The Best-Sounding Wireless Earbuds You Can Buy in 2024
In today’s world, wireless earbuds have become essential for everything from watching TV and working out to taking work calls. With countless options available, finding the best-sounding wireless earbuds that meet your needs can be overwhelming. Based on years of experience testing audio gear, here’s a roundup of some of the top picks for 2024, focusing on sound quality, comfort, and overall performance.
1. Best for Noise-Canceling: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
Bose has long been a leader in noise-canceling technology, and the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are no exception. While not a significant upgrade from the QC Earbuds 2, these earbuds deliver exceptional noise canceling and superb sound quality. The new Immersive Audio feature enhances sound clarity, making them perfect for anyone looking to block out the world and immerse themselves in their music. With a comfortable fit and a natural-sounding transparency mode, these earbuds are ideal for long listening sessions.
2. Best-Sounding Budget Noise-Canceling Earbuds: Earfun Air Pro 3
If you’re on a budget but don’t want to compromise on sound quality, the Earfun Air Pro 3 is a great choice. These earbuds offer robust bass, good clarity, and a relatively wide soundstage, all at a modest price point. They feature the latest Qualcomm QCC3071 chip with AptX Adaptive for Android devices and AAC for Apple devices, ensuring excellent sound quality across the board. With features like wireless charging, multidevice connectivity, and a splash-proof design, the Earfun Air Pro 3 offers incredible value for money.
3. Best Sony Earbuds: Sony WF-1000XM5
Sony’s WF-1000XM5 earbuds are the brand’s flagship noise-canceling earbuds, and they live up to the hype. These earbuds are smaller and more comfortable than their predecessors, with improved noise canceling, sound quality, and voice-calling performance. While they come with a hefty price tag, their overall performance makes them worth the investment, especially for those seeking top-tier audio quality.
4. Best-Sounding Wireless Earbuds with Small Updates: Bowers & Wilkins PI7 S2
Bowers & Wilkins’ PI7 S2 earbuds are an upgrade from their already excellent predecessors. With a dual-driver design, these earbuds deliver some of the best sound quality available in the market. The improved battery life and Bluetooth range make them even more appealing, and their integration with the Bowers & Wilkins Music app enhances the user experience. While the PI7 S2s are on the pricier side, they are perfect for audiophiles who want nothing but the best.
5. Best-Sounding Sennheiser Wireless Earbuds: Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4
Sennheiser’s Momentum True Wireless 4 earbuds continue to impress with their excellent sound quality. While they may not offer significant improvements over their predecessors, the noise-canceling performance, Bluetooth connectivity, and overall sound quality make them a solid choice. If you’re looking for earbuds that deliver a rich, immersive audio experience, the Momentum True Wireless 4 won’t disappoint.
6. Best Technics Wireless Earbuds: Technics EAH-AZ80
The Technics EAH-AZ80 earbuds offer a premium experience with their superb sound quality, effective noise canceling, and comfortable fit. While the voice-calling capabilities could use some improvement, these earbuds excel in other areas, making them a top contender in the high-end market. If they fit your ears well, you’ll enjoy one of the best wireless earbud experiences available today.
7. Best Apple Noise-Canceling Wireless Earbuds: Apple AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C)
Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 continues to set the standard for wireless earbuds with their improved sound quality, noise canceling, and battery life. The addition of a USB-C charging case and a speaker for the Find My feature adds convenience, while the new H2 chip ensures a seamless listening experience. For Apple users, the AirPods Pro 2 is a no-brainer, offering the perfect blend of performance and ease of use.
8. Top Midrange Earbuds: Edifier NeoBuds Pro 2
The Edifier NeoBuds Pro 2 offers excellent sound quality and noise cancellation at a more affordable price. With support for LDAC, LHDC, and AAC audio codecs, these earbuds are compatible with both iPhone and Android devices. They also come with ear-detection sensors, spatial audio with head tracking, and multiple ear tip sizes for a comfortable fit. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly alternative to high-end earbuds, the NeoBuds Pro 2 is a great option.
How We Test True-Wireless Earbuds
At This 4 You, we rigorously test true-wireless earbuds across five essential criteria to ensure you get the best possible experience. Our testing process includes comparing similarly styled and priced models to provide you with detailed and accurate insights. Here’s how we do it:
- Design
- Comfort & Fit: We evaluate how comfortable the earbuds feel during extended use and how securely they stay in place.
- Build Quality: We check the durability and overall construction of the earbuds, ensuring they can withstand daily wear and tear.
- Control Implementation: We assess how user-friendly the controls are, whether they’re buttons, touch-sensitive panels, or other interfaces.
- Water & Dust Resistance: We look at the IP ratings to determine how well the earbuds resist water and dust, which is crucial for outdoor or gym use.
- Sound Quality
- Listening Tests: We use a curated playlist of diverse music genres to gauge the earbuds’ performance.
- Key Sonic Traits: We focus on bass definition, clarity, dynamic range, and the overall natural sound of the earbuds.
- Comparison with Competitors: We compare the earbuds against top contenders in their price range to see how they stack up.
- Features
- Extra Functionalities: While sound quality is crucial, we also consider additional features that enhance the user experience.
- Noise-Canceling & Transparency Modes: We test how effectively the earbuds can cancel out noise or allow ambient sound when needed.
- Special Sound Modes: We explore any unique sound modes or presets that come with the earbuds.
- Ear-Detection Sensors: We evaluate how well the earbuds pause music when you take them off and resume playback when you put them back on.
- Voice-Calling Performance
- Real-World Testing: We conduct calls in noisy environments, such as bustling streets, to test how well the earbuds handle background noise.
- Clarity: We check how clearly your voice is transmitted to the caller, ensuring reliable communication.
- Value
- Overall Assessment: After evaluating the earbuds on all the above criteria, we determine their value based on what they offer compared to other models in their price class.
- Bang for Your Buck: We highlight whether the earbuds provide a good balance of performance, features, and price, helping you make the best choice for your needs.
At This 4 You, our goal is to provide you with comprehensive and unbiased reviews so you can make informed decisions when choosing your next pair of true-wireless earbuds.
This 4 You
Choosing the best-sounding wireless earbuds depends on your specific needs, whether it’s noise canceling, budget considerations, or brand loyalty. The earbuds listed above represent the best in their respective categories, offering a range of options for different users. As new models are released, these picks will be updated to ensure you’re always getting the best audio experience possible.