Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC: Anker launched the brand new Liberty 5 earbuds in 2025, however this 2023 mannequin stays a good worth at round $90. It affords first rate noise canceling and an analogous degree of sound high quality because the Liberty 5 (it is fairly good however not nice). Nonetheless, the Liberty 5 has improved noise canceling and voice-calling efficiency.
Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2: As soon as included on this record, Jabra has discontinued the 2024 Elite 8 Lively Gen 2 after saying it determined to gradually wind down the Jabra Elite product line. Nonetheless, we appreciated their unimaginable sturdiness (they survived a number of drops with out a scratch) and enhanced spatial sound powered by Dolby Audio. They make for excellent sport earbuds if you may get your fingers on them. I’ve a full Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 review for those who’re nonetheless within the discontinued buds.
Sennheiser CX: If you cannot afford Sennheiser’s flagship Momentum True Wi-fi 3 earbuds, the CX are a great different. They characteristic superb sound, plus first rate noise cancellation and voice-calling efficiency. The one subject is that they stick out of your ears a bit and should not match some smaller ears. This mannequin, which regularly sells for lower than $100 on Amazon, would not characteristic lively noise cancellation however the step-up CX Plus does (the CX Plus can also be a great worth, notably when it goes on sale). Be taught extra in regards to the funds mannequin in my Sennheiser CX true wireless earbud review.
Beats Studio Buds: The Beats Studio Buds look rather a lot just like the rumored stemless AirPods some individuals have been ready for. Geared towards each iOS and Android customers, they’re lacking a number of key options on the Apple facet of issues (there is no H1 or W1 chip), however they’re small, light-weight true wi-fi earbuds which might be snug to put on and provide actually good sound. Their noise cancellation is not pretty much as good because the AirPods Professional’s, however they do have a transparency mode and so they’re first rate for making calls. Be taught extra in my fullBeats Studio Buds review that features a extra in-depth take a look at the options.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro: The Galaxy Buds 2 Professional provide improved noise cancellation together with superb sound and voice-calling efficiency, plus help for high-resolution wi-fi audio streaming for those who’re a Galaxy gadget proprietor with the proper setup. Their largest improve could also be their new design and smaller dimension, which make them a greater match for extra ears. Except for their considerably excessive price ticket, their solely downside is that a few of their key options solely work with Samsung Galaxy gadgets. Learn my full Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro review to study extra in regards to the Android-enabled earbuds.
JBL Tour Pro 2: JBL’s Tour Professional 2 earbuds have acquired quite a lot of consideration for bringing one thing new to true wi-fi earbuds: a full coloration touchscreen show embedded within the case that lets you entry the earbuds’ key options and management playback in addition to alter quantity ranges. It’s kind of of a gimmick but in addition helpful. Whereas the buds might sound barely higher for his or her record worth, general the JBL Tour Professional 2s are superb earbuds that provide a great match, a strong characteristic set, sturdy battery life, plus strong noise cancellation and voice-calling efficiency. I took a more in-depth take a look at the earbuds in my full JBL Tour Pro 2 review in 2023.
Sony LinkBuds S: In contrast to the “open” LinkBuds, the LinkBuds S are conventional noise-isolating true wi-fi earbuds with ideas that jam in your ears. They’re extra compact and lighter than Sony’s former flagship WF-1000XM4 and likewise characteristic Sony’s V1 processor (Sony has since launched the extra compact WF-1000XM5). Whereas their sound and noise cancellation do not fairly measure as much as both XM4 or XM5’s, they’re nonetheless fairly good. They’re the Sony buds for individuals who cannot afford Sony’s flagship earbuds however need 80% of these buds’ options and efficiency for considerably much less. Learn extra about them in our hands-on review of the Sony LinkBuds S.
Sony WF-1000XM4: Launched in 2021, Sony’s WF-1000XM4 earned a CNET Editors’ Alternative Award. They’re nonetheless glorious earbuds, however Sony has now launched the next-gen WF-1000XM5. They might be a great possibility for those who discover them at a great low cost. In case you’re within the mannequin, I took a more in-depth look in my full Sony WF-1000XM4 review.
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3: The Sennheiser Momentum True Wi-fi 3 have been among the many greatest new true wi-fi earbuds of 2022. They’re nonetheless among the many greatest actually wi-fi earbuds, however Sennheiser has launched the upgraded Momentum True Wi-fi 4. Additionally, the newer AirPods Professional 2 and Sony WF-1000XM5 buds are arguably superior, so solely look to purchase the Momentum True Wi-fi 3 once they’re considerably discounted. Be taught extra in regards to the spectacular buds in my full Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 review.
Beyerdynamic Free Byrd: Beyerdynamic could also be late to the sport, however it’s lastly launched its first true wi-fi earbuds, which characteristic lively noise cancellation, as much as 11 hours of battery life (with noise cancelling off) and spectacular sound high quality. Read our Beyerdynamic Free Byrd review.
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX: Bang & Olufsen’s $399 Beoplay EX buds are the corporate’s greatest true wi-fi earbuds. They characteristic a snug, safe match (besides maybe for these with actually smaller ears), top-notch construct high quality, nice sound, good noise cancellation and improved voice-calling efficiency over B&O’s EQ buds, with three microphones in every earbud they assist with lowering background noise whereas choosing up your voice. They’re out of most individuals’s worth vary, however they’re arguably the very best earbuds on the market with stems and provide barely superior sound to the AirPods Professional 2 with higher readability, deeper extra highly effective bass and richer, extra correct sound. Be taught extra in regards to the premium mannequin in my full Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX review.
Sony Linkbuds: The LinkBuds are, in a way, Sony’s reply to Apple’s standard AirPods. Whereas they do not sound pretty much as good as Sony’s flagship WF-1000XM4 or the Linkbuds S noise-isolating earbuds, they provide a discreet, progressive design and a safer match than the AirPods, in addition to first rate sound and superb voice-calling efficiency. Just like the third-gen AirPods, their open design lets you hear the surface world — that is what the ring is all about. Try our Sony Linkbuds reviewfor extra data on the Sony buds.
