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
-
Sony:
4 Earbuds
(#1 is Sony LinkBuds )
-
EarFun:
4 Earbuds
(#1 is Earfun Air )
-
Apple:
3 Earbuds
(#1 is Apple AirPods Pro )
-
Jabra:
3 Earbuds
(#1 is Jabra Elite 3 )
-
Samsung:
2 Earbuds
(#1 is Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 )
Price breakdown
At a glance - March 2023 Ranking
| 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.
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
|
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
|
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
|
TechRadar
The best wireless earbuds overall
|
Pros
Full-bodied and eloquent sound
Genuinely useful features
Good ANC
|
Cons
Average battery life
No aptX support
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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.
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
Forbes
The Verge
Laptop Mag
Rtings.com
Tom's Guide
TechRadar
SoundGuys
What Hi-Fi
Wirecutter
Android Central
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.
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
We ranked Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro #4 in March 2023 because:
- 6 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Wireless Earbuds” rankings.
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
We ranked Beats Fit Pro #5 in March 2023 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Wireless Earbuds” rankings.
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
|
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
|
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
|
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.
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
|
We ranked Google Pixel Buds Pro #7 in March 2023 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Wireless Earbuds” rankings.
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
|
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
|
We ranked Apple AirPods 3 #8 in March 2023 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Wireless Earbuds” rankings.
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
|
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
|
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
|
We ranked Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus #9 in March 2023 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Wireless Earbuds” rankings.
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
|
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
|
What Hi-Fi
Another great pair of budget wireless earbuds.
|
Pros
Extra dynamic expression
Great clarity
Slick app support
|
Cons
No noise cancelling
|
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.
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
|
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
|
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.
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
|
We ranked Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 #12 in March 2023 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Wireless Earbuds” rankings.
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
|
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
|
We ranked Apple AirPods Pro #13 in March 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Wireless Earbuds” rankings.
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
|
We ranked Jabra Elite 7 Active #14 in March 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Wireless Earbuds” rankings.
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
|
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
|
We ranked Sennheiser CX Plus #15 in March 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Wireless Earbuds” rankings.
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
|
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
|
We ranked JLab Go Air Pop #16 in March 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Wireless Earbuds” rankings.
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
|
We ranked Sony LinkBuds S #17 in March 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Wireless Earbuds” rankings.
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
|
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
|