Best wireless earbuds in Australia for 2026: I've compared countless pairs of wireless buds, these are the top options for all budgets

I've spent just over a decade as a technology journalist, with the majority of that time focusing specifically on hi-fi and audio products. This experience, along with that of my colleagues in the UK and US, allows me to confidently select the best wireless earbuds in Australia. Every pair on that I've selected in this guide has been tested by the overseas team, and in many cases I've also been able to have some time listening to them to confirm their thoughts.

For a pair of wireless earbuds to make it onto this guide, it has to undergo a rigorous testing process. Not only do we judge it on its own merits, but we go back and compare against other pairs that we've previously thought highly of. It's no mean feat putting a guide like this together then, but fortunately I can rely on TechRadar's Managing Editor, Entertainment, Matt Bolton and TechRadar’s Audio Editor, Becky Scarrott (formerly of What Hi-Fi?) to keep me informed of the latest updates in the world of true-wireless audio.

The TechRadar team of audio experts has well over 600 hours of testing time between us, and all pairs of wireless earbuds we receive for review is done so using our rigorous earbuds testing methodology.

You'll find everything you need to know below, including my recommendations for different budgets, phone platforms, levels of audio quality demand and much more. Because it's not uncommon for prices of wireless earbuds to fluctuate, I've also added a realistic target price you should expect to pay for a new set, along with the official launch price. The intention being that you find a pair you love, and a price you’re happy with too.

Curated by

Curated by

Max Langridge

I’ve worked in tech writing and editing for over 10 years, and started my career at What Hi-Fi?, which immediately introduced me to the world of product reviewing. I've been at TechRadar for just over three years now, and have recently taken on the role of Editor of Australian Hi-Fi magazine here in Sydney, where I'm based. This experience has given me everything I need to determine which pairs of earbuds are most worth your money, and which are best left alone.

About this guide

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you're buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

I'm one of the first people to say that determining if a pair of wireless earbuds is good is a subjective experience. What sounds great to one person might not sound as wonderful to someone else. Of course, testing subjectively makes it hard to rate and rank them, since we can’t demonstrate it over the internet, so here’s how we've decided approach it.

You'll notice further down that each pair of earbuds has been scored in different areas and in comparison to each other. Our thinking is that even if the scores could be deemed subjective, they're at least consistent. You can find out more in our earbuds testing methodology. In short, it ensures that each pair of earbuds is reviewed using some of the same tracks for sound comparisons. We've made our playlist public, so you can listen to the same songs if you feel like, to understand why we've said what we've said. We also ensure we test each pair with equivalent-quality audio sources, and are testing the microphones and battery life in the same way.

I check and update this guide on a regular basis. Not only do I check to see if newer pairs can claim a spot, but I also check prices for previous entries, to see if a price drop could affect rankings. I've included an update log to clearly show the changes that take place.

The best wireless earbuds you can buy

The best wireless earbuds overall

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1-minute summary: The Technics EAH-AZ100 are without a doubt the best wireless earbuds for most people. How come? Well, they're brimming with useful features, are incredibly comfortable to wear and above all, they sound fantastic. Highlights of their extensive feature list include triple-point Bluetooth connectivity (which is still a rarity) and Dolby Atmos from any compatible device. With regards to sound, they benefit from a Magnetic Fluid speaker driver design to deliver superb results. We found during our testing that the EAH-AZ100 sounded their absolute best when ANC was turned on, however, as when turning it off the quality of what you hear does deteriorate. Not to the point of it being unlistenable, of course, but noticeable nonetheless. It would be fair to say their ANC performance isn't the best around, but frankly not many pairs can even come close to the Bose's talents – it does an admirable job, however, at blocking out much of the world around you.

They're also exceptionally comfortable to wear for both short and long periods, a feat certainly helped by their drop in weight from 7g of the EAH-AZ80 to just 5.9g per bud here. You can listen to them for a long time, too, thanks to their 10-hour battery life from a single charge.

There really is little to fault and anything that we did find during our review, was real picky stuff that we imagine won't bother most people. It's for this reason we've crowned them the best wireless earbuds in Australia overall.

Read our full Technics EAH-AZ100 review

Reasons to buy

✅ You want a vibrant and revealing sound: We found they work best with ANC turned on, do so, and these buds deliver an insightful and honest presentation, while still being energetic and just plain fun to listen to.

✅ You want to switch between devices easily: If you have multiple audio source devices on the go, the triple-point connectivity ensures you can switch between them seamlessly without re-pairing.

Reasons to avoid

❌ You like to listen without noise cancellation turned on: The sound is immediately and clearly weaker when you turn the ANC off, so if you like to do that often, they're not such a hit.

❌ You need the absolute best noise cancellation: Following on from the above, while they sound better with ANC, the ANC itself isn't class-leading – look to the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) at #4 on the list instead.

Show full expert analysis ▼

In-depth analysis

Features

The EAH-AZ100's feature list is one of the main reasons it's maintained this number one spot for over a year now. They're simply unrivalled. Here you're getting a comprehensive selection of wireless connectivity options, including regular Bluetooth audio, LDAC hi-res support and even LC3 Bluetooth LE Audio tech, ensuring you're covered well into the future. While the out-the-box sound is excellent, you're free to tweak EQ settings in the app. Battery life is strong too, giving you a solid 10 hours of life with ANC on, and up to 12 with ANC off. If you choose to use LDAC's higher-quality streaming, it can drop to around 7. 10 hours is a great result for standard listening, though. You can charge them via USB-C (where you'll get 90 minutes of use from a quick 15-minute charge) or wirelessly. There's adaptive noise cancellation that's very effective, although this is perhaps the one area where they're not quite best-in-class, but our reviewed did love the 'Voice Focus AI' mode that makes your voice more more clear in calls. Perhaps their best feature according to our review, however, has to be the head-tracked Dolby Atmos spatial audio support, and the triple-point Bluetooth pairing. This means the AZ100 can stay connected to three devices at one, switching between them instantly when needed, no matter who made them. You might not think you'd need this, but once you've tried it, I guarantee you'll find it hard to go back.

Sound quality

Of course, you're going to want your new wireless earbuds to sound good too, and given the fact the Technics EAH-AZ100 has claimed the top spot, you can rest assured they sound fantastic. We said in our review that "they’re a balanced and insightful listen, more than capable of bringing order to the ear no matter how unruly a recording might think it is." Technics is no stranger to high-quality hi-fi, and it shows in this pair of earbuds. They're capable ot delivering extreme levels of detail, and will relay all the elements of the song you're listening to with absolute precision. And that doesn't mean they've sacrificed a fun, energetic personality, far from it. There's plenty of depth and energy across the frequencies to help you get lost in those well-laid tracks. Our reviewer noted that "low-frequency activity is deep, punchy and textured" while "the midrange is open and informative, with a whole stack of detail." Treble is solid and committed without coming across too harsh or 'bitey'. In all honestly, they're pretty much the perfect pair of earbuds, being both insightful and entertaining. There is just one rather large caveat. All this talk about sound quality is only true then the ANC is turned on. It took our reviewer by surprise, but when they turned ANC off, they found that "low frequencies lose a degree of substance, and the overall presentation becomes rather flimsy and lightweight." Competitors manage to hold the same sound profile in both modes, so this is the only flaw here.

Design

I've personally found that some pairs of wireless earbuds can actually be too small, while of course there have been pairs that are too big and cumbersome. Technics appears to have nailed the design with the EAH-AZ100, and despite them being its smallest and lightest flagship 'buds yet, you should have little issue getting a secure fit. This is thanks to there being a variety of in-ear tips in the box. They feel premium and well-made, and we appreciate the choice of colours — it was just black and silver at launch, but you can now also get them in a navy blue and a champagne gold colour. The carrying case is slim enough to not create a bulge in a pocket, and it feels solid. The touch controls work well in our experience, and you can customise what they do. The app is well laid-out as well, though it's maybe not a masterpiece of visual design.

Value

The Technics EAH-AZ100 are certainly worth their AU$499 RRP. And to some extent, when you compare them to other earbuds of the same price, they start to look like a huge bargain. And now, given their age (they launched in early-2025) they can often be picked up for less, particularly during major sales events. I often see them hovering around the AU$400 mark, and if you can find them for less, they're definitely worth considering. You're getting a crazy number of features, top-tier audio quality and a compact, comfortable design.

Technics EAH-AZ100 test results

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The best mid-range wireless earbuds

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1-minute summary: There's a reason that Bose is so well-regarded in the personal audio space. Not only does the brand regularly claim the title of 'ANC King' but it's also a dab-hand at producing more accessible pairs of in-ear headphones, with the QuietComfort Earbuds here being a testament to the fact. Thanks to a tremendous combination of ANC performance, sound quality and a super comfortable design, they're fully deserving of this spot. There are, admittedly, more affordable pairs available, but given what they bring to the table — and the fact they're now receiving regular discounts — I think the price is justified.

Read our full Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2024 review

Reasons to buy

✅ You need quality noise cancellation: Bose is known as the 'king of ANC' for a reason – and while they don't quite match their Ultra Earbuds sibling, what you get here is the best in the price bracket.

✅ You have trouble finding well-fitting earbuds: With multiple ear tips and stability loops included, you should have no trouble finding the perfect fit for you.

Reasons to avoid

❌ You want to listen on high-res codecs: The Bose QCE just doesn't support them! Instead, you just get SBC and AAC codec support – people who want high-quality sound from top-tier apps will be disappointed.

❌ You're buying them for the voice controls: It could be a non-issue for many, but the fact is the Bose QCE's voice controls are far too sensitive.

Show full expert analysis ▼

In-depth analysis

Features

Bose certainly hasn't scrimped on features in the QuietComfort Earbuds (2024), but to make full use of everything on offer, the bespoke companion app is essential — note that these 'buds have a dedicated QCE app. The headline feature has to be ANC because, as expected from Bose, it's fantastic. I can't be 100% sure, but our reviewer believes it's the same tech used in the company's flagship noise cancelling earbuds, which is great news. Here it really does drown out external sounds, leaving in a cocoon of silence, while the 'Aware' mode also does a great job of allowing noise in when you need. The app also opens up the ability to tweak EQ settings to adjust the sound profile to your liking, adjust the function of the touch controls on the earbuds and enable multi-point pairing. They can be controlled using your voice, but our reviewer found that its effectiveness could be hit or miss, and would occasionally function on its own accord — I'd recommend turning it off entirely, unless you're desperate to use it. Battery life is good too, and in our testing, we managed to eke out nine hours with ANC on (Bose says they're good for 8.5) and you get a healthy 31.5 hours extra from the charging case. They also IPX4rated against light water splashes and sweat, so you're fine to use them for workouts.

Sound quality

Bose can regularly be relied upon to deliver a pleasing audio performance no matter the product, and that's certainly the case here. The QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) deliver a pleasingly warm sound signature with "rich and meaty bass". These buds are more than happy to go loud when needed too, although it's unlikely many people will feel the need to turn them all the way up, as their performance at a more modest level is great. We also noted in our review that they deliver a "dramatic sound" that clearly places instruments around you, which is fantastic from a set in this price bracket. They're not the absolute last word in performance though, as our reviewer did find that vocals in some tracks could "miss some sparkle that other earbuds could provide."

Design

Don't be put off by the 3.5 / 5 rating, as the Bose QCE do offer much to like. They are, admittedly, bigger than many other pairs of earbuds we've tested and each weights 8.5g, making them heavier too. However, Bose has managed to place the centre of mass towards the ears, so they feel safe and secure when you're talking. Bose's 'stability bands' make an appearance too, which ensure they really do remain locked in. A range of sizes of bands and eartips are included. We've docked them points because of their highly sensitive touch buttons, which can easily be activated when you're placing them in your ears. And our reviewer also noted that the charging case is quite large and does create a bulge in your pocket. If you're putting the case in a bag though, this becomes a non-issue.

Value

All in all, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds offer excellent value. Yes, you can find pairs that are cheaper and still deliver good ANC, for example, but they won't be as good as the Bose pair. At their launch price of AU$289.95, they could be considered expensive and I would've hesitated to include them in this guide. However, I'm now seeing them regularly cost just under AU$200, resulting in them being a much more attractive option.

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2024 real-world test results

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The best wireless earbuds on a budget

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1-minute summary: The term 'budget' can mean different things to different people, but to save any arguments, I've selected a pair of earbuds that really don't cost a lot of money. Yes, the JLab Go Pods ANC can regularly be found for under AU$50, making them truly cost-friendly. And if the price doesn't surprise you, the performance is sure to. Here you get genuinely good ANC, good sound and a lightweight build. A companion app also opens up the possibility to tweak EQ settings and customise the touch controls. Their main weakness is battery life, which is only good for around 5 hours with ANC on.

Read our full JLab Go Pods ANC review

Reasons to buy

✅ You're on a (low) budget: If you want to spend as little as possible on some earbuds, there are few other pairs we can outright recommend.

✅ You want noise cancellation: It's not often you find ANC in earbuds this cheap, and since this pair does, it makes them even harder to ignore.

Reasons to avoid

❌ You need a long-lasting battery: If you're listening with noise cancellation, you're only getting five hours of listening time, which isn't a competitive figure.

❌ You're not willing to provide your own eartips: We didn't rate the in-box ear tips, and so recommend you switch out for something else.

Show full expert analysis ▼

In-depth analysis

Features

Considering their low price, you actually get a solid set of features with the JLab Go Pods ANC. The slight downside is that they be confusing to use at first. When we reviewed them, we found that it can be easy to believe you've toggled ANC on, ANC off and Be Aware modes on at the same time in the app. What it's actually telling you is that they're now selectable via the touch controls on the earbuds. It's a bit of a learning process but one you should pick up sharply. We did love the 10-band equaliser, and while we were confused by the workout timer function, it could be useful for some users. As for the ANC, it really is very good considering the price, and will silence most noises around you. It's not best-in-class of course, but you won't feel short changed. Where things do suffer is battery life. You'll only get around 5 hours from a single charge with ANC on, and around 7.5 hours with it off. The charging case should provide up to 26 hours more, and it has an integrated USB-C cable, so you may find you can recharge more easily than other earbuds.

Sound quality

How good's the sound quality in the JLab Go Pods ANC? Well, a lot better than you'd expect for less than AU$50 that's for sure. Will they win in a contest with earbuds that cost five times as much? No. But we weren't disappointed with their performance one bit in our review. As our tester noted, "music sounds bright with defined treble and mids, and a laudable breadth of soundstage so you can hear different passages and harmonies in the music surrounding you." We were also impressed with the amount of bass on offer, although this was largely due to us making some EQ adjustments. Therein lies a slight issue, in our mind, to get the absolute best sound quality, you'll want to tinker around with the settings. If that puts you off, then you may want to look elsewhere.

Design

The JLab Go Pods ANC have a rather unique design element, that could prove to be a blessing or a curse — they have a USB-C cable integrated into their case, allowing you to charge them up if battery runs low. In theory this is great, as you won't need to carry a separate cable with you. On the other hand, you need to be near a USB-C outlet in order to charge. You can use a phone or laptop, but if you're already charging that device, then you can't charge the 'buds. As for the buds themselves, they're lighter than many others at 4.2g each, and they feature touch controls that are reliable. We're not really fans of the supplied eartips though, as they slide out of the ears way too easily, so they're really not a good option for active people. We'd therefore recommend you invest in a third-party set.

Value

It's hard to argue with the value proposition of the JLab Go Pods ANC. Save for a few minor niggles that are to be expected at this price, they're basically the cheapest noise cancelling wireless earbuds actually worth buying in Australia.

JLab Go Pods ANC test results

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The best wireless earbuds for ANC

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1-minute summary: I didn't think there was much that could be improved in the first-generation Ultra Earbuds, but clearly I have been proven wrong. This second-gen model has arrived and not only offered improvements (somehow) where noise nixing is concerned, but the audio quality has received a welcome upgrade, too. We found them to deliver greater dynamism, punch and energy compared to their predecessor, which is no mean feat. As far as ANC goes, you really are left in a cocoon of silence, and we appreciate the various modes on offer too, including a transparency mode. With regards to sound quality, our tester said ""sonically, the QCUE 2nd Gen are a rare treat across the frequencies" in our review, and praised how well they can punch down with bass while still leaving textured and layered mids room to breathe, and treble that shines above the rest of the mix. You're also getting improved features, including wireless charging and multi-point connectivity. Battery life remains the same unfortunately, but on the whole, these are a terrific set of earbuds.

Read our full Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) review

Reasons to buy

✅ You want the best ANC: They're easily the top of their class. If you want total silence when listening to music, look no further.

✅ You like a live, energetic sound: Offering vibrancy and attack in spade, Bose's latest flagship buds are a really enjoyable listen.

Reasons to avoid

❌ You're on a budget: Getting the best noise cancellation available doesn't come cheap – we'd recommend seeking out the first-gen Ultras, as they'll likely come with a discount.

❌ You want a more neutral, hi-fi sound: We're not diminishing their performance one bit, but if you don't value a super-lively sound, you'll be better served by the Technics or Bowers & Wilkins options here.

Show full expert analysis ▼

In-depth analysis

Features

On the face of it, Bose hasn't added too many new features into this second-gen model compared to the first. That's not necessarily a bad thing, as the first-gen version was brimming! Perhaps the biggest update is wireless charging in the case (the previous model required a weird accessory to add this). Features carried over include Snapdragon Sound for higher-res audio support (your source device needs to be compatible though) and custom head-tracked spatial audio — called Immersive Audio — that works with every audio source (and is quite impressive). You're also getting Bose's CustomTune tech that adjusts the sound for your ear shape automatically, and multi-point Bluetooth pairing to two sources. Of course, the ANC performance is the real start of the show. Not only is it best-in-class, but it offers a variety of modes and adjustments within the app. These Modes allow you to have different settings depending on your scenario — full ANC on a busy commute and more relaxed in the office, for example. The only real downsides include a limited three-band EQ and average battery life of six hours.

Sound quality

The ANC might be impressive, but it's not the only thing the Bose QCUE 2nd Gen have going for them, as the sound quality is sensational too. Our reviewer noted, that "sonically, the QCUE 2nd Gen are a rare treat across the frequencies", adding that bass levels can get taut and punchy, while mids are layered perfectly and highs shine bright. With that being said, we did find them to be quite lively in their audio presentation. That's no bad thing of course, but if you're someone who prefers a more neutral, balanced sound than you'd likely be better served by the Technics EAH-AZ100 at #1 on this list. But if energy and impact is your jam, these Bose buds are more than up to the task.

Design

Only truly eagle-eyed people could tell the difference between this second-gen set of buds and their predecessor, they're that similar. One of the big giveaways would be if you opted for the new plum colour option. Otherwise, the main design changes it a new insert in the ear tip, which is designed to keep ear wax at bay. They are still quite bulky compared to many other pairs on this list, but it doesn't effect how they fit or feel when you're wearing them. They remain locked in place, but if you're ever unsure, an fit check mode in the app will let you know if you're getting the best seal.

Value

At AU$450 RRP, I'm of course going to admit that these Bose earbuds aren't cheap. However, they are priced competitively against other premium buds, and given their ANC is head and shoulders above the rest, they do become more appealing. Plus, they now receive regular discounts, often dipping well below AU$400 — if you can find them for such a price, they're well worth snapping up.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) test results

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The best wireless earbuds for Apple fans

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1-minute summary: The AirPods Pro 2 were already (and still are) a tremendous set of earbuds, yet Apple has managed to improve upon them in almost every conceivable way in the AirPods Pro 3. As you'd expect, they work seamlessly with Apple gear, but the tech giant has gifted them with better sound quality and improved ANC that really is amongst the best-in-class. They also adopt a reworked design, resulting in them feeling much more secure and comfortable when worn. It's a subtle change, but when you compare both pairs side-by-side, you really can notice the difference and I can't imagine many people will ultimately prefer the fit of the Pro 2s – this is all subjective, of course. New features that arrived with the Pro 3s include a heart rate monitor and live translation, both of which work well. However, live translation is also available on the Pro 2s via a firmware update. The charging case is also now slimmer and you get a bit more battery life from a single charge. Battery life still isn't a headline feature for the Pro 3s, but 8 hours on a single charge is admirable. As always with Apple products, these buds are best suited to iPhone users thanks to unique features such as Dolby Atmos spatial audio, Find My support and auto-switching between devices. They're not cheap though, especially here in Australia, where they've actually gone up in price compared to the model they replace. Still, I reckon Apple will continue to sell a bucket load of them, as they should, because they're fantastic.

Read our full Apple AirPods Pro 3 review

Reasons to buy

✅ You want superb sound and noise cancellation: So many pairs on this list offer good ANC, but with the Pro 3, if you have an iPhone there's no ANC out there that's as effective.

✅ You're in the Apple ecosystem: As always, you really do need an iPhone to fully take advantage of everything these buds offer.

Reasons to avoid

❌ You want Lossless audio support, LDAC or aptX: Apple has continued to leave out support for Lossless audio, which is a real shame, considering Apple Music does support it.

❌ You want good battery life: 8 hours on a single charge is good, but it's still average compared to rivals.

Show full expert analysis ▼

In-depth analysis

Features

Now, realistically you're only reading this section on the AirPods Pro 3 because you're an Apple user. And that's great, because it means you'll get the absolute best of these buds where features are concerned. The headline feature has to be ANC, which I'll speak about more in-depth later, but there are some others that are well worth mentioning. Firstly, these now have a heart-rate monitor built in, which could be a great addition if you don't already use a smartwatch (if you do, such as an Apple Watch, then the monitor on that takes precedence in fitness apps) and live translation. We did find this latter feature to be a little fiddly to setup, but once it is, it works much better than we expected. Battery life can only be considered average at eight hours with ANC on, and a bit less if you elect to listen in Spatial Audio. However, the case makes up for it with plenty of extra charges on tap. I do have to mention though, that if you're not an iPhone user, then the majority of these features won't work for you.

Sound quality

Apple has often found itself as the top end when it comes to sound quality from its headphones, and the AirPods Pro 3 continue that trend in a big way. These are seriously impressive sounding buds, which we said was "immersive" and had "vigorous impact" in our review. The immersive nature is noticeable even with Spatial Audio disabled, but turn it on and things really do get turned up a notch. The overall soundstage is expansive, with plenty of bass on tap too. As a result, they do move away from a neutral profile, so if that's your preference you'll be better served by other pairs on this list. However, we believe them to be well-suited to just about any genre, adding in our review they “bring your music to your ears with panache and joy.” The good news doesn't end there, as the ANC is also up there with the class leaders. Apple says its twice as effective as in the Pro 2 predecessor, and it's a claim I can certainly agree to. I've used both pairs, and the Pro 3 really are noticeably better.

Design

I've always found Apple's AirPods Pro models to be comfortable to wear. I also love the fact you can just take them out of the case and pop them into your ears, no fumbling around required. I've used every generation of the Pro buds, and this latest set are without a doubt the most comfortable. They've been redesigned, with the result being an even more secure and comfortable fit. In fact, I'd go as far to say they're the most comfortable earbuds I've ever used. They're lightweight at just 5.6g each, and they usher in an improved IP57 rating too, making them great for workouts. The case keeps a similar and still pocketable shape, although Apple has done away with the reset button this time. It's a peculiar change, and makes resetting them more cumbersome than it needs to be, but realistically most people won't mind.

Value

While they may be a truly talented set of earbuds, it pains me to say that the AirPods Pro 3 launched in Australia at AU$429, a AU$30 increase over their predecessor. That's a tough pill to swallow, but when compared against other premium buds such as those from Technics and Bose, they can still be considered good value. Plus, I'm already seeing them receive regular discounts by as much as AU$100, which makes them an absolute steal in my opinion.

Apple AirPods Pro 3 test results

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The best wireless open earbuds

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1-minute summary: The Shokz OpenFit Pro cost similar money to many other premium pairs of wireless earbuds in Australia that have made this guide. It's with this in mind that I feel you really want to know that an open-style pair of earbuds is for you. With that being said, this latest pair from Shokz really do deliver value for money. They're well-suited to anyone with even the slightest interest in fitness, whether that be a casual jogger or hardcore triathlete. They're comfortable to wear and remain locked in place, while an IP55 rating ensures they're protected against the elements. Features include Dolby Atmos support, complete with head tracking that really does work surprisingly well. We were also impressed with their ability to reduce external noises.

Read our full Shokz OpenFit Pro review

Reasons to buy

✅ You want stamina: You'll get 12 hours per charge, which is more than many other pairs, and a further 50 provided by the case.

✅ You care about sound quality: Open-style earbuds, by design, can't always compete with regular in-ears when it comes to sound quality, but the the OpenFit Pro but that trend with a truly wonderful sound profile.

Reasons to avoid

❌ You have a smaller budget: They are worth their higher price tag in our opinion, but there are some other viable alternatives that are more affordable, such as the Huawei FreeArc buds.

❌ You're not a treble head: These buds can risk sounding tinny depending on your choice of music with their out-the-box settings. You can enable a bass boost feature to even things out though.

Show full expert analysis ▼

In-depth analysis

Features

The Shokz OpenFit Pro are incredibly well-specced, which certainly does help to justify their higher price tag. They're fitted with Bluetooth 6.1 connectivity, IP55 protection against dust and water and a very strong 12 hours of battery life from a single charge, with a further 50 from the case. Their noise reduction tech is seriously good (though do note it's not fully-fledged ANC). The companion app opens up a wealth of customisation too, including EQ presets, custom profiles and the ability to enable Dolby Atmos audio complete with head tracking. They also have their own built-in 'find my earbuds' option, on the rare occasion you mislay them.

Sound quality

Open-style earbuds, by design, can't offer the exact same level of audio quality compared to 'proper' in-ear headphones. Still, the OpenFit Pro are definitely aimed at users who will want the best sound available from this particular design, particularly given their higher price. Fortunately, they succeed, as we found in our testing that deliver really strong bass weight, coupled with strong trebles. It's worth noting that the high treble levels can potentially irk some users, as it can conceivably be deemed as being too sharp. Luckily there's a setting in the app that can boost bass levels to even things out. We also found the Dolby Atmos performance to be quite remarkable, and the head tracking worked wonders, too.

Design

The Shokz OpenFit Pro — and virtually all open-style earbuds — are very much a fitness-focused product, as they aim to deliver solid sound while still keeping you aware of your surroundings. Shokz is no stranger to this design, and the OpenFit Pro are truly a success. They fit snugly around the ears, and in our tests they remained locked in place until the moment we took them off. So, no matter what your fitness persuasion might be, you can rely on these buds to keep moving with you. Just don't take them swimming, they won't survive the constant dunking under water.

Value

A retail price of AU$399 does mean the OpenFit Pro are a lot pricier compared to others in the space. We do feel it's justified though, given the breadth of features, superb sound and incredible battery life.

Shokz OpenFit Pro test results

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The best wireless earbuds for Samsung fans

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1-minute summary: It doesn't necessarily come as a surprise to learn the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are much like the AirPods Pro 3, in that they have a set of features exclusive to Samsung phone owners. In this case, the feature set actually makes for more impressive reading than Apple's pair, including support for 24-bit hi-res audio, Dolby Atmos spatial audio and AI features including live language translation, making them a great option for any regular overseas travellers. Their design isn't going to win any innovation awards, but it's one that's familiar now to many and include various controls on the stems such as pinching-to-pause and swiping-to-change-volume gestures. What we can confidently say about the Buds 4 Pro is that they sound incredible, and are a big improvement over the model they replace. Our TechRadar reviewer said "The sound is energetic, with crackling mids and powerful treble." Noise cancellation is also impressive and they're comfortable to wear for extended periods. We did find when testing them though that they ear tips can be tricky to remove and can even tear, so we suggest holding them at the base whenever you want to take an ear tip off. If you own a Samsung phone, these are a no-brainer. If you own an Android phone, then we'd still recommend the Technics pair at the top of this list first.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro review

Reasons to buy

✅ You have a Samsung Galaxy phone: Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Buds 4 Pro offer a load of extra smarts when used with Samsung phones, including spatial audio and AI features.

✅ You need top-tier ANC: The ANC on offer really is exceptional, and can comfortably compete with the very best.

Reasons to avoid

❌ You need workout buds: The unreliable fit make these a poor choice for runners, and they weren't the best at the gym either.

❌ You listen for long periods: If you enable all the features, battery life takes a major hit, lasting about half a day tops. Other buds simply last longer.

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In-depth analysis

Features

The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are well-equipped, but you'll only unlock their full potential if you have a Samsung phone. Having said that, the ANC performance is top-tier no matter what phone you use. You can push the performance further using an AI-powered Adaptive mode, but again, it only works with Samsung phones. The other AI features aren't really worth shouting home about though, save for the Samsung-exclusive head-tracked spatial audio, which works well, and the 24-bit/96kHz wireless audio support is a very nice boon for music fans who use the likes of Tidal or (perhaps improbably) Apple Music for higher-quality files. There's no multi-point switching between non-Samsung devices, so while they're very well-featured for Samsung owners, anyone else is better off elsewhere.

Sound quality

When we published our review, our tester said "[t]here’s no denying that the Samsungs provide absolutely fantastic audio quality." This was helped by the (Samsung exclusive) Ultra High Quality Sound wireless tech and the Adaptive EQ for personalising the audio. Further to this, we found the sound profile to be energetic and dynamic, with a good amount of bass weight and sparkling treble. The soundstage is wide, and songs get the chance to be suitable big when they should be, and with individual instruments able to be picked out of the mix easily. They're right up there with the best buds for this kind of price.

Design

There's no an awful lot to dislike about the design of the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro. They continue to adopt the stem-like design of their predecessor, which makes using the touch controls on the buds super simple. We did find in our testing however, that they'll remain firmly in place when you're stationary, but can feel like they're slipping when you're moving. It was particularly noticeable with more rigorous movement, mind you, such as running. As a result, they're not a great option if you're looking for some fitness-focused buds.

Value

The official price of AU$399 is very competitive compared to other premium earbuds if you're a Samsung owner (and it's pleasing to see they launched at the same price as their predecessor). However, Samsung often does aggressive deals on its earbuds during sales season, so you might see some prices much lower than this – they'll become even better if so. But again, we'd still say they're really for Samsung owners only.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro test results

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The best wireless earbuds for sound

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1-minute summary: While all the pairs of wireless earbuds on this list will deliver solid sound directly into your ears, none of them deliver quite as accomplished a performance as the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8. Yes, if sound quality is the area you simply cannot compromises on, these are the earbuds for you. This flagship set feature an upgraded DAC, DSP and amplifier over their Pi7 S2 predecessor, with results that really need to be heard. What's also impressive is how much B&W has upgraded their ANC capabilities too, as they now comfortably compete with the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2) and AirPods Pro 3. We also love the fact they finally adopt on-ear volume controls. They are missing some features found on other pairs, such as ear-tip fit tests and spatial audio, but they've likely been left out so that outright sound quality can really be left unrivalled.

Read our full Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 review

Reasons to buy

✅ You value sound quality above all else: We've yet to hear another pair of in-ear headphones that sound as good as these.

✅ You want a safe, secure fit: You can just remove them from their case and put them in your ears, where they'll stay.

Reasons to avoid

❌ You want spatial audio: The Pi8s don't support it.

❌ You appreciate personalised sound tests: They're not here either.

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In-depth analysis

Features

On paper, you could say the B&W Pi8 are lacking in the features department. However, the features they do possess are so good that we're happy that some other common ones have been left out. As well as employing superb ANC, there's also a 'Pass Through' mode that does a great job of filtering background sounds into your ears. What's more, the charging case doubles up as a transmitter, meaning you can plug it into a USB-C source (such as an in-flight entertainment system) and transmit audio in aptX Adaptive quality straight to your ears. So, while you might not get spatial audio or personalised sound profiles, we can't imagine too many people will actually miss them.

Sound quality

While it's absolutely fair to expect a brand of B&W's pedigree to deliver a super-sounding set of earbuds, even we were surprised by just how good the Pi8s perform. It really is like having a pukka set of dedicated hi-fi loudspeakers in your ears. They unearth oodles of detail from tracks, and place instruments in the soundstage with pin-point accuracy. We're confident in saying that if you listen to the Pi8s after using your current set of trusted earbuds, you're guaranteed to notice a night and day difference. And, in our testing, we were also pleased with the fact that enabling ANC didn't have any negative effect on the audio quality.

Design

The Pi8 isn't B&W's first attempt at a pair of wireless earbuds. There was a pair of Pi7s that came before that did sound good, but they just didn't fit particularly well. Fortunately, B&W has taken the time to go back to the drawing board, as this new-and-improved set are so much more comfortable to wear. Some may wish for higher-end materials than the matte plastic used here given the price, but it does at least look and feel premium. The mics and sensors for calls and ANC have been repositioned too, which has worked wonders for performance in both areas. And, while each earbud weighs a relatively hefty 7g, you never feel the weight during use. Quite the opposite in fact, as they feel secure for as long as you choose to wear them. They also now adopt on-ear controls, but you can only set one function for them, with your choices being volume adjustments, ANC profiles or accessing your voice assistant.

Value

The B&W Pi8 are far from cheap, but they really do deliver the best sound we've ever heard from a pair of wireless earbuds. Factoring this in, along with their premium build and useful extra features, we do think it's somewhat justified. Battery life can be beaten by other pairs, and of course some others deliver more where features are concerned and for less money. If it's the absolute pinnacle of sound quality you're after though, there's simply nothing better.

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 test results

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The best wireless earbuds for battery life

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1-minute summary: If you know you go long periods without being able to charge your wireless earbuds, or you simply don't want to worry as much about how much juice you've got left, then I have to recommend the JBL Live Beam 3. The fact the charging case has a screen that also needs powering may seem counter intuitive to this claim, but you get an already impressive 12 hours from the buds themselves (that drops to 10 hours with ANC on) and an extra three charges from the case. That's a seriously stellar 48 hours in total. But the JBL Live Beam 3 don't just earn a spot on this list for their battery life alone. They also sound great, and are a notable improvement over the previous iteration of these buds – the JBL Tour Pro 2. In our review, we wrote: "There's an expansive soundstage, there's dynamic ability, there's cohesion across the frequencies." We liked the ANC in our review, but it's not the best we've experienced. We were also a little disappointed by the promise of spatial audio profiles, as they didn't deliver the expected level of immersive sound compared to what you get from the likes of AirPods Pro 3. During our testing, we experienced a snug and secure fit from the Live Beam 3, but we did note that they go very far into your ears, which is unlikely to be comfortable for everyone.

Read our full JBL Live Beam 3 review

Reasons to buy

✅ You want plenty of play time: With 10 hours of run time with ANC on from the buds, and 48 hours total, you'll rarely need to think about recharging.

✅ You like cool tech ideas: A screen on the case is certainly divisive, but it has genuine purpose.

Reasons to avoid

❌ Spatial audio is a priority: The Live Buds 3 do deliver some immersion, but it's not particularly three dimensional.

❌ You want only-the-best ANC: The noise-cancellation is good and you're able to tweak it, it's just not as strong as what you'll get from the likes of Bose or Apple.

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In-depth analysis

Features

The JBL Live Buds 3's biggest feature has to be its smart case, which opens up plenty of interaction. Not only can you set a wallpaper of your choosing, you can access a variety of settings such as EQ adjustments and ANC profiles. It might seem gimmicky, but it really does work in practice and can save you from heading to the companion app for most settings changes. Elsewhere there's excellent call handling, aided by a variety of options including Sound Level Optimiser, Sound Setting, Voice Setting, VoiceAware and Private Call Mode – all of which work to enhance the quality of voices. There are also an array of EQ presets and adjustments you can make to fine-tune the sound. ANC can be tweaked to your heart's content too, although no matter how much tweaking you apply, it doesn't quite match the class leaders. I should also mention Personi-Fi, which tests your hearing and presents you with a mini verdict on the compensation is recommends for each ear and a dedicated sound profile.

Sound quality

There's much to like about the JBL Live Beam 3's sound profile. They can go big when asked, yet they're also more than capable of excellent detail retrieval. They support Sony's LDAC technology too for higher-quality streams, though you will need a compatible source device in order to make the most of it. Ultimately, JBL is no stranger to high-quality audio, having been in the business for well over 50 years. The B&W Pi8 may take the spot for best sound, but the Live Beam 3 offer an awful lot to live.

Design

The Live Beam 3 really are a pair of in-ear headphones. By this, I mean they do sit quite far into the ear canal compared to some other pairs (even some of JBL's other options), though we didn't find them uncomfortable during our testing. They support on-ear controls, though you'll need to assign a function within the app (they can't handle them all unfortunately). I've spoken about the case further up, but it's clearly another design element to these buds, and one that's both fun and unique.

Value

There's no other way of saying it, the JBL Live Beam 3 offer exceptional value for money. They boast enviable battery life, sound fantastic and have a wealth of genuinely useful features, all for a list price of AU$249. At the time of writing, they can picked up for much less, which only adds to their appeal.

JBL Live Beam 3 test results

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More wireless earbuds we've tested

AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation: These sound great and have noise cancellation that's far better than we ever expected anything without a real in-ear seal to achieve. They also have impressive spatial audio, and lots of other smart features for iPhone users, which we explored in our AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation review. However, the AirPods Pro 2 are basically always around the same price as these, and they're superior, so these don't make the list while that's true.

Apple AirPods Pro 2: They've unsurprisingly been usurped by the Pro 3 buds, but the older pair are still worth it if you can get your hands on a pair. Battery life isn't the best, but in all other areas they're still fantastic. Take a look at our full Apple AirPods Pro 2 review for more.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (1st Gen): The second-gen model is superior in almost every way, but given the fact this first-gen set is still available to buy, and now at a much lower price, they're worth seeking out — especially because their noise cancellation is still second-best-in class. Here's our full Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds review for more on them.

Bowers & Wilkins Pi6: These B&W buds feel premium, are comfortable to wear and sound great. As you'll see from our Bowers & Wilkins Pi6 review, we really enjoyed testing them. However, they are a little pricey, especially considering they're light on some of the top-tier features we'd expect to see, and we experienced some minor connectivity issues.

CMF Buds Pro 2: These budget buds come in a range of funky colour options that put the usual beige, white and black options to shame. And we liked parts of them very much in our CMF Buds Pro 2 review, but the overall package just doesn't match the likes of the Nothing Ear (a).

Huawei FreeArc: The Huawei FreeArc previously occupied the spot as the best open-ear earbuds, and have only recently been demoted since the Shokz OpenFit Pro came along. They're still very much worth considering though, not least for their more affordable price point. You’ll get top-tier sound and a comfortable fit too. Read our full Huawei FreeArc review for more details.

Skullcandy Method 540: These Skullcandy buds are pricier than the Method 360 that came before them — which we rate quite highly. The only real upgrade in this newer set though are some AI features. And, given you have to pay for a subscription to access them, it makes these buds tricky to comfortably recommend. They still have all the perks of the 360, including a good fit and solid battery life, but we felt that they struggle to justify the price hike. Read our full Skullcandy Method 540 review for more.

Sony WF-1000XM5: You may have noticed that Sony is nowhere to be seen in the main list. It's true that these 'buds do sound great, but we just feel competing pairs – ie. Bose and Technics, offer more for similar money. As we said in our Sony WF-1000XM5 review, the ANC was sadly weaker than expected, and sonically they are beaten by the Technics EAH-AZ100 sitting at the top of this guide.

Sony WF-1000XM6: We had high hopes for Sony's latest flagship wireless earbuds, but as you'll learn from our Sony WF-1000XM6 review, they're a bit of a mixed bag. Sonically, they're fantastic, but we found the ANC to not be good enough to trouble the class leaders.

Sony WF-C710N: This pair of Sony earbuds came very close to taking a spot in our main list as the best budget pick. But, since the JLabs pair will struggle to be beatn on price, the C710N have been consigned to this section instead. Check out our Sony WF-C710N review for more info.

How to choose the best wireless earbuds

There are a few factors to consider when picking a pair of wireless earbuds. You want to find a pair that are both comfortable and suitable to your needs. Before settling on your new wireless earbuds, consider the audio quality, connectivity, design and other included features as well as your own budget.

If you want a pair of buds that are packed with the most premium features, you’re looking at spending a lot more than it'd cost you to get your hands on a pair that might still have decent audio without all the frills. Still, if you need features such as ANC, spending a little more on a pair of buds can make all the difference.

The general user won’t need the most expansive soundstage, but if you want the best audio experience you’ll also need to consider how each pair performs when compared to competitors.

You should also look at how you plan to use your new earbuds. If you’re after a pair to use while you’re working out or jogging, you’ll want to consider getting a pair that has been designed specifically for people who are more active and that also comes with a water resistance rating. On the other hand, if you want a pair to block out the world while you’re trying to focus on work or study, you’ll want to look out for a pair with active noise cancellation.

You can also consider brands while shopping around for earbuds. While Sony has held solid ground with some of the best wireless earbuds on offer, there are a bunch of other brands out there that are closing the distance such as Bose, Apple, Beats and many more.

Ultimately, with the amount of wireless earbuds on the market, you won’t have any issues finding the pair that’s just right for you.

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How we test the best wireless earbuds

We've tested every pair of earbuds listed in this guide, among many others that are currently available. We take time while reviewing products, making sure to evaluate how these devices sound across movies, different music genres, games and more. Sound quality is a priority for TechRadar, especially when listening to music on the go.

Comfort and how secure they feel is also taken into consideration over extended periods of use, and tested in the situations best suited to the product (including gaming and running).

Any other features, including battery life and noise cancellation, are also tested. If a pair of earbuds claim to have it, we'll try it out and let you know what we think.

If you want to find out more, we have a complete set of guidelines on how we test, review and rate on TechRadar.

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Latest updates to the best wireless earbuds

January 8, 2025
Removed the Earfun Air Pro 3 as the 'best for cheap ANC' option, as the Nothing Ear (a) holds the best budget spot. Added more pairs of wireless earbuds to the 'also consider' section.

December 4, 2025
Replaced the AirPods Pro 2 with the AirPods Pro 3 as the best wireless earbuds for Apple fans.

November 5, 2025
Refreshed the introduction. Added the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) as the best mid-priced pick and moved the Nothing Ear (a) into the best budget slot.