Subj : The best earbuds I recommend for every budget, all TechRadar test (1/2) To : All From : TechnologyDaily Date : Tue Nov 25 2025 13:45:08 The best earbuds I recommend for every budget, all TechRadar tested Date: Tue, 25 Nov 2025 13:42:23 +0000 Description: My carefully considered pick of the best earbuds in the business including one or two new models you might not be familiar with. FULL STORY ====================================================================== Since I reluctantly hung up my dance shoes (and then enthusiastically became a full-time audio writer) in 2019, the best earbuds category has absolutely blown up production of the once truly niche 'open earbuds' category alone has gone up 400% in 2025. Despite having reviewed more than 170 audio products myself (do note that TechRadars legacy stretches much further back; our team has been testing earbuds since 2006 and weve tested more than 300 pairs to date) I can barely keep up with every box-fresh pair that lands on my desk in 2025, and I'm quite nippy. But I can tell you that the landscape has never been more varied, affordable, or competitive. And all of that is great for us, the music-lovers and kitchen dancers looking to buy a set. Know this: every set of earbuds in this guide has been through TechRadar's intense earbuds testing process and has received a fully star-rated review for you to peruse at length. I want you to have the best set that your budget can accommodate. Because, to paraphrase the opening line of one of my favorite musicals, the choosing of earbuds is a difficult matter I know wireless buds are oh-so-convenient, but because this is me I've also included a few standout wired models. I mean, maybe you're curious about the kind of hi-res audio that streaming sites such as Qobuz, Apple Music and Tidal offer and that Bluetooth connectivity still can't quite manage? I fully support that I welcome it, in fact. My current top pick in terms of wireless earbuds is the Technics EAH-AZ100 , offering unique triple-device multipoint (doesn't sound much, but soon becomes essential as you use them) and excellent audio quality. Or, in the budget category, for well under $100/100 the Nothing Ear (a) still stand out for their unbeatable value at the level (especially since the newer Ear (3) landed). In fact, if you're shopping on a tighter budget, head to my best budget wireless earbuds guide or take a look at my best cheap headphones roundup. Otherwise, keep reading. And above all, don't forget to dance while you listen if we're cutting the cord, we have to make the most of it. Read more Why you can trust TechRadar's choices All of the earbuds in this guide have been tested by TechRadar guided and assigned by me, Becky Scarrott , TechRadar's Audio Editor. I work with our Managing Editor for Entertainment, Matt Bolton , to craft our buying guides, and between us we have decades of combined experience in the audio tech industry. We worked with our expert reviewers on a process that combines objective and comparative testing, including ANC performance, clarity, and battery longevity, with the all-important subjective listening experience, because you can't judge how earbuds truly sound or feel based on numbers alone. The quick list Want to cut straight to the best earbuds around? You'll find a roundup of our top choices here. You can jump to a more in-depth write-up for each product, and see the latest deals on them. Best overall 1. Technics EAH-AZ100 The best earbuds overall Delivering detailed sound with triple-point connectivity and now an even smaller earpiece, Technics' follow up flagship earbuds somehow manage to better their superb initial effort no small feat. Highly recommended. Read more below Best budget 2. Nothing Ear (a) The best budget wireless earbuds Yes, they've recently been superseded by the Ear (3) but that just means they're now even cheaper. Think energetic, detailed sound quality and the best ANC I've heard for well under $100/100. Also, the design looks much pricier than it is. Read more below Best mid-range 3. Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 The best mid-range earbuds A solid pair of sleek buds that really put sound quality center stage, but back it up with great specs and effective ANC all for a surprisingly low price. Know this: you'll find exceptional sound-per-pound value here. Read more below Best for ANC 4. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) The best earbuds for noise cancellation Bose has always done active noise cancellation very well, and the newest version of these buds is as good as you can get for noise-nixing. They also boast excellent device-agnostic head-tracked immersive audio and lossless support. Read more below Best for Apple features 5. Apple AirPods Pro 3 The best earbuds for (Apple) features With hugely upgraded ANC, an on-board heart-rate monitor, live translation powered by Apple Intelligence and more, these are the most feature-packed earbuds you can buy as long as (and I really need you to note this) you use a newer iPhone. Read more below Best affordable audiophile buy 6. Soundpeats H3 The best affordable earbuds for audiophiles If you want excellent audio in a wireless design (I'm talking flagship audio codec support for entry-level money), these are those buds. The case is a bit big and the design is, well, quirky, but the sound quality is impossible to ignore. Read more below Load the next products Best for battery 7. JBL Live Beam 3 The best for battery life Up to 12 hours from just the buds or up to 48 hours (yes, two whole days!) in total is some serious stamina in earbuds. Oh, and there's also a smart screen on the case that you can put a photo on cute! Read more below Best for supreme sound 8. Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 The best earbuds for premium sound Expect a thoroughly high-end experience here, with delightful, detailed and dynamic sound, strong noise cancellation, and a comfortable fit for long listening sessions. Want earbuds that offer supreme pride in ownership? These are they. Read more below Best open earbuds 9. Huawei FreeArc The best open earbuds Open earbuds (as you might know) don't penetrate your ear canal, but these deliver unusually good sound to match those in-ear buds and with a greater awareness of what's around you. They're truly secure and very well-priced, too. Read more below Best wired buds 10. Meze Audio Alba The best wired earbuds These affordable wired IEMs offer impressive detail, strong bass, a comfortable fit and a classy build quality, all at a relatively affordable price. They're an ideal entry-level pick for audiophiles, and the best wired pair weve tested at the level. Read more below Best cheap USB-C buds 11. Skullcandy Set USB-C The best cheap USB-C wired buds A pair of wired buds that deliver comfortable listening, decent sound and a sleek design if you need budget wired buds, (perhaps a second pair for a coat pocket or digital audio player, for supreme USB-C passthrough) these are my go-to pick. Read more below The best earbuds of 2025 Below you'll find full write-ups for each of the best earbuds in our list. We've tested each one extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted. The best earbuds overall Image 1 of 4 (Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas) Image 2 of 4 (Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas) Image 3 of 4 (Image credit: Future) Image 4 of 4 (Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas) 1. Technics EAH-AZ100 The best earbuds for both sound and features Weight: 5.9g (earbuds); 42g (charging case) | Frequency response: 40-20,000Hz | Drivers: 10mm free-edge dynamic | Battery life: 12 hours (earbuds, ANC off); 17 hours (charging case) Assertive, balanced and truly convincing sound Extensive specification Excellent comfort and fit Noise-cancelling and battery life can still be beaten Distinct difference between ANC on and ANC off sound BUY THEM IF You need the best sound around: Like their older siblings, theres nothing artificial about the way the Technics EAH-AZ100 sound; they offer a convincingly detailed and dynamic listen whatever music we feed them. You want to switch between devices: Triple-point connectivity is a world-first in a product like this, and its brilliantly convenient DON'T BUY THEM IF You need earbuds that last long into the night: Even at its best, the battery life available here is nothing special, though it's not bad. You need the ultimate in ANC: There are many less-capable noise-cancelling earbuds, but if silence is imperative look to the Bose buds at #4 on this list . The 2025-issue Technics EAH-AZ100 buds feel premium (because they are), are packed with features, offer triple-point connectivity, a lovely small earpiece and a sound that really needs to be heard to be believed in a wireless design. In pretty much every aspect we tested, the Technics EAH-AZ100 made a rock-solid case for themselves, solidifying Technics' spot at the top of the wireless earbuds tree. They look excellent, their control options work flawlessly, comfort is impressive, and they sound engaging, exciting and thoroughly musical. From their thorough specification (which covers everything from adaptive ANC to Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity with LDAC compatibility) to a design that's smaller, lighter and yet somehow no less premium in look and feel to their slightly bigger EAH-AZ80 siblings, the Technics EAH-AZ100 are ready to do battle and for us, they win out in almost every respect. Unless you prefer stellar battery life or bubble-of-silence noise-cancellation over top-tier sound quality, the EAH-AZ100 are the real deal. One other thing of note while we're on the topic of noise cancelling: we'd advise keeping it switched on to get the best quality audio (and here we assure you, you won't be disappointed). Switch ANC off and the punchy, beautifully-handled low frequencies somehow lose a modicum of bite and substance somehow, which is why they didn't achieve the full five stars despite their considerable sonic talents, comfort and features. Read our full Technics EAH-AZ100 review Technics EAH-AZ100 Scorecard Attributes Notes Rating Sound quality Balanced, vibrant and detailed, but low frequencies do lose some substance with ANC off. 4.5/5 Fit & comfort Small, light and five ear tips ensure a perfect fit, you'll also find responsive voice and touch controls. 5/5 Value Premium buds through and through with tactile materials, let down only with ANC turned off, which isn't a deal-breaker. 4.5/5 ^ Back to the top The best budget earbuds Image 1 of 3 (Image credit: Future) Image 2 of 3 (Image credit: Future) Image 3 of 3 (Image credit: Future) 2. Nothing Ear (a) The best affordable earbuds Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: 4.7g per earbud | Frequency response: Not listed | Drivers: 11mm | Battery life: 5.5 hours (buds) 24.5 hours (case) Expensive, lively sound Good active noise cancellation Small case and great design No wireless charging Average battery life BUY THEM IF You want strong noise cancellation: At this price, this is the best noise-blocking power we've heard. You're serious about sound: These are a fun and responsive set of buds, with wireless hi-res support via LDAC as a bonus. DON'T BUY THEM IF You really want spatial audio: It's not here, but the similarly priced Sony WF-C710N will give it to you (well, those offer Sony 360 Reality support) You need a big battery life: The 5.5-hour battery with ANC is not very impressive the Sony earbuds mentioned above offer up to 7.5 hours. The Nothing Ear (a) rocketed the company from being an audio also-ran to 'these are the best value buds you can get for the price' and that goes double following reductions in price. As an added bonus, they're available in black, white or a fun yellow color too. They were our top mid-range pick here for a while, but they've since fallen in price, which means you can now find them for around $75/65 and sometimes even less. As I wrote in my review: "For the money, Nothing has tweaked its recipe to near perfection here" the sound is as detailed and agile as you could want from earbuds at this price, and is great fun to listen to. The noise cancellation is as good as I've tested for the price. You also get smart features such as wearer detection (to auto-pause them when you take them out), multi-point pairing for instant switching between devices, a Find My mode and LDAC higher-res support over Bluetooth. The only thing missing is device agnostic spatial audio, but that's hardly standard on very affordable buds even now, is it? The 5.5-hour battery life is the only element that's a tad below average, honestly, but I think we can totally live with that though if you want longer, look at the Sony WF-C710N . While I'm mentioning other buds, it's worth flagging that these have been superseded by the Nothing Ear (3). The newer set are very good (yes, I reviewed them too), but they're almost double the price. What I'm trying to say is that it's tough to justify the extra outlay when the Ear (a) the model you're looking at here exist. Read our full Nothing Ear (a) review Nothing Ear (a) Scorecard Attributes Notes Rating Sound quality As meaty, fun, zealous and accurate as this money buys even then they're excellent value. 4/5 Fit & comfort Extremely comfortable to wear in a small and pocketable design. They're also very fun and stylish to look at. 5/5 Value Solid sound-per-pound value here, especially considering you can now find them much cheaper than they were at launch. 5/5 ^ Back to the top The best mid-range earbuds Image 1 of 4 (Image credit: Future) Image 2 of 4 (Image credit: Future) Image 3 of 4 (Image credit: Future) Image 4 of 4 (Image credit: Future) 3. Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 The best mid-range earbuds Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: 4.7g per earbud | Frequency response: 20Hz - 20,000Hz | Drivers: 10mm Neodymium dynamic | Battery life (on-board): 6.5 hours (buds) 21 hours (case) Expressive, energetic and enjoyable sound Great specification at the price Effective noise cancellation Low frequencies aren't as well-handled as in pricier buds Plain design will be boring to some BUY THEM IF You use a high-quality audio source: With top-tier codec support and superb sound, the A100 will make your music sound excellent. You like a clean look: The slim, pocket-friendly case here wont bulk out your clothes sleek earbuds for a sleek outfit. DON'T BUY THEM IF You want all the extras: If you're after heart-rate monitoring or spatial audio, other earbuds offer more bells and whistles. You love bold colors: If black and white dont excite you, youll find more vibrant options elsewhere at a similar price. If you want energetic and enjoyable audio without spending a fortune, the Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 earbuds are well worth your time. They offer a rare mix of premium features, long battery life and clear, detailed sound, all at a mid-range price that feels like a steal. The Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 buds deliver impressive clarity and energy across the board and with support for high-end codecs LDAC and aptX Lossless. Theyre tuned with the kind of balance and layering only true audiophiles take the time to ensure (make no mistake, this is Cambridge's obsession), avoiding the bloated or muddied bass you can get at this level. While the low-end can occasionally feel slightly separate from the mids, the overall tuning is lively and musical, with sparkling highs and an open, expressive midrange. ANC is surprisingly capable too not quite Bose-level, but excellent for the price, and it offers an excellent backdrop for the sound. Battery life is another win here, offering up to 11 hours per charge with ANC off (a more-standard 6.5 hours with it on although still above average) and up to 39 hours total with the case. Fast charging via USB-C gives you over three hours of playback from a 10-minute top-up too, which is handy if you're always on the move. Design-wise, they're not winning any originality awards but the A100 have that stem-style shape and keep things clean and compact. Theyre light, comfortable and secure in the ear, with IPX5 water resistance for workouts and rain showers. The slim charging case is easy to slip into a pocket, though the buds can be slightly fiddly to remove from it. Touch controls are responsive, and Cambridges Melomania app adds lots of personalization including custom EQ presets and ANC levels. One standout detail is the option to have voice feedback delivered by the actor Matt Berry. Its niche, sure, but very fun if youre a fan. If you want smart, great-sounding earbuds with standout value, the Melomania A100 are some of the best around at this mid-range price. Theyre not feature-stuffed like some fitness-focused rivals, and you wont get flashy color options, but when it comes to pure audio quality and thoughtful design, they punch well above their price tag. Read our full Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 review Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 Scorecard Attributes Notes Rating Sound quality Expect stunning clarity for the money here easily thebest at the level by some degree, with support for high-end codecs, too. 4.5/5 Fit & comfort Solid, ergonomic, thoughtfully made with a selection of ear tips for a reliable fit and a choice of black or white designs. 5/5 Value The best sound-per-pound wireless design on the market at this mid-range price. 5/5 ^ Back to the top The best earbuds for noise cancellation Image 1 of 6 (Image credit: Future) Image 2 of 6 (Image credit: Future) Image 3 of 6 (Image credit: Future) Image 4 of 6 (Image credit: Future) Image 5 of 6 (Image credit: Future) Image 6 of 6 (Image credit: Future) 4. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2nd Gen The best earbuds for stopping outside sounds Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: 7.7g per earbud | Frequency response: Not specified | Drivers: 9.3mm dynamic | Battery life: 6 hours (buds) 24 hours total (with case) Bose's noise cancellation is still top of the class Tailored immersive profiles add value Excellent device agnostic spatial audio with head tracking Earbuds are still a touch big No guided hearing tests EQ tweaks limited to three tabs BUY THEM IF You want best-in-class ANC: They deliver the most impressive bubble-of-silence noise cancellation weve heard in earbuds even better than the previous model. You enjoy head-tracked, immersive audio: Choose between fixed or moving spatial sound, paired with your preferred ANC level, for a truly tailored listening experience. DON'T BUY THEM IF You already own the Ultras: If wireless charging, a new color, and a slight ANC upgrade dont excite you then you can skip this refresh. You need long battery life: Battery performance is fine, but rivals like the Technics EAH-AZ100 at the top of this list last significantly longer. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2) are my pick for the best noise-cancelling earbuds in this guide, and for good reason. They take the place of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds that came before them and although they perhaps don't add enough to justify an upgrade if you do already have the originals, for everyone else the second iteration is a much better proposition. So let's start with the ANC, because these buds are great in other ways, but it's the bubble-of-silence ANC that truly sets them apart from the rest. It really is best-in-class particularly on Android (Apple's newest AirPods Pro 3 are excellent in this department too and even add a fair few features, but only if you're a newer iPhone owner). Rivals at this level might come close, but can't beat them on ANC alone. There are also different ANC 'modes' to choose from. The same level of battery life is carried over from the originals, which is 6 hours from the buds and 24 hours from the case. However, Bose adds wireless charging this time, as well as a new deep plum colorway. These buds deliver fantastic audio. In my review, I noted that they're particularly suited to music lovers who want zealous, powerful audio quality the kind of tuning that delivers an emotional listen. There are also excellent mics for call handling and another top selling point is the immersive, head-tracked audio. You get to choose whether you want your own personal surround-sound performance fixed or moving, and in conjunction with whatever level of ANC you want. They do miss a few features though, including LDAC support. Design-wise, they're very similar-looking to the older model. One key difference is an 'embedded ear wax guard', which prevents any of the stuff produced naturally by our ears finding its way beyond the casework and into the driver housings. During testing, I didn't have an issue with this, or the fit and comfort; they were stable enough to shake my head, run, go upside down in an aerial silks class and a fit test ensures you get the best fit and seal so that ANC performs at its best. Then again, the earpieces are still on the larger side, so worth noting if you've got very small ears (and my guide to the best earbuds for small ears is worth a look there) . They're certainly not cheap, but then we'd never expect a bargain from Bose, especially with noise-nixing this good. Having said that, they might be expensive but they are excellent value if ANC is your top priority. They genuinely cannot be beaten. Read our full Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2) review Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2) Scorecard Attributes Notes Rating Sound quality Immersive audio is wildly fun and engaging but even with all profiles off, the sound is zealous and powerful. 5/5 Fit & comfort Maybe a little bulky for some still, but there's a good fit test and we found them to be secure and comfortable during testing. 4.5/5 Value For ANC, they're excellent value as it's best-in-class here. But they're not exactly cheap. 4.5/5 ^ Back to the top The best earbuds for Apple features Image 1 of 6 (Image credit: Future) Image 2 of 6 (Image credit: Future) Image 3 of 6 (Image credit: Future) Image 4 of 6 (Image credit: Future) Image 5 of 6 (Image credit: Future) Image 6 of 6 (Image credit: Future) 5. Apple AirPods Pro 3 The best earbuds if you're all-in on Apple Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: 5.6g | Frequency response: Not listed | Drivers: Custom Apple design | Battery life : 8 hours (buds, ANC on); 6.5 hours (buds, heart rate sensor on); 24 hours (case) Fantastic active noise cancellation More comfortable and secure Heart rate monitor Average battery life No case button Live translation not easy to set-up BUY THEM IF You're into fitness: They track your heart rate, you can ask Siri about your workout and you get Apple's Fitness+ for free if you're not subscribed already. You want the quietest possible experience: If you've got an iPhone and you want that incredible 'bubble of silence' ANC experience, it doesn't get better than this. DON'T BUY THEM IF You use Android: Yes, they're packed with features. But step outside of the Apple ecosystem and many of those great features vanish. You want all-day listening: Battery life here is fine. But even though it's improved over the Pro 2 buds, rivals still go further. The Apple AirPods Pro 3 are truly excellent earbuds and the best choice for Apple fans, provided they've a) got the money, and b) got a new Apple Intelligence-supporting iPhone. Active noise cancellation is one of their standout features. The Pro 2 were already great, but ANC has been boosted here to deliver double the bubble of silence, that is. As I said in my in-depth review, they're "almost scarily good at sucking the noise out of your ear", but without the vacuum effect some solutions fall foul of. They also include a built-in heart rate monitor, which is great news for fitness fans, plus live translation via Apple Intelligence (again, on newer iPhones) that is extremely useful and quick once you've got it set up correctly. As always with Apple's audio tech, you'll need to use them with an iPhone to unlock everything as Apple wants it. Pair them with anything else and you'll be limited to the basics. Like the Pro 2, battery life is fine (and it is improved here), but can be beaten by rivals in this list. You'll now get up to eight hours with ANC on, dropping to around 6.5 hours with heat-rate tracking. The case is a tiny bit bigger than the previous version and, annoyingly for some, loses the handy reset button you now have to double-tap the front of the case to do this, which isn't as easy as it sounds. But both buds and case now have an IP57 rating for better durability, which is both unusual and commendable. Audio performance is frankly fantastic, with an expansive, exuberant soundstage and beautifully textured, three-dimensional vocals. And Apple's own brand of head-tracked Spatial Audio remains one of the company's most impressive tricks especially with movies. Granted, they're not the last word in detail and neutrality, but that's not the point. The AirPods Pro 3 are the perfect choice for iPhone users who want the full Apple feature set and will actually use it, although the AirPods Pro 2 are still well worth considering. With the Pro 3 now out, you can expect some tempting discounts during upcoming sales events. Read our full Apple AirPods Pro 3 review Apple AirPods Pro 3 Scorecard Attributes Notes Rating Sound quality Awesome sound quality here. It's zealous and powerful. Immersive audio is backed by exceptional ANC, 4.5/5 Fit & comfort A functional, easy-to-use shape that's been tweaked over previous versions. There are extra ear tips, making them a solid choice for smaller ears. 4.5/5 Value Packed with high-end features and ANC is the best you'll find for iPhone though you will need to be locked into the Apple ecosystem. 4.5/5 ^ Back to the top The best affordable earbuds for audiophiles Image 1 of 6 (Image credit: Future) Image 2 of 6 (Image credit: Future) Image 3 of 6 (Image credit: Future) Image 4 of 6 (Image credit: Future) Image 5 of 6 (Image credit: Future) Image 6 of 6 (Image credit: Future) 6. Soundpeats H3 The best affordable earbuds for audiophiles Weight: 6g (buds) 53g (case) | Frequency response: Not specified | Drivers: 12mm + dual balanced armatures | Battery life: 7 hours (buds); 37 hours (case) Fantastic sound Comfortable and sturdy fit Stylish design Bulky carry case Weak Transparency mode Some connectivity issues BUY THEM IF You like stemless earbuds: We're sometimes cautious about stemless designs as you can struggle to get a stable fit. But they're secure and comfortable. You want spacious, detailed audio: Audio is excellent here. If you love crisp, balanced sound over bass-heavy tuning, then these will impress. DON'T BUY THEM IF You want class-leading ANC: ANC is fine here, but not fantastic. Other buds in this price range will do a better job at shutting out the world. You like a great companion app: It isn't terrible, but if you like to tweak settings and use in-depth features, it might feel a little limited for you. The Soundpeats H3 look and sound like earbuds twice their price, making them a seriously competitive mid-range option for audiophiles. Despite a few minor drawbacks in design and some app hiccups, these buds impressed us enough that their sound is impossible to ignore. What sets them apart is all there, in the specs list. Each bud houses three drivers (Apples AirPods, for example, only have one), allowing them to handle the full audio spectrum with impressive balance and precision. The result is vivid, detailed sound with a wide, spacious soundstage and support for a range of high-quality audio codecs. Many affordable buds exaggerate the bass and sacrifice clarity, but not these. For the price, the audio quality really is outstanding. The Soundpeats H3 buds are small, lightweight and have a distinctive stemless design that fits comfortably and securely, which isnt always easy with a stemless shape. They also look more premium than youd expect at this price point. There are some trade-offs though, like a modest IPX5 water-resistance rating and a rather bulky charging case that wont fit easily in your pocket. A few problems do stop them from being must-buys for everyone. Battery life is only average at 7 hours and only 5 hours with ANC on. The same goes for ANC. Its fine but middling and transparency mode also didnt perform as well as expected. We also ran into occasional connectivity issues with the app. These didnt affect the sound itself but made accessing extra features less seamless than it could have been. But the positives far outweigh the negatives. The H3 buds may not pack in every feature but their audio performance more than makes up for that. They deliver rich and articulate sound that genuinely stands out from most same-priced competitors. All at around half the price of other audiophile-grade buds, which is really saying something. These are among the best affordable earbuds weve tested all year. Read our full Soundpeats H3 review Soundpeats H3 Scorecard Attributes Notes Rating Sound quality The specs list doesn't lie, these buds deliver a lovely, neutral sound and support a range of codecs. 4/5 Fit & comfort Great-looking and lightweight buds in a stemless design. It's a shame the case is a bit big, though. 4.5/5 Value They're not the cheapest, but they're a lot more affordable than most other equally excellent-sounding buds at this level. 4/5 ^ Back to the top The best for battery Image 1 of 3 (Image credit: Future) Image 2 of 3 (Image credit: Peter Hoffmann) Image 3 of 3 (Image credit: Peter Hoffmann) 7. JBL Live Beam 3 Screen time, and the battery lasts a long time Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: 5g per earbud | Frequency response: 20Hz - 40kHz | Drivers: 10mm Dynamic | Battery life: 12 hours (buds) up to 48 hour total Vastly improved audio Screen does more including lock-screen images Excellent battery life Somewhat weak spatial audio profiles ANC is good, but beaten by class-leaders BUY THEM IF You take long road trips: The class-leading maximum battery life of 48 hours is akin to two whole days of playback. During testing, these claims proved genuine too (and the case doesn't drain it!) You like to wear your heart on your sleeve: You can upload a photo of your beloved right there on the case and when you open the box, it flips the other way up so everyone will still see it properly too. DON'T BUY THEM IF You want top-tier spatial audio: There are three immersive profiles here (movies, music and gaming), but, sadly, each one is a shade off a fully immersive, Dolby Atmos-type presentation You desire comprehensive on-ear functionality: Here, you have to select two out of three options for on-ear controls volume, playback and ANC. You can't have all three. Here's a feature that no other option within this list offers: a color touchscreen screen on the case. It's a lot of fun you can select a lock-screen wallpaper from any of the photos on your smartphone, and the image even flips so it stays the right way up when you snap open the case but that isn't why the JBL Live Beam 3 are in this roundup. No, the real star here, aside from the vastly improved audio quality over the older and slightly disappointing JBL Tour Pro 2 , is the stamina. The battery life is nothing short of excellent at up to 12 hours from the earbuds alone, minus noise cancellation, or 10 hours with it engaged (and nearer nine with adaptive ANC on). On that note, I also reviewed the newer JBL Tour Pro 3 , but for me, the upgrades didn't warrant the price hike, which is why the Live Beam 3 are still my top pick for battery. The case also delivers three further charges I've tested it and the screen doesn't drain it taking your total audio playback time up to a class-leading 48 hours. To put that into perspective, Apple's priciest Pro-suffixed AirPods offer 5.5 hours with its top-tier Spatial Audio deployed, or a maximum of 30 hours including the case. Big difference in those figures, no? The JBL Live Beam 3 also boast great value when it comes to the feature set, including a few novel bits and pieces you don't find elsewhere including "Personi-Fi", which is basically hearing test of each ear to better tailor the sound to your liking. OK, the spatial audio profiles aren't going to knock your socks off. JBL has offered a total of three immersive soundscapes for music, movies and games, but if you're imagining sonic articles darting past you in a three-dimensional space you'll be disappointed. Also the ANC is good rather than excellent and the on-ear controls work well but involve a compromise. Look past these minor snafus and you'll find the fit is great, the battery is seemingly never-ending and, honestly, the sound is refreshingly good for bass and detail. View the screen as a lovely extra for the money and you won't go far wrong. Read our full JBL Live Beam 3 review JBL Live Beam 3 Scorecard Attributes Notes Rating Sound quality Expect big, exuberant sound that also boasts a lot of detail. 4.5/5 Fit & comfort They're comfortable to wear though some may find they do fit far into your ear. 4/5 Value The features and audio here are good for the price, but that excellent battery life makes them even more worth it. 5/5 ^ Back to the top The best earbuds for supreme sound Image 1 of 3 (Image credit: Future) Image 2 of 3 (Image credit: Future) Image 3 of 3 (Image credit: Future) 8. Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 The best earbuds for audiophiles Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: 7g per earbud | Frequency response: Not specified | Drivers: 12mm carbon cone | Battery life (on-board): Up to 6.5 hrs (buds), up to 20hr total Incredible levels of detail and dynamism Good comfort for audiophile buds Effective noise cancellation Lacks fit test No spatial audio Battery life is average BUY THEM IF Audio quality is important to you: Wonderful sound with great noise cancellation; if you want one of the best listening experiences from a pair of buds, you'll find it here. You want good travel buds: You can connect the case to any wired source, including in-flight movie systems, and it beams the sound to the buds. Convenient! DON'T BUY THEM IF You'd like to try spatial audio: The sound here is fantastic, but there's no spatial audio. If you've been keen to try it, look elsewhere. You want lots of on-ear controls: You'll have to decide if you want on-ear volume control or access to ANC options, not both. Looking for the closest you'll get to sonic excellence in a pair of true wireless earbuds with the key mod cons? Meet the exceptionally accomplished Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 buds. Let's begin with the sound, which is outstanding. In every conceivable way, including musicality, balance and dynamic nuance, you're getting best-in-class audio. As you'd expect, higher quality streams from the likes of Qobuz and Apple Music sounded exceptional, but I rate these B&W buds for making the most of every music source they can get. In my review, I wrote: "everything was served up with a flourish" whether that was high-res audio files or Spotify tracks. Noise cancellation is at the same impeccably high standard. As I said upon reviewing them: "That cocooned feeling of leaving the outside world behind kicked straight in but without any sense of wind-tunnel nausea or my eardrums being unceremoniously sucked into a vacuum." This is thanks to B&W's accomplished audio tech, as well as an incredibly snug and comfortable fit, creating the perfect seal for the ANC to work its magic. Another nice added feature is that the charging case can double as a wireless audio re-transmitter in aptX Adaptive transmission (up to 24-bit/96kHz quality). What this means is you can plug it into a non-Bluetooth source (most usefully an in-flight entertainment system) and the audio will be transmitted to the buds. This makes them an excellent choice for long flights. The buds are available in several color options, all with a premium matte plastic finish that, as I said at the time, "seems to murmur 'I'm expensive' when you pluck them from their small, pebble-shaped case." As well as looking delightful, they're among the most comfortable buds I've ever tested. This is down to B&W putting in considerable efforts into this particular redesign, and the result is buds that have very well distributed weight and require zero twisting or adjusting this is extremely rare, even among the best buds I've trialled. These buds are incredibly close to perfect. Battery life is a little average at 6.5 hours from the buds and a further 13.5 hours from the case, but it's a worthy sacrifice for everything else you get here. Which is excellent, high-quality audio in a comfortable and premium build. If audio quality is your top priority and you've got some cash to invest, these are the buds for you. Read our full Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 review Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 Scorecard Attributes Notes Rating Sound quality Genuinely some of the best sound we've ever heard from wireless buds impossible to beat. 5/5 Fit & comfort A very comfortable fit that didn't require any twisting or faffing, at least in our experience. 5/5 Value You don't get all of the bells and whistles, like hearing tests, but if sound is your priority, which it should be, the value here is great. 4.5/5 ^ Back to the top The best open earbuds Image 1 of 5 (Image credit: Future) Image 2 of 5 (Image credit: Future) Image 3 of 5 (Image credit: Future) Image 4 of 5 (Image credit: Future) Image 5 of 5 (Image credit: Future) 9. Huawei FreeArc The best open earbuds Acoustic design: Open | Weight: 8.9g / Charging case: 67g | Frequency response: 20Hz-20KHz | Drivers: 17mm X 12mm | Battery life: 7 hours (earbuds), 23 hours (total) Top-tier sound for open earbuds Great quality for the price Comfortable fit Installing app on Android is awkward Middling battery life Would benefit from ANC BUY THEM IF You don't want to be cut off from the outside world: Open earbuds don't isolate you from sounds around you, so they keep you more aware while delivering the music. You want rich sound quality too: The reason we like these open earbuds in particular is how deep and energetic the sound is you don't feel like the open design is holding them back for audio quality. DON'T BUY THEM IF You're on Android and aren't tech savvy: You have to sideload the app on most Android phones, which is a bit of a pain. No problem on iPhone or Huawei phones, though (and you can use them without the app). You listen in loud environments: With no ANC and no passive sound isolation, their flip side of the coin to their awareness is that they can't be overwhelmed by outside sounds. Open earbuds have become incredibly popular recently and that's why I've included this set. No roundup is complete, in my eyes, without an open-fit option. And in a fast-growing market packed with compromises, the Huawei FreeArc manage to stand out as the best-sounding open earbuds. My colleague Tom Bedford tested these (I can't review every single set that crosses our desk, but I did listen to them alongside his review), and during the review process he often told me he forgot he was wearing open earbuds which is no small achievement considering how tricky it is to deliver rich, dynamic audio without the in-ear seal youll find from most other buds in this guide. The soundstage here is surprisingly wide for open buds, especially when it comes to depth and clarity. Music sounds crisp and full of energy, particularly in quiet settings, where you can properly appreciate the tuning and detail. It genuinely surprised us how immersive the experience was during our testing. At times, we forgot we were listening to open earbuds entirely, which is just about the highest compliment we can give. These buds also get high marks for comfort and security. Open designs can be fiddly, but the FreeArc buds sit snugly just outside the ear canal and barely moved during workouts when we tested them. The buds themselves are IP57-rated, which means theyll handle rain, dust, and sweat without trouble although the charging case doesnt share that durability. And while the 7 hours of battery life per charge is solid, the 23 hour total with the case is a little underwhelming compared to some rivals. There are a few other caveats. If you have an Android phone, installing the companion app can be frustrating because you have to sideload it. And while these earbuds sound excellent, they dont offer ANC, which some competitors are starting to include even in open designs. That means noisy environments can drown out the audio a bit it's a trade-off. Even so, these are minor complaints for this money (and sound quality in an open design). Given the sonic talents, comfort and price, the Huawei FreeArc easily earn their place as our top open earbud pick. Read our full Huawei FreeArc review Huawei FreeArc Scorecard Attributes Notes Rating Sound quality The best-sounding open earbuds we've had the pleasure of testing so far. A great soundstage, though some rivals now do ANC. 5/5 Fit & comfort Designed to be lightweight and comfortable, whether you're just walking or working out. 4/5 Value Great sound, especially for an open design, at a decent price point. 4.5/5 ^ Back to the top The best wired earbuds Image 1 of 5 (Image credit: Future) Image 2 of 5 (Image credit: Future) Image 3 of 5 (Image credit: Future) Image 4 of 5 (Image credit: Future) Image 5 of 5 (Image credit: Future) 10. Meze Audio Alba The best wired earbuds for most people Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: 14g | Frequency response: 15 Hz-25 kHz | Drivers: 10.8mm dynamic | Battery life: N/A Lush sound quality Excellent build and design Fantastic bass response Cable a bit prone to tangling No in-line controls Treble can get edgy BUY THEM IF You want audiophile sound without the price tag: You're getting premium quality audio here at an impressively accessible price. You appreciate a cool-looking design: The combination of zinc alloy and anodized aluminium gives them a refined, high-end finish. DON'T BUY THEM IF You want in-line controls or a built-in mic: The lack of on-cable controls is annoying. But it is detachable so you could replace it for another. You hate tangled cables: The cable here is a little prone to knots. The Meze Audio Alba are an exemplary set of affordable IEMS, offering clear, revealing sound, a comfortable fit and stunning looks. If youre looking for a pair of wired buds that won't break the bank (you may be aware that audiophile-grade, multi-driver IEMs can sell for thousands, but I didn't think it prudent to add those here) you may have just found them. Just in case I haven't hammered the point home enough, sound quality is where the Meze Audio Alba really shine. Expect crisp, detailed audio across the frequency range with just a touch of warmth in the bass, impressive separation, and a surprisingly wide soundstage. Treble can sound just a little sharp when you push up the volume (with our audiophile hats on) but overall, they deliver a dynamic, engaging listening thatll keep you hooked for hours. The buds are lightweight and fit snugly, creating a great seal. They have a high-end build made from zinc alloy and anodized aluminium. Apparently they take inspiration from the lustre of a pearl and they do feel far more luxurious than their price tag would suggest. The cable is braided and looks and feels premium too, though it is prone to occasional tangling and lacks in-line controls. The good news is its detachable, so you can upgrade or replace it if you need to. Connectivity is excellent. You get both a 3.5mm jack and a custom USB-C adapter with a built-in DAC and AMP for high-res listening on the move. Theres even an LED indicator to confirm your connection, though theres no 4.4mm adapter in the box. You wont get ANC here, but the strong passive isolation does a great job at muting background noise. Even at moderate volumes youll stay immersed in your music. All in all, the Meze Audio Alba are a great entry point into the audiophile SEEN-BY: 1/100 3/100 102 103 104 105 106 108 113 115 119 123 127 129 130 132 SEEN-BY: 3/135 137 138 140 142 145 146 147 150 151 152 156 157 159 160 163 164 SEEN-BY: 3/165 170 172 174 175 176 177 178 180 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 SEEN-BY: 3/190 191 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 209 SEEN-BY: 3/210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 .