The most effective wi-fi earbuds for 2025

The marketplace for true wi-fi earbuds has exploded, and whereas meaning extra selections, it additionally means extra confusion in terms of selecting the perfect wi-fi earbuds to your wants. From premium choices just like the AirPods Professional 2, which mix glossy design with spectacular lively noise cancellation, to fashions that prioritize distinctive sound high quality, there’s a pair of Bluetooth earbuds for everybody. These compact units additionally now provide options that rival conventional, over-ear headphones, which may make them the go-to alternative for music lovers, commuters, gym-goers and lots of in between.

I’ve examined and reviewed dozens of units of earbuds a 12 months for Engadget, always pitting new fashions in opposition to the earlier finest throughout all price ranges to maintain this checklist of the perfect true wi-fi earbuds updated. This information explains why my present picks for the perfect wi-fi earbuds made the reduce, and provides some purchasing recommendation when it comes to the whole lot you have to know earlier than selecting the perfect true wi-fi earbuds to your wants.

If earbuds aren’t your jam, nevertheless, you may take a look at our best headphones buying guide, protecting our favourite wi-fi, over-ear headphones, noise-canceling headphones and extra.

Greatest wi-fi earbuds of 2025

What to search for in wi-fi earbuds

In terms of looking for earphones, the very first thing to think about is design or put on model. Do you favor a semi-open match like AirPods or would you like one thing that utterly closes off your ears? If you happen to’re looking for earbuds with lively noise cancellation, you may need the latter, however a case will be made for the previous if you wish to put on all of them day or frequent locations the place you have to be tuned in to the ambient sounds. The general form of earbuds can decide whether or not you get a cushty match, so can the dimensions and weight, so that you’ll wish to think about all that earlier than deciding. And keep in mind: audio firms aren’t excellent, so regardless of a number of analysis, the earbud form they selected could not suit you effectively. Don’t be afraid to return ill-fitting earbuds for one thing that’s extra comfy.

As wi-fi earbuds have change into the norm, they’re now extra dependable for staple items like constant Bluetooth connectivity. Corporations are nonetheless in a race to pack as a lot as they’ll into more and more smaller designs. This sometimes means an extended checklist of options on the extra premium units of earbuds with fundamental performance on the most affordable fashions. Rigorously think about what you may’t dwell with out when choosing your subsequent earbuds, and ensure key objects like computerized pausing and multipoint connectivity are on the spec sheet. You’ll additionally wish to examine the amount and contact controls as you’ll usually should sacrifice entry to one thing else to make that adjustment by way of on-board faucets or swipes. Some earbuds even provide app settings to tweak the audio profiles or firmware updates to enhance efficiency over time.

For these within the Apple ecosystem, options like auto-pairing with units, particularly with AirPods Professional 2, will be an added benefit, whereas Android customers could wish to search for fashions that supply related cross-device performance.

In terms of battery life, the common set of earbuds lasts about 5 hours on a single cost. You’ll find units that last more, however that is seemingly sufficient to get you thru a piece day in case you’re docking the buds throughout lunch or the occasional assembly. You’ll wish to verify on what number of additional prices can be found by way of the case and if it helps wi-fi charging.

Corporations will even make lofty claims about name high quality on wi-fi earbuds. Regardless of a number of guarantees, the truth is most earbuds nonetheless depart you sounding such as you’re on speakerphone. There are some units that ship, however don’t get your hopes up until opinions verify the claims.

Sound will be subjective, so we suggest making an attempt before you purchase if in any respect doable. That is very true in case you’re an audiophile. We perceive this isn’t simple when most of us do a whole lot of purchasing on-line, however making an attempt on a set of earbuds and listening to them for a couple of minutes can prevent from an costly case of purchaser’s regret. If a retailer doesn’t permit a fast demo, most retailers have return insurance policies that may allow you to take earbuds again you don’t like. In fact, you must be keen to quickly half with funds as a way to do that.

We additionally suggest taking note of issues like Spatial Audio, Dolby Atmos, 360 Actuality Audio and different immersive codecs. Not all earbuds assist them, so that you’ll wish to be certain that a perspective pair does if that kind of factor excites you, particularly in case you plan to make use of them for playback of high-quality audio.

How we check wi-fi Bluetooth earbuds

The first method we check earbuds is to put on them as a lot as doable. We want to do that over a one- to two-week interval, however generally embargoes don’t permit it. Throughout this time, we take heed to a mixture of music and podcasts, whereas additionally utilizing the earbuds to take each voice and video calls. Since battery life for earbuds is often lower than a full day, we drain the battery with looping music and the amount set at a cushty degree (often round 75 %).

To guage audio high quality, we take heed to a variety of genres, noting any variations within the sound profile throughout the kinds. We additionally check at each high and low volumes to verify for consistency within the tuning. To evaluate name high quality, we’ll document audio samples with the earbuds’ microphones in addition to have third events name us.

In terms of options, we do a radical assessment of companion apps, testing every characteristic as we work by means of the software program. Any holdovers from earlier fashions are double checked for enhancements or regression. If the earbuds we’re testing are an up to date model of a earlier mannequin, we’ll spend time getting reacquainted with the older buds. Ditto for the closest competitors for every new set of earbuds that we assessment.

Different wi-fi Bluetooth earbuds we examined

Beats Powerbeats Professional 2

The most recent model of the Powerbeats Pro have an improved, comfy design, balanced bass and new H2 chips and a coronary heart price sensor inside. However coronary heart price assist is presently restricted on iOS, and there is a risk these capabilities make it onto the subsequent AirPods Professional fashions.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 3

The Galaxy Buds 3 mix ANC with an open-type design, which renders the noise-blocking skills of the earbuds largely ineffective. Nonetheless, there’s nice low-end tone with ample bass when a monitor calls for it. There are additionally a number of helpful options, most of which require a Samsung cellphone. However at this worth, there are higher choices from Google, Beats and Sony

Sennheiser Momentum Sport

I actually like the general form of the Momentum Sport earbuds. They’re extra comfy than the Momentum True Wi-fi 4 and slot in my ears higher. What’s extra, the physique temperature and coronary heart price sensors work effectively, sending these stats to quite a lot of apps. Nonetheless, that sport-tracking characteristic works finest with Polar’s app and units, so there’s that consideration. Additionally, the audio high quality and ANC efficiency isn’t pretty much as good because the MTW4, and these earbuds are dear.

Beats Solo Buds

There’s lots to love concerning the Solo Buds for $80. For me, the first perk is that they’re very comfy to put on for lengthy durations of time because of some considerate design concerns. You solely get the fundamentals right here when it comes to options and, as anticipated, the general sound high quality isn’t pretty much as good because the pricier fashions within the Beats lineup. You’re going to get 18 hours of battery life although, for the reason that firm nixed the battery within the case and beefed up the listening time within the buds themselves.

Bose Extremely Open Earbuds

Bose created one thing very distinctive for this set of earbuds that permits you to keep in-tune with the world whereas listening to audio content material. The clip-on design could be very comfy, however sound high quality suffers because of the open-type match, particularly in terms of bass and spatial audio.

Audio-Technica ATH-TWX7

These stick buds have a compact design that’s comfy to put on and the nice and cozy sound profile is nice at instances. Nonetheless, general audio efficiency is inconsistent and there’s no computerized pausing.

Grasp & Dynamic MW09

Retooled audio, higher ambient sound mode and dependable multipoint Bluetooth are the perfect issues the MW09 has to supply. They’re costly although, and yow will discover higher ANC efficiency elsewhere.

Wi-fi earbud FAQs

What is taken into account good battery life for true wi-fi earbuds?

Most wi-fi earbuds will final 5 hours on a single cost, as a minimum. You’ll find some pairs which have even higher battery life, lasting between six and eight hours earlier than they want extra juice. All the finest wi-fi earbuds include a charging case, which is able to present further hours of battery life — however you may should return every bud to the case as a way to cost them up.

Is sound high quality higher on headphones or earbuds?

Evaluating sound high quality on earbuds and headphones is a bit like evaluating apples and oranges. There are a whole lot of variables to think about and the variations in elements make a direct comparability tough. Personally, I want the audio high quality from over-ear headphones, however I can let you know the sound from earbuds like Sennheiser’s Momentum True Wireless 3 can be excellent.

Which wi-fi earbuds have the longest battery life?

With new fashions popping out on a regular basis, monitoring the hours of battery life for every this may be tough to maintain tabs on. The longest-lasting earbuds we’ve reviewed are Audio-Technica’s ATH-CKS5TW. The corporate states they final 15 hours, however the app was nonetheless displaying 40 % at that mark throughout our checks. The one draw back is these earbuds debuted in 2019 and each expertise and options have improved since. By way of present fashions, Master & Dynamic’s MW08 provides 12 hours of use on a cost with ANC off (10 with ANC on) and JBL has a number of choices with 10-hour batteries.

What wi-fi earbuds are waterproof?

There are many choices as of late in terms of elevated water resistance. To find out the extent of safety, you’ll wish to search for an IP (ingress safety) score. The primary quantity signifies intrusion safety from issues like mud. The second quantity is the extent of moisture safety and also you’ll wish to be sure that determine is 7 or increased. At this water-resistance score, earbuds can stand up to full immersion for as much as half-hour in depths as much as one meter (3.28 ft). If both of the IP numbers is an X, meaning it doesn’t have any particular safety. For instance, a pair of wi-fi earbuds which might be IPX7 wouldn’t be constructed to keep away from mud intrusion, however they’d be okay in case you dropped them in shallow water.

Which earbuds keep in ears the perfect?

A safe match can range wildly from individual to individual. All of our ears are completely different, so audio firms are designing their merchandise to suit the most individuals they’ll with a single form. Because of this AirPods will simply fall out for some however keep put for others. Design touches like wing suggestions or fins sometimes come on health fashions and people parts will help hold issues in place. You’ll seemingly simply should attempt earbuds on, and in the event that they don’t match effectively return them.

What wi-fi earbuds work with PS5?

PlayStation 5 doesn’t assist Bluetooth audio with out an adapter or dongle. Even Sony’s own gaming headsets include a transmitter that connects to the console. There are common choices that help you use any headphones, headset or earbuds with a PS5. After getting one, plug it right into a USB port on the console and pair your earbuds with it.