9 Best Wireless Earbuds And Earphones For Quality Sound
The earbuds impress with its luxe design and superb delivery of premium audio, which features active noise cancellation, giving Apple AirPods a run for its money.
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Bluetooth audio has improved significantly over the years and, with it, the quality of wireless earbuds.
The best models on the market now boast top-notch audio and features that rival their wired and over-ear competitors – all while offering greater freedom of movement.
Now that there’s such a variety of earbuds to choose from though, knowing which ones are worth the cash can be tricky. That’s where we come in.
To help you choose the right pair for you, we’ve rounded up a few models ranging from budget to premium.
This includes the latest Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 Smart Earbuds, which have impressed us with their luxe design and superb delivery of premium audio, which features active noise cancellation and will be sure to have Apple sitting up and taking notice.
We also can't help but love the new Sony WF-C510 Truly Wireless Earbuds, which are super affordable coming in at $75. We reckon they're perfect for anyone with small ears and offer "the super compact and comfortable design I’ve always wanted without sacrificing the fantastic sound clarity I usually enjoy with my larger headphones".
So, whether you’re after the best sound, top-of-the-line noise cancellation or just a decent pair that won’t break the bank, you’ll find something to suit below.
OUR TOP PICKS
EDITOR’S PICKS OF THE BEST WIRELESS EARBUDS
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 Smart Earbuds, $340 (down from $499) at Amazon Australia
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 Smart Earbuds
Tried and Tested by Troy Nankervis, news.com.au checkout Shopping Writer
My first impressions of using these Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 Earbuds was simply “wow”. I don’t think I’ve ever come across such a luxe pair of earbuds that continue to deliver exceptional audio two months on.
There are some excellent design touches in everything from the case to the buds themselves, which hold around 30 hours of charge and come with a USB-C charging port. They're also water resistant, making them perfectly matched for the gym or exercising outdoors.
If you’re listening to music, I love that you can quickly adjust the volume, replay and skip functions, alongside noise cancellation features with the touch of a button. They are also very comfortable to wear, and sit snugly in my ears.
Alongside voice control features, there’s a beautiful quality and fidelity to the audio itself, and the ANC settings mean you’ll be able to hear your favourite tracks with excellent clarity and depth, while blocking out all the outside noise.
You can tailor the audio settings even further via the “Smart Control” in-phone app, which I downloaded to my iPhone. Here you can tinker with the EQ settings, Transparency levels, and the Adaptive Noise Cancellation, which includes a real-time waveform. There are even location settings you can switch on, which will use geo-tracking to find your earbuds if you happen to lose them while out and about.
Sennheiser has long had a reputation for premium audio and I’m really impressed with the Momentum True Wireless 4 Earbuds, so much so that I’ve been recommending these to friends and family for gift ideas. If you’re looking for an alternative to Airpods that will deliver an exceptional audio experience, these should be top of your wishlist.
Sony WF-1000XM5 Wireless Earphones, $341.89 (down from $399) at Amazon Australia
Sony WF-1000XM5 Wireless Earphones
Tried and Tested by Hannah Paine, news.com.au checkout Editor
After trialling the Sony WF-1000XM5s* for six weeks, I have to admit I have been sorely missing out by not having a pair of noise cancelling headphones until now.
The WF-1000XM5s are an incredibly sophisticated pair of earbuds that are still user friendly to even the most basic of tech users (ahem, ME) out there. The ability to customise your noise cancelling and sound, or simply let Sony’s AI do it for you, makes them truly worth their price tag. The sound quality is incredibly crisp and clear, allowing me to hear podcasts and movies so much better than I previously could.
The noise-cancelling is fantastic too, as the WF-1000X5s do the hard work for you, using AI technology to change the noise cancelling offered depending on whether you’re walking, running, on public transport, sitting down or in a busy area. The microphone also allowed me to take calls even in windy or noisy areas.
The WF-1000X5s have an impressive six hours of battery life if you’re using the microphone and noise cancelling function at the time, which should hopefully carry you through the work day.
The only downside is they’re not the most comfortable in-canal earbuds and even using the smallest ear tip size, they didn’t feel 100 per cent secure. Looking at reviews online I’m not the only one who felt this way, with it a common complaint from other shoppers.
Having said this the WF-1000X5s never fell out of my ears, even when running.
Read our full Sony WF-1000XM5 review.
BEST NOISE-CANCELLING WIRELESS EARBUDS
Apple Airpods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, $276 at Amazon Australia
Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
Tried and Tested by Troy Nankervis, news.com.au checkout Shopping Writer
I'm a little late to the party on this one, as this is my first time trying out a pair of Apple Airpods*, and I'm kicking myself for waiting so long. These are a great little piece of tech, and comparable in performance to some of the other high end headphones I've tested out lately including the Dyson OnTrac headphones.
Pairing up to my iPhone 16 Pro and Apple Watch 10 is easy and intuitive, as soon as you open them from the casing you'll get a little notification on your smartphone and then you're good to go.
They’re super comfortable to wear and I’ve been impressed while using them in multiple settings, including during my commute to work, cycling on my bike, at the gym and across my workday.
Listening to music is where the Apple Airpods 4 with ANC really shine.
The clarity and crispness of the audio after a week is a standout, and the Personalised Spatial Audio settings have a big impact on the acoustics and levels of bass. Surprisingly, they’re great for phone calls too.
They have some great features built into them as well. Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) works wonders if you’re trying to listen to music in busy settings. Meantime, the Conversation Awareness lowers your music volume if you're speaking to someone in close proximity. The Adaptive Audio literally adapts the noise control depending on your setting or environment.
You’ll get up to 30 hours of listening time (with the case), and up to five hours listening on a single charge. If you have the ANC settings switched on, you'll also get up to 4 hours of listening time, which is pretty impressive.
There's also wireless charging and a hands free integration with the "Hey Siri" function. A bonus is a small speaker located inside the case if you need to use the Find My Airpods - I predict I'll definitely be needing this one.
These are also sweat and water resistant so you won't have issues with the odd splash of sweat or water at the gym.
The one thing that might cause some hesitation is the price, at $276 these are quite pricey compared to some other options out there right now.
But if you can afford the Apple Airpods 4, rest assured you won't be skimping on quality, and a lot of the features are well worth your money and attention. Your eardrums will thank you.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, $382.46 (down from $449.95) at Myer
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
What You Need To Know
If you're looking for best-in-class noise cancellation, Bose's QuietComfort Ultra buds are simply unbeatable.
On their highest setting, they're able to drastically dull loud noises, allowing you to hear your tunes better without having to crank them all the way up. Meanwhile, the Aware mode is quite natural-sounding, and comes with an ActiveSense feature to automatically adjust the noise cancellation depending on your surroundings.
The buds deliver an improved fit and stability that should suit most people, and offer great customisation via the companion app.
We are disappointed by the lack of multi-point Bluetooth and wireless charging, but the Ultra earbuds are still our top pick if you value effective noise-cancellation over all else.
BEST BUDGET WIRELESS EARBUDS
Sony WF-C510 Truly Wireless Earbuds, $75 at Amazon Australia
Sony Truly Wireless Earbuds
Tried and Tested by Tahnee-Jae Lopez-Vito, news.com.au checkout Shopping Writer
If you’re like me and have trouble finding earbuds that stay relatively secure and don’t feel painful after 30 minutes, the Sony WF-C510 earbuds* are worth checking out.
On-ear headphones have always been my go-to since earbuds often hurt my ears and constantly fall out, even when I’m sitting still. But these earbuds give me the super-compact and comfortable design I’ve always wanted without sacrificing the fantastic sound clarity I usually enjoy with my larger headphones.
Syncing the Sony earbuds to my Samsung 24 Ultra was quick and simple, as was choosing the right size earbud tips. You can also expect an IPx4 water resistance rating to protect your gadget from sweaty workouts and sudden drizzles of rain.
The main downside is the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). Sure, there's your typical ambient mode but it's just not the same and won't do much if you want to zone out some noisy construction work or an upset young traveller on a plane. The charging case also has limited battery life, but the extra 11-hour max runtime is more than enough to get you through the day.
It's worth pointing out that bass lovers might find the amount of bass disappointing, although you can use the in-app equaliser to adjust different levels. For the record, I'm not a massive audiophile so I can forgive some deficiencies and be satisfied without touching the settings.
Overall, the Sony Truly Wireless do a decent job and there aren't any major deal breakers for what's an affordable buy. They sound great, feel comfortable and are easy to put in your bag or pocket.
EarFun Air Pro 3 Wireless Earbuds, $69 (down from $134.95) at Amazon Australia
EarFun Air Pro 3
What You Need To Know
If you want a decent pair of buds you don’t have to pay through the nose for, the EarFun Air Pro 3s are a great all-rounder. Arriving with a comfortable and well-built design, the little buds offer plenty of value for money, with multi-device pairing, support for aptX Adaptive codec, and graphic and EQ presets through the companion app.
The battery life also stands up to more expensive rivals, with up to nine hours of playtime off a single charge from the buds, or up to 45 hours with the charging case. The microphone isn’t the best for taking calls in really noisy environments, but the ANC does a good job of reducing the chatter of those around you.
If you want to cut out a significant chunk of background noise though, pricier options like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (above) are still the better option.
BEST WIRELESS EARBUDS FOR BATTERY LIFE
Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW Wireless In-Ear Headphones, $149 at Amazon Australia
Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW
What You Need To Know
Whether you travel often or just hate having to charge your earbuds regularly, Audio-Technica’s ATH-CKS50TWs offer a marathon 20 hours of continuous playback on a full charge, plus another 30 hours with the charging case.
They sound good too, with warm audio that can be adjusted using the equaliser in the accompanying Audio-Technica Connect app. ANC is decent enough to block out noisy commutes and office background noise, though it doesn’t quite stand up to the noise cancellation on earbuds from major players like Bose or Sony.
The bulky design of the ATH-CKS50TWs is highly suited to those with larger ears, which will be great news for some, but those with smaller ears may want to look to other options on this list.
BEST WIRELESS EARBUDS FOR EXERCISE AND THE GYM
Beats Fit Pro True Wireless Earbuds, $254 (down from $299) at Amazon Australia
Beats Fit Pro
What You Need To Know
In a nutshell, the Beats Fit Pro buds bring many of the best features of the AirPods Pros – including active noise cancellation, a transparency mode, voice assistance and the Apple H1 chip for seamless pairing with Apple devices – in a more sport-centric model.
The buds have a wing tip design and multiple ear tip size options to help them stay put, along with an IPX4-rating to protect against water splashes and sweat. While they are marketed more towards Apple users, there is also an app for Android users which includes a Fit Test, one-touch pairing and customisable controls.
The sound signature is solid, though it is a little lower than the AirPods Pros and brings a more bass-heavy listening experience. Noise-cancellation also works extremely well, and there’s even spatial audio, which adjusts the sound as you turn your head for a more immersive experience.
Our only major gripe with the pair is the bulky charging case, which can be a pain to stick in your pocket (especially if you’re wearing women’s shorts).
BEST WIRELESS EARBUDS FOR APPLE USERS
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen), $289 (down from $399) at Amazon Australia
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
What You Need To Know
While any pair of Bluetooth headphones can be linked to an iOS device, Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) are designed to work seamlessly with other products in the ecosystem, making them a top choice for Apple diehards.
While there’s little difference between the original AirPods Pro and AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) in terms of design, the new generation comes with better audio capabilities and double the noise cancellation power. The 2nd Gen buds also come with Spatial Audio, a Transparency mode, a MagSafe Charging case and four different ear tip sizes.
With up to six hours of listening time on their own (up from 4.5 hours on the originals) or up to 30 hours with the charging case (up from 24 hours on the originals) too, they’re a great pick for those after a reliable pair of lifestyle earbuds.
You can also now pick up a version of AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) that comes with USB-C charging instead of lightning, fixing one of the biggest downsides of the pair.
BEST WIRELESS EARBUDS FOR GALAXY USERS
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, $229.32 (down from $349) at Amazon Australia
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
What You Need To Know
If you’re looking to get the most out of your Galaxy phone, the Galaxy Buds2 Pro should be at the top of your wishlist. Offering effective ANC and a high quality audio experience, the earbuds are essentially Samsung’s answer to Apple’s AirPods Pro 2.
They offer a smaller and more comfortable design than other earbuds we’ve seen from Samsung (like the oddly shaped Galaxy Buds Live), and come with two ear tip options for a more secure fit. The buds also have an IPX7 rating which makes them great for sport, though the charging case itself isn’t waterproof.
While the Buds2 Pro work with any Bluetooth device, standout features like Easy Pairing and 360 audio with optional head-tracking are exclusive to Galaxy users, making them better suited to those in Samsung’s ecosystem. The battery life could also be improved, with just five hours of playtime with ANC turned on, which isn’t an overly competitive number at this price point.
Reviewers on Amazon Australia called the buds "outstanding", with one commenting they're "the best earbuds I've had so far".
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING WIRELESS EARBUDS
When choosing wireless earbuds to include in our list, we considered several factors:
Design: We considered the comfort and fit of each model, drawing from our hands-on experience or customer feedback.
Sound quality: Our list includes earbud models that either received high praise for their audio performance from users, or impressed us during our hands-on testing.
Features: We took things like noise-cancelling, transparency modes, buttons and voice-calling into consideration to help determine each product's overall value.
Value: We weighed up the above criteria against the earbuds' cost, and the cost of similar offerings, to determine value for money.
HOW WE CHOOSE PRODUCTS
Our team of experienced writers spend hours researching products to include in articles.
We find out what factors make a good product by talking to experts, reviewing test results, testing products and analysing thousands of customer reviews.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do I stop my wireless earbuds from falling out of my ears?
Wireless earbuds come in all shapes and sizes, making the fit one of the most important things to consider when shopping for a new pair. Generally speaking, designs that are bulkier or protruding are more likely to fit those with medium to large ears, while smaller buds should be a better suited to those with smaller ears.
Many wireless earbuds do also come with multiple ear tip options too, so it’s worth checking to see if your preferred model includes any before you buy. For models that don’t come with ear tips provided, like the AirPods (2nd Gen), you can often find suitable ear tips or hooks from third-party sellers on sites like Amazon Australia.
Some wireless earbuds also include wing tips in their design, which add some grip to the back of your buds so they don’t move around. If you’re particularly worried about the fit of a new pair of earbuds, or you’re looking for a pair for sporting purposes, we recommend opting for a pair with this design.
How do I clean my earbuds?
Like most gadgets, wireless earbuds can be difficult to clean as you want to avoid getting too much moisture in the ports or inside the buds themselves. The best solution is to use a dry, lint-free cloth to wipe down both the ear tips and the outer bud.
You can also pick up a designated earbud cleaner, such as this Hagibis Cleaner Kit, on sites like Amazon or eBay.
More best audio coverage
Best wireless over-ear headphones
Best noise-cancelling headphones
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*Product was provided by Sony and Apple for an independent and honest review.
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