Best wireless earbuds for Samsung Galaxy S21 in 2023

The Galaxy S21 may be a few years old now, but that doesn't mean you have to settle for yesteryear's earbuds

The Samsung Galaxy S21 series has been out for over a year, and it remains one of the most competitive smartphones, offering an excellent balance between performance, battery life, and camera features. That said, the S21 series, like other phones, benefit from connected devices — and wireless earbuds are among the best complimentary options you can pick up to elevate your smartphone experience.

Samsung makes some of the best wireless earbuds on the market, but many other devices offer features that may suit your needs and budget better. This is our list of the best wireless earbuds for the Samsung Galaxy S21.

Pairing the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro with the Galaxy S21 series is quite advantageous because of the first-party experience. The new Galaxy Buds 2 Pro deliver support for 24-bit audio for compatible apps and media and offers Samsung's version of Apple's seamless pairing process for Galaxy devices. They have many enhanced features, such as multi-device support and 360 surround sound with head tracking. The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are a no-brainer for your Galaxy S21.

The Sony WH-1000XM4 are one of the best pairs of wireless over-ear headphones you can pick up, so naturally, the WF-1000XM4 earbuds fittingly made the list. With superb audio quality, noise cancelation, and all-day battery life, the WF-1000XM4 offer the complete package. They support SBC and AAC codecs but are also compatible with high-quality LDAC. However, their pitfall is the size of the actual buds; if you have smaller ears, these buds might be uncomfortable.

If you’re looking for some best-value wireless earbuds for your Samsung Galaxy S21, look no further than the Jabra Elite 3. At $80, the Elite 3 earbuds have some of the best sound quality for their price. In addition, they offer 7 hours of battery life on a single charge. So if you want a pair of truly wireless earbuds for your Galaxy S21 that meet the basics and do them very well, the Jabra Elite 3 are your best option.

The Nothing Ear 1 offer a unique transparent design and excellent sound quality that supports active noise cancellation. The company's attention to design makes these earbuds stand out. The stems are touch-enabled, allowing you to shuffle between songs and change the volume with a swipe. With more high-end features like wireless charging, a built-in equalizer within the earbud app, and transparency mode, we think the Nothing Ear 1 are your safest bet.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 are Samsung's answer to the rising competition in the budget earbuds market. With Samsung's seamless connection to Galaxy products, active noise cancelation, and updated ability to support 360 audio, the Buds 2 gives users a versatile set of features to play with. More importantly, the Buds 2 offer a triple-mic array on each earbud, making it noticeably better for voice calls compared to other earbuds at this price point.

The Google Pixel Buds A-Series are still some of the most enjoyable earbuds in their price range. These earbuds feature the same 11mm drivers from the high-end Pixel Buds (2020), which deliver some of the best bass you’re going to find at this price point. And since these are Google products, you will also benefit from Google-related enhancements like live translate, Swift Pair, and automatic volume adjustments within the Pixel Buds app.

The OnePlus Nord Buds are the company's entry-level pair of truly wireless earbuds. These earbuds offer larger drivers, faster-charging speeds, and 10 hours of extra battery life. They have 12.4 mm drivers, delivering a decent sound stage suitable for popular genres. More impressively, the Nord Buds get seven hours of playback time with up to 30 total hours with the case. With fast charging, you get 5 hours of play out of 10 minutes of juicing.

The Sony WF-C500 bring Sony's signature sound to a more palatable price point. You will benefit from features such as Android Fast Pair, 360 audio, and IPX4 splash resistance. These earbuds sound excellent for their price and also offer up to 10 hours of listening time on a single charge, making them perfect for long commutes and sustained listening sessions. Paired with the Galaxy S21, the Sony WF-C500 earbuds deliver a listening experience that won't break the bank.

If you’re looking for a rugged pair of wireless earbuds perfect for intense workouts, the Jaybird Vista 2 are a solid choice. With an ergonomic fit that stays firmly in your ear, the Vista 2 make it easy to be active. They’re also IP68 dust and water-resistant and have "Earthproof durability." When it comes to more traditional earbud fundamentals, the Vista 2 have active noise cancelation, a decent sound stage, and a 24-hour battery with the case.

Don't be fooled that Apple makes the Beats Studio Buds because they aren't just Apple-friendly; they're everyone-friendly thanks to the ability to fast-pair with Android devices with the companion app. Plus, it's another alternative that's cheaper than Apple's regular AirPods with ANC performance. The Beats Studio Buds are a steal with an IPX4 water-resistance rating, some great onboard microphones for taking calls, and a fantastic bass-filled sound profile. These buds will go great with your new S21.

The previous QuietComfort earbuds from Bose were stunningly successful, and now the time has come for the next generation. The Bose QuietComfort II earbuds are a delicious treat for connoisseurs. With next-gen ANC, hear only what you want with these buds; they strike just the sweet spot for easy listening. But the best feature has to be the wearing comfort, after which they are famously named. The cherry on top is the solid Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity.

Anker's new Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro offer some of the best sound quality from a pair of wireless earbuds, along with plenty of tip and wing options for even the most stubborn ear canals. With excellent ANC, decent call quality, and a better-than-average battery, the Liberty 3 Pros are among the best wireless earbuds you can buy today. On the downside, they're a bit big and bulky, and may not be the right style for everyone.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S21 series has quite a selection of compatible earbuds, so you can pick the option that aligns with your needs. Your selection boils down to some key areas: design, sound quality, noise cancelation, additional features, and affordability. The best pair of earbuds you can pick up for your Samsung Galaxy S21 right now is the Sony WF-1000XM4, which confidently beats the rest in terms of sound quality, sound separation, active noise cancelation, and codec versatility. They will satisfy the audiophile within you.

That said, the Sony WF-1000XM4 are by far the most expensive pair on our list, so our ultimate pick for most people is the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro and the Jabra Elite 3. These earbuds offer vastly different approaches to design, functionality, and affordability. The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro will give you the best overall user experience since it's directly compatible with Samsung's ecosystem of products, allowing you to take advantage of features such as 360 audio, multi-device connections, and an intuitive EQ within the Samsung Wearables app.

On the other hand, you're not going to find another pair that offers this sound quality for $80, like the Jabra Elite 3. Combined with an ergonomic fit and long-lasting battery life, these earbuds nail the fundamentals of what you need in wireless audio.