November 2023

Wireless Earbuds: MetaRanking

This page highlights the aggregate summary of wireless earbuds rankings posted by key online experts, as of November 2023.

Summary

On 7 Nov 2023, ReviewFinder team examined a total of 81 earbuds endorsements from 10 reputable publishers.

38 earbuds were endorsed in total, only 16 made it into this month's ranking. (ReviewFinder requires a minimum of 2 endorsements to be included)

As of 7 Nov 2023, 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 $16.99 (JLab Go Air Pop) and go up to $358.70 (Bowers & Wilkins PI7). Median earbuds costs $149.95 (Beats Studio Buds +).
$16.99
$358.70

At a glance - November Ranking

Scroll horizontally to browse this ranking table
Rank Change Price Earbuds
Wirecutter
Laptop Mag
Forbes
Rtings.com
SoundGuys
The Verge
TechRadar
Tom's Guide
Android Central
What Hi-Fi
1
- $278
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
1
-
1
3
1
2
- $209
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.
-
2
2
2
2
5
6
3
-
6
3
- $278
Sony WF-1000XM4
The Sony WF-1000XM4 true wireless earbuds have received positive reviews for their sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, connectivity, and additional features, making them a reliable choice for users who prioritize these aspects in their earbuds.
-
1
1
-
-
-
1
-
-
-
4
+1 $160
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.
-
7
5
-
-
6
7
6
2
-
5
+1 $180
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
-
-
-
7
4
10
7
-
-
6
+2 $120
Google Pixel Buds Pro
The Google Pixel Buds Pro are high-quality wireless earbuds with excellent sound quality, effective noise cancellation, comfortable and secure fit, long battery life, and a range of additional features.
-
11
-
3
8
7
-
-
6
-
7
- $78
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
-
-
-
-
-
-
8
-4 $199
Bose QuietComfort II
The Bose QuietComfort II earbuds offer top-notch sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, and connectivity, making them a great choice for various activities.
-
5
-
-
-
-
8
4
5
-
9
- 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.
-
-
-
-
-
-
5
2
-
2
10
New * $249
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.
-
-
-
-
6
3
-
-
-
5
11
+3 $169
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3
The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 earbuds offer exceptional sound quality, effective noise cancellation, comfortable design, long battery life, reliable connectivity, and a range of additional features, making them suitable for various use cases.
-
3
-
-
9
9
-
-
-
-
12
-2 $100
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 are a great option for those looking for wireless earbuds with advanced functionality, including active noise cancelling, touch controls, and compatibility with voice assistants.
-
-
-
-
3
-
-
-
4
-
13
-1 $17
JLab Go Air Pop
The JLab Go Air Pop wireless earbuds offer good sound quality, long battery life, and unique features, making them a good option for everyday use or light workouts.
-
-
-
6
-
-
2
-
-
-
15
+1 $94
Sennheiser CX Plus
The Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless earbuds offer a warm, well-balanced sound with effective noise cancellation, a secure fit, reliable Bluetooth connectivity, and a range of additional features, making them a great choice for everyday use in noisy environments, during exercise, or for commuting.
-
12
-
-
-
-
-
5
-
-
16
New * $139
Nothing Ear 2
The Nothing Ear 2 earbuds offer excellent sound quality, comfortable fit, and convenient features, making them a versatile and highly praised option for users.
-
-
-
-
5
12
-
-
-
-
17
- $200
Apple AirPods 3
The Apple AirPods 3 offer a well-balanced sound signature, mixed noise cancellation performance, mixed comfort reviews, decent battery life, and convenient connectivity features, making them suitable for audiobooks, podcasts, and non-bass-heavy music genres, but not ideal for active noise cancellation or intense workouts.
-
9
-
-
-
10
-
-
-
-

; ; ;
#13 $16.99 JLab Go Air Pop
#7 $78.25 Soundcore Space A40
#15 $93.86 Sennheiser CX Plus
#12 $99.99 Samsung Galaxy Buds 2
#6 $119.99 Google Pixel Buds Pro
#16 $139 Nothing Ear 2
#4 $159.99 Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
#11 $169.50 Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3
#5 $179.95 Beats Fit Pro
#8 $199 Bose QuietComfort II
#17 $199.99 Apple AirPods 3
#2 $209 Apple AirPods Pro 2
#10 $249 Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
#1 $278 Sony WF-1000XM5
#3 $278 Sony WF-1000XM4

We ranked Sony WF-1000XM5 #1 in November 2023 because:

  • 6 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
  • Out of those, 5 experts ranked Sony WF-1000XM5 as #1.
Critic endorsements:
Rtings.com

Best Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds

Go to ranking

SoundGuys

The best pair of wireless earbuds for most

Excellent ANC and Isolation
Comfortable
360 Reality Audio

Cost
Default sound too bassy

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

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 controls need work
Smaller ears may not feel comfy
Single-bud mode only in right buds

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

We ranked Apple AirPods Pro 2 #2 in November 2023 because:

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

Forbes

Best Overall Wireless Earbuds For Apple

Listening to any audio from any Apple computer or mobile device
Experiencing spatial audio with dynamic head tracking
Hearing audio using adaptive EQ

You’re not an Apple computer or mobile device user

Go to ranking

Rtings.com

Best Upper Mid-Range Bluetooth Earbuds

Go to ranking

SoundGuys

One of the best true wireless earbuds for iOS users.

Active noise canceling and Adaptive Transparency modes
Great auto-wear detection
Water-resistant buds and case

Charges via lightning cable
No way to customize the EQ without third-party app
Price

Go to ranking

The Verge

Best earbuds for iPhone owners

Go to ranking

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

Go to ranking

Tom's Guide

The ultimate ANC earbuds for iPhone users

World-class noise cancellation
Volume controls right on the stem
Dolby Atmos spatial audio
Battery life improved over original model

Lackluster call quality
Lanyard costs extra

Go to ranking

What Hi-Fi

Easily 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

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 November 2023 ranking

We ranked Sony WF-1000XM4 #3 in November 2023 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
  • Out of those, 3 experts ranked Sony WF-1000XM4 as #1.
Critic endorsements:
Laptop Mag

The best wireless earbuds overall

Remarkable sound quality
Super-powerful ANC
Strong battery life
Cool intelligible features
Luxe design

Unreliable fit

Go to ranking

Forbes

Best Overall Wireless Earbuds

People who want excellent hands-free calling and noise cancellation
Using presets to optimize the listening experience

You want earbuds that need to stay firmly in place while working out
You want earbuds with spatial audio and Dolby Atmos support

Go to ranking

TechRadar

The best wireless earbuds we'd recommend for most people

Full-bodied and eloquent sound
Genuinely useful features
Good ANC

Average battery life
No aptX support

Go to ranking

We ranked Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro #4 in November 2023 because:

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

Forbes

Best Wireless Earbuds For Android

Enjoying any audio using any Android smartphone
Experiencing immersive 360-degree audio (only with a Samsung Galaxy phone)
Using noise cancellation to reduce or eliminate outside sounds

You’re not an Android mobile user

Go to ranking

The Verge

Best earbuds for Samsung Galaxy phone owners

Go to ranking

TechRadar

Best wireless earbuds for Samsung phone owners

Vastly improved hi-res sound quality
Solid ANC
Classy, comfortable design and finish

Battery life is only average

Go to ranking

Tom's Guide

Best ANC earbuds for Galaxy smartphone users

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

Android Central

Best sound quality

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

We ranked Beats Fit Pro #5 in November 2023 because:

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

If you want voice-activated Siri control

Go to ranking

SoundGuys

Best for workouts

Android and iOS compatibility
In-app ear tip fit test
Noise cancelling/Transparency
USB-C case with fast charging
Secure, compact fit for exercise
IPX4-rated earbuds

Fairly large case
Known ANC update issues

Go to ranking

The Verge

Best earbuds for working out

Go to ranking

TechRadar

Best wireless earbuds for exercise

Spatial audio on Apple Music
Better battery life
Very stable fit

ANC could be stronger
No wireless charging

Go to ranking

Tom's Guide

Best 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 Google Pixel Buds Pro #6 in November 2023 because:

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

Dynamic-sounding buds for Android-philes

Dynamic, customizable audio
Effective ANC
Sufficient battery life
Excellent wireless performance

Loose fit
No aptX support or USB-C cable

Go to ranking

Rtings.com

Best Mid-Range Bluetooth Earbuds

Go to ranking

SoundGuys

The Pixel Buds Pro introduce ANC to the series

Go to ranking

The Verge

Best Earbuds for Google Pixel Phone Owners

Go to ranking

Android Central

Best for Pixel users

Good, clear sound
Integration with Android and Google Assistant
Excellent ANC performance
Great fit and comfort
Reliable media controls
Wireless charging

Could use more bass
Battery life could be longer with ANC
More ear tip sizes would be nice

Go to ranking

We ranked Soundcore Space A40 #7 in November 2023 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
  • Out of those, 1 expert ranked Soundcore Space A40 as #1.
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

Go to ranking

We ranked Bose QuietComfort II #8 in November 2023 because:

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

Best noise-cancelling earbuds overall

Best-in-class ANC
Superb sound and call quality
Great customization settings
Strong wireless performance
More compact and stylish design

Expensive
Finicky touch controls and app connectivity

Go to ranking

TechRadar

Best wireless earbuds for sheer noise-cancelling power

Smaller, more comfortable design
Best-in-class noise cancellation
Beautiful sound

Call quality could be better
No support for high-def wireless codecs
No wireless charging

Go to ranking

Tom's Guide

The best-ever wireless earbuds for noise cancellation

Unbeatable noise cancellation
Refined and well-balanced sound
Excellent call quality
Great customization settings
More compact and stylish design

Battery life bettered by rivals
Poor comfort levels
Finicky touch controls and app connectivity

Go to ranking

Android Central

Best noise-canceling

Superb sound quality
Outstanding ANC performance
Solid ambient mode
Adjustable EQ
Comfortable fit
Wireless charging case

No multipoint support
No wireless charging
Case is still large
Pricey

Go to ranking

We ranked Sony WF-C700N #9 in November 2023 because:

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

The best noise-cancelling wireless earbuds around $100 / £100

Excellent noise cancellation
Super audio for the price
Great Sony app support

No on-ear volume control
No hi-res 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

What Hi-Fi

The best wireless earbuds if you're looking at outright value.

Very comfortable fit
Refined presentation for the money
Detailed, dynamic and musical sound

No Multipoint Bluetooth (yet)
Charging case doesn't add a lot to battery life
No aptX or LDAC support

Go to ranking

We ranked Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds #10 in November 2023 because:

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

Next-level ANC and comfort from Bose

Go to ranking

The Verge

Best noise-canceling earbuds

Go to ranking

What Hi-Fi

The best 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

We ranked Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 #11 in November 2023 because:

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

ANC and Sennheiser sound for a premium

Superior sound quality
Excellent ANC
Beautiful design
Terrific touch controls

Disappointing call quality
No Find My Buds function or multipoint technology

Go to ranking

SoundGuys

These feature-rich earbuds exceed all expectations.

Go to ranking

The Verge

Best earbuds for sound quality

Go to ranking

We ranked Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 #12 in November 2023 because:

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

Samsung's reliable earbuds upgraded

Active noise canceling and Adaptive Transparency modes
Great auto-wear detection
Water-resistant buds and case

Lacks aptX
Battery life is just fine
Many Samsung-exclusive features

Go to ranking

Android Central

Best value

Bold sound
Effective ANC
Very comfortable fit
Good battery life
Nice color options

IPX2 rating isn't very durable
Microphones are so-so
Finicky controls

Go to ranking

We ranked JLab Go Air Pop #13 in November 2023 because:

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

Best Cheap Wireless Earbuds

Go to ranking

TechRadar

The best budget wireless earbuds

Light, small, comfy design
Sounds great for the price

Odd fitted charging cable
Not the last word in sonic brilliance

Go to ranking

We ranked Sennheiser CX Plus #14 in November 2023 because:

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

A necessary update with signature Sennheiser sound

Crystal-clear sound
Restrained, stylish design
Strong noise cancellation
IPX4 water resistance

Still bulky for small ears
No wireless charging

Go to ranking

Tom's Guide

Best value noise-canceller with flagship sound

Superior sound and call quality
Decent active noise cancelling
Great controls
Respectable battery life

No wireless charging or multipoint technology

Go to ranking

We ranked Nothing Ear 2 #15 in November 2023 because:

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

A very comfortable and powerful pair of true wireless buds

Go to ranking

The Verge

Best Earbuds for Standout Style

Go to ranking

We ranked Apple AirPods 3 #16 in November 2023 because:

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

The best non-ANC premium wireless earbuds

Extremely comfortable
Great audio
Excellent battery life
MagSafe charging support

A bit expensive
No active noise cancelling

Go to ranking

The Verge

Best earbuds for voice calls on iPhone

Go to ranking