September 2024
Wireless Earbuds: MetaRanking
This page highlights the aggregate summary of wireless earbuds rankings posted by key online experts, as of September 2024.
Summary
On 24 Sep 2024, ReviewFinder team examined a total of 85 earbuds endorsements from 10 reputable publishers.
44 earbuds were endorsed in total, only 19 made it into this month's ranking. (ReviewFinder requires a minimum of 2 endorsements to be included)
As of 24 Sep 2024, Sony WF-1000XM5 takes the cake as the most critically-acclaimed earbuds with 7 expert endorsements. 5 experts out of 7 recommended it as the '#1 earbuds' this month.
Brand breakdown
-
Sony: 6 earbuds
(#1 is Sony WF-1000XM5)
-
EarFun: 4 earbuds
(#1 is EarFun Air Pro 4)
-
JBL: 4 earbuds
(#1 is JBL Live Beam 3)
-
Apple: 3 earbuds
(#1 is Apple AirPods Pro 2)
-
Samsung: 3 earbuds
(#1 is Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro)
Price breakdown
At a glance - September Ranking
| Rank | Change | Price | Earbuds |
Forbes
|
Rtings.com
|
Wirecutter
|
Android Central
|
The Verge
|
Tom's Guide
|
Laptop Mag
|
What Hi-Fi
|
SoundGuys
|
TechRadar
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
- | $298 |
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.
|
3
|
1
|
-
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
-
|
1
|
1
|
-
|
|
2
|
- | $246 |
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.
|
8
|
8
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
5
|
2
|
7
|
2
|
6
|
|
3
|
+3 | $149 |
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
|
6
|
8
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
|
4
|
+7 | $145 |
Nothing Ear A
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
|
5
|
-2 | $200 |
Jabra Elite 10
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
|
6
|
-1 | $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
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
|
7
|
- | $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.
|
-
|
4
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
8
|
- | $199 |
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
|
-5 | $298 |
Technics EAH-AZ80
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
8
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
|
10
|
-1 | $74 |
OnePlus Buds 3
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
11
|
-1 | $140 |
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.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
7
|
-
|
11
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
12
|
- | 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.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
|
13
|
+5 | $146 |
Jabra Elite 8 Active
The Jabra Elite 8 Active True Wireless earbuds have received positive reviews for their sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, connectivity, and additional features, making them a versatile and high-quality option for various use cases.
|
6
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
14
|
New * | $90 |
EarFun Air Pro 4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
|
16
|
-2 | $198 |
Sony LinkBuds S
The Sony LinkBuds S are wireless earbuds with excellent active noise cancelling, a well-balanced sound signature, and a range of advanced features, making them a great choice for music lovers, professionals, and anyone who wants to stay connected on the go.
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
10
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
17
|
-2 | $189 |
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
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
|
18
|
-1 | $170 |
JBL Live Beam 3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
9
|
|
19
|
-3 | $209 |
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
20
|
New * | $119 |
Apple AirPods 4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
10
|
9
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
We ranked Sony WF-1000XM5 #1 in September 2024 because:
- 7 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
- Out of those, 5 experts ranked Sony WF-1000XM5 as #1.
Forbes
Best Wireless Earbuds For Sound
|
People who want very high-quality sound
Subscriber to Tidal or Spotify
|
You want to customize controls
You have larger ear canals
|
Rtings.com
Best Wireless Earbuds
|
Excellent overall noise isolation performance.
Well-built and stable fit
|
Not everyone will find their ear tips comfortable
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
SoundGuys
The Best / Editor's Choice
|
Excellent ANC and Isolation
Comfortable
SBC, AAC, and LDAC support
|
Price
Default sound too bassy
|
We ranked Apple AirPods Pro 2 #2 in September 2024 because:
- 8 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
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
|
Rtings.com
Best Earbuds For iOS
|
Great ANC performance.
Comfortable and premium design.
6-hour continuous battery life and four extra charges in the case
|
Bad passive soundstage.
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
SoundGuys
Best for iPhone
|
Effective ANC
Great sound quality
Great auto-wear detection
|
Many Apple-exclusive features
No way to customize the EQ without third-party app
|
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
|
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 September 2024 ranking
Forbes
Rtings.com
Wirecutter
Android Central
The Verge
Tom's Guide
Laptop Mag
What Hi-Fi
SoundGuys
TechRadar
We ranked Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro #3 in September 2024 because:
- 5 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
|
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
Hi-Res 24-bit is only from Samsung Galaxy phones
|
We ranked Nothing Ear A #4 in September 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Nothing Ear A as #1.
Forbes
Best Wireless Earbuds Overall
|
People who want the best combination of sound, battery life, control and ANC
People who want form and function in their earbuds
|
You want the absolute best in any particular category
|
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
|
We ranked Jabra Elite 10 #5 in September 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Jabra Elite 10 as #1.
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
Head tracking can affect battery life
|
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
|
SoundGuys
Best active noise cancelling / Editor's Choice
|
Outstanding ANC
Comfort
Wireless charging
|
Weird spike in the highs
Future updates uncertain
|
We ranked Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds #6 in September 2024 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
Forbes
Best Noise Canceling Wireless Earbuds
|
People who want the very best ANC
People who love immersive audio
|
You want wireless charging
You value battery life
|
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
|
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
|
We ranked Soundcore Space A40 #7 in September 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Soundcore Space A40 as #1.
Rtings.com
Best Lower Mid-Range Bluetooth Earbuds
|
Outstanding noise isolation performance.
Comfortable and well-built design.
Support multi-device pairing.
|
Lack stability fins and can pop out of your ear.
|
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
|
We ranked Beats Fit Pro #8 in September 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 September 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Technics EAH-AZ80 as #1.
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
|
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
|
We ranked OnePlus Buds 3 #10 in September 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
Forbes
Best Midrange Wireless Earbuds
|
Oneplus phone owners
People looking for solid midrange earbuds
|
You’re not fond of the earbud-and-stem design
You want wireless charging
|
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
|
We ranked Google Pixel Buds Pro #11 in September 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
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
|
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
|
We ranked Sony WF-C700N #12 in September 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
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
|
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
|
We ranked Jabra Elite 8 Active #13 in September 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
Forbes
Best Wireless Earbuds For Exercise
|
People who set out to utterly destroy their earbuds, but don't want to be able to do so.
People who work out
|
You don't treat your earbuds like a soccer ball
|
Rtings.com
Best Upper Mid-Range Bluetooth Earbuds
|
Sturdy build quality.
Outstanding noise isolation performance
|
High latency with PCs.
|
We ranked EarFun Air Pro 4 #14 in September 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
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
|
SoundGuys
Bang for your buck
|
Sound quality
Noise canceling
Bluetooth 5.4 with LDAC, aptX
|
ANC impacts sound quality
|
We ranked Sony LinkBuds S #15 in September 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
Rtings.com
Best Mid-Range Bluetooth Earbuds
|
Excellent noise isolation performance.
Supports multi-device pairing.
Over seven hours of continuous playback
|
Microphone isn't the most accurate sounding
|
Laptop Mag
Excellent wireless buds worthy of flagship recognition
|
Balanced, well-defined sound
Effective ANC
Terrific call quality
Small and comfy
Third-party app support and lots of features
|
Lacks the original’s innovative design
|
We ranked Bose QuietComfort II #16 in September 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
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
|
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
|
We ranked JBL Live Beam 3 #17 in September 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
SoundGuys
Best features / Editor's Choice
|
Sound quality
Features
Comfort
|
Somewhat weak ANC
Short nozzles can mean poor fit
|
TechRadar
The best wireless earbuds that go on and on
|
Very impressive audio
Screen is fun and can be useful
Excellent battery life
|
Somewhat weak spatial audio
ANC isn't as strong as class leaders
|
We ranked Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 #18 in September 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 Apple AirPods 4 #19 in September 2024 because:
- 2 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
|