These are the wireless earbuds that are truly worth your money

The Copenhagen-based brand Jabra specializes in making headsets and speakerphones for the office, so it should come as no surprise that their Elite Active 65t true wireless earbuds boast excellent calling capabilities. But that’s not their only strength: Among both Reddit users and Amazon reviewers, the Elite Active 65ts have a reputation for durability, good sound quality, great build quality, and in-ear stability during workouts — even weightlifting and CrossFit. And you can’t beat the fact that they come with three free months of Amazon Music Unlimited (a $23.97 value) when purchased through Amazon. 
The Elite Active 65ts also come highly recommended thanks to something called HearThrough, a mode that uses the buds’ built-in microphones to pick up ambient sounds. (That way, you can still be aware of your surroundings while listening to music or calling Mom.) You’ll find that technology and other features on the Jabra Sound+ companion smartphone app, including tools to customize a music profile, monitor your buds’ charging status, and connect them to your preferred voice assistant (Alexa, Siri, or the Google Assistant). Really, the only thing they’re missing is a dedicated noise cancelation mode — although their in-ear tips are said to be good at eliminating most environmental noises.
Redditor IvorShandor loves their Elite Active 65ts, writing:

“They’re perfect. The sound has bass, but not if you don’t want it. The hearthrough tech means I can keep them in my ear, talk to people, hear what’s around me, then turn it off and tune back out. … The controls work perfect, the fit is perfect. For somebody who has gone through the cheap ones, the expensive ones, I ALWAYS have headphones in me, these are a 10/10.”

Noise-canceling earbuds are few and far between, and of the meager options available, only a couple of models are actually worth your hard-earned cash. Apple’s new AirPods Pro are some of the rare buds that tick both of those boxes, but don’t worry — with these bad boys, it’s not like you’re settling. Not at all.
Featuring a shorter and wider design and clearer sound quality over the second generation of AirPods, the Pro version’s secret to good noise cancelation are their soft, removable silicone tips, which come in three different sizes. These tips make the AirPods Pro far more comfortable than most in-ear buds, but more importantly, they create a tight seal to effectively tune out ambient sounds. (Pro tip: Use Apple’s new Ear Tip Fit Test on your iPhone to make sure you’re getting the securest fit possible.) Granted, it’s virtually impossible to achieve total silence with a teensy pair of in-ear buds — for that, you need a nice, hefty pair of headphones that cover your entire ear. But for their size, the AirPods Pro are pretty great at eliminating the hubbub of your surroundings. 
If you ever decide you want to hear some of that hubbub — say, if you’re waiting for the subway or crossing the street — simply turn on the AirPods Pro’s Transparency mode. It’s just like the Jabra Elite Active 65t‘s HearThrough feature in that it uses the buds’ built-in microphones to pick up some of the sounds of your environment while preserving the clarity of whatever it is you’re listening to.
Amazon reviewer Corey P. was won over by the AirPods Pro after an iffy experience with their predecessors. They write:

“Best earbuds I’ve ever purchased. For years I wanted wireless noice [sic] canceling earbuds after using the beats studios and Bose qc lines. Being an iPhone user I always saw the appeal of AirPods but never could use them due to them not fitting my ear correctly and always falling out. As soon as I saw the design of the AirPods pro I instantly came to amazon and ordered them. If you’re at all contemplating on ordering these I 100% recommend. The noice cancelling is slightly above average and the transparency mode is extremely useful on the go or whenever you need to hear your surroundings with your music. Amazing product definitely worth the steep 250 dollars[.]”

Not everyone can afford to shell out a couple hundred dollars for a pair of true wireless earbuds (hi, AirPods Pro), but that’s OK: You’ve got a wallet-friendly option in Anker’s Soundcore Liberty Neo earbuds, which retail for just under $50.
Now, that’s not to say the Neos are as good-sounding or comfortable as a pair of high-end earbuds like the AirPods — you get what you pay for. The vast majority of customers who left reviews on Amazon and the Anker website say they’re really easy to pair with other devices and deliver balanced, natural sound with above-average bass, but some reported connection issues with random audio drops and an awkward fit. (FWIW, each pair comes with four sets of EarTips and EarWings so you can customize your ideal feel.) But all things considered, they’re an excellent value and a good choice for light use. Moreover, Anker’s customer service has an awesome reputation among reviewers; more often than not, the company will send a free replacement if a customer reports an issue.
Amazon customer Eric Morales can attest to that last point. They write:

“Sound quality is very good with these ear buds. I had a pair where the left earbud would have connectivity problems but Ankers customer service team shipped me a replacement pair right away. Great customer service and for the price, I think these are hard to beat all around.”

Sennheiser? Making incredible-sounding, incredibly expensive wireless earbuds? Groundbreaking.
No, but seriously: Sennheiser has a reputation for engineering high-end audio equipment of exceptional quality (as any audiophile can tell you), and its Momentum True Wireless earbuds are no exception: The mid-tones are clear, bright, well-balanced; the bass is super bold (but doesn’t rattle your skull); and high notes don’t sound tinny — rather, they twinkle. What’s more, Sennheiser’s companion Smart Control app lets you tweak the earbuds’ frequency response to accommodate your personal listening preferences, and there’s a Transparency Hearing mode that lets you listen to your surroundings without removing the buds from your ears. Long story short: If you can afford these puppies, well, lucky you.
Amazon reviewer and self-described “audiophile guy” Arash claims to be an “engineer (electrical/audio) and music producer with pretty high end equipment”; he gave the Momentums a five-star rating, writing:

“Absolutely mind blown with the audio quality of these. Lows are insane/tight (spec goes down to 5Hz for gods sake!) and you can REALLY hear those lows in subwoofer territory). Mids and highs are of course very well balanced and clear. Features all work nicely.”

As with noise cancelation, wireless earbuds’ bass typically pales in comparison to that of on-ear headphones. But if you want those deep thumps without the bulk, the Bose SoundSport Frees can turn up the beat (and then some) — just make sure you use their squishy silicone tips (available in three different sizes) to form a tight seal within your ear canal.
In terms of overall sound quality, former Mashable tech reporter Raymond Wong made the bold claim that the SoundSport Frees “sound better than [first-gen] AirPods” when he reviewed them in 2018, citing crisper tones and a “much clearer separation between the left and right earbuds.” Amazon reviewer Tyler Nichols seems to concur, writing:

“The ability to detect such subtle changes in the music and the astound bass capabilities in quiet environments is exceptional. I haven’t had a more pure music experience that I can get with these unless I’m wearing full covering earphones.”

Other Amazon customers are huge fans of the SoundSport Frees’ easy pairing, as well as the fact that their companion smartphone app (Bose Connect) features a tool that can help you track down a lost bud if you accidentally misplace it.
The biggest issue most reviewers have with the SoundSport Frees is that they’re crappy when it comes to video syncing — the audio tends to lag a second or two behind — so if you spend a lot of time watching Netflix or YouTube, skip these buds.

The Apple vs. Samsung rivalry may run deep, but just because you’ve pledged your allegiance to one brand’s smartphones doesn’t mean you have to use their wireless earbuds, too. What we’re trying to say is this: You should consider using Samsung’s excellent Galaxy Buds even if you’re an iPhone user, and especially if you value the ability to personalize your user experience.
For starters, Samsung’s Galaxy Wearables app is a must-download; it allows you to tweak your Buds’ touchpad controls, adjust their notifications, and customize their sound via equalizer for a personalized listening experience. There are also options to switch your Buds to an Ambient sound mode, which lets you hear some of your surroundings, and enable a “Find My Earbuds” tool that’ll pinpoint a lost Bud’s hiding spot. (Note: The Galaxy Buds don’t offer a dedicated noise cancelation mode à la the AirPods Pro, but Mashable tech reporter Karissa Bell found there’s a noticeable noise cancelation effect due to the Buds’ deep fit.) 
With the Galaxy Buds, even your charging options are flexible: Pop the Buds inside their included charging case for up to 7 extra hours of battery life on the go, or use the Wireless PowerShare feature to steal some juice from your Galaxy S10 series smartphone.
Based on the reviews we’ve read, the biggest issue people seem to have with the Galaxy Buds is that they’re annoying to pair with other devices. (You have to create a Samsung account and download the SmartThings app to establish a connection; the Galaxy Wearables app is a whole other thing that’s strictly for fine-tuning your settings.) Still, they come highly recommended overall. Customer Stavros writes:

“What I truly like about these more than the typical apple airpods and other style buds is that they fit into your ear very nicely and they have an app that allows you to customize your sound settings for the type of music you normally listen to. They also have an ambient sound feature that allows you to hear people talking to you etc while you have them in your ears. It’s a great feature!”

A lot of wireless earbuds are pretty pricey, but the Anker SoundBuds Slims are a really affordable pair that actually works. Ear tips and ear wings ensure that these bad boys seriously fit in your ears and won’t fall out. They’re waterproof and have a shirt clip, which makes them ideal for exercising.
A single charge gives you 10 hours of playtime, and you can skip tracks or adjust volume with the remote control on the cord. These earbuds charge via a USB cable rather than popping into a charging case.
At just $25.99, the Anker SoundBuds deliver some really nice features at a super budget-friendly price. And hey, if you happen to lose them, they won’t cost you an arm and a leg to replace.
Amazon reviewer NTSloan writes:

“These buds delivered on all counts. I was absolutely not expecting them to sound as good as they do. With the included sizing tips, I was able to get a great easy fit”

Amazon has gotten its hands in almost every niche of tech products, and wireless earbuds are no exception. Echo Buds work with Alexa to stream music, play Audible books, make calls, and get directions. They also support Siri and Google Assistant if you prefer.
Echo Buds come with three sizes of ear tips to help you find the most comfortable ear seal. They’re designed to be suitable for working out by staying in your ears and being sweat resistant. The buds also feature Bose Active Noise Reduction technology — they’re not noise canceling, but they do block out a good amount of environmental sounds.
The battery gives you five hours of playback, with and additional 15 hours of life with the charging case. A quick 15-minute charge will give you up to two hours of music playback.
Amazon reviewer LEX writes:

“These are best in class for the price point. For most of you are wondering, should you get these? If you are on a budget and OK with some background noise then absolutely. Note, you need to download the Alexa app to get full functionality out of them, which includes equalizer, pass though volume, and using Siri, google, or Alexa voice. Remember these are noise reduction not cancellation, but they do a great job.”

Sure, lots of wireless earbuds are built to endure the toughest and sweatiest of workouts. But do they come with a built-in personal trainer? Yeah, that’s what we thought.
From the AI-enabled wearables maker LifeBEAM comes the Vi Sense Wireless Headphones, the ideal workout buddy for runners and cyclers alike. They’re powered by a voice-activated, artificially intelligent personal trainer named Vi (think of her as Siri’s more athletic cousin), who uses the buds’ built-in biosensors to deliver personalized training sessions based on statistics like your heart rate, motion, and elevation. You can access these custom fitness plans and track your progress anytime on the Spotify-compatible Vi Trainer app, which you can try for free for a whole year. (After that, a subscription will run you $9.99 a month — a steal compared to a single personal training session with a real, live human.)
It should be noted that the Vi Sense aren’t true wireless earbuds (like the rest of the buds on the list); they’re attached to each other with a small cable that’s connected to a flexible neckband. It’s a design that won’t appeal to everyone, but most reviewers really seem to like it. Amazon customer Online T. writes:

“I absolutely love VI. For starters the headphones themselves are extremely comfortable and the sound quality is out of this world….dare I say it is like a party in your ears. The guidance VI gives you is worth its weight in gold. I had never thought about how many steps I take per minute until I started working out with VI. I’ve run with VI a dozen times now and truthfully can not imagine running without her. Recently I was traveling and forgot VI at home. My running experience without VI was mind-boggling disappointing, I felt like I was running naked, which is not a pretty sight:)”

When it comes to shopping for a pair of wireless earbuds, sheer comfort is probably one of the most important (yet overlooked) features: If you’re going to be wearing these things all day, they have to become one with your ears, you know?
Enter: Beats’ Powerbeats Pro, a Mashable’s Choice Award-winning pair of totally wireless earbuds and one of the few that are actually comfortable enough for all-day use. Granted, their somewhat bulky design isn’t for everyone — but if you don’t mind the ear hooks that keep them securely positioned, you’re in for a really solid pair of ultra-wearable buds that won’t budge. Amazon reviewer Trent K. writes:

“I can honestly say these are the best wireless headphones I’ve owned/worn. There’s nothing bad about them. They bang and sound incredible. They actually are comfortable and you can feel safe wearing them. I go mountain biking with them on the trail and I feel confident they won’t fall out. They charge incredibly fast and the battery lasts a long time. They make the jabra’s and air pods feel like your annoying little cousin that wants to be just like you. 10/10 buy”

Speaking of, the Powerbeats Pros are actually pretty similar to the AirPods as far as their tech specs go (Beats *is* owned by Apple, after all): They come equipped with Siri, feature the H1 chip for quick and easy pairing, and offer hours upon hours of battery life. If you’re an Apple user who really, really hates the look of those white Q-tips, the Pros might make a solid Plan B.

The Sony WF-1000XM3 truly wireless earbuds boast industry-leading noise cancellation technology. They give AirPods Pro a run for their money with a six-hour battery life and up to 24 hours with the charging case.
These earbuds utilize smart listening that automatically switches to ambient sound mode based on your activity. While these are up in the ranks with AirPods Pro, they lack in the design department. The Sony earbuds are pretty bulky and sort of look like Bluetooth earpieces from the early 2000s.
You can access Alexa with your voice on these earbuds, but you can also tap or swipe the buds to change tracks, activate your phone’s voice assistant, or make calls.
Amazon reviewer Spa writes:

“I actually had a coworker today try to get my attention for a minute, of which I noticed nothing, before they resorted to a loud knock on my desk, which I actually thought was a part of the ambient soundtrack I was listening to at first. Very impressed with the noise cancelling when combined with music, and even on its own with my tempered expectations. They’re not earplugs, but they’re pretty darn close.”

Samsung’s Galaxy Buds+ are a nice step up from their predecessors, with one of the most notable upgrades being battery life. The Galaxy Buds+ get 11 hours of playback on a single charge, plus 11 more hours with the charging case. And just three minutes of charging gives you an hour of listening. 
While these are a Samsung product, the buds are compatible with both android and iOS. They fit snug in your ears to create a seal that blocks out external noise, while an ambient aware mode lets you hear what’s going on around you if you choose.
The newer Galaxy Buds+ have the same design as the original Galaxy Buds, with swappable tips and a small touchpad to control playback and sound settings.
Amazon reviewer Rick N. writes:

“The Sound is great!! When I’m blasting them on full volume with the ambient sound feature turns [sic] off I don’t hear anything else around me other than what’s streaming from my phone. I have the AirPod Pros [sic] and they sound a little better and the noise cancelling is great but is it $100 more great??? IMO no, and where I see the value of these Galaxy Buds+ over the AirPod Pros is definitely in that battery life.”

Read our full review of Samsung’s Galaxy Buds+.

While they don’t have a noise cancellation feature, Apple’s standard AirPods are still really solid wireless earbuds. The part that goes in your ear is shaped just like the wired Apple EarPods, which is nice if you’ve grown accustom to that fit. 
They’re pretty comfortable in the ear and last for five hours on a single charge, and you can honestly leave them in for five hours straight without getting that achy feeling in your ear. Plus, popping them in the charging case for only 15 minutes gives you a full three hours of playback time.
AirPods are incredibly easy to pair to devices, and they are automatically on when you pop them in your ears. Controls are easy and customizable, allowing you to skip or play/pause songs by double-tapping the buds.
The sound quality is good, and at $159, AirPods are not a super pricey option for reliable truly wireless earbuds that deliver on quality. Also, we should mention that AirPods have been consistently on sale for $129 to $139 on Amazon.
Amazon reviewer Ivan Moronta writes:

“Excellent, pretty useful… easy to use and reliable. At first I had some doubts about it being reliable to my Mac as some Bluetooth speaker sometimes cut off, but these work great and are really comfortable to my ears. Aesthetically, they look great to me.”

AirPods are also the most popular wireless earbuds used among the editorial staff at Mashable.