March 2023

Wireless Earbuds: MetaRanking

This page highlights the aggregate summary of Earbuds rankings posted by key online experts, as of March 2023.

Summary

Between 13 Mar 2023 and 14 Mar 2023, ReviewFinder team examined a total of 90 Earbuds endorsements from 10 reputable publishers.

44 Wireless Earbuds were endorsed in total, only 17 made it into this month's ranking (ReviewFinder requires a minimum of 2 endorsements to be included).

As of 14 Mar 2023, Sony WF-1000XM4 takes the cake as the most critically-acclaimed earbuds with 8 expert endorsements. 5 experts out of 8 recommended it as the '#1 earbuds' this month. It is followed by Bose QuietComfort II and Apple AirPods Pro 2 , with 7 and 6 expert endorsements respectively.

Brand breakdown
Show all brands

Price breakdown
As can be seen in the chart below, lowest high-ranking wireless earbuds start at $19.50 (JLab Go Air Pop) and go up to $299 (Bose QuietComfort II). Median earbuds cost $135 (Jabra Elite 7 Active).
$19.50
$299

At a glance - March 2023 Ranking

Scroll horizontally to browse this ranking table
Rank Change Price Earbuds
Forbes
The Verge
Laptop Mag
Rtings.com
Tom's Guide
TechRadar
SoundGuys
What Hi-Fi
Wirecutter
Android Central
1
- $198
Sony WF-1000XM4
1
1
1
-
5
1
4
1
-
3
2
+1 $299
Bose QuietComfort II
-
3
5
1
3
5
-
5
-
6
3
-1 $200
Apple AirPods Pro 2
2
-
2
2
1
3
-
6
-
-
4
- $199
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
5
6
7
-
7
9
-
-
-
2
5
+2 $160
Beats Fit Pro
-
4
-
-
9
12
3
-
2
-
6
- $89
Soundcore Space A40
-
-
4
4
-
-
-
-
1
-
7
+2 $192
Google Pixel Buds Pro
-
7
11
3
-
-
-
-
-
7
8
- $200
Apple AirPods 3
-
9
9
-
8
-
-
13
-
-
9
+3 $50
Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus
-
-
-
-
6
2
-
4
-
-
10
- $94
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2
-
-
-
-
-
-
1
-
-
4
11
- $145
Jabra Elite 7 Pro
-
-
-
7
-
-
-
-
-
1
12
-7 $170
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3
-
8
3
-
-
-
-
7
-
-
13
- $220
Apple AirPods Pro
-
5
-
-
-
-
2
-
-
-
14
+3 $135
Jabra Elite 7 Active
4
-
-
-
-
-
5
-
-
-
15
+4 $80
Sennheiser CX Plus
-
-
12
-
2
-
-
-
-
-
16
-2 $19
JLab Go Air Pop
-
-
-
6
-
4
-
-
-
-
17
+4 $148
Sony LinkBuds S
-
-
10
-
-
13
-
-
-
-

Sorted by price:

Position in ranking Price Earbuds
#16 $19.50 JLab Go Air Pop [buy] [more info]
#9 $49.99 Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus [buy] [more info]
#15 $80 Sennheiser CX Plus [buy] [more info]
#6 $89 Soundcore Space A40 [buy] [more info]
#10 $93.98 Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 [buy] [more info]
#14 $135 Jabra Elite 7 Active [buy] [more info]
#11 $144.99 Jabra Elite 7 Pro [buy] [more info]
#17 $148 Sony LinkBuds S [buy] [more info]
#5 $159.95 Beats Fit Pro [buy] [more info]
#12 $169.95 Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 [buy] [more info]
#7 $192.50 Google Pixel Buds Pro [buy] [more info]
#1 $198 Sony WF-1000XM4 [buy] [more info]
#4 $199 Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro [buy] [more info]
#3 $199.99 Apple AirPods Pro 2 [buy] [more info]
#8 $199.99 Apple AirPods 3 [buy] [more info]
#13 $219.99 Apple AirPods Pro [buy] [more info]
#2 $299 Bose QuietComfort II [buy] [more info]

We ranked Sony WF-1000XM4 #1 in March 2023 because:

  • 8 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Wireless Earbuds” rankings.
  • Out of those, 5 experts ranked Sony WF-1000XM4 as #1.
Critic endorsements:
Forbes

Best Overall Wireless Earbuds

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

Cons
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

The Verge

Best overall wireless earbuds

Go to ranking

Laptop Mag

The best wireless earbuds overall

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

Cons
Unreliable fit

Go to ranking

Tom's Guide

Great balance of useful features and top sound / Editor's Choice

Pros
Balanced and enjoyable sound
Excellent ANC
Decent battery life

Cons
Fit may not be good for all
Weak call quality

Go to ranking

TechRadar

The best wireless earbuds overall

Pros
Full-bodied and eloquent sound
Genuinely useful features
Good ANC

Cons
Average battery life
No aptX support

Go to ranking

SoundGuys

Best ANC

Pros
Great ANC
IPX4 rating
360 Reality Audio
Bluetooth 5.2; SBC, AAC, LDAC
Extra features in app
Foam ear tips

Cons
Cost
Default sound signature is odd

Go to ranking

What Hi-Fi

Without doubt the best wireless earbuds you can buy right now.

Pros
Clear, detailed bass performance
Wonderful sense of musicality
Comfortable
Class-leading battery life

Cons
Missing Sony’s Multipoint feature
Lacking ear tip choices
No aptX HD

Go to ranking

Android Central

Best upgrade pick

Pros
Outstanding ANC performance
Stellar sound quality
Amazing battery life
Wireless charging case with USB-C
LDAC and 360 Audio support
Solid app support

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

Go to ranking

We ranked Bose QuietComfort II #2 in March 2023 because:

  • 7 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Wireless Earbuds” rankings.
  • Out of those, 1 expert ranked Bose QuietComfort II as #1.
Critic endorsements:
The Verge

Best noise-canceling earbuds

Go to ranking

Laptop Mag

Best noise-cancelling earbuds overall

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

Cons
Expensive
Finicky touch controls and app connectivity

Go to ranking

Rtings.com

Best Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds

Go to ranking

Tom's Guide

The best-ever wireless earbuds for noise cancellation

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

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

Go to ranking

TechRadar

Best wireless earbuds for noise cancelling power

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

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

Go to ranking

What Hi-Fi

Bose's flagship wireless earbuds sound the business.

Pros
Exceptional noise-cancelling
Fantastic sense of refinement
Beautifully balanced sound
Excellent detail levels

Cons
Battery life can be bettered
Call quality is nothing special
No Bluetooth multipoint
No wireless charging

Go to ranking

Android Central

Best noise-canceling

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

Cons
No multipoint support
No wireless charging
Case is still large
Pricey

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 March 2023 ranking

We ranked Apple AirPods Pro 2 #3 in March 2023 because:

  • 6 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Wireless Earbuds” rankings.
  • Out of those, 1 expert ranked Apple AirPods Pro 2 as #1.
Critic endorsements:
Forbes

Best Wireless Earbuds For Apple

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

Cons
You’re not an Apple computer or mobile device user

Go to ranking

Laptop Mag

The best Apple wireless earbuds overall

Pros
+Personalized Spatial Audio
+Stronger, smarter ANC modes
+Impeccable controls
+Distinctly enriched soundstage
+Higher battery life

Cons
Poor performance on non-iOS devices
-Unchanged design

Go to ranking

Rtings.com

Best Upper Mid-Range Bluetooth Earbuds

Go to ranking

Tom's Guide

The best AirPods overall with better battery life and personalized spatial audio / Editor's Choice

Pros
World-class noise cancellation
Volume controls right on the stem
Dolby Atmos spatial audio
Improved battery life

Cons
Audio performance needs finessing
Lackluster call quality
Lanyard costs extra

Go to ranking

TechRadar

The best wireless earbuds for iPhone owners

Pros
Top-tier active noise cancellation
Great sound quality
Lots of very smart features for iPhone

Cons
Average battery life
No lossless support

Go to ranking

What Hi-Fi

Apple's best-sounding wireless earbuds by quite a distance.

Pros
Clear, detailed and powerful sound
Excellent noise-cancelling
Longer battery life
Smooth, intuitive use with iOS devices

Cons
Many features restricted to iOS devices only
Customisable ANC modes would be useful

Go to ranking

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

  • 6 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Wireless Earbuds” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
Forbes

Best Wireless Earbuds For Android

Pros
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

Cons
You’re not an Android mobile user

Go to ranking

The Verge

Best earbuds for Samsung Galaxy phone owners

Go to ranking

Laptop Mag

The essential wireless earbuds for Galaxy smartphone owners

Pros
24-bit audio playback and 3D sound
Spacious soundstage
Powerful ANC
Pressure-relieving design
Excellent connectivity

Cons
Low battery life
Most coveted features are exclusive to Galaxy devices

Go to ranking

Tom's Guide

Samsung's next-gen flagship earbuds are their best so far

Pros
Wide soundstage
Effective ANC
Compact and practical design
Easy to use features
Excellent connectivity

Cons
Disappointing battery life
Bixby needs some work
Most coveted features are exclusive to Galaxy devices

Go to ranking

TechRadar

Best for Samsung phone owners

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

Cons
Battery life is only average

Go to ranking

Android Central

Best balanced fit

Pros
Extremely comfortable
Improved ANC
Perfect for Samsung’s ecosystem
Pretty rugged design
Good app support

Cons
Lack true multipoint capabilities
So-so battery life
Finicky touch controls

Go to ranking

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

  • 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Wireless Earbuds” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
The Verge

Best earbuds for working out

Go to ranking

Tom's Guide

The best noise-cancelling wireless earbuds for active lifestyles

Pros
Powerful ANC and Transparency modes
Dynamic sound and Spatial Audio support
Respectable battery life
Comfy, secure fit

Cons
Some features exclusive to Apple devices
Limited Android app

Go to ranking

TechRadar

Best for exercise

Pros
Active noise cancellation
Spatial audio on Apple Music
Better battery life
H1 chip for hands-free Siri

Cons
ANC could be stronger
More expensive than Studio Buds
Can be uncomfortable
Android users miss out on features

Go to ranking

SoundGuys

Best for workouts

Pros
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

Cons
Fairly large case
Known ANC update issues

Go to ranking

Wirecutter

If you want voice-activated Siri control

Go to ranking

We ranked Soundcore Space A40 #6 in March 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:
Laptop Mag

Best mid-range ANC earbuds

Pros
Impressive sound quality
Stellar noise cancellation and transparency
Great call quality
Strong Bluetooth connection
Long battery life

Cons
Touch controls can be finicky at times

Go to ranking

Rtings.com

Best Lower Mid-Range Bluetooth Earbuds

Go to ranking

Wirecutter

The best true wireless earbuds

Go to ranking

We ranked Google Pixel Buds Pro #7 in March 2023 because:

  • 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Wireless Earbuds” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
The Verge

Best Earbuds for Google Pixel Phone Owners

Go to ranking

Laptop Mag

Dynamic-sounding buds for Android-philes

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

Cons
Loose fit
No aptX support or USB-C cable

Go to ranking

Rtings.com

Best Mid-Range Bluetooth Earbuds

Go to ranking

Android Central

Best for Android users

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

Cons
Could use more bass
Needs a custom EQ
Battery life could be longer with ANC
More ear tip sizes would be nice

Go to ranking

We ranked Apple AirPods 3 #8 in March 2023 because:

  • 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Wireless Earbuds” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
The Verge

Best earbuds for voice calls on iPhone

Go to ranking

Laptop Mag

The best non-ANC premium wireless earbuds

Pros
Extremely comfortable
Great audio
Excellent battery life
MagSafe charging support

Cons
A bit expensive
No active noise cancelling

Go to ranking

Tom's Guide

No ANC, but great sound and a best buy for dedicated Apple followers

Pros
Well-balanced sound
Spatial audio support
Effective Adaptive EQ

Cons
No ANC or Transparency mode
Loose fit may not suit all

Go to ranking

What Hi-Fi

The AirPods 3 are daily delights with a strong selling point in spatial audio.

Pros
Spatial audio support is a real bonus
Balanced, clear and detailed sound
Strong battery life

Cons
Beaten for transparency
Still no on-bud volume adjustment
Fit won't be for everyone

Go to ranking

We ranked Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus #9 in March 2023 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Wireless Earbuds” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
Tom's Guide

No ANC, but a great-sounding earbud for less than $100

Pros
Excellent sound
Long battery life
Elegant, splash-proof design

Cons
No ANC
Mediocre voice call quality

Go to ranking

TechRadar

The best budget wireless earbuds

Pros
45-hour total battery life
Incredible audio performance
Astounding price for the quality

Cons
No active noise cancellation
Few fancy smart features

Go to ranking

What Hi-Fi

Another great pair of budget wireless earbuds.

Pros
Extra dynamic expression
Great clarity
Slick app support

Cons
No noise cancelling

Go to ranking

We ranked Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 #10 in March 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Wireless Earbuds” rankings.
  • Out of those, 1 expert ranked Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 as #1.
Critic endorsements:
SoundGuys

Best all-around

Pros
Bluetooth 5.2 with SBC, Scalable Samsung Codec, and AAC
Sound quality and good ANC
In-app ear tip fit test
Fast and wireless charging

Cons
Lacks aptX
No iOS app support
Sensitive touch controls

Go to ranking

Android Central

Best value

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

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

Go to ranking

We ranked Jabra Elite 7 Pro #11 in March 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Wireless Earbuds” rankings.
  • Out of those, 1 expert ranked Jabra Elite 7 Pro as #1.
Critic endorsements:
Rtings.com

Best Bluetooth Earbuds For Sound Quality

Go to ranking

Android Central

Best wireless earbuds overall

Pros
Excellent audio quality with solid ANC
Better fit and comfort
Outstanding call quality
Pretty good durability
Reliable button controls

Cons
Custom ANC shouldn't be mandatory
Too few codecs

Go to ranking

We ranked Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 #12 in March 2023 because:

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

Best earbuds for sound quality

Go to ranking

Laptop Mag

ANC and Sennheiser sound for a premium

Pros
Superior sound quality
Excellent ANC
Beautiful design
Terrific touch controls

Cons
Disappointing call quality
No Find My Buds function or multipoint technology

Go to ranking

What Hi-Fi

Sennheiser's latest premium wireless earbuds are its greatest yet.

Pros
Spacious, refined and insightful sound
aptX Adaptive Bluetooth support
Nicely priced

Cons
Earpieces slightly cheaper looking
Pick up wind noise

Go to ranking

We ranked Apple AirPods Pro #13 in March 2023 because:

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

Best earbuds for iPhone owners

Go to ranking

SoundGuys

Best iPhone

Pros
Active noise cancelling and Adaptive Transparency modes
Great auto-wear detection
Water-resistant buds and case
Pressure-sensitive stems and sliding controls
MagSafe, Wireless, and Apple Watch compatible charging

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

Go to ranking

We ranked Jabra Elite 7 Active #14 in March 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Wireless Earbuds” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
Forbes

Best Earbuds For Working Out

Pros
People with an active lifestyle who want durable and great sounding earbuds
Anyone who works out in a noisy gym

Cons
You want earbuds that offer spatial audio with active head tracking or Dolby Atmos

Go to ranking

SoundGuys

Best versatility

Pros
Great sound quality
IP57 rating
Adjustable ANC/HearThru
Great mobile app
USB-C, wireless, and fast charging

Cons
No aptX (SBC/AAC only)
Potential pressure/comfort issues
ANC only okay

Go to ranking

We ranked Sennheiser CX Plus #15 in March 2023 because:

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

A necessary update with signature Sennheiser sound

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

Cons
Still bulky for small ears
No wireless charging

Go to ranking

Tom's Guide

Flagship sound and good ANC for half the price of the AirPods Pro

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

Cons
Uncomfortable design
EQ is ineffective
No wireless charging or multipoint technology

Go to ranking

We ranked JLab Go Air Pop #16 in March 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 ultra cheap wireless earbuds

Pros
Light, small, comfy design
Sounds great for the price

Cons
Odd fitted charging cable
Not the last word in sonic brilliance

Go to ranking

We ranked Sony LinkBuds S #17 in March 2023 because:

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

Excellent wireless buds worthy of flagship recognition

Pros
Balanced, well-defined sound
Effective ANC
Terrific call quality
Small and comfy
Third-party app support and lots of features

Cons
Lacks the original’s innovative design

Go to ranking

TechRadar

The best wireless earbuds for smaller ears

Pros
Compact, light and comfy to wear
Enjoyable sound
Great control app

Cons
Could sound more assertive
Don't look or feel special in any way

Go to ranking