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Top Wireless Earbuds of 2025: Exceptional Models Tested by Experts

Top Wireless Earbuds of 2025: Exceptional Models Tested by Experts

Valeriy Bagrintsev Valeriy Bagrintsev
18 minute read

Top Wireless Earbuds of 2025: Exceptional Models Tested by Experts

Explore the best wireless earbuds of 2025, featuring top models evaluated by our experts to help you make an informed choice.

An Overview of the Best Wireless Earbuds

Welcome to your ultimate guide on the best true wireless earbuds currently available! As we dive into March, although we haven’t seen any major releases yet for this year, there are exciting leaks and rumors about potential models that we'll be sharing below.

So, what does it take for a pair of wireless earbuds to make our list? When determining which models earn a spot in our final selection, our team evaluates a variety of factors, including comfort, ease of use, call quality, and battery life. Yet, ultimately, sound quality and value for money top our list of priorities.

With nearly 50 years of experience testing audio and video products, we have been evaluating wireless earbuds since this product category first emerged nearly a decade ago. We’ve tested models from top brands like Apple, Bose, and Sony across a wide price range, ensuring our expertise in this area is unmatched. Share your specific needs, and we’re confident we can recommend a pair of earbuds that will meet all your requirements.

By tapping into our extensive database of wireless earbud reviews and cross-referencing them with expert opinions, we’ve created a list of the best pairs available right now. Each of these is exceptional, offering unique features.

Our star rating system will give you insight into our views on each pair of earbuds, but you’ll also find comprehensive reviews of all the models listed below. We’ve marked the pairs that have received awards — a testament to their quality that ensures you’re getting the best earbuds for your level.

This month, there have been fresh reports hinting that Sony plans to release a successor to the beloved mid-range wireless earbuds — the WF-C700N. Rumored to be called the WF-C710N, we’ll be keeping a close eye on this development.

Best Wireless Earbuds of 2025: Quick List

  • Best Overall Wireless Earbuds — Sony WF-1000XM5. The WF-1000XM5 earbuds set the standard for true wireless earbuds, boasting amazing specifications and features, making it hard for anyone to compete with their overall performance.
  • Best Budget Wireless Earbuds — Earfun Air. If you’re looking for one of the most affordable five-star true wireless earbuds we’ve tested, look no further than the Earfun Air. They deliver excellent sound quality at a very low price.
  • Best Mid-Range Wireless Earbuds — Sony WF-C700N. These five-star Sony earbuds combine great noise cancellation, outstanding sound quality, and impressive comfort at an attractive price point. Well done, tech giant from Japan!
  • Best Premium Wireless Earbuds — Technics EAH-AZ100. The flagship Technics wireless earbuds impress with their features and can compete with brands like Bose and Sony. Their combination of comfortable design, useful features, and excellent sound quality deserves your attention.
  • Best Long Battery Life Wireless Earbuds — Sony WF-C510. With 11 hours of playtime without a charge, the WF-C510 is perfect for extended listening sessions. They lack noise cancellation, but with great sound quality and an affordable price, these earbuds are hard to overlook.
  • Best Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds — Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds. These exceptional noise-cancelling earbuds are the best from Bose to date. They effectively block external noise, allowing you to enjoy a comfortable fit and superb sound quality. They might be pricey, but they're worth it.
  • Best Audiophile Wireless Earbuds — Bowers & Wilkins Pi8. The new flagship Bowers & Wilkins wireless earbuds exceed the quality of most tested pairs. Their detailed sound makes listening a pleasure, and their user comfort and high build quality justify their price.
  • Best AirPods — Apple AirPods Pro 2. The AirPods Pro 2 are Apple’s best wireless earbuds yet. They seamlessly pair with your iPhone, offering improved sound quality and noise cancellation compared to the previous version. Apple fan? These earbuds are a no-brainer!
  • Best Wireless Earbuds for Running — JBL Live Pro 2 TWS. The JBL Live Pro 2 TWS earbuds are versatile workout companions, featuring a durable build, comfortable fit, and quality sound.

Best Wireless Earbuds of 2025: In-Depth Reviews

1. Sony WF-1000XM5 — Best Overall Wireless Earbuds

Sony WF-1000XM5

Sony WF-1000XM5

Sony WF-1000XM5

Sony WF-1000XM5

Specifications:

  • Noise Cancelling: Yes
  • Bluetooth: SBC, AAC, LDAC
  • Battery Life: 8 hours (+16 hours with charging case)
  • Wireless Charging: Yes
  • Water Resistant: Yes
  • Finish: Black, Silver

Pros:

  • Exceptional detail and clarity
  • Superior musicality and timing
  • Comfortable, lightweight, and understated design

Cons:

  • Some competitors deliver more bass
  • Fit could feel more secure

If you’re searching for the best wireless earbuds available, check out the amazing WF-1000XM5.

During testing, we found the XM5 to be comfortable and pleasant to use, with noise cancellation and call quality on par with competitors. Looking for the clearest and most detailed wireless earbuds on the market right now? The WF-1000XM5 is exactly what you need.

They may not be as rich and bass-heavy as the Bose QuietComfort Ultra, but in our review, we noted, “Sony has managed to achieve clarity and detail to a very specific extent.” We consider them an excellent choice for fans of any musical genre.

Adding to this is the eight-hour battery life (plus 16 hours from the case), multipoint Bluetooth connectivity (allowing you to connect to two devices simultaneously), excellent noise cancellation (compared to their predecessors, the XM4s seem to eliminate an extra layer of noise in the mids), and sweat protection to IPX4 standards — a truly excellent universal offer.

With this price, there's no shortage of competitors, including the Bose QuietComfort Ultra, AirPods Pro 2, and Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4.

But for most people in most situations, the Sony earbuds are a universal option. Will there be a WF-1000XM6 to replace them soon? Rumors suggest a release for 2025, so don’t expect anything to change shortly.

2. Earfun Air — Best Budget Wireless Earbuds

EarFun Air

EarFun Air

EarFun Air

EarFun Air

Specifications:

  • Noise Cancelling: No
  • Bluetooth: AAC, SBC
  • Battery Life: 7 hours (+28 hours with charging case)
  • Wireless Charging: Yes
  • Water Resistant: Yes
  • Finish: Black, White, Red

Pros:

  • Crisp, expansive sound
  • Powerful feature set for the price
  • Stylish build and finish at this level

Cons:

  • High frequencies need more refinement
  • Spending a bit more gets you a noticeable performance boost

These true wireless earbuds may not belong to major, well-known brands, but they are incredibly budget-friendly and sound fantastic for the price!

The Earfun Air earbuds also come packed with features. While noise cancellation is absent at this price point, they provide excellent isolation, and these well-fitting earbuds are also comfortable to wear. They are also waterproof to IPX7 standards (submerged up to one meter for up to 30 minutes), support virtual assistants, and include Qi wireless charging.

Calls sound clear, and the battery life is seven hours for the earbuds and an additional 28 hours for the charging case. Surprisingly, we believe they look quite premium. Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity is reliable and stable, delivering a “gripping, energetic” sound for the price.

If you need something with nice sound but don’t want to break the bank, the Earfun Air could be an excellent choice. They often go on sale. They have been around for a while, but we’ve tested newer EarFun Air 2 models and don’t find them worth the extra money.

3. Sony WF-C700N — Best Mid-Range Wireless Earbuds

Sony WF-C700N

Sony WF-C700N

Sony WF-C700N

Specifications:

  • Noise Cancelling: Yes
  • Bluetooth: AAC, SBC
  • Battery Life: 7.5 hours (+7.5 hours with charging case)
  • Wireless Charging: No
  • Water Resistant: Yes
  • Finish: White, Black, Sage Green, Lavender

Pros:

  • Extremely comfortable fit for all-day wear
  • Exquisite presentation for the price
  • Detailed, dynamic, and musical sound

Cons:

  • Charging case doesn’t extend battery life significantly
  • No aptX or LDAC Bluetooth support

These excellent wireless earbuds from Sony sit between the budget WF-C500 (no noise cancellation, lower price) and the premium WF-1000XM5 (higher price).

We believe these are excellent earbuds that more than justify their price. They’re very compact, and their lightweight design makes them even more comfortable than the Sony XM4. Battery life comes in at seven and a half hours.

They lack aptX HD and LDAC, but feature noise cancellation not found in the WF-C500. The Adaptive Sound Control feature automatically switches listening modes based on your surroundings, while the DSEE (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) improves the quality of low-resolution digital audio files. A software update has also introduced Bluetooth Multipoint, allowing for simultaneous connection to two devices.

We find the sound quality of the Sony earbuds to be excellently balanced: deep, detailed bass, expressive mids, and appealing highs. During testing, we stated, “An amazing sense of power and drive that grabs your attention.” These are very musical earbuds for your money and a clear step up from the cheaper WF-C500.

What are the downsides? The lack of aptX HD and LDAC support is disappointing, and the charging case only provides one additional charge, which seems a bit meager. However, due to their excellent sound and comprehensive features, these earbuds can confidently be recommended as some of the best from Sony.

Interestingly, it seems a successor to the C700N may be in the works. Recent leaks suggest a possible model called WF-C710N, set to launch in the first half of 2025, presumably with improved noise cancellation and battery life. It goes without saying that if this is confirmed by Sony, it will be huge news, as the successor model will have plenty of room to fill.

Our review on Sony WF-C700N

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4. Technics EAH-AZ100 — Best Premium Wireless Earbuds

Technics EAH-AZ100

Technics EAH-AZ100

Technics EAH-AZ100

Technics EAH-AZ100

Specifications:

  • Noise Cancelling: Yes
  • Bluetooth: 5.3 (AAC, SBC, LDAC, LC3)
  • Battery Life: 10 hours (+18 hours with charging case)
  • Wireless Charging: Yes
  • Water Resistant: IPX4
  • Finish: Black, Silver

Pros:

  • Excellent detail and clarity
  • Spacious, appealing sound
  • Great ANC
  • Comfortable design

Cons:

  • Bose's ANC is superior
  • Voice calling could use improvement
  • Strong competition

Technics may be better known for its direct-drive turntables and Hi-Fi electronics, but its new flagship wireless earbuds made a strong impression on our review team. As a result, the EAH-AZ100 takes a spot on this list between the Sony WF-1000XM5 and Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 as our best premium wireless earbuds.

They are small, lightweight, and we discovered that they’re comfortable for extended wear. The touch controls on each earbud are fully customizable, allowing you to set the Technics to control sound modes, playback, and volume in any convenient way.

We found that the Bluetooth connection is reliable and stable, with support for codecs SBC, AAC, LDAC, and LC3 (which supports low-energy audio). Battery life lasts about ten hours, which is very competitive.

The noise cancellation is excellent, and in our review, we wrote that “it mutes surrounding noise like a heavy snowstorm muffling the world around.” It can be manually or automatically adjusted based on ambient noise levels. It’s not as effective as the noise cancellation of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra, but is still very good.

Regarding sound, we enjoyed their smooth tonal balance and “surprisingly clean and open sound.” We noted, “This is impressively spacious and open sound, even more open than the Sony XM5.” Throughout the frequency range, Technics sound precise and powerful, but not overly loud. Their energetic dynamics set them apart from older Technics pairs and make them a fantastic alternative to competing pairs of that level.

Our review on Technics EAH-AZ100

5. Sony WF-C510 — Best Wireless Earbuds for Long Battery Life

Sony WF-C510

Sony WF-C510

Sony WF-C510

Specifications:

  • Noise Cancelling: No
  • Bluetooth: 5.3 (AAC, SBC)
  • Battery Life: 11 hours (+11 hours with charging case)
  • Wireless Charging: No
  • Water Resistant: IPX4
  • Finish: Blue, Yellow, Black, White

Pros:

  • Compact, comfortable, lightweight design
  • Solid, musical sound
  • Strong performance

Cons:

  • Feel and look a bit cheap
  • Ambient sound mode is not outstanding

When Sony announced the release of the successor to the WF-C500, which has been in this list for a while, we weren’t sure if Sony could deliver another budget-friendly pair that would meet expectations. However, the Japanese giant delivered another masterclass in creating affordable wireless earbuds.

They also boast an impressive 11 hours of playtime on a single charge (with ambient sound mode and DSEE off), which is an hour longer than the previous model.

Admittedly, the WF-C510 look and feel cheaper than their predecessors, but the sound quality is entirely different. In fact, we’d even say that the WF-C510 is a clear step up from the old model. They reproduce all the musical nuances and details we loved about the WF-C500, but add a new sense of richness and depth, enhancing their capabilities across the frequency range.

The entertainment level you get from them does not match their budget price. For the money, we were amazed at “how they convey emotion and detail,” and praised them for producing a “rich, dense, and energetic sound.” We consider the only way to enhance sound quality would be to move up a level to the WF-C700N, which you’ll also find on this page.

But if you seek an affordable yet surprisingly musical pair of wireless earbuds, you should not overlook the WF-C510. They also offer more useful features than the previous model, such as Bluetooth multipoint connectivity and ambient sound control. You can manage playback and volume using the built-in buttons on each earbud, making them incredibly easy and intuitive to use.

It’s worth noting that after the release of the WF-C510, you might find the older WF-C500 model at a substantial discount if you search online. Although they don’t sound as good as the newer model, they can still run for up to 10 hours without a charge, and the build quality might be better. Just something to keep in mind.

6. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds — Best Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds

Specifications:

  • Noise Cancelling: Yes
  • Bluetooth: AAC, SBC
  • Battery Life: 6 hours (+18 hours with charging case)
  • Wireless Charging: No
  • Water Resistant: IPX4
  • Finish: Black, White Smoke

Pros:

  • Striking, musical sound
  • Solid, heavy bass
  • Excellent ANC
  • Comfortable for extended wear

Cons:

  • Immersive sound can heavily impact battery life
  • No multipoint Bluetooth
  • No wireless charging

We all know that Bose excels at producing great wireless earbuds, and the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds can be considered the best wireless earbuds of the day.

The Ultra earbuds provide a comfortable fit and come packed with features. Bluetooth 5.3 is a huge plus, as are Bose’s first earbuds equipped with their proprietary Immersive Audio spatial sound technology.

The Bose app allows for adjusting the noise cancellation level with several customizable presets. Speaking of noise cancellation, the new Bose earbuds remain at the top of their game. They can automatically adjust the noise cancellation level so that your music isn’t drowned out by particularly loud sounds, and the effect is impressive. As for sound, it’s balanced, rich, and surprisingly musical — in our review, we wrote that “there’s a sense of openness and space throughout the presentation.” Call quality is also decent for the price.

It’s a shame there’s no support for high-quality wireless audio codecs like LDAC or aptX HD, and no wireless charging (which is available in the Sony WF-1000XM5). However, we don’t consider this a dealbreaker, especially considering how stylish these earbuds look.

The big news this month is that Bose finally added multipoint Bluetooth in the latest update, meaning you can now connect to two sources at once.

The Ultra earbuds effectively replace the company’s award-winning previous model, the QuietComfort Earbuds II, so keep an eye out, as you might save a decent sum on the older pair. This is definitely an option worth considering.

7. Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 — Best Wireless Earbuds for Audiophiles

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8

Specifications:

  • Noise Cancelling: Yes
  • Bluetooth: 5.4
  • Battery Life: 6.5 hours (earbuds), 20 hours (case)
  • Wireless Charging: Yes
  • Water Resistant: IP54
  • Finish: 4 options (Anthracite Black, Soft White, Midnight Blue, Jade Green)

Pros:

  • Sensational level of detail
  • Natural, refined sound
  • User-friendly
  • Competitive ANC

Cons:

  • Call quality could be improved
  • Earpiece seating test needed
  • Some signal dropouts

Bowers & Wilkins is no newcomer to the world of wireless earbuds, but their previous attempts didn’t quite hit the mark. However, everything changed with the arrival of their latest flagship pair.

If you want your wireless earbuds to convey all the details and nuances, you need to hear the Pi8 to believe it. During testing, our team found their ability to convey subtleties and nuances in recordings to be exceedingly impressive. You won’t find a more detailed pair of earbuds on this list. They are also dynamic and rhythmic, capable of entertaining you no matter what genre of music you throw at them. The earbuds utilize a driver with a carbon diaphragm, which is also found in the five-star wireless PX8 and works excellently in the Pi8.

As you would expect from premium wireless earbuds, the build quality and comfort are top-notch. High-quality plastic, whether for the wireless charging case or the earbuds themselves. The case also serves as a wireless transmitter, allowing you to use it in situations like on an airplane, where you might want to transmit sound from the in-flight entertainment system to the earbuds but the system doesn’t support Bluetooth.

Their active noise cancellation effectively blocks low-frequency noise and interference, even if it’s not as effective as the noise cancellation of the Bose QC Ultra earbuds. We believe Bose excels at suppressing high frequencies. Battery life is good, but not outstanding — six and a half hours on a single charge, and call quality at this level is decent enough to compete with key rivals.

8. Apple AirPods Pro 2 — Best Wireless Earbuds for AirPods

Apple AirPods Pro 2

Apple AirPods Pro 2

Apple AirPods Pro 2

Specifications:

  • Noise Cancelling: Yes
  • Bluetooth: AAC, SBC
  • Battery Life: 6 hours (+24 hours with charging case)
  • Wireless Charging: Yes
  • Water Resistant: Yes
  • Finish: White

Pros:

  • Clear, detailed, and powerful sound
  • Excellent noise cancellation
  • Smooth and intuitive use with iOS devices

Cons:

  • Many features limited to iOS devices
  • Customizable ANC modes would be beneficial

Apple's AirPods lineup has always been decent wireless earbuds, but they’ve never been particularly notable. Over the years, they’ve received quite a few four-star reviews. However, with the AirPods Pro 2, Apple has released wireless earbuds that are genuinely excellent.

How? Noise cancellation is better, battery life is longer, you get new features, and more importantly, significantly improved sound quality. They also cost the same as the original AirPods Pro, which helps.

They fit well, and the revamped design feels much less intrusive than some in-ear headphones. Apple has finally added volume controls to the earbuds, which also enhances usability.

Noise cancellation works excellently; the adaptive transparency feature dampens loud sounds while letting ambient noise in. And the sound quality? With weight, detail, and good dynamic nuance, they are professional earbuds that can compete with the best in the market.

As we stated in our review, “compared to competitors Sony and Bose, Apple is now at the same level where they once struggled to catch up.” And rumors suggest we won’t see the AirPods Pro 3 until 2025, so it seems these excellent Apple earbuds will be around for a while.

We tested the AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation, and they are a fantastic option for the price, but if fit isn’t an issue, we would still opt for the AirPods Pro 2.

9. JBL Live Pro 2 TWS — Best Wireless Earbuds for Running

JBL Live Pro 2 TWS

JBL Live Pro 2 TWS

JBL Live Pro 2 TWS

JBL Live Pro 2 TWS

Specifications:

  • OS Support: Android / iOS
  • Bluetooth Version: 5.2
  • Noise Cancelling: Yes
  • Battery Life: 8 hours (30 hours with charging case)
  • Water Resistance: IPX5
  • Weight: 4.8g per bud

Pros:

  • Crisp, lively sound
  • Solid, meaty bass
  • Convenient app and setup

Cons:

  • No aptX HD or LDAC
  • Control setup could be better
  • Only three ear tip options

If you plan to use wireless earbuds for running, they must meet a few criteria. They need to fit securely and be comfortable for extended wear. You need good noise cancellation to drown out the grunts and groans in a noisy gym, as well as a versatile transparency mode that lets in just the right amount of noise when you’re outside.

This is precisely why the JBL Live Pro 2 TWS are included on this list. They do all of the above, plus they deliver five-star sound quality at a very competitive price that won’t break the bank.

The build quality is quite high, and they look sleek and stylish. They feature capabilities you often don’t see in devices at this price point, including wireless charging, IPX5 water resistance, and Bluetooth multipoint connectivity (allowing you to connect two devices simultaneously). One charge provides a respectable eight hours of playback, and a total of 30 hours with the charging case.

While it’s true that more expensive models from brands like Bose, Sony, and Sennheiser are a step up from JBL, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a pair of wireless earbuds at a more affordable price that meets your needs.

Conclusion

From our detailed insights and comprehensive reviews, it’s clear that the wireless earbuds market in 2025 is full of exceptional choices. Whether you’re an audiophile, a budget shopper, or someone who needs durable earbuds for running, there’s something perfect out there for everyone.

Do you have a favorite model from this roundup? Let us know in the comments!

FAQs

  • What are the best wireless earbuds for the price?
  • Are noise-cancelling earbuds worth the investment?
  • How long do wireless earbuds typically last?
  • Can I use wireless earbuds for exercise?
  • What's the difference between budget and premium wireless earbuds?

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