Here Are 7 of The Best Wireless Earbuds of 2024
Ready to cut the cord? These are our top picks for wireless earbuds that guarantee you’ll never wrestle with tangled wires again.
Wireless earbuds once seemed like a futuristic fantasy: pop a tiny bud into each ear, ditch the wires, and enjoy seamless music and calls. But the first iterations? They were clunky, short-lived, and riddled with quirks. Fast forward to today, and the game has completely changed. The market is flooded with sleek, reliable models that not only sound incredible but work flawlessly—and many of them won't drain your wallet. After testing countless pairs over the past few months, we've narrowed it down to our top picks, spanning a variety of styles and price points.
Best Overall:
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
Bose doesn’t just dabble in noise-cancelling tech—it dominates it. The QuietComfort Ultra earbuds prove why. These buds take active noise cancellation (ANC) to a level that feels almost supernatural, muting your surroundings to near silence, save for the occasional sharp sneeze. They’re also loaded with immersive audio tech that expands the soundstage, giving you the sensation of being surrounded by music rather than just listening to it. The downside? All this wizardry takes a toll on battery life. Still, with immersive audio switched off, you can squeeze out a respectable six to seven hours of use.
Best Premium:
Bowers & Wilkins Pi8
Bowers & Wilkins redefines premium with the Pi8 earbuds. The sleek, compact design feels like a love letter to audiophiles, with ANC powered by three mics per earbud and codec support that lets your music breathe at its best. Their snug fit means zero sound leakage—even when blasting Charli XCX’s "360." Battery life isn’t groundbreaking—six and a half hours with ANC on—but the case extends that to 20 hours. Whether you're caught in a drizzle or vibing on a dusty trail, the IP54 rating has you covered. They’re pricey, yes, but for sound this lush and immersive, they might just be worth every penny.
Best for Sound Quality:
Sony WF-1000XM5
For audiophiles who refuse to settle, Sony’s WF-1000XM5 earbuds deliver pure sonic bliss. Sure, they’re on the pricier side, but the payoff is undeniable: stellar sound quality backed by a powerful equalizer with 11 presets—and the option to customize further if you’re feeling picky. These earbuds are sleek, compact, and comfortable enough for marathon listening sessions. The only caveat? Their diminutive size can make them a bit tricky to pull out of the case, especially if you’ve got chunky fingers.
Best for iPhones:
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
If you’re already living in Apple’s walled garden, the AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) are a no-brainer. The ANC, transparency mode, and sound quality are all top-tier, and the silicone tips provide a snug, secure fit. While pinching the stems for controls might feel awkward at first, it quickly becomes second nature. What sets these apart is their seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem—switching audio between devices feels like magic. Watch a movie on your iPad, take a call on your iPhone, and hop back into the action without skipping a beat.
Best for Android:
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
Google’s Pixel Buds Pro 2 are a dream for Android users. Tiny but mighty, they’re super comfy, boast impressive noise cancellation, and offer almost double the battery life of most competitors. The sound profile is sharp, with crisp highs and bass that thumps just right—never overpowering. Bonus points for letting you summon Google’s Gemini Live AI assistant by simply saying, “Hey Google, let’s talk.” These buds feel like the future.
Best Value:
JLab Go Pop ANC
Budget-conscious buyers, take note: the JLab Go Pop ANC delivers way more than its modest price tag suggests. The noise cancellation is surprisingly effective, muting low rumbles and even high-pitched sounds when paired with your favorite playlist. The transparency mode is shockingly good, making it easy to stay aware of your surroundings. For less than the cost of dinner for two, these are a no-brainer.
Best for Multitasking:
Earfun Air 4 Pro
Earfun’s Air 4 Pro punches well above its weight. These lightweight earbuds offer improved noise cancellation, better sound, and longer battery life compared to their predecessors. The wireless charging case and multipoint Bluetooth pairing are a nice touch, but it’s the upgraded Qualcomm QCC3091 chip that steals the show, supporting aptX Lossless Audio for select Android devices and Sony’s LDAC codec for even broader compatibility. At this price point, they’re a steal.