The best wireless earbuds right now

Which wireless earbuds should I buy? If you search online or walk into a store, the range of wireless earbuds, earbuds or AirPods is huge. Different brands, different fits, different prices. How do you make sure you buy the right wireless earbuds? We did the research and, based on various comparisons and tests (from home and abroad), we’ve listed the 10 best wireless earbuds for you.

The best wireless earbuds right now are:

1. Jabra Elite Active 75t
2. Apple AirPods Pro
3. Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus
4. Beats Powerbeats Pro
5. Google Pixel earbuds
6. Jabra Elite 75t
7. Sony WF-1000XM3
8. Apple Airpods 2
9. Samsung Galaxy Buds Live
10. Jaybird Vista

The best wireless earbuds offer more than just the convenience of no cable. They give you a comfortable fit, crisp audio for streaming media and phone calls, and a hands-free way to control your smartphone via a digital assistant. Whereas not long ago wireless headphones were clearly better, improvements in Bluetooth, microphone technology and battery life have turned earbuds into a must-have for anyone who makes lots of calls, listens to music on the go and prefers not to wear a full-size pair of headphones.

In short, wireless earbuds or earpods have become a permanent part of everyday life. But which brand or model is actually right for you? What are the best earbuds right now? Everyone knows Apple’s earpods, but are there good alternatives? I was in Mediamarkt recently and next to the Apple Earpods there were also earbuds from JBL, at half the price of Apple’s earpods. But I still wasn’t sure whether those JBL earbuds were a good choice. That’s why I immediately set to work on creating an overview of the best earbuds at the moment, so you can make the right choice when you buy yours.

Finding the best wireless earbuds can be quite a task, especially because the market has exploded with options in recent years. Current champions like Apple and Jabra keep releasing excellent products, but there are also great options from other manufacturers. If you’re scratching your head over which wireless earbuds to buy, Tom’s Guide is here to help you with their top picks.

What are the best wireless earbuds?

The technology behind wireless earbuds has improved significantly and they’re now just as ubiquitous as wired headphones. The very best wireless earbuds offer long battery life, great sound and call quality and often active noise cancelling, plus water and sweat resistance so you can work out without worrying about damage. The best wireless earbuds top the list by fitting comfortably in your ears and staying firmly in place when you run or train.

After looking at dozens of models, the best overall wireless earbuds are the Jabra Elite Active 75t, thanks to their customizable fit, personalized sound, passive noise isolation and waterproof protection. The AirPods Pro are in close second with built-in active noise cancelling, seamless iOS integration, user-friendly controls and sweat resistance.

But there are other wireless earbud brands you should definitely check out. The new Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus offer improved battery life and call quality compared to their predecessor, as well as innovative features. Beats Powerbeats Pro deliver balanced sound and a stable, comfortable fit, perfect for fitness junkies. Try the Sony WF-1000XM3 earbuds for extremely effective noise cancelling. And if you’re a keen Android user, the Google Pixel Buds 2 are worth a look for their seamless Google integration and solid audio.

The best wireless earbuds to buy now

Jabra Elite Active 75t

Size: 2 x 1.5 x 1.5 cm | Weight: 0.19 grams (per bud) | Battery life (rated): 7.5 hours; 28 hours (with charging case) | Bluetooth range: 10 metres | Digital assistant support: Yes

• Crisp and well-balanced audio
• Sleek, waterproof design
• Long battery life
• Companion app with extensive sound customization
• Can get extremely loud at max volume

Buy for € 193 at bol.com

Buy for € 193 at Coolblue.nl

At the top of the list is Jabra’s latest release, the Elite Active 75t. This sportier alternative to the much-praised Elite 75t beats the AirPods Pro in almost every category: battery life, durability, sound and special features, to name just a few.

The design is comfortable and comes with IP57 certification, making the buds waterproof and resistant to dust and sweat. With IP65 certification they would be fully waterproof; they’re not quite there yet. Music sounds clear, balanced and lively, and you can personalize your audio experience by manually adjusting the built-in EQ or by choosing one of the presets in the Jabra Sound+ app. The passive noise isolation doesn’t quite match the performance of the AirPods Pro, but it’s still effective at minimizing ambient noise. Finally, the battery lasts up to 28 hours.

All of that, plus the modest price of the Jabra Elite Active 75t, makes them the best wireless earbuds on the market. In addition to black and white, they also come in Mint and Sienna.

Note: the latest firmware update gives you access to two new features, MySound and MyControls, although the ability to use the latter independently on both earbuds has been dropped, as Jabra was “not satisfied with the user experience”.

Apple AirPods Pro

Best wireless earbuds for Apple users

Size: 3 x 2.2 x 2.2 cm | Weight: 0.19 grams (per bud) | Battery life (rated): 4.5 hours; 24 hours (with charging case) | Bluetooth range: 240 metres | Digital assistant support: Yes

• Great active noise cancelling 
• Very easy-to-use controls 
• Comfortable fit 
• Excellent sound
• Relatively short battery life

Buy for € 229 at bol.com

Buy for € 235 at coolblue.nl

The AirPods Pro improve on Apple’s iconic wireless earbuds (the AirPods 2) with a water-resistant design and a wide range of handy touch controls. The battery life could be longer, but the noise cancelling is top-notch. Switch on ANC and the AirPods Pro do a great job of blocking everyday noise, but you can switch to the handy Transparency mode whenever you want to stay aware of your surroundings.

Apple’s high-end earbuds also include three pairs of interchangeable silicone tips, making it easy to find a good fit. The stems themselves are shorter than on the original AirPods. And if you’re an iPhone user, AirPods Pro naturally work seamlessly with iOS. Combine all these premium features with clear, powerful sound that suits all music genres and you get the company’s best audio product to date. And the sound will only get better, as Apple has confirmed a future iOS update that will add a completely new spatial audio feature designed to create a cinema-like audio experience (similar to 8-D sound).

Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus

Excellent Android earbuds

Size: 1.8 x 1.8 x 2 cm | Weight: 0.22 grams | Battery life (rated): 11 hours; 22 hours (with charging case) | Bluetooth range: 36 metres | Digital assistant support: Yes

• Solid overall sound
• Long battery life on a single charge
• Improved call quality
• Innovative wireless features
• Charging case only offers one extra full charge

Buy for € 114 at bol.com

Buy for € 129 at coolblue.nl

Samsung’s follow-up to the popular Samsung Galaxy Buds are the best wireless earbuds for Android users. After reworking the design, audio performance is now a real highlight, with dual AKG-tuned drivers producing a clear, neutral sound. Instruments and vocals sound truly fantastic. Call quality could be better, but you get improved battery life (almost six hours) and a broader set of controls compared to the AirPods.

The companion mobile app is also user-friendly, making it very easy to tweak ambient listening levels, browse EQ modes and customize touch controls. And of course, the earbuds look great and feel comfortable, and come with an aesthetically pleasing, pill-shaped charging case that supports reverse charging so you can power them up by placing the case on the back of your newly purchased Samsung Galaxy S20. Samsung also sells the Galaxy Buds Plus in several eye-catching colours, including white, black, light blue, red and the new (and very slick) Aura Blue.

Beats Powerbeats Pro

High-end fitness earbuds with energetic sound

Size and weight: 2.8 x 2.5 x 2.3 inches, 19 grams | Battery life (rated): 9 hours; 24 hours (with charging case) | Bluetooth range: 10 metres | Digital assistant support: Yes

• Magically seamless setup
• Long battery life
• Well-balanced sound
• Comfortable, stable fit for running
• Fairly large charging case

On sale for € 209 at bol.com

On sale for € 225 at coolblue.nl

The Powerbeats Pro from Beats are the best wireless earbuds for working out, combining water and sweat resistance. They have a discreet design and the trademark Apple integration makes them easy to pair with an iPhone. Beats headphones tend to be bass-heavy, but the Powerbeats Pro offer a very well-balanced sound. Pairing the earbuds and using the controls is very straightforward. And the Powerbeats Pro also offer longer battery life than the AirPods Pro with up to 9 hours of listening time.

The earhooks give the set a very stable, secure fit. They come with a medium set of silicone tips and three extra options in small, medium and large. If you’re looking for a pair of sweat-resistant earbuds you can wear to the gym, while working out, on the train or at work, the Powerbeats Pro are worth the money. Beats also keeps the product line fresh with the release of several tempting new colours: Spring Yellow, Cloud Pink, Lava Red and Glacier Blue.

Google Pixel earbuds

Smart buds with excellent Google integration

Size: 2 x 1.8 x 1.8 cm | Weight: 0.18 grams | Battery life (rated): 5 hours; 24 hours (with charging case) | Bluetooth range: 91 metres | Digital assistant support: Yes

• Works flawlessly with the Google ecosystem
• Ultra-modern design
• Much improved sound
• Fast and wireless charging
• Same battery life as AirPods

For now they’re only available via the Google Store and not yet in the usual Dutch shops. 

Buy wireless earbuds for Android here at bol.com

Google’s very first true wireless earbuds have impressed reviewers, including us, enough to earn a place on our best wireless earbuds list. The Pixel Buds 2 finally deliver on what the 1.0 version was supposed to be: Android-friendly earbuds that offer a great Google experience. Google has made several upgrades both inside and out, going truly wireless with a stylish, comfortable design that fits well in the ear.

These earbuds from Google produce a warm, rich sound and use well-fitting 12 mm drivers. Unsurprisingly, the Google integration is excellent, giving users access to Google Assistant and Translate, as well as quick, seamless pairing with Android devices.
It’s a shame these buds have the same battery life as the AirPods Pro (with ANC on), but the attractive 24-hour charging case and insanely fast charging technology (10 minutes charging = 2 hours battery) help make up for it. Google has also shared some details about a software update that will include several improvements, such as fewer dropouts, better automatic recovery for Bluetooth connections and smoother media playback on phones.

Jabra Elite 75t

High performance in a super-compact form

Size: 2 x 1.8 x 1.6 cm | Weight: 0.19 grams (per bud) | Battery life (rated): 7.5 hours; 28 hours (with charging case) | Bluetooth range: 10 metres | Digital assistant support: Yes

• Best-in-class charging case
• Dynamic sound with customizable EQ settings
• Long battery life
• Passive noise isolation
• Calls sound extremely low

On sale at bol.com for € 149

On sale at coolblue.nl for € 157

Jabra has managed to cram powerful drivers, strong passive noise isolation and longer battery life into a compact design with the Jabra Elite 75t, one of the best wireless earbuds and arguably the best AirPods alternative. Jabra has made the Elite 75t earbuds 20% smaller than the Jabra Elite 65t without compromising on performance. The gel tips fit well, stay in easily and feel comfortable. They’re IP55 certified, which means they’re dust and water resistant, but unfortunately not sweat resistant.

Listeners can expect bass-heavy sound that can be adjusted via the Sound+ app, which also has extra settings and other unique features; Soundscapes are great for drowning out distractions and getting your focus back. With Soundscapes you can play artificial ambient sounds. A selection of monotone noises, nature sounds and calm ambience is designed to help you relax or concentrate. What you’ll really love the Elite 75t for, though, is the near-perfect charging case, which holds up to 20.5 hours of battery life while taking up very little space in your pocket or bag.

Sony WF-1000XM3 earbuds

Best wireless earbuds with noise cancelling

Weight: 0.3 grams | Battery life (rated): 6 hours (NC on), 8 hours (NC off) | Bluetooth range: 10 metres | Digital assistant support: Yes

• Excellent audio performance
• Great noise cancelling
• Well-designed app with lots of features
• Touch controls not very sensitive
• Poor call quality

Buy for € 175 at bol.com

Buy for € 189 at coolblue.nl

With a rated battery life of six hours (with ANC on) and a stylish, elegant design, the Sony WF-1000XM3 deserves its place on our list of the best wireless earbuds. They successfully combine great audio quality with impressive noise cancelling. Deep, rich bass and excellent tonal balance give these buds a real edge over the competition.

The Sony WF-1000XM3 is designed for casual listening, not fitness, as the housing doesn’t offer water resistance. That said, the earbuds are incredibly comfortable, with each bud practically weightless at just 0.3 grams. While the tap gestures don’t work quite as well as on the AirPods, Sony’s free app is excellent. Listeners can play around with the built-in EQ and create their own sound profile or choose from nine different presets to adjust ambient sound levels. And what about the WF-1000XM3 supporting aptX HD? Well, there’s a rumour that these buds may get an update for wireless streaming via hi-res audio codecs, which would definitely increase their value in this category.

Apple AirPods 2 (2nd generation)

Affordable AirPods with great performance

Size: 4 x 1.8 x 1.8 cm | Weight: 0.14 grams | Battery life (rated): 5 hours; 13 hours (with charging case) | Bluetooth range: 10 metres | Digital assistant support: Yes

• Fast connection on iOS devices
• Hands-free Siri integration
• Good audio quality
• Limited controls
• No ambient listening mode

Buy for € 169 at bol.com

Buy for € 149 at coolblue.nl

If you’re fully invested in the Apple ecosystem and need earbuds to keep you entertained on the go, the 2nd-generation AirPods are the best wireless earbuds for you. They’re less expensive than the AirPods Pro and offer almost the same connectivity thanks to the new W1 chip.

Launching Siri is even easier thanks to voice activation. Just call out to Siri and you can have incoming messages read out and answer calls hands-free. Audio quality hasn’t improved, but call quality has. The buds still offer 5 hours of battery life, but now come with an optional wireless charging case. The AirPods 2 don’t have noise cancelling and aren’t sweat resistant, but they’re light and comfortable to wear. Apple is also rolling out new features like automatic switching, which connects the earbuds automatically to whichever Apple device you’re currently using. If you want to spend a bit less than you would on the AirPods Pro, the 2nd-generation AirPods are an excellent choice for iPhone users.

Samsung Galaxy Buds Live

Android-friendly earbuds packed with features

Size: 1.4 x 2.4 x 1.3 cm | Weight: 0.19 grams | Battery life (rated): 6 hours / 21 hours with case (ANC + Bixby); 5.5 hours / 20 hours (ANC); 8 hours / 29 hours (ANC + Bixby off) | Bluetooth range: 10 metres | Digital assistant support: Yes

• Rich, full audio
• Unique and comfortable design
• Lots of useful features
• Consistently responsive touch controls

Buy for € 169 at bol.com

Buy for € 129 at coolblue.nl

Samsung’s bean-shaped earbuds are finally here, featuring AKG 12 mm drivers and a host of features that significantly expand their functionality. Music lovers will enjoy the precise, lively sound these buds produce; instruments are clearly separated and vocals sound airy. They also come with Spotify integration so you can fire up your favourite playlists at the touch of a button. Samsung’s companion app lets you customize the earbuds in several ways, from sound (via the built-in EQ) to touch controls.

The Galaxy Buds Live offer a good, pleasant fit. However, the product’s main selling point, active noise cancelling, doesn’t quite live up to expectations when it comes to suppressing loud ambient noise.

Jaybird Vista

Virtually indestructible sports buds with lively sound

Size: 0.9 x 0.7 x 0.9 inches | Weight: 0.2 grams | Battery life (rated): 6 hours; 10 hours (with charging case) | Bluetooth range: 10 metres | Digital assistant support: Yes

• Balanced audio
• Stable and robust design
• Super-compact charging case
• Short battery life
• Feels uncomfortable after about an hour

Buy for € 152 at bol.com

Buy for € 169 at coolblue.nl

It takes some seriously capable sports earbuds to compete with category leaders like the Elite Active 75t and Powerbeats Pro. The Jaybird Vista is a model that has flown under the radar since launch and offers the best durability and charging case of the bunch. Each bud is encased in an IPX7-rated shell that meets the US military’s rugged compliance standards. In other words, the Vista has passed shock, vibration, drop, crush and water tests. How’s that for durability? The charging case is also reliable, holding up to 16 hours of battery life when fully charged and featuring a braided loop that can be attached to other items, whether that’s your camping backpack or your training shorts.

Fit is another strong point, and Jaybird delivers the most secure fit possible by including a variety of ear tips. You probably won’t want to wear them for more than an hour, though, as they can start to feel uncomfortable in your ears. Also keep an eye on the battery level, because six hours can fly by faster than you think, especially for runners who are focused on the road.

How to choose the best wireless earbuds

With so many wireless earbuds to choose from, picking just one pair can be difficult. There are several factors to weigh up, and which is most important depends on personal preference. Things to look out for when buying wireless earbuds include:

• How comfortable the bud feels in your ear (shape and size)
• Battery life
• Water and sweat resistance
• Sound quality
• Price
• Compatibility with phones and other devices

One key factor is fit. How comfortable is the earbud in your ear? Do they come with tips in different sizes so you can match them to your ears? Fit becomes even more important if you plan to use your wireless earbuds while working out. In that case, water and sweat resistance are also important considerations.

Battery life is another crucial point when choosing the best wireless earbuds. Check the rated battery life and whether the earbuds come with a charging case that offers extra power. Then there’s the sound quality for both music and calls, which you can gauge from reviews by professional testers and people who have bought the earbuds.

And of course, price is a major factor. If you have a bigger budget, you’ll have more options. But if you’re price-conscious, you may want to go for cheaper brands or previous generations of wireless earbuds.

How we test wireless earbuds: how are these reviews put together?

When determining the best wireless earbuds, we consider fit, battery life, sound quality, design and value (are they worth the price?). We also look at things like how well the controls work and how easy it is to pair the earbuds with phones.

For audio, we listen to a wide range of sample tracks across several genres, including hip-hop, rock, jazz, classical and R&B, while assessing volume, clarity and richness. We also make phone calls to gauge both call quality and microphone performance.

During the testing phase, our reviewers wear each pair of earbuds for several hours a day over the course of a week. Reviewers note the actual battery life and how closely it matches the manufacturer’s claimed figures. We rate earbuds using our five-point scale (1 = worst, 5 = best). 

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