Wireless earbuds are all about freedom and convenience. Why wrestle with cables when you can pop in wireless buds and go about your day as if they aren’t even there? A good set of wireless earbuds is comfy, delivers high-quality sound, and won’t break the bank. A great set goes much further, silencing unwanted noise, providing top-notch call quality, and all-day battery life. The best models do all of that while delivering truly superb sound, advanced personalization options, and extras like spatial audio, activity/health tracking and hearing enhancement.
Choosing the right one for you is all about figuring out what matters.
The best wireless earbuds in 2026
Best overall:
Sony WF-1000XM5
Best budget:
Earfun Air Pro 4+
Best for noise canceling:
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2)
Best for workouts:
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2
Best for calls:
Shokz OpenFit 2
Why you should trust me
I’ve been testing and reviewing wireless earbuds since 2018. In that time, I’ve seen (and heard) it all, from no-name Amazon models to the most revered brands in the business, including Sony, Apple, Sennheiser, Master & Dynamic and Technics.
Besides testing individual headphones, I’ve also extensively tested the technologies that can make them better, like different Bluetooth compression schemes, Auracast, lossless and spatial audio, and hearing health features. Scroll to the bottom for more details on how some of these work, and why you may appreciate them.
How I tested
I do exactly what you do when I receive a new set of earbuds: unbox them, charge them up, and then use them in my daily routine. Over about two weeks, I cover all of the basics, from quiet listening at home, to gym workouts, to public transit and city street commutes, plus phone and video calls in both quiet and noisy environments. Sometimes I get lucky and a scheduled trip lets me test noise cancellation on an actual flight.
I’m a big believer in Carl Sagan’s philosophy that “extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence”, so I test every advertised feature and promise of performance. I’m evaluating aspects like comfort, usability, and of course, sound quality. My test playlist covers a variety of music genres from rock to classical, and the tracks rarely change. Yes, I’m sick of listening to Tracy Chapman’s Fast Car, but you need to be annoyingly familiar with a song to detect even the smallest differences in playback quality.
For this roundup, I tested 42 models covering prices from $25 to $499, all of them current models available in the United States. The samples were provided by manufacturers. Audio reviews require extensive comparison, I keep at least two generations of a company’s products for reference, then return them to the manufacturer if they’ll take it back. They rarely want them, so I typically donate the rest to RCT, a local non-profit that repairs and refurbishes technology and provides it to individuals, families, and schools at deeply discounted prices.
<em>Best overall:</em> Sony WF-1000XM5
With top marks across sound quality, noise cancellation, battery life, and call quality, Sony’s WF-1000XM5 are perfect for just about every situation.
Why we love them
There’s nothing better than popping in a set of earbuds and getting lost in your favorite tunes. With deeply resonant bass that never fails to send shivers down my spine and crystal-clear highs that do justice to virtuoso singers and cantankerous podcasters alike, the XM5 are that portal to another world. Turning on the active noise cancellation (ANC) instantly obliterates most of the jet engine noise on flights, and worked equally well at the gym.
Calls on the XM5 were also very clear, and kept my voice steady and intelligible even in the kinds of noisy environments where most earbuds struggle. While the charging case isn’t quite as compact as the AirPods Pro 3, it’s still easily pocketable and offers wireless charging.
Audiophiles will find the XM5 packed with additional features like hi-res codecs, spatial audio and Bluetooth Auracast, which can all enhance the listening experience if you like to tinker. Even if you don’t use them out of the box, they’re future-proofed for years to come, which only adds to their value. While Sony now makes an XM6, I still recommend the near-comparable XM5 as a much better value.
It’s a shame that … The XM5’s super-smooth surfaces and small, tear-drop shape can be hard to grip. The included foam eartips do wonders for sound isolation and I like the way they fit, but some folks may find they feel more like earplugs than earbuds. If you have especially small ears, keeping them securely anchored could be tricky.
Key specs:
Battery life: Up to eight hours (with ANC), up to 24 hours with case
Noise canceling/Transparency: Yes/yes
Water resistance: IPX4 (sweat/splashproof)
Wireless charging: Yes
Fast-charging: Yes
<em>Best budget:</em> EarFun Air Pro 4+
These earbuds are proof that you don’t need to spend a fortune for high-end sound and features.
Why we love them
You’ll find EarFun models on nearly every “best wireless earbuds” list for one reason: the sound. Every time I listen to them, I marvel at what EarFun has accomplished for just $100. In fact, almost everything about the Air Pro 4+ is shockingly good for the price.
Some budget buds achieve their lower price by skipping on features. Not so with the Air Pro 4+, which boast almost all the same features as models that cost three times as much: active noise cancellation, transparency, wear sensors, wireless charging, water and dust protection, fabulous battery life, plus geeky perks like Bluetooth Multipoint, multiple hi-res codecs, Auracast and Google Fast Pair. The kicker is that they all work really well.
If you’re OK with in-ear designs like Apple’s AirPods Pro, the similarly shaped Air Pro 4+ should be very comfy.
It’s a shame that … Call quality, while good indoors, can suffer in noisy environments. Transparency mode did an excellent job of keeping my surroundings clear, but my voice remained a bit muffled. If either of these are top considerations, you’ll need to consider trading up to the AirPods Pro 3 or Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Gen 2.
Key specs:
Battery life: Up to eight hours (with ANC), up to 54 hours with case (without ANC)
Noise canceling/Transparency: Yes/yes
Water resistance: IP55 (sweat/splashproof, some dust resistance)
Wireless charging: Yes
Fast-charging: Yes
<em>Best noise canceling:</em> Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Gen 2
When it comes to peace and quiet, Bose still does it best.
Why we love them
Tech companies tack “ultra” onto product names a bit too liberally, but these headphones earn it. They’re ultra comfortable, ultra convenient, and when it comes to silencing the outside world, I have found them to be nothing short of ultra effective. Noisy environments have a way of setting my nerves on edge. As soon as I turn on Bose’s ANC, it’s like a weight has been lifted and I can breathe again.
Legions of Bose fans adore the company’s signature sound quality, which places an emphasis on clear and energetic high frequencies, while still doing justice to bass, and I count myself among their ranks. Bose’s excellent spatial audio mode delivers an open and airy sound that feels natural, not processed – a common pitfall. I think it’s the best in the industry right now.
In the past, I’ve been disappointed by Bose’s mediocre call quality, but it’s now up there with the best, and they’ve also added the wireless charging that was missing for too long.
It’s a shame that … Transparency mode, to my ear, still isn’t as natural-sounding as Apple’s AirPods Pro 3. Six hours of active noise cancellation battery life per charge (24 hours total with the case), is beginning to feel a little low by current standards, and Bose doesn’t offer a quick-charge feature.
Key specs:
Battery life: Up to six hours (with ANC), up to 24 hours with case
Noise canceling/Transparency: Yes/yes
Water resistance: IPX4 (sweat/splashproof)
Wireless charging: Yes
Fast-charging: No
<em>Best for workouts:</em>Beats Powerbeats Pro 2
Whatever your workouts dish up, the Powerbeats Pro 2 can take it, and then some.
Why we love them
Earhooks loop around the back of the ear to lock an earbud in place, rather than relying on in-ear fit alone. That makes them bulkier, but they’re the best option when you want to push your workouts to the limit, or even just jog around the block (hey, no judgement!). Among all the models using earhook designs out there, the Powerbeats Pro 2 are my favorite for stability, comfort, and sound quality.
I’ve tried using touch controls while my limbs are flailing on an elliptical machine and it’s not easy. The Powerbeats Pro 2’s physical buttons, on the other hand, are easy to find, easy to press, and they provide excellent tactile feedback. For me, the dedicated volume rockers on each earbud alone are worth the price of admission. If you have an iPhone, you can skip the buttons altogether and just ask Siri to control things.
They can’t compete with the likes of Sony or Bose on detail and nuance, and I don’t care. They have what I need when I’m moving: clear, energetic highs and plenty of bass response.
They also have very effective ANC, which I consider mandatory for gyms. I don’t want to hear the whine of the treadmill, the gym’s playlist, or the wheezing, grunting, and counting of my fellow gym-goers. It’s nearly as good as what you’ll get on the similarly priced AirPods Pro 3.
Did I mention they can track your heart rate?
It’s a shame that … The Powerbeats Pro 2 don’t support multiple simultaneous device connections. Beats’ tuning is good, but a lack of EQ settings for adjusting bass or treble is unfortunate.
Key specs:
Battery life: Up to eight hours (with ANC), up to 36 hours with case
Noise canceling/Transparency: Yes/yes
Water resistance: IPX4 (sweat/splashproof)
Wireless charging: Yes
Fast-charging: Yes
<em>Best for calls:</em> Shokz OpenFit 2
An open-ear design banishes the dreaded cotton-balls-in-your-ears sensation, making these the perfect pick for frequent callers.
Why we love them
Hot take: hearing my own voice clearly and naturally on calls is more important than being able to block out external sounds. That’s why I’ve become an open-ear addict.
Like almost all open-ear earbuds, the Shokz OpenFit 2 are supremely comfortable. I’ve used them for whole days at a time, mostly because I forget I’m wearing them. Without an hardware sitting in your ear, you hear the world just as you would if you weren’t wearing earbuds at all, and that’s half of what makes them so great for calls: your own voice sounds completely natural to you, not muffled in any way. It really reduces call fatigue.
While you’ll hear your surroundings perfectly, your callers won’t due to their superb noise reduction. I’ve used them while walking on downtown sidewalks as I passed construction sites, and my callers had no trouble hearing me clearly.
The OpenFit 2 are also great open-ear earbuds in general, with excellent physical controls, very good sound quality, great battery life, and Bluetooth Multipoint (a must-have feature if you’re using them for calls on different devices).
It’s a shame that … There’s no wireless charging (for that, you’ll need to step up to the slightly more expensive OpenFit 2+), and no Bluetooth Auracast support.
Key specs:
Battery life: Up to 11 hours, up to 48 hours with case
Noise canceling/Transparency: No/no
Water resistance: IP55 (mild dust resistance, sweat/splashproof)
Wireless charging: No
Fast-charging: Yes (A 10-minute charge delivers 2 hours of playtime)
The best of the rest
Best for iPhone:
AirPods Pro 3
Best for Android:
Sony LinkBuds Fit (best for Pixel: Pixel Buds 2 Pro, best for Samsung: Galaxy Buds4 Pro)
Best for audiophiles:
Devialet Gemini II
Best open-ear earbuds:
Baseus Inspire XC1
<em>Best for iPhone:</em>Apple AirPods Pro 3
The AirPods Pro 3 have superb ANC and the best transparency on the market, but that’s not what makes them the best wireless earbuds for iPhone owners. It’s their slew of other features that only work when connected to an iPhone. Spatial audio with head tracking, heart rate monitoring, and hands-free access to Siri – they all need an iPhone. That includes remarkable capabilities like functioning as a hearing aid; they assessed my hearing with the same accuracy as my audiologist.
Apple’s improved design brings waterproofing to the earbuds and case while keeping the AirPods Pro 3 one of the most compact sets of buds you can buy. Few other models are as convenient to carry.
Battery life: Up to 8 hours (with ANC), 24 hours total
Water/dust resistance: IP57
ANC/transparency: Yes/yes
<em>Best for Android:</em> Sony LinkBuds Fit
With Google’s Fast Pair (clever tech that lets your phone recognize your new earbuds as soon as you open the case) and “Hey Google” support, Sony’s LinkBuds Fit are the perfect companion to any Android handset. Their unique shape and silicone supports make them one of the most comfortable in-ear shapes I’ve tested, and their sound quality and noise canceling are only a small step below the best you can currently get.
If you own a Galaxy or Pixel device, Samsung’s Galaxy Buds4 Pro and the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 are both even better choices for their respective companion phones. They enable proprietary features like, lossless, hi-res music and calls, or hands-free Gemini.
Battery life: Up to 5.5 hours (with ANC), 21 hours total
Water/dust resistance: IPX4
ANC/transparency: Yes/yes
<em>Best for audiophiles:</em>Devialet Gemini II
You know you’re using a top-notch set of earbuds when they reveal something in your favorite tracks that you haven’t heard before. Devialet’s Gemini II ($499) are the most expensive model on this list, but they offer a wireless listening experience that’s better than any other product I’ve tested to-date.
I put them head-to-head with top-performers like the Technics EAH-AZ100, Sony WH-1000XM6, and Master & Dynamic MW09, and the Gemini II surpassed them all in clarity, detail and soundstage (the placement and realism of instruments and vocals). In some cases, their edge was razor thin, but if you’re looking for the best, this is it.
Battery life: Up to five hours (with ANC), 22 hours total
Water/dust resistance: IPX4
ANC/transparency: Yes/yes
<em>Best open-ear earbuds:</em> Baseus Inspire XC1
If you’re looking for open-ear earbuds – a great option for long-term comfort – you can’t go wrong with the Shokz OpenFit 2 we chose above for making calls. However, Baseus’ Inspire XC1 are much less expensive, they use a clip shape that works better with eyeglasses, and I think they sound just as good (Baseus got a little help from Bose).
The OpenFit 2 remain a better choice if battery life and call quality are top priorities. If they aren’t, the Inspire XC1 will save you money and while providing all of the benefits open-ear earbuds are known for.
Battery life: Up to eight hours, 40 hours total
Water/dust resistance: IP66
ANC/transparency: No/no
What other products did The Guardian test?
Apple AirPods 4
Apple AirPods 4 with ANC
BackBay FirstClass 50
Baseus Inspire XP1
Beats Powerbeats Fit
Beats Solo Buds
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024)
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds
Cleer Arc 5
EarFun Clip
EarFun Open Jump
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
JBL Sense Pro
JBL Endurance Peak 4
JBL Tour Pro 3
Master & Dynamic MW09
Moondrop Space Travel
Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro
Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE
Sennheiser Momentum 4 True Wireless
Sennheiser Accentum True Wireless
Shokz OpenFit Pro
Shokz OpenFit 2+
Shokz OpenDots One
Sony WF-1000XM6
Sony LinkBuds Open
Soundcore AeroClip
Soundcore AeroFit 2
Soundcore Liberty 5
Soundpeats H3
Soundpeats Pearl Clip Pro
Status Audio Pro X
Technics EAH-AZ100
What you need to know about wireless earbuds
How important is fit?
Getting a good fit not only maximizes your comfort, it’s essential for sound quality and, where applicable, active noise cancellation. Unfortunately, fit is also the one characteristic that reading reviews alone can’t describe – everyone’s ears are different.
Will any wireless earbuds work with my devices?
Yes. All wireless earbuds will let you hear music from any device, but some features require specific device compatibility. For example, the AirPods Pro 3 and Beat Powerbeats Pro 2 both support hands-free access to Apple’s Siri voice assistant. But for it to work, you need an iPhone or a Mac that’s running MacOS Mojave or newer.
Can any wireless earbuds be used for calls?
Yes. Though exceptions exist, the vast majority of wireless earbuds have built-in microphones and support calls on phones and computers. A much less common feature is the ability to mute the mics using the earbuds’ onboard controls. If this matters to you, pay close attention to the specs and features and make sure they specifically list this option.
What is wireless charging and do I need it?
Wireless charging allows you to charge your earbuds by simply resting the case on a compatible charger. All cases with wireless charging also have a wired connection, so you’ll always have a choice over how you charge.
Note that almost no wireless earbuds come with a USB charger that you plug into the wall, and some are even omitting a charging cable now, too. Since they typically use the same USB-C connection as most phones, it’s usually not an issue.
What is Auracast and do I need it?
Auracast is a way for multiple people to listen to the same thing, almost like a Bluetooth radio station. An airport might offer an Auracast channel, for instance, so you can hear departure notices. Or you can also use it privately to share your phone’s audio with multiple friends. It works like logging into Wi-Fi: With an app on your phone (or sometimes a screen on your earbuds case) you can find and connect to any available Auracast broadcast nearby.
To use it, your earbuds (and your phone, if sharing audio) need to be Auracast-compatible. We don’t consider it a must-have yet, since it’s only starting to catch on, but if you think you may still own the same headphones or earbuds for several years, it’s a great futureproofing feature.
Which is better, touch controls or physical controls?
Physical controls, like buttons, are usually easier to locate, easier to use, and have great tactile feedback. Unfortunately, they’re also uncommon, because they increase the cost and size of wireless earbuds while making it harder to keep water and dust out.
Some touch controls are excellent, offering quick response times and feedback tones to confirm operation. Unfortunately, many can be hard to locate with your fingers, recognize taps intermittently, and almost none of them work with gloved hands.
Other pieces you might enjoy from the Filter, the Guardian’s guide to buying fewer, better things:
