The best earbuds 2025: wireless and wired buds for all budgets, all TechRadar tested and recommended

PRICE
VERDICT
REASONS TO BUY
REASONS TO AVOID
VERDICT
REASONS TO BUY
REASONS TO AVOID
Technics EAH-AZ100 earbuds on TR's mustard-color buying guide background
(Image credit: Technics)

I've personally tested well over 160 audio products since becoming a full-time audio writer in 2019, but TechRadar's been in this game since 2006, with the wider TechRadar team clocking in over 300 earbuds reviews to date. And only the best of those make it here, based on our rigorous in-house earbuds testing process.

Obviously, the best earbuds can make a huge difference to how you listen to music, whether you’re streaming a podcast on a long flight, zoning out to a calming playlist, or powering through your commute with a motivating soundtrack.

With most people leaning toward the best wireless earbuds in 2025 thanks to vastly improved Bluetooth audio codecs, better batteries and smaller, more comfortable earpieces, we’ve focused this list on top-rated wireless models, but included a few good value wired options too. Again, each recommendation has been thoroughly tested by our expert audio tech team for sound quality, noise cancellation, microphone clarity, and battery life to ensure they meet or exceed our expectations.

We now recommend the 2025-release Technics EAH-AZ100 as our top pick for most people, with excellent call quality, rich audio, and still-unique triple-device multipoint connection (as first introduced in their older siblings, the EAH-AZ80). For under $100/£100, the Nothing Ear (a) buds offers an excellent mix of quality and value, while the Sony WF-C510 buds stand out for impressive sound quality among affordable options. Looking for cheaper choices? Check out our best budget wireless earbuds guide or explore our list of the best wired earbuds.

The quick list

Want to cut straight to the best earbuds around? You'll find a roundup of our top choices here. You can jump to a more in-depth write-up for each product, and see the latest deals on them.

Curated by
Senior audio staff writer Becky Scarrott, in a field
Curated by
Becky Scarrott

I've reviewed over 150 audio products since becoming a tech journalist, ranging from super-budget earbuds to high-end Hi-Res Audio music players. Before joining TechRadar, I spent three years at What Hi-Fi? testing everything the world of audio had to offer; before that, I was a professional dancer. My love of music ties it all together.

Recent updates

10 February 2024
Checked all recent reviews against the options on this list, and updated the list of other earbuds we've tested we've recently.

The best earbuds of 2024

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.

Below you'll find full write-ups for each of the best earbuds in our list. We've tested each one extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.

The best earbuds overall

The best earbuds for both sound and features

Specifications

Weight: 5.9g (earbuds); 42g (charging case)
Frequency response: 40-20,000Hz
Drivers: 10mm free-edge dynamic
Battery life: 12 hours (earbuds, ANC off); 17 hours (charging case)

Reasons to buy

+
Assertive, balanced and truly convincing sound
+
Extensive specification
+
Excellent comfort and fit

Reasons to avoid

-
Noise-cancelling and battery life can still be beaten
-
Distinct difference between ‘ANC on’ and ‘ANC off’ sound
BUY THEM IF

✅ You need the best sound around: Like their older siblings, there’s nothing artificial about the way the Technics EAH-AZ100 sound; they offer a convincingly detailed and dynamic listen whatever music we feed them.

You want to switch between devices: Triple-point connectivity is a world-first in a product like this, and it’s brilliantly convenient

DON'T BUY THEM IF

You need earbuds that last long into the night: Even at its best, the battery life available here is nothing special, though it's not bad.

You need the ultimate in ANC: There are many less-capable noise-cancelling earbuds, but if silence is imperative look to the Bose buds at #4 on this list.

The 2025-issue Technics EAH-AZ100 buds feel premium (because they are), are packed with features, offer triple-point connectivity, a lovely small earpiece and a sound that really needs to be heard to be believed in a wireless design.

In pretty much every aspect we tested, the Technics EAH-AZ100 made a rock-solid case for themselves, solidifying Technics' spot at the top of the wireless earbuds tree. They look excellent, their control options work flawlessly, comfort is impressive, and they sound engaging, exciting and thoroughly musical. From their thorough specification (which covers everything from adaptive ANC to Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity with LDAC compatibility) to a design that's smaller, lighter and yet somehow no less premium in look and feel to their slightly bigger EAH-AZ80 siblings, the Technics EAH-AZ100 are ready to do battle – and for us, they win out in almost every respect.

Unless you prefer stellar battery life or bubble-of-silence noise-cancellation over top-tier sound quality, the EAH-AZ100 are the real deal. One other thing of note while we're on the topic of noise cancelling: we'd advise keeping it switched on to get the best quality audio (and here we assure you, you won't be disappointed). Switch ANC off and the punchy, beautifully-handled low frequencies somehow lose a modicum of bite and substance somehow, which is why they didn't achieve the full five stars despite their considerable sonic talents, comfort and features.

Read our full Technics EAH-AZ100 review

The best earbuds at a mid range price

The best earbuds for under $100 / £100

Specifications

Acoustic design: Closed
Weight: 4.7g per earbud
Frequency response: Not listed
Drivers: 11mm
Battery life: 5.5 hours (buds) 24.5 hours (case)

Reasons to buy

+
Expensive, lively sound
+
Good active noise cancellation
+
Small case and great design

Reasons to avoid

-
No wireless charging
-
Average battery life
BUY THEM IF

✅ You want strong noise cancellation: At this price, this is the best noise-blocking power we've heard.

You're serious about sound: These are a fun and responsive set of buds, with wireless hi-res support via LDAC as a bonus.

DON'T BUY THEM IF

You really want spatial audio: It's not here, but the similarly priced Sony WF-C700N will give it to you.

You need a big battery life: The 5.5-hours life with ANC is not very impressive – the Sony earbuds mentioned above offer 7.5 hours.

The Nothing Ear (a) are a serious improvement from Nothing, rocketing its buds from being 'fine, but nothing special' to 'these are the best value you can get for the price'. And they're a fun yellow color while doing it!

For their sub-$100/£100 price, they're so good, and feel premium. In our review, we said compared to the similarly priced (and fantastic) Sony WF-C700N, "the Nothing earbuds look more premium and feel more foxy. Their noise cancellation is a touch more robust and the sound is every bit as energetic, detailed and zealous, and (dare we say it?) a tad more expansive to boot."

In general, we said that "for the money, Nothing has tweaked its recipe to near perfection here" – yes, you can get better sound from the Technics at #1 on the list or other more premium options, but you need to pay twice as much for a meaningful difference.

That goes for features, too – the noise cancellation is as good as we've tested for the price, you get smart features such as wear detection to auto-pause them when you take them out, there's multi-point pairing for instant switching between devices, there's a Find My mode, there's LDAC hi-res support… the only think missing is spatial audio, and that's not usually an essential on affordable buds. The 5.5-hour battery life is the only element that's below average, but we can totally live with that.

Read our full Nothing Ear (a) review

The best budget earbuds

The best earbuds on a budget

Specifications

Acoustic design: Closed
Weight: 31g
Frequency response: 20Hz - 20,000Hz
Drivers: 6mm
Battery life (on-board): 11 hours (buds) 11 hours (case)

Reasons to buy

+
Punchy, talented audio
+
Sony 360 Reality Audio support
+
Great in-bud battery life; small case

Reasons to avoid

-
A few missing features
-
Confusing custom equalizer mode
-
Limited case battery life
BUY THEM IF

✅ You want clear, quality audio: These buds deliver punchy, forward sound with great clarity and texture.

You're looking for excellent value: Cheaper buds exist, but these are extremely good value and seem much pricier than they should.

DON'T BUY THEM IF

You'll miss ANC: Sacrifices have to be made for the low price point, although passive noise cancellation is decent.

You want the best battery life offering: Confusingly, the battery in the buds is great but the case only offers one full charge.

If you’re looking for the best cheap earbuds, the Sony WF-C510s are our top budget pick right now. They prove that Sony still does affordable buds just as well as it can do higher-end options, and that you don’t need to spend a fortune for a solid pair of buds.

The Sony WF-C510 earbuds aren’t perfect, but they deliver everything most people would want from a pair of reliable buds, including good sound, comfort for long periods, and some essential features. You won’t find active noise cancellation here, but there is an option called ‘sound control’, which amplifies ambient noises around you to ensure you’re aware of what's around, and there is passive noise isolation thanks to the snug fit. Sony’s accompanying app brings you basic functions, as well as an EQ. Beyond that, you don't get wear detection or low-latency mode, but not everyone will notice they’re missing.

Battery life in the buds themselves is good at 11 hours. However, you’ll only get one more full charge of 11 hours from the accompanying case, while rivals usually do two or three charges. This means for a long listening session, they’re great. But for charging on the go, they fall behind some rivals.

We were impressed with the audio quality during our testing. Yes, you do have to manage your expectations considering these are budget buds, but our reviewer wrote: “I found the audio high-quality and also certainly distinct in that Sony, 'have this sound, and have it good and clear' way.” The bass isn’t particularly powerful, but everything else here is pleasing and well balanced with a slightly forward sound profile and clear treble, even at higher volumes.

The design of the Sony WF-C510 earbuds is simple, with a rounded and unobtrusive look. The buds are lightweight at only 4.6g each with a surprisingly secure fit. Our reviewer wrote: “they always felt rigid in my testing, never once falling out or even feeling loose.” It’s worth mentioning there’s an IPX4 water resistance rating, which means they should handle sweaty workout sessions and light showers. The Sony WF-C510 earbuds are missing a few features, but otherwise they’re extremely accomplished for the price and beat all the competition at the budget end.

Read our full Sony WF-C510 review

The best earbuds for noise cancellation

The best earbuds for stopping outside sounds

Specifications

Acoustic design: Closed
Weight: 6.24g per earbud
Frequency response: Not specified
Drivers: 10mm
Battery life: 6 hours (buds) 24 hours total (with case)

Reasons to buy

+
Excellent device-agnostic head-tracked spatial audio
+
Lossless audio codec support
+
The best noise cancelling in a set of earbuds

Reasons to avoid

-
Wireless charging requires extra accessory
-
Bulkier than most earbuds
BUY THEM IF

✅ Noise cancellation really matters to you: If there’s one thing the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds do really well, it’s noise cancellation.

You want a more immersive experience: Bose's new Immersive Audio technology creates an expansive, moving soundstage around you.

DON'T BUY THEM IF

You’re on a tight budget: It’s easy to argue that the ANC and sound performance of these buds is worth it and they've come down in price, but they're still not cheap.

You want a small design: They're not exactly big and they did fit well in testing, but there are much smaller buds on the market if you sometimes struggle with them.

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are our pick for the best noise-cancelling earbuds in this guide, and for good reason. They take everything great about the QuietComfort Earbuds 2 that came before them and add some major improvements, like excellent device-agnostic head-tracked immersive audio and even better ANC.

As you’d expect, the active noise cancellation (ANC) here is top-tier, creating a "near bubble of silence" that’s perfect for shutting out distractions during commutes or long flights. Combine their noise-nixing powers with 6 hours of battery life in the buds and 24 hours in total with the case, and they’re a solid choice for extended listening sessions.

Sound-wise, the all-new Immersive Audio technology provides spatial sound that adapts to your movement, offering a more cinematic experience across devices, thanks to Snapdragon Sound Suite and aptX Adaptive support. When it comes to audio, competitors like Sony may edge them slightly in detail, but we called them a “vigorous and engaging listen” in our review. Unless you want audiophile-grade sound, you don’t need to look for better.

There aren’t many design improvements here over the QuietComfort Earbuds 2, but you do get easier-to-fit silicone stability bands and a lightweight build of just 6.24g per earbud – though they’re not the smallest buds on the market. Now priced at around $220/£199 during regular sales events, they’re a premium choice for noise-cancelling fans at a more affordable rate. Especially because Bose addressed a few of our original issues with the buds in a July 2024 update, like adding multi-point connectivity.

Read our full Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds review

The best earbuds for Apple fans