With each new generation of truly wireless earphones, manufacturers seem to outdo themselves. There’s no denying that Apple’s AirPods helped make wireless headphones mainstream, but there are many other options out there with similarly impressive connectivity, sound quality, and active noise cancellation (ANC) in ever-tinier packages. Features once exclusive to high-end versions are now available on more affordable alternatives. As expected, this surge in demand has resulted in an explosion of new brands and models of headphones designed specifically for use in the ear.
Here, we’ve assembled a list of the top wireless earbuds currently on the market, complete with descriptions of their most appealing qualities.
These earbuds may be little, but they pack a sonic punch, and they support high-resolution playback (LDAC and DSEE Extreme).
The mainstream follow-up to Sony’s innovative open-wear LinkBuds was one of the year’s biggest surprises. The LinkBuds S are a new model from the firm, and they include a “classic” style similar to the brand’s high-end WF-1000XM4 headphones. The main difference is that the LinkBuds S are much smaller and lighter, making them a more comfortable fit for the majority of users. These earbuds may be tiny, but they pack a sonic punch thanks to the inclusion of high-resolution audio codecs (LDAC and DSEE Extreme). Capable ANC helps with background noise, and the transparency mode helps you stay in the loop when it matters. Plus, there’s the convenient Speak-to-Chat feature, and Adaptive Sound Control may make adjustments on its own based on your current actions or where you are. That’s quite a premium for all those extras at a moderate cost.
These wireless headphones are the best that Google has ever developed, boasting superior sound quality, dependable touch controls, and the convenience of wireless charging.
If you’re looking for truly wireless earbuds, Google has hit its stride. The company’s first attempt at introducing a new model did not go down well, but each subsequent model has been refined and enhanced. Google’s Pixel Buds Pro have powerful bass, excellent ANC performance, responsive touch controls, and wireless charging. As an extra bonus, Android and Pixel users can take advantage of Google Translate’s Conversation Mode.
While the Jabra buds don’t come with fancy extras like ANC or wireless charging, they do provide excellent sound quality, long battery life, and a comfortable fit for their low price.
Inexpensive and feature-rich, Jabra’s earphones may be had for less than $100. The Elite 3 have no noise cancellation, no automatic pause, no wireless charging, and just predetermined EQ settings. Contrarily, the sound quality, battery life, on-board controls, and comfortable fit of these headphones are remarkable, especially given their low price. The Elite 3 is more than adequate if all you need is something that works.
The Momentum True Wireless 3 is your best option if you care mostly about audio quality. Sennheiser may not offer as many bells and whistles as Sony, but for a lower price than the previous Momentum earbuds, they get the job done. An innovative Adaptive Noise Cancellation system keeps listening for background noise and dampening it as it is detected. The 7mm dynamic drivers inside work in tandem with the company’s True Response transducer to provide high-quality sound.
Sony’s flagship true wireless model features a bevy of helpful extras, such as wireless charging, Speak-to-Chat, Adaptive Sound Control, and an adjustable equalization range.
Sony continues to be our top pick because of its superior sound, effective active noise cancellation, and extensive feature set. Sony’s flagship true wireless model, like its headphones, includes a plethora of helpful features. The icing on the cake are the company-specific features, such as Speak-to-Chat automatic pausing, Adaptive Sound Control modifications based on movement or location, 360 Reality Audio, and a customized EQ, in addition to the basics like wireless charging and battery life improvements. Additionally, Bluetooth music with compression can be improved with the aid of DSEE Extreme upscaling.
These headphones have a balanced and powerful bass that will keep your energy up throughout workouts, and they also have great noise cancellation and a comfortable fit, making them a terrific choice for use outside of the gym.
The best qualities of AirPods in a pair of headphones for exercise? Here we have the Beats Fit Pro. These headphones, which use Apple’s H1 processor, can be paired with a single touch, and you can use Siri and Find My iPhone with no additional input. You can also utilize Audio Sharing on another Apple device with a second set of AirPods or Beats headphones to listen to music or watch a movie together. These headphones are not only a great choice for use in and out of the gym because to their comfortable design and effective noise reduction, but also because their balanced and punchy bass will keep your energy up during exercises. Even if you don’t own an iPhone, you can rest assured that you’ll have no trouble using these because of the abundance of support for Android.
The newest AirPods Pro from Apple are a significant upgrade over the AirPods 2019. Even though AirPods are already the most convenient headphones for iOS and Mac, the firm was able to improve their sound quality and ANC performance without sacrificing any of the other features that make them great. Most notably, the transparency mode sounds more natural than any other earphones I’ve tried. During a chat, you can forget you’re even wearing them because you can leave these in. Wireless charging (through MagSafe or Apple Watch) and hands-free Siri are other welcome additions.
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II are the most effective noise-cancelling headphones currently on the market. Bose has released a new, improved set, and the smaller buds make for a more comfortable fit. The company has also enhanced environmental sounds while keeping their consistently high audio quality. The ANC performance, though, is the show-stopper and is the greatest you can get at the moment. The QC Earbuds II aren’t perfect, as they lack fundamental functions like wireless charging and multipoint connectivity.