3 wireless earbuds for avid listeners
If you’re on the hunt for a new pair of earbuds, chances are that you’re actually looking for a pair of true-wireless earbuds. The difference being that truly wireless earbuds don’t have a cord or cable connecting the two buds. Fortunately, you won’t have any trouble finding some right now, as almost every pair of earbuds you see on shelves today will be completely wireless. However, with so many options to choose from, it can be tough to know which will work best for you. But whether you’re looking to prioritize durability, audio quality or style, you’ll find plenty of great options on our list of the best earbuds of 2023 at cnet.co/3VWUEWc.
In terms of style, some wireless earbuds are equipped with ear tips, while others have an open design without tips (those are best for people who don’t like to have ear tips jammed in their ears and want to allow some sound in from the outside world).
For the most part, only “noise-isolating” earbuds with silicone or foam ear tips offer active noise canceling, a feature that was once a rarity but has now become standard. And when you get a pair of wireless earbuds, many now come with a wireless charging case, too.
Yes, the top true-wireless earbuds can be pricey, but you can get surprisingly good ones for less than $100.
BEST NOISE-CANCELING WITH TOP-NOTCH SOUND: BOSE QUIETCOMFORT EARBUDS 2
Bose’s second-generation QuietComfort Earbuds 2 are not only about 30% smaller than their predecessors, but their case is about 40% smaller and truly pocketable. They feature best-in-class noise canceling and improved sound thanks to Bose’s new CustomTune sound calibration system that customizes the sound for your ears. Voice-calling performance is also significantly better than that of the original QuietComfort Earbuds.
The other big change is to the ear tips. Bose has ditched its one-piece StayEar wing tips for a two-piece Fit Kit system that features separate ear tips and “stability
bands” in three size options, giving you more flexibility to get a secure fit and tight seal.
THE BEST APPLE NOISE-CANCELING WIRELESS EARBUDS: APPLE AIRPODS PRO 2
Introduced by Apple this past fall, the new AirPods Pro (2nd generation) are powered by Apple’s new H2 chip, which delivers more processing power while being more energy efficient. The new chip, combined with new low-distortion drivers, allows for improved sound that offers better clarity and depth. The noise canceling is also improved — Apple says the new AirPods have “double” the noise canceling of the original AirPods Pro. Additionally, the new AirPods add an extra hour of battery life, up from five to six hours with noise canceling on. Plus, a speaker in the case that emits a sound that helps locate your buds via Find My should they decide to hide from you.
BEST BUDGET NOISE-CANCELING EARBUDS: EARFUN AIR S
In the past, we’ve recommended Earfun’s AirPro SV and Air Pro 2 as excellent budget noise-canceling earbuds
choices (they’re still good values). But the new Earfun Air S may be the best of the trio, with multipoint Bluetooth pairing, the latest Qualcomm QCC3046 SoC (system on a chip) with the AptX audio codec for Android and other devices that support it. It has the same 10mm wool drivers as the AirPro SV and features surprisingly impressive sound for its modest price point.
The buds have an IPX5 water-resistance rating, which means they’re splashproof and can withstand a sustained spray of water. They also work well as a headset for making calls with decent background noise reduction.