Best Wireless Earbuds
Apple AirPods Pro
Best Wireless Earbuds
Apple AirPods Pro
Now 20% Off
Pros
- Good noise cancelling
- Great sound, rivals more specialized models
- Sleek look
Cons
- IPX4 rating is standard, not incredible
Listen, I’m not here to give Apple anymore praise. But as far as earbuds go, no one is doing it this well, this consistently. AirPods are unavoidable because they simply are the best earbuds on the market.
If you’re an iPhone user, pairing up your AirPods is ridiculously easy. If you use a Samsung, Google, or other non-Apple device, pairing is still a breeze. They look better than any other options, and they sound just as good as more audio-oriented offerings. They’re the best earbuds out there, simply put.
Battery life6 hours, 30 hours with caseNoise cancelling? YesWater resistanceIPX4Best Workout Wireless Earbuds
Beats Fit Pro
Best Workout Wireless Earbuds
Beats Fit Pro
Now 20% Off
Pros
- Stable, locked down fit
- Sound is just as good as the AirPods Pro
- Cheaper than the AirPods Pro
Cons
- The look isn’t for everyone
For something more workout oriented, but still good for regular use, it’s the Beats Fit Pro. Under the Apple brand, these are essentially rebranded AirPods Pro—with the same H1 chipset and all—but it’s a rebrand that really works.
Most notable has got to be the mechanics for locking these down. The little wingtips really lock these in place, so they’re perfect for the gym or for a run.
Battery life6 hours, 30 hours with caseNoise cancelling? YesWater resistance IPX4Best Hardcore Workout Earbuds
Beats Powerbeats Pro
Best Hardcore Workout Earbuds
Beats Powerbeats Pro
Now 36% Off
Pros
- Great lockdown for working out
- Same great AirPods Pro sound
Cons
- Wish this model had some extra durability
For the most workout-focused iteration of this earbud, there’s the Powerbeats Pro. Like the two before it, it’s got that same H1 chipset, same great sound. Powerbeats pro just takes the lockdown to another level with those ear hooks. They’re great for HIIT workouts, great for running.
The only downside is that you’d expect them to have something extra. Ideally a bit more water resistance. But no, it’s just a different version of the same earbud.
Battery life6 hours, 30 hours with caseNoise cancelling?YesWater resistanceIPX4Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
Best Earbuds for Samsung Galaxy Owners
Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro
Best Earbuds for Samsung Galaxy Owners
Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro
Now 18% Off
Pros
- Incredible sound
- IPX7 rating is great
- Good in-ear fit
Cons
- Honestly, they just look a bit funny in-ear
It’s always easier to work with devices that are within the same family. Apple takes it to a different level, as AirPods vastly prefer to pair with an iPhone. But it’s pretty standard across the industry.
If you’re a Samsung user, the Galaxy Buds2 are made to pair with your phone, and they’re made to look good with your phone. When used with a Galaxy phone, you get benefits like spatial audio and easier device switching.
One thing I will say for the non Samsung users: Galaxy Buds have always surprised me, these Buds2 especially so. They sound amazing. If you’re a real audiophile who cares about hi-res audio, these support 24-bit audio.
Battery life8 hours, 30 hours with caseNoise cancelling?YesWater resistance IPX7Best Earbuds for Google Pixel Owners
Google Pixel Buds A-Series
Best Earbuds for Google Pixel Owners
Google Pixel Buds A-Series
Pros
- Easy connection and control with Google Pixel phones
- Really nice price
- This lovely olive green color
Cons
- Lower battery life than flagship models
For Google Pixel users, it’s Google Pixel Buds. As with every earbud-phone combo, you get the easier setup and controls.
I did, however, choose the A-Series, which is the lesser of the Pixel Buds. Essentially, I’ve never loved the Pixel Buds Pro. I’m not crazy about noise cancelling, though Google’s noise cancelling is quite good. The Pixel Bus Pro just didn’t seem worth the money when I used them. The sounds wasn’t as good as the other flagships—AirPods Pro and Galaxy Buds2—these compete with.
Battery life5 hours, 24 hours with caseNoise cancelling? NoWater resistanceIPX4Best Sound on Wireless Earbuds
Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 S2
Best Sound on Wireless Earbuds
Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 S2
Pros
- Incredible sound, best-in-class
- Great noise cancelling as well
- Look better than any other non-Apple earbud
Cons
- High price
- Difficult setup
I love Bowers & Wilkins for headphones. They’re the best out there. For earbuds… it doesn’t translate as well.
These are the best sounding earbuds on this list, no doubt. They support 24-bit audio, But it’s almost too much from a pair of earbuds. The incredible sound quality increase the price to a point where I’d say, “Just buy headphones.” But if you want the best sounding earbuds on the market, I wouldn’t recommend anything less.
That said, I found these to be a bit squirrelly in setup. My iPhone didn’t play nicely with the Bowers & Wilkins app, which I’d use to adjust noise cancelling and transparency levels. A small issue, but an annoying one.
Battery life5 hours, 21 hours with caseNoise cancelling? YesWater resistanceIP54Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
Best Budget Wireless Earbuds
Apple AirPods
Best Budget Wireless Earbuds
Apple AirPods
Now 23% Off
Pros
- Sleek look
- Easy to pair
- Good battery life and sound
Cons
- Easier to use if you’re an iPhone user
For well-priced earbuds, closer to $100, I once again have to give the cake to Apple. The original AirPods, the ones that really kicked off the wireless earbud thing, are still amazing. They look good. They pair easy (of course easier with an iPhone). They sound decent, and they’ve got good battery life. Can’t ask for much more.
Battery life5 hours, 24 hours with caseNoise cancelling? NoWater ResistanceIPX4Best Non-Apple Budget Earbuds
Philips T4506
Best Non-Apple Budget Earbuds
Philips T4506
Pros
- Great price
- Easy to pair
Cons
- Sound or build quality isn’t great
If you’re Apple averse, these Philips headphones are another great budget option. Though they don’t sound as good, they’re generally easier to pair, and with a base price of $100 they’re more affordable.
Battery life6 hours, 24 hours with caseNoise cancelling? NoWater resistanceIPX4Best Cheap Wireless Earbuds
JBL Vibe 200TWS
Best Cheap Wireless Earbuds
JBL Vibe 200TWS
Pros
- Budget price
- Don’t look too bad, especially in black
Cons
- Build quality isn’t great
- Sound doesn’t outperform the price
And for something that’s truly, truly budget, there’s the JBL Vibe 200TWS. Is the sound great? Nope. But, I found that JBL’s tendency towards heavy bass kinda negates the sound issues. They’re bass-y, and they can get loud. At that point, all other sound kinda disappears anyway.
For under $100, this is as good as it gets.
Battery life5 hours, 20 hours with caseNoise cancelling? NoWater resistance N/A
Luke Guillory
Associate Commerce Editor
Luke Guillory is the Associate Commerce Editor at Esquire.
