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AP Buyline’s content is created independently of The Associated Press newsroom. Our evaluations and opinions are not influenced by our advertising relationships, but we might earn commissions from our partners’ links in this content. Learn more about our policies and terms here.
Listening to audio and staying connected on the go is much easier when your hands are free. As a freelance audio engineer and writer, I’ve found that a pair of high-quality wireless earbuds is a must-have tool for my daily routine, whether I’m cycling through music, calls and meetings, or catching up on my favorite podcasts at the gym. Check out some of our favorite picks for the best wireless earbuds, for those moments where you just need some peace.
Comfort is key if you plan to wear your earbuds for any significant length of time. “Wireless earbuds are tiny high-performance speakers that fit in your ears,” says Dino Bekis, vice president and general manager of the wearables and mixed signal solutions business unit at Qualcomm. “One of the most important considerations is comfort and fit. Many earbuds come with interchangeable tips so they can fit comfortably and securely, however some earbuds simply don’t work for some — they fall out or are uncomfortable.” Bekis adds that if you can’t try a new pair of earbuds before you buy, make sure they have a good return policy.
There’s nothing worse than your earbuds dying just minutes before your podcast ends, so prioritize products with lasting batteries. “There’s not a lot of room for batteries in earbuds. Still, many buds will last for several hours before needing to recharge,” explains Bekis. “The case itself can not only protect the earbuds from damage but also serves as a charging station due to the larger battery integrated into the storage case.” Bekis adds that you should consider play time and the number of charges per case. Also, keep in mind play time will decrease if you’re using noise-canceling features.
Exercisers: Pay special attention to certain features in choosing your earbuds. “Selecting the right wireless earbuds is crucial for enhancing your workout experience,” says Chris Pruitt, certified personal trainer and CEO at WorkoutHealthy. Pruitt emphasizes the importance of sweat and weather resistance. “If you’re going to use earbuds when running or getting wet, be sure your buds are IPX-rated for water resistance,” Bekis adds, referring to the standardized Ingress Protection Ratings of electronic devices against dust and water. “Also, check for a snug fit so they don’t shake out when you’re moving. You might want buds with a band that drapes behind the neck to keep them safe if they do fall out.”
As Bekis mentions, many of the best wireless earbuds feature an Ingress Protection (IP) rating that corresponds to the design’s resistance to ingress of dust and liquids. These ratings appear in an IPXX format, where the first “X” corresponds to the level of dust protection and the second corresponds to the level of water protection. For most workouts, a rating of IPX4 — that’s protection against splashing liquid from all angles — should be sufficient for use in rain and sweat. Products rated at IPX5 are suitable for similar workout situations with the added technical benefit of resistance to low-pressure water jets.
Bekis emphasizes the sonic differences between wireless earbuds and their larger over-ear counterparts. “It’s hard to put big, booming speakers in tiny drivers that fit in your ears,” he explains. “Advanced technology can compensate for physical limits, but only to a point.” He recommends reading reviews from trusted audio specialists before finalizing a purchase.
Your earbuds should make your life easier, not more difficult. “Like their bigger wireless headphone cousin, earbuds vary in the physical or touch-sensitive buttons they have to control audio playback, as well as enabled features like voice controls,” says Bekis. Pruitt says for working out, features like touch control and voice guidance make usability easy and comfortable throughout your exercises.
Bekis’ top pick for noise canceling earbuds feature an adjustable fit, charging case and high-performance sound isolation. While they’re not waterproof and therefore not the best option for workouts, customers give these buds high marks for comfort and natural sound, making them a good everyday option for studying and commuting.
These are super comfortable noise canceling earbuds that sound great and include a charging case.
Get it here: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
Read full review here: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds review
iPhone users should consider earbuds that work best for their devices. “The Apple AirPods Pro earbuds are intuitive, pair easily with Apple devices, and are hence a very convenient option for iPhone users,” says Pruitt. “The touch control and [Siri] voice guidance make usability easy and comfortable throughout your exercises.” In addition to pairing seamlessly with Mac and iOS devices, these earbuds are also compatible with Apple’s dynamic head tracking and personalized spatial audio features, giving them an immersive edge.
These premium earbuds pair perfectly with Apple devices and have high user satisfaction scores.
Get it here: Apple AirPods Pro
Google’s flagship earbuds feature all the bells and whistles you’d expect from premium headphones including active noise cancellation, transparency mode and a five-band equalizer. They’re also sweat- and water-resistant, making them a great workout option for Android users.
Android-ready earbuds with a premium fit and finish at a fair price.
Get it here: Google Pixel Buds Pro
This pair of budget buds deliver great value for the price thanks to their passive noise isolation, hear-through mode and above-average battery life. They’re also IP55 rated against dust and water ingress, making them an effective option for strenuous workouts. While they lack active noise cancellation, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better option in this price range.
This is a great pair of budget-friendly earbuds with a generous return and warranty policy.
Get it here: Jabra Elite 3
Pruitt’s favorite wireless earbuds for working out are IPX4-rated sweat-resistant and snug-fitting. “The Powerbeats Pro have a listening time that can last up to nine hours, making it suitable for long training,” he explains. “They are built for movement; the ear hooks ensure they stay put no matter how crazy the workout gets. They also have the signature Beats sound quality.”
Lightweight earbuds with a secure, exercise-ready fit.
Get it here: Powerbeats Pro
These are some of the tiniest earbuds available on the market, making them perfect for people with small ears. Like many of the best wireless earbuds, the 1MORE ComfoBuds Mini come with a set of variously-sized silicone ear tips for a custom fit. Due to their small size, they lack the sound quality and battery life of some competitors, but they’re still an appealing option if you’ve struck out using bigger designs.
A good value for users who have had issues with fit and comfort in other products.
Get it here: 1MORE ComfoBuds Mini
Loaded with premium features like multipoint connectivity, touch controls and crystal-clear audio, these earbuds are ideal for working people on the go. The Technics EAH-AZ80 make pivoting between devices a seamless experience, especially if you take frequent calls. While they’re some of the most expensive earbuds on the market, you might find their high-quality design and breezy user experience worth it if you’re a busy person.
Premium earbuds that will enhance your workflow without slowing you down.
Get it here: Technics EAH-AZ80
These premium earbuds feature substantial single-charge battery life and adaptive sound control to modify noise canceling performance as your environment changes, making them a desirable option for people who frequently travel. They feature wired and wireless charging options as well as a unique talk-to-chat feature that pauses media and reveals the sound of your surroundings when you speak, permitting seamless conversation while on the go.
A great-sounding and reliable pair of premium earbuds that react to your environment.
Get it here: Sony WF-1000XM5
Read full review here: Sony WH-1000XM5 review: Excellent, but facing tough competition
If you’re accustomed to long commutes or extended bursts of productivity, these earbuds can go up against even the best noise canceling headphones when it comes to battery life. Users love this design’s combination of active and passive noise-cancelation and the level of isolation it achieves. In the unlikely event that you exhaust the Liberty 4 NC’s generous battery, a quick 10-minute charge will deliver another four hours of use.
An affordable pair of noise canceling earbuds built for extended periods of use.
Get it here: Soundcore Liberty 4 NC
These earbuds deliver exceptional audio quality thanks to built-in lossless technology from Qualcomm. “aptX audio technology [a patented type of wireless audio compression] is designed to enhance the wireless sound quality of many of the world’s finest smartphones, speakers, headphones and tablets,” says Bekis. The Denon PerL Pro also features low audio latency, meaning they offer very little delay between receiving and playing audio, making them a great choice for pairing with the best gaming laptop. If you’re going mobile, you can also further tailor audio and create a custom listening profile using a companion smartphone app.
No-compromise audio quality for listeners who want the best.
Get it here: Denon PerL Pro
This list of the best wireless earbuds aims to cover most use cases and settings, from home and work to travel and commuting. We used expert advice, personal experience and customer reviews to fine-tune our recommendations. We also aimed to provide a range of price points to satisfy every budget, and a variety of sizing and fit options for users of different sizes.
As explained by this article on CleerAudio, “true wireless” refers to earpieces that operate together without any connective wiring between them. All of the products on this list feature true wireless operation. Wireless earbuds that are not “true wireless” are connected by a wire but do not require a wired connection to the audio device. In the vast majority of situations, true wireless earbuds are the most convenient design because they facilitate freedom of movement without cables.
In my experience as an audio engineer, I’ve found that earbuds with larger speaker sizes deliver better bass response. However, sound quality also depends on a number of other factors including noise canceling performance and connection quality. If audio quality is your top priority, look for a model that features aptX high-resolution streaming, like the Denon PerL Pro.
Premium wireless earbuds can be worth the higher upfront cost if you are a multi-tasker or audiophile, but you don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy solid audio quality and a comfortable fit. If you’re aiming to use your wireless earbuds daily, consider the long-term durability of a design’s build quality, which usually increases along with the price.
Determining an optimal earbud battery life for your needs comes down to your lifestyle and intended use. If you’re frequently traveling and have limited access to electricity in transit, consider earbuds with a charging case and a single-charge battery life of eight hours or more. If you’ll primarily use your earbuds for intermittent workouts and can charge them often, a design with a single-charge life of as low as four hours might be permissible.
The best wireless earbuds come with sets of silicone ear tips of various sizes that can be swapped in and out according to your personal fit and comfort preferences, making them compatible with many different ear sizes.
Most earphones have a frequency response that spans from about 20 hertz to 20 kilohertz, or roughly the range of human hearing. For most listeners, raw frequency response range matters less than personal equalization options, which allow you to sculpt sounds to your liking.
Waterproof Wireless Headphones AP Buyline’s content is created independently of The Associated Press newsroom. Our evaluations and opinions are not influenced by our advertising relationships, but we might earn commissions from our partners’ links in this content. Learn more about our policies and terms here.