Best wireless earbuds 2023: budget and premium
Looking to pick up a pair of wireless earbuds but not sure which to get? You’re not alone. Since Apple launched its first-generation AirPods many moons ago, the true wireless form factor has become an increasingly popular choice for music listeners.
These days there are more sets that can easily be counted covering pretty much every price and type of user you can think of. In fact, if you jump onto any retailer now you’ll find everything from cheap true wireless that cost less than a takeout pizza to top-of-the-line units for audio-enthusiasts, movie aficionados, runners and gamers.
While this choice is in many ways great, it’s also a two-edged sword as it can make picking the right pair for your specific needs and budget fairly tricky.
On top of that, based on our experience testing them, not every pair of wireless earbuds is created equal. All too often we’ve had earbuds that look great on paper fail to deliver with real-world use when we’ve gotten them in for testing. Common failings we experience testing wireless earbuds include an uncomfortable fit, poor audio quality, ineffective active noise cancellation and unresponsive touch controls.
Here to help make sure you don’t invest in a poor set of wireless earbuds, we’ve created this guide detailing all the best sets we’ve personally tested. Every set here has been personally checked and used by the team of audio experts at What Hi-Fi? so you can trust our buying advice.
You can see a detailed breakdown of what we look for when testing wireless earbuds below, or scroll down to see our choice of the best sets money can buy right now.
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How to choose the best wireless earbuds for you
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One thing you will need to bear in mind is that everyone’s ears are different, which means that whether or not a pair of earbuds are comfortable tends to come down to personal preference. We can give a bit of guidance in this area once we’ve tested them, but there’s no substitute for sliding them into your own ears.
After comfort, you’ll want to think about other factors such as when and where you’re going to use them. Do they need to be water-resistant, sport-friendly earbuds or do they just need to pair to your smartphone and survive your daily commute?
Tied to this, of course, are other factors such as battery life. The best wireless earphones all have enough battery life for the average listening session but some do last longer than others. It’s also worth noting the number of hours you get can vary depending on what other features you have enabled. Don’t forget that wireless earbuds come with charging cases so they’re kept topped up between outings.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) can increase battery drain, but it can come in handy if you want a more private listening experience, and some of the top pairs we’ve reviewed boast excellent noise-cancelling. Similarly, some sound processing modes can take a little bit extra out of your battery, but these can usually be turned off.
Other features you might want to consider include touch controls, which can come in handy if you want to skip tunes or change volume without having to take your phone out of your pocket. Many modern pairs also offer voice control via personal assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri.
If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed by the amount of choice out there, don’t be. You’ll find the best true wireless earbuds to have passed through the What Hi-Fi? test rooms below. And if you want a bargain, don’t forget to check out our pick of the best wireless earbuds deals too.
Sony’s XM4 earbuds are stunning all-rounders with excellent noise-cancelling.
(Image credit: Sony)
The WF-1000XM4 produce one of the most dynamic, detailed and balanced performances we’ve heard from a pair of Bluetooth buds. Bass notes sound tight and textured, while vocals ooze refinement and sophistication. Their musical delivery keeps you coming back for more, and also makes you thankful for the eight hours of battery life, which is class-leading in this field.
The Sonys are comfortable to wear too. The new-look earpieces include touch-sensitive controls and a new ear tip design which helps with noise isolation. Combine this with the excellent noise cancelling provided by Sony’s Integrated Processor V1 and you’ve got a pair of headphones that effectively block out the hustle and bustle.
IPX4 water resistance comes as part of the WF-1000XM4 package, as does Sony’s clever Headphones Connect app for iOS and Android and clever features such as Quick Attention and Speak-To-Chat which both allow you to have a conversation without removing the earbuds. And, following a February 2022 update, the headphones now also have Multipoint Bluetooth so you can connect two devices simultaneously. We’re expecting a successor to the Sonys to launch at some point in 2023 but for now, if you want the best in-ear wireless headphones on the market right now, look no further.
Read the full review: Sony WF-1000XM4
These Sonys offer a compact, water-resistant design and come in a range of colours.
(Image credit: Future)
Think of Sony’s WF-C500 wireless earbuds as a no-frills version of the WF-1000XM4 found further up this page. They deliver a lot of what makes those wireless earbuds a success without cutting too many corners.
They’re good for running and sports, thanks to their IPX4 rating, while you also get ‘fast pair’ connectivity with Android devices and ‘swift pair’ with Windows 10 PCs.
The sound is nicely balanced, there’s loads of mid-range detail on show and it’s presented in a cohesive and musical package.
Battery life is 10 hours from the buds themselves, which should be plenty for most, and the case provides another 10 hours. If you’re looking for the best Bluetooth earbuds and don’t want to spend a fortune, the Sony WF-C500 should be on your shortlist.
Read the full Sony WF-C500 review
Panasonic’s affordable earbuds offer a lot of features and excellent audio.
(Image credit: Panasonic)
Panasonic isn’t a brand that immediately springs to mind when you think of the best earbuds. But perhaps it should be. The RZ-S500W are the company’s first foray into the market and they’re sensational performers for the money.
Specs are thorough, with noise-cancelling tech, an Ambient Mode, twin mics for voice calls, and battery life that totals 19.5 hours (6.5hrs from the buds and 13hrs from the charging case). A 15-minute USB-C quick-charge can deliver 70 minutes of playback. The touch controls on each bud are responsive and intuitive, allowing you to control your music and switch between noise-cancelling modes with zero fuss.
You also get five sizes of ear tips to help with fit. We found this a little hit and miss, so we’d definitely experiment and consider mixing the sizes if it means getting a more secure fit.
Both noise-cancelling and sound quality are excellent. There’s plenty of agility through the low end and loads of texture across the frequencies. Music sounds clear and there’s a great deal of refinement on show, which is to be welcomed at this price level. To sum up, these Panasonic wireless earbuds are superb for the money.
Read the full review: Panasonic RZ-S500W
(Image credit: Future)
4. JBL Live Pro 2 TWS
Our expert review:
Specifications
Noise-cancelling:
Yes
Bluetooth:
AAC, SBC
Battery life:
8hrs (+22hrs from charging case)
Wireless charging:
USB-C
Waterproof:
Water resistant
Finishes:
Silver, Rose, Blue, Black
Check Amazon
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Reasons to buy
+
Punchy, lively sound
+
Solid, meaty bass
+
User-friendly app and set-up
Reasons to avoid
–
No aptX HD or LDAC
–
Control customisation could be better
–
Only three ear tip choices
If you’ve got a decent-sized budget to play with but can’t stretch to more premium options like the Sony WF-1000XM4 or the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II (below), then these JBL earbuds could be right up your street.
For the money, you get all the features you could wish for, including ANC, IPX5 water resistance, a thorough control app which offers some customisation, a good user experience, and a comfortable enough design. A few more ear tip options to help get the perfect fit wouldn’t go amiss, though.
Battery life is good at eight hours with Bluetooth and noise-cancelling on, while the wireless charging case will top the total combined time to 30 hours. Touch controls are included at the top of each stem and you also have Multipoint Bluetooth so you can connect two sources simultaneously.
The excellent sound quality is the icing on this cake, with the JBLs favouring a lively and entertaining sound. Bass weight is nicely judged and there’s good extension there too. Detail levels are excellent at this level as are the dynamics on offer. If you’re looking to make the step up from a cheap pair of earbuds and want an entertaining sound these JBLs have to be on your list.
Read the full JBL Live Pro 2 TWS review
(Image credit: Bose)
Say hello to the ‘Best wireless earbuds over £200’ at the What Hi-Fi? Awards 2022. As the title of the award suggests, these premium Bluetooth in-ears sound amazing and set a new benchmark for wireless earbuds at this level.
Smaller and lighter than the original QC Earbuds (which you can find a few places below), the Earbuds II provide a comfortable fit and lots of features. Bluetooth 5.3 is a big bonus, and the Bose app allows you to alter the amount of noise-cancelling on offer via a number of customisable presets.
Speaking of noise-cancelling, the Bose are at the top of their game. They can automatically adjust the amount of ANC on offer so your music isn’t drowned out by particularly loud noises and the effect is deeply impressive. As for sound, it’s balanced and neutral and overflowing with fine detail.
It’s a shame there’s no support for high-quality wireless audio codecs such as LDAC or aptX HD, nor is there wireless charging or Bluetooth multipoint. But we don’t think this is the end of the world when you consider that these classy buds ooze such sophistication.
Read the full Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II review
At last, Apple has made a five-star pair of wireless earbuds.
(Image credit: Future)
Apple’s in-ear AirPods have always been decent wireless earbuds, but unremarkable. They’ve picked up quite a number of four-star reviews over the years. But with the AirPods Pro 2, Apple has made a pair of wireless buds that delivers the goods.
How? Noise-cancelling is better, battery life is longer, and you get new features and, more importantly, much improved sound quality. They also cost the same as the original AirPods Pro, which helps.
Fit is very good, and the tweaked design feels a lot less intrusive than some in-ears. Apple has finally added on-bud volume controls, which takes the user experience up a level too.
The noise-cancelling works a treat, while Adaptive Transparency muffles loud noises when letting in ambient sounds. And the sound quality? With weight, detail and a good dose of dynamic subtlety, they really are accomplished performers.
Read the full Apple AirPods Pro 2 review
Those looking for a refined sound won’t be disappointed by the Sennheisers.
(Image credit: Sennheiser)
Sennheiser’s Momentum True Wireless earbuds have performed consistently well in recent years and this third generation is its finest offering yet. The wireless noise-cancelling earbuds boast an improved performance that’s right up there with the likes of the Sony WF-1000XM4 that also feature on this list. The spec sheet is competitive and includes great battery life (28 hours) and Bluetooth codec support (aptX Adaptive), and includes the bonus of extra in-app personalisation. They’re even priced cheaper than the old model.
The Sennheisers are nice and comfortable, deliver one of the most mature, spacious and refined performances in the market, and have the bonus of noise cancellation too.
Building on an already winning recipe with an improved feature set, decent step up in performance and sensible price tag, the Momentum True Wireless 3 are as competitive as ever. A brilliant pair of earbuds.
Read the full Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 review
Google’s wireless earbuds surprised us with their likeable, balanced sound.
(Image credit: Google)
Google’s latest wireless earbuds are packed with features and come in at a very low price which is an attractive package in itself. But how do they sound?
They’re light and comfortable, and while they don’t offer noise cancelling, they do a good job of isolating you and are aided by rubber fins that keep them secure. They are vented, though, so some background noise inevitably creeps in, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Your colour choices are either white or ‘Dark Olive’.
Battery life is okay at around five hours, plus another 20 or so from the carry case in four charges. The Pixel Buds A-Series pair with your device very easily indeed, too, especially if you’re using an Android smartphone or tablet that boasts the Fast Pair feature. IPX4 water resistance means they should be ok for exercise too.
These wireless earbuds put in an admirable performance come music time, with a clean, balanced sound that doesn’t lean too far into any part of the sonic spectrum. This is a great pair of wireless earbuds at a great price.
Read the full Google Pixel Buds A-Series review
Gym bunnies will get hours of enjoyment from these lively-sounding headphones.
(Image credit: JBL)
9. JBL Reflect Flow Pro
These sporty wireless earbuds boast style and substance.
Our expert review:
Specifications
Noise-cancelling:
Yes
Bluetooth:
AAC, SBC
Battery life:
8hrs (+20hrs from charging case)
Waterproof:
Yes
Wireless charging:
Yes
Finishes:
Black, Pink, Blue
$179.95
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at Walmart
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Check Amazon
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Reasons to buy
+
Comfortable, lightweight, secure fit
+
Likeably lively, detailed sound
+
Decent battery life
Reasons to avoid
–
Noise-cancelling is only OK
–
No aptX support
Yes, you can get wireless earbuds not geared towards sport that, for a similar price, deliver more detail and dynamic subtlety (look further up this list for inspiration). But, unlike these JBLs, they won’t have the finely-honed ergonomics or rugged design that’s required to be hailed as ideal fitness buddies.
Within the context of wireless earbuds for exercise, the Reflect Flow Pro perform well across the board. They’re waterproof, lightweight, comfortable and come with multiple ear tip fin options. Battery life is a very decent 10 hours (or eight with ANC on) while the wireless charging case stores an extra 20 hours. They also produce a lively, detailed sound that makes them easy to recommend.
Read the full review: JBL Reflect Flow Pro
These Earfuns are cheap and cheerful earbuds with the added bonus of noise-cancelling.
(Image credit: Earfun)
10. Earfun Air Pro
Excellent budget wireless earbuds with noise-cancelling.
Our expert review:
Average Amazon review:
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Specifications
Noise-cancelling:
Yes
Bluetooth:
AAC, SBC
Battery life:
7hrs (+18hrs from charging case)
Wireless charging:
No
Waterproof:
Water resistant
Finishes:
Black, White
$79.99
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at Amazon
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Reasons to buy
+
Solid, accurate bass weight
+
Effective noise cancelling
+
Classy build and finish
Reasons to avoid
–
Harsh upper midrange
Earfun builds on the success of its Earfun Air (below) by cramming even more features into a new ‘Pro’ variant, the main addition being active noise cancellation. There is now a 10mm driver and three mics per earpiece, too. But, considering the claims on the spec sheet, the price remains jaw-droppingly low.
They’re a solid proposition for the money: they fit securely, connect easily, have reliable controls and feature basic but effective noise-cancelling profiles – for just a small premium on the Air model.
There’s also USB-C charging and wearer detection, plus the sound is pretty decent for the money – well-balanced, relatively transparent, taut and full through the bass, and musically pleasing overall. We haven’t come across anything at this level that does everything these Earfuns do, as well as they do it.
Read the full review: Earfun Air Pro
The Sennheisers deliver impressive musicality in an affordable package.
(Image credit: Sennheiser)
The CX 400BT are a great option for anyone in the market for an affordable, yet extremely musical pair of wireless earbuds.
They’re neither water- nor sweat-resistant but the Sennheisers do boast Bluetooth 5.1 support and a companion app. This means you’re guaranteed solid Bluetooth connectivity, while the latter gives you EQ adjustment and the ability to customise their touch controls.
Tap the right earbud once to activate your phone’s voice assistant or accept incoming calls, twice to jump forward a track or rejects calls, or hold it down to increase volume. Battery life is seven hours, which is decent for the money but not class-leading.
But it’s the sound quality where these Sennheisers excel. They produce an insightful and entertaining sound with bags of enthusiasm. For the money, they’re difficult to fault.
Read the full review: Sennheiser CX 400BT
The Earfun Air are a cheap and cheerful option that offer plenty of bang for your buck.
(Image credit: EarFun)
12. Earfun Air
Affordable and feature-packed wireless earbuds.
Our expert review:
Average Amazon review:
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Specifications
Noise-cancelling:
No
Bluetooth:
AAC, SBC
Battery life:
7hrs (+28hrs from charging case)
Wireless charging:
Yes
Waterproof:
Yes
Finishes:
Black, White, Red
$49.99
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at Amazon
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Reasons to buy
+
Punchy, expansive sound
+
Great feature set
+
Classy build and finish
Reasons to avoid
–
Treble needs more refinement
These wireless buds aren’t from what you’d consider one of the larger, heavy-hitting brands, but they are ridiculously affordable and they sound great for the money too!
The Earfun Air Pro are also packed with features. Noise-cancelling is out of the picture at this price, but there’s excellent noise isolation and these well-fitting wireless earphones feel comfy too. They’re also waterproof to IPX7 standards (submersible in one metre of water for up to 30 mins), support virtual assistants and include Qi wireless charging if you’ve got a suitable charger to hand.
Calls sound clear, and the battery life is seven hours from the buds and a further 28 hours from the charging case. Amazingly it all feels fairly premium too. The Bluetooth 5.0 connection is solid and stable and for the money, the wireless earbuds offer an energetic and spacious sound.
If you’re after something fun-sounding and affordable, the Earfun Air wireless earbuds could be just the ticket.
Read the full review: Earfun Air review
The AirPods 3 are a solid option for anyone who lives in Apple’s ecosystem.
(Image credit: Apple)
The third generation AirPods (2021) are a joy to use and offer some nice upgrades over their predecessors, the second generation AirPods (2019). The smaller stems are reminiscent of the AirPods Pro, the new “low distortion” driver brings improved sound and the IPX4 rating makes them water and sweat resistant.
If you’re an Apple Music subscriber, you’ll be excited to hear that the AirPods 3 now join the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max in exclusively offering the full spatial audio experience.
Battery life has been boosted from 24 hours to 30 hours (six hours from the buds themselves plus four full charges from the charging case). A five-minute ‘quick charge’ should give the AirPods 3 enough juice for an hour’s playback.
The AirPods Pro still justify their existence with superior sound, ANC and fit-friendly eartips. But the AirPods 3 are a great buy Apple users who aren’t bothered about noise-cancelling.
Read the full Apple AirPods 3 review
How we test wireless earbuds
Before we put them in place we’ll also experiment with any tips provided to make sure we’ve got a perfect seal pre-testing, and ensure that bass performance isn’t affected.
We’ll also start with a full charge and see how accurate battery life claims are and just how it’s drained during day-to-day use.
Although we have dedicated testing facilities in London, Reading and Bath, the bulk of our wireless earbuds testing happens outside those facilities, whether that’s on the street or in our busy office.
It’s only when nailing down the finer details of audio quality, we head for quieter environments where we compare the wireless earbuds we’re testing to price comparable models and current class-leaders at the money. This gives us the chance to come to solid conclusions and peg each pair on sound quality.
Obviously, testing ANC wireless earbuds requires quite the opposite – here we venture outside to really put those noise-cancelling algorithms through their paces and also test any transparency mode to see how well it works.
We’ll also test the call quality of the earbuds, to make sure the wearer can be heard in both calm and windy conditions (weather permitting, of course).
As with all headphones, we run wireless earbuds in for a number of hours before evaluating sound quality. We’ll also download and fire up any Android/iOS apps that are available that can affect the user experience. How easy is it to use, what features does it offer, how useful are they and how well are they executed?
All our review verdicts are agreed upon by the team rather than an individual reviewer to eliminate any personal preference and to make sure we’re being as thorough as possible, too. There’s no input from PR companies or our sales team when it comes to the verdict, with What Hi-Fi? proud of having delivered honest, unbiased reviews for decades.
MORE:
Our pick of the best headphone deals
How to choose the right headphones
F.A.Q
Which wireless earbuds have the best sound quality?
It really depends on your budget and how much you have to spend. Our entry-level pick of earbuds would be the Sony WF-C500 which are a brilliant pair of budget buds. At the premium end of the Bluetooth earbuds market, you’re spoilt for choice with models like the Sony WF-1000XM4, Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II and Apple AirPods Pro 2 all excellent options.
Are premium wireless earbuds worth it?
In our opinion, the best pairs are most definitely worth it. You get a clear step up as far as sound quality goes with more detail uncovered, even greater dynamics and just a more overall polished performance. Many budget models don’t have the same spread of features of more expensive designs and might be missing key things like active noise-cancelling.
