Tech & Smart Home

Wireless Earbuds

Compared on noise cancelling, battery life, water resistance, charging and Bluetooth version across flagship and budget buds.

Top picks compared: 4
Specs compared per product: 6

Side-by-side comparison

The four top picks in Wireless Earbuds, chosen from public third-party testing and editorial research, then compared on specs, strengths and drawbacks. Swap any product to compare something else.

Best OverallBest ValueTop PremiumCustomer Favorite

Compare

AppleAirPods Pro 2 (USB-C)

Best Overall

Apple

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Overview

True-wireless earbuds with active noise cancelling, adaptive audio, USB-C and MagSafe charging, and up to 30 hours of total listening time with the case.

Buying Recommendation

Best Overall. Our top pick after weighing every trade-off.

Web Consensus Insights

The AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) are widely considered the top choice for Apple users, offering excellent sound quality and dramatic improvements in noise cancellation over the original model. Reviewers from PCMag, CNET, and What Hi-Fi? highlight their ease of use and top-notch performance, making them the Best Overall pick in this lineup.

Best For

iPhone owners who want the best all-round fit and sound

Top Pros

Outstanding noise cancellation
Superb sound quality
Seamless Apple integration

Top Cons

Best features limited to Apple users
Not the absolute best ANC available

Key Specs

Active Noise Cancelling: Yes
Battery Life (with case): Info not available
Water Rating: Info not available
Charging: USB-C
Bluetooth: 5.3
Wireless Charging: MagSafe

Check Current Price on Amazon

SonyWF-1000XM5

Top Premium

Sony

Sony WF-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds

Overview

Premium true-wireless earbuds with adaptive noise cancelling, LDAC support and up to 24 hours of playback with the charging case.

Buying Recommendation

Top Premium. The highest published performance and build quality.

Web Consensus Insights

Sony's WF-1000XM5 earbuds are praised by PCMag, What Hi-Fi?, and SoundGuys for their superb, audiophile-friendly sound quality and excellent noise cancellation. They are recognized as a premium option with a dizzying array of high-end features, earning them the Top Premium role.

Best For

Listeners who want the strongest noise cancelling in a small bud

Top Pros

Superb sound quality
Excellent noise cancellation
Premium build and features

Top Cons

Fit may not suit everyone

Key Specs

Active Noise Cancelling: Yes
Battery Life (with case): 24 hours
Water Rating: Info not available
Charging: USB-C
Bluetooth: 5.3
Wireless Charging: USB-C

Check Current Price on Amazon

BoseQuietComfort Ultra Earbuds

Customer Favorite

Bose

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds

Overview

Noise cancelling earbuds with Bose Immersive Audio, CustomTune calibration and up to 24 hours of listening with the case.

Buying Recommendation

Customer Favorite. The one shoppers keep coming back to.

Web Consensus Insights

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are celebrated by reviewers at PCMag, CNET, and SoundGuys for their industry-leading noise cancellation and exceptional comfort. Their widespread popularity and strong performance make them the Customer Favorite in this comparison.

Best For

Commuters who want the deepest quiet for long flights

Top Pros

Industry-leading ANC
Exceptional comfort
Great sound quality

Top Cons

App could be better

Key Specs

Active Noise Cancelling: Yes
Battery Life (with case): Info not available
Water Rating: IPX4
Charging: USB-C
Bluetooth: 5.3
Wireless Charging: USB-C

Check Current Price on Amazon

AnkerSoundcore Space A40

Best Value

Anker

Anker Soundcore Space A40 Noise Cancelling Earbuds

Overview

Compact noise cancelling earbuds with 50 hours of total battery life, LDAC support and wireless charging.

Buying Recommendation

Best Value. The strongest published capability for its place in the lineup.

Web Consensus Insights

Anker's Soundcore Space A40 delivers noise cancelling and roughly 50 hours of total playback for a fraction of flagship money. Coverage describes it as the value pick that most people will be perfectly happy with day to day.

Best For

Buyers who want long battery life without paying flagship money

Top Pros

Capable performance
Good value

Top Cons

Lacks premium features
No published testing edge

Key Specs

Active Noise Cancelling: Yes, adaptive
Battery Life (with case): Up to 50 h
Water Rating: IPX4
Charging: USB-C
Bluetooth: 5.2
Wireless Charging: Yes, Qi

Check Current Price on Amazon

Product 1 of 4 · swipe to compare

Apple

AppleAirPods Pro 2 (USB-C)

Best Overall

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Our top pick after weighing every trade-off.

Check Current Price on Amazon

Overview

True-wireless earbuds with active noise cancelling, adaptive audio, USB-C and MagSafe charging, and up to 30 hours of total listening time with the case.

Buying Recommendation

Best Overall

Best For

iPhone owners who want the best all-round fit and sound

Web Consensus Insights

Top Pros

Outstanding noise cancellation
Superb sound quality
Seamless Apple integration

Top Cons

Best features limited to Apple users
Not the absolute best ANC available

Key Specs

Active Noise Cancelling: Yes
Battery Life (with case): Info not available
Water Rating: Info not available
Charging: USB-C
Bluetooth: 5.3
Wireless Charging: MagSafe

Sony

SonyWF-1000XM5

Top Premium

Sony WF-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds

The highest published performance and build quality.

Check Current Price on Amazon

Overview

Premium true-wireless earbuds with adaptive noise cancelling, LDAC support and up to 24 hours of playback with the charging case.

Buying Recommendation

Top Premium

Best For

Listeners who want the strongest noise cancelling in a small bud

Web Consensus Insights

Top Pros

Superb sound quality
Excellent noise cancellation
Premium build and features

Top Cons

Fit may not suit everyone

Key Specs

Active Noise Cancelling: Yes
Battery Life (with case): 24 hours
Water Rating: Info not available
Charging: USB-C
Bluetooth: 5.3
Wireless Charging: USB-C

Bose

BoseQuietComfort Ultra Earbuds

Customer Favorite

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds

The one shoppers keep coming back to.

Check Current Price on Amazon

Overview

Noise cancelling earbuds with Bose Immersive Audio, CustomTune calibration and up to 24 hours of listening with the case.

Buying Recommendation

Customer Favorite

Best For

Commuters who want the deepest quiet for long flights

Web Consensus Insights

Top Pros

Industry-leading ANC
Exceptional comfort
Great sound quality

Top Cons

App could be better

Key Specs

Active Noise Cancelling: Yes
Battery Life (with case): Info not available
Water Rating: IPX4
Charging: USB-C
Bluetooth: 5.3
Wireless Charging: USB-C

Anker

AnkerSoundcore Space A40

Best Value

Anker Soundcore Space A40 Noise Cancelling Earbuds

The strongest published capability for its place in the lineup.

Check Current Price on Amazon

Overview

Compact noise cancelling earbuds with 50 hours of total battery life, LDAC support and wireless charging.

Buying Recommendation

Best Value

Best For

Buyers who want long battery life without paying flagship money

Web Consensus Insights

Top Pros

Capable performance
Good value

Top Cons

Lacks premium features
No published testing edge

Key Specs

Active Noise Cancelling: Yes, adaptive
Battery Life (with case): Up to 50 h
Water Rating: IPX4
Charging: USB-C
Bluetooth: 5.2
Wireless Charging: Yes, Qi

Also researched

The rest of the Wireless Earbuds lineup. Each one was researched alongside the four picks and did not take one of the roles.

JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless Earbuds

Prices, availability and ratings change constantly, so we do not store them: always confirm the current price with the link on each product. Picks, pros, cons and consensus summaries are compiled from public third-party testing, editorial reviews and published specifications. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.