Bulky headphones are dead: discreet earbuds are the way forward. With a solid pair of earbuds, you can chat on the phone, relax to music and audiobooks, or simply tune out the bustling world around you. Plus, if you want to add burpees to your fitness routine, you have to untether from wired devices.

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There are countless different earbuds on the market right now, and some are quite expensive. When you're making a significant investment, buying the wrong pair could be an annoying, costly mistake. 

To help you cipher through the earbud market, experts rounded up the top wireless earbuds so you can start listening hands-free today.

Also:

• The best earbuds
• The best cheap earbuds
• The best headphones
• The best gaming headsets
• The best Bluetooth headphones 
• The best headphones for music
• The best headphones for working out

Apple AirPods Pro 2

Best wireless earbuds overall (and the best earbuds for iPhone)

Image: Apple Pros & Cons Pros

• Adaptive transparency mode
• Personalizable spatial audio settings
• Four sizes
• Long battery life

Cons

• Only one color option
• Expensive

More Details

Features:Personalized spatial audio Adaptive transparency Battery life: Six hours

The newest Apple AirPods Pro are an upgrade from the previous generation's features. Thanks to Apple's new H2 chip, these AirPods significantly upgrade performance via high-band connectivity and a low distortion audio driver with a custom amplifier. The technologies combine to ensure clearer audio across a wider range of sound frequencies. 

These new AirPods feature two times more noise cancellation with a 33% longer battery life. Plus, a new feature allows you to personalize spatial audio settings to create your ideal sound experience (using iOS 16). 

Also:

• AirPods Pro 2 review: Two big upgrades
• AirPods Pro 2 vs. AirPods Pro: Were they worth the wait?
• The best AirPods and AirPods Pro deals right now
  
• AirPods Pro vs Beats Studio Buds: Which is better?
  

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Jabra Elite Active 85t

Best waterproof wireless earbuds

Image: Jabra Pros & Cons Pros

• Active noise cancellation
• Pairs with Sound+ app
• Sweat and dust proof
• Pair two devices at once

Cons

• Mediocre microphone

More Details

Features: Four color options Adjustable noise cancelation Battery life: 5.5 hours

The Jabra Elite Active 85t earbuds look good in both the gym and office. The comfortable earbuds offer high-quality sound and active noise cancellation for those times when you need to block out the world.

The battery life lasts 5.5 hours, but the charging case extends that time to 25 hours between full recharges.

When it comes to durability, the Elite 85t buds are sweatproof, featuring an IPX4-rated design for water resistance. Plus, they come with a two-year warranty against sweat and dirt damage, so you can keep doing everything you love to the sound of your own playlist.

Also: 

• Jabra Elite 85t review: Powerful ANC
• Save$90 when you pick up Jabra's Elite 85t 

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Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro

Best battery life wireless earbuds

Image: Soundcore Pros & Cons Pros

• Built-in ear pressure relief
• 3D surround sound
• 6 microphones
• AI-noise reduction
• Size personalizable

Cons

• Limited earbud controls

More Details

Features: Four color options Triple-point ergonomic shape Battery life: Eight hours

The Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro earbuds provide crystal clear sound, fantastic active noise cancellation, and high-quality microphones to ensure your important calls go smoothly. The buds' eight-hour battery life extends to 32 hours when paired with the charging case.

More importantly, you can comfortably wear them for 32 hours if needed thanks to different sizes that offer a personalized, pain-free fit. You can choose between four ear tip sizes and four ear wing sizes to ensure your new buds stay secure and comfortable all day long.

While the battery life on the Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro earbuds is phenomenal, these wireless buds are quite amazing in general -- you cannot go wrong with this choice.

Also: Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro deal: Save 50% on ANC earbuds

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Amazon Echo Buds (2nd Gen)

Best voice assistant-enabled wireless earbuds

Image: Amazon Pros & Cons Pros

• Compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple's Siri
• Size personalizable

Cons

• Excellent active noise cancellation
• Limited deep bass sounds

More Details

Features:Two color options Battery life: Five hours  IPX4

Want to bring Alexa with you everywhere? There's no better way than with the 2nd-generation Echo Buds by Amazon. These buds are everything you'd expect from Amazon -- solid hardware at a decent price.

The Amazon Echo Buds last five hours per charge, and that time extends to 15 hours with the charging case. Plus, a 15-minute charge provides up to two hours of listening time for your favorite playlist or latest audiobook. These earbuds are compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple's Siri assistant, so you can use whichever assistant you prefer.

Also: 

• Amazon Echo Buds review: Best mix of value and features
• Amazon releases smaller, cheaper Echo Buds 

View now at Amazon

Bose QuietComfort Noise Cancelling Earbuds

Best noise-cancelling wireless earbuds

Image: Amazon Pros & Cons Pros

• Intuitive touch interface
• Excellent noise-cancellation
• Comfortable

Cons

• Large carrying case
• Call quality not as great as music quality

More Details

Features: Three color options Battery life: Six hours  Noise-cancelling microphones 

Bose's Acoustic Noise Cancelling technology provides true quiet within these quality headphones. Hidden microphones in the earbuds monitor surrounding sound and emit an anti-sound wave to cancel out external noise. 

If you decide to tune back into your surroundings, Aware Mode allows you to hear your music and surroundings simultaneously at a lower level. Whether you want to block sounds of your neighbor's construction or simply focus at work, the Bose QuietComfort earbuds are an excellent option.

Also: 

• Bose QuietComfort Noise Cancelling Earbuds review: Step aside, AirPods
• Need ANC headphones? Bose's ultra-popular earbuds are on sale
  

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Sony WF-1000XM4

Best wireless earbuds for sound quality

Best Buy Pros & Cons Pros

• Marketed as "industry-leading noise canceling"
• IPX4 water resistance
• Wireless charging
• Ergonomic surface design
• Multipoint connection
• Great battery life, even with noise canceling on

Cons

• Not many color options
• Sweat resistant, but not fully waterproof

More Details

Features: Two color options Battery life: Eight hours  Noise-canceling

The Sony WF-1000XM4 noise-canceling headphones offer clear sound quality with a new integrated processor. The exceptional eight-hour battery life, without the 16 additional hours provided by the charging case, includes the possibility of noise cancellation throughout that duration. The wireless charging is easy to connect and the Bluetooth connection is stable -- plus, the earbuds are IPX4 water resistant, so they can handle the sweat from your workouts. 

The multipoint connection means that you can pair two Bluetooth devices at once. The bone-conduction sensor detects your voice in loud environments. 

Also: Sony WF-1000XM4 earbuds review: Superb ANC

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Audio-Technica ATH-SQ1TW

Best cheap wireless earbuds

Amazon Pros & Cons Pros

• Touch sensor on earbuds
• Charging case
• Multi-sized earbud tips
• Supports Fast Pair with Android devices
• IPX4 water resistance

Cons

• No noise canceling

More Details

Features: Six color options Battery life: 6.5 hours  Hear-through mode

The Audio-Technica ATH-SQ1TW wireless earbuds deliver a solid audio performance at a price point under$100. Even though they do not have active noise-canceling, they do offer a hear-through mode that muffles background noise until you want to hear it. The battery life of up to 6.5 hours extends to an impressive 19.5 hours with the charging case. 

The design of these earbuds is unique and the audio quality is unbeatable for the price.

View now at Amazon

What are the best wireless earbuds?

The AirPods Pro 2 are the latest and greatest from Apple and top our list of the best wireless earbuds. Depending on your budget, you may prefer another pair, however, or you may prioritize other features such as battery life,  size options, microphone quality, etc. In that case, have a read through our guide to see which is right for you.

Wireless earbuds	Price	Battery Life	Noise cancellation?	Wireless charging?
Apple AirPods Pro 2	$249	Up to 6 hours	Yes	Yes
Jabra Elite Active 85t	$180	Up to 5.5 hours	Yes	Yes
Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro	$170	Up to 8 hours	Yes	Yes
Amazon Echo Buds (2nd Gen)	$120	Up to 5 hours	Yes	Yes
Bose QuietComfort Noise Cancelling Earbuds	$199	Up to 6 hours	Yes	Yes
Sony WF-1000XM4	$279.99	Up to 8 hours	Yes	Yes
Audio-Technica ATH-SQ1TW	$69.99	Up to 6.5 hours	No	Yes

Which wireless earbuds are right for you?

experts considered a variety of factors when analyzing the best wireless earbuds, including: Comfort, battery life, noise cancellation, price, and design. Picking an overall best wireless earbuds proved impossible. Each pair offers a different key proposition, so you can decide which earbuds work best for your lifestyle.

Choose these wireless earbuds...	If you want...
Apple AirPods Pro 2	Apple's latest AirPods and the best wireless earbuds overall
Jabra Elite Active 85t	Water and sweat-resistant wireless earbuds
Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro	Wireless earbuds with the longest battery life
Amazon Echo Buds (2nd Gen)	Wireless earbuds with voice assistants
Bose QuietComfort Noise Cancelling Earbuds	The best noise-cancelling wireless earbuds
Sony WF-1000XM4	Impressive sound quality wireless earbuds
Audio-Technica ATH-SQ1TW	The best budget wireless earbuds

How did we choose these wireless earbuds?

experts tested and extensively used each product on this list based on battery life and sweat/dust/waterproof claims. While everyone's ears are different, we've weeded out the worst earbuds to bring you the best. Plus, this list features versatile earbuds, so you can find a pair that works for your flexible lifestyle. 

Should I get wireless earbuds or wireless headphones?

The answer to this depends on what you want -- earbuds and headphones may both deliver the audio quality you're looking for, but the experience of wearing one over the other is the deciding factor. Earbuds go inside the ear, so while you may have a smaller, more compact, and less expensive listening experience, you could run the risk of earwax buildup. Headphones are bulkier and more expensive, and sweat could build up when you wear them for a while. They each have pros and cons.

More:Earbuds vs headphones

Which wireless earbuds have the best sound quality?

Each of the wireless earbuds above advertises superior sound quality, but the Apple AirPods 2 have the best sound quality we've heard. The customizable tips create an acoustic seal of sound, Personalized Spatial Audio tracks your head movements as you listen, and you get 30 total hours of listening time with the charging case.

Active vs passive noise cancellation, what's the difference?

With passive noise cancellation, ear cups or earbuds keep surrounding noise out. There's a physical seal against background noise. Active noise cancellation incorporates the microphones and speakers, or the interior of the earbuds or headphones, to diminish unwanted noise.

Which brand is best for wireless earbuds?

Apple has the best wireless earbuds on the market, the AirPods 2nd generation, which sets itself apart from the rest in audio quality, noise cancelation, and battery life.

Are there alternative wireless earbuds worth considering?

There are plenty of wireless earbuds on the market right now. Here are a few other options to consider:

Google Pixel Buds Pro

$189 at Walmart

Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro

$119.99 at B&H Photo-Video

Beats Fit Pro

$200 at Amazon

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