What are the best wireless earbuds?
A comprehensive comparison of the top true wireless earbuds available in 2025, evaluating sound quality, noise cancellation, battery life, comfort, features, and value.
The Technics EAH-AZ100 takes the top spot with its exceptional magnetic fluid drivers delivering reference-class sound quality, outstanding 10+ hour battery life, and excellent 3-way multipoint connectivity. For Apple users, the AirPods Pro 3 is the clear winner with unmatched ecosystem integration, health features, and improved ANC. Budget-conscious buyers should consider the Sony WF-C710N, which delivers premium-level ANC and sound at half the price of flagship competitors.
Pros
- PRO
Outstanding Battery Life.
At 10+ hours with ANC enabled, these offer class-leading battery life that easily lasts through long flights or full workdays.
- PRO
Premium Codec Support.
Full support for LDAC and LC3 codecs ensures high-resolution audio streaming from compatible devices.
- PRO
Reference-Class Sound.
The magnetic fluid drivers deliver exceptionally clean, well-separated audio with outstanding transient response and detail retrieval that rivals wired audiophile monitors.
- PRO
3-Way Multipoint Connectivity.
Seamlessly switch between three Bluetooth devices simultaneously—a feature most competitors limit to two devices.
Cons
- CON
Premium Price Point.
At $299, these compete with other flagship options but may be expensive for casual listeners who will not fully appreciate the audiophile-grade sound.
- CON
Limited Brand Recognition.
Technics is well-known among audio enthusiasts but lacks the mainstream recognition of Sony, Apple, or Bose.
Pros
- PRO
Exceptional Apple Integration.
Seamless pairing and switching across all Apple devices, with features like Find My, Announce Notifications, and Siri integration that Android alternatives cannot match.
- PRO
Revolutionary Health Features.
Built-in heart rate monitoring, workout tracking for 50+ activities, and FDA-approved hearing aid functionality make these the most health-focused earbuds available.
- PRO
Best-in-Class ANC for Apple.
Removes up to 2x more noise than AirPods Pro 2 and 4x more than the original AirPods Pro, rivaling dedicated ANC specialists.
Cons
- CON
Limited Codec Support.
Only supports AAC and SBC codecs—no LDAC or aptX means Android users miss out on high-resolution Bluetooth audio.
- CON
Apple Ecosystem Required.
Many premium features only work with Apple devices, making these a poor value proposition for Android users.
Pros
- PRO
Industry-Leading ANC.
The dual-processor setup (V2 + QN2e) delivers some of the most effective noise cancellation available, excelling at blocking both low-frequency rumble and mid-range chatter.
- PRO
Excellent Sound Quality.
The 8.4mm Dynamic Driver X units deliver expansive frequency response from 20Hz to 40kHz with detailed, musical sound that pleases audiophiles.
- PRO
LDAC High-Resolution Audio.
Sony LDAC codec enables up to 990kbps transmission for near-CD quality wireless audio from compatible Android devices.
Cons
- CON
Premium Price.
At $299, these command flagship pricing that may be hard to justify when budget alternatives offer 85% of the performance.
- CON
No LC3/LE Audio Support.
Despite Bluetooth 5.3, these lack next-gen LE Audio codec support that newer competitors offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Technics EAH-AZ100 leads with 10 hours of playback with ANC enabled and 28 hours total with the case. The Nothing Ear offers up to 40.5 hours total (ANC off), while the JBL Tour Pro 3 provides 8 hours per charge with 32 hours total. Budget-friendly Sony WF-C710N delivers impressive 8.5 hours with ANC and 30 hours total.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) lead with 96% noise attenuation, making them ideal for flights and noisy environments. Sony WF-1000XM5 follows closely with its dual-processor ANC system. Apple AirPods Pro 3 removes 2x more noise than its predecessor. For budget ANC, the Sony WF-C710N delivers 85% noise reduction at a fraction of flagship prices.
It depends on your priorities. Flagship earbuds like the Technics EAH-AZ100 ($299) offer audiophile-grade sound quality and premium features. However, budget options like the Sony WF-C710N ($119) deliver 85% of the noise cancellation performance at 40% of the price. Consider your use case: casual listeners may find budget options sufficient, while music enthusiasts and frequent travelers benefit from premium features.
Apple AirPods Pro 3 offers the best iPhone experience with seamless ecosystem integration, automatic switching between devices, Find My support, and exclusive health features like heart rate monitoring and FDA-approved hearing aid functionality. However, they only support AAC codec. For iPhone users wanting better sound, the Technics EAH-AZ100 or Sony WF-1000XM5 work well via AAC while offering superior audio quality.
For hi-res audio: Technics EAH-AZ100 supports LDAC and LC3; Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 offers aptX Lossless and LC3; Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 provides aptX Lossless at up to 1Mbps; Nothing Ear supports both LDAC and LHDC. Apple AirPods Pro 3 and Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro are limited to AAC/SBC and Samsung SSC respectively.