NewsBeat
The best wireless earbuds for Android, iPhone and more
Wireless earbuds have taken over the world, offering excellent sound and dramatic noise cancelling effectiveness all in a convenient package.
There are multiple things to consider, especially with the wide range of ‘true wireless’ earbuds on the market. Having overtaken all the best headphones (the over-ear sort) in 2020, wireless stereo earbuds now account for 72.6 per cent of the smart personal audio market in 2024, according to analyst Canalys, with 77 million units shipped.
However, despite Apple’s AirPods earning $18 billion in 2023, more than companies such as Nintendo and Spotify, AirPods aren’t necessarily the best wireless earbuds in terms of price, noise cancelling abilities or sound. I tried some of the best models, including Beats, Samsung and Sony, picking out my top 10, including one pair that costs less than £50.
If you are after more detail, the full, in-depth reviews for each style are further down. You can also find the answers to frequently asked questions for more information.
The best wireless earbuds: At a glance
How to choose the best wireless earbuds for you
If you’re in the market for some new wireless earbuds, you need to figure out what you need them for.
James Roth, Head of Consumer Electronics at technology platform TG0, says: “True wireless earbuds offer a compact and lightweight option, making them great for on-the-go sports and travel. You’ll want earbuds that offer great sound quality, good battery life and ease of use, but it’s also worth looking out for waterproofing.“You probably won’t wear them in the bath, but proper waterproofing can prevent headphones from going ‘phut’ in heavy rain,” James says.
“Active noise cancelling (ANC) models – where the design reduces unwanted ambient sound – are a terrific choice for those listening on planes, trains and automobiles,” he adds. “Today’s best Bluetooth earphones can actually give the best noise cancelling headphones a run for their money on sound quality,” he says.
It’s worth doing a bit of research to get the best sound out of your earbuds. There are various different “codecs” – software which transmits data from your phone to your headphones – and these make a huge difference to sound quality, with Apt-X and LDAC codecs offering near CD quality sound for users of Android smartphones.
You’ll also want to weigh up your budget and how the buds fit in your ear, plus make sure the style you choose is compatible with your mobile phone.