This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.
We all know the pain of untangling your headphones. It's like some ludicrous puzzle that we must solve every single day. It’s the curse of owning wired headphones — so infuriating that someone once did a scientific study into why it happens.
Perhaps that’s why the top audio brands have largely ditched the classic headphone jack and moved towards almost exclusive wireless listening. Well, that and the ever-evolving technology. Unsurprisingly, wireless earbuds have risen in popularity and become a must-have bit of tech for busy and active lifestyles.
What are wireless earbuds?
Just like a pair of standard wired buds, these little guys fit snugly inside your ear's concha (that's the shell-shaped cavity right next to the entrance of your ear canal). But instead of sending digital audio signals through a cord, they transmit them via a wireless connection.
What is true wireless?
True wireless is a term you’ll come across a lot when researching and shopping for earbuds. Technically, earbuds fall into several categories. For instance, “wireless” earbuds connect to each other via a cord, while “true wireless” have no cord whatsoever — they are completely independent of each other and your device. True wireless headphones can use different types of wireless technology to transmit the sound into your ears. The most common form is Bluetooth.
With brands and listeners favouring true wireless, we’ve followed suit — all the earbuds in this roundup are true wireless.
Are earbuds better than headphones?
If portability and a lower price point appeals to you, you'll probably prefer wireless earbuds over the on-ear counterpart (wireless headphones). And luckily for you, Apple is no longer the only major brand cranking them out. From Bose to Beats, almost every audio brand has got a couple of wireless earbud offerings on the market nowadays.
Headphones are generally considered the go-to option for serious audiophiles. But there are earbuds geared towards high-quality sound that can match up to over-ear headphones at the same price point. Wireless sound quality is affected by factors such as distance and obstructions between your headphones and device, and the codec software that your headphones support.
What are Bluetooth codecs?
Codecs are algorithms that encode and decode digital audio signals. Look out for earbuds with low latency (this is the time it takes for the sound to hit your ears) and support for Qaulcomm’s aptX codecs. These are the best, most up-to-date codecs — particularly for streaming video content and keeping the image and audio in sync. This is important if you’re a Netflix nerd or have a passion for Prime.
What is noise cancellation?
Noise cancellation is another important feature in tech-savvy headphones. There are two kinds of noise cancellation — passive and active noise cancelling. Passive noise cancellation is achieved by the design of the headphones, which may physically block out noise. Active noise cancellation (ANC) uses a system of small microphones which pick up external sounds and create anti-noise sound waves to cancel them out.
Earbuds tend to offer some level of passive noise cancellation because of their in-ear design. But some also have specific ANC modes, such as "transparency mode" which allow select ambient sounds to seep in. A transparency mode is especially useful when listening out for announcements at the train station or talking to colleagues — all without having to stop your music every 30 seconds.
What are the best wireless earbuds?
All of these options can make for a tricky decision when it comes to finding the right pair of wireless earbuds in terms of fit, style, and intended use. That's why we've done the research to bring you the best wireless earbuds featuring the latest Bluetooth technology. There should be something for everyone at every budget on this list, including popular models from top brands. All you need to do is pick a favourite pair.
These are the best wireless earbuds in 2023.
Apple AirPods Pro
Best AirPods with noise cancellation
- App-connectivty: iOS only
- Battery Life: 6 hours (30 hours with charging case)
- Colors: White
Read our full review of the Apple AirPods Pro.
Who it's for:
If you're an iOS user who wants to avoid dealing with an auxiliary app, Apple AirPods Pro is your best bet. They have impressive noise cancellation and seamlessly connect to iOS systems. To pair them to your iPhone, just open the charging case. Need to go hands-free? The AirPods will announce your texts to you.
Why we like it:
As an iPhone user, I'm partial to Apple AirPods Pro's connectivity. They connect easily, and no app is needed. Instead, you can just go into your phone's settings; the AirPods have their own settings menu there.
But beyond their iOS compatibility, they're also fantastic earbuds. I was taken aback when outdoors and found that their ANC drowned out the busy street I was walking along. The audio quality is generally good, but it wasn't nearly as impressive as the Bose or Sony earbuds. These buds played my songs as I would expect, but with no extra flair.
The biggest downside to the Apple AirPods Pro is that they don't come with multiple ear tips. The AirPods Pro fell out often, and I wished for a smaller ear tip for a better fit.
If you like the idea of the AirPods Pro 2 but can't swing the price, you could go for the new AirPods 4, which now come with active noise cancellation, but in my testing, they're not nearly as good as the Pros. The noise cancellation on the Pros is much stronger than on the AirPods 4. Plus, the rubber tips on the Pros provide a better, more secure fit than the AirPods 4.
Samsung Galaxy Buds Live
Best For Flexibility
- App Support: Yes
- Battery Life: 6 hours
- Battery with Charging Case: Up to 7 hours
- Noise cancellation: Yes
The Apple and Samsung rivalry runs deep. There's no doubt that Galaxy users will get the most from these Galaxy Buds Live but iPhone users will also enjoy them. Especially if you enjoy personalising the user experience.
For starters, Samsung's Galaxy Wearables app is a must-download. It allows you to tweak your Buds' touchpad controls, adjust their notifications, and customise their sound via an equalizer for a personalised listening experience.?There are also options to switch your Buds to an Ambient sound mode, which lets you hear some of your surroundings, and enable a "Find My Earbuds" tool that'll pinpoint a lost bud's hiding place.
Even the charging options are flexible. Pop the buds inside their charging case for up to seven extra hours of battery life on the go, or use the Wireless PowerShare feature to steal juice from your Galaxy S10 series smartphone. As for controlling playback and volume, just give the outer surface a quick tap.
The biggest issue reviewers have is that the noise cancellation isn't quite up to scratch. Of course, that's not an issue for everyone. Otherwise, they come highly recommended — a great Apple alternative and among Samsung's best.
Beats PowerBeats Pro
Best For Running
- Battery Life: Up to 9 hours
- Colours: Black, Ivory, Cloud Pink, Glacier Blue, Lava Red, Moss, Navy, Spring Yellow
- Noise cancellation: No
- True Wireless: Yes
Beats is one of the biggest names in quality audio tech. And they're technically an Apple product — Apple bought the brand back in 2014. That means the Beats PowerBeats Pro give you the full package: The brilliant sound of Beats’ bass wizardry, plus Apple’s all-powerful H1 chip.?
Beats PowerBeats Pro wireless earphones are a good alternative if you aren't a fan of the AirPods Pro fit. And “fit” is the operative word. The Powerbeats Pro have a slimline silicone nozzle (with different size options) and over-ear hooks that ensure these never come loose.
They come with intuitive controls, which include playback and volume buttons. In fact, you can control the volume via either earbud — a small but subtly brilliant addition that other brands would do well to follow.?Other nice touches include hands-free Siri, micro-laser barometric venting holes to relieve in-ear pressure, and an oversized charging case (though it may be too big for some people). The case will give you two full charges before it needs plugging back in.
There are downsides. These are splash proof rather than fully waterproof. Plus, there's no ANC or adjustable EQ levels. But these gripes can be overlooked given how impressive the Powerbeats Pro are elsewhere.
Jabra Elite Active 85t
Best For Comfort
- App Support: Yes
- Battery Life: 5 hours
- Battery with Charging Case: 25 hours
- Noise cancellation: No
The Copenhagen-based Jabra will already be familiar to exercise enthusiasts — the brand makes excellent true wireless buds for running and fitness. The Jabra Elite 85t are pretty much the full package — durable and well-constructed, with great sound and in-ear stability. In terms of comfort, they also have a partially open design, which is good for airflow and stops that bunged up feeling you can sometimes get with earbuds.
They also come highly recommended thanks to something called HearThrough, a mode which uses the buds' built-in microphones to pick up and filter some ambient sounds in through your music.?Ultimately, it's a souped-up version of active noise cancellation, which you can adjust via the Jabra's Sound+ app. In fact, you'll find plenty of other features on the Sound+ app, including tools to customise a music profile, monitor your earbuds' charging status, and connect them to your preferred voice assistant (Alexa, Siri, or the Google Assistant).?
There’s another bonus that will suit all users: The Elite Active 85ts boast excellent calling capabilities. The only thing they're missing is a bigger battery life. Five hours is fine but not quite up there with the best batteries on this list.
Sony WF-1000XM5
Best sounding earbuds
- App-connected: Yes
- Battery Life: 7-8 hours per charge (24 hours with case)
- Colors: Black, silver
Who it's for:
Love high-quality audio but not so fond of the feeling of headphones over your ears? These Sony earbuds are the earbud model of the flagship WH-1000XM5 headphones we recommended above.
Why we picked this:
These earbuds deliver a rich, well-balanced sound profile, without the weight of over-ear headphones. The ear tips material are not the usual silicone found on AirPods and other earbuds, but a more foam-like material you'd find on an ear plug, allowing for all-day wear that creates a firm seal without sacrificing comfort. People who aren't fans of the stemmed design made popular by AirPods will appreciate that Sony didn't attempt to make a carbon copy. Plus, these Sony earbuds still offer functional touch controls.
The Sony companion app allows for a ton of customization, including for those aforementioned touch controls, paired devices, and of course, an equalizer. Those who feel a bit intimated by a completely custom equalizer will appreciate the "Find Your Equalizer" feature, which gives you two rounds of options to select from while listening to music to narrow down what settings actually sound the best. Once you've made your selection, a final before and after sound test confirms you're happy with the mix, making it easier than ever to get the most out of your music.
We also enjoyed the Adaptive Sound Control, which switches the earbuds automatically from noise cancelling to ambient sound transparency modes based on whether you're sitting or walking around (settings that can be adjusted). Multipoint pairing also lets you switch between two devices with next to zero lag. If you hate using transparency mode because of how it amplifies outside sounds, you can adjust that, too.
Admittedly, these earbuds are pricey, but we think the premium features and quality sound justify the cost for someone who wants a lot out of their earbuds. Typically, these headphones drop about $70 in price, so we expect to see a similar markdown during Prime Big Deal Days.
JBL Reflect Aero
Best For Running
- App Support: No
- Battery Life: Up to 8 hours
- Battery with Charging Case: Up to 16 hours
- Noise cancellation: Yes
JBL are known for excelling with mid-level, no-nonsense headphones. The JBL Reflect Aero deliver on both performance and price. Designed for fitness in the great outdoors — particularly running — the JBL Reflect Aero are a step ahead of the competition.
The buds hold as firm as their sturdy Bluetooth connection. They have adaptive ANC but also offer Ambient Aware and TalkThru modes that you can activate by tapping the buds. JBL calls these modes "bionic hearing". They tinker with the volume to let in external noise. You can even stop mid-run for a chat.?
It's not the best sound that money can buy. It's never going to be at this mid-level range. But you'd have to be pretty fussy, or some kind of expert-level audiophile to find much fault. JBL does mid-level exceptionally well. Bass fans will be especially impressed with the power in these little buds.
If you are out running, there’s plenty of juice — a full 8 hours plus another 8 hours in the charging case. Also included are three sets of tips to make sure you get the fit just right, plus powerfins for extra in-ear security.
Google Pixel Buds A-Series
Best For Android
- App Support: Yes
- Battery Life: Up to 5 hours
- Battery with Charging Case: Up to 24 hours
- Noise cancellation: No
If you want Apple-style tech and function but you’re in the decidedly non-Apple camp — or just want to spend significantly less — the Google Pixel Buds A-Series could be the ones for you. These are aimed largely at Android and Google phone users (though they work perfectly well with the iPhone) and cost less than the AirPods Pro.?
You’ll instantly see the benefits of being an Android user. They connect to Android devices using Fast Pair. You don’t even need to press anything — they hook up automatically. There’s also optional Google Assistant. Other Google features include Google Translate.
There’s a lack of active noise cancelling though an Adaptive Sound feature makes up for it. This adjusts the volume based on the outside noise. And the sound is very good, which combines with clear call quality.?
Various playback and call functions are operated by tapping the buds' outer surface. But these don’t extend to volume controls. Instead, you’ll have to adjust volume via Google Assistant or your device.?The battery life is a negative point, at a below par five hours, but you’ll get an extra four charges from the charging case — and three hours of charge from just 15 minutes.?
Cambridge Audio Melomania
Best For Battery
- App Support: Yes
- Battery Life: Up to 9 hours
- Battery with Charging Case: Up to 50 hours
- Noise cancellation: No
Cambridge Audio might not be the first brand you think of when shopping for new earbuds, but it’s well-regarded for delivering tiptop sound quality. And in the case of the Cambridge Audio Melomania, at a very reasonable price too.
The audio comes via custom-designed 7mm Graphene-enhanced drivers. The sound is both bold and nuanced — and totally immersive. There’s no active noise cancellation, though. Instead, they’re built to passively block noise, which they do by sealing in the ear. A transparency mode allows you to keep in touch with the outside world.
It's not only about the sound. There’s another good reason to buy the Cambridge Audio Melomania. Namely, their excellent battery life. Nine solid hours plus up to 50 hours with the charging case. That’s the best you’ll find with any earbuds.
In terms of the music, there’s a selection of EQ pre-sets on the Melomania app — perfect for finding a sound that perfectly suits you. The fit of the buds themselves is also customisable. They’re designed based on samples of 300 pairs of ears, with a selection of tips included to ensure the perfect fit for you.
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