Finding the best truly wireless earbuds to wear, leaving alone the best headphones overall, is not an easy task. Not only are there seemingly hundreds of brands to choose from. Many of those brands are deceptively advertised using buzz-words ad nauseum. And many of those devices feature just sleek enough design so that they nearly match the best brands on the market.
Similarly, many of the brands and models are incredibly indistinguishable in terms of audio quality and features. With many new brands emerging to challenge the established top names.
But that doesn’t mean this is a stagnant market by any stretch. And there are always new features on the horizon to be on the lookout for. Android Headlines has spent a good deal of time when it comes to wearables and audio gadgetry. And that holds true for research and reviews.
Top 8 Best Truly Wireless Earbuds
The basis for this list of best truly wireless earbuds is multi-faceted. To make our selections, we considered battery life, audio quality, comfort, design, and features. As a result, some of the buds listed here have the latest available features. Such as noise cancellation, Google Fast Pair, and dedicated apps. Some don’t.
They also range widely in terms of cost. With, as is often the case, the higher quality gadgets trend toward the higher price points. Costs in our current line-up range from just over $44 to over $200. The latter of which is the point at which headphones start to level off again in terms of quality. Or, at the very least, in terms of the cost-to-improvement ratio.
This guide represents our top picks for the best truly wireless earbuds balancing out those factors. So, without further ado, let’s dive right in.
Cost | Where to buy | |
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 | $149 | Amazon |
Sony WF-1000XM4 | $248.00 | Amazon |
Google Pixel Buds A-Series | From $99.99 | Best Buy |
Jabra Elite 3 | $79.99 | Amazon |
Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro | $199.99 | Amazon |
Anker Soundcore Life P2 | $59.99 | Amazon |
Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 2 | From $219.10 | Amazon |
EarFun Air Pro 2 | $79 | Amazon |
Best truly wireless earbuds
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2
Samsung’s latest entry into the realm of truly wireless earbuds is the Galaxy Buds 2 and it’s easily one of the best listening devices you can buy in the category. Not only did we rate these as the most comfortable truly wireless earbuds we’ve reviewed. They’re also some of the best-sounding.
Well-balanced two-way dynamic speakers are packed with three on-bud mics with Galaxy Buds 2. And that’s coupled with tuning by world-renowned, Samsung-owned AKG.
Paired with a great, bean-like design, Ambient Sound audio passthrough, ANC, and respectable battery life, Samsung went above and beyond for the second-gen wearable. And that includes its stunning new aesthetic. With plenty of personalization via color selections between Graphite, Lavender, Olive, and White.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 – Amazon
Best noise-canceling truly wireless earbuds
Sony WF-1000XM4
Sony has finally revamped its WF-1000XM3 truly wireless earbuds with another that’s sure to be the best ever from the company. Namely, the Sony WF-1000XM4. While the branding here isn’t the most memorable mouthful, these are widely considered to be the best headphones money can buy.
Built-in AI assistant access, including Alexa, the latest connectivity standards, world-class noise cancelation, and other features are a big part of that. But, as the branding would suggest, that and audio quality are better than ever with the latest version of Sony’s headphones.
Topping that off, alongside IPX4 water resistance and enviable battery life, is a new feature. This time, alongside Ambient Sound mode for audio passthrough, Sony includes a feature that drops playback volume when you talk. So you don’t ever have to miss out on a conversation just because you’re music’s a bit too loud.
And all of that is packed into a great design that’s comfortable to wear for hours on end.
Best Google Assistant-enabled earbuds
Google Pixel Buds A-Series
The original truly wireless Google Pixel Buds were easily the best earbuds for using Google Assistant. But those buds are long-gone, with the introduction of Google’s Pixel Buds A-Series.
The new buds do, of course, lose some features, such as wind reduction and water resistance explicitly for the charging case. They also lost wireless charging and the ability to swipe the buds themselves to control volume. And “Attention Alerts” are gone as well. But setting those aside, these buds are the same as the previous iteration on almost all fronts.
That means that the audio quality is almost up to snuff with the Sony WF-1000XM3, battery life is at around 6-hours of playback, and Google Assistant is on-tap. As is in-ear detection, adaptive audio, and noise reduction. All for just a little more than half the price of the original.
Google Pixel Buds A-Series – Best Buy
Best battery life truly wireless earbuds
Jabra Elite 3
With a claimed “up to” 7 hours of battery life and reports of up to a couple of hours longer, Jabra Elite 3 will easily be the best truly wireless earbuds for battery life. Just about nothing else comes close. With the additional 28-hours of playback from the charging case and just 10-minutes of charging equating to an hour of listening, Jabra has cemented that fact.
One-touch Spotify playback, AI Assistant support, and Google Fast Pair support are, then, the icing on the cake. And that icing comes with the added benefit of the Jabra Sound+. Which itself allows users to adjust the EQ for better balance and support to showcase whichever frequencies they prefer.
That’s without stacking in a noise-isolating, brand-worthy design, 2 mics on each bud for better call quality, and their low price point. So you’d be hard-pressed to find a better value overall.
Best for Samsung users
Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro
There’s a new “best” in the world of truly wireless earbuds. At least when it comes to buds for your new Samsung Galaxy smartphone. And those, of course, are Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro. Announced alongside the Samsung Galaxy S21 in January, Galaxy Buds Pro offers Active Noise Cancellation, audio passthrough Ambient Sound mode, and plenty of improvements over previous Galaxy Buds.
But these truly wireless earbuds also deliver a few extras for Samsung Galaxy owners in particular. Thanks in part to the associated app for Galaxy Phones. And they’re easily some of the best on the market right now in terms of audio quality.
Best of all, they’re only $199.99 on Amazon and elsewhere. With premium color choices to match the most recent Galaxy S series devices. Including Phantom Silver, Violet, and Black colorations.
Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro – Amazon
Best Value Truly Wireless Headphones
Anker Soundcore Life P2
Anker’s Soundcore Life P2 only looks like a budget-friendly version of Apple’s truly wireless earbuds, namely the Airpods. But they offer up some of the best audio in the price range with ongoing discounts taking them down to under $45. They also deliver noise cancellation and decent battery life at up to 7 hours of playback.
From the charging case, you can also get up to an extra 40 hours of playback. So these buds could feasibly last all week if they’re only being used while you’re working.
Anker Soundcore Life P2 – Amazon
Best audiophile-grade truly wireless earbuds
Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 2
- Price: From $219.10
- Buy: Amazon
Sennheiser is a brand that, when talking about the best audio — truly wireless, headphones, earbuds, or otherwise — requires no introduction. The company delivers audiophile quality sound, with a direct focus on that goal. So the appearance of Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 2 on this list shouldn’t come as a surprise.
Presently on sale, from $299 to under $220, these buds don’t just sound great and feature top-tier design. They come with an app for customized audio and features, more ear adapter tip sizes than the competition for a perfect and comfortable fit, ANC, and fast charging.
Battery life is going to be some of the best out there too. So, if you want the best audiophile buds money can buy, Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 2 ticks all of the boxes.
Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 2 – Amazon
Best Sub-$100 Truly Wireless Earbuds
EarFun Air Pro 2
EarFun may not be the first brand anybody thinks of when it comes to the best audio around, let alone the best truly wireless earbuds. But the company has continued to make strides in the territory anyway and currently offers some of the best for the money. Priced at under $80, EarFun Air Pro 2 doesn’t just pack audiophile-like audio with great noise cancellation. And it isn’t just about the new 6-mic-enabled wind reduction and clearer voice calls either.
These earbuds are built with 10mm titanium composite drivers as well. That means great audio balance, and that’s coupled with great spatial placement for the audio too. Moreover, at 7+ hours per charge and under an hour to a full charge, these are some of the longest-lasting earbuds you can buy.
That is, of course, looking past the ANC and Transparent Mode features. And doesn’t take into consideration that the IPX5 rating will be better than average here too. With the latter being enhanced with additional technology to keep the water-resistant rating in place. More specifically, the company’s SweatShield keeps the headphones performing even through daily intensive workouts where highly corrosive sweat is a factor. And all without diminishing things on the comfort front.
2021-12-03 04:31:08