Best wireless earbuds for Android: Streamline your listening

Affiliate links on SoundGuys may earn us a commission. Learn more.

Apple users have the AirPods to cover their in-ear needs, but what wireless earbuds should Android users get? Thankfully, there are plenty of options available for them, too. Whether you’re an athlete, commuter, or general consumer, you’re bound to find something in among our picks for the best wireless earbuds for Android.

Editor's note: this list of the best wireless earbuds for Android was updated on April 28, 2023, to add the Jabra Elite 4 to the Best list, and to add the Jabra Elite 7 Active to Notable mentions.

For our top five picks, you can find the isolation and frequency response charts at the end of each image gallery. You can learn more about how to read our charts here.

If you want great noise canceling, solid sound, and plenty of convenient features, then the Sony WF-1000XM4 is the perfect pair for you. These buds boast a set of features that rival the Apple AirPods, but because they aren't exclusive to Apple devices, your Android phone can take advantage of them, too.

The earbuds support the LDAC Bluetooth codec, which is crucial for Android devices because AAC doesn't reliably transmit at higher bit rates on the platform. Many models of earphones only support SBC and AAC, but thankfully the Sony WF-1000XM4 bucks that trend. Plus, the buds have an IPX4 rating, so sweating and splashes won't harm them.

You will have to drop a pretty penny on the WF-1000XM4, but the excellent isolation and ANC and 360 Reality Audio support help compensate for that. You can always take advantage of touch controls, so you don't have to constantly fish out your phone.

The one foible of these earphones is a slightly wonky default frequency response. However, you can easily use the included EQ in the Headphones Connect app (iOS/Android) to lower the bass and mids a bit, if you even notice it at all.

The microphone in these buds will do alright, but windy conditions and office sounds things will introduce noise to your calls. Overall, you’ll get through phone calls if you make sure to find a calm spot to talk. Take a listen for yourself:

The Sony WF-1000XM4 has the best noise canceling you can get from wireless earbuds, and it edges out the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones when it comes to passive isolation and some sub-bass attenuation (20-100Hz). If you want a compact solution that blocks out noise, the WF-1000XM4 has it all. One thing to remember: the earbuds are less likely to last as long as the over-ear headphones because the smaller battery cells deplete faster.

The Apple AirPods Pro is known for its excellent ANC, and if that's what you crave on Android too, then the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds I delivers it at a good price to boot. These buds take all the noise canceling tricks Bose is known for, and puts them into a small and portable package. ANC here is best-in-class and renders 250Hz frequencies nearly one-sixteenth their actual loudness. While the high-frequency attenuation isn't quite as good as Sony's flagship earbuds, you’re more likely to notice a difference as you toggle ANC on/off on Bose's earphones than you would on Sony's.

While these earphones support only the AAC and SBC, they deliver a good listening experience thanks to their noise canceling chops. And if you don't stare at your screen all day noticing mismatches between video and audio, you might not even notice anything else. They have an IPX4 rating, too, so they’ll stand up to workouts and a bit of drizzle. Plus, to add to the more in-ear-focused use case, you get auto play/pause and mono listening (right bud only).

There are both tap and swipe controls, so you can perform many commands without taking your phone out of your pocket. And stashing the buds in the charging case for just 15 minutes gives them up to two hours of playback time, meaning you won't have to be without them for very long when on the go. Add to that the fact an EQ now comes as part of the latest firmware updates, and you have a flexible set of excellent ANC earphones to take practically anywhere.

The mic in the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds I is fine, but there is some distortion and audible outside noise. You can take calls with these buds, but office sounds like ringing phones and keyboard clacks will be audible to your listeners. Have a listen for yourself:

The new Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II has better noise cancellation, a brand new design, and AI-powered features. With all these new features comes a brand new $299 USD price point. Ouch.

Like the AirPods Pro (2nd generation), announced on the same day as Bose's earphones, the QC Earbuds II brings better battery life (7 hours 15 minutes) than its predecessor, the QC Earbuds (5 hours 29 minutes). With the new QuietComfort Earbuds II, you also get CustomTune and ActiveSense; the former adjusts the sound and ANC to your ear canal, and the latter enhances Bose's Aware Mode (aka transparency mode). The QC Earbuds II will allow external noise in, but tamp down loud, abrupt sounds like construction, so they don't pain your ears.

Like the original QuietComfort Earbuds, the second-generation earphones have an IPX4 rating, and the case supports wireless and USB-C charging. You can customize the sound in the Bose Music app, which you’ll want to download for firmware updates. The sound is surprisingly heavy on bass and treble.

A walled garden can be a cozy place, and Samsung understands that well with the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro. Much like the AirPods Pro (1st generation) with an iPhone, these earbuds will slot in nicely if you already own a Samsung Galaxy smartphone.

Samsung-exclusive features include a variety of perks. Most notably, you get the Samsung Seamless Codec which improves upon the Samsung Scalable Codec. With the Seamless Codec, you can enjoy 24-bit audio transmitted to the Buds 2 Pro (OneUI 4.0+ software required). You can also take advantage of WirelessPowershare, which lets you charge the case atop a compatible Samsung device. It's a bit of a gimmick but comes in handy when you’re in a bind. Pairing the Galaxy Buds 2 to a compatible Samsung phone also opens the door for 360 Audio.

Non-Samsung Android phone owners can still use Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity along with the AAC and SBC codecs. No matter what OS you have, you can appreciate the buds’ IPX7 rating, making them some of the most water-resistant earphones on this list. The default sound follows our consumer target curve, with a slightly boosted sub-bass and bass response. Generally speaking, the Galaxy Buds 2 will please most listeners.

The mic you get in the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro is very good. It cuts down on external noise to some degree, and reproduces voices pretty faithfully. It isn't perfect, though, and deeper voices will sound a bit different than they do in person.

Whether you’re heading to the gym, watching videos, or streaming music from your Android phone, the Jabra Elite 4 is a great all around pick for under $100 USD. Sporting an IP55 rating, the Elite 4 easily keeps up with jogs and jaunts about town.

The impressively isolating earbuds render the ANC not as useful as some other ANC equipped earbuds, but isolation doesn't cost you any battery life and the Elite 4 has that in spades. Plus, you can access the companion app, Sound+, to use HearThrough. Additionally, Sound+ has a competent equalizer, so the default good sound can be tailored to your taste.

The 5 hours, 5 minutes battery life (with ANC on) is enough for most single uses. Especially great for Android users is that the Jabra Elite 4 possesses aptX for better audio and a lower noise floor than standard SBC, and reduced latency when watching video. Overall, the Jabra Elite 4 might not be the most exciting set of earbuds, but it's so refined in execution that you can simply pick it up and go without hassle.

For the most part the Jabra Elite 4 mic sounds true-to-life. It doesn't completely cancel environmental noises, but it reduces them, particularly, in the case of wind. The Elite 4 reduces wind to a sort of haze, and while your voice will become quieter, it continues to make it through to the listener.

If value is your main concern, then the best wireless earbuds for Android in your case would be the Google Pixel Buds A-Series. It makes sense that buds by Google would integrate well within the Android ecosystem, and these do.

Though these earbuds aren't fancy, you do get in-ear detection, touch controls, and a useful app with EQ presets. A lightweight build and comfortable fit mean that, while these may be more budget buds, they don't "feel" cheap. You can even take advantage of the IPX4 rating to not worry about errant splashes or drips. Plus, Google Assistant is easy to access via voice commands or by pressing and holding the G logo on the buds, so seamless Android integration can be hands-free, too.

Two small pitfalls do exist, though. There's only SBC and AAC Bluetooth codec support, and the Adaptive Sound feature instead of ANC can get distracting. Still, at this price, these earphones are a solid Android-tailored pick.

The microphone in the Google Pixel Buds A-Series does cut out wind noise, but it also chops up some words in the process. If you’re in a quiet area, this won't be a problem, but outdoors or near fans be aware people might ask you to repeat yourself. Listen to the sample below to hear for yourself:

In our Google Pixel Buds Pro review, we note that this is Google's first set of noise canceling earphones and it's a success with some drawbacks. Unlike the Pixel Buds A-Series, the Pixel Buds Pro earbuds lack concha wing tips that secure the buds to your ears. You get the same IPX4 rating as before but the Pro model includes an IPX2-rated case. Other new features include better microphone quality and battery life. The Pixel Buds Pro earbuds last just over 7 hours with ANC on, two hours longer than the non-ANC A-Series.

So what's the catch? Well, the Pixel Buds Pro costs $192.5 at Amazon, and this is more what the A-Series costs ($79 at Amazon). You also get an oddly boosted bass response on the Pixel Buds Pro, which renders sub-bass notes about two times louder than mids. This can really hamper audio quality if you’re trying to hear higher-pitched vocals.

For those who want to try out the Google Translate integration feature, this is an advanced set of earbuds packed full of technology.

Nothing's third true wireless entry takes most of what the original Nothing Ear 1 does, and goes for one better on the Nothing Ear (2). These buds are a little lighter, smaller, and possess an improved IP rating of IP54 for the buds (or IP55 when they’re in the case.) ANC, especially of low pitched noise is pretty effective, especially compared to the first Ear 1. It's also no surprise that the stemmed buds bare some resemblance to AirPods Pro, including squeezable stems for commands.

You’ll definitely want to take advantage of the various Nothing X app's EQ options, because out of the box it's rather trebly to listen on. Squarely aiming at Android users the Ear (2) supports not just the standard AAC and SBC codecs, but also LHDC 5.0 audio codec (not LDAC) to potentially transmit 24 bit/192kHz audio with Android. Besides that, for the price it does most of what you want and scarcely much you don't want.

In our Nothing Ear 1 vs Apple AirPods Pro (1st generation) article, we discuss how these two stemmed sets of buds compare to one another. While the AirPods Pro (1st generation) comes out on top for iPhone owners, the Ear 1 is a great option for Android phone (or iPhone) owners who want a unique design and solid performance. Nothing recently increased the price by a whopping 50%, so some retailers still have stock selling at the original price, but the MSRP is now $149 USD. Noise canceling is a bit weak when compared to the Nothing Ear (2). You also only get AAC and SBC codecs with the Ear 1.

Sound quality is good, though the Nothing Ear 1 has an emphasis on the treble response which some people may not like, however, but default it's better than the Nothing Ear (2). With the Nothing app, you can only choose between a few EQ presets. Remember, though, that you can usually adjust the sound in your music streaming app of choice. We like Nothing's product because it offers a lot of the same features as the AirPods Pro (1st generation), like IPX4-rated earphones, a wireless charging case, and touch controls. If you want more options, kick in the extra bucks for the Nothing Ear (2).

If you can't decide what features matter most to you, don't want to spend a lot, and can live without ANC, then the Sony WF-C500 is a good set of Android earbuds.

While you don't get many fancy features, you do get an app with an EQ and 360 Reality Audio to enjoy on compatible streaming services. To make up for the lack of ANC, there's also pretty good isolation. Tap controls let you start and stop your music and take calls without looking at your phone, while letting you launch your voice assistant, too.

Again, there's only support for SBC and AAC Bluetooth codecs, but that's true of many more expensive options, too. Likewise, you still get an IPX4 rating, plus comfortable ear tips to enjoy your tunes throughout the day.

When buying wireless earbuds for your Android phone, you should keep a few things in mind. Here are the main features and design elements that deserve some scrutinizing prior to you hitting the "buy" button.

A Bluetooth codec determines how your source device (smartphone) transmits audio to your wireless earbuds. e what get sound to your headphones from your device. To oversimplify it, a codec transforms digital signals in the device into wireless signals and then finally turns that back into sound in your headphones. If that sounds like a bit of an adventure, that's because it is.

For that reason, it takes computing power and time to do all those tasks. As a result, latency may result where video and audio fall out of sync. And Android is particularly unreliable when it comes to latency. For all these reasons, it helps to pick headphones with aptX, LDAC, or Samsung Scalable codec support if you want visual and audible components to remain in step. Coincidentally, these are also the codecs to look for if you’re worried about sound quality over a Bluetooth connection.

These codecs are much more reliable on Android devices, but the last one only works with Samsung Galaxy devices. However, if you aren't bothered by latency, then it likely won't matter as much.

Not every pair of wireless earbuds will come with a mobile companion app, but if you want to extend the utility of your earbuds, it's worth investing in a headset with an app.

Because there is no direct equivalent for the Apple H1 chip on Android (Samsung Galaxy phones aside), a lot of the experience of using true wireless earbuds on your Android device comes down to the app. Therefore, we often recommend you install it and take some time to get familiar with it.

Apps usually let you control how the voice assistant functionality works, EQ your music, change settings, update firmware, and much more. Updating firmware is especially important because that often means new features or fixes to annoying quirks.

Plus, sometimes, the app for your buds is also the app for other things, like Alexa. In that case, if you’re already the broader ecosystem, more things can work together.

If you really, really can't stand having a manufacturer's app on your phone, though, you could EQ with third-party apps and then just live with whatever firmware version you happen to like, but we don't usually recommend this approach.

You may have noticed that all these wireless earbuds have rather limited battery life when compared to over-ear headphones, for instance. And unfortunately, that's likely not going to change any time soon.

Physics, which governs all our lives, mandates that smaller batteries won't last as long. Furthermore, that means earphones have a limited overall lifespan. For these reasons, manufacturers include charging cases with their true wireless earbuds. There's not much you can do about that, but you can do some things to keep your battery as robust as possible.

SoundGuys serves as each of our day jobs, or rather we serve SoundGuys as our nine-to-fives, we have multiple years of keeping tabs on the audio industry. Our collective experiences allow us to pick out the good from the bad, or the unremarkable, reducing the time you have to spend doing independent research.

While our site uses referral links, none of our writers may benefit from suggesting one product over another; they won't even know if a link was ever clicked. Ultimately, we just want you to enjoy your purchase because we get that picking out audio products can be an overwhelming, time-consuming process. If you so choose, we recommend reading up on our ethics policy.

When it comes to choosing the best wireless earbuds for Android, we make sure to subject each product to a battery of tests so we can present frequency response and isolation charts to you, along with standardized microphone samples and battery life information. We then use this data to inform our reviews and score products accordingly. We then discuss what products may be worthy of being on this list of the best wireless earbuds for Android and take a vote.

The process doesn't end after we publish the best list, though. We keep our eyes and ears open for new and noteworthy products coming down the pike to keep you up to date on exemplary products.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro is discontinued, but if you can find it, it's more durable than the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2, with the Buds Pro boasting an IPX7 rating compared to the IPX2 rating of the Buds 2. Interestingly, the Galaxy Buds 2 has slightly better ANC than the Galaxy Buds Pro and costs less. You don't get Samsung 360 Audio with the Buds 2, but you do get Wireless PowerShare with compatible Samsung devices and an ear tip fit test—something the Buds Pro lacks.

Yes and no. The Buds Pro will connect to all sorts of devices including TVs and soundbars as a set of standard wireless earbuds via Bluetooth, but the special features of these earbuds only work with Galaxy devices.

Well, you can, but it won't be a great experience. Apple locks down their buds experience to work with the iPhone, and using the AirPods on an Android phone means no automatic switching, no EQ, no app, no easy pairing, no control over ANC (for the Pro model), and more. It's a pretty lackluster time, before even considering you only get the SBC and AAC Bluetooth codecs.