The perfect wi-fi earbuds for 2025

The marketplace for true wi-fi earbuds has exploded, and whereas which means extra decisions, it additionally means extra confusion relating to selecting the perfect wi-fi earbuds to your wants. From premium choices just like the AirPods Professional 2, which mix modern 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 gadgets additionally now provide options that rival conventional, over-ear headphones, which might make them the go-to selection for music lovers, commuters, gym-goers and lots of in between.

I’ve examined and reviewed dozens of units of earbuds a yr for Engadget, continually 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 choices for the perfect wi-fi earbuds made the lower, and affords some procuring recommendation by way of every thing it’s essential to know earlier than selecting the perfect true wi-fi earbuds to your wants.

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

Finest wi-fi earbuds of 2025

What to search for in wi-fi earbuds

In the case of searching for earphones, the very first thing to think about is design or put on model. Do you like a semi-open match like AirPods or would you like one thing that fully closes off your ears? In the event you’re searching for earbuds with lively noise cancellation, you may need the latter, however a case could be made for the previous if you wish to put on all of them day or frequent locations the place it’s essential 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 need to think about all that earlier than deciding. And bear in mind: audio corporations aren’t good, so regardless of numerous analysis, the earbud form they selected could not suit you nicely. Don’t be afraid to return ill-fitting earbuds for one thing that’s extra comfy.

As wi-fi earbuds have turn 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 will into more and more smaller designs. This usually means an extended checklist of options on the extra premium units of earbuds with fundamental performance on the most cost effective fashions. Fastidiously think about what you may’t stay with out when deciding on your subsequent earbuds, and ensure key gadgets like automated pausing and multipoint connectivity are on the spec sheet. You’ll additionally need to examine the amount and contact controls as you’ll usually need to 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 gadgets, particularly with AirPods Professional 2, could be an added benefit, whereas Android customers could need to search for fashions that provide related cross-device performance.

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

Corporations may even make lofty claims about name high quality on wi-fi earbuds. Regardless of numerous guarantees, the truth is most earbuds nonetheless go away 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 could be subjective, so we suggest making an attempt before you purchase if in any respect attainable. That is very true if you happen to’re an audiophile. We perceive this isn’t straightforward when most of us do a variety of procuring 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 enable a fast demo, most retailers have return insurance policies that can allow you to take earbuds again you don’t like. After all, you must be keen to quickly half with funds so as to do that.

We additionally suggest being attentive to issues like Spatial Audio, Dolby Atmos, 360 Actuality Audio and different immersive codecs. Not all earbuds assist them, so that you’ll need to be certain a perspective pair does if that type of factor excites you, particularly if you happen to 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 attainable. We desire to do that over a one- to two-week interval, however generally embargoes don’t enable it. Throughout this time, we hearken 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 stage (often round 75 %).

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

In the case of options, we do a radical assessment of companion apps, testing every characteristic as we work via 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 charge sensor inside. However coronary heart charge assist is at the moment 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 numerous useful options, most of which require a Samsung telephone. However at this value, 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 charge sensors work nicely, sending these stats to quite a lot of apps. Nonetheless, that sport-tracking characteristic works finest with Polar’s app and gadgets, so there’s that consideration. Additionally, the audio high quality and ANC efficiency isn’t nearly as good because the MTW4, and these earbuds are dear.

Beats Solo Buds

There’s so much 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 issues. You solely get the fundamentals right here by way of options and, as anticipated, the general sound high quality isn’t nearly 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 lets you keep in-tune with the world whereas listening to audio content material. The clip-on design may be very comfy, however sound high quality suffers as a result of open-type match, particularly relating to 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, total audio efficiency is inconsistent and there’s no automated 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 you’ll find 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, in any case. 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 can present extra hours of battery life — however you may need to return every bud to the case so as 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 variety of variables to think about and the variations in parts make a direct comparability troublesome. Personally, I desire the audio high quality from over-ear headphones, however I can inform you 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 troublesome 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 exhibiting 40 % at that mark throughout our exams. 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 affords 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 today relating to elevated water resistance. To find out the extent of safety, you’ll need 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 need to make it possible for determine is 7 or greater. At this water-resistance score, earbuds can face 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, which means it doesn’t have any particular safety. For instance, a pair of wi-fi earbuds which can be IPX7 wouldn’t be constructed to keep away from mud intrusion, however they might be okay if you happen to dropped them in shallow water.

Which earbuds keep in ears the perfect?

A safe match can fluctuate wildly from individual to individual. All of our ears are totally different, so audio corporations are designing their merchandise to suit the most individuals they will with a single form. For this reason AirPods will simply fall out for some however keep put for others. Design touches like wing suggestions or fins usually come on health fashions and people parts may also help preserve issues in place. You’ll probably simply need to attempt earbuds on, and in the event that they don’t match nicely 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 assist you to use any headphones, headset or earbuds with a PS5. After you have one, plug it right into a USB port on the console and pair your earbuds with it.