The 7 Best Wireless Earbuds For 2023

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Whether they’re for working out or superior noise cancellation, these earbuds are the best on the market.

Contrary to popular belief, no, the best wireless earbuds on the market aren't the ubiquitous second-generation of Apple's AirPods Pro—though, they’re certainly good. Frankly, like all gadgets, the best pair of earbuds are the ones that best suit your individual needs.Since the AirPods debut, we’ve seen an arms race between brands such as Sony, Beats, and Bose all offering their versions of modern sound technology, from head-turning spatial listening to remote work-appropriate noise-cancellation. All of these newer audio features drastically improve quality of life and, of course, make the most visible brand names even more sought after.But the truth is, plenty of great wireless earbuds are on the market, all offering reliable Bluetooth connection, great battery life, and a comfy ear fit. From a pair you can work out with to the best noise-canceling tech available, we’ve rounded up the most impressive wireless earbuds available now.

A driver diameter indicates the size of a diaphragm—the part of a speaker that vibrates to produce sound—in a pair of earbuds or headphones. Although a larger diameter size should prove the ability to produce a larger sound, that's not always the case, as driver quality can vary. For example, a well-constructed 11-mm driver can be much louder than a poorly made 15-mm driver.

Because earbuds are much smaller than headphones, their driver sizes typically fall between 6 and 15 mm. Skew toward a larger driver for a louder sound, but take heed that quality, the position it's placed in an ear, and other components may affect the overall volume.

If you’re looking for a pair of wireless earbuds, you’ll want to take note of the device's Bluetooth compatibility. The newest iteration of Bluetooth technology is 5.3, released in 2021, and adds a more secure, stable connection to devices. Any pair of earbuds capable of a Bluetooth 5.3 connection will connect to devices and transmit audio the fastest. If you’re looking at a pair of earbuds that utilize an earlier version of Bluetooth, pre-dating version 5, you may experience a slower transmit speed with audio.

Earbuds often have a resistance rating that indicates how well they can hold up under dust and moisture. This is shown with an IP (ingress protection) rating, which is a code that classifies the level of protection electrical equipment has against certain elements. Typically, two digits are included in an IP rating, the first representing solids, and the second liquids. The higher the digit, the better the protection. IP ratings are from 0 to 6, with 0 showing the device has no protection, and 6 indicating it's totally protected (dustproof, waterproof). Generally speaking, wireless earbuds have an IP rating of IPX4, meaning it lacks protection against dust and solids and can hold up well under splashes of moisture, sweat, and water. These devices usually can't survive submerged underwater or hold up against a rainstorm. If you want to work out in a pair of earbuds, opt for a pair with at least an IPX4. An IPX5 can stand up against low-pressure water jets and should be able to take some rain. Again, the higher the number, the stronger the protection.

We scouted several technology and audio publications to find the best wireless earbuds on the market to see their frequently recommended picks. We also checked with our tech testing editor, Hunter Fenollol, for his recommendations, and consulted Stefan Vazharov's list of the best wireless earbuds from sister publication Best Products, who spent over 500 hours field testing dozens of earbuds. Lastly, we considered bestselling products from top brands like Apple, Beats, and Sony, and consulted user reviews. Our list includes wireless earbuds for all sorts of audio listeners, from the budget-oriented to the workout junkie

Need more audio action? Check out our picks for the best noise-canceling headphones, headphones for bass lovers, and wireless speakers for at-home listening.

For most consumers, the Beats Fit Pro is the best set of wireless earbuds money can buy. They’re comfortable, sound great, sport excellent noise cancellation, and can effortlessly pair between an iPhone and an Android. Critics say its Apple H1 chip makes its spatial audio and dynamic head tracking features work effortlessly, and its wing-tipped design comfortably nestles within the ear.

Although its predecessor, the Studio Buds, provides two additional hours of battery life, the Beats Fit Pro sport a better fit and optimal sound. Users say the noise canceling and transparency features are impressive, but note the lack of wireless charging is a bummer.

"I find the AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) to be the best earbuds on the market," says our technology test editor, Hunter Fenollol, "but the Beats Fit Pro are so much more comfortable and sync just as well to Apple products as it does Android. They’re probably the best bet for most people."

Despite small audio drivers, the WF-1000XM4 are impressively powerful earbuds. Sony's device supports lossless audio codecs for flawless transmission between devices, delivering high-fidelity audio better than any other earbud on this list.

Critics praise the WF-1000XM4 as the gold standard in wireless earbud listening and say its comfy fit, charging storage case (capable of providing an additional 16 hours of power), and hardware are all seriously impressive.

The device's noise canceling is solid, and Sony's Headphones Connect app allows for additional features such as wind noise reduction during phone calls and an equalizer. Users say the app also annoyingly hinders use with laptops and some devices, however. The WF-1000XM4's premium price tag may also be too steep, for some.

A favorite of our testing tech editor, the second-generation AirPods Pro are the best earbuds for Apple products, including the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch.

The newest AirPods Pro earbuds are loaded with an H2 wireless chip that gives it excellent sound, noise cancellation, and lengthy battery life—nearly 30 hours with its charging case. Spatial audio immerses users in sound, while noise cancellation works twice as better as its predecessor.

The AirPods Pro seamlessly links to any Apple device linked to the same iCloud account, and a U1 chip adds AirTag-like tracking to its case to ensure you never lose it. These quality-of-life features enhance the user experience, though, notedly, the second-generation AirPods Pro see minimal design changes with their case and earbuds.

According to several publications and tech critics, Bose's QuietComfort Earbuds II is the most impressive set you can buy for noise-canceling tech. They deliver a well-balanced sound, great quality audio, and, according to some, even rival the noise-canceling efforts of over-the-ear headphones.

The set's aware mode allows for transparent hearing so you can still hear your surroundings while in use, plus its mic output on voice calls is exceptional, making this is great pair to use when taking virtual meetings.

Its price tag may hinder excitement, however, as $300 may be steep for those looking for earbuds that feature wireless charging. Still, if you’re looking for noise-canceling buds, Apple, Beats, and Sony just can't compare.

Frequently touted as excellent wireless earbuds that won't break the bank, Jabra's Elite 3 delivers rich bass, excellent noise isolation, awesome battery life (up to 28 hours with charging case), the option of using a single bud at once, and a built-in Alexa voice assistant. It's also surprisingly durable, with an IP rating of IP55. That's a lot for a set of earbuds that cost less than $100.

Of course, its smaller price also means gutting some features. Absent from the Elite 3 is noise-cancelation, which may turn some off. However, this pair still gets a lot right, and critics and users say its battery life and quality are unbeatable for its price.

If you’re looking for smart and modern earbud features on a budget, 1MORE's Aero is your best bet. Like AirPods Pro and Beats Fit Pro, the Aero features spatial audio and head-tracking technology, immersing users in audio that they can isolate to a specific device.

They also have deep active noise-cancellation, which many users say is impressive, and a transparency mode for keeping aware of surroundings. I own a pair myself and can attest to their terrific sound quality and excellent battery life.

Other features unlocked via a companion app include wind noise reduction on voice calls and "smart loudness" technology, which automatically boosts missing details in low and high frequencies for a richer sound. Many users say the price is fantastic for a pair of earbuds with this many features, though some critical reviews point out unusually long stems.

Users on the market for a pair of earbuds that can withstand the grime and sweat from working out should reach for Jaybird's Vista 2. Completely sweat- and waterproof and able to withstand dust and dirt, the Vista 2 were designed to comply with military durability standards. They have a secure fit, fabric covers for each bud, and a companion app for custom settings. They also sport high-quality sound and feature noise cancellation.

Critics say these are the best earbuds for gym mavens, able to withstand moisture and dings. They have awesome battery life, a wireless charging case, and solid transparent listening. Users note that while they fit securely, they aren't particularly comfortable, and noise-canceling is lacking.

Kevin Cortez is a Commerce Editor for Popular Mechanics, Bicycling, and Runner's World. A culture and product journalist for over ten years, he's an expert in men's style, technology, gaming, coffee, e-bikes, hiking, gear, and all things outdoors. He was most recently the style editor for a leading product-recommendation site and previously covered music and podcasting at Mass Appeal, Genius, and The A.V. Club. His work can also be seen in WSJ, Leafly, Input, and Vulture. He enjoys reading graphic novels, birding, and taking long, meandering walks in his spare time.

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