The Best Wireless Earbuds of 2026

• Ambient sound modes: Noise canceling, adaptive transparency mode
• Dust and water resistance: IPX4
• Battery life: 8 hours with ANC; up to 24 hours with the case

The Sony WF-1000XM5's noise-canceling performance might be incremental rather than a leap, but it still slightly exceeds that of both the Apple AirPods Pro 2 and the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II. While the XM5 let in more of a low-frequency airplane drone, they don't have the added high-end hiss found on the Bose and Apple. Plus, they do a better job attenuating troublesome midrange frequencies like coffeehouse chatter.

The WF-1000XM5 do beat the QuietComfort Earbuds II and AirPods Pro 2 in two important ways. Sound quality for both music and calls far exceeds that of the Bose, and unlike the AirPods, the XM5 work just as well with Apple products as with Android. Getting a solid fit can take some effort, but these remain among the best wireless earbuds available.

Read our full Sony WF-1000XM5 review.

• Ambient sound modes: Noise canceling, Adaptive Transparency mode
• Dust and water resistance: IPX4
• Battery life: 6 hours with ANC (up to 7 without), up to 31 hours with the case

The AirPods Pro 2 represent a huge upgrade over the groundbreaking AirPods Pro, and as of fall 2025, they've been usurped by the improved AirPods Pro 3. Although these versions may not look much different, the real value lies in their battery life, sound, and noise canceling.

For now, you can still buy this second-gen version, but we expect it to become less available as stock depletes. The noise canceling is excellent, especially in earbuds, and is only beaten by Bose's QuietComfort Earbuds II and the AirPods Pro 3. These still beat out high-end over-ear options like Sony's WH-1000XM5.

Apple's Adaptive Transparency mode is also a huge benefit. Clear and natural-sounding, it can also help block out nearby loud noises, reducing them to 85dB in real time. (They're no substitute for proper ear protection in loud environments.)

On top of that, you get better call quality and better audio (particularly the bass) in the same tiny package. The wireless charging case now also boasts a speaker. If you lose your earbuds, the Find My app can make them emit a sound so you can find them.

Every set of earbuds has its downsides. We wish Apple had equipped these with better battery life. We'd love more control over audio features like EQ and ANC. We'd also love it if non-Apple platforms had an app or settings menu.

Still, most of those complaints are minor compared with the features on offer.

Read our full AirPods Pro (2nd generation) review.

• Ambient sound modes: Active noise canceling, Transparency mode
• Water resistance: IPX7
• Battery life: Up to 5 hours with ANC (8 without), up to 30 hours with charging case

Samsung's Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are the natural complement to Android devices, particularly Samsung Galaxy phones. The audio presets are all strong, and the ANC improves on earlier Galaxy Buds. It's better equipped to deal with low drone sounds and modestly improved with midrange sounds like keyboard clicks or nearby conversations.

The design is 15% smaller than the Galaxy Buds Pro, giving them a slimmer profile when worn. Their fit is solid, and with IPX7 water resistance, they're a good workout solution. Samsung has also swapped the gloss of previous iterations for a matte finish, which we prefer.

There are plenty of compelling features, but most of them are exclusive to Android devices. Apple users will miss out on Auto Switch, Easy Pair, Bixby voice control, 360 spatial audio, and 24-bit high-res audio. They have an underwhelming 5-hour battery life, but fortunately they can give you another hour of listening with just a 5-minute charge in their case.

For anyone entrenched in the Samsung (or Android) ecosystem, the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro deliver a package that's hard to beat.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro review.

• Ambient sound modes: Noise canceling, transparency mode
• Water resistance: IPX4
• Battery life: About 5.5 hours with ANC (7 without), up to 28 hours with the case

Sennheiser's Momentum True Wireless 3 earbuds deliver awe-inspiring sound with a reworked noise cancellation that's responsive and powerful enough to hold its own.

The TW3's soundstage is brighter, clearer, and more defined. A 3-band EQ allows some room for adjustment, as well. The controls can be customized, the case charges wirelessly, and you get features like auto-pause and the ability to use one earbud at a time. They also support advanced audio codecs like aptX Adaptive and AAC for improved sound on Android and iPhone devices, respectively.

Sporty, comfy, and with a wide range of ear tips and fins to keep them tight in your ear, they offer a great fit at a reasonable price. They may not be your go-to running buds, but they'll work in a pinch for most any activity.

Downsides include a slightly bulky charging case and a lack of features like an earbuds finder or multipoint connection. They're also less comfortable for us than semi-open pairs like Jabra's Elite 85t.

All in all, the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 earbuds combine top-notch audio quality, impressive noise cancellation, and good features for a strong listening experience.

Read our full Momentum TW 3 review.

• Ambient sound modes: Noise canceling, transparency mode
• Water resistance: IPX4
• Battery life: 6 hours with ANC (7 without), up to 27 hours with the case

When the Beats Fit Pro originally launched, they represented an opportunity to get significant improvements over the AirPods Pro at a lower price. Since the release of the second-gen AirPods Pro, though, the choice between the two has gotten more complicated.

Starting at $200, the Fit Pro still have the price edge over the AirPods Pro 2's list price, and their rubbery fins help provide a more secure fit. The Beats app is available on Android devices, which gives them important platform versatility, too.

Of course, they're still best on iOS, where you get iCloud Music Sharing, Hands-Free Siri, Spatial Audio with Dynamic Head Tracking, and Find My so you won't lose them.

They do show their age in some ways. They struggle with voice calls in windy environments, and they can be finicky on Android devices. They're also missing some features you'd expect at this price. Shelling out an extra $50 for the AirPods Pro 2 gets you a wireless charging case, stronger noise cancellation, and a few more modern features.

Still, if you'd rather not pay up for the newer AirPods Pro but do want something tailored for Apple devices, the Beats Fit Pro are a solid wireless earbud option for iPhone.

Read our full Beats Fit Pro review.

• Ambient sound modes: Noise cancellation, transparency mode, adaptive audio
• Dust and water resistance: IP54 (earbuds and case)
• Battery life: 4 hours, up to 20 hours with the case

The AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation are a stepping stone between the base AirPods 4 and the AirPods Pro. The earbuds have the same overall shape and design as the entry-level AirPods 4, but despite the lack of seal in your ear canal, they block a surprising amount of noise. Like other AirPods, they support several noise modes, including adaptive mode, which automatically adjusts ANC based on your environment.

Also, like other AirPods, the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation have helpful Apple-specific features like automatic switching and spatial audio. They sound good, especially compared with the previous-generation AirPods 3.

The main downsides? The battery life disappoints at up to 4 hours of continuous listening with noise cancellation on. Without the touch sensors in the stems, there are no volume controls with swipe gestures, though there are squeeze controls that let you tweak media playback and noise modes. But they're still a great choice for those who want the deep Apple integration at a lower price point than the AirPods Pro, and if we had a category for cheaper Apple-focused earbuds, they'd win hands down.

• Ambient sound modes: None
• Dust and water resistance: IP54 (earbuds and case)
• Battery life: 5 hours, up to 30 hours with the case

The AirPods are now in their fourth generation, and the AirPods 4 pick up a few helpful upgrades. The AirPods 4 are a cheaper alternative to the step-up model, the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation.

As the name suggests, they don't have noise cancellation at all. However, they do get a USB-C port and a revised design with shorter stems. On top of that, they offer some helpful smart features. They get automatic switching and Siri support, like AirPods before them. They also have a personalized audio feature that automatically adjusts volume based on your environment, a personalized spatial audio feature that uses head tracking for more immersive listening, and a built-in accelerometer that lets you shake or nod your head to respond to Siri.

The audio quality is upgraded too, with better bass than the AirPods 3 and a crisper, more detailed high end—all despite the lack of a seal in your ear canal. Unfortunately, their battery life is short, reaching only 5 hours of continuous listening even without noise cancellation. Additionally, while they have squeeze controls on the stems, they don't have the touch sensors that enable swipe gestures for volume. But if you're more focused on Apple-specific features like automatic switching and don't care much about anything else, the AirPods 4 are a solid option at a reasonable price.

• Ambient sound modes: Noise canceling, transparency mode
• Dust and water resistance: IPX4
• Battery life: 7 hours with ANC (up to 11 without), up to 31 hours with the case

With the Google Pixel Buds Pro, Google has finally delivered a solid set of earbuds. Better sound and battery life, plus solid ANC and transparency mode, make this the mega-brand's best headset.

The big draw here is the addition of ambient sound modes (noise canceling and transparency). They won't compete with top-tier Apple or Bose earbuds, but they hold their own in their class and price point.

The sound signature is stylized rather than neutral and could use more midrange presence. However, there's clear treble and a rich, thunderous bass. The call quality is solid, and the mic is good at blocking out some environmental noise.

One standout is the physical design. The Pixel Buds Pro feel hefty but not burdensome, with a comfortable fit. The controls are responsive and easy to use. Android users get great features like Hey Google support, Google Fast Pair, and multipoint pairing.

While not stellar for iPhone users, Android fans and particularly Pixel phone users may find them worth a look. With excellent style, good usability, and solid features, they're a good entry into the earbuds space.

Read our full Pixel Buds Pro review.