14 best wireless earbuds for audio quality, convenience and noise control

You don’t need to spend over £100 for great in-ear headphones. After testing the Sony WF-C710N earbuds, we think they're a top value all-rounder, with upgraded in-ear detection, wind noise reduction, clearer calls, better battery life and improved noise cancellation over their predecessors, the Sony WF-C700N.

They're compact, with a comfortable fit, and rich, detailed sound quality. They’ve also got highly effective noise-cancelling, silencing a commuter train and office chatter with no issues. We’re big fans of Sony’s Adaptive Sound Control feature too, which adjusts the noise-cancelling mode based on your activity and can be set to recognise locations and turn on the best noise control modes.

There are a couple of minor downsides, such as the lack of customisation for the touch controls and the case feeling overly bulky. You can also get more battery life from a model like the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC, or ever so slightly better sound, dust and water resistance from a rival like the Nothing Ear (a). But the competition is close between these affordable rivals.

We think the Sony WF-C710N earbuds are an excellent choice, with some of the best sound and noise-cancellation we’ve heard in this price range, along with a comfortable fit. Not fussed about noise-cancelling? We recommend the similar but even more affordable Sony WF-C510 (also on this list), for those after small and capable earbuds under £60.

Read our Sony WF-C710N review

We’ve just tested out some excellent mid-priced buds that have shaken up the order of this list, and the new OnePlus Buds 4 are now among our favourite pairs. They’re a great cross-platform competitor with the stem-style design of Apple’s AirPods Pro, and features to match.

These offer some of the best active noise-cancellation we’ve heard from earbuds under £120. They rival options twice the cost when it comes to reducing external distractions – ideal if you commute on a loud train, work in a noisy office, or just want a bubble of near-silence. There’s an effective transparency mode, too, plus an “adaptive” mode that blends noise-cancelling and awareness, something that’s rare among all buds. These are also super lightweight, comfortable, and come in a tiny charging case.

Sound-wise, the OnePlus Buds 4 are great for those who love bass. They deliver a bold, thumping sound that’s lively and fun. And, while they’re bass-forward, they still have a refined mid-range and detailed treble, good for several music genres. We’re impressed, and we like the extra customisation features, hearing test, and ear tip fit test in the HeyMelody app.

Something that particularly appeals about the Buds 4 is their intuitive control system. There’s a touch area on the stem that you can tap or hold for playback and noise-cancelling modes, but you can also swipe on this area for volume adjustment. This addition makes them more versatile than rivals at this price.

Their battery life, durability rating and fast charging are also all-competitive. For £120, you’ll struggle to find much better, although we do recommend getting the Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 if you want superb sound and even more battery life at the same price.

The Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 is a close rival to the OnePlus Buds 4 – both qualify as the best earbuds you can buy for £120. These ones are our pick for audio enthusiasts, though, as they offer tremendous sound quality at this price. If you care about detail, instrument separation and natural tonality, these will impress, with a balanced sound that showcases all of Cambridge’s hi-fi know-how.

Combined with their lightweight design, passive seal and good fit, we’ve found the noise-cancelling has no trouble dealing with the loud rumbles of our morning train journey and chatter in the office. Both its noise-cancelling and transparency are maybe a half-step behind OnePlus’s, so these pairs will suit different listeners.

Cambridge Audio has managed to pack some impressive specs into these tiny earbuds, though, whether that’s water resistance, robust codec support, reliable and customisable touch control, and a smooth and feature-rich app. Where they outperform many rivals is in the battery department, too. These have endurance for long days, lasting up to 39 hours with ANC off, and 6.5 hours per charge with the noise-cancelling mode turned on.

These are a top recommendation if you’re after some of the best value wireless earbuds you can buy right now. They deliver an outstanding sound quality, reliable app control, loads of battery life and a comfortable fit you can wear for hours.

In our view, the best all-rounders are premium wireless buds that deliver in all the key areas without missing features. These are the buds to go for if you use a variety of different devices and want an option with top-tier noise-cancelling, transparency, sound quality, multi-device connectivity, app control, features, customisability and more.

Right now, it’s the flagship Technics EAH-AZ100 that deliver the most convincing performance of all the options we’ve tried. They’re also a big upgrade on the EAH-AZ80, which were our previous pick for the best all-rounder buds on the market. The new ones have greatly improved noise-cancelling, a more comfortable design, exceptional sound quality from the “Magnetic Fluid Drivers” and an impressive 10-hour battery life on a single charge.

On test, we were blown away by just how much the hi-fi brand has managed to cram into these compact but high-spec buds. They’re great for taking calls, amazing for music, powerful for noise-cancelling, and so much more. We know the £259 price tag may seem steep, but if you’re after buds for multiple different uses, these are the best we’ve tried. It’s also worth noting that earbuds from Technics are the only ones on the market with triple-device multipoint, so they can stay connected to your phone, tablet and laptop simultaneously, with seamless switching.

You can tell we're impressed when the cost is the only real downside. Of course, Apple fans may still prefer AirPods, and Samsung users may be best with Galaxy buds, but anyone using several different platforms will get a lot out of the AZ100. We think they’re an ideal all-in-one pair for frequent use. Yes, they’re pricey, but they’re also hard to fault.

Read our Technics EAH-AZ100 review

It used to be that budget earbuds would lack features, audio quality, app support and decent battery life, but that's no longer true. Even noise-cancelling is available at lower prices nowadays. JLab's quality JBuds Pods are not only affordable at under £60, but well-rounded and capable too.

The design isn't the most eye-catching, but they're discreet stem-style buds with simple tap controls, Bluetooth multipoint, wireless charging, and a lot of playtime. They've got great app support for a pair that's so well-priced, too. Use this, and you get an equaliser to tweak the sound, a safe hearing volume limit and fully customisable controls.

They’re durable, and we like how compact they are and the good fit. However, we do miss in-ear detection for automatic play and pause, and we found they can get uncomfortable after wearing for a long time.

But, given the price, they’re highly impressive and offer everything most of us will need. The audio quality can feel a bit bass-boosted and muffled by default, but it's engaging and, with a little fine-tuning in the app, you can make it even better. We like that you can toggle spatial audio in the app, too, which might make some audio more immersive.

There are a lot of other earbuds at low prices, but only a few with noise-cancelling and this degree of customisation. And the noise control is very good for the price, too. Those on a budget won’t find anything quite this competitive at under £60, making this our new top pick for affordability.

If your top priority is cutting out the world around you, these are the best noise-cancelling earbuds you can buy. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 Earbuds combine exceptional noise-cancellation with a super comfortable fit that makes them easy to wear all day long, whether you’re commuting, travelling, working or exercising.

They twist securely into your ears with the help of customisable tips and soft stability bands, and once in, they stay put. Even during long listening sessions, they remain comfortable and unobtrusive, something not true of every rival pair. Add in sweat and water resistance, and they’re ready for almost any scenario.

Bose’s adaptive noise cancellation is where they shine, though. Whether on a noisy train, in windy conditions, a busy office or a loud coffee shop, these earbuds immerse you in complete silence. A big benefit of this powerful ANC is that you won’t need to raise the volume, protecting your ear health too. With this pair, the upgraded “Aware” mode now sounds more natural as well, letting you hold a conversation without needing to take them out.

As expected, the sound quality is rich and energetic, with clear vocals and deep bass. They’re perhaps a little too bass-heavy by default, though, so you might prefer to tweak this in the app. Battery life remains solid, and you now get wireless charging and slightly improved call quality too.

The only drawback is the steep price, especially when the previous model – which still holds up impressively well – is still available. But, if you’re looking for the most effective noise-cancelling in-ears available, these are the ones to beat.

Read our Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 Earbuds review

There’s a lot of choice in the earbud market, but there’s a reason Apple still dominates eight years after it launched its first AirPods. If you use an iPhone, iPad or Mac, the flagship AirPods Pro are our all-around top pick for noise-cancelling, transparency, sound quality and extra features.

The 2nd generation AirPods Pro are full of convenient features for Apple users, including personalised Spatial Audio, hands-free support for the Siri voice assistant, “Find My” support (for when you inevitably misplace one of the buds or the case) and audio sharing with other AirPod and Beats models.

They also deliver exemplary audio full of richness and detail, along with the best transparency mode in any wireless bud. However, it’s tricky to access settings and use them with Android devices, so we’d only recommend them for Apple fans.

The call quality is excellent too, so we recommend these for all your phone calls, FaceTime chats, and Zoom or Teams meetings if you work from an Apple laptop. It’s also worth mentioning that these earbuds are comfortable and lightweight, and come in a highly pocketable charging case. They also get a lot of updates, with the most recent one enabling them to be used as hearing aids.

We wish they were available in another colour other than white, but that’s such a minor drawback given that these are tremendous all-rounders for anyone with Apple devices. And, if you love the idea of noise-cancelling but don't like the feel of silicone ear tips, we also recommend the latest AirPods 4 with Noise Cancelling.

Read our Apple AirPods Pro 2 review

There’s quite a lot of competition when it comes to delivering the most features in the smallest earbuds, but we’re confident that Sony’s WF-C510 is the top compact option for most of us.

Our previous pick for small earbuds, the JLab JBuds Mini, are still the tiniest we’ve ever come across, while the Beats Solo Buds are a solid pick for battery life and the premium Beyerdynamic Amiron 300 delivers high-end sound and noise-cancelling in a compact bud size. The Sony WF-C510 make the fewest compromises at the most tempting price, though, offering excellent sound, a useful app, a comfortable fit, great controls and an ambient awareness mode.

At just 4.6g per bud, they’ve got a lightweight and streamlined design for a comfortable in-ear fit, and they’re packed with features including Bluetooth multipoint for dual device connections, Spotify Tap for quick music access, and custom sound profiles that are accessible in the Sony Sound Connect app. Like the WF-C500 model they replace, they deliver excellent audio with lots of clarity and great vocals, making them a top pick for loads of music genres.

The battery life is solid too, lasting up to 11 hours per charge and giving you a full extra charge with the case. You might miss noise-cancelling (although the passive seal is so good we sometimes forget they don’t have it!) and some premium app-based extras, but these give you loads of features and impress as some of the best small and affordable buds you can buy right now.

Read our Sony WF-C510 review

It's hard to pick between the range of premium hi-fi earbuds on the market. The Technics EAH-AZ100 and Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 are fantastic, but you shouldn’t overlook the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4.

They’re better value than those pairs, and highly refined with several handy features in the outstanding Smart Control Plus companion app. These include Auracast audio sharing, a low-latency mode, personalised sound and fully customisable controls. The sleek metal design is stylish (and available in three great colours), but the chunkier charging case is a bit of a downside.

The number one reason to invest in this pair is for a natural and immersive sound quality. They deliver a wonderful listening experience if you’re after richness, detail and a wide soundstage. You can take a hearing test to personalise the sound, too. Sennheiser hasn’t designed its subtler noise-cancelling to beat the best, but it still does a good job in most scenarios, and these are comfortable to wear.

We've found that the fabric-covered charging case can pick up scuffs and isn’t what we’d call pocketable. But, beyond that, we’d struggle to come up with major critiques. We’ve tested them for over a year, so can confirm they’re some of the most reliable pairs we’ve used, especially with their future-ready features and battery-preserving functionality. The Momentum True Wireless 4 have several rivals, but they’re among the best you can buy.

Mainly using your earbuds with an iPhone or iPad? Trust us that you’ll be better off with a pair of AirPods over rival options. That’s because they’re easier to set up and use, and come with several Apple-exclusive modes and options. The AirPods Pro 2 are the best ones, but the AirPods 4 aren’t far behind!

They offer many of the same premium features as the flagship pair at a more accessible price point. And they're the best buds if you find a semi-open design without ear tips comfortable. They’re also super lightweight and compact. They do “perch” in your ears rather than locking in with silicone tips, but we’ve found this design great for everyday wear as long as you’re not doing vigorous exercise.

They integrate seamlessly with Apple products, and support features like automatic pairing with every device in your Apple account, auto-device switching, notification announcements, improved call quality and personalised volume. The premium pair with noise cancelling also gets conversation awareness and adaptive audio, all thanks to the high-end H2 chip.

The sound is great for everything from pop music and classical symphonies to podcasts and films (especially with the immersive spatial audio support). They’ve also got noise cancelling, if you go for the version with that option, and we found it more impressive than you’d expect given the semi-open fit.

Ultimately, if your top priorities are convenience, portability and ease of use with Apple devices, the AirPods 4 are where we’d start.

Read our Apple AirPods 4 review

While we recommend Apple users pick up the AirPods Pro 2, it’s not worth getting those if you’re on an Android device. It’s possible to make them work and they still sound good, but many features won’t be available and it’s harder to change settings. Apple doesn’t offer an app for Android, so it’s a non-starter.

But if you love your flagship Samsung smartphone, the tech giant offers high-end buds to match. The latest Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are ideal for Samsung compatibility, pairing seamlessly with Galaxy smartphones and delivering crisp high-res audio, in addition to excellent microphone performance.

They also come with exclusive Samsung features including high-res and 360-degree audio, quicker pairing, automatic switching between Samsung devices, hands-free access to the Bixby voice assistant and location tracking via the SmartThings app. They now have built-in voice control and smart pinch and swipe gestures on the buds.

On test, we noticed the feature set is comparable to the fast pairing and auto-switching of AirPods, along with Apple’s hands-free Siri access and spatial audio options. In real-world environments, we found the noise-cancelling was good enough to silence a busy office and decent for use on a loud tube carriage, although the “siren detect” feature was too easily triggered in our experience.

Overall, we love the dynamic audio experience from these buds and they’re definitely worth it for Samsung fans who’ll use the perks.

Read our Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro review

Our top choice for gym-goers, the Beats Fit Pro wireless earbuds are an excellent pick if you're after reliable workout earphones that work just as well with iPhones as they do with Androids. The best feature is the secure fit provided by flexible silicone wing tips. This makes sure they always remain in place during intense workouts, unlike several other options we wouldn't trust to stay put.

Performance-wise, the Beats Fit Pro delivers. They boast impressive sound quality with a bass-heavy profile that enhances your workout playlists. The active noise-cancelling feature is comparable to leading competitors, so they're great whether you're at the gym or commuting. Additionally, the transparency mode allows you to remain aware of your surroundings, a useful safety feature when running outdoors.

For those worried about compatibility, these earbuds are suitable for both Apple and Android users, thanks to features like Google Fast Pair and a dedicated app for customisation. While they may lack wireless charging and have a somewhat bulky case, these are minor issues compared to their overall benefits.

The Beats Fit Pro also aced the Good Housekeeping Institute tests to make it into their roundup of the best exercise headphones, and they stayed firmly in place during even bouncy and sweaty workouts. They're competitively priced, have a robust design, excellent audio quality, and they come in a great range of colours too.

If you use a Google Pixel smartphone – or almost any Android phone – it’s worth knowing that the latest upgrades to the Pixel Buds Pro 2 offer a noticeable improvement and make them the clearest AirPods Pro alternatives for those on Android.

Google has done a great job of miniaturising all the components here to give these a really compact size and comfortable fit. It has done so while improving active noise cancellation, transparency and the richness and detail of the sound quality.

They’re a seamless fit into Google’s wider ecosystem of Pixel devices – like the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, 9 Pro Fold, and Pixel Tablet – with a handful of Pixel-exclusive features (360-degree audio and head tracking) but most of the functionality is available on any Android phone.

They have a great companion app that gives you an ear tip fit test, conversation detection, sound equaliser profiles, Find My Device support, Bluetooth multipoint, automatic device switching and hearing wellness settings. You also get hands-free Google Gemini access and support for “Gemini Live” for free-flowing conversations with the AI assistant.

While there’s no iPhone app and the charging case tends to pick up dust and marks, there aren’t really many significant downsides to these tiny buds.

Read our Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 review

The most important feature for gamers is “low latency” and the Arctis GameBuds deliver ultra low-latency when used with the little USB-C dongle nestled away in the charging case.

Once plugged into a games console or audio source and switched over to the 2.4GHz radio connection, there's far less lag between what happens onscreen and the sound you hear in the buds. In practice, this latency is almost imperceptible, and the big benefit is that this allows players to react to gameplay more quickly.

While we’re not serious gamers, we’ve tested this connectivity by using the GameBuds with a Nintendo Switch, iPad Air and MacBook Air. The buds are designed to work seamlessly with any product that can output audio via a USB-C port, but they do come in two variants: one designed for PlayStation and one made for Xbox. In reality, both types work with PlayStations, computers, handheld consoles and mobile phones, but the Xbox version has extra security within the chipset and a switch on the dongle to connect to an Xbox.

What about use beyond gaming? The GameBuds share a lot in common with Jabra's discontinued Elite range of earbuds. That’s unsurprising, as SteelSeries is owned by GN Group, which also owns Jabra. Just like the great Jabra buds, the GameBuds offer excellent sound quality for music and films and include fantastic physical button controls in an ergonomic design.

They’ve also got capable active noise-cancelling and transparency modes, a great companion app, wireless charging, a pocketable case, IP55 water and dust resistance, and 10 hours of gaming time on a single charge when used with the dongle. Essentially, they’re a full package for on-the-go gaming fans.