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- Wireless earbuds are the most popular style of headphones, and we’ve tested over 300 pairs in the past five years
- Our team of experienced reviewers spend at least two weeks testing every pair of earbuds featured on the site, using them in their daily lives, and assessing every aspect of the user experience
- That user experience includes areas that are judged subjectively, such as sound quality and ease of control, along with objective signifiers, including battery life and build quality
- Our number one pick is currently the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5. Those earbuds deliver stellar sound and effective noise cancellation wrapped up in an attractive and very comfortable package
The best wireless earbuds are lightweight, portable and far more versatile than over-ear headphones, making them ideal for work, travel and exercise.
Our current favourites, the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5, are perfect for all three of those scenarios, thanks to their great noise cancellation and fantastic sound. As true wireless all-rounders, they’re unbeatable, but plenty of other options are worth considering.
Having tested more than 300 pairs of earbuds over the past five years, we’re well-positioned to recommend options for every budget and planned use case. Below are our top picks, chosen by our experienced team of audio specialists.
If you don’t know where to start, the detailed buying guide at the bottom of the page has everything you need to know about wireless earbuds. You can also find out more about our rigorous testing procedures in our “How we test” section.
Best wireless earbuds: At a glance
- Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5: Best wireless earbuds overall | Check price
- CMF Buds 2: Best wireless earbuds under £50 | Check price
- Bowers & Wilkins Pi8: Best wireless earbuds for sound quality | Check price
The best wireless earbuds to buy
1. Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5: Best wireless earbuds overall
Price when reviewed: £250
- Detailed, nuanced audio
- Premium aesthetic and features
- Replaceable batteries
- ANC falls short of class-leading
Tested and reviewed by Simon Cocks
Sennheiser’s latest flagship earbuds storm into the top spot on this list with a compelling combination of features, performance and design, and a first for true wireless earbuds we’ve tested. Their noise cancellation isn’t quite as strong as a couple of the options on this list, but in every other respect, they’re elite earbuds. They look luxurious, offer several useful features, and sound superb across a range of genres.
However, what really sets them apart is that the buds’ and charging case’s batteries are replaceable. Swapping them out is simple and means the Momentum True Wireless 5 will outlive their premium rivals. First-rate performance and class-leading longevity: a match made in true wireless heaven.
Read our Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5 review from September 2026
2. EarFun Air Pro 4+: Best value wireless earbuds
Price when reviewed: £70
- Balanced and sound
- Great companion app and features
- Comfortable, stable fit
- ANC isn't the best
Reviewed by Simon Cocks
Value means different things to different people, but to us it represents a keen balance between price, performance and features. The EarFun Air Pro 4+ strike that balance fantastically. They’re packed with features and customisation options, but they don’t sacrifice sound quality. In fact, Simon Cocks described their sound quality as “the real selling point,” adding that the audio was “consistently rich and detailed”.
If you want affordable earbuds where compromises and downsides feel insignificant, the EarFun Air Pro 4+ are the new entry-level benchmark.
Read our EarFun Air Pro 4+ review from March 2026
3. Sony WF-1000XM6: Best wireless earbuds for smart features
Price when reviewed: £249
- Superb ANC
- Awesome audio quality
- Loads of clever features
- A little bulbous in the ear
Reviewed by Jonathan Bray
Sony’s latest flagship true wireless earbuds demonstrate the brand’s prowess in the true wireless category with an excellent all-around performance. Their audio and ANC are excellent, but it’s their suite of smart features that help them truly stand out. Sony’s super-smart Ambient Sound Control works wonderfully, adjusting ANC based on your environment, while Speak-to-Chat, 360 Reality Audio and DSEE Extreme upscaling are all handy inclusions.
Our Head of Reviews, Jon Bray, said: “The Sony WF-1000XM6 not only cancel out more effectively than the competition, but they also sound brilliant.” He went on to describe them as an “absolute triumph”, noting that they “perform exceptionally well in every single area that counts”, and crowning them the “in-ear headphones to beat” for Android users able to use the LDAC codec. That’s some endorsement from a man who’s been reviewing tech for over two decades.
Read our Sony WF-1000XM6 review from February 2026
4. CMF Buds 2: Best wireless earbuds under £50
Price when reviewed: £39
- Feature-rich
- Clear sound
- Great battery life
- ANC isn’t the best
- No high-resolution support
Reviewed by Steve May
The CMF Buds 2 cost a fraction of flagship earbuds, yet sport many of the same features. There’s active noise cancellation, audio processing from the renowned Swedish manufacturer Dirac, and even a spatial audio mode. You also get dual-device pairing, a low-latency gaming mode, and wind noise reduction, which we found effective while wandering through London.
That’s a frankly ridiculous feature set for under £50, and the battery lasts up to 55 hours without using noise cancellation, which is excellent. Veteran audio journalist Steve May summed up the CMF Buds 2’s charms by saying, “If there’s a better pair of ANC earbuds at this price, I haven’t heard them. And I’ve tested countless pairs of headphones of this style.”
Read our CMF Buds 2 review from July 2025
5. Technics EAH-AZ100: Best wireless earbuds for multi-tasking
Price when reviewed: £219
- Class-leading multipoint functionality
- First-rate sound quality
- Top-notch call quality
- Limited eartip selection
Reviewed by Andy White
The Technics EAH-AZ100 stand out for several reasons: they sound, look and feel great. However, they have one thing their similarly priced rivals lack: multipoint pairing with up to three devices. This makes them perfect for multitaskers who regularly switch connections between their phone, laptop, tablet or any other Bluetooth device.
On top of that, they excel in nearly every area. Their magnetic fluid drivers handle a range of frequencies beautifully, leading us to describe Tappan Zee by Bob James as being “knitted together with mesmeric elegance”. Dolby Atmos with Head Tracking elevates their spatial audio above most rivals, and their audio chops are matched by a comfortable and visually appealing design. ANC is effective, and the EAH-AZ100’s microphones deliver clear and well-defined calls in meetings.
Read our Technics EAH-AZ100 review from January 2025
6. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen): Best noise-cancelling wireless earbuds
Price when reviewed: £239
- Super-effective ANC
- Great fit
- Immersive spatial sound
- Average battery life
Reviewed by Andy White
If you want wireless earbuds to drown out the world around you, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) are the buds to buy. Their ability to dampen external distractions is unmatched; our reviewer said he would “often wear them and not listen to anything” so that he could read a book in peace. Their ANC prowess is matched by an equally effective Aware mode, letting you tune into your surroundings at your leisure.
Sound quality is great, too. The buds oozed confidence across every genre during testing, delivering controlled and impactful low frequencies. Meanwhile, Bose’s Immersive Audio technology is a fun tool to play around with, especially if you use the new Cinema mode while watching films. ANC may be the big draw, but these buds perform fantastically in enough other areas to justify every penny of their asking price.
Read our Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) review from July 2025
7. Bowers & Wilkins Pi8: Best wireless earbuds for sound quality
Price when reviewed: £299
- Sensational audio quality
- Comfortable and stylish
- Handy audio retransmission
- No spatial audio
- Limited control customisation
Reviewed by Andy White
The Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 top our list of audiophile earbuds with an audio performance we described as “nothing short of superb”. They articulate dynamic transitions remarkably well and communicate finer details better than any other earbuds we’ve tested. While listening to Bon Jovi’s Livin’ on a Prayer, they revealed audio information our reviewer hadn’t picked up on countless other premium options he’s tested.
The Pi8 also look the part; their refined design is eye-catching, comfortable and suitably premium. Meanwhile, the buds offer something unique in high-resolution audio retransmission via their case. This lets you use the Pi8 (and get the best from them) with analogue sources and helps further elevate an incredible-sounding pair of wireless earbuds.
Read our Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 review from August 2024
8. Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro: Best wireless earbuds for calls
Price when reviewed: £150
- Class-leading call quality
- Useful touchscreen case
- Feature-rich app
- Overly bassy default tuning
Tested and reviewed by Simon Cocks
You may have seen the TV advert with Gary Neville bigging up the call quality on Anker’s new Liberty 5 Pro and Pro Max earbuds and written it off as marketing hype. But believe the hype; we’ve tested both pairs, and the clarity with which they pick up voices in loud environments (and reduce background noise) is staggering.
We recommend the Pro, as they’re cheaper and the only differences are the omission of AI meeting transcription and a larger, more advanced screen on the charging case. So, if call quality is your primary concern, the Pro model is the better bet.
Read our Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro review from June 2026
9. Shokz OpenDots 2: Best open-ear wireless earbuds
Price when reviewed: £179
- Engaging sound
- Excellent battery life
- Supremely comfortable
- Struggle in noisy environments
Clip-on designs are the newest kids on the true wireless block, but open-ear headphone technology is Shokz’s bread and butter. The OpenDots 2 are its flagship clip-on buds and use its most advanced technologies, Bassphere 2.0 and DirectPitch. The resulting audio is best-in-class, though the open design lets in a distracting amount of background noise in busy environments.
As our reviewer wrote in his verdict on the OpenDots 2, “If you want peace and quiet on your daily commute, these aren’t the earbuds for you.” But if you want “the best pound-for-pound clip-on earbuds available”, they very much are for you thanks to their supremely comfortable fit, an IP57 dust- and water-resistance rating, and up to 10 hours of in-ear battery life.
Read our Shokz OpenDots 2 review from July 2026
10. Beats Powerbeats Pro 2: Best earhook wireless earbuds
Price when reviewed: £186
- Heart rate monitoring
- Supremely stable earhook design
- Top-notch battery life
- ANC impacts audio quality
- Water resistance could be better
Reviewed by Andy White
The Powerbeats Pro 2 nail everything we look for in wireless earbuds designed for exercise. Their earhooks kept them secure during testing, and their snug in-ear seal helps their noise cancelling. ANC effectively blocked out gym distractions, while Transparency mode kept us aware of potential hazards like traffic and cyclists in the park.
But the most appealing thing about the Powerbeats Pro 2 for exercise fiends is their ability to monitor your heart rate using optical sensors. The data they record is accessible in the Health app on iOS or third-party fitness tracking apps, and helps show how your body reacts to different types of training. The Powerbeats Pro 2 are also IPX4 water-resistant, meaning they’ll survive a sweaty session or sudden downpour. If you’re into racking up the kilometres or pumping iron, the Powerbeats Pro 2 are the ideal audio companion.
Read our Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 review from June 2025
How we test wireless earbuds
We put every pair of true wireless earbuds through many rigorous tests while focusing on the following key features:
Sound quality
- We listen to various musical genres from a range of sources, including Spotify, Tidal and locally stored audio files.
- We put each pair of earbuds through their paces using all the Bluetooth codecs they support, across a variety of compatible devices, and feed them high-resolution content where relevant.
Isolation
- When testing isolation, we find a good fit with the supplied eartips and assess how well the earbuds block out external sound in different locations, ranging from our offices to the London Underground.
Battery life
- We use the earbuds as our daily drivers to give a realistic idea of how long they last in typical circumstances, logging our hours of use whenever we’re connected to the earbuds.
Comfort and build quality
- While comfort is subjective, we judge how snug each pair is over extended periods (often three hours or more) and assess whether they withstand use in various weather conditions.
Microphone performance
- We test microphone performance on phone calls and conference calls using platforms like Google Meet, Teams and Zoom. We also analyse mic quality by recording voice clips and comparing them to recordings we’ve made using other models.
Extra features
- We explore all the extra features and functionality in a companion app where applicable, such as EQ settings and touch controls.
Why trust us?
As you can see above, we follow an extremely thorough process when testing true wireless earbuds and have tested hundreds of pairs to bring you our picks of the best around.
Collectively, our audio reviewers have over a century of experience, and some of the team have tested audio products individually for decades.
How to choose the best wireless earbuds
Choosing the right wireless earbuds comes down to these core characteristics: sound quality, comfort, noise-cancelling, compatibility (with your devices), battery life, durability (IP rating), microphone quality and additional features (touch controls, voice controls, app support, etc.)
However, the importance of each varies from person to person. First, ask yourself these three questions:
1. How much should I spend on wireless earbuds?
Let’s start with the big one: how much money are you willing to fork out? The inescapable truth is that better audio quality costs more. A larger outlay also often gets you more advanced features.
These days, you can pick up a pair of reasonable buds for £50 or less. If you want the best-sounding wireless earbuds with bells and whistles, expect to pay £250 or more.
2. What am I using my wireless earbuds for?
Ask yourself where, when and why you plan to use your wireless earbuds.
For instance, if you need earbuds for commuting on busy transport, then strong active noise cancellation may be key. If you also plan to use the buds while exercising, you’ll want a secure fit and a high IP rating to protect them from sweat and rain
Here are the things to prioritise for some popular use cases:
Fitness: Weatherproofing (high IP rating), stable fit, transparency mode (to stay alert while exercising outside), strong noise cancelling (for noisy indoor gyms).
Critical listening: Hi-Res Bluetooth codecs, high-quality drivers, comfortable fit for long listening sessions, and impactful equaliser settings.
Work: Strong active noise cancelling for focusing, high-quality microphones for calls, comfortable fit.
Commuting: Strong active noise cancelling, long battery life and a comfortable fit.
Gaming: Low latency transmission, comfortable fit, immersive audio (or better yet, spatial audio support)
3. What do my wireless earbuds’ features do?
You may now want more details about the features we’ve just mentioned. Fear not, we’ve got you covered:
IP rating
The best wireless earbuds all come with an IP rating, which reflects their ability to resist dust and water/sweat. If you live in a wet country or use earbuds while exercising, choose a pair with strong protection against these elements.
Active noise cancellation
Active noise cancellation reduces external sound’s impact on your audio and is a must-have for many people. You can read more about it in our What is ANC? article.
Battery life
Total battery life of around 20 to 25 hours is average, though your mileage will vary depending on the volume at which you play your audio. Advanced features such as ANC drain your battery faster.
Bluetooth multipoint
This lets earbuds connect to more than one source at once and is useful if you regularly switch between your laptop, tablet and phone. Most earbuds support two source devices, though a select few let you connect to three at a time.
Wear detection
Smarter earbuds can detect when you take them out of your ears and automatically pause audio, resuming when put back in. It’s a neat feature that’s becoming a standard on pricier headphones.
Voice assistant support
If you like to use Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri, make sure your earbuds support your voice assistant of choice. Most do nowadays, but it’s always worth checking.
On-ear or touch controls
Don’t want to have to dig your phone out of your pocket to skip a track? Well, you’re in luck: most wireless earbuds have on-ear controls. Each company implements them slightly differently, so check that the earbuds you like offer a control scheme that meets your needs.
Companion apps
Many companies offer apps designed to enhance their products’ audio experience. Each offers a different range of customisation options, though the most common are touch control remapping and EQ presets.
Best wireless earbuds: Jargon buster
What are sound signatures, and why are they important?
The final, but by no means least important consideration when buying wireless earbuds is how they sound. Each pair of earbuds is tuned slightly differently, with a specific focus placed on different sections of the audible frequency curve. How this curve is articulated defines a pair of headphones’ sound signature.
Some models emphasise bass, others boost the mid-range for vocal clarity, and others emphasise treble detail, or varying degrees of all three. You’ll need to work out which sort of tuning suits your musical taste best.
Here’s a brief rundown of the tuning types you may come across and their sonic characteristics. These descriptions aren’t Gospel, and everyone hears things differently, so what sounds great to one person may not work for another.
Neutral: No levels of the frequency range are emphasised above others. It may be described as “balanced” or “flat”. Some may find it uninspiring, but it works for various genres.
Bright: Boost to high and upper-mid frequencies for a forward-sounding listen. May cause listening fatigue during long sessions, but ideal for classical and jazz.
V-shaped: Boosts the upper and lower frequencies compared to the mid-range. Energetic and dynamic. A popular choice for rock and pop, though vocals can sound a little recessed.
Warm: Boost to the low frequencies. Perfect for hip-hop and electronic music lovers, but not for the faint-hearted; some may find the bass-heavy presentation overwhelming.
What are Bluetooth codecs, and do they matter?
Bluetooth codecs determine the transmission quality of the audio that earbuds receive. There are plenty to pick from, including the key players: SBC, AAC, aptX, and LDAC.
Keep in mind that your output device must also support the relevant codec: iPhones don’t support aptX, for instance, so even if you own the best wireless earbuds money can buy, you won’t be able to make full use of them.
For a full breakdown of the available options and an exploration of which are the best for various purposes, check out our What are Bluetooth codecs? Which are the best for my headphones? article.
