The best earbuds are essential for music on the go. Podcast for a long-haul flight? Motivational soundtrack for the commute? Earbuds are a top shout. The best of the bunch can immerse you in a cocoon of sound, blocking out the rest of the world.
We've thoroughly reviewed all the earbuds recommended here, testing everything from sound quality to noise cancellation to battery life, to ensure they live up to the hype.
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We rate the the Technics EAH-AZ80 as the best earbuds to buy overall right now, for their excellent call quality, detailed audio and industry-leading triple device multipoint connectivity. For buds under $100/£100, nothing has beaten the Nothing Ear (a) for balancing quality, features and price. And we were recently very impressed with the Sony WF-C510's sound quality among cheaper buds.
If you want to go more in-depth with affordable buds, our best budget wireless earbuds guide will give you more options, and if it's wired buds you're most interested in, we have a dedicated guide to the best wired earbuds.
The best earbuds of 2024
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Below you'll find full write-ups for each of the best earbuds in our list. We've tested each one extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.
The best earbuds overall
Features: ★★★★★
Sound quality: ★★★★☆
Design: ★★★★★
Value: ★★★★☆
Delivering supremely balanced, detailed sound with triple-point connectivity and outstanding comfort, Technics has created a fantastic pair of buds that stand out even in a saturated market.
Analysis & price comparison ▼
Buy them if:
✅ You prefer a neutral, lifelike sound: There’s nothing artificial about the way the Technics EAH-AZ80 sound; they offer convincingly realistic and coherent listening in all circumstances.
✅ You want to switch between devices: Triple-point connectivity is a world-first in a product like this, and it’s brilliantly convenient for those of us who surround themselves with wireless tech.
Don't buy them if:
❌ You intend to wear your earbuds all day: Even at its best, the battery life available here is nothing special, though it's not bad.
❌ You have a lot of external noise to block out: There are many less-capable noise-cancelling earbuds, if silence is important look to the Bose buds at #4 on this list.
In-depth analysis
The Technics EAH-AZ80 buds sound fantastic and they’re packed with features. A standout is triple-point connectivity, which we found to be stable and useful, as well as Bluetooth 5.3 with LDAC compatibility. And, thanks to ‘Just My Voice’ technology, these buds are far less prone to wind-noise interference than rivals. Their only minor shortcomings are battery life at only 7 hours from the buds and 25 from the case, and the ANC (which could be a tad more impressive).
The sound they make is also accomplished – it's both swift and accurate, as well as balanced and detailed. In our review, we wrote: “The whole frequency range is really nicely balanced and coherent from top to bottom and very even-handed from the (deep, nicely textured) bass to the (clean, politely attacking) treble.” We also found the midrange to be both informative and eloquent, with high detail levels and a smooth, seamless, agile journey from ceiling to floor and back.
In terms of design, there’s a resoundingly premium feel here and each bud feels more comfortable, stable and light (7g per earbud) than some rivals. What’s more, the accompanying charging case is an equally svelte 50g. Build quality hasn’t been compromised in order to keep the weight down either – the EAH-AZ80 feels like a product that will outlast its rivals. There are seven different earbud sizes to choose from too, which means you’re likely to get that perfect fit.
The price of the Technics EAH-AZ80 is that of a premium product, for sure – but thankfully, so is the specification. Overall this is a pair of buds that delivers excellent sound quality, a fantastic fit, and that industry-first triple device multipoint connectivity. Add it all together, and we think they're a better-value package than the top buds from Sony or Bose.
First tested by TechRadar: June 2023
Full analysis: Technics EAH-AZ80 review
| Weight | 7g per earbud |
| Frequency response | 40-20,000Hz |
| Drivers | 10mm |
| ANC | Yes |
| Battery life | Up to 7hrs (buds); up to 25hrs (with case) |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.3 with SBC, AAC and LDAC compatibility |
| Waterproofing | IPX4 – splash proof |
Ratings & alternatives ▼
Ratings in depth
| Attribute | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Features | It’s difficult to think of a feature the Technics go without | 5 / 5 |
| Sound quality | Get plenty right, but their refusal to dig in and attack is a problem | 4 / 5 |
| Design | Comfortable, understated and quite upmarket - so ‘big tick’ | 5 / 5 |
| Value | Carefully considered features and grown-up sound: almost the complete package | 4 / 5 |
Also consider
The best earbuds at a mid-range price
Features: ★★★★★
Sound quality: ★★★★★
Design: ★★★★★
Value: ★★★★★
For a very affordable price, you get energetic and rich sound quality, the best active noise cancellation we've heard for under $100/£100, great features, and a cool design.
Analysis & price comparison ▼
Buy them if:
✅ You want strong noise cancellation: At this price, this is the best noise-blocking power we've heard.
✅ You're serious about sound: These are a fun and responsive set of buds, with wireless hi-res support via LDAC as a bonus.
Don't buy them if:
❌ You really want spatial audio: It's not here, but the similarly priced Sony WF-C700N will give it to you.
❌ You need a big battery life: The 5.5-hours life with ANC is not very impressive – the Sony earbuds mentioned above offer 7.5 hours.
In-depth analysis
The Nothing Ear (a) are a serious improvement from Nothing, rocketing its buds from being 'fine, but nothing special' to 'these are the best value you can get for the price'. And they're a fun yellow color while doing it!
For their sub-$100/£100 price, they're so good, and feel premium. In our review, we said compared to the similarly priced (and fantastic) Sony WF-C700N, "the Nothing earbuds look more premium and feel more foxy. Their noise cancellation is a touch more robust and the sound is every bit as energetic, detailed and zealous, and (dare we say it?) a tad more expansive to boot."
In general, we said that "for the money, Nothing has tweaked its recipe to near perfection here" – yes, you can get better sound from the Technics at #1 on the list or other more premium options, but you need to pay twice as much for a meaningful difference.
That goes for features, too – the noise cancellation is as good as we've tested for the price, you get smart features such as wear detection to auto-pause them when you take them out, there's multi-point pairing for instant switching between devices, there's a Find My mode, there's LDAC hi-res support… the only think missing is spatial audio, and that's not usually an essential on affordable buds. The 5.5-hour battery life is the only element that's below average, but we can totally live with that.
First tested by TechRadar: April 2024
Full analysis: Nothing Ear (a) review
| Weight | 4.8g per earbud |
| Frequency response | Not stated (other than 5000Hz range) |
| Drivers | 11mm custom driver |
| ANC | Yes |
| Battery life | 5.5hrs / 9.5hrs without ANC (buds); 24.5hrs / 42.5hrs without ANC (with case) |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.3 with LDAC, USB-C |
| Waterproofing | IP54 buds / IPX2 case |
Ratings & alternatives ▼
Ratings in depth
| Attributes | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Nothing omitted, nothing left out | 5 / 5 |
| Sound quality | As meaty, fun, zealous and accurate as this money buys | 5 / 5 |
| Design | Comfortable, useful and fun | 5 / 5 |
| Value | Solid sound-per-pound value here | 5 / 5 |
Also consider
The best budget earbuds
Features: ★★★★☆
Sound quality: ★★★★★
Design: ★★★★☆
Value: ★★★★★
Some of the best low-cost earbuds we’ve tested, with punchy audio, a comfortable fit and great battery life in the buds, proving Sony can do budget as well as it does high-end.
Analysis & price comparison ▼
Buy them if:
✅ You want clear, quality audio: These buds deliver punchy, forward sound with great clarity and texture.
✅ You're looking for excellent value: Cheaper buds exist, but these are extremely good value and seem much pricier than they should.
Don't buy them if:
❌ You'll miss ANC: Sacrifices have to be made for the low price point, although passive noise cancellation is decent.
❌ You want the best battery life offering: Confusingly, the battery in the buds is great but the case only offers one full charge.
In-depth analysis
If you’re looking for the best cheap earbuds, the Sony WF-C510s are our top budget pick right now. They prove that Sony still does affordable buds just as well as it can do higher-end options, and that you don’t need to spend a fortune for a solid pair of buds.
The Sony WF-C510 earbuds aren’t perfect, but they deliver everything most people would want from a pair of reliable buds, including good sound, comfort for long periods, and some essential features. You won’t find active noise cancellation here, but there is an option called ‘sound control’, which amplifies ambient noises around you to ensure you’re aware of what's around, and there is passive noise isolation thanks to the snug fit. Sony’s accompanying app brings you basic functions, as well as an EQ. Beyond that, you don't get wear detection or low-latency mode, but not everyone will notice they’re missing.
Battery life in the buds themselves is good at 11 hours. However, you’ll only get one more full charge of 11 hours from the accompanying case, while rivals usually do two or three charges. This means for a long listening session, they’re great. But for charging on the go, they fall behind some rivals.
We were impressed with the audio quality during our testing. Yes, you do have to manage your expectations considering these are budget buds, but our reviewer wrote: “I found the audio high-quality and also certainly distinct in that Sony, 'have this sound, and have it good and clear' way.” The bass isn’t particularly powerful, but everything else here is pleasing and well balanced with a slightly forward sound profile and clear treble, even at higher volumes.
The design of the Sony WF-C510 earbuds is simple, with a rounded and unobtrusive look. The buds are lightweight at only 4.6g each with a surprisingly secure fit. Our reviewer wrote: “they always felt rigid in my testing, never once falling out or even feeling loose.” It’s worth mentioning there’s an IPX4 water resistance rating, which means they should handle sweaty workout sessions and light showers. The Sony WF-C510 earbuds are missing a few features, but otherwise they’re extremely accomplished for the price and beat all the competition at the budget end.
First tested by TechRadar: September 2024
Full analysis: Sony WF-C510 review
| Weight | 4.6 per earbud |
| Frequency response | 20Hz - 20,000Hz |
| Drivers | 6mm |
| ANC | No |
| Battery life | 11hrs (buds); 22hrs (with case) |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Waterproofing | IPX4 |
Ratings & alternatives ▼
Ratings in depth
| Attribute | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Features | While some arguably-important features are missing, the key ones are all there. | 3.5 / 5 |
| Sound quality | Clean, forward audio is improved by some Sony tech. | 4 / 5 |
| Design | The case is incredibly lightweight and the buds have pleasing fit and buttons. | 4.5 / 5 |
| Value | These are perhaps the best earbuds you can get at this price, beating any expectations the price tag will set. | 5 / 5 |
Also consider
The best earbuds for noise cancellation
Features: ★★★★☆
Sound quality: ★★★★★
Design: ★★★★★
Value: ★★★★☆
Bose has always done active noise cancellation well, and these buds are effectively as good as you can get right now. They also boast beautiful sound and a secure (if chunky) in-ear fit.
Analysis & price comparison ▼
Buy them if:
✅ Noise cancellation really matters to you: If there’s one thing the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II do really well, it’s noise cancellation.
✅ You want beautifully balanced sound: Whatever CustomTune is actually doing in the ear, it’s working remarkably well. The sound is very well balanced.
Don't buy them if:
❌ You’re on a tight budget: It’s easy to argue that the ANC and sound performance of the QCE II are well worth every penny, but these are expensive earbuds.
❌ You’d prefer high-definition wireless sound quality: With support for just low-definition wireless codecs, the QCE II may not be for audiophiles.
In-depth analysis
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 are our favorite noise-cancelling earbuds. Yes, even though the newer Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds have essentially superseded them – because the new buds are only a marginal step up for the core sound and ANC quality, and we're fans of the better value you'll now get from these (just slightly) older QCE II buds.
The ANC is supremely effective here, thanks to what Bose calls CustomTune, which uses an audio signal – picked up by a mic inside each bud – to automatically calibrate ANC and sound frequency to suit your ear. Unfortunately there’s no wireless charging or multi-point connectivity (there isn't in the newer set either, which is an oversight from Bose), and battery life is acceptable rather than excellent, at 6 hours or up to 24 hours in total, using the case.
Happily, Bose's ANC improvements aren’t at the expense of sound quality, and whatever the CustomTune tech is doing behind-the-scenes here made these buds an extremely enjoyable listen during our testing. In our review, we wrote: "We can’t stress this enough – the sound is very well balanced, with a heck of a lot of details and textures coming through.” If you’d still like to tweak the audio output, you can via the EQ in the Bose app.
Design-wise, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 are 30% smaller than previous generations with a more compact and lighter charging case. However, we did find the fit took some getting used to and is unlikely to suit everyone at first.
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 are Bose earbuds, which means they're typically on the expensive side. But if you can afford them, these are arguably the best noise-cancelling true wireless earbuds you can get today.
To save money on Bose products, check out our Bose discount codes.
First tested by TechRadar: September 2022
Full analysis: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 review
| Weight | 6.2g per bud |
| Frequency response | Not specified |
| Drivers | 9.3mm full-range dynamic drivers |
| ANC | Yes |
| Battery life | 6hrs (buds); up to 24hrs (with case) |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.3; 9.1m range |
| Waterproofing | IPX4 |
Ratings & alternatives ▼
Ratings in depth
| Attribute | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Best-in-class ANC and an easy-to-use app make for a great combo | 4.5 / 5 |
| Sound quality | Bose’s CustomTune feature is absolutely spot on, tuning sound to perfection | 5 / 5 |
| Design | There are smaller buds out there but Bose's redesign is spot on | 5 / 5 |
| Value | The lack of wireless charging makes the QCE II feel overpriced | 4 / 5 |
Also consider
The best earbuds for Apple fans
Features: ★★★★★
Sound quality: ★★★★★
Design: ★★★★★
Value: ★★★★☆
With fantastic noise cancellation, high-quality audio, an unlosable case and tons more Apple-specific features, these buds offer an unmatched experience if you're all-in on Apple.
Analysis & price comparison ▼
Buy them if:
✅ You want great sound: These sound superb and shut out the real world so well – and the spatial audio is best-in-class too.
✅ You've got all manner of Apple things: If you've got an iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac and so on, then you'll really get the benefit from the seamless switching.
Don't buy them if:
❌ You want big battery life: There's nothing wrong with the battery life here, but it's very much average in the buds – though the amount from the case is good.
❌ You don't have an iPhone: Android users won't get anywhere near the full experience, because a lot of setup and control options are done in iOS' Settings app.
In-depth analysis
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 are excellent earbuds that have a strong claim to be the best option for Apple lovers. One of the top features here is the active noise cancellation, which competes with the Bose option above for effectiveness at blocking out almost all external noises (though we rate the Bose slightly higher). The Adaptive Transparency Mode is also a nice trick, adjusting its blocking of outside sounds on the fly. In terms of battery, you get six hours with ANC on and 30 hours with the case too – and that case is IPX4 water resistant and has a speaker and wireless tracking chip, so if you lose it your phone can literally point you towards it, or it can be found by the 'Find My' network.
Audio performance is great, and is vastly improved over the original AirPods Pro. There’s rich sound across genres, and a wide and expansive soundstage, bookended by deep-yet-controlled bass and clear, elevated treble. There's lots of detail, and it's energetic too – if we were to criticize it, we might say it's a little too forward compared to the more natural and neutral sound of the Technics at the top of this list. Spatial audio is a very impressive trick of these buds too, especially with movies – it really feels like you're sitting in a home theater rather than having sound pumped directly into your years.
The crucial part for why you'd choose these over other options, though, is the extra features they include for those with lots of Apple gear. On top of the Find My support, they switch between your Apple devices seamlessly, they can share audio with other AirPods or Beats headphones, they offer personalized audio tweaks, and even optimized battery charging to help make sure they last longer. But to access all of this, you must use them with iPhone. With anything else, you're looking at basic 'they play music and you can switch between noise cancellation and Transparency' functionality.
They're excellent all-rounder, and during sales events are regularly available for a little less than the premium competition – who would think Apple would be the more budget option, eh?
First tested by TechRadar: September 2022
Full analysis: Apple AirPods Pro 2 review
| Weight | 5.3g per bud |
| Frequency response | Not specified |
| Drivers | Custom Apple design |
| ANC | Yes |
| Battery life | Up to 6hrs (buds); up to 30hrs (with case) |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Waterproofing | IP54 |
Ratings & alternatives ▼
Ratings in depth
| Attribute | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Great upgrades, but volume control needs work | 4.5 / 5 |
| Sound quality | Awesome sound quality, if a little safe | 4.5 / 5 |
| Design | A functional, easy-to-use shape | 4.5 / 5 |
| Value | Not cheap, but not risen in price since 2019 | 3.5 / 5 |
Also consider
The best earbuds for Samsung phone users
Features: ★★★★☆
Sound quality: ★★★★★
Design: ★★★☆☆
Value: ★★★☆☆
A top choice for those with a new-ish Samsung Galay phone. These buds sound phenomenal, have great ANC, and deliver spatial audio. Don't expect the AI features to wow, though.
Analysis & price comparison ▼
Buy them if:
✅ You have a newer Samsung phone: To access all of the best features, you'll need a new-ish Galaxy device.
✅ You want great, immersive sound: Audio is excellent here, as is ANC and spatial audio. You can really cocoon yourself in sound.
Don't buy them if:
❌ You want the best value: These buds aren't cheap, and many of their features are only good if you have a Samsung phone as well. The Nothing Ear (a) are most of the way there for cheaper and across platform.
❌ You tend to need to replace ear tips: If you like to tinker with the fit of your buds, they may not be the safest option – they're fiddly and delicate.
In-depth analysis
The Samsung Buds 3 Pro are our top pick if you have a Samsung phone, especially a more recent Galaxy device. The best thing about these Samsung buds is they sound stunning. Our reviewer wrote: “Frankly, these earbuds sound fantastic, with some of the best sound in any earbuds I’ve tested.” We explained in our review that you can expect both “meaty bass” and “defined treble”. Which means whatever genre of music you prefer, you should get a great audio experience here. You’ll notice the sound is incredibly immersive and that’s because the active noise cancellation is top notch, too, we called it “heavy duty and impressive” in our review. Most ambient noises, even the louder ones, are nixed thanks to the ANC tech onboard.
With ANC on, expect six hours of battery in the buds themselves and 30 hours from the case. This is decent compared to rivals – although not at all spectacular – and it’s a welcome improvement over the Samsung Buds 2 Pro. Samsung has also added a bunch of new features into these buds, including some of the brand’s AI features. But there’s a catch: you’ll need one of Samsung’s newer Galaxy devices to “unlock” many of these features. This includes the brand’s AI features, like the language interpreter, improved codec support, the voice restorer and smart dynamic ANC. We’d expect some of these features to only be available on the Galaxy, but it’s a shame ANC is limited. This means these buds only really make sense for Galaxy owners.
Design-wise, the Samsung Buds 3 Pro look very AirPods-like. That’s pretty common across all true wireless earbuds these days, but with the tip, small body and stems that point downwards, we wouldn’t blame you for mistaking them for Apple’s buds at first glance. Happily, they’re comfortable to wear for long periods and light too, so they’re unlikely to feel heavy, even after listening for hours. One design drawback is that the tips are really difficult to remove. You’re likely to get there eventually, but we’ve heard reports of people tearing the tips in an effort to switch them out.
The downside of the Samsung Buds 3 Pro is that they're premium priced in combination with having many features limited to Samsung phones. Now, considering how good the audio is, they can still be good value – but those on other platforms would be better off with Bose's buds, or saving and going for the Nothing Ear (a).
First tested by TechRadar: July 2024
Full analysis: Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro review
| Weight | 5.4g per bud |
| Frequency response | Not specified |
| Drivers | 10mm dynamic driver + planar tweeter |
| ANC | Yes |
| Battery life | 7hrs (buds); 30hrs (with case) |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.4 |
| Waterproofing | IP57 |
Ratings & alternatives ▼
Ratings in depth
| Attribute | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Features | The less useful features are locked behind a paywall, but stellar ANC makes up for it. | 4 / 5 |
| Sound quality | These Samsung buds sound fantastic, with a high max volume and useful EQ just adding to the magic. | 4.5 / 5 |
| Design | These lightweight buds have an originality problem... and worse, a design nuisance. | 3.5 / 5 |
| Value | These buds are valuable, but that doesn't mean they offer value for money | 3.5 / 5 |
Also consider
The best for battery life
Features: ★★★★☆
Sound quality: ★★★★★
Design: ★★★★☆
Value: ★★★★★
Up to 12 hours from just the buds or up to 48 hours (yes, two whole days!) in total is some serious stamina. And also there's a smart screen on the case – hey, we don't make the rules!
Analysis & price comparison ▼
Buy them if:
✅ You take long road trips: The class-leading maximum battery life of 48 hours is akin to two whole days of playback. During testing, these claims proved genuine too (and the case doesn't drain it!)
✅ You like to wear your heart on your sleeve: You can upload a photo of your beloved right there on the case – and when you open the box, it flips the other way up so everyone will still see it properly too.
Don't buy them if:
❌ You want top-tier spatial audio: There are three immersive profiles here (movies, music and gaming), but, sadly, each one is a shade off a fully immersive, Dolby Atmos-type presentation
❌ You desire comprehensive on-ear functionality: Here, you have to select two out of three options for on-ear controls – volume, playback and ANC. You can't have all three.
In-depth analysis
Here's a feature that no other option within this list offers: a color touchscreen screen on the case. It's a lot of fun – you can select a lock-screen wallpaper from any of the photos on your smartphone, and the image even flips so it stays the right way up when you snap open the case – but that isn't why the JBL Live Beam 3 are in this roundup.
No, the real star here, aside from the vastly improved audio quality over the older and slightly disappointing JBL Tour Pro 2, is the stamina. The battery life is nothing short of excellent at up to 12 hours from the earbuds alone, minus noise cancellation, or 10 hours with it engaged (and nearer nine with adaptive ANC on).
The case also delivers three further charges – we've tested it and the screen doesn't drain it – taking your total audio playback time up to a class-leading 48 hours. To put that into perspective, Apple's priciest Pro-suffixed AirPods offer 5.5 hours with its top-tier Spatial Audio deployed, or a maximum of 30 hours including the case. Big difference in those figures, no?
The JBL Live Beam 3 also boast great value when it comes to the feature set, including a few novel bits and pieces you don't find elsewhere – including "Personi-Fi", which is basically hearing test of each ear to better tailor the sound to your liking.
OK, the spatial audio profiles aren't going to knock your socks off. JBL has offered a total of three immersive soundscapes for music, movies and games, but if you're imagining sonic articles darting past you in a three-dimensional space you'll be disappointed. Also the ANC is good rather than excellent and the on-ear controls work well but involve a compromise. Look past these minor snafus and you'll find the fit is great, the battery is seemingly never-ending and, honestly, the sound is refreshingly good for bass and detail. View the screen as a lovely extra for the money and you won't go far wrong.
First tested by TechRadar: June 2024
Full analysis: JBL Live Beam 3 review
| Weight | 5g per earbud |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz - 40 kHz |
| Drivers | 10mm dynamic |
| ANC | Yes |
| Battery life | Up to 12hrs (buds); up to 48hrs (with case) |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.3 with LDAC, USB-C, |
| Waterproofing | IP55 |
Ratings & alternatives ▼
Ratings in depth
| Attribute | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Features | JBL's thrown everything at the Live Beam 3 – but the spatial audio is only OK | 4.5 / 5 |
| Sound quality | A fine return to form from JBL | 5 / 5 |
| Design | Comfortable, and the case is a treat – but there's a compromise | 4 / 5 |
| Value | The stamina, feature-set and audio here is very good for the outlay | 5 / 5 |
Also consider
The best earbuds for supreme sound
Features: ★★★★★
Sound quality: ★★★★★
Design: ★★★★★
Value: ★★★★☆
Expect a high-end experience, with delightful, detailed and dynamic sound, strong noise cancellation, and a comfortable fit for long listening sessions.
Analysis & price comparison ▼
Buy them if:
✅ Audio quality is important to you: Wonderful sound with great noise cancellation; if you want one of the best listening experiences from a pair of buds, you'll find it here.
✅ You want good travel buds: You can connect the case to any wired source, including in-flight movie systems, and it beams the sound to the buds. Convenient!
Don't buy them if:
❌ You'd like to try spatial audio: The sound here is fantastic, but there's no spatial audio. If you've been keen to try it, look elsewhere.
❌ You want lots of on-ear controls: You'll have to decide if you want on-ear volume control or access to ANC options, not both.
In-depth analysis
Looking for the closest you'll get to sonic excellence in a pair of true wireless earbuds with the key mod cons? Meet the exceptionally accomplished Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 buds. Let's begin with the sound, which is outstanding. In every conceivable way, including musicality, balance and dynamic nuance, you're getting best-in-class audio. As you'd expect, higher quality streams from the likes of Qobuz and Apple Music sounded exceptional, but we rate these B&W buds for making the most of every music source they can get. In our review, we wrote: "everything was served up with a flourish" whether that was high-res audio files or Spotify tracks.
Noise cancellation is at the same impeccably high standard. In our review, we wrote: "That cocooned feeling of leaving the outside world behind kicked straight in but without any sense of wind-tunnel nausea or my eardrums being unceremoniously sucked into a vacuum." This is thanks to B&W's accomplished audio tech, as well as an incredibly snug and comfortable fit, creating the perfect seal for the ANC to work its magic.
Another nice added feature is that the charging case can double as a wireless audio re-transmitter in aptX Adaptive transmission (up to 24-bit/96kHz quality). What this means is you can plug it into a non-Bluetooth source (most usefully an in-flight entertainment system) and the audio will be transmitted to the buds. This makes them an excellent choice for long flights.
The buds are available in several color options, all with a premium matte plastic finish that we said in our review "seems to murmur 'I'm expensive' when you pluck them from their small, pebble-shaped case." As well as looking nice, they're among the most comfortable buds we've ever tested. This is likely down to B&W putting in considerable efforts to redesign the Pi7 buds that came before them and the result is buds that have very well distributed weight and require zero twisting or adjusting – this is extremely rare, even with the best buds we've trialled.
These buds are incredibly close to perfect. Battery life is a little average at 6.5 hours from the buds and a further 13.5 hours from the case, but it's a worthy sacrifice for everything else you get here. Which is excellent, high-quality audio in a comfortable and premium build. If audio quality is your top priority, these are the buds for you.
First tested by TechRadar: September 2024
Full analysis: Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 review
| Weight | 7g per earbud |
| Frequency response | Not specified |
| Drivers | 12mm carbon cone |
| ANC | Yes |
| Battery life | Up to 6.5hrs (buds); up to 20hrs (with case) |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.5 with aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless (USB-C/wireless charging) |
| Waterproofing | IP54 |
Ratings & alternatives ▼
Ratings in depth
| Attribute | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Features | The case retransmission feature and dedicated DAC/amp for top-tier codec support means they're all about sound quality | 4.5 / 5 |
| Sound quality | Simply the best sound from wireless earbuds I've heard yet | 5 / 5 |
| Design | A complete rework – and boy does it work | 5 / 5 |
| Value | If sound rules, the smart money is here – but don't expect hearing tests | 4.5 / 5 |
Also consider
The best cheap USB-C earbuds
Features: ★★★☆☆
Sound quality: ★★★★☆
Design: ★★★★☆
Value: ★★★★★
A pair of wired buds that deliver very comfortable listening and decent sound in a sleek design – if you want to spend the minimum on wired buds, these are our pick.
Analysis & price comparison ▼
Buy them if:
✅ You crave comfort: These earbuds were easy to wear all day during our testing and stayed in our ears securely.
✅ You want understated style: Expect a sleek and minimal design with a range of different color options to choose from.
Don't buy them if:
❌ You like to have control: The controller on the buds is limited and doesn't have volume up/down buttons, not ideal for walking.
❌ You want excellent sound: There's decent sound for the price here, but no bassy depths or sonic details – you'd need to pay more (we like the SoundMagic E11D).
In-depth analysis
If you're looking for a pair of wired USB-C earbuds, this set from Skullcandy may not offer the best high-end sonic experience compared to other options in this list, but they're a stylish and reliable choice – especially considering they're incredibly affordable at $31.99/£29.99 (about AU $50). We tested even cheaper USB-C buds, and this are basically as cheap as we'd recommend going – especially if you can find them on sale.
In our review we made it clear that these buds "don't whip up top-drawer sound", especially where detail and dynamism are concerned. That being said, sound quality is decent, especially considering their price. Similarly-priced budget buds that we're reviewed sound and feel much more cheap and tinny in comparison.
As you'd expect, there's no active noise cancellation for this price. But thanks to good included ear tips, they have a "noise-isolating fit". This won't reduce all ambient noise, but it does do a decent job at keeping you focused on your music regardless of your surroundings. These ear tips come in three different sizes, which meant in our review we wrote that the buds are "very pleasant to wear", even for long periods of time.
As well as feeling good, we liked how the buds look too. In our review we said: "They sport a sleek, curved look, and come in four snazzy colorways." They also have an IPX4 water-resistant rating, which means they're rain- and sweatproof. The only notable frustrating design feature is there are no volume up/down buttons on their controller, which feels limiting.
These aren't the best buds in our guide, far from it – but they're comfortable, they sound solid and they look good. If that's all you ask, enjoy.
First tested by TechRadar: June 2024
Full analysis: Skullcandy Set USB-C review
| Weight | 15g total |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-20KHz |
| Drivers | 9mm dynamic |
| ANC | No |
| Battery life | N/A |
| Connectivity | USB-C |
| Waterproofing | IPX4 |
Ratings & alternatives ▼
Ratings in depth
| Attribute | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Functional noise isolation, but volume controls are sorely missed | 3 / 5 |
| Sound quality | Decent all-round audio, though sounds a little thin | 3.5 / 5 |
| Design | Sleek without sacrificing comfort, cool color options, cable noise can frustrate | 4 / 5 |
| Value | Decent sound, clean look and clear mic at a pretty low price | 4.5 / 5 |
Also consider
Other earbuds to consider
Sony WF-1000XM5: You might be surprised that the Sony WF-1000XM5 aren't on this list. They're very nice earbuds, but they don't sound as good and aren't as well-featured as the Technics we rate as number one, but cost the same. They also don't block noise as well as the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II, so they don't stand out on that front. For Apple owners in particular, the AirPods Pro 2 are cheaper, have better features, have better noise cancellation, and sound excellent. As we said in our full Sony WF-1000XM5 review, they're not bad earbuds by any stretch of the imagination, but they're not quite good enough to push out anything on this hotly contested list.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds: Read our Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds review and you'll discover we were extremely impressed by Bose's latest buds, highly rating their immersive audio and ANC. The only reason they're not in this guide is that the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II still represent better value for most people, so they're the earbuds pick that make the most sense – at least for the time being.
AirPods 4: We've reviewed Apple's cheaper AirPods 4 option, and found them to be… fine. Pretty good. They have fun and full audio quality, improved comfort, and great spatial audio – but they're lacking in detail and are just a bit too expensive for their quality level. We explore it in-depth in our full AirPods 4 review – and we're working on our final AirPods 4 with ANC review now, but it's a similar story there.
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2: As you'll find in our Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 review, these tiny buds deliver a solid choice of noise-cancelling and transparency modes, decent sound and an impressive battery life. But unfortunately the fit wasn't up to standard and for a similar price you can find rival buds that perform better in almost every way.
OnePlus Buds Pro 3: Read our OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review to learn all of the ways OnePlus' latest buds improve on the Pro 2s that came before them. They're packed with features, sound superb (especially for the price) and have a great battery life. However, they can't compete with some of the similarly-priced buds in this guide. Some core features, like ANC and voice commands, fell short and we're not convinced the new design will have mass appeal.
Xiaomi Buds 5: Our Xiaomi Buds 5 review is a frustrating read. That's because there's a lot to like about these buds, but there's a lot that was annoying during testing, too. The sound is exciting and will appeal to bass fans, and they're cheap. But the fit doesn't feel considered enough, the battery life could be better and we didn't enjoy using the app either. So although they may be budget, there are cheaper and better-performing buds in this guide.
How to choose the best earbuds
Two important things to consider when you’re choosing new earbuds is what you want to listen to and where you want to listen to it.
For example, if you like fairly quiet music and want to listen on the bus or train, you'll need effective noise cancellation.
If you're looking for a pair of the best running headphones, you should look for IPX4 water-resistance so they can withstand sweat and rain. Some of the top waterproof earbuds can even be used for swimming. The best bone-conducting headphones are popular for fitness fans too, because they don't block outside sounds.
If you're going to be wearing your earbuds for long periods, then comfort and weight are a top priority.
We’ve included both wired and wireless earbuds on this list, but you don't have to compromise on audio quality by going wire-free. Our current favorite true wireless earbuds, the Sony WF-1000XM4 combine class-leading sound with high quality noise cancellation tech.
If you do opt for wireless or true wireless earbuds, make sure the battery life is up to scratch, otherwise you may find yourself caught short without any music in the middle of your commute.
The best earbuds for you should sound good to your ears. Which means if you're a dedicated audiophile, look for buds that support Hi-Res Audio codecs, like LDAC and aptX HD Bluetooth for stellar connectivity.
We also recommend you consider your budget. If you want cheap earbuds you may have to sacrifice features, like ANC or a long battery life. It’s all about weighing up what’s more important to you.
Finally, the brand you choose will depend on what you're looking for – but we're careful with our lists. That means all of the earbuds and in-ear headphones above come from brands we trust. Still, if you're not sure where to start looking, respected brands like Sony, Apple, Cambridge Audio, Jabra, and Nura are good places to start.
How we test the best earbuds
☑️ More than 2,400 audio reviews
☑️ 15 years of product testing
☑️ Over 16,000 products reviewed in total
☑️ Nearly 200,000 hours testing tech
We've tested each of the top earbuds in this guide to make sure they tick some key boxes, which are reflected in our full review.
One of these is the features – whether they compare well to other earbuds in the same price for elements such as connection options, smart app controls, active noise cancellation and battery life. We test all these features in different ways. We try the active noise cancellation in different real-world environments, and we check battery life by running them down and tracking the timing.
Most importantly, we also want to be sure the sound is excellent, with clarity and a decent level of bass. We listen to music from a range of sources, from social apps and YouTube, to lower-quality streams from the likes of Spotify, to high-quality files from streamers such as Apple Music and Tidal. We'll listen to a range of genres, and we'll use a mix of new music and tracks we've known for years and in which we can hear all the subtle differences.
Next is comfort and wearability. You need to know you'll be able to pop the best in-ear buds in your ears for hours at a time, so they have to feel secure and comfortable. Some seem naturally designed for a snug fit, others come with different silicone tip options to help you get the fit just right. In terms of design, we also look for compact buds, those that don't stick out of your ear too much and (in the case of true wireless designs) earbuds that come with a small charging case for slipping into a backpack, handbag or even a pocket.
And when we've tested all this, we judge them on their value, which essentially means how all of the above balances against their price, and the price of other earbuds.
At the time of writing, we're beginning a new testing procedure for earbuds to enable us to add more direct comparison between buds, to make it easier for you to choose which one will suit you best. We'll re-test our current favorite earbuds using the new system, and we'll use it for reviews in the future. You can read the full information about how we test earbuds at TechRadar at that link, but the crucial part is that we're adding certain specific and repeatable tests that all of our reviews can use, so we know we're getting a fair and even comparison between earbuds.
The major part of this is a particular playlist that will be used for sound-quality testing, from a specific source device and music service. Our reviewers will also test other songs and sound sources, but this playlist provide a baseline comparison, and you can copy the playlist to make your own comparisons, if you like.
We'll also test the microphone quality for picking up speech by recording us talking, and we'll make those recordings available to hear on the site, so you can compare them yourselves, if you want. And we'll detail exactly how long the battery lasts in real-world use, and provide that information for easy comparison too, in tables. At the moment, we're still working on gathering this information, so please bear with us – an even better buying guide is coming!
Latest updates to the best earbuds
11 October 2024
Swapped the JLab JBuds Mini for the Sony WF-C510 as our 'best budget' pick. Switched the Samsung Buds 2 Pro for the Samsung Buds 3 Pro based on our review as our 'best for Samsung' choice. Swapped the Final Audio ZE8000 Mk2 out for the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 in our 'best for sound' category. Added several recent reviews to our 'Also consider' section, including AirPods 4 and OnePlus Buds Pro 3.
3 September 2024
Added the 1More Triple Driver In-Ear Headphones as our 'Best wired' pick based on our review, and recent testing of the competition.
See more updates…
1 July 2024
Added the JBL Lve Beam 3 as our top choice for battery life, thanks to their 48-hour total. Removed the older 1More Triple Driver wired set, since the Skullcandy Set USB-C occupy that wired space extremely well, if you're looking for something inexpensive and wired.
7 June 2024
We added the Skullcandy Set USB-C wired earbuds as the best super-cheap wired buds that we'd actually recommend buying, based on testing of several big-name budget options.
9 May 2024
Swapped the Sony WF-C700N for the Nothing Ear (a) as the best mid-range option. They're extremely close in quality, but the Nothing's slightly better noise cancellation and hi-res support just win out.
8 April 2024
Considered adding the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 to this guide, but after discussing with the team, we've decided that while these 2024-issue earbuds are very good indeed, other products narrowly edge them in each key aspect (ie. sound, ANC, battery life, feature set) – so there's no clear reason for their inclusion. Updated the intro here to reflect the WF-1000XM4 being no longer readily available, hence their departure from this list, and explained why the Technics EAH-AZ80 are now our top pick. Added new links to the buying guides to better direct readers.
19 March 2024
Removed the Sony WH-1000XM4 due to stock running out at last. Technics EAH-AZ80 moved to number 1, Sony WH-C700N moved to number 2, JLab Go Air Pop moved to number 3.
8 February 2024
Added the Beats Fit Pro as our best workout buds, reflecting what's in our dedicated guide.
22 January 2024
Added Final ZE8000 MK2, and removed the now-discontinued Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus. Updated all copy throughout.
10 November 2023
Added more information about how we test, and added a link to our Black Friday earbuds deals coverage.
8 October 2023
Checked all entries against current reviews to ensure list is relevant.
6 September 2023
Refreshed entries to reflect current prices/value ahead of sales events later in the year.
30 August 2023
Changed the main image.
24 August 2023
Rewrote each product entry to summarize the features, sound quality, design and value of each review, including adding in 'buy it if' and 'don't buy it if' boxouts.
