Best Earbuds
Sony LinkBuds
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3
Beats Studio Buds Plus
Google Pixel Buds Pro
Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro
Beats Fit Pro
PROS:
- Active noise cancellation
techradar.com - Powered by Apple's H1 chip, so they have most of the features AirPods Pro, including spatial audio
cnet.com - Better battery life
techradar.com
CONS:
- ANC could be stronger
techradar.com - Can be uncomfortable
techradar.com - Android users miss out on features
techradar.com
- theverge.com: Beats Fit Pro review: sporty AirPod Pros with better sound - The Verge (85%)
- wired.com: Beats Fit Pro Review: Apple's Best Earbuds Ever (90%)
- techradar.com: Beats Fit Pro review: great workout true wireless buds (80%)
- cnet.com: Beats Fit Pro review: The sportier AirPods I've always wanted - CNET (88%)
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
PROS:
- Fit Kit ear tips and stabilizer system gets you a secure, comfortable fit
cnet.com - Punchy, musical sound
whathifi.com - Immersive Audio creates a different listening experience
cnet.com
CONS:
- No wireless charging
whathifi.com - Immersive Audio slashes battery life
whathifi.com - No wireless charging or multipoint Bluetooth
cnet.com
- theverge.com: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds review: still great but a questionable ‘upgrade’ - The Verge (80%)
- whathifi.com: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds review: flagship buds that nail comfort, ANC and sound quality (100%)
- cnet.com: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Review: Slightly Better Than Last Year's Model - CNET (89%)
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation)
PROS:
- Smooth, intuitive use with iOS devices
whathifi.com - Great noise cancellation
techradar.com - Pressure-sensitive stems and sliding controls
soundguys.com
CONS:
- No way to customize the EQ without third-party app
soundguys.com - First iteration charges via lightning cable (USB-C post-2023)
soundguys.com - Many Apple-exclusive features
soundguys.com
Technics EAH-AZ80
PROS:
- Poised, revealing sound
techradar.com - Good battery life
cnet.com - Stellar sound and very good noise canceling with improved fit
cnet.com
CONS:
- Pricey
cnet.com - Noise-cancelling and battery life are nothing special
techradar.com - Voice-calling performance is decent but could be slightly better
cnet.com
JBL Live Beam 3
PROS:
- Vastly improved audio
techradar.com - LDAC
soundguys.com - Excellent battery life
techradar.com
CONS:
- Short nozzles can mean poor fit
soundguys.com - Somewhat weak spatial audio profiles
techradar.com - ANC is good, but beaten by class-leaders
techradar.com
Sony WF-1000XM5
PROS:
- Comfortable, discreet design
whathifi.com - Comfortable
soundguys.com - Great app support
soundguys.com
CONS:
- Default sound too bassy
soundguys.com - Some rivals produce more bass
whathifi.com - No Find My feature integrated into app
cnet.com
- theverge.com: Sony WF-1000XM5 noise-canceling earbuds review: better in every way — for now - The Verge (80%)
- whathifi.com: Sony WF-1000XM5 review: Sony's most accomplished wireless earbuds yet (100%)
- wired.com: Sony WF-1000XM5 Review: Smaller, Lighter, but Not Better (70%)
- cnet.com: Sony WF-1000XM5 Earbuds Review: They're Smaller and Even Better - CNET (90%)
- soundguys.com: Sony WF-1000XM5 review - SoundGuys (83%)
Nothing Ear (a)
PROS:
- Smaller, more pocketable case
techradar.com - Fun, zealous, expansive sound
techradar.com - Same eye-catching design with improved sound and noise-canceling
cnet.com
CONS:
- No XL ear tip included
cnet.com - No wireless charging support
techradar.com - No flagship sound profile curation
techradar.com
Meh // not enough data:
- Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC (82)
- Apple AirPods (3rd generation) (85)
- Apple AirPods Pro (second generation) (80)
- JBL Live Pro 2 TWS (100)
- Sony WF-C500 (100)
- Sony WF-C700N (100)
- Earfun Air (100)
- Grado GT220 (80)
- AfterShokz OpenRun Pro (80)
- Final ZE8000 MK2 (90)
- Skullcandy Set USB-C In-Ear Wired Earbuds (80)
- Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 (100)
- Apple AirPods 3 (84)
- JLab Go Air Pop True Wireless Earbuds (90)
- Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2 (80)
- Anker Soundcore Space A40 (80)
- Bowers & Wilkins PI7 S2 (82)
- Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (80)
- Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) With USB-C (80)
- Jabra Elite 8 Active (80)
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra (90)
- Google Pixel Buds A-Series (80)
- Apple AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) (91)