Though many people (including myself) laughed at Apple when they launched the original AirPods in 2016, they essentially made truly wireless headphones mainstream. In the following months and years, virtually every tech company from Samsung to Bose has released a pair of truly wireless Bluetooth earbuds. Each one has their own features, design and most importantly price making the decision of which pair to get sometimes very difficult.
Now with Apple’s recent release of AirPods 2, I decided it was time to roundup all the truly wireless in-ear headphones to decide which ones were best.U
Overall Best
Bose SoundSport Free
Even though they’re nearly two years old and also cost more than a lot of the other headphones on the list, the Bose SoundSport Free still deserve the top spot on this list for being the best true wireless in-ear headphones overall. Fit is second to none, as unlike Apple’s AirPods the SoundSport Free come with different sized ear-tips so you can customize the fit. They come in three eye popping colors as well so you won’t get your pair mixed up with your friend’s. Rounding out the features is a nice 5 hours of battery life, Bose’s legendary audio quality, and a sweat/water resistant design.
If you own an iPhone…
Apple AirPods 2
This one is a total no brainer because AirPods just work so well with other Apple products. Whether it’s the “Hey Siri” support or how Apple has somehow made pairing AirPods an enjoyable process — AirPods and an iPhone work together like magic. Save yourself $40 if you don’t think you’ll need the wireless charging case.
The new Powerbeats Pro ‘totally wireless’ earphones are another great option if you are looking to use them mainly while working out. They are a lot larger than the AirPods, but pack an amazing 9 hours of battery per charge and are also more water resistant.
If you own an Android Phone…
Samsung Buds
More applicable for Samsung owners than Android in general, these new earbuds incorporate all of Samsung’s newest technology. They feature wireless charging, automatic sync with Android devices, 6 hour battery life and drivers tuned by AKG. Dual mics allow outside sounds to be filtered in as well, so you don’t miss your boarding call or can have conversations. These aren’t only some of the best earbuds for Android users but some of the best available for under $150 today!
Budget Friendly
RL Audio FiTerra True Wireless In-Ear Headphones
On the spec end these in-ear headphones pack quite a lot for a price that’s a third of most other headphones on this list. They only have a 3.5 hour built-in battery but come with a carrying case that adds 15 hours of additional listening time.
Other budget options for under $49 are the JBuds Air by JLab Audio. They feature Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, 8mm drivers, 3-4 hours of playback, and IP55 sweat resistance.
For Working Out
Jabra Elite 65T
While any of these true wireless in-ear headphones can be worn while working out, there are certain features like water resistance, long battery life, quick charging and lightweight design make one pair better suited for active wear than another. The Jabra Elite 65T check most of those boxes. They feature a secure fit design, 5 hours of battery and IP55 water and dust resistance.
Honorable Mentions
If you definitely know that you’re gonna get your headphones wet, the Jaybird RUN XT are probably for you. They are IPX7 rated which means they can survive a dip in 3’ of water for 30 minutes. (Before you plan on using these while swimming, just note that Bluetooth doesn’t work through water). The RUN XT also have a 4 hour battery life, 5min charge/1hr play fast charging, and mono bud mode which lets you just use the right earbud to allow for more situational awareness.
Under Armour True Wireless Flash by JBL
If you run on roads or in a city, you know how important it is to be able to hear what’s going on around you. The JBL Under Armour true wireless flash in-ear headphones take that into account with their unique “Bionic Hearing” feature that can allow for ambient sounds (traffic, people talking, etc) to be piped into your ears. They also feature the same waterproofness as the Jaybird RUN XT and a respectable 5 hours of playback time.
Noise Canceling
Sony WF-SP700N
Due to the small size of this type of headphones, there aren’t many that offer noise cancellation. The Sony WF-SP700N headphones not only offer active noise cancellation but also include some unique features like simple tap-to-pair using NFC and an Extra Bass mode which pumps up the lows. With all that extra tech onboard, the WF-SP700N only have 3 hours of battery life (though the included case offers two more charges).
Longest Battery Life
Powerbeats Pro Totally Wireless
Most true wireless in-ear headphones only offer between 3-5 hours per charge. The new Powerbeats Pro truly wireless earphones blow all other true wireless earbuds out of the water when it comes to battery life with an astounding 9 hours of playback per charge. This is thanks to their design which is much larger than all other headphones on this list. However, with that design you get the PowerBeats secure-fit earhooks, water/sweat resistance, and playback controls on each earbud. They also feature the same H1 chip as the AirPods 2, enabling “Hey Siri” voice-activated assistance and easy pairing with Apple devices.
The Powerbeats Pro true wireless don’t come cheap though. At $250 they’re almost double that of AirPods and nearly as expensive as the most premium earbuds on this list.
Best Audio Quality
Audio-Technica Consumer ATH-CKR7TW
Primarily known for making studio grade headphones and mics, Audio-Technica is knows what they’re doing when it comes to headphones. With their ATH-CKR7TW true wireless in-ear headphones (that name just rolls of the tongue; doesn’t it?), Audio-Technica has one-upped all other companies by building them around 11mm drivers — the largest by far on this list. And though larger drivers doesn’t always equate to better audio, it definitely helps give the CKR7TWs the most booming bass of any headphones on this list. The addition of support for AAC & aptX high fidelity codecs and a built-in dedicated headphone amplifier help make these earbuds perfect for the aspiring audiophile. A 6 hour battery and carrying case with an extra 9 hours of charge give you plenty of power as well.
Honorable Mention:
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless
Though they might sound good, Audio-Technica CKR7TW’s fall short on design. They are fairly chunky and lack any water resistance whatsoever. If you want a pair of of headphones with similarly awesome audio quality, but with all the features and design of the other headphones on this list take a look at the Sennheiser Momentum in-ear true wireless headphones. They only have 7mm drivers while also offering similar support for high quality audio codecs as well as offering IPX4 water resistance, a much smaller design, and faster charging via USB-C.
Premium Quality
Bang & Olufsen BeoPlay E8 2.0
If you’re all about the feel and look of a product (and don’t care about the price), than the $350 BeoPlay E8’s are for you. From the real leather wrapping around the included carrying case to the aluminum and stainless steel accents on the earbuds, the E8’s ooze style and sophistication. They’re no slouch on the features either. Touch controls, 4 hour battery life, and a Qi wireless charging case paired with the high quality audio that Bang & Olufsen are known for help these earbuds stand above the rest.
Like most products, trying before you buy (or buying from a place with a good return policy) is key when purchasing true wireless in-ear headphones. Each person’s ear is shaped differently, so what feels comfortable to someone else might not be right for you. Buying from a physical store like Best Buy makes returns often a lot easier, though increasingly more online retailers offer some reimbursement on return shipping.
