The 4 Best Wireless Earbuds We Tested, Including Apple Airpods Pro

Mar. 15, 2025

In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleOur Top PicksReviewsWhat to KnowBehind the ScenesWhy Trust PEOPLE?What Is PEOPLE Tested?

In This ArticleView All

In This Article

View All

Our Top Picks

Reviews

What to Know

Behind the Scenes

Why Trust PEOPLE?

What Is PEOPLE Tested?

Photo:People ; Erin Johnson ; Bridget Annear ; Henry Yung

People ; Erin Johnson ; Bridget Annear ; Henry Yung

When it comes to wireless earbuds, not all products are created equal. (And these things can beexpensive, so we’re here to help you out.)Whether you use yours to workout, take your pup for a stroll, listen to podcasts, or take virtual calls, you want your wireless earbuds to perform — that meanscrisp sound quality andsuperior noise cancellationare paramount. Not to mention, you need them to fit comfortably for long stretches of time (hello, six-hour plane ride) andconnect seamlessly to your devices.The best wireless earbuds can do all of the above — and aren’t complicated to use. Our PEOPLE Tested team spent 400 hours testing noise-canceling headphones in different scenarios, checking for sound quality, noise level, comfort, and ease of setup.These four picks made our list of the best wireless earbuds, because they are actually worth the money and praise.Our Top PicksBest Overall:SALEApple AirPods Pro 2 at Amazon$249$170Jump to ReviewBest Budget:Soundcore Noise Cancelling EarbudsJump to ReviewBest Sound:Bose QuietComfort Bluetooth Wireless Earbuds at Target$300Jump to ReviewBest Features:SALESony Wireless Noise Canceling Earbuds at Amazon$300$248Jump to Review

When it comes to wireless earbuds, not all products are created equal. (And these things can beexpensive, so we’re here to help you out.)

Whether you use yours to workout, take your pup for a stroll, listen to podcasts, or take virtual calls, you want your wireless earbuds to perform — that meanscrisp sound quality andsuperior noise cancellationare paramount. Not to mention, you need them to fit comfortably for long stretches of time (hello, six-hour plane ride) andconnect seamlessly to your devices.

The best wireless earbuds can do all of the above — and aren’t complicated to use. Our PEOPLE Tested team spent 400 hours testing noise-canceling headphones in different scenarios, checking for sound quality, noise level, comfort, and ease of setup.

These four picks made our list of the best wireless earbuds, because they are actually worth the money and praise.

Our Top PicksBest Overall:SALEApple AirPods Pro 2 at Amazon$249$170Jump to ReviewBest Budget:Soundcore Noise Cancelling EarbudsJump to ReviewBest Sound:Bose QuietComfort Bluetooth Wireless Earbuds at Target$300Jump to ReviewBest Features:SALESony Wireless Noise Canceling Earbuds at Amazon$300$248Jump to Review

Best Overall:SALEApple AirPods Pro 2 at Amazon$249$170Jump to ReviewBest Budget:Soundcore Noise Cancelling EarbudsJump to ReviewBest Sound:Bose QuietComfort Bluetooth Wireless Earbuds at Target$300Jump to ReviewBest Features:SALESony Wireless Noise Canceling Earbuds at Amazon$300$248Jump to Review

Best Overall:SALEApple AirPods Pro 2 at Amazon$249$170Jump to Review

Best Overall:SALEApple AirPods Pro 2 at Amazon$249$170

Best Overall:

SALE

Best Budget:Soundcore Noise Cancelling EarbudsJump to Review

Best Budget:Soundcore Noise Cancelling Earbuds

Best Budget:

Best Sound:Bose QuietComfort Bluetooth Wireless Earbuds at Target$300Jump to Review

Best Sound:Bose QuietComfort Bluetooth Wireless Earbuds at Target$300

Best Sound:

Best Features:SALESony Wireless Noise Canceling Earbuds at Amazon$300$248Jump to Review

Best Features:SALESony Wireless Noise Canceling Earbuds at Amazon$300$248

Best Features:

Best OverallApple AirPods Pro 2PHOTO: Amazon$249$170 at Amazon$250 at Target$249$199 at Walmart

Best OverallApple AirPods Pro 2

Best Overall

Apple AirPods Pro 2

PHOTO: Amazon

$249$170 at Amazon$250 at Target$249$199 at Walmart

Star QualitiesSeamless setup for Apple usersGreat noise cancellation and sound qualityFit test and adjustable ear tip options availableRed FlagsAutomatic sound adjustments can be annoying (but can be turned off)

Star QualitiesSeamless setup for Apple usersGreat noise cancellation and sound qualityFit test and adjustable ear tip options available

Seamless setup for Apple users

Great noise cancellation and sound quality

Fit test and adjustable ear tip options available

Red FlagsAutomatic sound adjustments can be annoying (but can be turned off)

Automatic sound adjustments can be annoying (but can be turned off)

Our best overall pick, Apple AirPods Pro 2, are like the 7.0 version of the original Apple AirPods, with more features,better sound quality, and an overall elevated listening experience.

The auto-adjustments and automatic pausing features can be annoying, and the noise cancellation can be jarring if you like a little ambient sound, but this isn’t a dealbreaker (it’s alsoeasy to switch to transparency mode). If you’re not someone who loses small things often, these earbuds are worth the cost.

Fit Options:4 |Colors:White |Battery Life:Up to 6 hours

PHOTO: People / Erin JohnsonPHOTO: People / Erin JohnsonPHOTO: People / Erin JohnsonPHOTO: People / Erin JohnsonPHOTO: People / Erin JohnsonPHOTO: People / Erin JohnsonPHOTO: People / Erin JohnsonPHOTO: People / Erin Johnson

Best BudgetSoundcore Noise Cancelling EarbudsPHOTO: AmazonView at soundcore$50 at AmazonStar QualitiesSet up is easy and straightforwardComes with app for customizing features and button functionsMost affordable of all the earbuds we testedRed FlagsSound can be tinny while in normal modeSlight white noise in transparency modeUnable to pair with multiple devices at the same timeIf you’re looking for a good pair ofwireless earbuds for only $50, then the Soundcore Life P3i Hybrid Active Noise-Canceling Earbuds need to be on your radar (and in your cart!). The earbuds were very easy to set up, and they can be paired with Bluetooth right from the menu if you have an iPhone, although you can’t pair them with multiple devices simultaneously. It’s alsoeasy to customize the button functions,and there’s an app that allows you to customize the equalizer, with 22 sound options to choose from.When we first opened the case, we noted that they were much larger than other wireless earbuds, like Apple AirPods, but once they were in the ear, we couldn’t tell.They fit comfortablyand even passed our “wiggle” test, staying put when we wiggled the earbud with our fingers to see if it would pop out. Sound quality is decent and gets better as the volume gets higher, though it’s not as clear as some more expensive options we tested, and on normal mode it was somewhat tinny.You also lose the bass in your music on normal mode, but if you switch to transparency or noise canceling mode it improves. There’s also a hint of white noise on transparency mode, and you can still hear some sounds when using the noise cancellation feature.With a long battery life and ultra comfy fit, these wireless earbuds are an overall great value for all the features they offer.Fit Options:3 |Colors:Black and oat white |Battery Life:Up to 9 hoursPHOTO: People / Bridget AnnearPHOTO: People / Bridget AnnearPHOTO: People / Bridget AnnearPHOTO: People / Bridget Annear

Best BudgetSoundcore Noise Cancelling EarbudsPHOTO: AmazonView at soundcore$50 at Amazon

Best BudgetSoundcore Noise Cancelling Earbuds

Best Budget

Soundcore Noise Cancelling Earbuds

View at soundcore$50 at Amazon

Star QualitiesSet up is easy and straightforwardComes with app for customizing features and button functionsMost affordable of all the earbuds we testedRed FlagsSound can be tinny while in normal modeSlight white noise in transparency modeUnable to pair with multiple devices at the same time

Star QualitiesSet up is easy and straightforwardComes with app for customizing features and button functionsMost affordable of all the earbuds we tested

Set up is easy and straightforward

Comes with app for customizing features and button functions

Most affordable of all the earbuds we tested

Red FlagsSound can be tinny while in normal modeSlight white noise in transparency modeUnable to pair with multiple devices at the same time

Sound can be tinny while in normal mode

Slight white noise in transparency mode

Unable to pair with multiple devices at the same time

If you’re looking for a good pair ofwireless earbuds for only $50, then the Soundcore Life P3i Hybrid Active Noise-Canceling Earbuds need to be on your radar (and in your cart!). The earbuds were very easy to set up, and they can be paired with Bluetooth right from the menu if you have an iPhone, although you can’t pair them with multiple devices simultaneously. It’s alsoeasy to customize the button functions,and there’s an app that allows you to customize the equalizer, with 22 sound options to choose from.

When we first opened the case, we noted that they were much larger than other wireless earbuds, like Apple AirPods, but once they were in the ear, we couldn’t tell.They fit comfortablyand even passed our “wiggle” test, staying put when we wiggled the earbud with our fingers to see if it would pop out. Sound quality is decent and gets better as the volume gets higher, though it’s not as clear as some more expensive options we tested, and on normal mode it was somewhat tinny.

You also lose the bass in your music on normal mode, but if you switch to transparency or noise canceling mode it improves. There’s also a hint of white noise on transparency mode, and you can still hear some sounds when using the noise cancellation feature.

With a long battery life and ultra comfy fit, these wireless earbuds are an overall great value for all the features they offer.

Fit Options:3 |Colors:Black and oat white |Battery Life:Up to 9 hours

PHOTO: People / Bridget AnnearPHOTO: People / Bridget AnnearPHOTO: People / Bridget AnnearPHOTO: People / Bridget Annear

Best SoundBose QuietComfort Bluetooth Wireless EarbudsPHOTO: Target$300 at TargetStar QualitiesExcellent sound qualityImmersive, live-concert-like experienceAccompanying app offers customizable noise cancellation settingsRed FlagsMuffled call quality and occasional disconnection from devicesBulky and not ideal for all day wearCase is large and less portable than others we testedIf you’re a commuter who needs their music to be louder than the train, meet Bose QuietComfort Bluetooth Wireless Earbuds. Setting up these earbuds was simple following the steps in the app. It even lets you create your own work, play, and exercise modes where you can adjust the level of noise cancellation, treble, and base. The case and the buds are bulky, and the suction cup feeling that’s necessary for the noise-cancellation feature isn’t ideal, but otherwise,they fit well and are comfortable.When it comes tosound quality, these earbuds were unmatched. According to our tester, the immersive setting makes you feel like you’re listening to a live concert when your music is playing, and when you’re in noise-canceling mode, it really shuts out surrounding sounds;we could mow the lawn and keep our volume at a normal level. Though in-ear sound was superb, outgoing sound wasn’t the best and people said we sounded muffled on calls. The earbuds would randomly disconnect from devices too, which is especially annoying if you’re on a work call.Celebs Love Bose, too!Grammy-award winner Tylarevealed that Bose earbuds are on her backstage rider. The “Water” singer was featured in a commercial alongside fellow musicians Central Cee, Don Toliver, and LISA, wearing Bose earbuds while preparing for a performance.Fit Options:3 (XS and XL options sold separately) |Colors:Black, white, moonstone blue, lunar blue, diamond 60th |Battery Life:Up to 6 hoursPHOTO: People / Sarah RobertsPHOTO: People / Sarah RobertsPHOTO: People / Sarah RobertsPHOTO: People / Sarah Roberts

Best SoundBose QuietComfort Bluetooth Wireless EarbudsPHOTO: Target$300 at Target

Best SoundBose QuietComfort Bluetooth Wireless Earbuds

Best Sound

Bose QuietComfort Bluetooth Wireless Earbuds

PHOTO: Target

$300 at Target

Star QualitiesExcellent sound qualityImmersive, live-concert-like experienceAccompanying app offers customizable noise cancellation settingsRed FlagsMuffled call quality and occasional disconnection from devicesBulky and not ideal for all day wearCase is large and less portable than others we tested

Star QualitiesExcellent sound qualityImmersive, live-concert-like experienceAccompanying app offers customizable noise cancellation settings

Excellent sound quality

Immersive, live-concert-like experience

Accompanying app offers customizable noise cancellation settings

Red FlagsMuffled call quality and occasional disconnection from devicesBulky and not ideal for all day wearCase is large and less portable than others we tested

Muffled call quality and occasional disconnection from devices

Bulky and not ideal for all day wear

Case is large and less portable than others we tested

If you’re a commuter who needs their music to be louder than the train, meet Bose QuietComfort Bluetooth Wireless Earbuds. Setting up these earbuds was simple following the steps in the app. It even lets you create your own work, play, and exercise modes where you can adjust the level of noise cancellation, treble, and base. The case and the buds are bulky, and the suction cup feeling that’s necessary for the noise-cancellation feature isn’t ideal, but otherwise,they fit well and are comfortable.

When it comes tosound quality, these earbuds were unmatched. According to our tester, the immersive setting makes you feel like you’re listening to a live concert when your music is playing, and when you’re in noise-canceling mode, it really shuts out surrounding sounds;we could mow the lawn and keep our volume at a normal level. Though in-ear sound was superb, outgoing sound wasn’t the best and people said we sounded muffled on calls. The earbuds would randomly disconnect from devices too, which is especially annoying if you’re on a work call.

Celebs Love Bose, too!Grammy-award winner Tylarevealed that Bose earbuds are on her backstage rider. The “Water” singer was featured in a commercial alongside fellow musicians Central Cee, Don Toliver, and LISA, wearing Bose earbuds while preparing for a performance.

Celebs Love Bose, too!

Grammy-award winner Tylarevealed that Bose earbuds are on her backstage rider. The “Water” singer was featured in a commercial alongside fellow musicians Central Cee, Don Toliver, and LISA, wearing Bose earbuds while preparing for a performance.

Fit Options:3 (XS and XL options sold separately) |Colors:Black, white, moonstone blue, lunar blue, diamond 60th |Battery Life:Up to 6 hours

PHOTO: People / Sarah RobertsPHOTO: People / Sarah RobertsPHOTO: People / Sarah RobertsPHOTO: People / Sarah Roberts

Best FeaturesSony Wireless Noise Canceling EarbudsPHOTO: Amazon$300$248 at Amazon$248 at Urban Outfitters$298$248 at Macy’sStar QualitiesHigh quality and crisp soundComfortable and lightweight fitNotable sound and chat features that adjust in the momentRed FlagsBluetooth range is limitedNoise cancellation feature not as high-quality as other brands we testedHigh price point for limited rangeThe Sony Truly Wireless Noise-Canceling Earbuds are our top pick for anyone who lovesfeatures, features, and more features. The best part is that they’re not fussy or hard to use, and the setup was as simple as following the infographic inside the manual and downloading the app.One of our favorite features is “Speak to Chat,” which recognizes when you’re speaking and pauses any media playing so you don’t need to take out the earbuds. This is so useful if you like to listen while shopping or sit in an office with chatty coworkers. Another standout, “Adaptive Sound Control,” detects andautomatically adjusts how ambient sound is filtered.The listening experience with these earbuds is top notch. The sound was so crisp; we didn’t lose details even when we raised the volume, which happens with other earbuds on the market.Experts Say“If you have your earbuds in and music on, and someone else in the room (with normal hearing) can hear it, then it’s too loud,” saysDr. Brittany Buchs, clinical audiologist. She recommends using the auto-adjusting feature that lowers the volume when it gets too loud.Alternatively, the noise cancellation feature wasn’t as strong as others we tested. Thebluetooth strength and reach also weren’t strong, and at times resulted in a loss of signal when we walked just two rooms over from the source (we’re talking feet, not yards), so you’ll need to keep your phone or computer close to you when paired with these feature-packed earbuds.Fit Options:4 |Colors:Black, silver, smoky pink |Battery Life:Up to 8 hoursPHOTO: People / Henry YungPHOTO: People / Henry YungPHOTO: People / Henry YungPHOTO: People / Henry YungPHOTO: People / Henry Yung

Best FeaturesSony Wireless Noise Canceling EarbudsPHOTO: Amazon$300$248 at Amazon$248 at Urban Outfitters$298$248 at Macy’s

Best FeaturesSony Wireless Noise Canceling Earbuds

Best Features

Sony Wireless Noise Canceling Earbuds

$300$248 at Amazon$248 at Urban Outfitters$298$248 at Macy’s

Star QualitiesHigh quality and crisp soundComfortable and lightweight fitNotable sound and chat features that adjust in the momentRed FlagsBluetooth range is limitedNoise cancellation feature not as high-quality as other brands we testedHigh price point for limited range

Star QualitiesHigh quality and crisp soundComfortable and lightweight fitNotable sound and chat features that adjust in the moment

High quality and crisp sound

Comfortable and lightweight fit

Notable sound and chat features that adjust in the moment

Red FlagsBluetooth range is limitedNoise cancellation feature not as high-quality as other brands we testedHigh price point for limited range

Bluetooth range is limited

Noise cancellation feature not as high-quality as other brands we tested

High price point for limited range

The Sony Truly Wireless Noise-Canceling Earbuds are our top pick for anyone who lovesfeatures, features, and more features. The best part is that they’re not fussy or hard to use, and the setup was as simple as following the infographic inside the manual and downloading the app.

One of our favorite features is “Speak to Chat,” which recognizes when you’re speaking and pauses any media playing so you don’t need to take out the earbuds. This is so useful if you like to listen while shopping or sit in an office with chatty coworkers. Another standout, “Adaptive Sound Control,” detects andautomatically adjusts how ambient sound is filtered.

The listening experience with these earbuds is top notch. The sound was so crisp; we didn’t lose details even when we raised the volume, which happens with other earbuds on the market.

Experts Say“If you have your earbuds in and music on, and someone else in the room (with normal hearing) can hear it, then it’s too loud,” saysDr. Brittany Buchs, clinical audiologist. She recommends using the auto-adjusting feature that lowers the volume when it gets too loud.

Experts Say

“If you have your earbuds in and music on, and someone else in the room (with normal hearing) can hear it, then it’s too loud,” saysDr. Brittany Buchs, clinical audiologist. She recommends using the auto-adjusting feature that lowers the volume when it gets too loud.

Alternatively, the noise cancellation feature wasn’t as strong as others we tested. Thebluetooth strength and reach also weren’t strong, and at times resulted in a loss of signal when we walked just two rooms over from the source (we’re talking feet, not yards), so you’ll need to keep your phone or computer close to you when paired with these feature-packed earbuds.

Fit Options:4 |Colors:Black, silver, smoky pink |Battery Life:Up to 8 hours

PHOTO: People / Henry YungPHOTO: People / Henry YungPHOTO: People / Henry YungPHOTO: People / Henry YungPHOTO: People / Henry Yung

What to Know About Wireless Earbuds

Sound Quality

One of the most important features of headphones, wireless earbuds or otherwise, is sound quality. Sound quality makes all the difference in whether you hear every treble in a song, whispered lines in a movie, the background producer’s chatter in your favorite podcast, or the low-talker on your weekly team call. Your sounds should have frequency balance and shouldn’t muffle or cause discomfort as you increase it.

Experts SayHearing is unique to the individual, so volume preference will vary from person to person. But “if you canfeel[the sound], it’s not a good sign,” warns Dr. Buchs. She adds that you should avoid listening at high volumes for prolonged amounts of time: “The extended amount of time is more likely to cause damage.”

Hearing is unique to the individual, so volume preference will vary from person to person. But “if you canfeel[the sound], it’s not a good sign,” warns Dr. Buchs. She adds that you should avoid listening at high volumes for prolonged amounts of time: “The extended amount of time is more likely to cause damage.”

Comfort

You’ll want your earbuds to fit snugly but not feel uncomfortable inside your ears. While some earbuds come as one-size-fits-most, many brands offer various sizes, likeBose Quiet Comfort Bluetooth Wireless Earbuds, which comes with three sizes of interchangeable buds and has two more sizes available for purchase.

Additionally, lightweight earbuds are ideal, especially if you plan to wear them for long stretches of time. Be mindful of the material of the ear cushion (most are made of silicone) to ensure ultimate comfort for your listening experience.

Noise Cancellation

The noise-canceling feature on earbuds is becoming less of a value add and more of a standard feature these days. With our on-the-go lifestyles, it’s important to be able to isolate just what you want to hear and block out the rest of the world, like your dog barking while you’re in a meeting.

Our overall pick, theApple AirPods Pro 2wireless earbuds, are exceptional in this department, so much so it may even take some getting used to the lack of ambient sound.

Pairing/Connectivity

No one wants to spend hours trying to pair their earbuds with their go-to devices. Pairing should be easy and your earbuds should stay connected. Bluetooth range and signal strength will also matter when it comes to keeping your devices and your earbuds connected. Every wireless earbud option that made it to this list was easy to pair with our devices.

Battery Life

Average battery life per charge for wireless earbuds was around the five hour mark, with some picks, like theSoundcore Life P3i Hybridwireless earbuds, going above and beyond at nine hours. Note that for some brands there’s also a difference in battery life when just listening versus when using certain features on your earbuds.

People / Henry Yung

To find the best wireless earbuds, we pulled insights from a test conducted for the best noise-canceling headphones. A team of 13 testers used several wireless earbuds and over-ear headphones daily for many different tasks, noting how they performed across categories. The picks that made this PEOPLE Tested list were wireless earbuds that stood out in the following ways:

Taking all of these factors into consideration, theApple AirPods Pro 2was our pick for the best overall wireless earbuds.

People / Sarah Roberts

Shalwah Evansis the senior shopping editor at PEOPLE, and an often all-day earbuds wearer. She travels several times a year, walks long distances, and works from home a few days a week, all while wearing wireless earbuds. In addition to her own expertise, she used insights from our testing team to create this list. Our team of 13 testers ran more than 400 hours of tests across a plethora of real world tasks and settings, including listening to podcasts at the beach, listening to music on noisy trains, mowing the lawn, running, and talking on virtual calls with another loud talker in the room.

Our Expert PanelDr. Brittany Buchsis a practicing clinical audiologist in Conyers, Georgia. She spoke with us about the importance of volume control in relation to overall hearing health.

Our Expert Panel

Dr. Brittany Buchsis a practicing clinical audiologist in Conyers, Georgia. She spoke with us about the importance of volume control in relation to overall hearing health.

We created thePEOPLE Tested seal of approvalto help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.

In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.

source: people.com