Put on a set of wireless headphones and let the cord go. The Jabra Elite 5 is our top pick among the apparently many alternatives. We have everything you need, though, from more cheap, basic devices to high-end equipment with potent noise-cancelling. Jump to in-depth analyses of our top recommendations for wireless earbuds, or simply browse the list below:
You can use earphones for a stable link to listen on practically any device, including your smartphone or laptop, thanks to their ability to connect over Bluetooth. With Razer’s Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed earbuds leveraging a wireless dongle for the low latency, dependable connection required in games, we could envision these little listening devices being a viable wireless headset alternative. Check out our top 10 picks for earphones to find exactly what you’re looking for.
The Best Wireless Earbuds
1. Jabra Elite 5
You can’t go wrong with the Jabra Elite 5 for a flawlessly balanced, expressive audio experience in a cosy and reliable pair of earbuds. Use Bluetooth Multipoint to connect with up to two devices, and once you’re connected, Jabra’s user-friendly Sound+ app will let you experiment with EQ settings and ANC sound modes. Though it struggles with high-pitched sounds, the hybrid noise cancellation performs a respectable job at cancelling out an airplane’s engine or muffleing voices in a coffee shop.
Others will appreciate the six microphones that make your voice incredibly clear on calls, even on windy days, while you have a pleasant listening experience comparable to some of the best headphones. The button control on each earbud makes it simple to answer calls and provides you access to playback, Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, as well as various other features that may be allocated using the app. Additionally, the earbud’s IP55 dust and water resistance means you won’t have to worry about perspiring or getting soaked.
2. Jabra Elite 3
For a cost-effective under-$80 pricing, the Jabra Elite 3 offers everything you could possibly desire in a pair of wireless earbuds. With balanced audio that you can further adjust in the custom equaliser, they sound fantastic. Even though they don’t have noise-canceling technology, the sound isolation is so strong that you can pretty much walk across a busy city street without using it. We hardly ever had wireless interference or signal losses because we were using the most recent Bluetooth 5.2 connection.
These outstanding low-cost wireless earbuds will easily last you through a cross-country flight with their 7-hour battery life. You get four more charges in the case as well (for a total of an additional 28 hours), so you won’t typically need to plug everything in every week unless you’ve been listening nonstop. The earbuds are even designated for IP55 dust and water resistance, so they can readily withstand use in nearly any location, including the great outdoors and the gym.
3. Sony LinkBuds S
For years, Sony’s outstanding WH-1000XM line of over-ear headphones has raised the bar for noise-cancelling technology. Additionally, the Sony LinkBuds S Wireless Earbuds offer outstanding noise cancellation in a lightweight, small design. Aircraft engines and obnoxious air conditioners are silenced by its ANC. However, you’ll probably still hear incidental sounds like a car horn or a dog barking, even if they will be muffled more by the earbuds’ remarkable passive sound isolation as a result of their snug fit. Additionally supported is an ambient sound mode that offers 20 different options for what outside sounds you can hear, giving you a personalised listening experience.
These earbuds are superb noise cancelling headphones that also have a battery life of up to six hours while operating in noise cancellation. The carrying case also has a 14-hour charging capacity. This implies that you use these earbuds on your busiest work and travel days. Even better, Bluetooth 5.2 now supports the LDAC and AAC codecs, allowing for higher resolution audio. On-ear controls are also included, allowing you to change the volume, skip tunes, answer calls, and use voice assistants. You may use these earphones to tune into your music while working out and shut out everything else thanks to their modest level of water resistance.
4. Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed
dislike the way a conventional gaming headset feels and looks? With the Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed, a slightly enhanced version of the Razer Hammerhead HyperSpeed, Razer has you covered. These wireless earbuds are safe in the ear, portable, and produce powerful music. They also feature active noise reduction to help you stay focused on the action. Additionally, you get touch controls that can be remapped, directional audio, and adjustable EQ settings—all features seen in high-end gaming headsets.
Lag is one of the most restrictive elements of wireless earbuds, and Razer didn’t skip a beat by providing a low latency 2.4 GHz dongle that connects with your Switch, PlayStation 5, gaming PC, and Android phone without any issues. There is Bluetooth if you want to listen on other devices. Battery life is an issue because these headphones are only wireless, however you may use them for up to 6.5 hours before needing to recharge them for a further 24 hours. The battery life of the earbuds decreases when features like RGB illumination are used, which causes the Razer logo to light up.
5. Beats Fit Pro
The Beats Fit Pro are the right earbuds for you if you’re seeking for a reliable set that you can use when working out at the gym or going for a jog. With three different ear tip options and wingtips that tuck into your top ear, these headphones are made to stay in your ears no matter what you’re doing. There’s no need to be concerned about dropping one while trail running or stopping a lifting session to put it back in your ear. Additionally, it will be excellent against perspiration and rain thanks to its IPX4 classification; nonetheless, perhaps avoid taking the earphones swimming.
The Beats Fit Pro are not only made to stay in your ear, but they also have excellent audio quality. No matter the setting, you’ll be completely absorbed in your music thanks to the support for spatial audio and active noise reduction. And these wireless headphones make the ideal travel companion thanks to their six hours of battery life with ANC on and an additional 18 hours with the little charging case. You won’t have to worry about taking out your phone to change songs or answer calls thanks to on-device controls. Even better, the earphones feature an Apple H1 chip for hands-free Siri assistance.
6. Jabra Elite 7 Pro
The Jabra Elite 7 Pro are the wireless earbuds to choose if you want a pair that has it all: amazing sound, noise-cancelling, a long battery life, and more. These are some of the smallest earbuds available, yet they have amazing audio quality that you can adjust to fit your unique hearing profile. They are ideal for commuters because they have excellent noise-canceling and notably perform a great job of blocking out the sound of engines or train wheels. The Jabra Elite 7 Pro, on the other hand, boasts the most natural-sounding HearThrough mode we’ve ever heard, giving us the impression that we weren’t wearing earphones at all and that our hearing was already enhanced.
Eight hours is a respectable battery life, but the four additional charges that come in the case are the true treat. Additionally, putting them in the case for five minutes recharges them for an hour. The case supports Qi charging as well, making charging the entire set as simple as placing it on a wireless charger. It’s one of the more expensive wireless earbud options on your list at $200, but it isn’t as expensive as the Sony or Master & Dynamic alternatives.
7. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)
Apple’s second-generation AirPods Pro have a similar appearance to its predecessor, but practically all of the internal components have been redesigned and are powered by the H2 chip to increase performance. As an example, active noise cancellation is now better at mudding ambient noise, and a new adaptive transparency mode is effective at reducing louder unexpected noises like a dish breaking in a restaurant or a siren passing by. Even while these earbuds still don’t handle higher-res audio files, the music is more vibrant and provides a completely delightful listening experience.
These wireless earbuds have a tonne of other technological features, including as Spatial Audio, which employs head tracking to generate a sound profile just for you. Using “hey, Siri” or tap controls on the earphones, which have a new swiping functionality, Apple also makes it simple to change the media you’re listening to on your iPhone. The AirPods have an excellent battery life as well, lasting up to six hours while in use and up to 24 hours when charging in the MagSafe charging case, which even has tracking for individuals who are prone to losing things.
8. Sony WF-1000XM5
The fully loaded Sony WF-1000XM5 earphones might just be worth the extra money. Rich, well-balanced audio in a lightweight, portable physical factor is what they bring. The earbuds may automatically adapt what you’re listening to for a more realistic, immersive sound experience thanks to spatial audio and head tracking. Strong connectivity between the headphones and your Android phone or other devices is made possible by Bluetooth 5.3. Even multipoint connectivity is included for listening on many devices.
The AI-driven ANC, though, is what makes Sony’s WF-1000XM5 stand out. It performs an excellent job of removing sounds like an air conditioner and leaf blower. The ear tips are more comfortable and secure thanks to design improvements over the Sony WF-1000XM4 for improved sound isolation to block out incidental noises like a car horn or dog howling. There is even a specific speech pickup technology that uses AI to recognise a user’s voice when you want to answer a call. This makes it possible for you to speak clearly during calls and muffle noise in noisy surroundings.
9. 1More Evo
The 1More Evo earbuds are proof that just because something is small doesn’t mean it has to have bad sound quality. These combine good sound quality and sound balance with active noise cancellation, allowing you to completely block out outside noise and enjoy your audio. Even if the Sony WF-1000XM5’s four ANC modes aren’t as spectacular, you’re still removing some outside noise distractions. They also have two useful transparency options if you need to hear what’s going on outside.
The 1More Evo earbuds utilise a combination of 10mm hybrid dynamic drivers and support for higher quality audio codecs to deliver an accurate, rich sound with sharp highs and deep bass. The end result is an earphone that is a little bit heavier and larger than most others on our list, but there are always costs associated with excellence. In addition, the earbuds have a remarkable 8-hour battery life, and the charging case can increase that time by an additional 20 hours. Additionally, because it supports Qi wireless charging, it will be simple for you to remember to keep the case charged if you have a wireless charger.
10. OnePlus Buds Pro 2
Imagine Apple AirPods with improved design and audio quality. You’ll receive that when you purchase the OnePlus Buds Pro 2. These earphones don’t quite resemble Airpods because of their stylish, minimalist design that is complemented by a sophisticated metallic stem. The touch controls are all, however, essentially the same. Additionally, OnePlus sells them for $129, but many functions require upgrading to the AirPods Pro.
Although less effectively than the AirPods Pro, the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 include 11mm dynamic drivers to blast out the audio coming in and ANC to keep out outside noise. A more immersive listening experience is ensured with Dolby Head Tracking, compatibility for high-res codecs, and spatial audio. With ANC on or off, the battery life is likewise comparable to that of the AirPods Pro, providing 6 hours of listening time.
What to Look for In Wireless Earbuds
There are a few factors you should take into account while looking for a set of wireless earbuds:
- The first one is Bluetooth-related. Although technology has significantly improved with each iteration, Bluetooth still struggles to transmit a strong signal over barriers like walls, people, or even your own clothes, which causes interference and signal loss. Intense wireless frequencies that you may come across in the city can also scramble the Bluetooth signal. Moving your source (often a smartphone or tablet) closer to your headphones should usually solve the problem if the music, podcast, or video you’re listening to starts cutting in and out.
- The second feature to consider is a device with a respectable battery life, which in this case means six hours or more. The current high standard for the best battery life on wireless earbuds is eight hours or more, and the highest we’ve yet seen is ten hours. Even while it might seem brief, you won’t likely be wearing your wireless earphones for extraordinarily extended periods of time unless you’re taking a cross-country or international flight.
- You intend to work out while using your wireless earbuds. Find something that is at least somewhat water-resistant. The characteristics of any wireless earphones you’re considering will normally have an IP rating. It is easy to dissect IP grades like IPX5 or IP55. The earlier digit refers to a product’s dust resistance, whereas the later digit indicates its water resistance. Since most wireless earbuds aren’t tested for dust protection, their IPX certification just needs to be focused on the last digit.
Find something for working out that has at least an IPX4 certification, which guarantees protection from water splashes for at least 5 minutes. Even more effective splash and rain protection is provided by IPX6. If your wireless earphones are IPX7 or higher, you can go swimming with them, but they will only withstand being submerged for 30 minutes in water up to three feet deep. Additionally, if you plan to submerge them underwater, make sure the charging port is completely closed.