I use Wireless earbuds constantly. I use them for work, running, working out, relaxing, traveling—whatever I am doing, chances are I have a pair of wireless earbuds on me, just in case. While some of the earliest models were huge and inconvenient, earbuds nowadays are slim, comfortable, and often affordable.
The WIRED Reviews team doesn't just use earbuds—we test them. Hundreds of them, actually. And after weeks of music, calls, commutes, and rogue earbuds flying out of our ears, we've chosen these favorites that are the best for most people.
For more top picks, check out our other audio guides, like the Best Open Earbuds, Best Wireless Headphones, Best Noise-Canceling Headphones, Best Cheap Headphones, Best Workout Headphones, and Best Wired Headphones.
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Featured in This Guide
The Best Earbuds for Most PeopleGoogle Pixel Buds 2aRead more$129Amazon
Best Earbuds for iPhoneApple AirPods Pro 3Read more$249 $199 (20% off)Amazon
Best Earbuds for Samsung PhonesSamsung Galaxy Buds4 ProRead more$244Amazon
Best Earbuds for AndroidGoogle Pixel Buds Pro 2Read more$229 $169 (26% off)Amazon
Updated August 2026: I've updated product recommendations and honorable mentions. Specs, prices, and links were also updated.
The Best Earbuds for Most People
Pixel Buds 2a
The Pixel Buds 2a aren't the flashiest earbuds around, but they hit just the right balance of sound quality, useful features, comfortable fit, and low price, making them a great option for just about anyone.
The smooth, pebblelike case has a replaceable battery, and the buds are very small and ergonomic, with ear loops that really help them stay in most ears. An IP54 rating, noise canceling, and seven hours of battery life make these fantastic for everyday wear. Reliable software support and excellent touch controls (though no volume controls directly on the earbuds) make these especially nice while working out, at the desk, or gardening. And instant pairing with Android phones and near-instant pairing with iPhones means both teams can enjoy these buds easily.
The biggest miss here is no wireless charging. If that's a deal-breaker, you'll want to upgrade to something like the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2. Otherwise, these are great overall earbuds, but not the best at any one thing. Some of the pricier options on this list have better sound quality, battery life, and ANC.
Best Earbuds for iPhone
AirPods Pro 3
Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 solidify their status as the best-selling headphones for good reason. They remain the easiest, most integrated buds for iOS users, now with crucial upgrades. The design is subtly refined for a more universal fit, aided by new foam-lined ear tips that improve comfort and passive noise isolation. Key improvements include a much-needed battery life boost to eight hours and an enhanced IP57 rating for greater durability.
New features like real-time translation and surprisingly accurate heart rate monitoring, powered by robust software support, are very nice to have. The bass-heavy sound profile favors pop music, but the active noise canceling is class-leading, effectively silencing even high-pitched distractions.
While competitors like Sony and Bose offer compelling alternatives, the AirPods Pro 3 provide an unmatched seamless experience for the Apple ecosystem. For iPhone owners, they are the definitive choice and a worthy upgrade, especially for those dealing with aging batteries from older models. —Parker Hall
Best Earbuds for Samsung Phones
Galaxy Buds4 Pro
The Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro are the best earbuds for anyone who already owns and uses a Samsung phone or Samsung smartwatch, similar to AirPods for Apple users. That comparison isn't just surface level: These are the most AirPods-like Samsung earbuds yet; the size, shape, fit, and feel are very AirPods Pro 3.
These are fun, comfortable, and convenient earbuds for anyone with a Samsung phone. The noise-canceling works admirably, canceling out most low drones like plane and AC noise and lowering café and office chatter well. The Ambient Sound (aka transparency mode) is a real standout—it's clear and natural-sounding, so much so that we used it in place of open earbuds for walks and hikes on occasion. Paired with a Samsung phone, there are features galore: a customizable nine-band equalizer (with presets), earbud fit tests, high-resolution audio support, voice control settings (Google Assistant or Bixby), Find My Earbuds (think Apple Find My), and more. But, importantly, they sound great straight out of the box.
The only downside is battery life: Six hours of playback with ANC on puts it behind most other earbuds on this list. And controls, while simple and intuitive, misfired semi-often over several days of testing.
Best Earbuds for Android
Pixel Buds Pro 2
Google's Pixel Buds Pro 2 are itty-bitty earbuds that pair perfectly with whatever Android phone you have. They're super comfortable, have excellent noise canceling, and boast an eight-hour battery life that puts many competitors to shame. You can choose between digital assistants and even open Google's Gemini Live conversational AI straight from the earbuds. Sound quality is among the best in the category, with clear highs and a nice helping of punch in the bass without being overwhelming. They're also IP54-rated, which makes them a carefree addition to your gym bag. —Parker Hall
Best Noise-Canceling Earbuds
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QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)
Bose claims that its latest flagship headphones have the best noise reduction on the planet, and after a few weeks with the QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen), I'm inclined to agree. The comfortable elephant trunk shape pairs with silky silicone ear tips to provide excellent passive noise isolation—akin to a pair of earplugs—which combine with active noise-canceling tech to provide true silence.
You'll have a hard time hearing anything but the highest-pitched noises with ANC on, and the built-in dynamic drivers do a great job putting music on top. The latest model comes with a wireless charging case and some new and exciting spatial audio features (particularly great when watching movies on flights), which make these some of the best earbuds for business travelers. Call and Zoom quality, likewise, is excellent. —Parker Hall
Best Budget Earbuds
Go Pop ANC
JLab is my go-to brand for budget earbuds, and the Go Pop ANC are a prime example of why. These buds are shockingly full-featured for $30: ANC and transparency modes that actually work, stable Bluetooth connectivity, a robust app with adjustable EQ and programmable controls, and a respectable IP55 dust- and water-resistance rating. I can think of many earbuds over $100 that mess up the basics more than these ones do. Sure, I found the tiny built-in USB-C cable more annoying than helpful, but at this price, it's hard to nitpick.
Best Open Earbuds
OpenDots 2
Open earbuds rest on or wrap around the outside of your ears, leaving them open to hear the world around you. They're an excellent choice when you want to be aware of your surroundings—think walking, running, biking, or hiking outdoors.
After testing dozens, I almost always come back to Shokz OpenDots. They have been my constant, consistent companion for walks, runs, bike rides, and just living life. It's the combination of comfort, ease of use, and battery life that puts them ahead of competitors for me. I've worn these earbuds for hours at a time and completely forgotten I was wearing them. Which is especially easy to do because the buds get up to 10 hours of battery life, way more than most of my recommendations on this list.
Open earbuds as a whole don't sound nearly as good as in-ear earbuds, but the OpenDots 2 do a fine job of conveying detailed instrumentation in such a small form factor.
The controls have been consistent and responsive in my testing, though part of me wishes Shokz opted for real buttons (like the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds) instead of touch-sensitive areas around the barrel/battery cell.
If you're really locked in on using open-ear headphones exclusively for fitness, the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 are the better buy, but OpenDots win out on versatility and convenience.
Best Workout Earbuds
Powerbeats Pro 2
The Beats PowerBeats Pro 2 are capital-W workout earbuds. Part of the reason is fit—these earbuds stay in my ears no matter what kind of workouts I do. I once tried to get them to fall out by physically smacking my ears with my hands haphazardly for a good five seconds. They didn't budge.
They are massively improved from the 2019 originals. The earbuds are much smaller and comfier, they have solid noise canceling and transparency modes, and they have built-in heart rate sensors, so you can record heart rate data without a smartwatch or fitness tracker. They're also great on both iPhones and Android phones: Apple's H2 chip adds Find My support, Siri voice assistant, and iCloud device switching, while Android users get a dedicated Beats app and easy one-touch pairing.
My main gripe with them is that they are only IPX4 dust and water resistant, which is particularly baffling for workout headphones (even the all-purpose AirPods Pro 3 are IP57). They're also still a bit big, but that's necessary for such a secure ear-hook design. If you're looking for a workout earbud that's a little more streamlined, I also love the smaller Beats Powerbeats Fit, though they don't have a built-in heart rate sensor.
Honorable Mentions
We test new earbuds every month. These are notable models that made an impression, but didn't quite make it into my top picks.
Nothing Ear (3a) for $99: These stylish little earbuds stand out from the crowd with a bold design and a sub-$100 price. Even at this price, they don't really leave anything out. They pair easily with iPhone and Android devices; have a fully fledged app with features like a customizable EQ, call recording, and audio transcriptions; and they sound great. ANC could be better, but again, at this price, it's hard to complain. You can learn more in our Nothing Ear (3a) review.
Sony WH-1000XM6 for $330: If you're looking for premium design and excellent sound quality, these latest flagship earbuds from Sony fit the bill. With excellent ANC and transparency modes, plus a truly detailed sound profile, they scored a 9/10 in our Sony WH-1000XM6 review. What kept them out of the top spot is fit and price. I could not get the right foam earbud to fit comfortably in my ear, no matter what sizes I used. (This rarely, if ever, happens when I test earbuds.) They're also $330—that's a high price, especially when so many competitors offer a similarly great experience for less.
Sony Linkbuds Fit for $230: Sony’s Linkbuds Fit offer rich and punchy sound, naturalistic transparency mode, and a light and comfy fit, helping them live up to their intent as a “wear anywhere” solution. They provide some solid features, but skimp on battery life with just 5.5 hours per charge, and their noise canceling is just OK. Their oddly unresponsive touch controls and reliance on flimsy silicone sleeves further diminish their value, but they're still Sony buds and could be worth nabbing on a good sale. —Parker Hall
Soundcore Space A40 for $80: The Soundcore Space A40 are still some of my favorite buds for the money, providing good features, clear sound, and excellent noise canceling for their price class. They also look polished, with only their lack of auto-pause sensors betraying their low price. —Parker Hall