Which earbud is best for music?

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How We Define Wireless EarbudsAn Explainer

Best OverallGoogle Pixel Buds A-Series

$100 at Target

Runner Up1More ColorBuds

$69 at Amazon

Best Noise CancelingSony WF-1000XM4

$279 at Target

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wireless earbuds are one of those ideas that sounded like a dream at first: Pop a little headphone into each ear and listen to music or take calls untethered from everything. The first wireless buds were gigantic, died after a few hours, and had a bunch of other problems. Times have changed. There are tons of new models that sound fabulous and work perfectly. After testing dozens over the past four years, these are our favorite wireless earbuds, in a wide range of styles and prices.

For more top picks, check out our other product guides, like the Best Wireless Headphones, Best Noise-Canceling Headphones, Best Cheap Headphones, and Best Workout Earbuds.

Updated November 2022: We've added the latest AirPods Pro and adjusted links and prices.

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  How We Define Wireless Earbuds

  An Explainer

  We've seen this category go by many names: true wireless earbuds, truly wireless earbuds, completely wireless earbuds, fully wireless earbuds, wirefree earbuds. These days, if a pair of earbuds connects to your phone/computer via Bluetooth and has no cord that connects the left bud to the right, we just call them wireless here at WIRED. Wireless sets typically come with two popcorn-sized buds, each with a battery inside, and a charging cradle that carries extra battery power and keeps them safe when you're not wearing ’em. Other kinds of wireless earbuds have a cable or neckband that connects the two buds together, usually found on workout earbuds.

  Ridding yourself of all cords can feel liberating, but these do come with issues, such as limited battery life (don't buy any with less than five hours), confusing controls, and reliance on a charging case. They're also easier to lose than traditional earbuds, and replacing one bud can be expensive.

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  Photograph: Google

  Best Overall

  Google Pixel Buds A-Series

  Comfortable fit, solid sound, good looks, and a sub-$100 price make the Pixel Buds A-Series (8/10, WIRED Recommends) our favorite wireless earbuds for most people. In addition to an AirPods-matching five hours of listening time and an AirPods-beating IPX4 sweat-resistance rating for workouts, these headphones pair instantly with Android devices, and Google Assistant integration is excellent. (They still pair very quickly with iPhones, but not as fast as buds made by Apple. You won't be able to use Google Assistant on iPhones.) The egg-shaped case adds an extra 19 hours of listening time.

  The ear fins keep them very stable in the ears, and the audio quality is also better than Apple's entry-level buds, with bolder bass aided by the excellent seal formed by the silicone ear tips. 

  $100 at Target

  $99 at Walmart

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  Photograph: 1More

  Runner Up

  1More ColorBuds

  We've tried a lot of wireless earbuds in the past couple of years, but lesser-known audio brand 1More still makes some of our favorites. Called the ColorBuds, the second generation of 1More's wireless earbuds are excellent. They're extremely comfortable and IPX5 sweat-resistant, and they sound as good as buds two or three times the price. Thanks to their silicone ring tips, you can wear them for hours at a time and almost forget they're there, plus the four built-in mics make for better call quality compared to the previous model.

  The six hours of juice per charge is down about a half-hour from its predecessor, but the earbuds are smaller and lighter. Between sessions, the case holds around 16 more hours of power. They're frequently available for about $60 at this point, which makes them an outstanding value.

  $69 at Amazon

  $70 at 1More

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  Photograph: Sony

  Best Noise Canceling

  Sony WF-1000XM4

  If you don't want to hear anything that's going on around you, Sony's WH-1000XM4 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) are the best wireless earbuds you'll find. They're a bit chunky—you'll want to spring for the equivalent Bose model if you've got smaller ears—but the combination of foam ear tips and Sony's digital signal processing turn down the world better than anything else. The companion app allows you to adjust the equalization and choose how much outside sound you want to hear. You can even set them to detect when you're speaking and auto-pause the music, which comes in handy when you need to have a quick chat with someone but don't want to take out your earbuds.

  $279 at Target

  $278 at Amazon

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  Photograph: JLab Audio 

  Best Cheap Buds

  JLab Audio Go Air

  Not everyone has hundreds of dollars to spend on wireless earbuds. Thanks to JLab, you can spend as little as $30 (and they frequently go on sale too). The company has made a name for itself building big-name-rivaling earbuds for much less, and the Go Air (8/10, WIRED Recommends) are no different. For $30, you get five hours of battery life and a comfortable fit—and they're sweatproof. The downside? They're heavier on the bass than other models, and the open-topped case will need frequent cleaning, as it attracts gunk.

  $30 at Target

  $20 at Amazon

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  Photograph: Best Buy

  Best for Workouts

  Jabra Elite 7 Active

  The folks at Jabra scanned thousands of ears to come up with sleek, comfy designs, and it shows in the Elite 7 Active. WIRED reviews editor Adrienne So and I have very different-size ears, and we both found these earbuds to be super comfortable and stable on our outdoor adventures. The sound quality, noise-canceling tech, and mic quality are excellent, and they come with a special grip on the outside of the buds to keep them in your ears. The best part? You get eight hours (!) of battery life and a two-year warranty. Jabra often continues to sell old models for years, which means you'll have no problem replacing ear tips, the case, or even a bud as needed. 

  ★ Our other fave: We love the Beats Powerbeats (8/10, WIRED Recommends), which get 15 hours of battery life and lock over your ear. They sound great. On the downside (or the upside, depending on your point of view), they do have a neckband that connects the earbuds, and they don't come with a charging cradle. Read our Best Workout Buds guide for other recommendations.

  $100 at Amazon

  $100 at Best Buy

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  Photograph: Beats

  Most Secure Fit

  Beats Powerbeats Pro

  Apple's Powerbeats Pro (8/10, WIRED Recommends) are beefier than many earbuds on this list, and that's by design. They're made to provide a super-secure fit during even your sweatiest workout—which they'll stay protected from, thanks to an IPX4 water-resistance rating. They sound far better than Apple's standard AirPods or almost any pair of Beats you've heard before, and they squeeze an impressive nine hours of life out of a charge (18 extra hours with the portly 3 x 3-inch square case they come in). 

  One of the most helpful features is their ability to automatically pause or route calls back to your phone if you take one of them out of your ear. That said, many of their features don't work when you pair them with an Android phone, but the core functions will. Better yet, they frequently go on sale for around $180.

  $200 at Apple

  $200 at Amazon

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  Photograph: Apple

  The Best for iPhones

  Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)

  Apple's original AirPods Pro had great noise canceling, but they suffered from middling battery life. The latest generation (9/10, WIRED Recommends) gets a respectable six hours of playtime with much-improved noise canceling turned on, and they sound even better. I especially like the new swipe-for-volume feature that Apple embedded in each bud, making it easier than ever to change how loud things are without grabbing your phone.

  The case has a built-in speaker, so it can scream at you when you use the Find My app to locate it in your couch cushions or gym bag. Both the case and headphones have an IPX4 rating, which means you won't have to worry about either sweat or rain storms.

  $249 at Apple

  $240 at Amazon

  $250 at Target

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  Photograph: Beats

  Also Great for iPhones

  Beats Fit Pro

  The Beats Fit Pro (9/10, WIRED Recommends) have the same H1 chip that's inside Apple's AirPods and AirPods Pro, but with a much more comfortable and ergonomic design. Add to that the six hours of battery life with active noise canceling turned on and some of the best sound we've heard south of the $200 mark, and you've found yourself some of the best earbuds for the iPhone.

  They work well with Android devices too, thanks to an app that allows you to adjust the functions of the buttons and take a fit test. You even get style options. The Beats Fit Pro come in four colors, ranging from stark white to pinkish purple.

  $200 at Apple

  $200 at Amazon

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  Photograph: Google

  The Best for Android

  Google Pixel Buds Pro

  If you're an Android owner who wants the simple experience touted by your Apple-toting friends, the Pixel Buds Pro (9/10, WIRED Recommends) offer the best bang for the buck. You get a relatively wide soundstage with punchy bass, plus all the bells and whistles you'll want in the modern world. 

  Beam-forming microphones and noise-canceling tech make these great on calls and in airports, and eight hours of battery life with noise canceling on means you'll make it to your destination before needing to pop the buds back in the included wireless charging case. Another cool feature is multi-device pairing, which allows you to be connected to your phone and laptop at the same time.

  $200 at Amazon

  $200 at Walmart

  $200 at Best Buy

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  Photograph: Samsung

  Also Great for Android

  Samsung Galaxy Buds2

  Samsung's Buds2 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) are—by far—some of my favorite headphones for Android. For around the same price as a standard pair of AirPods, you get noise canceling, better battery life (5 hours with noise canceling, 7.5 hours if it's off), and some of the lightest, most comfortable buds around. The Buds2 come with a wireless charging case and a dual-driver array for better bass. You can also get them in pastel colors. 

  Frustratingly, the companion app only works for Android, so iPhone users won't be able to access the EQ controls, ping for the location of a lost earbud, run Samsung's fit test, or use Samsung's Bixby voice assistant (no loss). It's also worth noting that some people have had issues with these earbuds causing irritation in their ears. I did not experience this, but if you do, be sure to return the buds immediately.

  $120 at Target

  $120 at Samsung

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  Photograph: Samsung

  The Best for Samsung Owners

  Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro

   If you own a Samsung phone and are trying to get the most out of it, these are your best buds. The Galaxy Buds2 Pro (9/10, WIRED Recommends) might not have the multi-device connectivity of the Pixel Buds Pro, but they more than make up for that on sound, where a pair of dual dynamic drivers deliver hyper-clean hi-fi.

  You'll also get a super comfortable fit and five hours of playback with noise canceling on per charge, and an IPX7 rating means they're good for workouts. Other “pro” features include the ability to do spatial audio and 24-bit sound, provided you have a modern Samsung device to pair these to. Best of all? They come in an adorable purple, and the wireless charging case easily fits in even the smallest pants pockets.

  $230 at Amazon

  $230 at Samsung

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  Photograph: Sony

  Best for Traveling Around Town

  Sony LinkBuds

  Many of us are getting out and about lately—it can be dangerous working out in public or riding your bike with earbuds on. That's why I like the Sony LinkBuds (8/10, WIRED Recommends), which have physical holes in the middle of each driver to allow sound in from the outside world. You'll hear announcements at the supermarket alongside your tunes, or an oncoming car before you cross the road. They also come with a super small charging case, which makes them good to leave in a jacket pocket. 

  $148 at Amazon

  $148 at Walmart

  $150 at Best Buy

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  Photograph: Shokz

  Alternative Earbuds 

  AfterShokz OpenRun Pro

  Fellow WIRED gear reviewer Eric Ravenscraft loved his time with the Shokz OpenRun Pro (8/10, WIRED Recommends), which wrap around your head and use bone conduction technology to let you hear music and the outside world. I like the smaller footprint of the above Sony LinkBuds, but these have a more secure design, and they come with 10 hours of battery life for extra-long workouts. 

  $180 at Amazon

  $180 at REI

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  Photograph: Grado

  For Headphone Nerds

  Grado GT220

  If you want a more audiophile-like wireless listening experience, check out this no-frills pair from Grado Labs. The Brooklyn brand is known for its excellent headphones and turntable cartridges, and it has branched out to truly wireless earbuds. The GT220 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) are comfortable and ergonomic, and they deliver a quality version of the company's transparent sound. In fact, WIRED senior associate editor Adrienne So says they fit so well you don't need noise canceling. 

  An IPX4 rating and six hours of battery life outside the included charging case are respectable specs, and they look nondescript enough to take with you anywhere, unlike Grado's larger, flashier headphones.

  $259 at Amazon

  $259 at Grado

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  Photograph:  Astell & Kern

  For Audiophiles

  Astell & Kern UW100

  If you're an audio nerd, it can be tough to shop for wireless earbuds to pair with your modern smartphone. Sure, you want them for workouts and wandering around your neighborhood, but very few brands actually put audio quality first. Enter the Astell & Kern UW100 (9/10, WIRED Recommends), which have some of the best tuning and digital-to-analog conversion—and thus sound quality—of any wireless earbuds I've tried.

  The brand won't be new to audiophiles who like digital music; I've been a big fan of Astell & Kern's high-end digital music players and dongles for years, but these are the company's first wireless earbuds, and they are excellent. 

  $299 at Astell & Kern

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  Photograph: Amazon

  For Alexa Lovers

  Amazon Echo Buds (2021)

  Amazon's second-gen Echo Buds (8/10, WIRED Recommends) have all the bells and whistles of a premium pair of wireless earbuds—wireless charging, noise canceling, great app-based customization—but the real reason to buy them is the excellent Alexa integration. The earbuds listen for voice commands while you jam to tunes, allowing you to quickly set timers, check the weather, and add things to grocery lists from wherever you are. It can take some getting used to, but having a voice assistant along with you all day comes in handy more than you might think.

  $70 at Amazon

  $70 at Target

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  Photograph: Bowers & Wilkins

  Honorable Mentions

  Other Buds We Like

  Every month seems to bring new sets of earbuds with longer battery life and more compact designs. As such, we can't list everything we like. But if you're still hunting, here are some other recommendations.

  • Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 for $150: Noise cancellation finally arrives on Sennheiser's excellent high-end earbuds. You'll have to shell out a lot for them, but they do have some of the best sound quality you'll find. They also fix the bug in the first Momentum pair that drained the battery after a week or so even if you didn't use them.
  • Master & Dynamic MW08 Sport for $349: The Sport are a great option that come with active noise canceling and a striking design, but the high price keeps them out of the reach of most people.
  • Bowers & Wilkins' PI7 for $399: These are some of the best-looking and best-sounding earbuds on the market. You get two dedicated drivers with dedicated amps for a wide and dynamic sound and AptX Adaptive support for up to 24-bit streaming. The downsides? They only get four hours of battery life with noise canceling on, and that price tag is a yikes.
  • JBL/Under Armour True Wireless Flash for $75: A pair of large, soft ear fins and cross-hatched rubber sections on the top make the second generation of JBL and Under Armour's workout earbuds super stable. You get 10 hours of battery life, Bluetooth 5.0 for speedy connection, and a great pair of physical buttons built into the Under Armour logos. (No annoying touch controls!)

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  Photograph: Apple

  Earbuds to Avoid

  Why Didn't We Include AirPods?

  As a general rule, you should avoid earbuds that don't support the Bluetooth 5.0 standard or don't offer at least five hours of battery life. Batteries in wireless headphones degrade over time, so the better your battery life is at first, the more tolerable it will be in two to three years.

  There are so many models available now that it's tough to mention all the earbuds we're not huge fans of. But we do want to note that while Apple's standard AirPods (first, second, or third-gen) do some things well, we just don't like them all that much. (Read our review.) They get OK battery life, come in a compact case, and work well for calls, but they don't fit all ears well, and since they don't have ear tips or wings, you're out of luck if they're loose. Want clear, high-fidelity music? Get another pair on this list or the AirPods Pro (see above), which cost a bit more but are legitimately great headphones.

Parker Hall is an associate editor of product reviews at WIRED. He focuses on audiovisual and entertainment products. Hall is a graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where he studied jazz percussion. After hours, he remains a professional musician in his hometown of Portland, Oregon.

Writer and Reviewer

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Jeffrey Van Camp is a director and editor for WIRED, specializing in personal technology reviews and coverage. Previously he was the deputy editor of Digital Trends, helping to oversee the site’s editorial operations, and before that, its mobile editor. He’s covered tech, video games, and entertainment for more than a... Read more

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TopicsShoppingbuying guideswireless earbudsearbudsHeadphonesaudio

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