The Best Wireless Earbuds, Tested by Experts (2025)

Our best pick overall for wireless earbuds goes to a brand that isn’t as well-known as AirPods, Bose, or JBL: Nothing. Don’t let the brand name fool you, though, the Nothing Ear (a) wireless earbuds have quite a lot of things going for it; they provide quality sound, a sleek design, and an impressive battery life all for around $100, provided they’re on sale on Amazon.

GGR editorial member Nicole Davis, CPT, PN1-NC, had her husband Rob try out these earbuds, who is a fan. “These are nice headphones–they rival my old AirPod Pros,” Rob says.”They’re really solid—I appreciate the battery life and they also look really cool.”

Speaking of their look, they do have a nice aesthetic, particularly with the clear case. The earbuds also have nice accents with clear plastic, and while the color choices are few, they’re bold: black, white, or yellow. Rob appreciates the comfort and fit, who is usually picky about the silicone tips of earbuds. Nevertheless, he liked the feel of these earbuds, rating the design and ergonomics a 5 out of 5.

The functionality of controls isn’t as intuitive as other earbuds Rob has used, however. “I have a hard time using the earbuds to control phone functions,” he explains, “ like tapping the bud to answer a call or skip ahead on a playlist. You have to pinch to control the function, so it’s not as easy as other earbuds I’ve used.” While the quality is decent, Rob also says the sound doesn’t get as loud as other earbuds, rating the performance a 4 out of 5.

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The Nothing Ear (a) boasts a battery life of 9.5 hours on a single charge; however, Nicole mentions, “Rob usually keeps an earbud in his ear for most of the day for work and says that they easily last two days before needing a charge.” That’s impressive, especially considering that the carrying case holds extra battery charge, meaning you can stretch the battery life to over 42 hours.

Along with active noise cancellation, clear voice technology that boosts phone call quality, and even ChatGPT integration through the Nothing X app, these earbuds are also sweat- and dust-resistant, meaning these wireless earbuds pack a ton of value for a competitive price.

Many of the best wireless earbuds can get expensive, costing a couple hundred dollars or more. If you’re not looking to shell out all your money, then we recommend the JLab Go Air Sport wireless earbuds. These budget-friendly earbuds have limited features compared to other picks on our list, but beat them all in price, with most colorways costing less than $30. That earns them a 5 out of 5 for price and value.

For being so inexpensive, these earbuds come in seven different colorways and possess a sharp, sleek look and fit, even with their over-the-ear hooks. “I appreciate the over-the-ear hook style; it helps preserve the bud’s lockdown during movement,” says product tester and GGR senior staff writer Ben Emminger, NASM-CNC, NASM-CSNC. 

He rates the design and ergonomics a 4.5 out of 5, taking a half point off for fear of the ear hooks feeling a bit too constricting on larger ears. “There is some flexibility with the material, but those with larger ears may feel some unwanted compression,” Ben adds.

The battery life is decent at about 8 hours, but it’s not the best on the market. Considering its price, however, it’s a nice battery life. “I’d train with the earbuds in for no more than three hours at a time, and had no trouble with the batteries,” says Ben, who rates the battery a 4 out of 5. If you’re ever in a pinch, the carrying case can add another 24 hours of battery life, for up to 32 hours total before needing to charge again.

The Bluetooth connection was a bit of a struggle according to Ben, who rates the connectivity a 3 out of 5. His initial pair of Go Air Sport earbuds would only connect to the right bud, leaving the left bud essentially useless. He got a replacement pair, but the problem still persists, albeit less frequent.

Features are limited with the JLab Go Air Sport; there’s no noise cancellation, and there are three preset EQ settings, but no custom equalization settings. Still, for its price, it’ll likely do for anyone looking for budget home gym equipment and accessories.

If you’re wanting a nice pair of earbuds to take on your next run—or workout for that matter—the HAKII Action Workout Wireless Earbuds are definitely worth your consideration. They have a comfortable fit with ear hooks and provide powerful sweat and water-resistance, earning a 5 out of 5 for the materials and durability.

Former GGR editorial member and certified personal trainer Lauren Strong tested out the HAKII earbuds and loved the high water resistance. “You can’t swim with these, but they can be underwater temporarily,” she explains. “I think this is a great bonus for sweating during your workout, running in the rain, or even cleaning around the house.”

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With up to 9 hours of battery life on a single charge—36 hours with the entire case—the HAKII Action Workout Earbuds earn a 4 out of 5 for battery life. In addition to the long battery life, HAKII also boasts a fast-charging case. Just 10 minutes of charging can provide a decent 2 hours of playtime. Another thing that HAKII boasts is being a “true” wireless earbud, as the carrying case can be wirelessly charged. That’s a nice perk.

While Lauren liked these earbuds for workouts, she notes that the sound quality was just OK, rating the performance a 4 out of 5. “There’s not a lot of depth to the sound, plus there didn’t seem to be enough bass,” Lauren explains. “It’s fine for workouts, but I wouldn’t use the earbuds to sit down and listen to my favorite album.”

Lauren also notes that the noise cancellation features weren’t the best out of the earbuds she’s used; however, on a run, it may be nice to have minimal noise isolation. Less ambient noise may make you less aware of your surroundings. So for workouts and outdoor runs, these are a pretty nice pair of earbuds.

Not every techie fan has picked a side in the great iPhone vs. Android debate, but for those who’ve sided with Apple products, the obvious pick for wireless earbuds are the Apple Airpods Pro 2. With seamless integration across all Apple devices—iPhones, Macbooks, and iPads—these earbuds will provide a smooth experience across each device. It earns a 5 out of 5 for connectivity.

In addition to a seamless connection, the Apple Airpods Pro 2 have tons of features and functionality. The earbuds have a microphone for calls, one-touch toggles and controls, silicone tips with different sizes, and adjustable settings on your phone.

GGR editorial member Bojana Galic, NASM-CNC, tried out the Airpods Pro 2 and mentions a specific feature she enjoys: “The conversation awareness setting lowers your volume when you start speaking, allowing you to hear your surroundings. Listening to podcasts while grocery shopping is my favorite thing to do and now, I don’t have to worry about pausing my show while talking to an employee or other customer.” She rates the features another 5 out of 5.

Bojana rates their performance a 3.75 out of 5, and says they work great with her iPhone and look sharp. “That being said, if you’re looking for headphones for running, biking, or any other form of high-intensity cardio, I don’t think they’re the most ideal,” she adds. “They don’t stay in my ear as well as I would like.”

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The battery life is also a little shorter than competitors, with up to 6 hours of playtime on a single charge. With the wireless charging case, it boosts up to a maximum of 30 hours, but it still only earns a 1 out of 5. For most people, 6 hours of music will be more than enough, but for people who need their earbuds for longer periods of time might need to consider alternatives.

At $249 (but often marked down for less), these are a pricier pair of earbuds. However, if you’re looking for quality sound and seamless integration to an Apple ecosystem, the AirPods Pro 2 are a fantastic choice.

Bose has had a long history of innovation with sound devices and speakers, so it’s no surprise that they make our list of the best wireless earbuds. In this case, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds are our pick for the best noise-canceling earbuds with quality sound that’s enhanced by what Bose calls “legendary” noise cancellation.

We wouldn’t take Bose’s word for it though, so GGR editorial member Matt Schickling tested out the wireless earbuds. He found the noise cancellation powerful, particularly the varying modes as well—you can alternate between Quiet and Aware modes, or turn off noise cancellation. “I wore them to walk my dogs,” says Matt. “I kept them in the ‘aware’ setting so I could remain aware of traffic and my surroundings, and I was able to hear both my podcast and the surrounding street noises.”

Additionally, Matt wore them during a workout on the treadmill, as well as a free weight session, and thought they performed and fit very well the entire time. “I’d highly recommend them for gym use,” he says, rating the performance a 5 out of 5.

QuietComfort earbuds are designed to fit comfortably and stay secure through its use of both varying silicone tip sizes (a common feature of earbuds) and silicone bands. There are three bands that wrap around the outside of the bud and three that wrap over the bud itself. “You can mix and match these bands and tips to get the best fit,” adds Matt. The earbuds stayed secure during Matt’s 30-minute treadmill workout, so it earns a 5 out of 5 for its design and fit.

These earbuds retail at $179, which makes them a more premium pair of earbuds. We rate the price a 2 out of 5, although Matt adds that this price is probably in line for the sound quality you get with a trusted audio brand like Bose. If you’re looking for quality sound and great active noise cancellation, it might be worth the price.

Although they’re compatible with both Apple and Android devices, we like the Sony WF-1000XM5 wireless earbuds for Android users particularly because of some added features on these devices. Both devices will get supported speak-to-chat features with built-in Alexa, but these Sony earbuds support the LDAC codec for high-resolution streaming on Android devices.

According to Sony’s website, LDAC (Lossless Digital Audio Codec) streaming transmits about three times the data of traditional Bluetooth. GGR staff writer Matt Dustin, CSCS, PN1-NC, rates the connectivity a 4 out of 5, saying it connects to your device right away. “However, you have to download Sony’s app and tinker a bit with it before being ready to use the earbuds,” he adds, which is why it doesn’t get a perfect score.

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The materials and durability are solid for the earbuds, earning another 4 out of 5. “The earbuds feel very high-quality, and there are a few silicone tip sizes to choose from to customize your fit,” says Matt. “But I’m not a fan of the charging case. It feels flimsy, like cheap plastic. I’ve dropped earbuds a lot in the past and I’m not sure how this case would hold up after a few drops.”

One of the biggest struggles Matt had was on the actual design and fit of the earbuds. While they fit securely once they were in, it was difficult to tell how to wear the earbuds properly. “I’m still not sure which way is supposed to be up or down when you have them in,” Matt explains. “I had my girlfriend try and she found them awkward to put in as well.” He rates the design and ergonomics a 3.5 out of 5, and he does say once you have them fitted in, they do feel secure.

These are one of the pricier earbuds out of our picks, with a listed price of about $300; however, you can usually find them on sale for $50 or $100 cheaper. With improved audio-streaming for Android users, this may be a good choice.

Quite a few earbuds use over-the-ear hooks to help secure their fit while in use, especially if you’re using these wireless earbuds while in the gym. Still, the hook can feel a bit clunky, so manufacturers will create flexible hooks that fit along the contour of the ear. Our pick for best earbuds with ear hooks goes to the Soundcore Sport X20 by Anker, with a small ear hook that adjusts and retracts as needed for a comfortable feel and secure fit.

I tested out the Soundcore Sport X20 and felt that they performed and fit exceptionally well. The ear hook was barely noticeable once I had the earbuds fitted and adjusted, and they stayed put throughout my workouts. 

I usually did squats with them, but also performed more dynamic movements like cleans and snatches and had no problem with them falling out. When I got to sweating a lot, I started to worry, but it was never an issue, so the design gets a 4 out of 5 from me.

Speaking of sweating, the Soundcore earbuds have one of the highest IP ratings I’ve seen in wireless earbuds of IP68. With a score like that, Soundcore can market their earbuds as not just sweat-resistant, but sweatproof. They’re also dustproof and waterproof, and I rate the materials and durability a solid 4.5 out of 5…only because the flexible ear hooks feel a little flimsy compared to the rest of the buds.

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At just under $80, I believe these are one of the best value wireless earbuds on the market, especially when you look at some of the features available. First of all, these earbuds boast a 12-hour battery on a single charge, or up to 48 hours with the charging case—which I found pretty accurate in my use of them.

Also, the Sport X20 boasts features you tend to see in more premium earbuds—active noise cancellation, transparency mode, custom EQ settings through the app, and the ability to take calls. 

The buds get a 4.5 out of 5 from me for its features, with my only complaint being that the touch controls are from a button on the earbuds, not just tapping. The button was a bit hard to find at first while in use, so that was frustrating, but the more I use them, the less this is a problem. At its price point, however, it has great sound quality and a secure fit that’ll satisfy any gym-goer.

For a crisp and quality sound across all audio—bass, treble, and everything in between—we recommend the Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2. “These work well, and the sound quality is excellent,” says our product tester, GGR senior staff writer Stephen Sheehan, CPT, CNC. “I appreciate being able to tweak the EQ settings in the app, too.” He rates the performance overall a 4 out of 5.

He doesn’t give the earbuds full marks for performance, not because of the sound, but because of the fit of the earbuds. “I prefer my earbuds to have ear hooks to stay a bit more secure during my workouts,” says Stephen. They stay secure well enough while he works or works out, but the earbuds didn’t fit as well when letting a friend try them on. “The earbuds were a bit too large to fit comfortably,” he says, rating the design and ergonomics a 3.5 out of 5.

The Jabra Elite 10s come with tons of features, including active noise cancellation. It also has a built-in microphone for taking calls, plus you can fine-tune sound settings through the Jabra app. To help with a secure fit and better sound, it comes with various silicone tips to help optimize your fit and experience. Stephen rates the features a 5 out of 5.

Although the earbuds cost about $240 for a pair, they still hold value, being made with quality sound in mind. Additionally, the earbuds are dust-, water-, and sweat-resistant, making them a very durable pair of wireless earbuds. “Overall, these feel durable and well made,” says Stephen, “which shouldn’t be a surprise given the retail price.”

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Sometimes, you just want to splurge and get high-end earphones, regardless of price. I get it, so if budget isn’t a concern, we recommend Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 wireless earbuds. These earbuds have a durable build, quality sound, and premium features that fit the bill for a luxury pair of earbuds.

GGR managing editor Amanda Dvorak, ISSA-CPT, ISSA-CNC, tested out the Powerbeats Pro 2, and gives the features available a 5 out of 5. “There’s lots of features, especially if you use the app,” she adds. The Beats app can set up one-touch pairing, heart rate monitoring, customizable controls, battery status widgets and even a “Locate My Beats” function. Along with that, the earbuds have call microphones, active noise cancellation, and an over-the-ear hook design.

Amanda also gives the Powerbeats a 5 out of 5 for their design and ergonomics. “These are really comfortable; sometimes I even forget I’m wearing them,” she says. “Even if I’m also wearing sunglasses, the over-the-ear piece doesn’t bother me at all.” She also likes the feel during workouts, and the sweat resistance holds up well, too.

The only frustration Amanda experienced was the connectivity, which she rates a 4 out of 5. “Sometimes they can be a pain to connect, and I find that I have to manually reconnect them to my phone after pairing to my Peloton Bike or another device,” says Amanda. “Pairing them is mostly simple but sometimes it can take a couple of tries.”

The biggest detractor of the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 for most people will be the price. At $249, it earns just a 2 out of 5 for its price. However, with the premium features, comfortable fit, and durable materials, we feel it can justify the price—so long as it works for your budget.

Our wireless earbuds with the best battery life are unique earbuds that use bone conduction for audio—more on that in a bit. However, the battery on the SHOKZ OpenRun Pro 2 is impressive, boosting the battery life of the previous generation from 10 to 12 hours on one charge. “I’ve only had to charge them once during testing,” says our product tester, a certified personal trainer. They earn a 5 out of 5 for battery life.

Bone conduction headsets set the earbuds outside of the ear, conducting sound through the bone and into the inner ear directly. This can be a great method to stay aware of the environment around, since your ears are open to hear. It was actually used in hospitals during the COVID pandemic¹ to help aid communication while maintaining awareness of nurses’ immediate surroundings.

“I love the concept of an open-ear design, especially to increase the safety of outdoor runners and walkers,” adds our product tester. However, in a gym setting, she found them a bit too quiet. The OpenRun Pro 2 has a second setting that adds air conduction speakers to boost sound, but this still proved to be a struggle in louder environments. Still, call quality was very nice, leading our product tester to rate the performance of the earbuds a 4.5 out of 5.

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Design also gets a 4.5 out of 5, as the OpenRun Pro 2 avoids an uncomfortable fit in the ear by being placed alongside the ear instead. “The headband that wraps around the back of the head feels a little large for me,” adds our product tester, “but they do offer a couple of different sizes, so it may have been user error on my part.”

At about $180, these are a pricey pair of earphones. However, for a heightened awareness and long battery life, the SHOKZ OpenRun Pro 2 are a solid option.