December 2024
Wireless Earbuds: MetaRanking
This page highlights the aggregate summary of wireless earbuds rankings posted by key online experts, as of December 2024.
Summary
On 21 Dec 2024, ReviewFinder team examined a total of 83 earbuds endorsements from 10 reputable publishers.
44 earbuds were endorsed in total, only 18 made it into this month's ranking. (ReviewFinder requires a minimum of 2 endorsements to be included)
As of 21 Dec 2024, Sony WF-1000XM5 takes the cake as the most critically-acclaimed earbuds with 6 expert endorsements. 5 experts out of 6 recommended it as the '#1 earbuds' this month.
Brand breakdown
-
Sony: 6 earbuds
(#1 is Sony WF-1000XM5)
-
JBL: 5 earbuds
(#1 is JBL Reflect Aero TWS)
-
EarFun: 4 earbuds
(#1 is EarFun Air Pro 4)
-
Bose: 3 earbuds
(#1 is Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds)
-
Apple: 3 earbuds
(#1 is Apple AirPods Pro 2)
Price breakdown
At a glance - December Ranking
Rank | Change | Price | Earbuds |
TechRadar
|
SoundGuys
|
What Hi-Fi
|
Wirecutter
|
Android Central
|
The Verge
|
Tom's Guide
|
Laptop Mag
|
Rtings.com
|
Forbes
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1
|
- | $228 |
Sony WF-1000XM5
The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds have received highly positive expert reviews for their sound quality, noise cancellation capabilities, comfort, battery life, connectivity features, and additional features, making them a top choice for premium true wireless earbuds.
|
-
|
1
|
1
|
-
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
2
|
+2 | $299 |
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are highly praised for their sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, connectivity, and durability, making them a recommended choice for music enthusiasts who value strong bass and treble, effective noise cancellation, comfort for extended use, and durability for various activities.
|
4
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
4
|
3
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
3
|
-1 | Check price |
Apple AirPods Pro 2
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 are highly praised for their exceptional sound quality, advanced noise cancellation, comfortable design, and convenient features, making them a top choice for everyday use.
|
6
|
2
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
2
|
7
|
-
|
4
|
-1 | $172 |
Nothing Ear A
|
2
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
5
|
- | $150 |
Jabra Elite 10
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
- | $59 |
Soundcore Space A40
The Soundcore Space A40 wireless earbuds offer advanced features such as hybrid adaptive noise cancellation, touch controls, and customizable EQ, making them a versatile option for high-quality audio in various environments.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
4
|
-
|
7
|
+2 | $87 |
OnePlus Buds 3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
8
|
-1 | $160 |
Beats Fit Pro
The Beats Fit Pro earbuds are a great choice for athletes and fitness enthusiasts who prioritize sound quality, comfort, and functionality during workouts, with a bass-heavy sound profile, effective noise cancellation, secure and comfortable fit, and long battery life.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
4
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
-1 | $200 |
Technics EAH-AZ80
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
8
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
10
|
+9 | Check price |
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
11
|
-1 | $147 |
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are wireless earbuds that offer excellent sound quality, effective noise cancellation, and a comfortable fit, making them a great choice for music lovers who want high-quality audio and effective noise cancellation.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
8
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
12
|
+10 | $119 |
Apple AirPods 4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
10
|
9
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
13
|
-2 | Check price |
Sony WF-C700N
The Sony WF-C700N wireless earbuds offer good sound quality, effective noise cancellation, comfort and stability, and a range of additional features for a personalized and immersive listening experience.
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
14
|
-2 | Check price |
Sony WF-C510
|
3
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
16
|
-1 | $90 |
EarFun Air Pro 4
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
17
|
+1 | $250 |
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
18
|
+2 | Check price |
Bowers & Wilkins Pi8
|
8
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
19
|
+2 | Check price |
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
We ranked Sony WF-1000XM5 #1 in December 2024 because:
- 6 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
- Out of those, 5 experts ranked Sony WF-1000XM5 as #1.
SoundGuys
The Best / Editor's Choice
Excellent ANC and Isolation
Comfortable
SBC, AAC, and LDAC support
Great app support
Great battery life
|
Price
Default sound too bassy
|
What Hi-Fi
Sony's most accomplished and detailed wireless earbuds to date.
Class-leading levels of detail and clarity
Top-notch musicality and timing
Comfortable, discreet design
|
Some rivals produce more bass
Could feel more secure
|
Android Central
Best upgrade pick
Outstanding ANC performance
Stellar sound quality
Amazing battery life
Wireless charging case with USB-C
LDAC and 360 Audio support
Solid app support
|
Touch volume controls need work
Smaller ears may not feel comfy
Expensive
|
Tom's Guide
Best-in-class sound, improved noise cancelation in a smaller and lighter design
Outstanding sound quality
Strong noise cancelation
Exceptional functionality
Excellent level of control
|
Smaller earbud size affects eartip seal and fit
Battery life remains the same as predecessor
|
Rtings.com
Best Wireless Earbuds
Excellent overall noise isolation performance.
Well-built and stable fit
|
Not everyone will find their ear tips comfortable
|
We ranked Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds #2 in December 2024 because:
- 6 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds as #1.
TechRadar
Best wireless earbuds for sheer noise-cancelling power
Excellent head-tracked immersive audio
Lossless audio codec support
The best noise cancelling in earbuds
|
Wireless charging needs a paid extra accessory
Bulkier than most earbuds
Battery life is average
|
What Hi-Fi
The best premium wireless earbuds if noise-cancelling is top of your wish list.
Punchy, musical sound
Solid, weighty bass
Excellent ANC
Comfortable
|
Immersive Audio slashes battery life
No Bluetooth multipoint
No wireless charging
|
Android Central
Best noise-canceling
Superb sound quality
World-class ANC performance
Hi-res and spatial audio
Adjustable EQ
Comfortable fit
Multipoint support
|
Wireless charging costs extra
Phone calls could be clearer
Pricey
|
Tom's Guide
The ultimate ANC wireless earbuds
Best-in-class ANC performance
Immersive audio is a game-changer
Comfortable and secure fit
|
Case doesn’t support wireless charging
No multi-point Bluetooth
|
Forbes
Best Wireless Earbuds Overall
Those who prioritize noise cancellation
Its intuitive app, which offers flexibility without diving too much into the details
|
You value battery life
A high price tag makes you balk
You don’t want to add the extra cost for wireless charging
|
Methodology: combine opinions of key experts
Identify Experts
We identify key publishers and experts that consistently review and recommend wireless earbuds.
Capture Rankings
For each publisher we find a currently recommended "top 10" list of wireless earbuds, it must be updated in the last 9 months.
Aggregate Rankings
We put all those lists together and aggregate them. The more frequently a product is recommended, the higher it is in our ranking
Experts chosen for December 2024 ranking
We ranked Apple AirPods Pro 2 #3 in December 2024 because:
- 6 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
TechRadar
The best wireless earbuds for iPhone owners
Top-tier active noise cancellation
Great sound quality
Lots of very smart features for iPhone
|
Average battery life
No lossless support
No good for Android
|
SoundGuys
Best for iPhone
Effective ANC
Great sound quality
Great auto-wear detection
Water-resistant buds and case
USB-C charging
Good fit with four ear tip options
|
Many Apple-exclusive features
No way to customize the EQ without third-party app
|
What Hi-Fi
The best wireless earbuds if you're an Apple fan.
Clear, detailed and powerful sound
Excellent noise-cancelling
Longer battery life
Smooth, intuitive use with iOS devices
|
Many features restricted to iOS devices only
Customisable ANC modes would be useful
|
Laptop Mag
The best Apple wireless earbuds overall
Personalized Spatial Audio
Stronger, smarter ANC modes
Impeccable controls
Distinctly enriched soundstage
Higher battery life
|
Poor performance on non-iOS devices
Unchanged design
|
Rtings.com
Best Earbuds For iOS
Stellar ANC performance.
Comfortable and premium design.
6-hour continuous battery life and four extra charges in the case.
|
Bad passive soundstage
|
We ranked Nothing Ear A #4 in December 2024 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
TechRadar
The best wireless earbuds under $100 / £100
Energetic and expansive sound
Good-quality active noise cancellation
Small case and cool design
|
No wireless charging
Middling battery life
|
SoundGuys
Best under $150 / Editor's Choice
Comfortable
Great sound
Awesome companion app
LDAC and LHDC support
|
Mediocre noise canceling
ANC changes sound quality
|
Rtings.com
Best Mid-Range Wireless Earbuds
Balanced sound profile with tweakable EQ.
High-quality Bluetooth codecs.
Water and dust resistant.
Comfortable and stable fit.
Adjustable ANC.
|
Latency is high.
Continuous battery life won't get through a workday
|
We ranked Jabra Elite 10 #5 in December 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Jabra Elite 10 as #1.
SoundGuys
Best active noise cancelling / Editor's Choice
Outstanding ANC
Comfort
Wireless charging
Sleep bud option
Spatial audio with head tracking
Can connect to wired sources
|
Weird spike in the highs
Future updates uncertain
|
Android Central
Best wireless earbuds overall
Excellent audio quality
Adaptive ANC works well
Very comfortable fit
Solid app support
Good durability
Reliable button controls
Solid app support
|
No hi-res codec support
More expensive
Jabra's exit from consumer audio doesn't build confidence
|
Tom's Guide
Elite sound and spatial audio with headtracking make these a great AirPods Pro alternative
Rich, dynamic, customizable sound
Powerful ANC
Superior head tracking technology
Jabra’s most luxe design since the Elite Active 75t
Steady battery life
|
Unreliable call quality
Spatial audio needs work
No aptX codec support
|
We ranked Soundcore Space A40 #6 in December 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Soundcore Space A40 as #1.
Laptop Mag
Best mid-range ANC earbuds
Impressive sound quality
Stellar noise cancellation and transparency
Great call quality
Strong Bluetooth connection
Long battery life
|
Touch controls can be finicky at times
|
Rtings.com
Best Lower Mid-Range Bluetooth Earbuds
Amazing full range noise isolation performance.
Comfortable and well-built design
|
They lack stability fins and can pop out of your ear.
|
We ranked OnePlus Buds 3 #7 in December 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
Android Central
Best value
Good ANC performance
Very good audio quality
Personalized features and functions
Comfortable fit
Solid app support
Excellent battery life
|
IP rating isn't robust enough
Lacks wireless charging
Stem controls can be finicky
|
Tom's Guide
$99 noise-cancellers with excellent Android integration
Excellent feature set
Strong ANC
Works flawlessly with all Android devices
|
Poor battery management
Weak 3D audio performance
|
Forbes
Best Budget Wireless Earbuds
Enjoying your music on the go without spending a fortune
Wearing earbuds for hours in comfort
|
You want a dedicated app to control the earbuds
You are not a fan of touch controls
|
We ranked Beats Fit Pro #8 in December 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
Tom's Guide
Best wireless earbuds for iOS users with active lifestyles
Powerful ANC and Transparency modes
Dynamic sound and Spatial Audio support
Respectable battery life
Comfy, secure fit
|
Some features exclusive to Apple devices
Limited Android app
|
We ranked Technics EAH-AZ80 #9 in December 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Technics EAH-AZ80 as #1.
TechRadar
The best wireless earbuds for excellent sound and future-proofed features
Poised, revealing sound
Triple-point connectivity
Outstanding comms and comfort
|
Noise-cancelling and battery life are nothing special
Could conceivably sound more animated
|
Android Central
Best for hi-res
Superb sound quality
Very comfortable fit
Excellent call quality
LDAC support
Good app support
Decent battery life
|
ANC could be better for the price
LDAC playback affects multipoint connections
|
We ranked Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro #10 in December 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
TechRadar
Best wireless earbuds for Samsung phone owners
Great sound, and serious Hi-Res skills
Strong noise cancellation
Classy, comfortable design and finish
|
Battery life is only average
Some key features are Samsung-only
Delicate ear-tips
|
We ranked Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro #11 in December 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
Android Central
Best for Samsung users
Extremely comfortable
Improved ANC
Perfect for Samsung’s ecosystem
Pretty rugged design
Good app support
|
Lack true multipoint capabilities
So-so battery life
Finicky touch controls
|
Tom's Guide
Best ANC wireless earbuds for Galaxy phones
Wide soundstage
Effective ANC
Compact and practical design
Easy to use features
Excellent connectivity
|
-Bixby assistant unreliable
-Most coveted features are exclusive to Galaxy devices
|
Laptop Mag
The essential wireless earbuds for Galaxy smartphone owners
24-bit audio playback and 3D sound
Spacious soundstage
Powerful ANC
Pressure-relieving design
Excellent connectivity
|
Low battery life
Most coveted features are exclusive to Galaxy devices
|
We ranked Apple AirPods 4 #12 in December 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
Tom's Guide
Don't like silicon? These are the buds for you.
Pro-level features for less
Effective ANC for open-ear buds
Find My for the ANC case
Sweat-resistant design
|
Average battery life
|
Forbes
Best Apple Wireless Earbuds
Staying smack dab in middle of the Apple ecosystem
Enjoying features like Conversation Awareness
|
You want the absolute best of the best Apple earbuds
You need silicone ear tips for stability and fit
|
We ranked Sony WF-C700N #13 in December 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
What Hi-Fi
Awards 2023 winner. The best wireless earbuds with noise-cancelling for tight budgets.
Very comfortable fit
Refined presentation for the money
Detailed, dynamic and musical sound
|
Charging case doesn't add a lot to battery life
No aptX or LDAC support
|
Tom's Guide
Big-brand experience and superb noise canceling for $119
Vibrant, detailed sound
Superb noise cancellation and call quality
Comes with most signature Sony features
Very attractive design
Optimal comfort and fit
|
No aptX or LDAC support
|
We ranked Sony WF-C510 #14 in December 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
TechRadar
The best wireless earbuds for a budget price
Punchy, talented audio
Sony 360 Reality Audio support
Great in-bud battery life
|
A few missing features
Confusing custom equalizer mode
Limited case battery life
|
What Hi-Fi
Sonys brilliant earbuds deliver outstanding battery life and sound the business.
Compact, comfortable, lightweight design
Solid, musical sound
Strong on features
|
Look and feel a little cheap
Ambient sound mode isn't outstanding
|
We ranked EarFun Air Pro 4 #15 in December 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
SoundGuys
Best bang for your buck
Sound quality
Noise canceling
Bluetooth 5.4 with LDAC, aptX
Comfort
Feature-packed app
|
ANC impacts sound quality
|
Android Central
Best budget pick
Great audio quality
Adaptive ANC
Comfortable fit
Useful gaming mode
Solid app support and Google Fast Pair
Incredible battery life and wireless charging
Hi-res audio, LDAC, Bluetooth Auracast, Qualcomm aptX
|
Only IPX5 splash-proof
|
We ranked Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 #16 in December 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
Tom's Guide
Best-sounding wireless earbuds
Balanced audiophile sound
Class-leading aptX Lossless audio support
Strong sound personalization features
Effective ANC performance
|
Bulky design compared to price rivals
Auracast and LE Audio support isn't available immediately
|
We ranked Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 #17 in December 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
TechRadar
The best wireless earbuds for superlative sound
Levels of detail and dynamism rarely heard
Hugely improved comfort; better stamina
Effective noise cancellation
|
No hearing or fit tests
No spatial audio
Battery life is still beatable
|
What Hi-Fi
Without a doubt, Bowers & Wilkins’ most refined, detailed and enjoyable wireless earbuds to date
Sensational levels of detail
Natural, refined sound
Easy to use
Competitive ANC
|
Call quality could be improved
No ear tip fit test
A couple of signal dropouts
|
We ranked Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 #18 in December 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
Android Central
Best for Pixel users
Good, clear sound with EQ
Integration with Android and Google Assistant
Excellent ANC performance
Great fit and comfort
Reliable media controls
Gemini AI integration
|
Smaller size could pop these out of your ears
Could use more bass
More ear tip sizes would be nice
|