Wireless earbuds are not a new device, but their compact size and a fragile case usually meant a lowering in sound quality and maybe some cables going around the back of your head or neck. If you’ve ever worn a Bluetooth headset with a neckband or a cable behind the back of your head, you know how annoying they can be.
To avoid this caveat, producers found a way to deliver an improved version of the standard wireless earbuds – the true wireless ones (aka, no cables whatsoever).
Now, we know it can be confusing to find the best true wireless earbuds, so we put together some guidelines. We also reviewed some of the most interesting and accessible products on the market.
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Last update on 2023-09-28 // The links above are affiliate // Images from Amazon
How To Choose The Best True Wireless Earbuds
Fit
The number one concern (besides sound quality) should be the way the earbuds fit in your ear. Because modern buds integrate a bigger battery and pack high-quality audio tech, they’re bigger and heavier than wired ones.
So, to make sure you can use them in the gym or while commuting, you first need to make sure the design allows for a comfortable fit. For this, the earbuds should come with different sized tips and/or extra accessories such as ear hooks or wings.
Noise Canceling Properties
Most earbuds don’t need ANC (Active Noise Cancelation) because of the tight seal that takes place when the tip is well placed in the ear canal (passive noise cancelation). However, this can be dangerous as you’re completely cut off from the outside world, from an audio point of view.
So, if you want to have it both ways (isolation and access to the world), you should get devices with modules designed to allow the outside noise whenever you want to (Transparent or Aware mode).
Battery Lifetime
The best true wireless earbuds have long battery life and quick-charge options. Even more, some earbuds come with a charging case that adds to the battery’s lifetime and keeps the buds together.
As you will see from our reviews, all the products we selected have this case. Still, make sure you’re comfortable with the size, as some cases can be quite bulky.
Price
If you’re looking for the best true wireless earbuds under $50 you may be out of luck. These devices are a bit difficult to find at a low price tag (usually they go for $100+), but it’s easy to understand why when you consider the technology that goes into them.
Overall, there is a great price-quality ratio, since for a little over $100 you get great sound quality, a good fit, long battery life, impressive wireless connectivity, and a charging case!
Best True Wireless Earbuds
Powerbeats Pro
High-performance Earbuds for Apple Users
While the Powerbeats Pro also work with Android phones, they’re quite popular among iOS users. This is due to the Apple H1 headphone chip that delivers impressive sound quality, performance, and compatibility towards both Android and Apple devices.
Their design allows for a truly wireless experience due to the adjustable secure hook that hugs the ears and stays on regardless of head movements. There’s also a strong battery (9h of music time) and a charging case that provides more power on the go. Moreover, due to their build and fit, these are some great noise canceling earbuds, for whenever you need to be with your thoughts and music.
Another thing to love about Powerbeats Pro is that you can wear them virtually everywhere. They’re perfect for the gym (sweat and water-resistant), walks, intense outdoor activities such as hiking or jogging, public transport, and the office. In addition, each earbud has its own controls and the capability to register your voice (for phone calls). Lastly, the Class 1 Bluetooth connectivity provides amazing sound performance and maintains a good range, without dropouts or lags.
- Easy & secure fit around the ear
- Good noise canceling
- Strong battery & charging case
- High-quality audio performance
- Ideal for wearing all day long
- Good range, without dropouts
- Earbuds work independently of each other
- The price tag is a bit steep
- The case is too big for most pockets
Sony WF-1000XM4
One of the Best All-Around Earbud Sets Available on the Market
If you seek the best true wireless earbuds that provide dynamic, detailed sound, followed by powerful bass and great clarity on every frequency, Sony WF-1000XM4 are the earbuds for you.
These are lightweight and highly comfortable earbuds, with an IPX4 water resistance rating and an excellent ANC function that does a flawless job. Moreover, they support wireless charging and are compatible with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
They are fitted with a pretty solid battery that should give you some eight hours of playtime (that can be extended by the additional 16 hours, thanks to the charging case). Inside of them, there is a V1 processor, as well as 6mm drivers that do all the hard work.
Sony WF-1000XM4 supports LDAC codecs, and features Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity, along with touch controls. In addition, these earbuds also come with Speak to Chat and Quick Attention functions and are fully customizable with the help of the Connect app.
In other words, they offer so much for the price; therefore, if you are after the best true wireless earbuds, these are a great choice.
- Nice sound
- IPX4 water resistance
- Excellent bass performance
- Comfortable
- It supports wireless charging
- Excellent battery life
- No aptX
- No multiple ear tips are available
Jabra Elite 75t Earbuds
The Ideal Companion for Work, Travel, and Leisure
The 75t earbuds are compact, solidly built and durable, while also delivering quite the musical kick. In fact, we consider them to be some of the best earbuds for casual use on a daily basis.
You can use them to take and make calls, send out voice commands to Alexa, and more due to the enhanced 4-microphone call technology. The module filters out wind and other disruptive noises around, so you can be on the bus or at the gym and the person at the other end of the line will understand you perfectly.
The sound quality is at a higher level than one can expect from earbuds, but this is also due to the Jabra Sound+ app that lets users customize their audio experience (boost the bass or adjust the treble). To add to the positive experience, the ear tips are specially engineered to adapt to your type of ear, thus securing a great fit.
The 4th generation Bluetooth connectivity ensures a good range (up to 10m) without dropouts. Also, while they are compact, they still pack a strong battery (7.5h) and come with a charging case that has enough juice for around 28h.
- Compact design and a good fit
- Companion app for audio settings
- Good wireless range
- Powerful battery
- Good mic for voice calls
- Compatible with virtual assistants
- No built-in noise canceling features
- There is a bit of lag between the app and the earbuds
Bose QuietComfort Noise Cancelling Earbuds
Lightweight & Easy to Wear on the Go
You can wear them while working out (IPX-4 rating for water and sweat resistance) while taking a walk (fit well in your ear) or while working at the office (comfortable for long-time wear). In addition, the sound quality is impressive for earbuds and there are 11 levels of active noise canceling (to decide what you want to hear).
The battery life is decent (up to 6h on one charge) and you can double it by using the provided charging case. In addition, the earbuds are easy to control using tapping gestures, and the BT connectivity is reliable on a 30ft range. This means you won’t have to stay close to your phone to change tracks or adjust the volume.
Lastly, the earbuds can be paired with the Bose Music app, which adds to the level of possible customizations.
- Effective noise-canceling module
- Impressive sound quality
- Made of soft silicone for extra comfort
- Simple & effective touch controls
- Long-lasting battery
- BT 5.1 with a range of 30ft
- IPX4-rated against sweat and water
- The software could’ve been better
- The tapping gesture is a bit uncomfortable
Cambridge Audio Melomania
Best True Wireless Earbuds Under $100
Many people don’t expect much when they buy affordable products that promise high-quality and interesting features. However, when the product is backed by a brand like Cambridge Audio, the doubts start to dissipate.
Equipped with Bluetooth 5.0 (90ft range without dropouts) these earbuds work with most modern devices (including Apple ones) and are compatible with voice assistants such as Siri or Google Assistant.
The battery life is decent, with 9h of playtime on one charge, and a charging case that offers 36h.
In terms of audio performance, the earbuds are backed by Graphene-enhanced 5.8mm drivers that deliver a powerful and dynamic performance. Also, the earbuds include advanced microelectro-mechanical systems (MEMS) microphones and Qualcomm’s Clear Voice Capture (cVc) active noise-canceling technology to deliver the perfect voice call experience.
Lastly, the earbuds are water-resistant (IPX5), which means you can still use them even if you’re caught in the rain while wearing them. Also, they work nicely at the gym.
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Great design and compact charging case
- Charging case fitted with one 500mAh battery
- Impressive audio performance
- Great for voice calls
- Can be paired with voice assistants
- The controls could have been better
- It’s difficult to use them for a voice call in noisy locations
- There are some Bluetooth dropouts
New Apple AirPods Pro
The Ideal Earbuds for Any Apple Fan
Apple AirPods Pro are another great product from Apple that combines great comfort, ease-of-use, and excellent performance in one. These are well-built earbuds, with Bluetooth connectivity, and IPX4 water-resistant rating.
More importantly, their sound is of the highest level, while excellent ANC positions them neck and neck with the best true wireless earbuds available.
Apple AirPods Pro come with adaptive EQ and are Qi-compatible. Also, they come with three sizes of soft, tapered silicone tips and feature user-friendly commands that are ideal for any age. To be more exact, they offer activation of ANC or transparency mode, as well as allow track skipping and pausing.
In addition, these earbuds have a modest six-hour battery life that can be extended to 30 hours with the help of the charging case; they feature automatic pairing, and ultimately, tthey offer a pretty good package, as it is expected from any Apple product.
- Good fit
- Very good ANC
- Clean design
- User-friendly
- IPX4 water-resistant
- Dolby Atmos
- Expensive
- May get a bit loose during a workout or similar activity
Jaybird Vista
Designed to Be Though
If you’re looking for a way to combine intense physical activities and your favorite music, the Jaybird Vista earbuds are a wonderful option. These bad boys were designed to withstand anything a user can throw at them!
The IPX7 build means they are resistant to water, cold temperatures, dirt and dust, and shocks (such as drops or hits). So, you are free to wear them at the gym, on the running track, or on the train/bus/plane.
The battery life is decent (6h on a full charge) and an extra 10h if you use the charging case. There’s also a quick charge option that offers an extra hour for 5 minutes of charge time. Also, the Bluetooth connectivity is lag and dropouts free, while delivering impressive audio to the earbuds. True, Vista is not the best at bass (check out the best bass earbuds for more), but they are lightweight, comfortable, and can be personalized using the Jaybird app.
- Ideal for physical activity
- Cute and compact charging case
- IPX7 rating
- Operate on the 2.4GHz frequency band
- Decent battery life & quick charge feature
- Both earbuds connect to the phone
- It takes a while to get used to their tight seal
- No ambient sound mode
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2
The High-End Sennheiser Sound in a Compact Set of Earbuds
Equipped with Sennheiser’s high-end sound quality (and 7-millimeter dynamic audio drivers) and designed for long wear, these earbuds can be your best companion during long commute rides, while working out, or even in the office. Furthermore, the battery life is more than decent (7h on one charge) and the charging case adds enough extra power for 28h.
If you want more customization, the Smart Control App is at your disposal with fine-tuned controls for the built-in equalizers. In addition, the ANC module is highly-effective, allowing you to simply turn off the outside world and enjoy your music as you want.
Lastly, the touch surface on the earbuds let you control your audio experience without touching your phone. There’s also the possibility to connect with a virtual assistant and use your voice for commands, and the Smart Pause feature is amazing when dealing with unscheduled interruptions.
- Sennheiser’s signature high-end stereo sound
- Efficient active noise cancellation
- Long battery life, plus charging case
- Comfortable for long-time wear
- Customizable touchpad technology
- ANC is a battery-drainer
- Wind noise while jogging with Transparent mode on
1MORE ColorBuds True Wireless Earbuds
Premium sound (due to the unique full-range balanced armature) with impressive details and sensitivity paired with a compact and lightweight design are the features that make these earbuds extremely popular.
Also, the charging case will fit in most medium and large pockets, so you can carry it around for extra battery (up to 22h) and safe storage. The earbuds fit snug in your ears, providing passive noise cancelation, but there’s also active noise cancelation technology at play here. The 4 built-in microphones help cutting out environmental noise and isolate your voice for crystal-clear voice calls.
Lastly, the earbuds are resistant to water and sweat (IPX5), and the IR sensors will know when the buds are off and automatically pause the music.
- IPX5 water-resistant
- Premium sound quality
- Lightweight and portable
- Decent battery life
- Pocket-size charging case
- The case is a bit bulky for small pockets
- The volume is not very loud
Echo Buds (2nd Gen)
Affordable, Feature-Rich True Wireless Earbuds
If you are after well-built, solid-performing earbuds that don’t offer too much flashiness, yet deliver a more than solid performance and a pretty good value for the money, Echo Buds (2nd Gen) are the thing for you. They are made of matt plastic, with an Amazon smile on top, and with four sizes of ear tips and two sizes of wingtips that guarantee a good ear fit.
In addition, they are IPX4-certified, and compatible with both iOS and Android. More importantly, they support voice commands and are compatible with Siri, Google Assistant, and especially Alexa that offers an amazing level of controls including equalizer controls, ANC settings, adjust tap controls, and much more.
Echo Buds (2nd Gen) support SBC and AAC codecs and provide a pretty decent audio reproduction, with a crisp and clear sound. Moreover, they are fitted with a decent microphone and feature a modest battery that should give you autonomy of some five hours that can be extended to 15 hours, with the help of the charging case.
In other words, Echo Buds (2nd Gen) provide a very good value for the money; therefore, if you are after the best affordable true wireless earbuds, they are pretty much an excellent fit.
- Solid audio quality
- Good compatibility
- Compact
- Support for voice commands
- Price
- Three different ear tips to choose from
- A lot of features
- Modest battery life
- Short-range
Samsung Galaxy Buds Live
Stylish Earbuds with Impressive Features
Samsung did a great job in turning these earbuds into a fashion statement. They are available in several color variations and look good while in your ear. Furthermore, the fit is secure and doesn’t produce ear fatigue even after a few hours.
Battery life is decent and the charging case helps, but if you keep the ANC on all the time, you will see it drain faster. It also has an always-on voice assistant that you can use for voice commands (like searching for information or changing the track) while your hands are busy.
Lastly, the sound is truly impressive! The AKG-tuned 12mm speaker is amazing when it comes to low-end notes. Of course, the mids and highs are also well represented, so the audio experience is at the studio level.
- Impressive sound quality with good bass
- They look like ear bling
- The fit is secure and comfortable
- Several modes of Active Noise Cancellation
- Good battery life supplemented by the charging case
- No multipoint support
Wrap Up
True wireless earbuds are a special kind of headphones as they allow users to engage in all sorts of activities without worrying about cables, battery lifetime, or fit. These devices are designed to accompany the user at the gym, during outdoor sports activities, on the bus or train, or in the office.
And that’s what makes them so amazing! True wireless earbuds are a modern accessory for the busy person and have amazing features that truly improve a wide array of activities.
