cancelling earbuds you can buy.
Read our full Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) review
The Battle is such an epic track that it can regularly be heard blasting from our test rooms when putting speakers through their paces. It starts quite gently but it isn't long before the drama begins to build with dramatic pauses and bold drum beats. And then the track explodes into action with the strings and woodwind sections of the orchestra rising up a swell of frenzied action before falling away and then rising up again for rounds two and three. A fantastic test of dynamism for hi-fi kit and wireless earbuds alike. View the album on Amazon
Best AirPods
We weren’t sure how Apple was going to top the performance of the AirPods Pro 2, but somehow it has.
The AirPods Pro 3 are more evolution than revolution, but the small improvements across the board, from ANC to sound quality, all add up – there’s no doubt in our mind (or ears) that these are the best AirPods you can buy right now.
Apple hasn’t left the design completely untouched, though. The main body of each earpiece is smaller than the Pro 2, and the eartip’s nozzle has been angled to point more towards your ear canal. Mics and vents have been repositioned, and Apple’s flagship buds now include a heart rate sensor.
We find the AirPods Pro 3 light and very comfortable. The supplied eartips are a bit thicker and firmer and come in five sizes, so finding the perfect combo shouldn’t be a problem.
Controlling the earbuds through the stems is as intuitive as ever, and the features on offer have all been carried over from the Pro 2. This includes codec support limited to SBC and AAC, but this isn’t the end of the world.
Battery life is eight hours from a single charge, which is good for a pair of buds that does so much, but the overall battery life with the case has dropped from 30 hours on the Pro 2 to 24 hours on the Pro 3, which is a little disappointing.
Apple’s noise-cancelling is, to be blunt, excellent. The Pro 3 are superb at isolating you from the outside world, but still do it in quite a natural way compared to the more intense ANC offered by the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen). Call quality is impressive, too.
Sonically, the Apple buds are up there with the very best. They produce a wonderfully balanced, cohesive sound that’s musical and entertaining. They’re even more spacious and dynamic-sounding than the model they’ve replaced.
If you’re already an Apple user and want the best wireless earbuds made by the brand, the AirPods Pro 3 are a bit of a no-brainer. They’re no more expensive than the model they replaced and performance has gone up a couple of notches. What more is there to say?
We have tested the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, and they are a solid option for the money, but if fit isn't an issue, our money would still go to the AirPods Pro 3.
Read our full Apple AirPods Pro 3 review
The fit of the AirPods Pro 3 is a funny one – as a review team, we've had a couple of different experiences when using them. Some find the tweaked design means the earbuds stick out a bit more than their predecessors, while others who didn't get along great with the Pro 2 now feel like they lock into position much more securely. The new eartip material is a bit thicker than before, too, so if you're upgrading from the older model, don't assume you're the same eartip size. It's worth experimenting.
Best wireless earbuds for running
If you're going to be using a pair of wireless earbuds for running, they need to tick several boxes. They need to fit securely and be comfortable for long periods. You want good noise-cancelling to cancel the grunts and groans of a noisy gym but also a versatile transparency mode that lets through just enough noise when you're outside.
And this is why the JBL Live Pro 2 TWS are included on this list. They do all the above but also deliver five-star sound quality at a hugely competitive price that won't bust your budget.
Build quality is solid enough and they look nice and streamlined. They cram in features you don't normally see at the money too, including wireless charging, IPX5 water-resistance, and Bluetooth Multipoint (which lets you have two devices connected at once). Each charge gets you a very respectable eight hours of playtime, and 30 in total thanks to the charging case.
While it's true that more premium options from the likes of Bose, Sony and Sennheiser are a step up from the JBL, you'll struggle to find a pair of wireless earbuds at this more affordable price point that fit the bill better.
Read the full JBL Live Pro 2 TWS review
Also consider
If you're looking for alternatives to the best wireless earbuds mentioned above, here is a list of models that came close to being included but didn't quite make the final cut. They could be five-star (or sometimes four-star) performers that we think still deserve your consideration. They might even be a better option for certain people under certain circumstances.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024): Bose's original QC Earbuds started its line of true wireless ANC in-ears back in 2020 and a couple of generations later they are back with a revised look. They sit just below the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and offer a decent chunk of their performance at a cheaper price. They boast better battery life and wireless charging, but the Ultra still have the edge when it comes to sound quality and noise cancelling. Five stars.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro: In the same way there are dedicated pairs for iPhone, and Google Pixel owners, Samsung has its own offering in the shape of its Galaxy Buds 4 Pro. They're solid enough, offering a clear, detailed sound and seamless user experience, but lack the refinement and musicality to trouble the likes of the Sony WF-1000XM6. Four stars.
Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation: If you don't like the traditional in-ear tips of the AirPods Pro 3 then you might get along well with Apple's step-down model. The AirPods 4 don't burrow into your ear in the same way, yet Apple has managed to give these open earbuds surprisingly capable active noise cancelling. Four stars.
Cambridge Audio Melomania M100: if your budget can't stretch to some of the premium models on this page but you want a step up from a budget pair like the Sony WF-C500, then the Melomania M100 could be worth a closer look. They boast 10-hour battery life, a clear, detailed and open sound, plus effective active noise cancelling. That battery life gets boosted to 16 hours with ANC off and you even get a mix of silicone and foam tips to help you get the best seal possible. Four stars.
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4: Sennheiser's premium true wireless earbuds just miss out on a spot at the top of this list, mainly due to the flagship competition from Sony and Bose. They're the company's best premium model to date, however, the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds just edge them in the noise-cancelling department, while the Sony XM5 do similar in the sound quality stakes. But the Sennheisers do sound rich and engaging, are comfortable to use over long periods and offer plenty of customisation options. Five stars.
Sony LinkBuds: if you don't want your wireless earbuds burrowing into your ears, these clever Sonys offer something slightly different. They use a ring driver which slides into the bottom part of your ear and fires music into your ear's opening. The result is a very open and natural sound with good levels of detail. They're also comfy to use over long periods. We don't think they have the universal appeal of some of the models at the top of this page but they are an interesting alternative. Four stars.
Google Pixel Buds A-Series: The AirPods Pro 2 are most likely to appeal solely to iPhone users, but what about Google Pixel owners? Well, this is where the Pixel Buds A-Series come in. They produce an impressive sound for an extremely reasonable price. We wouldn't say they're the best wireless earbuds for Android, but they're a viable alternative to some of the big hitters on the list above. They're also comfortable, easy to use and easy to pair with Android devices. Five stars.
Wireless earbuds coming soon
Samsung Galaxy Buds 4
The Galaxy Buds 4 (£159 / $180) are one of two new models we’ve seen launch from Samsung recently. We’ve tested their more expensive Galaxy Buds 4 Pro siblings and handed them a solid four-star rating. The standard Buds 4 offer fewer features and a simpler driver configuration.
Samsung's new Galaxy Buds have a bigger speaker driver for a wider frequency range
Huawei FreeBuds Pro 5
Huawei is attempting to take the fight to Bose, Sony, et al with its latest flagship buds, which boast nine-hour battery life and ANC. The FreeBuds Pro 5 cost £180 in the UK.
Huawei has overhauled its flagship wireless earbuds' acoustics in the pursuit of improved sound
Things to consider
One thing you will need to bear in mind is that everyone's ears are different, which means that whether or not a pair of earbuds are comfortable tends to come down to personal preference. We can give a bit of guidance on comfort once we've tested them, but there's no substitute for sliding them into your own ears. If you've got ears on the shallow side, for example, we'd go for a physically smaller or flatter earbud that won't stick out much.
After comfort, you'll want to think about when and where you're going to use them. Do they need to be water-resistant, sport-friendly earbuds or do they just need to pair to your smartphone and survive your daily commute?
Read more
Tied to this, of course, are other factors such as battery life. The best wireless earphones all have enough battery life for the average listening session but some do last longer than others. Most pairs will have a combined earbud and case battery life of 18 hours or more, though, so you shouldn't be caught out during long-haul flights, though some people might care for a longer earbud battery life for continuous listening without having to pop them into the case to charge.
It's also worth noting the number of hours you get can vary depending on what other features you have enabled and, to a certain degree the volume you listen at and the quality of the files you listen to. Don't forget that wireless earbuds come with charging cases to keep them topped up between outings.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) can increase battery drain, but we think it can come in very handy if you want a more private listening experience, and some of the top pairs we've reviewed boast excellent noise-cancelling (just bear in mind that it won't be as good as the ANC you get from a good pair of over-ear headphones). Similarly, some sound processing modes can take a little bit extra out of your battery, but these can usually be turned off.
The flip side of ANC is what a lot of brands refer to as a 'transparency mode'. This does completely the opposite and allows outside noise in, so you can hear your surroundings. We find this mode allows you to hear announcements better if you're on a train or plane, for example. Different earbuds allow for different levels of transparency so you can fine-tune for different listening situations.
We think other features you might want to consider include touch controls, which can come in handy if you want to skip tunes or change volume without having to take your phone out of your pocket. Many modern pairs also offer voice control via personal assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri.
If you're feeling a little overwhelmed by the amount of choice out there, don't be. You'll find the best true wireless earbuds to have passed through the What Hi-Fi? test rooms (as detailed below). And if you want a bargain, don't forget to check out our pick of the best wireless earbuds deals too.
Our testing process
How we test wireless earbuds
Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test.
Before we start our listening tests, we first experiment with any tips provided to make sure we've got a perfect seal. This ensures that sound quality (particularly bass) isn't affected and we can also evaluate the level of comfort on offer too.
We'll also start with a full charge and see how accurate battery life claims are and just how it's drained during day-to-day use.
Although we have dedicated testing facilities in London, Reading and Bath, the bulk of our true wireless earbuds testing happens outside those facilities, whether that's on the street, on public transport or in our busy office.
It's only when nailing down the finer details of audio quality that we head for quieter environments where we compare the wireless earbuds we're testing to price comparable models and current class-leaders at the money. This gives us a chance to come to solid conclusions and peg each pair on sound quality.
Obviously, testing ANC wireless earbuds requires quite the opposite – here we venture outside to put noise-cancelling algorithms through their paces and also test any transparency mode to see how well it works in different environments.
We'll also test the call quality of the earbuds, to make sure the wearer can be heard in both calm and windy conditions (weather permitting, of course).
As with all headphones, we run wireless earbuds in for several hours before evaluating sound quality. We'll also download and fire up any Android/iOS apps that are available that can affect the user experience. How easy is it to use, what features does it offer, how useful are they and how well are they executed?
All our review verdicts are agreed upon by the team rather than an individual reviewer to eliminate any personal preference and to make sure we're being as thorough as possible. Neither PR companies nor our sales team have any input into our reviews at any stage of the process. We are proud of having delivered honest, unbiased reviews for decades.
F.A.Q
What are good budget wireless earbuds?
If you’re looking to keep things cheap and cheerful, we have two options for you in this list: the Earfun Air and the Sony WF-C510.
The former have been around a while. They are also regularly discounted and do all the basics well enough to be a solid recommendation for anyone getting their first wireless earbuds.
But, if you want better sound quality and battery life, we would suggest spending a little bit more on the Sony pair.
Are wireless headphones safe?
In 2015, a group of scientists signed a petition to the United Nations and World Health Organisation warning of the use of a range of wireless devices. Despite subsequent media reports, wireless headphones weren't actually mentioned in the petition.
Responding to these media reports, Cancer Research UK noted that "there isn’t good evidence that the electromagnetic fields produced by these devices cause cancer, and studies involving large groups of people haven’t found any increase in cancer risk from being exposed to this type of radiation."
How do you pair wireless earbuds?
Power on your wireless earbuds and make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your source device. Open the Bluetooth settings on your device and tap the name of your wireless earbuds. It should then say 'Connected' next to the name, and your earbuds may play a little chime to confirm they've paired.
If you're using AirPods with an iOS device, they pair a little differently. Just open their case (with the AirPods inside) and hold it next to the source device until the setup animation appears on screen. Then follow the on-screen instructions. AirPods Max need to be taken out of their case, but otherwise, the process is the same.
Can you use wireless headphones on a plane?
You can, but different airlines have their own rules about whether you can use them during take-off and landing. So listen out for inflight announcements.
Some airlines' inflight entertainment systems even have Bluetooth capabilities, so you can connect wirelessly. If not, you can connect a Bluetooth dongle to the system's headphone socket and connect wirelessly to that. Or use the B&W Pi8, whose charging case can accept audio signals via USB-C or 3.5mm sockets and wirelessly retransmit them to the earbuds.
Read more: can you use Bluetooth headphones on a plane?
What are the types of wireless headphones?
Broadly speaking, wireless headphones fall into three categories: earbuds, on-ear and over-ear.
Wireless earbuds that you find on this page used to be known as 'true wireless earbuds', but that term has fallen out of favour now that fewer pairs feature cables connecting the two earbuds (so now, almost all wireless earbuds are 'true wireless').
On-ear and over-ear wireless headphones are quite similar, but there are some important differences to note, the biggest one being that the former sit on your ear, while the latter use earcups that completely engulf your ear.
You can read all about them in our guide to on-ear vs over-ear headphones.
How do you clean wireless earbuds?
You do need to clean your wireless earbuds. Otherwise you risk health issues like infections and – perhaps more importantly – sub-standard sound quality.
But how do you clean them? Always follow the manufacturer's instructions – for example, Apple advises not to use any chemicals on the AirPods speaker mesh. And start with the least invasive tools (like a spray can of air) and if they don't work, gradually get more invasive.
Whatever method you use, go gently, you don't want to damage your earbuds. For a comprehensive guide, check out our article on how to clean AirPods and earbuds easily at home.
Do you need wi-fi to use wireless earbuds?
In a word, no. Wireless earbuds use Bluetooth technology to receive audio wirelessly.
The only benefit of using wi-fi would be to use the extra bandwidth to beam higher-quality, less compressed music files, but many wireless earbuds manufacturers seem happy to use codecs such as aptX HD and LDAC to increase the quality when using compatible sources, i.e. smartphones and tablets.
Do wireless earbuds work with any phone?
As long as your phone has Bluetooth, then in theory you should be able to use any pair of wireless earbuds with it.
Bear in mind, though, that some wireless earbud manufacturers also make smartphones and it’s not unusual for them to include extra features that only work if your phone and earbuds are from the same brand.
For example, you’ll get a more seamless user experience from the AirPods Pro 3 if you partner them with an iPhone than you would, say a Samsung Galaxy smartphone.
What are the best wireless earbuds that won't fall out?
Some wireless earbuds, like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (1st Gen and 2nd Gen), have wing tips to help keep them secure, and during testing we have found this works extremely well. But, everyone's ears are different, so a pair of wireless earbuds that fit great for one person might not fit great for another.
This is why getting the right fit is so important, so make sure you experiment with the different sizes and styles of eartip you get in the box.
You might also find some wireless earbuds are just too big for your ears. Some slightly heavier, bigger and bulkier designs might not sit well or be supported well in smaller ears and ear openings.
Which wireless earbuds have the best sound quality?
It really depends on your budget and how much you have to spend. Our entry-level pick of earbuds would be the Sony WF-C510 which are a brilliant pair of budget buds, or the next-model-up WF-C710 if active noise cancellation is a must and your budget can stretch a little further.
At the premium end of the Bluetooth earbuds market, you're spoilt for choice – though the standout, class-leading models are currently the Sony WF-1000XM5, Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) and Apple AirPods Pro 2.
Are cheap wireless earbuds as good as expensive ones?
In our opinion, the best expensive pairs of wireless earbuds do sound better than the best cheap pairs. You get a clear step up in terms of sound quality with the expensive pairs uncovering more detail, delivering even greater dynamics and producing a more polished and refined overall performance.
Many budget models don't have the same spread of features as more expensive designs and might be missing key things like active noise-cancelling.
That's not to say all expensive pairs will sound better. If sound quality isn't up to scratch it's very likely a more affordable five-star model which we have tested could be the better buy.
What are the best wireless earbuds for Zoom meetings?
Whether you're taking voice or video calls you want a pair of true wireless earbuds with a good microphone set-up. Some premium pairs even have special technology that helps to emphasise voices so your voice should come through even clearer.
Pairs we would recommend include the Sony WF-C710N at the affordable end of the spectrum and the Sony WF-1000XM5, Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) and Apple AirPods Pro 2 at the more premium end.
What is the difference between cheap and expensive wireless earbuds?
The main differences tend to centre around build quality, features and performance. That's not to say you can't get cheap Bluetooth buds that don't sound great for the money or have a solid feature set, just like the Sony WF-C710N. In our testing experience, the best cheap earbuds can certainly outperform some more expensive pairs.
However, the very best expensive pairs tend to offer better build quality, higher quality components, a more sophisticated sound and even more accomplished features.
Noise cancelling and call quality can be more advanced, for example, but the biggest differences are in sound quality. You can hear more detail, and experience greater dynamics, and the very best pricey pairs, such as the Sony WF-1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen), offer a greater level of sonic refinement.
Can wireless earbuds connect to a TV?
Yes, they can theoretically connect via Bluetooth, but it will depend on the model of TV and how it integrates Bluetooth functionality. You normally access this kind of feature through your TV's settings menu which is the first place we would recommend you start looking. If compatible, you should be able to pair the earbuds to your TV in the same way you would pair them with a smartphone or tablet.
Recent updates
- January 13th: replaced AirPods Pro 2 with AirPods Pro 3 as 'Best AirPods', added JBL, Huawei and Shokz entries to ‘coming soon’ section
- November 24th: Expanded FAQ section with new entry
- September 19th: Expanded FAQ section with more entries.
- June 13th: we have tested the LG Xboom Buds (2025) and rated them three stars, so they haven't been added to our buying guide. We have also mentioned the launch of new models from Bose and Sennheiser. Finally, we have also checked pricing and availability of the remaining earbuds on the list.
- 24th April: we have tested the Sony WF-C710N and added them to our buying guide as the best mid-price wireless earbuds. They replace the WF-C700N which have been added to the also consider section. We’ve also checked pricing and availability of the remaining earbuds on the list.
- 14th March: checked pricing and availability of all earbuds on the list. We've reviewed the Sony LinkBuds Open (WF-L910) and awarded them four stars but they don't make it onto our list. We've also updated our Sony WF-C700N entry to reflect leaks about a potential successor.
- 16th January 2025: checked pricing and availability of all earbuds on the list. We’ve awarded five stars to the Technics EAH-AZ100 and added them as a new “best premium wireless earbuds” entry. We have also tested the Bowers & Wilkins Pi6 and awarded them four stars, but they don’t make the list.
- 2nd December: checked pricing and availability of the earbuds in this list. We've awarded five stars to the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) and added them to the 'also consider' section of the page. We have also tested the Sony LinkBuds Fit and JBL Tour Pro 3. Both models received four stars during testing but haven't made it into our round-up.
- 21st November: No new models to add, but we have recently reviewed the Sony LinkBuds Fit which gained four stars during testing.
- 21st October: All What Hi-Fi? Award-winners for 2024 have been flagged on the page. We’ve tested the Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation and added them to the also consider section. We’ve also tested the Sony WF-C510 which replace the WF-C500 as the best for battery life. We've also added the new Bose QuietComfort Earbuds and Sony's new LinkBuds models to our ‘coming soon’ section.
- 13th September: Checked availability and pricing, added Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 as ‘best for audiophiles’, mentioned Sony WF-C510, Apple AirPods 4 and JBL Pro Tour 3 as new models to market, removed Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II from the ‘also consider’ section.
- 8th August: We've removed the Panasonic RZ-S500W from our 'also consider' section due to lack of availability and mentioned the new Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro. We've also added a test track for you to try at home.
- 1st July: Checked the availability and pricing of entries, removed JBL Reflect Flow Pro, replaced by JBL Live Pro 2 TWS
- 29th May: We tested two new models since our last update, the Sennheiser Momentum Sport which we rated at three stars and the Final ZE8000 MK2 which we rated four stars. Neither pair made our list.
- 22nd April: added mention of recent EarFun Air 2 review, Cambridge Audio Melomania M100 and Google Pixel Buds A-Series added as a pair to consider
- 21st March: revised 'How to choose' section, added Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 as an also consider, added new F.A.Q. entry
- 29th February: added product galleries, added also consider section, added recent updates section, added top tip
- 18th January 2024: added more F.A.Qs, updated how to choose and how we test sections
Today's best wireless earbuds deals
