Skip to main content
To revisit this article, visit My Profile, thenView saved stories.
To revisit this article, select My Account, thenView saved stories
Sign In
- Podcasts
- Video
- Wired World
- Artificial Intelligence
- Climate
- Games
- Newsletters
- Magazine
- Events
- Wired Insider
- Jobs
- Coupons
Parker Hall
Gear
Ready to cut the cord? These are our favorite buds that will never, ever get tangled.
If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more. Please also consider subscribing to WIRED
Best Overall
Google Pixel Buds A-Series
Read moreBest Noise-Canceling Buds
Sony WF-1000XM5
Read morePro Earbuds for Less
Anker Soundcore Space A40
Read moreBest for iPhones
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) with USB-C
Read more4
/
20
Wireless earbuds are one of those ideas that sounded like a dream at first: Pop a little headphone into each ear and listen to music or take calls untethered from everything. The first wireless buds were gigantic, died after a few hours, and had a bunch of other problems. Times have changed. There are now tons of new models that sound fabulous and work perfectly. After testing hundreds over the past four years, these are our favorite wireless earbuds, in a wide range of styles and prices.
For more top picks, check out our other audio guides, like the Best Wireless Headphones, Best Noise-Canceling Headphones, Best Cheap Headphones, Best Workout Earbuds, and Best Wired Headphones.
Updated October 2023: We've added the latest AirPods Pro, Jabra Elite 8 Active, Sony WF-1000XM5, Beats Studio Buds +, Jlab JBuds Mini, Technics EAH-AZ80, Oneplus Buds Pro 2, and JBL Tour Pro.
Special offer for Gear readers: Get WIRED for just $5 ($25 off). This includes unlimited access to WIRED.com, full Gear coverage, and subscriber-only newsletters. Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day.
Most Popular
Gear
ChatGPT vs. Gemini: Which AI Chatbot Subscription Is Right for You?Reece Rogers
Gear
Here’s All the Gear You Need to Start BirdingScott Gilbertson
Gear
Bose's Unique Ultra Open Earbuds Deliver Impressive Sound for a Mighty High PriceRyan Waniata
Gear
Here Comes the Flood of AI-Generated Clickbait
Most Popular
Gear
ChatGPT vs. Gemini: Which AI Chatbot Subscription Is Right for You?Reece Rogers
Gear
Here’s All the Gear You Need to Start BirdingScott Gilbertson
Gear
Bose's Unique Ultra Open Earbuds Deliver Impressive Sound for a Mighty High PriceRyan Waniata
Gear
Here Comes the Flood of AI-Generated ClickbaitWIRED Staff
Most Popular
Gear
ChatGPT vs. Gemini: Which AI Chatbot Subscription Is Right for You?Reece Rogers
Gear
Here’s All the Gear You Need to Start BirdingScott Gilbertson
Gear
Bose's Unique Ultra Open Earbuds Deliver Impressive Sound for a Mighty High PriceRyan Waniata
Gear
Here Comes the Flood of AI-Generated ClickbaitWIRED Staff
Most Popular
Gear
ChatGPT vs. Gemini: Which AI Chatbot Subscription Is Right for You?Reece Rogers
Gear
Here’s All the Gear You Need to Start BirdingScott Gilbertson
Gear
Bose's Unique Ultra Open Earbuds Deliver Impressive Sound for a Mighty High PriceRyan Waniata
Gear
Here Comes the Flood of AI-Generated ClickbaitWIRED Staff
Most Popular
Gear
ChatGPT vs. Gemini: Which AI Chatbot Subscription Is Right for You?Reece Rogers
Gear
Here’s All the Gear You Need to Start BirdingScott Gilbertson
Gear
Bose's Unique Ultra Open Earbuds Deliver Impressive Sound for a Mighty High PriceRyan Waniata
Gear
Here Comes the Flood of AI-Generated ClickbaitWIRED Staff
Most Popular
Gear
ChatGPT vs. Gemini: Which AI Chatbot Subscription Is Right for You?Reece Rogers
Gear
Here’s All the Gear You Need to Start BirdingScott Gilbertson
Gear
Bose's Unique Ultra Open Earbuds Deliver Impressive Sound for a Mighty High PriceRyan Waniata
Gear
Here Comes the Flood of AI-Generated ClickbaitWIRED Staff
Most Popular
Gear
ChatGPT vs. Gemini: Which AI Chatbot Subscription Is Right for You?Reece Rogers
Gear
Here’s All the Gear You Need to Start BirdingScott Gilbertson
Gear
Bose's Unique Ultra Open Earbuds Deliver Impressive Sound for a Mighty High PriceRyan Waniata
Gear
Here Comes the Flood of AI-Generated ClickbaitWIRED Staff
Most Popular
Gear
ChatGPT vs. Gemini: Which AI Chatbot Subscription Is Right for You?Reece Rogers
Gear
Here’s All the Gear You Need to Start BirdingScott Gilbertson
Gear
Bose's Unique Ultra Open Earbuds Deliver Impressive Sound for a Mighty High PriceRyan Waniata
Gear
Here Comes the Flood of AI-Generated ClickbaitWIRED Staff
Parker Hall is a senior editor of product reviews at WIRED. He focuses on audiovisual and entertainment products. Hall is a graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where he studied jazz percussion. After hours, he remains a professional musician in his hometown of Portland, Oregon.
TopicsShoppingbuying guideswireless earbudsearbudsHeadphonesaudio
Everyone wants your $20 per month for access to their best AI chatbot. Who gets it depends on what features are important to you.
Reece Rogers
Whether you want to call yourself a birder, bird-watcher, or twitcher, here’s everything you need to get started with this peaceful pastime.
Scott Gilbertson
These pricey and somewhat glitchy Bose wireless earbuds let in all the sound to keep you safe in any situation.
Ryan Waniata
This week, we look at how domain squatters are using generative AI tools to crank out clickbait, and ask what Google is doing about it.
WIRED Staff
This is one of the best times of the year to buy a mattress, and we’ve price-checked all of these to ensure there’s no trickery afoot.
Medea Giordano
Want speedy, reliable Wi-Fi throughout your home? Snag one of these router deals ahead of President’s Day.
Simon Hill
The 13- and 15-inch models of Apple’s laptops with the M2 processor are on sale.
Brenda Stolyar
Chatty assistants from Amazon, Apple, and Google are popular. But which one is right for you?
Parker Hall