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
-
Sony: 6 earbuds
(#1 is Sony WF-1000XM5)
-
Jabra: 3 earbuds
(#1 is Jabra Elite 3)
-
EarFun: 3 earbuds
(#1 is Earfun Air)
-
Apple: 2 earbuds
(#1 is Apple AirPods Pro 2)
-
Samsung: 2 earbuds
(#1 is Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro)
Price breakdown
At a glance - November Ranking
| 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
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
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.
SoundGuys
The best pair of wireless earbuds for most
|
Excellent ANC and Isolation
Comfortable
360 Reality Audio
|
Cost
Default sound too bassy
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
We ranked Apple AirPods Pro 2 #2 in November 2023 because:
- 8 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
Wirecutter
Laptop Mag
Forbes
Rtings.com
SoundGuys
The Verge
TechRadar
Tom's Guide
Android Central
What Hi-Fi
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.
Laptop Mag
The best wireless earbuds overall
|
Remarkable sound quality
Super-powerful ANC
Strong battery life
Cool intelligible features
Luxe design
|
Unreliable fit
|
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
|
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
|
We ranked Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro #4 in November 2023 because:
- 6 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
We ranked Beats Fit Pro #5 in November 2023 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
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
|
TechRadar
Best wireless earbuds for exercise
|
Spatial audio on Apple Music
Better battery life
Very stable fit
|
ANC could be stronger
No wireless charging
|
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
|
We ranked Google Pixel Buds Pro #6 in November 2023 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
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
|
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
|
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.
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 Bose QuietComfort II #8 in November 2023 because:
- 4 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
|
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
|
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
|
We ranked Sony WF-C700N #9 in November 2023 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
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
|
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
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
|
We ranked Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds #10 in November 2023 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
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
|
We ranked Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 #11 in November 2023 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
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
|
We ranked Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 #12 in November 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
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
|
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
|
We ranked JLab Go Air Pop #13 in November 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
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
|
We ranked Sennheiser CX Plus #14 in November 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
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
|
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
|
We ranked Nothing Ear 2 #15 in November 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
We ranked Apple AirPods 3 #16 in November 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless earbuds” rankings.
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
|