Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC: Anker has launched the brand new Liberty 5 earbuds in 2025, however this 2023 mannequin stays an honest worth at round $90. It gives respectable noise canceling and the same degree of sound high quality because the Liberty 5 (it is fairly good although not nice). However the Liberty 5 has improved noise canceling and voice-calling efficiency.
Jabra Elite 8 Energetic Gen 2: As soon as included on this record, Jabra has discontinued the 2024 Elite 8 Energetic Gen 2 after saying it determined to step by step wind down the Jabra Elite product line. Nonetheless, we preferred their unbelievable sturdiness (they survived a number of drops with no scratch) and enhanced spatial sound powered by Dolby Audio. They make for nice sport earbuds if you may get your palms on them. I’ve a full Jabra Elite 8 Energetic Gen 2 evaluate in case you’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 very good various. They function superb sound, plus respectable noise cancellation and voice-calling efficiency. The one situation is that they stick out of your ears a bit and will not match some smaller ears. This mannequin, which regularly sells for lower than $100 on Amazon, would not function energetic noise cancellation however the step-up CX Plus does (the CX Plus can also be a very good worth, significantly when it goes on sale). Be taught extra in regards to the funds mannequin in my Sennheiser CX true wi-fi earbud evaluate.
Beats Studio Buds: The Beats Studio Buds look so much just like the rumored stemless AirPods some folks have been ready for. Geared towards each iOS and Android customers, they’re lacking a couple of key options on the Apple aspect of issues (there isn’t any H1 or W1 chip), however they’re small, light-weight true wi-fi earbuds which might be comfy to put on and supply actually good sound. Their noise cancellation is not pretty much as good because the AirPods Professional’s, however they do have a transparency mode they usually’re respectable for making calls. Be taught extra in my fullBeats Studio Buds evaluate that features a extra in-depth take a look at the options.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Professional: The Galaxy Buds 2 Professional supply improved noise cancellation together with superb sound and voice-calling efficiency, plus help for high-resolution wi-fi audio streaming in case you’re a Galaxy machine proprietor with the precise 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 disadvantage is that a few of their key options solely work with Samsung Galaxy gadgets. Learn my full Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Professional evaluate to study extra in regards to the Android-enabled earbuds.
JBL Tour Professional 2: JBL’s Tour Professional 2 earbuds have obtained plenty 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 regulate quantity ranges. It is a bit of a gimmick but in addition helpful. Whereas the buds might sound barely higher for his or her record worth, total the JBL Tour Professional 2s are superb earbuds that provide a very good match, a sturdy function set, sturdy battery life, plus stable noise cancellation and voice-calling efficiency. I took a better take a look at the earbuds in my full JBL Tour Professional 2 evaluate in 2023.
Sony LinkBuds S: In contrast to the “open” LinkBuds, the LinkBuds S are conventional noise-isolating true wi-fi earbuds with suggestions that jam in your ears. They’re extra compact and lighter than Sony’s former flagship WF-1000XM4 and in addition function 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 evaluate of the Sony LinkBuds S.
Sony WF-1000XM4: Launched in 2021, Sony’s WF-1000XM4 earned a CNET Editors’ Selection Award. They’re nonetheless wonderful earbuds, however Sony has now launched the next-gen WF-1000XM5. They might be a very good possibility in case you discover them at a very good low cost. Should you’re within the mannequin, I took a better look in my full Sony WF-1000XM4 evaluate.
Sennheiser Momentum True Wi-fi 3: The Sennheiser Momentum True Wi-fi 3 had been among the many finest new true wi-fi earbuds of 2022. They’re nonetheless among the many finest really 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 Wi-fi 3 evaluate.
Beyerdynamic Free Byrd: Beyerdynamic could also be late to the sport, however it’s lastly launched its first true wi-fi earbuds, which function energetic noise cancellation, as much as 11 hours of battery life (with noise cancelling off) and spectacular sound high quality. Learn our Beyerdynamic Free Byrd evaluate.
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX: Bang & Olufsen’s $399 Beoplay EX buds are the corporate’s finest true wi-fi earbuds. They function a cushty, 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 decreasing background noise whereas choosing up your voice. They’re out of most individuals’s worth vary, however they’re arguably one of the best earbuds on the market with stems and supply 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 evaluate.
Sony Linkbuds: The LinkBuds are, in a way, Sony’s reply to Apple’s commonplace 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, revolutionary design and a safer match than the AirPods, in addition to respectable sound and superb voice-calling efficiency. Just like the third-gen AirPods, their open design lets you hear the skin world — that is what the ring is all about. Try our Sony Linkbuds evaluatefor extra info on the Sony buds.
