Best wireless earbuds 2024 — tested and rated (2024)

Whether you want the best wireless earbuds for listening to music in the highest quality possible or seek a model with the best in class ANC, we're here to help.

I've listened to all of the wireless earbuds in this buying guide; my group of expert testers and I have spent thousands of hours evaluating their performance, for everything from audio to noise cancellation, call quality, features, fit, and more.

All the models ranked here have been extensively reviewed by experts with more than 30 years of experience testing all kinds of audio products.Read on to discover the best wireless earbuds.

About the author

Lee Dunkley

Hi, I'm Lee and I cover all things audio for Tom's Guide. I have been testing and writing about audio products for more than 30 years, and have spent more than 50 hours listening to these wireless earbuds in different scenarios to find my top recommendations.

The best wireless earbuds to buy right now

Our top pick

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While the Sony WF-1000XM4 was a top-ranking model in this best wireless earbuds for several years and continues to be on sale via Sony's store and online retailers, the popular model has been outperformed by the new Sony WF-1000XM5 flagship. The latest model arrived in July 2023 and demonstrates how Sony's XM-series earbuds go from strength to strength with each new generation.

As the latest flagship, the WF-1000XM5 wireless earbuds are smaller and lighter, yet they're equipped with some of the strongest features and performance I've ever seen from a pair of 'buds. They have some of the most dynamic and engaging sound we've heard, and their noise-canceling performance easily matches that of the Apple AirPods Pro 2 and get close to the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (both listed below).

Battery life hasn't been stepped up over their XM4 predecessor. But at 8 hours with ANC enabled, these top-tier Sony wireless earbuds still outperform close rivals and have some of the highest battery life of any set of more recently launched earbuds. There's LDAC support for high-quality music streams over Bluetooth, adaptive listening mode that applies ANC or Transparency mode depending on your activity or the environment, Google and Alexa digital assistant support, and full EQ customization. Call quality is greatly improved, thanks to a new noise reduction engine with AI that's able to make voices clear even in noisy surroundings. Ultimately, these are Sony's best-ever buds and the best wireless earbuds overall right now.

Read the full Sony WF-1000XM5 review

Best value

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Sony's WF-C700N integrates robustANC and come with decent battery life for a great value price. Sound quality is powerful with Sony’s impressive sound signature at the forefront, alongside proprietary technologies like360 Reality Audio immersive spatial audio, and DSEE Extreme upscaling that uses AI to bring a sound quality boost to low-quality audio files.

The adaptive ANC technology built in to the WF-C700N is remarkable at the entry-level price. As with the flagship WF-1000XM5, it learns your behavior and tweaks noise neutralization to your environment. During our testing, low- and mid-frequency sounds went unnoticed around the house and out and about, reducing background sounds to silence. Call quality was also high and the mics silenced most background interference for clear-sounding phone conversations, making the WF-C700N a versatile option with few rivals at the price.

Read the full Sony WF-C700N review

Best wireless earbuds under $100

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See Also

The best true wireless earbuds of 2024 | CNN UnderscoredThe Best Wireless Bluetooth EarbudsThe best earbuds of 2024: Expert tested and reviewedThe Best Earbuds (In-Ear Headphones) for 2024

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The OnePlus Buds 3 are a bargain at $99. They have strong active noise cancelation, connectivity, call quality, sound performance, and touch controls. Despite the price, the design is premium and they have sturdy protection with an IP55 rating on the buds and an IPX4-rated charging case.

Not everything hits its mark, especially battery life and spatial audio, which are disappointing compared to other models. However, the buds’ excellent wireless features (Bluetooth 5.3, Google/OnePlus Fast Pair) combined with intuitive ANC and stellar hi-res audio support (LHDC) make for a dynamic and distraction-free music streaming experience that’s enjoyable on the best Android smartphones.

Read the fullOnePlus Buds 3 review

Best audio quality

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The price tag may have increased by $50 for the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 compared to their predecessor, but you get an up tick in performance and the strongest Bluetooth and audio codec support of any pair of earbuds around at the moment. Sound quality is outstanding, and I loved Sennheiser's tweaked sound signature that delivered even more detail across the entire frequency range. They rival the top-ranking Sony — check out my Sony WF-1000XM5 vs Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 face-off — with a sound balance that gives vocals an extra sense of presence, but not in an overly forward way. Everything sounds perfectly balanced and just right.

Although not quite up to the standards to rival the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds in terms of their ANC performance, the Sennheiser's block out sounds effectively enough and have a useful transparency mode. Features like ear fit test and sound personalization mode are reliable tools to help your get the best fit and sound that's just right for you, and Sennheiser's mic array makes them a practical calling headset.

Ultimately, these are a strong contender for the best wireless earbuds overall, but despite the slightly increased battery life over the TW3 they still fall short on playback time compared to rivals at the price.

Read the full Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 review

Best noise-cancelling

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We've been blown away by the noise canceling capabilities of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds since they arrived in late 2023. We thought nothing could top the ANC of their predecessor and still available Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2, but the QC Ultra Earbuds raise the ANC game and are a brilliant follow up.

Sound quality is great, and Bluetooth streaming includes aptX Adaptive support to for compatibility with high-performance audio codecs. The strength of the noise cancelation is second to none, and we liked that you can customize sound profiles with 10 different degrees of isolation as presets that balance ANC and awareness depending on your activity. Additionally, the Ultra's Aware transparency passthrough mode sounds highly natural, while ActiveSense automatically lowers ambient sounds when loud noise is detected.

As with the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, the Ultra Earbuds have Bose's new immersive audio tech for a 3D sound experience no matter what you're listening to. Sadly though some features are MIA, and there's no wireless charging or multipoint connectivity on board.

Read the full Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds review

Best for iPhone owners

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Although updated to the AirPods Pro 2 USB-C in September 2023, we've been consistently impressed by the 2nd Generation model since they arrived in September 2022. There are plenty of reasons why the AirPods Pro 2 continue to beat most other wireless earbuds, and they are without doubt the best wireless earbuds for iPhone users. As the most versatile model for all kinds of lifestyles, the AirPods Pro 2 take performance to the next level. Externally, they look extremely similar to the first generation, but battery life has increased to give 6 hours on a single charge from the earbuds and up to 30 hours from the wireless charging case.

Designed foriPhone owners looking for a more tailored listening experience, we think the AirPods Pro 2 are the pinnacle of Apple technology. While testing them out for all kinds of active lifestyle activities, we found that the fit had been improved to the point where they're a viable option for the best sports headphones, and suitable for runners and gym workouts alike. Not only are the earbuds IPX4-rated for protection from sweat and light showers, but now too is the charging case itself.

On the audio front, Apple's H2 chip with custom amp and driver delivers impressive low and high frequencies, and you can use the iPhone's TrueDepth camera to create a personalizedspatial audiosound for one of the bestDolby Atmosmusic experiences of any pair of earbuds. Noise cancelation is the best we’ve experienced from the AirPods Pro series so far.

Read the full Apple AirPods Pro 2 review

Best AirPods alternative

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Jabra’s flagship Elite 10 are a more affordable option compared to rival wireless earbud flagships from the likes of Bose and Sony. In fact, when it comes to sound quality and ANC performance, these Jabra earbuds stood up well in our Sony WF-1000XM5 face-off. They sport upscale features in a luxe design that’s comfortable to wear for longer listening periods, and although not quite everything hits the flagship mark in terms of battery life and a lack of extensive special features compared to the top ranking models, the Elite 10 deserve a place in the best wireless earbuds.

Active noise canceling is double that of its predecessor, and the Elite 10 carries Jabra’s own spatial sound tech with Dolby head tracking to deliver strong sound with great bass and detailed highs straight out of the box. There’s a multi-band EQ control, and although there’s no aptX or LDAC support for faster data transfers over Bluetooth, they're competitively priced and their overall performance makes them a strong option at the price.

Read the full Jabra Elite 10 review

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Samsung's Galaxy Buds 2 Pro set out to rival the AirPods Pro 2, at least for Galaxy owners. During our testing we found the sound alone makes the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro worth the investment, giving listeners a high quality audio experience and compelling 3D sound with precise head tracking. Samsung’s ANC holds its own against the category leaders and blocks out close to 90% of ambient noise. The updated design also provides improved comfort and noise isolation.

We found these buds operated well across all Bluetooth-enabled devices, but Galaxy smartphone owners get to enjoy cool features like Easy Pairing and compatibility with Samsung's Scalable Codec. It’s upsetting that Bixby (Samsung's voice assistant) doesn’t perform up to its potential, though the mediocre battery life with ANC on is a greater disappointment. Since our review, Galaxy smartphone and Buds 2 Pro owners now get 360-degree audio recording, too.

Take a look at our Samsung promo codes for the latest discounts from Samsung.

Read the full Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro review

Most durable

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Jabra’s Elite 8 Active Gen 2 takes everything we liked from the originals and has made them even better. These buds are made from military-grade materials for unbreakable protection. They're the most durable wireless earbuds we’ve ever seen. They combine much of what makes the company’s Elite 10 flagship earbuds so successful, while being perfectly suited to fitness fans with IP68-rated earbuds, offering the strongest water and dirt ingress protection of any pair of wireless earbuds. Even the changing case is IP54-rated.

With powerful 6mm dynamic drivers, Jabra’s sound signature will put a spring in your step to jumpstart workouts. Adaptive active noise cancelation, spatial audio, and battery life are some of the best we’ve encountered from a pair of wireless earbuds built for active lifestyles, and the Elite 8 Active Gen 2 wireless earbuds benefit from solid feature support across both iOS and Android devices. Unlike the Jabra Elite, though, you won't find Advanced ANC and Dolby Head Tracking on the Elite Active.

Some of the same issues we had with the originals — such as physical, rather than touch controls — remain, but if you're looking for a near-indestructible set of buds, these are the ones to get.

We should note that Jabra is discontinuing its range of Elite Active earbuds, but will continue to support the app for the forseeable future. So, the Elite Active Gen 2 will unfortunately be the last for the company.

Read the full Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 review

Best for running

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The Beats Fit Pro wireless earbuds rank #1 in our best sports headphones for iPhone users with active lifestyles. They're a culmination of Apple and Beats’ greatest triumphs, packaging AirPods Pro-like performance into an updated Studio Beats design.

When we tested the Beats Fit Pro, our reviewer was impressed by the amazing sound quality, which was backed by a proprietary transducer that keeps bass punchy, while also balancing frequencies to hear crisp mids and detailed highs. Spatial Audio for immersive 3D sound has also been added, making this the first Beats product to feature the technology. Popular features tied to Apple's H1 processor are available, including automatic switching between Apple devices and FindMy to help locate misplaced buds. We also appreciate the integrated wingtips, which keep the buds secure during runs and intense workouts.

Android users do get to bask in the sonic upgrades, though all other iOS-related features remain exclusive to iPhone and iPad users. The lack of features available on the Android app also means limits to what the Fit Pro can perform on Google’s mobile platform.

Read the full Beats Fit Pro review

Best wireless earbuds specs compared

Also tested...

As Tom's Guide's audio experts, we test a lot of wireless earbuds but some models don't make it into a buying guide. That's not to say that they're not great performers, just that they're beaten by rival models with a stronger set of features or performance. The picks in this guide are the very best we've tested and have all been given full reviews. But with more models to choose from than ever, we want to make sure that you consider these also tested options. These alternatives have all been through our rigorous testing processes but didn't quite make the grade to rank among the best of the best.

FAQ

What do IP ratings mean?

IP-ratings refer to the level of Ingress Protection (IP) from liquids and dirt that a device is protected from. This is part of a device's durability.

IP-ratings explained:The first digit refers to the level of protection from solid particles, such as dust and sand. The scale ranges from 0 (no protection) to 6 (dust-tight) for full protection. For example, an IP6X rating ensures that the device is completely dust-tight, making it ideal for harsh outdoor conditions or industrial settings where fine dust particles are common.

The second digit refers to a devices resistance to moisture, and the scale ranges from 0 (no protection) to 8 for the highest level of protection. For example, with an IPX4 rating, earbuds are protected from water splashes from any direction, while an IPX7 rating ensures that the device can be submerged in water up to 1 meter (around 3 feet) for 30 minutes without any damage.

Which wireless earbuds should I pick?

With so many wireless earbuds to choose from, you may find it difficult to settle on one. There are several factors to weigh up, and which ones are most important will depend on personal preference. Follow our list of considerations to factor in when choosing the best wireless earbuds for you.

Design

When buying a new pair of wireless earbuds, it can be helpful to think about where you want to wear them. If you're going to use them on a run, for example, you may want a pair that offers the most secure fit and a high IP rating for durability with strong moisture protection like the models in our best sports headphones.

Whatever type you choose, make sure the earbuds are well-built and comfy to wear for about 1 to 2 hours daily.

Sound quality

All wireless earbuds have their own unique sound signature. Since you’re buying a pair of wireless earbuds to enjoy music individually, it’s important to find a pair of buds that match your sound taste, be it heavy bass or distinctively clear midrange frequencies to allow you to hear vocals and nuances in recordings.

Some models like the Sennheiser's Momentum True Wireless 4 offer personalized sound via the companion app, which allows the user to create their own sound profiles and tweak EQ levels to a sound that is best for their taste and hearing.

Battery life

Battery life is also key in choosing the best wireless earbuds. Wireless earbuds can last about 5 to 10 hours and offer extended playtime with their bundled charging cases — always make sure one is included.

Accessories

It's disappointing spending money on a new pair of wireless earbuds only to find that you need to buy the accessories separately. Any models that come with a carrying case, charging cable, user guide, and extra ear cups or tips are solid purchases.

Price

Price is a big consideration when looking for the best headphones. Although there are always exceptions, big-name brands will typically command a bit extra, but generally speaking, the less you spend on a pair of headphones the greater the chance that sound and features will be compromised. Going for a budget option isn't always the best choice, as any money you save on your purchase won't do you much good if you constantly need to recharge your audio gear, or the sound quality is poor.

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How we test the best wireless earbuds

With more than 30 years experience in testing and reviewing consumer audio products for all kinds of media outlets and big-name brands around the world, the Tom's Guide audio team follows a rigorous test regime when it comes to determining the best products for recommendation in our buying guides.

In determining the best wireless earbuds, we consider fit, battery life, sound quality, design and value (are they worth the price?). We also factor in features like how well the controls work and how easily the earbuds pair with our playback devices.

In terms of sound quality, we listen to many sample tracks that span a number of genres, including hip-hop, rock, jazz, classical and R&B, while evaluating volume, clarity and fullness. We also make phone calls to assess both call quality and microphone performance.

To discover more information on what we listen for during our testing and reviewing process, take a look at our companion page on how to get thebest headphone sound for you.

During the testing phase, our reviewers wear each pair of headphones for several hours at a time throughout the course of a week. Reviewers will make a note of the battery life performance in real world use, and assess how well this matches the rated battery life provided by earbud makers.

Star ratings explained: We evaluate earbuds based on a five-point system (1 = worst, 5 = best). If a product hits nearly every mark, it’s awarded a coveted Recommended badge, while our Best Value award speaks for itself. Only products with truly exceptional performance across the board are awarded an Editor's Choice badge.

For more information, check out our how we test page for Tom's Guide.

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