Choosing the best earbuds in the market can be quite overwhelming. There are a lot of designs and models to choose from – from true wireless earbuds, neck bud style wireless earphones down to the old school wired models.
The best earbuds are highly recommended for individuals who want to do away with wires or have cable-free media streaming sessions. Some of the best earbuds on the market also come with different extra features such as noise cancellation. If you value audio fidelity over convenience or design, there are also earbuds that come with a wire. You can also get the best of both worlds with a pair of best wireless earbuds that have a cord that connects the buds together but can also be connected to a smartphone via Bluetooth.
Plus, durability is also a big factor when scouting for the best earbuds. Check out our curated list for the most durable earbuds here.
In this article, we will be giving our honest reviews to help guide you pick the best earbuds that suit not only your budget but your lifestyle as well.
Table of Contents
- Best Earbuds: Apple Inc. AirPods Pro
- Best Earbuds: Jabra Elite 75t
- Best Earbuds: Samsung Galaxy Buds Live
- Best Earbuds: Google Pixel Buds 2
- Best Earbuds: Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2
- Best Earbuds: Jaybird Vista
- Best Earbuds: Sony WH-1000XM4
- Best Earbuds: Sony WF-1000XM3
- Best Earbuds: Beats Electronics Powerbeats Pro
- Best Earbuds: Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus
- Best Earbuds: Sennheiser CX 400BT True Wireless
- Best Earbuds: Amazon Echo Buds
- Best Earbuds: JBL True Wireless Flash
- Best Earbuds: Bose SoundSport Free True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds
- Best Earbuds – Wired, Wireless, or Wire-Free?
- Best Earbuds: In A Nutshell
Best Earbuds: Apple Inc. AirPods Pro
What We Like:
- Decent noise cancellation
What We Don’t Like:
- 5 hours battery life
- Expensive
This is one of the best earbuds that offer noise cancellation sporting a true wireless model. It has an improved design and a much better fit compared to the original AirPods. However, the AirPods Pro can’t be really considered as the best earbuds for all walks of life because they are quite expensive.
The AirPods Pro offers a snug fit and also a great sound together with additional microphones that offer a powerful noise cancelling feature. There’s also a Transparency mode that allows the external noise in without distorting the audio. Future iOS updates will reportedly include all new spatial audio features that’s designed to create a listening experience similar to going to the movies or theatre.
Best Earbuds: Jabra Elite 75t
What We Like:
- IP55 rating
- Water resistant
- Better sound quality than AirPods Pro
What We Don’t Like:
- No active noise cancellation
- No wireless charging
The Jabra Elite 75t easily slides in our list of the best earbuds primarily because of its smaller size and better fit compared to its rival. The longer battery life and USB-C charging are some of the product updates that the current model boasts of. The design of the new charging case is also a nice touch, with magnets inside that make it easier for users to store the buds inside. However, the said charging case doesn’t feature wireless charging.
The drivers of the Jabra Elite 75t are the same with the 65t model but the company has pegged it to be one of the best earbuds by providing users with a snugger and more comfortable fit. The best earbuds ideally have a tight seal and the Jabra Elite 75t is a good choice with its improved bass performance and overall sound quality.
This pair of best earbuds from Jabra has an IP55 water-resistance rating, making it splash-proof and resistant to dust. It can be used at the gym or for running because it has a tight fit. There’s a HearThrough transparency mode that allows ambient sounds in and users can activate it with just a press on the left earbud. There’s also a Sound app for Android and iOS for users to have the option to pause music when the HearThrough feature is activated.
Best Earbuds: Samsung Galaxy Buds Live
What We Like:
- Quirky design
What We Don’t Like:
- Mild noise cancelling features compared to other brands
The Samsung Galaxy Buds Live comes with a quirky and intriguing design that can be a great conversation starter. Much like the AirPods, this pair of best earbuds from Samsung has an open air design which makes it comfortable to wear. However, it’s not a guarantee that it will fit in everybody’s ears so you still need to check the reviews depending on your ear size. If you are a fan of wireless earbuds this is a good pick because it sits discreetly in your ears without a little pipe peeking out.
Aside from providing good sound, the Samsung Galaxy Buds also offer fantastic call quality, with decent background noise reduction in noisy environments. This pair of best earbuds from Samsung may offer active noise cancelling but it’s a little bit mild compared to other noise cancelling earbuds that have a specific noise isolating design. If you are looking for earbuds that rage in the sound and design department, this is the best earbuds for you. However, if you crave for high quality noise canceling features, you might need to look for another brand or model.
Best Earbuds: Google Pixel Buds 2
What We Like:
- Wireless charging case
- Bluetooth 5.0
What We Don’t Like:
- Short battery life
- Does not support aptX
If you are a diehard fan of Android, the Google Pixel Buds 2 may just be the best earbuds for you. The Google Pixel Buds features hands-free Google Assistant and offers a secure and comfortable fit. Pair that with good audio quality and you get true wireless convenience. If you are always using headphones for making calls, this pair of best earbuds from Google can give you a whole new listening experience. The touch control of the Google Pixel Buds 2 also works well without any glitches.
Admittedly, the battery life of the Google Pixel Buds 2 is quite mediocre at 5 hours. However, it is worth noting that the battery life is practically the same with that of the AirPods Pro. This pair of best earbuds from Google makes up for the short battery life with a wireless charging case that offers 19 hours of playback time with a quick charge feature. The Google Pixel Buds 2 has Bluetooth 5.0 and supports AAC codec.
Best Earbuds: Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2
What We Like:
- Bluetooth 5.1
- IPX 4 rating
What We Don’t Like:
- Expensive
- No wireless charging
The price of the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless is not really wallet friendly but if you’ve got the budget for it, this is truly one of the best earbuds in the high-end category. It is significantly better than the original, with a more comfortable design, awesome audio quality and active noise cancelling features that can rival what the AirPods Pro have to offer. The battery life and noise reduction during calls are also upgraded.
This pair of best earbuds from Sennheiser runs on Bluetooth 5.1 and supports AptX and AAC codecs, an advantage for users who have devices that have AptX codes like Samsung Galaxy smartphones. Aside from the expensive price tag, perhaps another drawback of the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 is the fact that it’s a bit heavier compared to other best earbuds and it also lacks hands-free Siri features found for the iPhone and other Apple models.
The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 is not marketed to be sports or fitness earphones but they can actually be used for working out thanks to its IPX4 rating, indicating that it is sweatproof and splashproof. Also, thanks to its tight and secure fit, users can go running without having to worry about the earbuds falling off. Of course, it’s worth noting that these are not really the best earbuds to use during heavy or intense workout sessions because it’s not completely waterproof.
Best Earbuds: Jaybird Vista
What We Like:
- Discreet looking
- Fully waterproof
What We Don’t Like:
- Pricey
The Jaybird Vista fits securely in the ears and are comfortable to wear. It comes with three various ear tips sizes that are all lightweight for their respective sizes. In terms of sound quality, the Jaybird Vista can be considered as one of the best earbuds in the market, although not really at par with Sony WF-1000XM3 or Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless.
The best earbuds need to be durable and the Jaybird Vista does not disappoint in this department. With an IPX7 full waterproof rating, you can be sure that you get the true value for your money. Meanwhile, battery life is still so-so, even though it has already been upgraded at that. It can last for 6 hours and the charging case packs an extra 10 hours of playback time.
The wireless connection of the Jaybird Vista is pretty solid, a big improvement compared to its predecessors. This pair of best earbuds from Jaybird also has a new wireless chipset with Bluetooth 5.0 which greatly helps in ensuring that users don’t encounter latency issues with different video apps.
Best Earbuds: Sony WH-1000XM4
What We Like:
- Top-notch noise cancelling
- Can connect to two devices at the same time
What We Don’t Like:
- expensive
When it comes to battery life, this is by far the best earbuds that we can recommend. It runs for 30 hours with noise cancelling and wireless features on. On the go users can also enjoy the quick charging feature of the Sony WH-1000XM4 because with just 10 minutes charging the device can already run for 5 hours.
There’s also a new Bluetooth system that boosts the earbuds’ processing power. Technically, this pair of best earbuds from Sony still uses the same QN1 chip in the XM3 but with tweaked algorithms to ensure that the digital signal processing and noise cancelling are improved. Basically, the QN1 chip in the XM3 is already more than enough, so you can just imagine how great the listening experience is with the Sony WH-1000XM4.
Best Earbuds: Sony WF-1000XM3
What We Like:
- Excellent sound quality
- Active noise cancellation
- Bluetooth 5.0
What We Don’t Like:
- Not sweatproof
- Not waterproof
In the range of the best earbuds category, the Sony WF-1000XM3 has one of the premium sound quality in the market, sharing the same or even better spotlight with high-end brands such as Sennheiser, Bose, and Beats. This is one of the best earbuds with a premium feel and look at a slightly more affordable price.
You can also enjoy your favorite tune with effective active noise cancellation. There’s also a USB-C charging with a quick charge feature, perfect for people on-the-go. If you are looking for the best earbuds that are discreet, this may not be so appealing to you. This pair of best earbuds from Sony has a distinctly different design from the previously released WF-1000xs. Unlike other models from the same brand or series, the Sony WF-1000XM3 has little to no similarity with its predecessors. In fact, it looks like a totally different headphone with a new charging case, drivers and touch controls.
This pair of best earbuds from Sony also comes with a whole new QN1e processor that significantly improves sound quality and noise cancelling. It is also supported by Bluetooth 5.0 that boosts accuracy and overall sound wireless sound quality.
Best Earbuds: Beats Electronics Powerbeats Pro
What We Like:
- Better sound and battery life than AirPods
What We Don’t Like:
- Bulky charging case
- No wireless charging
Beats Powerbeats Pro is one of the few models in the best earbuds category that has better sound and battery life compared to the AirPods. This pair of best earbuds from Beats Electronics will also stay in your ears securely, ensuring that you get the same comfort and convenience as that of the AirPods.
With the Powerbeats Pro, you get to enjoy rock solid wireless connectivity, fast pairing and always-on Siri voice recognition feature – of course, this is for the iOS users. For the Android users, the physical buttons that serve as the remote control is quite appealing. Phone call quality is excellent whether the earbuds are being used with iOS or Android.
The Beats Powerbeats Pro does not support wireless charging so you will really have to come to terms that you will need a cable to charge. In this case, this pair of best earbuds charges with an included Lightning cable, which is pretty decent since it is better than Micro-USB.
The Powerbeats Pro are initially marketed to be upgraded with piston drivers that effectively cuts down distortion. That being said, this pair of best earbuds actually sound better than the original AirPods, we’ll give them that, but quite frankly, that isn’t much of a feat. This pair of best earbuds from Beats deliver cleaner sound with a rich and powerful bass.
It is worth noting that a full seal is very critical in maximizing the sound quality especially with these types of noise canceling best earbuds. If the ear tips are not seated snugly in the ear canals, the powerful bass cannot be enjoyed. The AirPods have a more open design compared to the Powerbeats Pro, so if you’re looking for the best earbuds that you can take with you on a long haul flight, the latter would be much better to use.
Best Earbuds: Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus
What We Like:
- Smooth and detailed sound
- Works best with any kind of music genre
What We Don’t Like:
- Same design with Galaxy Buds Plus
At a glance, the Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus look practically the same with the original Galaxy Buds. In fact, they look very much alike that it’s hard to tell the difference by just looking at the two gadgets from afar. However, if the internal gist is scrutinized, the Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus have better battery life, have powerful dual drivers and have an additional microphone located in each bud to boost external noise reduction especially when making calls.
This pair of best earbuds from Samsung have a smooth and detailed sound which works well with any kind of genre – from EDM, pop, hip-hop or classical music heavy laden with instruments. It’s not surprising though why the Samsung Galaxy Buds have one of the best audio offerings in the market; Austrian audio company AKG is the company behind the audio engineering. The Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus also runs on Bluetooth 5.0 and supports AAC together with Samsung’s scalable codec code, similar to aptX but exclusive to Samsung Galaxy phones.
Best Earbuds: Sennheiser CX 400BT True Wireless
What We Like:
- Detailed audio
- Great app and touch control
What We Don’t Like:
- Mediocre battery life
- No active noise cancelling technology
Sennheiser needs no further introduction when it comes to audiophiles and it’s not really surprising that Sennheiser has a spot in our list for the best earbuds in the market. The Sennheiser CX 400BT can compete with the crowd favorites with an aptX Bluetooth connectivity, AAC and SBC codec support, an app-based EQ adjustment and responsive touch controls that can be operated by Siri or Google Assistant.
If you are familiar with the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2, you would be delighted to know that the CX 400BT shares the same 7mm full range dynamic drivers with the former. This pair of best earbuds comes with four ear tip sizes that offer twist-to-fit arrangement so you can get passive noise cancelling with the correct fit.
In terms of aesthetics, the CX 400BT displays the same minimalistic design that’s considered as the brand’s trademark. Battery life is pretty decent, with the buds offering 7 hours of playback and the charging case offering an extra 13 hours. These are one of the best earbuds that offer an eloquent and detailed listening experience, particularly where timbre and texture are concerned. If anything, the treble frequency response of the Sennheiser CX 400BT is the one that’s keeping it from getting five stars.
Best Earbuds: Amazon Echo Buds
What We Like:
- IPX4 water resistant
- Quick charging
- Bose noise reduction
What We Don’t Like:
- micro-usb charging case
- Not so premium look and feel
Amazon is venturing into the audio accessory industry with the Amazon Echo Buds that are true wireless and equipped with Bose Noise Reduction features. If you are an Android user and scouting for the best earbuds at an affordable price, the Amazon Echo Buds may just be an ideal choice for you.
The Echo Buds are made of plastic, and quite frankly, they are not on the same level as the durable plastic used by Jaybird Vista or Apple AirPods. Even at first glance, the Amazon Echo Buds don’t look very premium or high end. However, you’d be surprised to know that the case is very durable and can survive multiple drops without breaking. Might be the best earbuds for clumsy individuals, don’t you think?
The Amazon Echo Buds may not be overloaded with sensors and spatial features like the AirPods Pro or Powerbeats Pro but they do have proximity sensors used for auto play or pause functionality. This pair of best earbuds from Amazon don’t require users to remove both buds simultaneously to activate the auto play/pause features, unlike the Samsung Galaxy Buds.
Best Earbuds: JBL True Wireless Flash
What We Like:
- Partnership with Under Armour
- IPX7 Water Resistant Buds
What We Don’t Like:
Let’s face it – workout earbuds can cost you a lot, and fortunately, JBL has released the True Wireless Flash in partnership with Under Armour that affords listeners one-year premium membership to MapMyRun along with other features that will truly delight the athletes and fitness buffs. This pair of best earbuds comes with an aluminum charging case with a sliding mechanism
The case packs 1,500mAh capacity and its water resistant features make it even more irresistible. The attached cord is portable and can be easily attached to a bag or a pouch. The earbuds won’t cause pain or fatigue to the ears thanks to the Sport Flex wing and ear tips. This pair of best earbuds from JBL settles securely in the outer ear and creates a strong and tight seal.
At a glance, the JBL True Wireless Flash is one of the best earbuds for athletes or sports buff, with its IPX7 rating, angled nozzles and ergonomic wing tips. The rounded housings also have an ergonomic design perfect for weightlifting or running. The onboard controls are pretty easy to operate, specially designed to be easily navigated while exercising. Siri or Google Assistant can be easily accessed or activated by simply pressing the left earbud. If anything, there have been reviews from users saying that there is some sort of a one second or split second lag when a command is made versus it is executed. However, if you are not too keen on these lags and are willing to overlook them, the JBL True Wireless Flash is a strong contender for the best earbuds in the market.
Best Earbuds: Bose SoundSport Free True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds
What We Like:
- Great sound quality
- IPX4 water resistant
What We Don’t Like:
- Bulky
- Intermittent connectivity
Bose enters our list for the best earbuds in the market with the SoundSport Free True Wireless Bluetooth model. At a glance, this pair of best earbuds may look bulky but if you are willing to overlook the bulkiness and focus on the internal features, it actually has a versatile sound signature and easy to navigate button controls.
As far as true wireless are concerned, the Bose SoundSport Free True Wireless are one of the best earbuds. It’s very versatile to the point that it actually excels in almost every genre or instrument imaginable.
Again, if you are willing to look beyond the bulky build of this pair of best earbuds from Bose, you will learn to appreciate the fact that it has a very stable fit thanks to the StayHear ear tips. Additionally, the wing tips are comfortable, flexible and really grippy, if you know what we mean. Meanwhile, ambient noises can easily permeate the seal, but that’s actually a silver lining especially if you are planning to use these as workout earbuds. This way, runners or athletes can still be aware of their surroundings like pedestrians or traffic.
In terms of build and material, this pair of best earbuds from Bose are made of plastic, but mind you, it looks and feels very durable. Pair it with an IPX4 certification and you get a very competent pair of best earbuds to bring during workouts, except for aquatic activities. The charging case is also durable while providing two additional full charges. The two additional charges may not be satisfactory for some, especially considering that the size to battery ratio is not so proportionate.
In terms of connectivity, this pair of best earbuds from Bose are very easy to pair with devices and even reconnect instantaneously. The issue is, it seems to have difficulty in maintaining a stable connection. Similar reviews have been popping out here and there and that involves the left earbud losing connection a few times in a span of an hour. Plus, it doesn’t support aptX so Android users may experience audio-visual lag from time to time. iPhone users may beg to disagree because the AAC Bluetooth codec support tells a whole different story as it provides high-quality wireless streaming with this pair of best earbuds from Bose.
Best Earbuds – Wired, Wireless, or Wire-Free?
Earphones can be connected to your smartphone wirelessly over Bluetooth or through a 3.5mm cable depending on the model. Generally, wired earphones are more affordable and many people like it for the reason that these are the best earbuds to use without worrying about keeping them charged.
Meanwhile, Bluetooth earphones are deemed to be more convenient because users don’t have to physically connect the earbuds to the smartphone. However, they need a battery to work and it’s quite rare to find a 3.5mm port or jack on Bluetooth earphones. These earbuds are not really the best earbuds to bring while camping or travelling because if you run out of juice and you forget the charging case, the earbuds are not usable until they are charged.
There’s also what we call true wireless earbuds, otherwise known as a wire free model. Essentially, these are Bluetooth earphones and there is no physical cable connecting the ear pieces. It took some time for bugs and issues to be removed from true wireless earbuds, such as awkward design and short battery life to name a few. Now, true wireless earbuds are now considered to be strong contenders in the best earbuds category.
Currently, there are very compelling wire-free earphones appearing in the market, with big shot companies like JLab and Bose offering sets that have incredible longevity, power and intuitive controls that are more than impressive. The quality and performance of the best earbuds may differ with each brand and model, but the bottomline is, it takes the listening experience of users to a whole new level. Ideally, wire-free earphones were considered to be more expensive than traditional wireless earphones but more and more companies are making their own model priced at a great bargain around $100-$150.
Best Earbuds: In A Nutshell
So we’ve come to the end of our list for the best earbuds in the market. Each of the products featured in this article can be purchased through Amazon.com. Whether you’re looking to score the best earbuds at a bargain price or you’re willing to shell out a chunky part of your wallet, make sure that you purchase the best earbuds that can cater to your listening needs and be compatible with your lifestyle.