If you ask me, a proper pair of wireless earbuds are one of the more important investments when it comes to tech that impacts my daily life. I mean, I use them everyday for music and podcasts, and have to rely on them to take meetings in a pinch. A good pair of earbuds can also be expensive, so you should know whether or not the price tag is justified. And us being IGN, good earbuds can be your go-to audio gear for gaming (which I declare in my review of the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds). But as with any of our buying guides for the likes of gaming headsets or keyboards, there lots of options and I'm here to help sort them all to bring you our top picks for the best wireless earbuds.
With the end of summer vacation drawing near, some folks are heading back to school and good earbuds are a definite game-changer throughout the school year. Whether you're walking between classes or trying to lock in for study sessions, being without earbuds almost feels like forgetting your wallet at home. If you're left with ones that sound like a tin can, can't block outside noise, or barely last a few hours on a full charge, it's time to upgrade, and any of our picks here will take care of you.
TL;DR – These are the Best Wireless Earbuds:
We made several picks so you have a solid set of options depending on your budget and specific needs, but regardless, you'll end up with a proper pair of earbuds. If you want to ball out, we stand by the JBL Tour Pro 3 that came out this year, or if you solely want strong bass and gaming features, Razer's Hammerheads are still fantastic. In one way or another, we have first-hand experience with our recommendations so we can vouch for them – so, if you want to know about their sound quality, features, and battery life, read on!
This article features contributions from authors Kevin Lee, Georgie Peru, and Danielle Abraham.
1. JBL Tour Pro 3
Best Premium Wireless Earbuds
Best Mid-Range Wireless Earbuds
Best Budget Wireless Earbuds
Best Noise-Cancelling Wireless Earbuds
Best Wireless Earbuds for Gaming
Best Wireless Earbuds for Sports
Best Wireless Earbuds for iPhones
Best Wireless Earbuds for Android Phones
Best Audiophile-Grade Wireless Earbuds
Best All-Around Earbuds
When shopping for a pair of wireless earbuds, there are a few things you should consider:
- The first is in regards to Bluetooth. It has improved dramatically with every iteration, however, Bluetooth still can't carry a strong signal through objects such as walls, people, or your own pants, which in turn leads to interference and the signal being dropped. The Bluetooth signal can also be scrambled by intense areas wireless signals you might encounter in the city. If the music, podcast, or video you're listening to starts cutting in and out, simply move your source (likely a smartphone or tablet) closer to your earbuds, and that should clear things up in most cases.
- The second thing you should look for is decent battery life, which in this case means six hours and above. Currently, eight hours or more is the high benchmark for the best battery life on wireless earbuds and 10 hours is the absolute best we've seen thus far. It might seem short, but unless you're flying on a cross-country or international flight, you probably won't be wearing your wireless earbuds for extremely long stretches of time.
- Planning to exercise with your wireless earbuds? Be sure to find something with at least some level of water-resistance. You'll typically see an IP rating attached to the specifications of any wireless earbuds you're looking at. Breaking down IP ratings, like IPX5 or IP55, is simple. The first number denotes how dust-resistant an object is while the later digit refers to how water-resistant a product is. Most wireless earbuds aren't rated for dust-resistance, so they'll have an IPX rating where you only have to focus on the last number.
For working out, you'll want to find something with at least an IPX4 that certifies protection from water splashes for at least 5 minutes. IPX6 gives you even better protection from splashing and rain. Once you reach IPX7, it means your wireless earbuds are safe to submerge if you decide to go swimming with them, just know they'll only survive in up to three feet of water for 30 minutes. Also, if you're taking them under underwater, be sure that the charging port is fully sealed shut.
Feel like we missed anything? Throw down your own suggestions for wireless earbuds in the comments below. We'll check them out and consider nominating them in our list.
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