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This guide is for anyone buying new wireless earbuds, for yourself or as a gift. It covers the commute, the gym, calls, long trips and the desk. Start with your phone, because some features only work on an iPhone or a Pixel. Then think about your day: do you need quiet, sweat resistance, clear calls or the most hours between charges?
Sony WF-1000XM5 noise cancelling earbuds
Best for the best noise cancelling on any phone
These are Sony's top wireless earbuds, built to block out noise so you hear only your music. Sony says the noise cancelling is the best on the market.
Who it's for: Buy them for the commuter or frequent flyer who wants peace and quiet, whatever phone they use.
The facts that matter
- Sony's flagship wireless earbuds, which Sony says have the best noise cancelling on the market.
- Up to 8 hours per charge, plus 16 more from the case, for 24 hours in total.
- Multipoint connection links two devices at once, and IPX4 water resistance shrugs off rain and sweat.
Why it made the list: You get up to 8 hours per charge and 24 hours in total with the case, enough for a long day out. Multipoint lets you link two devices at once, so you can hop from laptop to phone without fuss. IPX4 water resistance means they shrug off rain and sweat.
Worth knowing: The case holds 16 hours of extra charge, far less than the 60-hour total of the Soundcore P40i in this guide.
Check price on Amazon(paid link)Apple AirPods Pro 3
Best for iPhone owners
These are Apple's top earbuds for iPhone, with stronger noise cancelling and a built-in heart rate sensor. Apple says they remove up to 2x more unwanted noise than AirPods Pro 2.
Who it's for: Buy them for the iPhone owner who wants calm on the commute and stats at the gym.
The facts that matter
- Apple says they remove up to 2x more unwanted noise than AirPods Pro 2.
- Built-in heart rate sensing tracks heart rate and calories for up to 50 workout types.
- Up to 8 hours of listening per charge with noise cancelling on, and Live Translation with Apple Intelligence.
Why it made the list: They track heart rate and calories for up to 50 workout types, so your earbuds double as a fitness tracker. You get up to 8 hours of listening per charge with noise cancelling on. Live Translation with Apple Intelligence helps you follow conversations in another language.
Worth knowing: The Move ring, step count and Workout Buddy features need an iPhone.
Check price on Amazon(paid link)Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
Best for everyday iPhone listening with a tiny case
These are Apple's everyday AirPods with ANC, active noise cancelling, which hushes the world around you. Adaptive Audio and Apple's H2 chip keep the sound tuned to where you are.
Who it's for: Buy them for the iPhone owner who wants simple, light earbuds that vanish into a pocket.
The facts that matter
- Active noise cancelling and Adaptive Audio, powered by Apple's H2 chip.
- Apple calls its case the smallest in the industry with wireless charging.
- Voice Isolation clears up your voice on calls in loud places.
Why it made the list: Apple calls the case the smallest in the industry with wireless charging, so it slips into any bag or coat. Voice Isolation clears up your voice on calls in loud places. Just say "Siri" to play a song or make a call, or nod your head to reply. These Siri extras are Apple features, so Android owners miss out.
Worth knowing: Hands-free Siri and Siri Interactions (nod or shake your head to reply) are Apple features, so Android owners miss out.
Check price on Amazon(paid link)Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
Best for Android and Pixel phone owners
These are Google's own wireless earbuds, made for Android and Pixel phones. Google's Tensor A1 chip powers twice the active noise cancelling.
Who it's for: Buy them for the Android or Pixel fan who wants earbuds that feel made for their phone.
The facts that matter
- Google's Tensor A1 chip powers twice the active noise cancelling.
- 30 hours of listening with noise cancelling on, and wireless charging.
- Conversation Detection pauses your music when you start talking.
Why it made the list: You get 30 hours of listening with noise cancelling on, plus wireless charging for the case. Conversation Detection pauses your music when you start talking, so you never miss a word. The clearer calls and Find My Device extras are built around Google's own Pixel phone, watch and tablet.
Worth knowing: The clearer calls and Find My Device extras are built around Google's own Pixel phone, watch and tablet.
Check price on Amazon(paid link)Nothing Ear (3)
Best for crystal-clear calls and voice notes
These are bold wireless earbuds with a clever extra: a dual-microphone Super Mic in the case. It focuses on your voice and cuts through noise up to 95 dB.
Who it's for: Buy them for the person always on calls or sending voice notes on the go.
The facts that matter
- A dual-microphone Super Mic in the case focuses on your voice and cuts through noise up to 95 dB.
- Adaptive noise cancelling up to 45 dB, rechecking your surroundings every 600 milliseconds.
- LDAC hi-res wireless audio, and a 10-minute USB-C charge gives up to 10 hours of playback.
Why it made the list: Adaptive noise cancelling goes up to 45 dB and rechecks your surroundings every 600 milliseconds, so the quiet keeps up with you. LDAC, hi-res wireless audio, gives you richer sound on phones that support it. A 10-minute USB-C charge gives up to 10 hours of playback, though a single charge lasts up to 5.5 hours with noise cancelling on.
Worth knowing: Up to 5.5 hours per charge with noise cancelling on, the shortest single charge in this guide (the case takes it to 38 hours).
Check price on Amazon(paid link)Beats Powerbeats Pro 2
Best for the gym and running
These are sports earbuds with secure-fit ear hooks that stay locked in as you train. They add heart-rate sensors and active noise cancelling too.
Who it's for: Buy them for the gym-goer or runner who is tired of earbuds that wriggle loose.
The facts that matter
- Secure-fit ear hooks stay locked in as you train.
- Heart-rate sensors, IPX4 sweat and water resistance, and active noise cancelling.
- Up to 45 hours of battery with the case, which charges wirelessly with Qi.
Why it made the list: IPX4 sweat and water resistance means a hard session or a wet run is no problem. You get up to 45 hours of battery with the case, and the case charges wirelessly with Qi, the common wireless charging standard. The hooks do make them bulkier than plain in-ear buds, in the ear and in the pocket.
Worth knowing: The ear hooks make them bulkier than plain in-ear buds, in the ear and in the pocket.
Check price on Amazon(paid link)Soundcore P40i by Anker
Best for the longest battery life
These are wireless earbuds built to go and go, with 12 hours per charge and up to 60 hours with the case. Adaptive noise cancelling, 11mm drivers and BassUp give you bigger bass.
Who it's for: Buy them for the traveller, student or bass lover who hates hunting for a charger.
The facts that matter
- 12 hours per charge, and up to 60 hours with the case.
- Adaptive noise cancelling, 11mm drivers and BassUp for bigger bass.
- The charging case doubles as a phone stand for hands-free shows.
Why it made the list: The battery life is the star: the most in this guide. The charging case doubles as a phone stand, so you can watch shows hands-free on a train or at your desk. They are sold by AnkerDirect UK rather than Amazon itself, and Amazon handles the delivery.
Worth knowing: Sold by AnkerDirect UK rather than Amazon itself; Amazon handles the delivery.
Check price on Amazon(paid link)JBL Tune Beam 2
Best for switching between laptop and phone
These are wireless earbuds made for work and play, with multi-point connection to switch between your laptop and phone with ease. Two beamforming mics per earbud, mics that zoom in on your voice, help on calls.
Who it's for: Buy them for the home worker or student who juggles video calls and music all day.
The facts that matter
- Multi-point connection to switch between your laptop and phone with ease.
- 10 hours per charge plus 30 from the case with noise cancelling on, or up to 12 plus 36 with it off.
- Adaptive noise cancelling, 10mm drivers with JBL Pure Bass, and two beamforming mics per earbud for calls.
Why it made the list: You get 10 hours per charge plus 30 from the case with noise cancelling on, or up to 12 plus 36 with it off. Adaptive noise cancelling and 10mm drivers with JBL Pure Bass keep your music full and your focus sharp. Fast Pair instant pairing works on Android and Microsoft devices, not on iPhone.
Worth knowing: Fast Pair instant pairing works on Android and Microsoft devices, not on iPhone.
Check price on Amazon(paid link)