Wireless headphones are great, but true-wireless earphones go one step further. As the name suggests, true-wireless earphones feature no cabling at all: nothing between your music and your headphones, but importantly, nothing linking each earbud together. Simply put, they’re like earplugs that don’t just block the noise out but play whatever you want. So, which ones should you buy?
To make your purchase journey easier, we’ve outlined the best true-wireless earphones available.
Best true wireless earbuds at a glance:
Best overall: Sony WF-1000XM5 - View on John Lewis
Best budget: Anker P20i - View on Amazon
Best premium: Marshall Motif ANC - View on Amazon
Best value: Jlab Epic Lab Edition - View on Amazon
Before you buy your new true-wireless earbuds, it's worth taking some time to consider what you plan to use them for. Do you need to prioritise noise cancellation over audio quality? Or will you be making and taking a lot of calls? Maybe you want them for your daily commute, or for some intense gym sessions.
Whatever you plan to do with them, there may be specific features you need, such as ear hooks to improve stability, or multipoint Bluetooth support so you can connect to two devices at once. We've selected the best wireless earbuds to suit a variety of needs and budgets below.
Best true wireless earbuds of 2024:
All prices are correct at the time of writing. Prices, stock and deals are subject to change without notice.
Best overall
The Sony WF-1000XM5 are Sony's current flagship wireless earbuds, and they build on Sony's formidable reputation for delivering high quality audio products. A combination of spectacular sound, superb noise-cancellation, and solid battery make these a brilliant all-round package.
There's plenty of other features as well – adaptive sound, Speak-to-Chat, and support for Sony's LDAC codec, plus instant Bluetooth pairing for Android and Windows devices, and a button on the case to pair with Apple products. Multipoint Bluetooth support lets you connect to two devices at once, while bone conduction sensors help provide superb call clarity.
These boast larger drivers than on previous generations, so sound is better than ever. This is despite these earbuds being 25 per cent smaller and lighter than the XM4 model. Now, that smaller size does mean that for some, they may not fit quite as snugly. But that's a relatively minor quibble about an otherwise exemplary pair of earbuds.
Pros
- Excellent noise-cancellation
- Superb sound
Cons
- Less bass than some rivals
- Smaller earbud size may be loose fitting for some
Weight | 5.9 grams each |
Bluetooth version | 5.3 |
Battery life | 8 hours plus 16 hours via case |
Drivers | 8.4 mm |
2.
Anker P20i
Best budget
![Anker Soundcore P20i true-wireless earbuds](https://images.bauerhosting.com/affiliates/sites/8/2024/04/anker-soundcore-p20i-hero.png?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
If you're looking for something that won't cost the earth, then the Anker P20i earbuds are a superb budget choice. With an RRP of £29.99, and often now available for less than £25, these headphones defy their budget price point to deliver impressive performance. And all at a fraction of the price of some rival products.
Sound is exceptionally punchy, with big bass supported by oversized 10mm drivers. For some, the bass may be a little too much, occasionally overwhelming other parts of the music. The companion app does offer 22 EQ presets, so you can make some adjustments to suit your preferences. Noise cancellation is also very respectable, although it is passive, rather than active – in other words, external noise is reduced by a snug fit in your ears. Battery life is impressive, with 10 hours on a single charge, and another 30 hours provided by the charging case.
These earbuds were tried and tested by Ryan Houghton, who said: "The Anker P20i earbuds are exceptional at their price. Incredible battery life, brilliantly designed and powerful, there's no denying the value you get."
"Unbelievably cheap, the Anker P20i earbuds are an absolute steal. The hand-feel, the design and the robust sound of the P20i earbuds are truly exceptional for the price. Yes, the case feels lighter than more expensive headphones, and the sound isn't perfectly balanced, but the P20i undoubtedly transcends its price tag. Looking at similarly-priced earbuds on the market, very few achieve the solid audio that Anker is able to achieve at a fraction of the price."
You can read the full Anker P20i wireless earbuds review for more of Ryan's thoughts.
Pros
- Great sound performance
- Fantastic quick-charging battery
- Impressive build quality
Cons
- Poor touch controls
Weight | 45.4g |
Bluetooth version | 5.3 |
Battery life | 10 hours plus 30 via case |
Drivers | 10mm dynamic drivers |
Best premium
![Marshall Motif A.N.C earphones on a bass guitar](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/618a/a14f/8e6c/e10c/a383/b5de/Marshall%20Motif%20ANC%20on%20bass.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
The Marshall Motif ANC earphones are among our favourites at What's The Best, and with good reason. Marshall once again sets an extremely impressive standard, offering superb clarity, well-balanced bass, and a stylish design to boot."
One of very few negatives about these is battery life, which falls short of many rivals. You can typically expect around four hours of battery life when ANC is active, but the charging case will let you get around 20 hours more before it needs topping up.
What's The Best editor William Austin-Lobley had this to say when he reviewed the Marshall Motif ANC Earphones: "The audio is without fault. The music of J Dilla and MF DOOM is given just as much respect as Herbie Hancock and John Coltrane. When I listened through a mix of genres I soon realised that the Motifs never miss a beat. From dance-pop to jazz and acid-house, it’s all excellent."
"The performance on distorted guitar-led music is undoubtedly the highlight, though. It’s a real treat to encounter, as many mainstream earphones struggle with the dynamics of rock music."
Pros
- Excellent sound quality
- Stylish design
- Good touch controls
Cons
- Bad app
Weight | 4.25g per bud, Case: 39.5g |
Bluetooth version | Bluetooth 5.2 |
Battery life | 4.5hrs with ANC, 6 without. Case: 20-hrs |
Drivers | 6mm, Dynamic, 20Hz-20kHz |
Good value doesn't necessarily mean cheap, and the JLab Epic Lab edition are a great example of earbuds that, if you're willing to pay for them, you get a superb set of features, solid battery life, and most importantly, excellent sound for the money.
Multipoint Bluetooth allows you to pair to two devices at a time – perfect for switching between calls and music while you're working. There's also a USB-C dongle that you can plug into devices that don't support Bluetooth, allowing you to still listen wirelessly. Battery life is very respectable, offering nine hours with noise cancelling active, or 13 without. With the charging case, this goes up to 36 hours and 56 hours, respectively. Audio quality is excellent, thanks to a hybrid dual-driver, and support for spatial audio and hi-res audio.
Adam Binnie got to experience these earbuds for himself. Here's what he thought when he reviewed them: "The first thing I noticed about these earbuds was the design and quality of materials used. The case is a classy looking aluminium construction, with a grippy rubber base that makes it super stable when stood up on my desk. It’s a massive upgrade on the usual plasticky construction and feels built to last."
"It sounds great at lower volumes, retaining the level of detail you’d expect at higher volume, without having to crank the noise all the way up. You get deep and punchy basslines, clear and dynamic guitars, and crisp vocals. The only downside is a bit of distortion at higher volume."
"One of the nicest things about the JLabs earbuds is how “big” they sound. At times they sound like a much larger pair of over-ear headphones, with good spatial sound and rich bass that defies their small size."
Pros
- Attractive case design
- Great sound quality
- Long battery life
Cons
- Noise cancellation is only average
Weight | 5.35 grams per bud |
Bluetooth version | 5.3 |
Battery life | 13 hours plus 43 via case |
Drivers | Hybrid dual drivers |
Now, the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro have recently been superseded by the Galaxy Buds3 Pro. But for the time being at least, we're still picking these as our favourite wireless earbuds for Samsung phone users. Why? Well, the newer version will set you back £219, while the older Buds 2 are available for significantly less. Prices vary, but we've seen them available for at least £60 less. And while these are an older model, you're still getting a superbly polished experience.
Excellent sound thanks to 24-bit high-res audio, spatial audio with head tracking, solid active noise cancellation, and a comfortable design mean these deliver across all the most important metrics. Sound is punchy, and bass doesn't overwhelm the mids and highs. Battery life is a slight disappointment, with only around five hours when ANC is active, plus another 18 with the charging case. But overall, these are still great earbuds, and now considerably cheaper than they used to be.
Digital Editor William Lobley had some thoughts in his Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro review: " The Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro are my favourite earbuds. I tested them in January 2022, and they've been by my side – and in my ears – ever since. Style is great. Initially unsure of the white colour, I’ve turned around on it and much prefer it to my other black earphones. More importantly, the shape and size of the earbuds are perfect."
"The audio is top-tier. The overall tone is rich, clear and punchy, giving your music the respect it needs to bring out all of its colours. The noise cancellation is the best I’ve tried in earbuds, even rivalling the powers of the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones."
Pros
- Accomplished noise cancelling
- Well-balanced touch controls
- Clear and energetic audio
Cons
- Not the most secure during vigorous exercise
- No multipoint Bluetooth support
Weight | 5.5 grams each |
Bluetooth version | Bluetooth 5.3 |
Battery life | 8hrs plus 30hrs case |
Drivers | 10mm |
Apple's current flagship earbuds, the AirPods Pro 2 will work with any phone – even Android devices. But it's for Apple device users that these earbuds come into their own, offering users all the features that are built into them. And there really are a lot.
Performance-wise, noise cancellation is absolutely superb – almost as good as the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra earbuds that we picked as the best earbuds for noise cancellation. And when paired with an iPhone, features such as adaptive ANC, transparency mode, and conversation mode all help make these as user-friendly as possible.
There's been a significant improvement to sound quality as well, with support for spatial audio, Dolby Atmos, and an H2 chip that help process sound more quickly. Controls have been added to the stems of the buds themselves making it much easier to adjust sound levels, pause music, and answer calls as you go about your business.
Battery life is solid, at around six hours with ANC activated, plus an extra 24 hours with the charging case. It isn't best-in-class, but it's likely to be adequate for all but the heaviest users.
We mentioned that even Android users can benefit from the superb noise cancellation these offer. But when used with an iPhone or another Apple device, these move onto a different level entirely.
Pros
- Excellent feature-set
- IPX7 Waterproof
- Stable fit
Cons
- Battery life isn't the strongest
Weight | 5.3 grams per bud |
Bluetooth version | Bluetooth 5.3 |
Battery life | <span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: __Montserrat_1ec507, __Montserrat_Fallback_1ec507; font-size: medium; white-space-collapse: collapse;">Up to 6 hours plus 24 via case)</span> |
Drivers | <span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: __Montserrat_1ec507, __Montserrat_Fallback_1ec507; font-size: medium; white-space-collapse: collapse; background-color: rgb(247, 247, 247);">11mm</span> |
Best for the gym
![Beats Fit Pro wireless earbuds](https://images.bauerhosting.com/affiliates/sites/8/2021/10/Beats-Fit-Pro-best-wireless-earbuds-for-gym.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
The Beats fit Pro are designed to work as hard as you do when you go the gym. An IPX4 rating means they are water and sweat resistant. The silicon wing is designed to hook onto the inside of your ear for a more secure grip, and less likelihood of them falling out mid-workout. While this does reduce the risk of losing them, the wing may cause discomfort for some people, particularly if you're wearing them for a long time.
As well as being designed to stay in your ear, the Beats Fit Pro are also built to provide a superb audio experience. Fully adaptive noise cancelling, spatial audio and transparency mode are all available – with one issue. Spatial audio is only available if you're using an iPhone. Presumably this is because Apple owns Beats, but it will be a disappointment to any Android users who want these earbuds.
You'll get up to six hours of battery life with active noise cancellation turned on, plus another 18 hours from the charging case. That's more than enough for any gym session, plus your journey home.
Pros
- Compatible with Android and iOS
- Lots of fun colour choices
- Sweat and water resistant
Cons
- Some features are only available to iPhone users
- Active noise cancellation isn’t the best
Weight | 5.6 grams per bud |
Bluetooth version | 5.0 |
Battery life | 6 hours plus 18 via case |
Drivers | 9.5 mm |
Best for noise cancellation
![Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Earbuds](https://images.bauerhosting.com/affiliates/sites/8/2021/10/Bose-Quiet-Comfort-Ultra-Earbuds-best-noise-cancelling-wireless-earbuds.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
There are lots of great noise-cancelling headphones, but when it comes to earbuds, the cream of the crop is undoubtedly the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds. The active noise cancellation is truly excellent. But just as importantly, the sound experience is also top notch.
This is thanks to Bose Immersive Audio, which makes the sound feel like it's coming from beyond the earbuds, and more like it's coming from a set of speakers. These earbuds are also extremely comfortable, featuring super soft earbud tips that are easy to swap so you get the right size for your ears.
According to Bose, the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds also offer improved call performance over their predecessors. They manage this by prioritising the mic on whichever earbud has the least background noise, and filtering out more of that noise to increase the clarity of your voice.
These are undoubtedly an ultra-premium set of earbuds, with an RRP of £299. So, it is a little disappointing that features such as multipoint Bluetooth and wireless charging are missing. But this is forgivable, given just how spectacular the sound quality and noise cancellation are.
Pros
- Outstanding noise cancellation
- Rich audio experience
- Very comfortable
Cons
- Battery life isn’t the strongest
- No multipoint Bluetooth
Weight | <span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: __Montserrat_1ec507, __Montserrat_Fallback_1ec507; font-size: medium; white-space-collapse: collapse;">7.1 grams per bud</span> |
Bluetooth version | 5.3 |
Battery life | 6 hours (18 with the case) |
Drivers | 9.3 mm |
Best for sound quality
![Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4](https://images.bauerhosting.com/affiliates/sites/8/2020/10/Sennheiser-Momentum-True-Wireless-4.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Sennheiser typically produces high quality headphones and earbuds, and for pure unadulterated sound quality, the Sennheiser Momentum true wireless 4 are hard to beat. They are another set of premium earbuds, with an RRP of £260, placing them in a similar bracket as the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra (£299), Apple AirPods Pro 2 (£249), and the Sony WF-1000XM5 (£259). And for that, you get silky smooth audio, impressive active noise cancellation, and good call quality.
These earbuds support 24-bit audio, aptX Lossless, aptX adaptive audio, Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast. The latter allows users to stream to two pairs of compatible earbuds from one device. There's even ultra-low-latency mode, which is ideal for gamers.
Noise cancelling is very good, although not quite on the same level as the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds. Battery life is respectable, at around 7.5 hours per charge, plus another 23 hours or so from the charging case. There's even a battery protection mode, which is designed to optimise the lifespan of the battery. The drawback of this is that it does take longer to charge them, and they won't last quite so long between charges.
Pros
- Breathtaking sounds quality
- Loads of features
- Respectable battery life
Cons
- Still room for improvement on call quality
Weight | 6.2g per earbud |
Bluetooth version | 5.4 |
Battery life | 7.5 hours plus 23 via case |
Drivers | <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: "Open Sans", "Open Sans-fallback"; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks; background-color: rgb(243, 243, 243);">7mm</span> |
10.
Sony Linkbuds S
While we love earbuds, there are times when they can start to feel a little uncomfortable, especially if you wear them a lot. That's why we really rate the Sony Linkbuds S – some of the best wireless earbuds from a comfort perspective. These offer a range of ear tip sizes to fit a range of ear canals, and help you find the perfect balance between a firm hold, and cushioning. The buds themselves are also very tactile, making them easy to hold without dropping.
They're also very light, which is great for comfort, but perhaps less good for keeping them secure if you're out for a run. They aren't as strong all-round as the Sony WF-1000XM5 (our pick for the best wireless earbuds overall). But for extended periods of wear, there aren't many that can compete with these.
Curtis Moldrich tested the LinkBuds S earbuds. In his review he said: " The Sonys are extremely comfortable and don’t cause the same sort of fatigue and irritation as most other earbuds do after hours of use."
"They offer detailed but punchy sounds and are well-balanced enough to bring the magic out of everything from vocal-led tracks to more dancefloor-orientated ones. When combined with their barely-there size and weight, the LinkBuds S are a great shout if you’re looking for earphones to work with or exercise with."
Pros
- Comfortable to wear for long periods
- Affordable price tag
- Solid audio performance
Cons
- Other Sony earbuds sound better
- Battery life is mediocre
Weight | 4.8g per bud |
Bluetooth version | <span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: __Montserrat_1ec507, __Montserrat_Fallback_1ec507; font-size: medium; white-space-collapse: collapse; background-color: rgb(247, 247, 247);">5.2</span> |
Battery life | 6hrs earbuds, additional 14hrs with case |
Drivers | 5mm |
Buying guide: best true wireless earbuds
Are true wireless earbuds worth it?
If you like to listen to music when you're on the go or running, you’ll probably prefer a pair of true-wireless earphones over conventional headphones. And because the sound quality of wireless headphones is pretty much identical to traditional headphones, you'll want to make use of them around the home or garden, too.
Despite only being around for the last few years, there're now countless true-wireless devices from the likes of Sony, Marshall, Sennheiser and Bose, and there are more coming out all the time. Look towards the checkout at your local supermarket, and you’ll find a few cheap true-wireless headphones there, too.
Futuristic devices like these are possible thanks to advances in battery, Bluetooth and speaker systems, and the tech has several advantages over usual earphones.
Why wireless earbuds are better than wired
No wires
As anyone who has worn wired headphones in bed or while exercising may attest, not getting tangled up in cables is a huge advantage of wireless earbuds. There's also the fact that no wires means no untangling them when you get them out of your bag. Wireless earbuds are simply easier to store, and easier to wear.
No plugging-in
If you don't need a wire, then of course, you won't need a headphone jack either. Many of the best smartphones have done away with the traditional 3.5mm headphone port, which means you either go wireless, or use a USB-C or lightning connector instead. Which seems ok, until you need to charge your phone at the same time as listening to something.
Charge and go
Admittedly, having to keep an eye on the battery levels on your wireless earbuds isn't ideal, and isn't something you need to worry about with wired headphones. But the big benefit here is the charging case. Not only does it mean your earbuds will keep going for way longer than they would on a single charge, they also provide the perfect place to keep them safe when you're on the go. Neater and tidier than wired headphones are ever likely to be.
Some charging cases even work as a mobile power bank. So, in the event that one of your other devices has a critically low battery, you can potentially squeeze some juice out of the charging case, to keep other devices going for longer.
FAQ: best true wireless earbuds
Do I need to go wireless?
The answer really lies in what your priorities are. Wireless earbuds offer convenience and versatility, while wired headphones will (generally) provide slightly higher quality audio. This is mainly because wireless earbuds need to encode the music to transmit it – this often compresses the sound slightly. Of course, most people won't really notice a difference. But, for audiophiles, it may matter.
As wireless earbuds have improved over the years, features such as lossless audio, adaptive audio and spatial audio have really enhanced the listening experience on wireless devices. Ultra-low latency is another feature which helps reduce the delay between the audio source and your ears. As a result, it gets harder every year to find reasons not to go wireless.
How do wireless earbuds work?
Wireless earbuds work by connecting with the device you want to listen to via a wireless signal – most commonly Bluetooth. Some particularly advanced wireless earbuds offer multipoint Bluetooth, which allows you to stay connected to more than one device at the same time. This is ideal, if, for example, you are listening to music or watching a film on your laptop, but want to stay connected to your smartphone in case an important call comes in. This doesn't mean that you can listen to two devices at once – just that you don't need to disconnect from one before connecting to another.
What are the best wireless earbuds for iPhone?
Apple's AirPods are the obvious choice. Apple's AirPods Pro (2nd gen) are the current gold standard from Apple, but the more affordable standard AirPods (3rd gen) will still give you an excellent experience. AirPods are designed to integrate seamlessly into Apple's ecosystem, and also share the signature Apple design we're all so familiar with.
What are the best wireless earbuds for Android phones?
Unlike Apple, Android phones vary enormously in terms of design, features, and specifications. Almost all of them will provide Bluetooth support, which means that any pair of wireless earbuds – including Apple's AirPods Pro 2 – can work on an Android phone (although some features may not be available).
Given the sheer number of Android devices used globally, it's in the best interests of most third-party manufacturers – like Sony, Bose and Sennheiser – to make their earbuds as user-friendly as possible.
Why should you trust us?
At What’s The Best, our mission is to provide accurate and reliable reviews, ensuring our readers receive honest and transparent information about the best technology products available. Anything less would undermine our commitment to being a trusted source of unbiased product information.
Our dedicated in-house writing team comprises experts with extensive experience and a genuine passion for technology. Collectively, we have spent decades testing and writing about tech, leveraging our expertise in all our articles, advice pieces and reviews.
We maintain complete editorial independence and do not accept payment for product reviews. Our writers have full control over their content, ensuring that products are selected based solely on the needs of our readers. While we may earn commissions or other compensation from links on our website, this never affects our product choices. These links enable us to continue offering valuable consumer advice, without compromising the integrity of our reviews.
Steven Shaw is a Senior Tech Writer and Reviewer for What's the Best. Steven writes how-to guides, explainers, reviews and best-of listicles covering a wide range of topics. He has several years of experience writing about fitness tech, mobile phones, and gaming.
When Steven isn't writing, he's probably testing a new smartwatch or fitness tracker, putting it through its paces with a variety of strength training, HIIT, or yoga. He also loves putting on a podcast and going for a long walk.
Subscribe to the What's The Best Newsletterto keep up to date with more of the latest reviews and recommendations from the What's The Best team.