The 15 Best Wireless Earbuds of 2020

The best wireless earbuds are great for everyday use. While they are not as good-sounding as some of the best wired over-ear headphones, they offer more freedom of movement, which is especially beneficial when running or working out. They are also a lot more compact and easier to carry, making them ideal for commuting and travel.

Shopping for wireless earbuds can be frustrating, however. There are dozens of options on the market, from cheap earbuds from no-name brands to premium earbuds from well-known companies such as Sennheiser and Bose. In this guide, we have compiled the best options currently out, including earbuds with active noise-canceling technology and earbuds designed specifically for business calls. The items listed here are truly wireless earbuds, which means they don’t come with any cables apart from the charging cable.

Samsung Galaxy BudsBest Overall: Samsung Galaxy Buds

The Samsung Galaxy Buds are excellent true wireless earbuds with a good touch-based control system and a good battery life. They are versatile earbuds, with their design making them suitable for office use, commuting, and running. They are compatible with both Android and iOS devices, though some features are not available for the latter.

While they are not as rugged as some sports earbuds, the Samsung Galaxy Buds are well-built earbuds with basic water protection against minor spills, splashes, and sweat. They are comfortable to wear for long stretches. You will barely feel them in your ears, whether you are working out or traveling. They also stay securely in your ears, which is important when working out. Samsung includes three pairs of both ear tips and wingtips, allowing you to choose the most comfortable and stable setup.

With the earbuds’ accurate touch-based controls, you’ll have an easier time with music playback and call management. You can tap on the earbuds to skip tracks, take calls, and adjust the volume. When you remove the earbuds while there is music playing, the music automatically pauses. Unlike some wireless earbuds, the control system is well implemented.

The included case offers protection when the earbuds are not in use, but they are more than just an accessory for storage. Compact and durable, the case also serves as a backup battery, offering an additional seven hours of battery (or roughly the equivalent of one additional full charge). Combine that with the earbuds’ six-hour battery, and what you get is a total of 13 hours of battery life, which is more than good enough for most people. The case also supports wireless charging, which is convenient.

The AKG-tuned Samsung Galaxy Buds have good sound quality for wireless earbuds. While they are not on par with some of the best noise-canceling headphones, they offer decent noise isolation, which makes them suitable for commuting. They also do a good job at preventing sound from leaking out too much, allowing you to listen to your music in the office without distracting nearby co-workers. The app support is also decent, with the option to map the touch-based controls. Unfortunately, these Samsung true wireless earbuds can only connect to one Bluetooth device at a time.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Buds are well-designed wireless earbuds. They have a comfortable design, a user-friendly control scheme, a good battery life, good sound quality, and decent passive noise cancellation. If you are in the market for all-around earbuds for everyday use, check out these Samsung true wireless earbuds.

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Beats Powerbeats ProBest Sports Earbuds: Beats Powerbeats Pro

The Beats Powerbeats Pro are the best wireless earbuds for workouts, featuring a stable and secure design, an excellent battery life, and an easy control scheme. Selling for around $250, they are available in different colors, including black and navy. They come with four ear tip sizes, along with a hard case.

Featuring a sleek design, the Beats Powerbeats Pro are lightweight earbuds with ear hooks for a more secure fit, which is especially beneficial during workouts and when commuting. While the earbuds are made of plastic, they are durable and can survive minor drops. They are also protected against water splashing and sweat, but their IPX4 rating is inferior to that of other notable sports earbuds on the market, such as the Jabra Elite Active 65t, which boast an IP56 rating.

Both earbuds have a multi-purpose button (the one with the Beats logo) and a volume rocker, allowing you to manage your music and calls with either unit. You can tap on the multi-purpose buttons to take calls, pause music, and skip tracks. The buttons are sensitive and do not require a hard press to register input, which means the earbuds won’t go further in your ears when pressing them. The music also automatically pauses when you remove the earbuds from your ears.

The included hard case is sturdy, but it’s bigger than usual. While you can easily store it in your gym bag, it’s very noticeable when stored even in a large pocket. The case doubles as an extra battery pack that brings the total battery life to up to around 24 hours (the earbuds themselves can run up to around nine hours on a single charge). However, there is only one battery indicator light on the case, which makes it hard to check how much charge is actually left.

Suitable for different music genres, the Beats Powerbeats Pro have good sound quality for wireless earbuds, with good bass response. They have subpar noise isolation, though, and they are not very good at preventing sound from leaking at high volumes. They are suitable if you want to be aware of your surroundings when commuting or running. But if you want to tune out the world around you, there are better earbuds on the market.

Whether you are an athlete or simply a fitness enthusiast, the Beats Powerbeats Pro are recommended if you want the best sports earbuds. Their stable and secure design keeps them in place even when you are doing intensive workouts with a lot of head movement. They are comfortable to wear for extended periods and offer an excellent fast-charging battery. There’s not much app support, though, so don’t expect too much on that front.

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Sony WF-1000XM3Best for Commute: Sony WF-1000XM3

If you want truly wireless earphones with a good noise-canceling feature, the Sony WF-1000XM3 are the best options on the market. They are great for commuting and office use, with their digital noise cancellation allowing you to enjoy your music in peace. They come with six extra pairs of ear tips – three pairs each of silicone and foam – which brings the total ear tips to seven pairs.

Made of premium materials, these Sony truly wireless earbuds have a stylish and comfortable design, but due to their size, they are not as discreet as other products. They are lightweight but don’t feel as cheaply built as low-end plastic earbuds. Unlike the Beats Powerbeats Pro, they don’t include wingtips for better stability, which can be a problem when doing workout routines with a lot of head movement.

The control scheme is touch-based, with the option to map the controls on both earbuds using the companion app. The touch-sensitive surface on each earbud easily registers input, which makes it easy to manage your calls and music while on-the-go. You can also activate your voice assistant and enable or disable the noise-canceling feature by simply tapping on the earbuds.

The battery life is good. Sony claims up to six hours of playback on a single charge, which is good enough for daily commuting. When the battery runs out, the included charging case offers three additional full charges (18 hours), which should be more than good enough for most people. The earbuds also automatically go to power saving mode, switching off when not in use.

While they are not as good as some of the best over-ear headphones with active noise-canceling technology, the Sony WF-1000XM3 offer good enough noise cancellation for commuting. They also easily tune out office chatter, allowing you to work in peace. As mentioned, the noise cancellation can be disabled with just a tap. So if you need to talk to someone at work, there is no need to remove your earbuds. The earbuds also keep sound leakage to a minimum, which means your nearby co-workers won’t be distracted by your heavy metal music.

Available in black and silver, the Sony WF-1000XM3 are the best noise-canceling true wireless earbuds currently out. They are well-designed and are comfortable to wear, with the multiple ear tip sizes allowing you to choose the perfect fit. They have good sound quality and battery life and come with decent app support.

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Sennheiser Momentum True WirelessBest Sound Quality: Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless

While truly wireless earbuds are not exactly known for their sound quality, there are some products that offer better sound quality than others. If sound quality is the most important aspect to you, check out the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless. They are $300 wireless earbuds with great sound quality and good noise isolation, with the latter allowing you to enjoy your audio even more while out in public.

Featuring a black frame with metallic accents, the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless are well-made earbuds with good stability. They are made of high-quality materials inside and out, featuring a durable frame with splash resistance (IPX4). They are a bit bulkier than usual, which means they protrude more and are not very discreet. There are four ear tip sizes included in the package, along with a USB-C charging cable.

The control scheme is touch-based, with the metallic surface on the earbuds easily registering input for hassle-free music and call management. On the left earbud, you can play, pause, switch tracks, and lower the volume. The music also automatically pauses when you take off the earbuds. On the right earbud, you can accept, end, and reject calls, as well as turn the volume up. You can also use the right earbud to activate your voice assistant, but only when there are no incoming or active calls.

With the included case, your earbuds are protected against scratches and bumps while inside your backpack or gym bag. However, the case does not offer complete protection due to its lack of a locking mechanism. This means if you drop the case, the earbuds may spill out and become exposed, so it would be best to secure the case with a makeshift lock – like a rubber band.

Regarding battery life, these Sennheiser earbuds are not that great, especially compared to the other top products in this guide to the best wireless earbuds. The earbuds can only run up to four hours on a single charge, according to the official specifications sheet. While the case holds two additional charges for a total of 12 hours, the battery life is only decent at best, with many other similarly priced wireless earbuds offering better battery life.

The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless are versatile earbuds. They are decent for commuting and running, with their good noise isolation preventing background noise from seeping into your audio too much. They are also good for office use, not only because of their good noise isolation but also due to their minimal sound leakage.

All in all, the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless are excellent premium earbuds. The sound quality is good while the control scheme is well implemented. The build quality is also great, and the app support is decent, but the battery life, on the other hand, is subpar.

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SoundPeats TrueFreeBest Cheap Wireless Earbuds: SoundPeats TrueFree

There are a lot of budget wireless earphones on the market, with many decent options under $30. Of the products in that price range, the SoundPeats TrueFree are the best, offering excellent value for the money. They usually sell for just around $25, but their performance and build quality are both good for the price.

While the SoundPeats TrueFree are budget true wireless earbuds, they don’t look as cheaply built as other similarly priced earbuds. They are surprisingly well-designed, with their black frame and small size making for a discreet profile. They don’t protrude too much and are comfortable to wear, with their stable design keeping them secure in your ears while commuting or running. In addition, they are IPX4-rated, which means they are resistant to water splashing. There are four pairs of ear tips included in the package, allowing you to choose a more comfortable and stable fit.

Unlike with the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless, the control scheme is not touch-based. Both earbuds have a single button. You can use the buttons for call and music management and for activating your voice assistant. The buttons are responsive and don’t feel flimsy, but pressing them also causes the earbuds to go further in your ear, which can be uncomfortable.

The included case is quite disappointing. While the earbuds themselves are well-designed and don’t feel cheap, the case, on the other hand, is not that great. The plastic construction feels cheap, and there is no lid to protect the earbuds from dust and splashes. If you want a case with better protection, SoundPeats offers a more expensive variant, the SoundPeats Q32, which sell for almost double the price.

As mentioned, the SoundPeats TrueFree offer good performance for the price. The overall sound quality is decent while the passive noise isolation is good, which is beneficial when using the earbuds while commuting or at the office. The sound leakage is also minimal, which is especially great when using the earbuds in a very quiet office.

On the other hand, the battery life is subpar. The earbuds can only run up to around three hours on a single charge. The case increases the total battery life to around 15 hours. But since the earbuds cap out at just three hours, you can’t use them continuously over an extended period. Due to their subpar battery life, these budget wireless earbuds are not recommended for particularly long trips.

While they do have notable flaws that some might see as deal-breakers, the SoundPeats TrueFree are recommended if you are in the market for the best cheap true wireless earphones. They don’t look as cheap as other similarly priced products and offer good performance for the price. They are decent enough for all-around use, but their battery life can be a limiting factor in some usages.

For more affordable options, check out our selection of the best budget headphones under $50.

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Jabra Evolve 65tWireless Earbuds with Best Mic: Jabra Evolve 65t

If microphone quality is very important to you, go for the Jabra Evolve 65t. They are truly wireless earphones with good mic performance. They come with a proprietary USB dongle for enhancing the mic quality, which is beneficial for business calls. If you like the Jabra Elite 65t but prefer a better mic, then this is the product for you.

In appearance, the Jabra Evolve 65t look almost identical to the popular Jabra Elite 65t, especially since they have a similar color scheme. Their build quality is excellent, as expected from premium wireless earbuds. There are three ear tip sizes to choose from. Although they don’t have wingtips or stability fins, the earbuds are stable and don’t easily pop out from your ears when running.

Compared to the other top picks above, these Jabra wireless earbuds offer the best IP rating, with their IP55 rating meaning they offer protection against dust and water. They are well-built earbuds that will easily survive minor drops, which makes them suitable for those with an active lifestyle. However, their bulky design can be uncomfortable for those with smaller ears.

Each earbud has a multi-purpose button. You can manage your calls and music, activate your voice assistant, and adjust the volume using the buttons. But as with the SoundPeats TrueFree, pressing the buttons will push the earbuds further in your ear, so don’t press too hard. While pressing the buttons can be uncomfortable sometimes, the control scheme is well implemented, with the buttons on each unit easily registering input.

The Jabra Evolve 65t can run up to around five hours on a single charge, with the included charging case increasing the total battery life to around 15 hours. This should be good enough for all-day use for most people. And speaking of the case, the included case is well-designed and is better than that of the Jabra Elite 65t. Unlike with the Jabra Elite 65t, the case’s lid doesn’t open easily, keeping the earbuds more secure.

Featuring a quad-mic system, the Jabra Evolve 65t are great wireless earbuds for Skype and business calls. They are better than the Jabra Elite 65t on that front – but only when the proprietary USB dongle, which connects to a laptop or a desktop PC, is used. Without the USB dongle, there’s not much difference in the mic performance between the two.

Overall, the Jabra Evolve 65t are superb true wireless earbuds, most especially for business use. The sound quality and passive noise isolation are both good, while the sound leakage is minimal, which is great for both office use and commuting. The app support is also good, with options to customize the sound and tinker with the mic performance.

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The Competition

If our top picks above are not to your liking, there are other great options on the market. The following products are the best of the bunch. Some products are suitable for sports use, featuring a rugged design, while others boast a long-lasting battery, which is great for travel. The products are arranged according to price, in ascending order.

Anker Soundcore Liberty Air1. Anker Soundcore Liberty Air

The Anker Soundcore Liberty Air are budget-friendly wireless earbuds, but they are not as affordable as the SoundPeats TrueFree, selling for more than double the price. Their design is similar to the Apple AirPods, including the charging case. They have a good battery life, with the earbuds offering up to five hours of music playback on a single charge and the charging case providing additional charges for a total battery life of 20 hours.

Featuring a touch-based control scheme for call and music management, the Anker Soundcore Liberty Air have good sound quality. They are good for all-around use, with their good noise isolation and minimal sound leakage making them suitable for travel, commuting and office use. There is no volume control on the earbuds, though, which means you still need to take out your phone to adjust the volume while out in public.

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1More Stylish True Wireless2. 1More Stylish True Wireless

Available in black, pink, gold, and green colors, the 1More Stylish True Wireless are some of the best true wireless earbuds under $100. They are well-built earbuds with good battery life and decent mic performance for better-quality calls. These earbuds come with three pairs of both ear tips and O-hooks, allowing you to choose the most comfortable fit, whether you are working out or traveling.

The control scheme is decent, with the responsive buttons on each earbud allowing for easy call and music management. The left earbud is for managing your calls and triggering your voice assistant, while the right earbud is dedicated to music, with options to play, pause, and switch tracks. With around 6.5 hours of music playback per charge, the 1More Stylish True Wireless offer better battery life than many competing products. The charging case increases the total battery life to around 24 hours, which is more than enough for most people.

You may also be interested in these quality Bluetooth earbuds from our list. Check them out.

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Apple AirPods 2 (2019)3. Apple AirPods 2 (2019)

One of the most easily recognizable products, the Apple AirPods 2 are good wireless earphones for those using iOS devices. They have a good build quality and a good battery life, with around 24 hours of music playback with the charging case. The earphones themselves can run up to around five hours on a single charge.

Released on March 2019, the Apple AirPods 2 are decent for all-around usage. They are comfortable to wear and don’t easily pop out of your ears. They also charge fast, with 15 minutes of charge time translating to around three hours of music playback. On the other hand, these wireless earphones don’t offer good noise isolation due to their open-back design. But if you prefer to still be aware of your surroundings while wearing earphones, then that’s not going to be a problem.

Our guide to the top Apple Airpod alternatives features more great audio devices. Don’t miss them.

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Jabra Elite Active 65t4. Jabra Elite Active 65t

The Jabra Elite Active 65t are recommended wireless earbuds for sports, featuring a built-in motion sensor for performance tracking. They look more premium than the regular Jabra Elite 65t and offer better protection against dust and water (IP56). The included charging case is also better, with the more secure lid offering better protection for the earbuds.

The control scheme is similar to the Jabra Elite 65t, with the responsive main buttons allowing for easy call and music management and voice assistant activation. The Jabra Elite Active 65t also offer great passive noise isolation, which makes them suitable for commuting. If the Beats Powerbeats Pro are not your cup of tea, the Jabra Elite Active 65t are recommended sports earbuds. They are on the bulky side, though, and can be uncomfortable for those with smaller ears.

For some extra affordable options, be sure to browse our list of the best-selling cheap earbuds under $20.

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RHA TrueConnect5. RHA TrueConnect

The RHA TrueConnect are decent true wireless earphones for all-around usage, featuring a well-built frame with a matte finish for a low-profile look. They are IPX5-rated earphones, which means they are well protected against sweat. There are a lot of foam and silicone ear tip options included in the package, which makes it easy to find the most comfortable and stable fit.

With around five hours of music playback per charge, the RHA TrueConnect have good battery life for wireless earbuds. The included charging case increases the total battery life to around 25 hours, which should be good enough for all-day use for most people. Regarding sound quality and noise isolation, the RHA TrueConnect are decent on both fronts. They are good for commuting and office use, with their minimal sound leakage preventing your loud music from distracting people around you.

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Bose SoundSport Free6. Bose SoundSport Free

The Bose SoundSport Free are great-sounding sports earbuds. They are truly wireless earbuds with good build quality, featuring a comfortable and stable design. While they are on the bulky side – which means they stick out more compared to other earbuds – they are well-built. They are IPX4-rated earbuds, offering effective protection against sweat. Sadly, their control scheme is subpar, with their stiff physical buttons turning call and music management into a frustrating affair.

The included case – which is also larger than usual – is sturdy. It holds the earbuds securely in place with its magnetized design and offers two additional charges, bringing the total battery life to around 15 hours. If you are in the market for great-sounding wireless earbuds but prefer something relatively more affordable than the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless, check out the Bose SoundSport Free.

You will find more budget options by checking our guide on the top-rated wireless earbuds under $50.

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Jaybird Vista7. Jaybird Vista

The Jaybird Vista are wireless earbuds suitable for running and working out. They have a stable design, with their stability fins making them more secure in your ears. They come with a very compact case that is easy to carry, with the case also offering an additional charge for a total battery life of around 16 hours.

Featuring a low-profile design, the Jaybird Vista are well-designed earbuds. They don’t stick out too much and are comfortable to wear, which is great when using them for long stretches. They have excellent sweat and water protection, featuring an IPX7 rating. The control scheme is easy to use, but it’s a bit limited. On the other hand, the app support is good, with options to customize the sound and map the buttons.

Take a moment to browse our list of the best-rated wired and wireless in-ear headphones as well.

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Master & Dynamic MW078. Master & Dynamic MW07

If you care about aesthetics, check out the Master & Dynamic MW07. They are some of the best-looking wireless earbuds out there, featuring a stylish design that will turn heads. They are premium earbuds selling for around $200-300. There are different color options for these earbuds, including white marble, piano black, and steel blue.

The Master & Dynamic MW07 are good-sounding earbuds, which makes them another good option if you want the best wireless earbuds with good sound quality. They are also well-built, with their IPX4 rating meaning they offer resistance against splashing. In addition to the multiple ear tip options, they also come with two pairs of stability wings. Like the earbuds themselves, the included stainless steel case also looks premium. The case holds three additional charges, which brings the total battery life to around 14 hours (the earbuds can only run up to 3.5 hours on a single charge).

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Bang & Olufsen Beoplay E8 2.09. Bang & Olufsen Beoplay E8 2.0

The Bang & Olufsen Beoplay E8 2.0 are truly wireless earbuds with a stylish design. While they are not as unique as the Master & Dynamic MW07, they are still good-looking earbuds. Their build quality is great while their overall sound quality is good. They come with a luxurious leather-coated charging case, as well as multiple ear tip options for you to choose from.

Featuring a decent touch-based control scheme, the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay E8 2.0 have good passive noise isolation, which makes them ideal for commuting and office use. The sound leakage is also minimal, allowing you to enjoy your music without distracting nearby people, especially at the office. The total battery life is around 16 hours, but the earbuds cap out at four hours per charge.

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