Wireless earbuds are one of the best ways to listen to your music on the go, whether your commuting, heading to the gym, or relaxing poolside on a sunny day the right pair of earphones will stay put and bring you quality sound.
Youâd be forgiven for thinking wireless earbuds arenât as good as the best headphones â thatâs because a few short years ago, Bluetooth wasnât the best way listen to your favorite music.
Back in the day, Bluetooth earphones didnât sound as good as their wired counterparts, suffered connectivity issues and became known for having short battery lives.
Luckily, times have changed. Thanks to improvements in wireless transmission standards, such as aptX and innovations in battery technology, Bluetooth earbuds are quickly becoming the most popular way to listen to music, and many of the best earbuds feature wireless connectivity.
When it comes to wireless earphones the big question is: which brands have emerged as the best when it comes to big Bluetooth improvements and the future of audio innovation?
Audio companies like Jaybird, Plantronics, Nuforce, RHA and Jabra all are great options, as theyâve all committed a great deal deal of time and money to improving audio quality without sacrificing battery life â and there are some good options from big players like Sony, Apple and Bose, too.
What are the best wireless earbuds?
[IMG alt=âbest wireless earbudsâ]http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HUu...vuy2cDtFLE.jpg
The NuForce BE Sport4 wireless earbuds are that rare find: earbuds that are good for basically all situations, whether youâre looking to take them out on a run or just wear them around town. Theyâre ideal for exercise, although any urbanite will also find their lightweight functionality and impressive sound isolation highly appealing. If you want proof that wireless headphones can now compete with the best of them, look no further.
Read the full review: Optoma NuForce BE Sport4
[IMG alt=âwireless earbudsâ]http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MeK...MSpY7g4oXP.jpg
While theyâre not the kind of earbuds youâd want to bring with you to the gym, the RHA MA390 Wireless are the perfect companion for anyone looking for a home listening pair of wireless earbuds. The headphones are built extremely well, have a fun sound signature, and come at an affordable price.
Its main rival, the OnePlus Bullets Wireless, are also excellent, however we give the nod to the RHA MA390 for its more dynamic sound and better build quality.
Read the full review: RHA MA390 Wireless
[IMG alt=âoneplus bullets wireless 2â]http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kt2...bg7KPvBue6.jpg
OnePlus is most known for its âflagship killerâ phones like the OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7 Pro, but the company also makes headphones â the best example of which are the companyâs excellent Bullets Wireless 2, which offer an incredible value in the neck-bud headphone category.
In terms of audio quality, they boast a lively sonic presentation and an accurate-feeling soundstage, although bass-heads may want to look elsewhere for headphones that pack a bassier punch.
Theyâre comfortable to wear too, but itâs just a shame that they donât have a waterproof rating and the inline remote is so fiddly, because otherwise they could make a decent pair of running headphones.
They may be more expensive than their predecessors, but the improved battery life and sound quality makes up for that; it also makes it worth upgrading if you have the originals and are due a new pair of wireless earbuds.
Read the full review: OnePlus Bullets Wireless 2
[IMG alt=âjaybird earbudsâ]http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RCh...VMpdFUcWiH.jpg
The Jaybird Tarah Pro headphones are wireless sport headphones for the endurance runners, athletes and fitness nuts out there. With a neck cable to keep the earbuds together, they arenât quite âtrue wirelessâ, but will be practical for those concerned about dropping and losing a costly earbud in the heat of a race or training session.
As the first in Jaybirdâs new âProâ range of earbuds and aimed at offering higher quality audio and materials, the Tarah Pro will suit anyone not willing to sacrifice audio quality in harsher outdoor conditions or indoor workouts and who donât mind spending a bit more to get a premium product.
Read the full review: Jaybird Tarah Pro
[IMG alt="eZvoiggaVvN4AT3oWCGtoL" width="690px" height="388px"]https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eZvoiggaVvN4AT3oWCGtoL.jpg[/IMG]
Image Credit: Beats
Beats havenât always gotten the best rap when it comes to audio performance, but the Beats X is trying to set the record straight. The Beats X hence make up for their slightly bassy, confined sound with a rock solid connection and a pairing process that, on iOS devices at least, is as painless as itâs possible to be.
If youâre shopping for a no-fuss pair of earbuds that charge in five minutes, work well with iOS and donât mind spending a little extra money on them, the Beats X are for you.
Read the full review: Beats X
[IMG alt="PLUWks8CNw86SXpkfKP8pU" width="690px" height="388px"]https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PLUWks8CNw86SXpkfKP8pU.jpg[/IMG]
Life is full of compromises, and itâs no different with the Bose QuietControl 30. On the positive side you get a level of noise cancellation that comes close to whatâs offered by the brandâs over-ear headphones, but the concession here is on sound fidelity, which just isnât on the same level as that of other in-ear or over-ear headphones weâve tested.
Thereâs also that neckband which adds an unfortunate level of bulk to what should otherwise be a slimline pair of headphones.
Read the full review: Bose QuietControl 30
Or, cut the cord with these true wireless models
[IMG alt=âSony WF-1000XM3â]http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/idi...QEyQjrUeSb.jpg
Considering itâs still rare to get noise-cancellation in wired earbuds at all, the fact that Sony has managed to pack it into a pair that are not only wireless, but true wireless is very impressive indeed.
The Sony WF-1000X manage to offer a level of noise-cancellation thatâs very good for a pair of earbuds â it wonât offer the same isolation as a pair of over-ear cans, but if youâre after a sleek form factor then the compromise is well worth it.
There may be a few minor problems with these wireless earbuds, but we think Sony has knocked the ball out of the park with the WF-1000XM3; not only are these hands down the best-looking True Wireless headphones out there, but they combine serious noise cancelling tech with fist-pumping musicality.
Read the full review: Sony WF-1000XM3
[IMG alt=âwireless earbudâ]http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/EYh...3A6gsrzQ9f.jpg
Cambridge Audio is known for its high-end audio equipment, but until now, hasnât ventured into the world of true wireless earbuds. Enter the Cambridge Audio Melomania 1s: with an outstanding 45 hours of battery life, they combine the brandâs award-winning engineering with the convenience of truly wireless listening.
For a pair of true wireless earbuds, the sound quality offered by the Cambridge Audio Melomania 1s is sensational. In fact, it rivals some of the best over-ear headphones, which is all but unheard of for buds of this size.
They may not have the noise cancelation technology offered by the Sony WF-1000XM3 Wireless Earbuds, but they are cheaper â and have a superior battery life.
They certainly outperform the Apple AirPods, in all respects apart from the lack of wireless charging case. This is a small price to pay for that exceptional audio quality, though, and we think they represent much better value for money, too.
Read the full review: Cambridge Audio Melomania 1
[IMG alt=âwireless earbudsâ]http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FYp...tbB3RL8JLo.jpg
With their stellar sound and build quality, long-lasting battery life and what may be one of the coolest cases weâve ever seen, weâd argue that the Klipsch T5s are of the best models on the market right now..
Of course, youâre buying a Klipsch product because it features the signature Klipsch sound, which is warm, detailed, and never harsh. Acoustic music is lush and detailed, and the detail extends to the highs as well, allowing the headphones to sing in the higher registers without ever being sibilant.
Battery life is rated at 8 hours per charge with the case giving an additional 24 hours â that means these true wireless in-ear headphones will last you for a long haul flight, no problem.
Read the full review: Klipsch T5 True Wireless
[IMG alt=âwireless earphonesâ]http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8hF...PcxrDnozfB.jpg
Although the TrueConnect is RHAâs first true wireless headphone, the company showed they did their research and development by making it one of the best true wireless headphones on the market today. The combination of sound quality, battery life, and wireless reliability means these are a pair of headphones you can rely on everyday.
The Jabra Elite 65t set the standard for what true wireless headphones should be and, regardless of what RHA has done here with the TrueConnect, theyâre still great headphones. Compared to the RHA TrueConnect, the Jabra has more features with its useful ambient noise mode to help with situational awareness and an app that lets you tailor sound.
The RHA doesnât have either of those features but we didnât miss them, thanks to better sound quality and wireless reliability. The RHA also feels more like a premium product than the all-plastic Jabra.
All said, if youâre shopping for a pair of true wireless headphones, RHA TrueConnect should be at the very top of your list.
Read the full review: RHA TrueConnect
[IMG alt=âwireless earbudsâ]http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qB6...WBurHc5ScM.jpg
If you want a pair of high quality truly wireless earbuds that arenât the Apple AirPods, then the Jabra Elite 65t should be at the top of your list.
After spending over a month with them, we came away impressed with the well-rounded package that Jabra managed to create: The earbuds offer a subtle, mature look and a reliable wireless connection, which isnât always the case with truly wireless earbuds. Plus, they sound great compared to the competition.
If you want an alternative for the RHA TrueConnect, go for the Elite 65t.
Read the full review: Jabra Elite 65t
[IMG alt=âwireless earbudsâ]http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BKX...KtApvUomAC.jpg
With a promising battery life and well-managed bass enhancement over Audio-Technicaâs usual neutral sound, the Audio-Technica ATH-CKS5TW true wireless earbuds have a lot going for them.
Theyâve one of the most complete and well-rounded sound profiles weâve seen from true-wireless earbuds, and thatâs despite the claimed bass enhancement. Itâs a very enjoyable sound that they make.
However, they are let down a bit by their fit â mileage will vary of course depending on your preferred bud style and the size of your ears, but all will find the fiddly case fit will annoy over time. Still, the quality audio here may be a worthy trade-off.
Read the full review: Audio-Technica ATH-CKS5TW review
[IMG alt=âwireless earphonesâ]http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BUD...iBEqrKGNgL.jpg
The new PowerBeats Pro true wireless Beats headphones arenât exactly the earbuds analysts have been predicting, sure, but they are something special â theyâre supremely comfortable, sound decent and seem to never, ever fall out.
That said, they are â in our opinion â Appleâs best true wireless earbuds to date thanks to small additions like the pressure-reducing micro-laser barometric venting hole, their longer battery life and their superior sound quality. If we had to choose between wearing these and the AirPods around the house or office, these are what weâd wear.
Read the full review: Beats PowerBeats Pro
[IMG alt=âSamsung Galaxy Budsâ]http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/smA...V6PfbQVg7Y.jpg
It feels as though Samsung has finally got it right with the Galaxy Buds, and they represent serious competition for the Apple AirPods in terms of design, sound, and ease of use. We loved the pearlescent effect on the buds outer housing and the sleek design of the case, and we found they felt comfortable and secure.
The sound quality offered by these true wireless buds is also very good indeed, with deep bass, and a wide open soundstage. The downside here is that other features that are available on the app like ambient noise and the equalizer presets are useful to have, but didnât always work as effectively as we hoped. Worse, these features are also pretty much out of bounds for iOS users, as you can only download the app on devices running Android 5.0 or later.
That said, if you have a Samsung phone, the Galaxy Buds are a fantastic pair of true wireless earbuds, with a few quality-of-life features that make them stand up confidently the competition. If not, you may miss out on these additional features but the high sound quality, comfortable fit, and attractive design means that these buds could be a smart purchase, even for the iOS crowd.
Read the full review: Samsung Galaxy Buds
Continue readingâŚ
Youâd be forgiven for thinking wireless earbuds arenât as good as the best headphones â thatâs because a few short years ago, Bluetooth wasnât the best way listen to your favorite music.
Back in the day, Bluetooth earphones didnât sound as good as their wired counterparts, suffered connectivity issues and became known for having short battery lives.
Luckily, times have changed. Thanks to improvements in wireless transmission standards, such as aptX and innovations in battery technology, Bluetooth earbuds are quickly becoming the most popular way to listen to music, and many of the best earbuds feature wireless connectivity.
When it comes to wireless earphones the big question is: which brands have emerged as the best when it comes to big Bluetooth improvements and the future of audio innovation?
Audio companies like Jaybird, Plantronics, Nuforce, RHA and Jabra all are great options, as theyâve all committed a great deal deal of time and money to improving audio quality without sacrificing battery life â and there are some good options from big players like Sony, Apple and Bose, too.
What are the best wireless earbuds?
[IMG alt=âbest wireless earbudsâ]http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HUu...vuy2cDtFLE.jpg
The NuForce BE Sport4 wireless earbuds are that rare find: earbuds that are good for basically all situations, whether youâre looking to take them out on a run or just wear them around town. Theyâre ideal for exercise, although any urbanite will also find their lightweight functionality and impressive sound isolation highly appealing. If you want proof that wireless headphones can now compete with the best of them, look no further.
Read the full review: Optoma NuForce BE Sport4
[IMG alt=âwireless earbudsâ]http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MeK...MSpY7g4oXP.jpg
While theyâre not the kind of earbuds youâd want to bring with you to the gym, the RHA MA390 Wireless are the perfect companion for anyone looking for a home listening pair of wireless earbuds. The headphones are built extremely well, have a fun sound signature, and come at an affordable price.
Its main rival, the OnePlus Bullets Wireless, are also excellent, however we give the nod to the RHA MA390 for its more dynamic sound and better build quality.
Read the full review: RHA MA390 Wireless
[IMG alt=âoneplus bullets wireless 2â]http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kt2...bg7KPvBue6.jpg
OnePlus is most known for its âflagship killerâ phones like the OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7 Pro, but the company also makes headphones â the best example of which are the companyâs excellent Bullets Wireless 2, which offer an incredible value in the neck-bud headphone category.
In terms of audio quality, they boast a lively sonic presentation and an accurate-feeling soundstage, although bass-heads may want to look elsewhere for headphones that pack a bassier punch.
Theyâre comfortable to wear too, but itâs just a shame that they donât have a waterproof rating and the inline remote is so fiddly, because otherwise they could make a decent pair of running headphones.
They may be more expensive than their predecessors, but the improved battery life and sound quality makes up for that; it also makes it worth upgrading if you have the originals and are due a new pair of wireless earbuds.
Read the full review: OnePlus Bullets Wireless 2
[IMG alt=âjaybird earbudsâ]http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RCh...VMpdFUcWiH.jpg
The Jaybird Tarah Pro headphones are wireless sport headphones for the endurance runners, athletes and fitness nuts out there. With a neck cable to keep the earbuds together, they arenât quite âtrue wirelessâ, but will be practical for those concerned about dropping and losing a costly earbud in the heat of a race or training session.
As the first in Jaybirdâs new âProâ range of earbuds and aimed at offering higher quality audio and materials, the Tarah Pro will suit anyone not willing to sacrifice audio quality in harsher outdoor conditions or indoor workouts and who donât mind spending a bit more to get a premium product.
Read the full review: Jaybird Tarah Pro
[IMG alt="eZvoiggaVvN4AT3oWCGtoL" width="690px" height="388px"]https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eZvoiggaVvN4AT3oWCGtoL.jpg[/IMG]
Image Credit: Beats
Beats havenât always gotten the best rap when it comes to audio performance, but the Beats X is trying to set the record straight. The Beats X hence make up for their slightly bassy, confined sound with a rock solid connection and a pairing process that, on iOS devices at least, is as painless as itâs possible to be.
If youâre shopping for a no-fuss pair of earbuds that charge in five minutes, work well with iOS and donât mind spending a little extra money on them, the Beats X are for you.
Read the full review: Beats X
[IMG alt="PLUWks8CNw86SXpkfKP8pU" width="690px" height="388px"]https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PLUWks8CNw86SXpkfKP8pU.jpg[/IMG]
Life is full of compromises, and itâs no different with the Bose QuietControl 30. On the positive side you get a level of noise cancellation that comes close to whatâs offered by the brandâs over-ear headphones, but the concession here is on sound fidelity, which just isnât on the same level as that of other in-ear or over-ear headphones weâve tested.
Thereâs also that neckband which adds an unfortunate level of bulk to what should otherwise be a slimline pair of headphones.
Read the full review: Bose QuietControl 30
Or, cut the cord with these true wireless models
[IMG alt=âSony WF-1000XM3â]http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/idi...QEyQjrUeSb.jpg
Considering itâs still rare to get noise-cancellation in wired earbuds at all, the fact that Sony has managed to pack it into a pair that are not only wireless, but true wireless is very impressive indeed.
The Sony WF-1000X manage to offer a level of noise-cancellation thatâs very good for a pair of earbuds â it wonât offer the same isolation as a pair of over-ear cans, but if youâre after a sleek form factor then the compromise is well worth it.
There may be a few minor problems with these wireless earbuds, but we think Sony has knocked the ball out of the park with the WF-1000XM3; not only are these hands down the best-looking True Wireless headphones out there, but they combine serious noise cancelling tech with fist-pumping musicality.
Read the full review: Sony WF-1000XM3
[IMG alt=âwireless earbudâ]http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/EYh...3A6gsrzQ9f.jpg
Cambridge Audio is known for its high-end audio equipment, but until now, hasnât ventured into the world of true wireless earbuds. Enter the Cambridge Audio Melomania 1s: with an outstanding 45 hours of battery life, they combine the brandâs award-winning engineering with the convenience of truly wireless listening.
For a pair of true wireless earbuds, the sound quality offered by the Cambridge Audio Melomania 1s is sensational. In fact, it rivals some of the best over-ear headphones, which is all but unheard of for buds of this size.
They may not have the noise cancelation technology offered by the Sony WF-1000XM3 Wireless Earbuds, but they are cheaper â and have a superior battery life.
They certainly outperform the Apple AirPods, in all respects apart from the lack of wireless charging case. This is a small price to pay for that exceptional audio quality, though, and we think they represent much better value for money, too.
Read the full review: Cambridge Audio Melomania 1
[IMG alt=âwireless earbudsâ]http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FYp...tbB3RL8JLo.jpg
With their stellar sound and build quality, long-lasting battery life and what may be one of the coolest cases weâve ever seen, weâd argue that the Klipsch T5s are of the best models on the market right now..
Of course, youâre buying a Klipsch product because it features the signature Klipsch sound, which is warm, detailed, and never harsh. Acoustic music is lush and detailed, and the detail extends to the highs as well, allowing the headphones to sing in the higher registers without ever being sibilant.
Battery life is rated at 8 hours per charge with the case giving an additional 24 hours â that means these true wireless in-ear headphones will last you for a long haul flight, no problem.
Read the full review: Klipsch T5 True Wireless
[IMG alt=âwireless earphonesâ]http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8hF...PcxrDnozfB.jpg
Although the TrueConnect is RHAâs first true wireless headphone, the company showed they did their research and development by making it one of the best true wireless headphones on the market today. The combination of sound quality, battery life, and wireless reliability means these are a pair of headphones you can rely on everyday.
The Jabra Elite 65t set the standard for what true wireless headphones should be and, regardless of what RHA has done here with the TrueConnect, theyâre still great headphones. Compared to the RHA TrueConnect, the Jabra has more features with its useful ambient noise mode to help with situational awareness and an app that lets you tailor sound.
The RHA doesnât have either of those features but we didnât miss them, thanks to better sound quality and wireless reliability. The RHA also feels more like a premium product than the all-plastic Jabra.
All said, if youâre shopping for a pair of true wireless headphones, RHA TrueConnect should be at the very top of your list.
Read the full review: RHA TrueConnect
[IMG alt=âwireless earbudsâ]http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qB6...WBurHc5ScM.jpg
If you want a pair of high quality truly wireless earbuds that arenât the Apple AirPods, then the Jabra Elite 65t should be at the top of your list.
After spending over a month with them, we came away impressed with the well-rounded package that Jabra managed to create: The earbuds offer a subtle, mature look and a reliable wireless connection, which isnât always the case with truly wireless earbuds. Plus, they sound great compared to the competition.
If you want an alternative for the RHA TrueConnect, go for the Elite 65t.
Read the full review: Jabra Elite 65t
[IMG alt=âwireless earbudsâ]http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BKX...KtApvUomAC.jpg
With a promising battery life and well-managed bass enhancement over Audio-Technicaâs usual neutral sound, the Audio-Technica ATH-CKS5TW true wireless earbuds have a lot going for them.
Theyâve one of the most complete and well-rounded sound profiles weâve seen from true-wireless earbuds, and thatâs despite the claimed bass enhancement. Itâs a very enjoyable sound that they make.
However, they are let down a bit by their fit â mileage will vary of course depending on your preferred bud style and the size of your ears, but all will find the fiddly case fit will annoy over time. Still, the quality audio here may be a worthy trade-off.
Read the full review: Audio-Technica ATH-CKS5TW review
[IMG alt=âwireless earphonesâ]http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BUD...iBEqrKGNgL.jpg
The new PowerBeats Pro true wireless Beats headphones arenât exactly the earbuds analysts have been predicting, sure, but they are something special â theyâre supremely comfortable, sound decent and seem to never, ever fall out.
That said, they are â in our opinion â Appleâs best true wireless earbuds to date thanks to small additions like the pressure-reducing micro-laser barometric venting hole, their longer battery life and their superior sound quality. If we had to choose between wearing these and the AirPods around the house or office, these are what weâd wear.
Read the full review: Beats PowerBeats Pro
[IMG alt=âSamsung Galaxy Budsâ]http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/smA...V6PfbQVg7Y.jpg
It feels as though Samsung has finally got it right with the Galaxy Buds, and they represent serious competition for the Apple AirPods in terms of design, sound, and ease of use. We loved the pearlescent effect on the buds outer housing and the sleek design of the case, and we found they felt comfortable and secure.
The sound quality offered by these true wireless buds is also very good indeed, with deep bass, and a wide open soundstage. The downside here is that other features that are available on the app like ambient noise and the equalizer presets are useful to have, but didnât always work as effectively as we hoped. Worse, these features are also pretty much out of bounds for iOS users, as you can only download the app on devices running Android 5.0 or later.
That said, if you have a Samsung phone, the Galaxy Buds are a fantastic pair of true wireless earbuds, with a few quality-of-life features that make them stand up confidently the competition. If not, you may miss out on these additional features but the high sound quality, comfortable fit, and attractive design means that these buds could be a smart purchase, even for the iOS crowd.
Read the full review: Samsung Galaxy Buds
Continue readingâŚ