The marketplace for true wi-fi earbuds has exploded, and whereas meaning extra selections, it additionally means extra confusion in terms of choosing the very best wi-fi earbuds to your wants. From premium choices just like the AirPods Professional 2, which mix modern design with spectacular energetic noise cancellation, to fashions that prioritize distinctive sound high quality, there’s a pair of Bluetooth earbuds for everybody. These compact gadgets additionally now provide options that rival conventional, over-ear headphones, which may make them the go-to selection for music lovers, commuters, gym-goers and plenty of in between.
I’ve examined and reviewed dozens of units of earbuds a yr for Engadget, consistently pitting new fashions in opposition to the earlier finest throughout all value ranges to maintain this checklist of the very best true wi-fi earbuds updated. This information explains why my present alternatives for the very best wi-fi earbuds made the lower, and provides some procuring recommendation when it comes to all the things you could know earlier than selecting the very best true wi-fi earbuds to your wants.
If earbuds aren’t your jam, nonetheless, you possibly can take a look at our finest headphones shopping for information, overlaying our favourite wi-fi, over-ear headphones, noise-canceling headphones and extra.
Desk of contents
Greatest wi-fi earbuds of 2025
Sony
Learn our full Sony WF-1000XM5 overview
Max battery life: 8 hours, as much as 24 hours with charging case | Water resistance: IPX4 | Noise cancellation: Sure | Multipoint: Sure
With the WF-1000XM5 flagship earbuds, Sony improves its already formidable mixture of nice sound, efficient ANC and useful options. These earbuds are undoubtedly the corporate’s finest and most snug design of its 1000X fashions to this point, which was one of many few remaining riddles Sony wanted to resolve. Sony nonetheless manages to pack in additional options than anybody else too, together with trademark ones like adaptive sound and Communicate-to-Chat. Add in upgraded drivers, new chips, eight hours of battery life and important enhancements to sound high quality and these are Sony’s finest earbuds but. However all the developments come at a price: these are additionally Sony’s most costly set of wi-fi earbuds within the 1000X lineup.
- Glorious sound high quality
- Improved design
- Extra snug match
- A great deal of useful options
- Costlier
- No battery life enchancment
- Head monitoring is Android solely
- Some options nonetheless want fine-tuning
Photograph by Billy Steele / Engadget
Learn our full Apple AirPods Professional (2nd Era) overview
Max battery life: 6 hours, as much as 30 hours with charging case | Water resistance: IPX4 | Noise cancellation: Sure | Multipoint: Sure
Apple’s second-generation AirPods Professional are an enormous enchancment over the earlier fashions. These buds have improved sound high quality and energetic noise cancellation, whereas sustaining all the conveniences that make AirPods the very best earbud possibility for iPhone, iOS and Mac. Once we reviewed them, we discovered probably the most spectacular characteristic to be transparency mode, which is extra pure sounding than another earbuds by a mile. You possibly can depart these in throughout a dialog and it’s such as you’re not even sporting them. In fact, quick pairing, hands-free Siri, spatial audio, good battery life, and now, a USB-C charging case that may additionally energy up wirelessly may even come in useful.
- Improved sound
- Stellar transparency mode
- Stable ANC
- Seamless switching between Apple gadgets
- Identical design
- New contact gesture takes apply
- Common battery life
- Customized Spatial Audio outcomes fluctuate
Photograph by Billy Steele / Engadget
Learn our full Google Pixel Buds Professional 2 overview
Max battery life: 8 hours, as much as 30 hours with charging case (ANC on) | Water resistance: IP54 | Noise cancellation: Sure | Multipoint: Sure
The Pixel Buds Professional 2 could also be Google’s priciest earbuds, however they’re additionally its finest. A whole redesign resulted in considerably smaller earbuds that match extra comfortably and securely. The corporate has additionally packed in a Tensor chip for the primary time to deal with audio and ANC sign processing. As you may count on, these earbuds provide a hands-free channel to Gemini AI, though they’re not required to make use of the voice assistant.
Google additionally revised the acoustics and drivers on the Pixel Buds Professional 2, delivering ample low-end tone when it’s wanted. There are many useful options too, like Dialog Detection, Listening to Wellness and Discover My Gadget. Spatial Audio is out there at launch this time, however you possibly can solely use it with appropriate video streaming apps.
- Tiny, comfortable design
- Punchy bass, full mids, crisp highs
- Barely longer battery life than predecessor
- Value went up once more
- Spatial audio is restricted to video apps
- Smaller contact panel requires precision
Samsung
Learn our full Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Professional overview
Max battery life: 6 hours, as much as 26 hours with charging case | Water resistance: IP57 | Noise cancellation: Sure | Multipoint: Sure
The Galaxy Buds 3 Professional borrow closely from Apple’s AirPods Professional in each appears and options, and construct upon the inspiration of the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Professional. Nevertheless, Samsung did effectively to make issues like Adaptive ANC and voice instructions work effectively. Some options like Voice Detect may nonetheless use some high-quality tuning, however there’s loads to love right here past the essential performance.
The actually stunning factor in regards to the Galaxy Buds 3 Professional is the sound high quality. There’s some thick, boomy bass while you want it with loads of crisp element to enrich it. This mannequin actually shines while you pair it with a Samsung system to unlock 24-bit HiFi streaming. There’s additionally a natural-sounding transparency mode that retains you from feeling shouty throughout calls.
- Nice sound high quality
- A great deal of useful options
- Comfortable match
- Pure ambient sound
- Battery life is shorter than some rivals
- One of the best options require a latest Samsung system
- Copycat design
- Blade lights are a gimmick
Photograph by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Max battery life: 10 hours, as much as 50 hours with charging case | Water resistance: IPX4 | Noise cancellation: Sure | Multipoint: Sure
The Anker Soundcore Area A40 provide the sort of options you’d count on from wi-fi earbuds that price twice as a lot: ANC, multi-device pairing, wi-fi charging, IPX4 water resistance, a transparency mode, eight to 10 hours of battery life and LDAC help. Once we examined them, we discovered their heat sound to be pleasing proper out of the field, however Anker’s companion app makes it straightforward to customise the EQ curve if wanted. And whereas their ANC isn’t fairly as efficient at lowering background noise as our prime picks, it’s nonetheless efficient for a loud workplace or lengthy flight. For $80 or so, it is a very good worth. – Jeff Dunn, Senior Commerce Author
- Inexpensive
- Good battery life
- Multipoint connectivity
- Transparency Mode
- ANC is not as sturdy as opponents
Photograph by Billy Steele / Engadget
Learn our full Bose QuietComfort Extremely earbuds overview
Max battery life: 6 hours, as much as 24 hours with charging case | Water resistance: IPX4 | Noise cancellation: Sure | Multipoint: Sure
Because the firm launched the primary mannequin, Bose’s QuietComfort Earbuds have constantly supplied the very best noise cancellation out of all of the wi-fi buds we have examined. It’s not stunning that its most-recent model, the QC Extremely Earbuds, solely improved in ANC efficiency. Nevertheless, the larger story right here is that Bose lastly has the audio chops to compete with the very best earbuds because of its new Immersive Audio tech. The characteristic brings spatial audio to all by not requiring specially-made content material to make use of it. Reasonably than make use of music and films the place the sound is coming from all instructions, QC Extremely Earbuds put you in the midst of the acoustic “candy spot” by relying closely on virtualization. A devoted gesture for quantity controls, better-than-advertised battery life and customization settings spherical out the spec sheet.
- Stellar ANC
- Spatial audio does not require particular content material
- Upgrades with no value improve
- Earbuds are nonetheless huge
- Immersive Audio considerably impacts battery life
- Wi-fi charging prices additional
Bose
Learn our full Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) overview
Max battery life: 8.5 hours, as much as 31.5 hours with charging case | Water resistance: IPX4 | Noise cancellation: Sure | Multipoint: Sure
Prior to now, you needed to pay round $300 when you wished Bose-quality ANC on a set of earbuds. With the brand new QuietComfort Earbuds, the corporate packs in loads of its finest options for much less cash. You’ll get efficient ANC, good sound high quality, and options like voice controls.
The earbuds are smaller than typical Bose fare, which implies they’re extra snug and match higher. You’ll additionally take pleasure in effectively over eight hours of battery life with ANC on and an IPX4 ranking that shall be adequate for exercises. And if the product web page is to be trusted, you may as well stay up for Bose’s distinctive spatial audio (Immersive Audio) coming quickly.
- Nice sound high quality
- Efficient ANC
- Plenty of useful options
- Reliable battery life
- No Immersive Audio (but)
- Audio and ANC sacrifices in comparison with the QC Extremely Earbuds
- No CustomTune characteristic
- Poor name high quality
Photograph by Billy Steele / Engadget
Learn our full Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 overview
Max battery life: 6.5 hours (ANC on), as much as 20 hours with charging case | Water resistance: IP54 | Noise cancellation: Sure | Multipoint: Sure
After a years-long run because the king of sound high quality, Sennheiser has been dethroned. Bowers & Wilkins swapped in bigger, carbon cone drivers and a 32-bit DSP for its Pi8 earbuds. You’ll additionally get aptX Lossless Bluetooth and longer battery in comparison with the Pi7 S2.
These are $399 earbuds although, in order that they wanted to be excellent to climb additional up this finest checklist. Sadly, ANC efficiency is simply okay and there’s a obvious lack of superior options that the majority flagship fashions carry nowadays. In case you’re solely on the lookout for the very best audio efficiency although, the Pi8 offers you pristine element and a well-tuned soundstage that’s at present unmatched.
- Glorious audio readability
- Enhanced bass
- Dependable multipoint connectivity
- Costly
- ANC efficiency
- No superior options
Photograph by Billy Steele / Engadget
Learn our full Beats Match Professional overview
Max battery life: 6 hours, as much as 24 hours with charging case | Water resistance: IPX4 | Noise cancellation: Sure | Multipoint: Sure
Many of the finest AirPods options in a set of exercise earbuds? That’s the Beats Match Professional. Because of Apple’s H1 chip, these buds provide one-touch fast pairing, hands-free Siri and Discover My instruments. They’ll additionally help you use Audio Sharing with an Apple system and one other set of AirPods or Beats wi-fi headphones for tandem listening or viewing. Balanced and punchy bass will maintain the power up throughout exercises whereas good noise cancellation, an IPX4 ranking and comfortable silicone ear ideas make these a stable possibility exterior of the gymnasium too. And there’s loads of help for Android gadgets, so these aren’t only a good purchase for iOS customers both.
- Snug design
- Good ANC
- H1 chip provides fast pairing and switching between Apple gadgets
- Loads of Android help
- Name high quality may very well be higher
Sony
Max battery life: 6 hours, as much as 20 hours with charging case | Water resistance: IPX4 | Noise cancellation: Sure | Multipoint: Sure
One of many greatest surprises final yr wasn’t Sony’s distinctive open-wear LinkBuds, it was the extra mainstream follow-up. With the LinkBuds S, the corporate debuted a extra historically designed pair of earbuds akin to its premium WF-1000XM4, solely this mannequin is way smaller and lighter which results in a way more comfortable match. These tiny wi-fi earbuds muster some punch in terms of sound high quality too and help for high-res listening (LDAC and DSEE Excessive) are each onboard. Succesful ANC lends a hand with environmental noise and transparency mode can maintain you tuned in when wanted. What’s extra, useful Communicate-to-Chat is right here and Adaptive Sound Management can mechanically change settings primarily based on exercise or location. That’s loads of premium options at a mid-range value.
- Snug design
- Good sound high quality
- Communicate-to-Chat
- Adaptive Sound Management
What to search for in wi-fi earbuds
Relating to searching for earphones, the very first thing to contemplate is design or put on type. Do you like a semi-open match like AirPods or would you like one thing that utterly closes off your ears? In case you’re searching for earbuds with energetic noise cancellation, you may need the latter, however a case might be made for the previous if you wish to put on all of them day or frequent locations the place you could be tuned in to the ambient sounds. The general form of earbuds can decide whether or not you get a snug match, so can the scale and weight, so that you’ll need to contemplate all that earlier than deciding. And keep in mind: audio corporations aren’t excellent, so regardless of numerous analysis, the earbud form they selected might not suit you effectively. Don’t be afraid to return ill-fitting earbuds for one thing that’s extra snug.
As wi-fi earbuds have develop into the norm, they’re now extra dependable for staple items like constant Bluetooth connectivity. Corporations are nonetheless in a race to pack as a lot as they’ll into more and more smaller designs. This sometimes means an extended checklist of options on the extra premium units of earbuds with primary performance on the most cost effective fashions. Rigorously contemplate what you possibly can’t stay with out when choosing your subsequent earbuds, and ensure key objects like computerized pausing and multipoint connectivity are on the spec sheet. You’ll additionally need to examine the amount and contact controls as you’ll typically must sacrifice entry to one thing else to make that adjustment through on-board faucets or swipes. Some earbuds even provide app settings to tweak the audio profiles or firmware updates to enhance efficiency over time.
For these within the Apple ecosystem, options like auto-pairing with gadgets, particularly with AirPods Professional 2, might be an added benefit, whereas Android customers might need to search for fashions that supply related cross-device performance.
Relating to battery life, the typical set of earbuds lasts about 5 hours on a single cost. You could find units that last more, however that is probably sufficient to get you thru a piece day when you’re docking the buds throughout lunch or the occasional assembly. You’ll need to test on what number of additional fees can be found through the case and if it helps wi-fi charging.
Corporations may even make lofty claims about name high quality on wi-fi earbuds. Regardless of numerous guarantees, the fact is most earbuds nonetheless depart you sounding such as you’re on speakerphone. There are some units that ship, however don’t get your hopes up until evaluations verify the claims.
Sound might be subjective, so we advocate making an attempt before you purchase if in any respect potential. That is very true when you’re an audiophile. We perceive this isn’t straightforward when most of us do loads of procuring on-line, however making an attempt on a set of earbuds and listening to them for a couple of minutes can prevent from an costly case of purchaser’s regret. If a retailer doesn’t permit a fast demo, most retailers have return insurance policies that may allow you to take earbuds again you don’t like. In fact, you must be keen to quickly half with funds with the intention to do that.
We additionally advocate being attentive to issues like Spatial Audio, Dolby Atmos, 360 Actuality Audio and different immersive codecs. Not all earbuds help them, so that you’ll need to be certain that a perspective pair does if that type of factor excites you, particularly when you plan to make use of them for playback of high-quality audio.
How we take a look at wi-fi Bluetooth earbuds
The first method we take a look at earbuds is to put on them as a lot as potential. We favor to do that over a one- to two-week interval, however generally embargoes don’t permit it. Throughout this time, we hearken to a mixture of music and podcasts, whereas additionally utilizing the earbuds to take each voice and video calls. Since battery life for earbuds is usually lower than a full day, we drain the battery with looping music and the amount set at a snug stage (normally round 75 p.c).
To evaluate audio high quality, we hearken to a spread of genres, noting any variations within the sound profile throughout the kinds. We additionally take a look at at each high and low volumes to test for consistency within the tuning. To evaluate name high quality, we’ll report audio samples with the earbuds’ microphones in addition to have third events name us.
Relating to options, we do a radical overview of companion apps, testing every characteristic as we work by the software program. Any holdovers from earlier fashions are double checked for enhancements or regression. If the earbuds we’re testing are an up to date model of a earlier mannequin, we’ll spend time getting reacquainted with the older buds. Ditto for the closest competitors for every new set of earbuds that we overview.
Different wi-fi Bluetooth earbuds we examined
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3
The Galaxy Buds 3 mix ANC with an open-type design, which renders the noise-blocking talents of the earbuds largely ineffective. Nonetheless, there’s nice low-end tone with ample bass when a observe calls for it. There are additionally numerous useful options, most of which require a Samsung cellphone. However at this value, there are higher choices from Google, Beats and Sony
Sennheiser Momentum Sport
I actually like the general form of the Momentum Sport earbuds. They’re extra snug than the Momentum True Wi-fi 4 and slot in my ears higher. What’s extra, the physique temperature and coronary heart charge sensors work effectively, sending these stats to quite a lot of apps. Nevertheless, that sport-tracking characteristic works finest with Polar’s app and gadgets, so there’s that consideration. Additionally, the audio high quality and ANC efficiency isn’t pretty much as good because the MTW4, and these earbuds are expensive.
Beats Solo Buds
There’s loads to love in regards to the Solo Buds for $80. For me, the first perk is that they’re very snug to put on for lengthy durations of time because of some considerate design concerns. You solely get the fundamentals right here when it comes to options and, as anticipated, the general sound high quality isn’t pretty much as good because the pricier fashions within the Beats lineup. You’re going to get 18 hours of battery life although, for the reason that firm nixed the battery within the case and beefed up the listening time within the buds themselves.
Bose Extremely Open Earbuds
Bose created one thing very distinctive for this set of earbuds that permits you to keep in-tune with the world whereas listening to audio content material. The clip-on design may be very snug, however sound high quality suffers because of the open-type match, particularly in terms of bass and spatial audio.
Audio-Technica ATH-TWX7
These stick buds have a compact design that’s snug to put on and the nice and cozy sound profile is nice at instances. Nevertheless, general audio efficiency is inconsistent and there’s no computerized pausing.
Grasp & Dynamic MW09
Retooled audio, higher ambient sound mode and dependable multipoint Bluetooth are the very best issues the MW09 has to supply. They’re costly although, and you’ll find higher ANC efficiency elsewhere.
Beats Studio Buds +
Updates to sound, ANC and battery life prime the spec sheet right here, and the brand new clear shade possibility has some throwback power I really like. However there are some primary options lacking, and Beats doesn’t come near Apple’s pure audio high quality in transparency mode.
JBL Tour Professional 2
These earbuds are feature-packed, together with a touchscreen “sensible case.” They aren’t probably the most constant when it comes to general efficiency although, and I’m not satisfied that case supplies loads of utility simply but.
Wi-fi earbud FAQs
What is taken into account good battery life for true wi-fi earbuds?
Most wi-fi earbuds will final 5 hours on a single cost, at least. You could find some pairs which have even higher battery life, lasting between six and eight hours earlier than they want extra juice. All the finest wi-fi earbuds include a charging case, which is able to present further hours of battery life — however you may must return every bud to the case with the intention to cost them up.
Is sound high quality higher on headphones or earbuds?
Evaluating sound high quality on earbuds and headphones is a bit like evaluating apples and oranges. There are loads of variables to contemplate and the variations in parts make a direct comparability tough. Personally, I favor the audio high quality from over-ear headphones, however I can inform you the sound from earbuds like Sennheiser’s Momentum True Wi-fi 3 can be excellent.
Which wi-fi earbuds have the longest battery life?
With new fashions popping out on a regular basis, monitoring the hours of battery life for every this may be tough to maintain tabs on. The longest-lasting earbuds we’ve reviewed are Audio-Technica’s ATH-CKS5TW. The corporate states they final 15 hours, however the app was nonetheless exhibiting 40 p.c at that mark throughout our checks. The one draw back is these earbuds debuted in 2019 and each expertise and options have improved since. By way of present fashions, Grasp & Dynamic’s MW08 provides 12 hours of use on a cost with ANC off (10 with ANC on) and JBL has a number of choices with 10-hour batteries.
What wi-fi earbuds are waterproof?
There are many choices nowadays in terms of elevated water resistance. To find out the extent of safety, you’ll need to search for an IP (ingress safety) ranking. The primary quantity signifies intrusion safety from issues like mud. The second quantity is the extent of moisture safety and also you’ll need to ensure that determine is 7 or larger. At this water-resistance ranking, earbuds can stand up to full immersion for as much as half-hour in depths as much as one meter (3.28 toes). If both of the IP numbers is an X, meaning it doesn’t have any particular safety. For instance, a pair of wi-fi earbuds which can be IPX7 wouldn’t be constructed to keep away from mud intrusion, however they’d be okay when you dropped them in shallow water.
Which earbuds keep in ears the very best?
A safe match can fluctuate wildly from individual to individual. All of our ears are totally different, so audio corporations are designing their merchandise to suit the most individuals they’ll with a single form. For this reason AirPods will simply fall out for some however keep put for others. Design touches like wing ideas or fins sometimes come on health fashions and people parts may help maintain issues in place. You’ll probably simply must attempt earbuds on, and in the event that they don’t match effectively return them.
What wi-fi earbuds work with PS5?
PlayStation 5 doesn’t help Bluetooth audio with out an adapter or dongle. Even Sony’s personal gaming headsets include a transmitter that connects to the console. There are common choices that help you use any headphones, headset or earbuds with a PS5. After getting one, plug it right into a USB port on the console and pair your earbuds with it.
Latest updates
January 2025: Up to date the highest choose for “finest sounding wi-fi earbuds.”
July 2024: Up to date our checklist to incorporate the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Professional.
