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Title: The best wireless earbuds for 2025

Date: Wed, 28 May 2025 09:01:26 +0000
Link: https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/bes...

Finding the best wireless earbuds can make a huge difference in your day-to-
day life, whether youΓÇÖre commuting, working out, traveling or just zoning
out with your favorite playlist. TodayΓÇÖs earbuds arenΓÇÖt just about
cutting the cord ΓÇö theyΓÇÖre smarter, more comfortable and packed with
features like active noise cancellation, customizable sound profiles and even
spatial audio support.

With so many options out there, thereΓÇÖs truly a pair of wireless earbuds
for everyone. Whether you want something that's perfect for running, built
for all-day wear at the office or tuned for serious audiophiles, the choices
have never been better. Some models prioritize battery life, others deliver
premium sound quality and a few somehow manage to do it all without blowing
your budget. No matter what youΓÇÖre looking for, weΓÇÖre here to help you
find the right set of wireless earbuds to match your lifestyle.

Table of contents

Best wireless earbuds of 2025

What to look for in the best wireless earbuds

How we test wireless earbuds

Other wireless earbuds we tested

Wireless earbuds FAQs

Best wireless earbuds of 2025

What to look for in the best wireless earbuds

When it comes to shopping for earphones, the first thing to consider is
design or wear style. Do you prefer a semi-open fit like AirPods or do you
want something that completely closes off your ears? If youΓÇÖre shopping for
earbuds with active noise cancellation, you'll want the latter, but a case
can be made for the former if you want to wear them all day or frequent
places where you need to be tuned in to the ambient sounds. The overall shape
of earbuds can determine whether you get a comfortable fit, so can the size
and weight, so youΓÇÖll want to consider all that before deciding. And
remember: audio companies arenΓÇÖt perfect, so despite lots of research, the
earbud shape they decided on may not fit you well. DonΓÇÖt be afraid to
return ill-fitting earbuds for something thatΓÇÖs more comfortable.

As wireless earbuds have become the norm, theyΓÇÖre now more reliable for
basic things like consistent Bluetooth connectivity. Companies are still in a
race to pack as much as they can into increasingly smaller designs. This
typically means a longer list of features on the more premium sets of earbuds
with basic functionality on the cheapest models. Carefully consider what you
canΓÇÖt live without when selecting your next earbuds, and make sure key
items like automatic pausing and multipoint connectivity are on the spec
sheet. YouΓÇÖll also want to investigate the volume and touch controls as
youΓÇÖll often have to sacrifice access to something else to make that
adjustment via on-board taps or swipes. Some earbuds even offer app settings
to tweak the audio profiles or firmware updates to improve performance over
time.

For those in the Apple ecosystem, features like auto-pairing with devices,
especially with AirPods Pro 2, can be an added advantage, while Android users
may want to look for models that offer similar cross-device functionality.

When it comes to battery life, the average set of earbuds lasts about five
hours on a single charge. You can find sets that last longer, but this is
likely enough to get you through a work day if youΓÇÖre docking the buds
during lunch or the occasional meeting. YouΓÇÖll want to check on how many
extra charges are available via the case and if it supports wireless
charging.

Companies will also make lofty claims about call quality on wireless earbuds.
Despite lots of promises, the reality is most earbuds still leave you
sounding like youΓÇÖre on speakerphone. There are some sets that deliver, but
donΓÇÖt get your hopes up unless reviews confirm the claims.

Sound can be subjective, so we recommend trying before you buy if at all
possible. This is especially true if you're an audiophile. We understand this
isnΓÇÖt easy when most of us do a lot of shopping online, but trying on a set
of earbuds and listening to them for a few minutes can save you from an
expensive case of buyer's remorse. If a store doesnΓÇÖt allow a quick demo,
most retailers have return policies that will let you take earbuds back you
donΓÇÖt like. Of course, you have to be willing to temporarily part with
funds in order to do this.

We also recommend paying attention to things like Spatial Audio, Dolby Atmos,
360 Reality Audio and other immersive formats. Not all earbuds support them,
so youΓÇÖll want to make sure a perspective pair does if that sort of thing
excites you, especially if you plan to use them for playback of high-quality
audio.

How we test wireless Bluetooth earbuds

The primary way we test earbuds is to wear them as much as possible. We
prefer to do this over a one- to two-week period, but sometimes embargoes
donΓÇÖt allow it. During this time, we listen to a mix of music and podcasts,
while also using the earbuds to take both voice and video calls. Since
battery life for earbuds is typically less than a full day, we drain the
battery with looping music and the volume set at a comfortable level (usually
around 75 percent).

To judge audio quality, we listen to a range of genres, noting any
differences in the sound profile across the styles. We also test at both low
and high volumes to check for consistency in the tuning. To assess call
quality, weΓÇÖll record audio samples with the earbudsΓÇÖ microphones as well
as have third parties call us.

When it comes to features, we do a thorough review of companion apps, testing
each feature as we work through the software. Any holdovers from previous
models are double checked for improvements or regression. If the earbuds
weΓÇÖre testing are an updated version of a previous model, weΓÇÖll spend
time getting reacquainted with the older buds. Ditto for the closest
competition for each new set of earbuds that we review.

Other wireless Bluetooth earbuds we tested Beats Powerbeats Pro 2

The newest version of the Powerbeats Pro have an improved, comfortable
design, balanced bass and new H2 chips and a heart rate sensor inside. But
heart rate support is currently limited on iOS, and there's a possibility
those capabilities make it onto the next AirPods Pro models.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 3

The Galaxy Buds 3 combine ANC with an open-type design, which renders the
noise-blocking abilities of the earbuds mostly useless. Still, thereΓÇÖs
great low-end tone with ample bass when a track demands it. There are also
lots of handy features, most of which require a Samsung phone. But at this
price, there are better options from Google, Beats and Sony

Sennheiser Momentum Sport

I really like the overall shape of the Momentum Sport earbuds. TheyΓÇÖre more
comfortable than the Momentum True Wireless 4 and fit in my ears better.
WhatΓÇÖs more, the body temperature and heart rate sensors work well, sending
those stats to a variety of apps. However, that sport-tracking feature works
best with PolarΓÇÖs app and devices, so thereΓÇÖs that consideration. Also,
the audio quality and ANC performance isnΓÇÖt as good as the MTW4, and these
earbuds are pricey.

Beats Solo Buds

ThereΓÇÖs a lot to like about the Solo Buds for $80. For me, the primary perk
is theyΓÇÖre very comfortable to wear for long periods of time thanks to some
thoughtful design considerations. You only get the basics here in terms of
features and, as expected, the overall sound quality isnΓÇÖt as good as the
pricier models in the Beats lineup. You will get 18 hours of battery life
though, since the company nixed the battery in the case and beefed up the
listening time in the buds themselves.

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds

Bose created something very unique for this set of earbuds that allows you to
stay in-tune with the world while listening to audio content. The clip-on
design is very comfortable, but sound quality suffers due to the open-type
fit, especially when it comes to bass and spatial audio.

Audio-Technica ATH-TWX7

These stick buds have a compact design thatΓÇÖs comfortable to wear and the
warm sound profile is great at times. However, overall audio performance is
inconsistent and thereΓÇÖs no automatic pausing.

Master & Dynamic MW09

Retooled audio, better ambient sound mode and reliable multipoint Bluetooth
are the best things the MW09 has to offer. TheyΓÇÖre expensive though, and
you can find better ANC performance elsewhere.

Wireless earbud FAQs What is considered good battery life for true wireless
earbuds?

Most wireless earbuds will last five hours on a single charge, at the least.
You can find some pairs that have even better battery life, lasting between
six and eight hours before they need more juice. All of the best wireless
earbuds come with a charging case, which will provide additional hours of
battery life ΓÇö but you'll have to return each bud to the case in order to
charge them up.

Is sound quality better on headphones or earbuds?

Comparing sound quality on earbuds and headphones is a bit like comparing
apples and oranges. There are a lot of variables to consider and the
differences in components make a direct comparison difficult. Personally, I
prefer the audio quality from over-ear headphones, but I can tell you the
sound from earbuds like SennheiserΓÇÖs Momentum True Wireless 3 is also
outstanding.

Which wireless earbuds have the longest battery life?

With new models coming out all the time, tracking the hours of battery life
for each this can be difficult to keep tabs on. The longest-lasting earbuds
weΓÇÖve reviewed are Audio-TechnicaΓÇÖs ATH-CKS5TW. The company states they
last 15 hours, but the app was still showing 40 percent at that mark during
our tests. The only downside is these earbuds debuted in 2019 and both
technology and features have improved since. In terms of current models,
Master & DynamicΓÇÖs MW08 offers 12 hours of use on a charge with ANC off (10
with ANC on) and JBL has multiple options with 10-hour batteries.

What wireless earbuds are waterproof?

There are plenty of options these days when it comes to increased water
resistance. To determine the level of protection, youΓÇÖll want to look for
an IP (ingress protection) rating. The first number indicates intrusion
protection from things like dust. The second number is the level of moisture
protection and youΓÇÖll want to make sure that figure is 7 or higher. At this
water-resistance rating, earbuds can withstand full immersion for up to 30
minutes in depths up to one meter (3.28 feet). If either of the IP numbers is
an X, that means it doesnΓÇÖt have any special protection. For example, a
pair of wireless earbuds that are IPX7 wouldnΓÇÖt be built to avoid dust
intrusion, but they would be ok if you dropped them in shallow water.

Which earbuds stay in ears the best?

A secure fit can vary wildly from person to person. All of our ears are
different, so audio companies are designing their products to fit the most
people they can with a single shape. This is why AirPods will easily fall out
for some but stay put for others. Design touches like wing tips or fins
typically come on fitness models and those elements can help keep things in
place. YouΓÇÖll likely just have to try earbuds on, and if they donΓÇÖt fit
well return them.

What wireless earbuds work with PS5?

PlayStation 5 doesnΓÇÖt support Bluetooth audio without an adapter or dongle.
Even SonyΓÇÖs own gaming headsets come with a transmitter that connects to
the console. There are universal options that allow you to use any
headphones, headset or earbuds with a PS5. Once you have one, plug it into a
USB port on the console and pair your earbuds with it.

Recent updates

May 2025: Updated to ensure top picks and buying advice remain accurate.

March 2025: Updated the top pick for the best sounding wireless earbuds -
runner up.

January 2025: Updated the top pick for best sounding wireless earbuds.

July 2024: Updated our list to include the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at
https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/bes...
120058222.html?src=rss

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