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
Show all brands

Price breakdown
As can be seen in the chart below, lowest high-ranking wireless earbuds start at $9.34 (JLab Go Air Pop) and go up to $390 (Bowers & Wilkins PI7). Median earbuds costs $157.99 (Apple AirPods 3).
$9.34
$390

At a glance - December Ranking

Scroll horizontally to browse this ranking table
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
-
-
-
-

Earbuds
#6 $59 Soundcore Space A40
#7 $87.45 OnePlus Buds 3
#16 $89.99 EarFun Air Pro 4
#12 $119 Apple AirPods 4
#11 $146.99 Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
#5 $149.99 Jabra Elite 10
#8 $159.99 Beats Fit Pro
#4 $171.99 Nothing Ear A
#9 $199.99 Technics EAH-AZ80
#1 $228 Sony WF-1000XM5
#3 $247.49 Apple AirPods Pro 2
#17 $249.95 Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4
#2 $299 Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds

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.
Expert Consensus
(as of 10 Aug 2023)
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.
Critic endorsements:
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

Go to ranking

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

Go to ranking

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

Go to ranking

The Verge

Best overall wireless earbuds

Go to ranking

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

Go to ranking

Rtings.com

Best Wireless Earbuds

Excellent overall noise isolation performance.
Well-built and stable fit

Not everyone will find their ear tips comfortable

Go to ranking

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.
Expert Consensus
(as of 3 Nov 2023)
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.
Critic endorsements:
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

Go to ranking

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

Go to ranking

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

Go to ranking

The Verge

The best noise-canceling earbuds

Go to ranking

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

Go to ranking

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

Go to ranking

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.
Expert Consensus
(as of 19 May 2023)
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.
Critic endorsements:
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

Go to ranking

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

Go to ranking

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

Go to ranking

The Verge

The Best Earbuds For iPhone Owner

Go to ranking

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

Go to ranking

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

Go to ranking

We ranked Nothing Ear A #4 in December 2024 because:

  • 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
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

Go to ranking

SoundGuys

Best under $150 / Editor's Choice

Comfortable
Great sound
Awesome companion app
LDAC and LHDC support

Mediocre noise canceling
ANC changes sound quality

Go to ranking

The Verge

The best budget earbuds under $100

Go to ranking

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

Go to ranking

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.
Critic endorsements:
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

Go to ranking

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

Go to ranking

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

Go to ranking

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.
Expert Consensus
(as of 19 May 2023)
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.
Critic endorsements:
Wirecutter

The best true wireless earbuds

Go to ranking

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

Go to ranking

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.

Go to ranking

We ranked OnePlus Buds 3 #7 in December 2024 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
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

Go to ranking

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

Go to ranking

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

Go to ranking

We ranked Beats Fit Pro #8 in December 2024 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
Expert Consensus
(as of 19 May 2023)
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.
Critic endorsements:
Wirecutter

Best for people who want voice-activated Siri control

Go to ranking

The Verge

The Best Earbuds For Sport And Working Out

Go to ranking

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

Go to ranking

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.
Critic endorsements:
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

Go to ranking

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

Go to ranking

We ranked Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro #10 in December 2024 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
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

Go to ranking

The Verge

Best earbuds for Samsung Galaxy phone owners

Go to ranking

Forbes

Best Android Wireless Earbuds

Go to ranking

We ranked Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro #11 in December 2024 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
Expert Consensus
(as of 2 May 2023)
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.
Critic endorsements:
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

Go to ranking

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

Go to ranking

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

Go to ranking

We ranked Apple AirPods 4 #12 in December 2024 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
The Verge

The Best Earbuds For Voice Calls On iPhone

Go to ranking

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

Go to ranking

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

Go to ranking

We ranked Sony WF-C700N #13 in December 2024 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
Expert Consensus
(as of 12 Jun 2023)
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.
Critic endorsements:
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

Go to ranking

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

Go to ranking

We ranked Sony WF-C510 #14 in December 2024 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
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

Go to ranking

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

Go to ranking

We ranked EarFun Air Pro 4 #15 in December 2024 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
SoundGuys

Best bang for your buck

Sound quality
Noise canceling
Bluetooth 5.4 with LDAC, aptX
Comfort
Feature-packed app

ANC impacts sound quality

Go to ranking

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

Go to ranking

We ranked Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 #16 in December 2024 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
The Verge

The Best Earbuds For Sound Quality

Go to ranking

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

Go to ranking

We ranked Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 #17 in December 2024 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
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

Go to ranking

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

Go to ranking

We ranked Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 #18 in December 2024 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
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

Go to ranking

The Verge

The Best Earbuds For Google Pixel Phone Owners

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