An Expert Review of Best Wireless Earbuds in 2024
Finding the best wireless earbuds is challenging as there are so many features that need to be on par. Wireless earbuds must be convenient to use, have great sound, and be compact. They must also have great active noise canceling, intuitive controls, and a case to secure them away.
Therefore, when you plan to buy an earbud, you see thousands of products that claim to have the best features and value for money, which is not true in most cases. So, if your hunt to find wireless earbuds brings you to this article, rest assured you will have the ideal device by the end because here, I have listed some of the top wireless earbuds that will completely change your listening experience.
Wireless Earbuds Test Ratings
| Earbuds | Sound Performance | Mic quality | ANC | Battery life |
| Push Active True | 8.5/10 | 6/10 | 5.5/10 | 10 hours |
| Sony Pulse Explore | 7/10 | 8/10 | 6/10 | 5 hours |
| Galaxy Earbuds Pro 3 | 9/10 | 8/10 | 8/10 | 6 hours |
| Beats Fit Pro | 7/10 | 7/10 | 7/10 | 5 hours |
| JBL Tour Pro 2 | 9/10 | 8/10 | 8/10 | 10 hours |
| Lenovo wireless earbuds | 8/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 | 7 hours |
| Amazon Echo Buds | 8/10 | 7/10 | 1/10 | 5 hours |
Push Active True Wireless Earbuds
Specs:
- Type: In-ear
- Wireless: Yes
- True Wireless: Yes
- ANC: NO
- Water resistance: Yes
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
Pros
- Great fit
- stable due to ear stem
- long battery life
- Consistency audio delivery
Cons
- No active noise canceling.
Quick Review
Design
Stability is the most important factor for an earbud because people also use it while traveling and doing physical activity. That’s where Skullcandy wireless earbuds shine.
It is comfortable to use, and the hook makes it stay in the right place without putting any pressure on the ear. It is also waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about wearing it during an intense gym session.
Controls
Its controls are also great because they offer physical buttons that are easy to press. You can also use voice commands to control the earbuds, which I prefer most of the time.
Here is what controls can do;
- Single press on either earpiece: Playback/call management
- A single press on the left: Lowers the volume
- A single press on the right: Raises the volume
- Short press and hold on left: Launches Spotify
- Three-second press on the right: Shares music via Skull-IQ streaming
- Three-second press on the left: Accepts incoming Skull-IQ transmission
Skullcandy App
The Skullcandy app offers various customizations. You can adjust EQ presets, reprogram controls for voice commands, turn on smart commands, and more. Overall, it is a great app with useful features.
Sound Quality
Now, let’s move on to the sound quality. If you prefer a bass-rich sound, this earbud is for you. However, they are not too bassy to shock your ear. I find this sound profile suitable for listening to various types of audio content. You can also tweak the sounds from the app as you like.
Active Noise Canceling
You can turn on and off aware mode from the app, which will either block or enable surrounding sounds. However, I don’t find noise canceling any good, even with awareness mode off. You hear bus and airplane engines, but it only fairly blocks office chatter.
Battery Life
The battery life of Skullcandy is great and runs nearly 10 hours when used. I experienced 9.5 hours while I was flying back home from Canada which was impressive.
Sony Pulse Explore Wireless Earbuds
Specs:
- Type: In-canal
- Wireless: Yes
- True Wireless: Yes
- ANC: NO
- Water resistance: No
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, PlayStation Link Wireless
Pros
- Good sound quality
- Futuristic design
- Good microphone
Cons
- No active noise canceling
- Unstable fit
- Poor battery life for a PlayStation earbud
Design
Sony wireless earbuds for PlayStation are designed to be used as gaming earbuds. The flagship tried to make it futuristic, and the design does feel innovative, but it’s a little difficult to adjust in ears.
These semicircular earbuds with no fins or stems have a poor fit, and that’s one of my complaints with this otherwise great gaming earbud.
Controls
The earbuds have physical buttons. You will find almost unnoticeable volume rockers on each earbud. At first, you will be unable to use them because they are small, but you will develop a sense with time, and after that, it will be easy to adjust the volume from rockers while gaming.
You will also find a PS Link button that you can use to pair your device, switch between devices, and access PS5 EQ settings.
Sound Quality
The sound profile of PlayStation wireless earbuds is great. You will enjoy immense audio with no audio-visual latency (if connected via their USB dongle ON PS5 or PC) while playing, thanks to magnetic drivers instead of dynamic ones.
That’s also the reason that sound is a little bass-emphasized, so you get extra booms and thumps in explosions and footsteps. Similarly, the bass emphasis is also there when you play music, but the mid-range is a little underemphasized here.
The microphone is also good with clear and easy-to-understand audio recording, however, it’s not something to call home for.
Active Noise Canceling
The noise cancellation of the microphone is a little better than the noise cancellation of other earbuds. However, using them while on the go is not pleasing as you will hear most of the ambient sounds, such as traffic or bus engines.
Battery Life
The battery life of these earbuds is my second issue. They have only 5 hours of juice when used continuously, so if you are a passionate gamer with longer sessions, a wireless gaming headset is better. Moreover, there is no dedicated app on this headphone as it only gives access to EQ, volume, and sidetone settings via PS5.
Galaxy Earbuds Pro 3
Specs:
- Type: In-canal
- Wireless: Yes
- True Wireless: Yes
- ANC: yes
- Water resistance: yes
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
Pros
- Remarkable sound quality
- Decent noise canceling
- Great software
- Comfortable and stylish
Cons
- Hi-res audio is only for Samsung phones
- Battery life is just fine
Design
Galaxy earbud 3 was the first earbud that I immediately bought after it came on the market. I was probably one of the first buyers. I really liked its simple yet effective design. These are long-stem earbuds count for stability, so you can use earbuds while doing physical activities.
The earbuds (not casing) are also IP57 water and dust-proof, so you can use them on the beach, but be careful to drop them in water. Also, the stem fits in an angular shape, so you can easily access two flat surfaces to use the touch controls.
Controls
You can revamp the touch controls for both earbuds except the pinch and hold gestures. The controls are quick to register commands, which improves the user experience.
Galaxy Wearable App
Another great feature of this tiny device is its software. You can use the Galaxy Wearable app to set EQ, switch between noise modes, use AI Adaptive Equalizer, and more to set a sound profile of your liking.
You can also customize LED lights on the earbuds (feel like an unnecessary inclusion to me) to blink, fade in and out, and stay steady via the software.
Sound Quality
The sound quality is excellent and clear. You will find two drivers, dynamic and planar. They render high-quality sounds. It’s fantastic and clear with rich vocal tones, but it never shook your ear.
Its noise canceling is also much better than most earbuds I have used over time. Overall, these are some of the best wireless earbuds for Android, but a better battery life would be a huge plus.
Beats Fit Pro True Wireless Earbuds
Specs:
- Type: In-canal
- Wireless: Yes
- True Wireless: Yes
- ANC: yes
- Water resistance: yes
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
Pros
- Good noise canceling
- Comfortable built
Cons
- Battery life is just ok
- a little overemphasized sound
Design
Beats Pro is a set of wireless earbuds for the iPhone that have a stable and comfortable design. You can adjust its ear stem to fit better so you can use it while on the run without fairing a fall. These earbuds are also water resistant which makes them compatible for gym use or listening to music on a drizzly evening.
Controls
Beats Fit comes with physical controls that feel satisfactory to use. A beep indicates a successful command register, but you don’t get any voice prompts. Also, the left and right buttons have the same functions, which makes it easy to use.
One press plays/pauses audio and answers calls. Double press skips the track forward, and triple press skips it backward. Press and hold cycles between ANC and transparency mode.
Sound Quality
The sound quality is good, but you will get overemphasized sounds, and sometimes it can add extra punch, so the audio feels a bit harsh. However, you can turn off ANC to get clearer and less punchy sounds, a trick I learned while exploring Beats Fit Pro True wireless earbuds Reddit reviews. It works but you have to compromise noise canceling.
App and Battery
You can also access Apple’s spatial audio feature on iOS devices and enable head tracking to get an immersive listening experience. The flagship advertises the battery timing to be 6 hours with ANC enabled, but I got 5 in practical use.
The case battery also works great and provides 1 hour of juice in just 5 minutes of charging. Overall, it is a great option if you want both Apple and Android-compatible earbuds with bass-high sound.
JBL Tour Pro 2
Specs:
- Type: In-canal
- Wireless: Yes
- True Wireless: Yes
- ANC: yes
- Water resistance: yes
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
Pros
- Remarkable sound quality
- Excellent Active Noise-canceling
- Rich Sound
- Easy-to-use app
Cons
- Expensive
- Spatial audio is not so good
- No LDAC or aptX support
Design
If you are looking for smart earbuds, JBL ANC wireless touchscreen earbuds are a great option. The build is premium with a glossy matte finish and justifies the price tag. The earbuds have long stems with the JBL logo and fit comfortably.
Smart Charging Case
The Tour Pro’s smart case is a delight to use. It has a 1.45-touch display that feels sleek and innovative. The case can also turn into a flash, a thoughtful feature but not very useful because of dim light. You can also use the smart case to change settings without the need to open the app. I was able to change EQ and turn on ANC via case pretty easily.
Controls
In addition to the smart case, you also get touch controls on the earbuds, which are responsive when you register a command. You can change the ANC settings by tapping the left earbud and play forward/backward track by tapping on the right earbud. Holding either of the earbuds mutes the mic.
Sound Quality
The sound quality of Tour 2 is great. You will hear consistent audio no matter which song you play. One of the best features of this earbud is you get an even and high bass that does not sound overbearing. However, their spatial audio is not that great. Also, there is no support for LDAC or aptX for high-quality sound over Bluetooth connectivity.
Active Noise Canceling
Moreover, the ANC of this headphone is on par. When you first wear the earbuds, the app analyzes the ear canal and checks for best fit, which enhances the noise cancellation even more.
It will be able to block most office chats or lawnmower noise, but it won’t be able to block bus or airplane engines. You also get TalkThru in addition to the ambient aware mode, which allows you to have a conversation without removing earbuds.
Battery Life
Long battery life is another perk of having Tour Pro because it gets through 10 hours of listening. When I tested this device, I was binge-watching The Big Bang Theory again, so I used the earbuds more than average. Surprisingly, they got through my watching sessions without much charging.
Tour Pro 2 is a little expensive, but the most incredible features speak for the price tag. So, if you want exceptional wireless earbuds for Android and don’t mind spending a little, go for Tour 2 Pro.
Lenovo Wireless Earbuds
Specs:
- Type: In-canal
- Wireless: Yes
- True Wireless: Yes
- ANC: yes
- Water resistance: yes
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
Pros
- Fantastic sound quality
- Qi-supported case
- Effortless pairing with Android and Windows
Cons
- Noise-canceling is just ok.
Quick Review
Lenovo earbuds are comfortable to wear and fit quite right due to the ear stem. They are also waterproof, so you can wear them during a sweaty summer walk.
Controls
They are equipped with touch controls that are responsive but sometimes can be overly sensitive to trigger an unintended response. A single tap on either of the earbuds adjusts playback.
A double-tap skips to the forward track while three taps play the previous track. Pressing and holding the left earpiece rejects incoming calls and the same gesture on the right earpiece cycles through ANC modes.
Sound Quality
The sound quality is great with sculpted sound, which means that the earbuds emphasize both high and low ends. It gives a consistent and pleasant audio experience while playing music.
You can also adjust the EQ from the app. There is a 10-band EQ that allows you to adjust the sound until you get your perfect mix. Active noise canceling is also decent in the current price of the earbuds.
Battery Life
The battery life of these earbuds is rounded at 7 hours, but the wireless earbuds case battery gives an additional 21 hours of charging. The ultimate battery longevity depends on how loud the volume is and if ANC is on or off. All in all, Lenovo delivers great performance with a reasonable price tag.
Amazon Echo Buds
Specs:
- Type: In-ear
- Wireless: Yes
- True Wireless: Yes
- ANC: no
- Water resistance: yes
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
Pros
- decent sound quality
- Alexa supported
- Affordable
Cons
- No active noise canceling
- Poor water resistance
Design
All of the above-mentioned earbuds are relatively expensive, so if you want to experience good audio for under $50, Amazon Echo Buds are worth purchasing.
The earbuds have a stem style, so they fit reasonably well, but the open-ear design does not seal the ear canal. This can result in an inconsistent listening experience. However, when adjusted, they deliver great audio quality.
Water Resistance
Echo does not offer great water resistance, but you have to compromise on some features with a price cut. Its water resistance is IPX2, which means it can handle sweat drops and nothing more than that.
Controls
The outer circular panels of the earbuds have touch controls with the same functions on both sides. Single tap controls playback, double tap plays the next, triple tap plays the previous track, and long hold launches Alexa.
Sound Quality
When it comes to sound quality, Echo delivers. When you listen to bass-high music, it does not distort at high volume. However, you must fit the earbuds properly to get clear vocal performances. You can also use the Alexa app (Android and iOS) to adjust EQ, sidetone, and controls.
Battery Life
The Echo’s battery provides 5 hours after one charge. The case provides an additional 20 hours of battery. You can increase the timing by disabling the hands-free Alexa feature. The case has a USB port for charging, but there is no USB cable included in the box.
It is a little disappointing ( though I appreciate the no eco-waste reasoning behind it) because an average consumer expects these accessories at the said price. In conclusion, the Echo delivers the best cheap earbuds wireless experience.
Final Verdict
Buying a pair of the best wireless earbuds can be difficult, especially if you are unfamiliar with tech. Therefore, it is important to compare the features and specifications of multiple devices before opting for the final purchase.
FAQs
1. What are the number 1 wireless earbuds?
Number 1 earbuds are those that deliver excellent sound quality, innovative app features, and exceptional noise canceling. You can go for Galaxy 3 Pro or JBL Tour Pro 2 if you don’t mind spending a little extra for state-of-the-art features.
2. How to choose good earbuds?
To choose good earbuds, make sure to go through their specs. Look for earbuds that deliver hi-res audio, responsive pairing, and noise cancellation. You can read reviews or testimonials of previous buyers to make an informed decision.
3. What is active noise canceling in earbuds?
Active noise canceling in earbuds means that they have a noise canceling system that blocks the surrounding noises so you can listen to what matters without getting distracted.
