One of the best wi-fi earbuds for 2025

The marketplace for true wi-fi earbuds has exploded, and whereas meaning extra selections, it additionally means extra confusion with regards to selecting one of the best wi-fi earbuds to your wants. From premium choices just like the AirPods Professional 2, which mix modern design with spectacular energetic noise cancellation, to fashions that prioritize distinctive sound high quality, there’s a pair of Bluetooth earbuds for everybody. These compact units additionally now supply options that rival conventional, over-ear headphones, which might make them the go-to selection for music lovers, commuters, gym-goers and plenty of in between.

I’ve examined and reviewed dozens of units of earbuds a yr for Engadget, consistently pitting new fashions in opposition to the earlier greatest throughout all price ranges to maintain this listing of one of the best true wi-fi earbuds updated. This information explains why my present picks for one of the best wi-fi earbuds made the reduce, and presents some procuring recommendation by way of every part you should know earlier than selecting one of the best true wi-fi earbuds to your wants.

If earbuds aren’t your jam, nevertheless, you may try our best headphones buying guide, protecting our favourite wi-fi, over-ear headphones, noise-canceling headphones and extra.

Greatest 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 fashion. Do you like a semi-open match like AirPods or would you like one thing that utterly closes off your ears? If you happen to’re searching for earbuds with energetic noise cancellation, you may need the latter, however a case may be made for the previous if you wish to put on all of them day or frequent locations the place you should 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 scale and weight, so that you’ll wish to take into account 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 fit your needs effectively. Don’t be afraid to return ill-fitting earbuds for one thing that’s extra snug.

As wi-fi earbuds have develop into the norm, they’re now extra dependable for staple items like constant Bluetooth connectivity. Firms are nonetheless in a race to pack as a lot as they’ll into more and more smaller designs. This usually means an extended listing of options on the extra premium units of earbuds with primary performance on the most affordable fashions. Rigorously take into account what you may’t reside with out when choosing your subsequent earbuds, and ensure key objects like computerized pausing and multipoint connectivity are on the spec sheet. You’ll additionally wish to examine the amount and contact controls as you’ll typically should sacrifice entry to one thing else to make that adjustment through on-board faucets or swipes. Some earbuds even supply 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 units, particularly with AirPods Professional 2, may be an added benefit, whereas Android customers could wish to search for fashions that provide related cross-device performance.

In the case of battery life, the common 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 in case you’re docking the buds throughout lunch or the occasional assembly. You’ll wish to test on what number of further expenses can be found through the case and if it helps wi-fi charging.

Firms can even make lofty claims about name high quality on wi-fi earbuds. Regardless of numerous guarantees, the fact is most earbuds nonetheless depart you sounding such as you’re on speakerphone. There are some units that ship, however don’t get your hopes up except critiques affirm the claims.

Sound may be subjective, so we suggest making an attempt before you purchase if in any respect attainable. That is very true in case you’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 permit a fast demo, most retailers have return insurance policies that may allow you to take earbuds again you don’t like. After all, it’s a must to be prepared to briefly half with funds in an effort 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 wish to be certain a perspective pair does if that kind of factor excites you, particularly in case you plan to make use of them for playback of high-quality audio.

How we take a look at wi-fi Bluetooth earbuds

The first means we take a look at earbuds is to put on them as a lot as attainable. We favor to do that over a one- to two-week interval, however typically embargoes don’t permit 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 p.c).

To evaluate audio high quality, we hearken to a variety of genres, noting any variations within the sound profile throughout the types. We additionally take a look at at each high and low volumes to test for consistency within the tuning. To evaluate name high quality, we’ll document 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 function as we work by way of 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

Samsung Galaxy Buds 3

The Galaxy Buds 3 mix ANC with an open-type design, which renders the noise-blocking talents 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 helpful options, most of which require a Samsung cellphone. 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 snug than the Momentum True Wi-fi 4 and slot in my ears higher. What’s extra, the physique temperature and coronary heart fee sensors work effectively, sending these stats to quite a lot of apps. Nevertheless, that sport-tracking function works greatest with Polar’s app and units, so there’s that consideration. Additionally, the audio high quality and ANC efficiency isn’t pretty much as good because the MTW4, and these earbuds are expensive.

Beats Solo Buds

There’s rather a lot to love in regards to the Solo Buds for $80. For me, the first perk is that they’re very snug to put on for lengthy intervals of time because of some considerate design concerns. You solely get the fundamentals right here by way of options and, as anticipated, the general sound high quality isn’t pretty much as good because the pricier fashions within the Beats lineup. You’ll get 18 hours of battery life although, because the 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 permits you to keep in-tune with the world whereas listening to audio content material. The clip-on design could be very snug, however sound high quality suffers as a result of open-type match, particularly with regards to bass and spatial audio.

Audio-Technica ATH-TWX7

These stick buds have a compact design that’s snug to put on and the nice and cozy sound profile is nice at instances. Nevertheless, general audio efficiency is inconsistent and there’s no computerized pausing.

Grasp & Dynamic MW09

Retooled audio, higher ambient sound mode and dependable multipoint Bluetooth are one of the best issues the MW09 has to supply. They’re costly although, and yow will discover higher ANC efficiency elsewhere.

Beats Studio Buds +

Updates to sound, ANC and battery life high the spec sheet here, and the brand new clear coloration choice has some throwback power I really like. However there are some primary options lacking, and Beats doesn’t come near Apple’s pure audio high quality in transparency mode.

JBL Tour Professional 2

These earbuds are feature-packed, together with a touchscreen “sensible case.” They aren’t essentially the most constant by way of general efficiency although, and I’m not satisfied that case gives a variety of utility simply but.

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, at least. 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 greatest wi-fi earbuds include a charging case, which is able to present extra hours of battery life — however you may should return every bud to the case in an effort 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 tough. Personally, I favor 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 tough 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 displaying 40 p.c at that mark throughout our checks. The one draw back is these earbuds debuted in 2019 and each know-how and options have improved since. When it comes to present fashions, Master & Dynamic’s MW08 presents 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 lately with regards to elevated water resistance. To find out the extent of safety, you’ll wish 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 wish to guarantee that determine is 7 or increased. At this water-resistance score, earbuds can stand 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, meaning it doesn’t have any particular safety. For instance, a pair of wi-fi earbuds which are IPX7 wouldn’t be constructed to keep away from mud intrusion, however they’d be okay in case you dropped them in shallow water.

Which earbuds keep in ears one of the best?

A safe match can differ 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’ll with a single form. This is the 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 help hold issues in place. You’ll probably simply should attempt earbuds on, and in the event that they don’t match effectively 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 getting one, plug it right into a USB port on the console and pair your earbuds with it.