updated on November 10, 2024 by tech-n-design

This year has been huge for audio tech, especially when it comes to wireless earbuds. I wanted to highlight a few models that truly stand out for their sound quality and the impressive advancements from big names in the industry.

These earbuds are setting new standards by blending the latest tech with sleek designs to give you an incredible listening experience. Whether you’re just here for good music or you’re serious about your audio gear, knowing about these changes will help you make the best choice in today’s fast-moving audio market.

^{_{At tech-n-design we select and review products independently. If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions,}} ^{_{which help support our work. Learn more.}}

Innovative sound technologies

We understand the significance of a top-notch audio experience, and our dedicated review aims to help you make an informed decision when it comes to choosing the best earbuds for your lifestyle.

Our exploration ventures deep into the world of innovative sound technologies, where we scrutinize the design, performance, and exceptional features of these wireless earbuds namely:

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 Earbuds: Our Top Pick for 2024

SENNHEISER

COOLBLUE

SENNHEISER

The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 earbuds mark a significant improvement over their predecessor, addressing past issues with connection stability, software bugs, and quality control. Priced at $299.95, they might be on the higher side, but they deliver exceptional sound quality that stands out in the crowded market of wireless earbuds. They come without spatial audio, focusing instead on core audio performance and reliability.

Key Features:

Top-notch Sound: They sound amazing. If you care about your music sounding just right, these earbuds won’t disappoint.
Rock-solid Reliability: Sennheiser ironed out the bugs and connection issues that bugged the last version, so these earbuds work smoothly.
Ready for the Future: They’re geared up for LE Audio and Auracast, meaning they won’t become outdated anytime soon.
Smart Noise Canceling: The earbuds figure out how much noise canceling you need based on your surroundings. Pretty handy, right?
Transparency Mode That Actually Sounds Good: When you need to hear what’s around you without taking the buds out, this mode has got your back.
Tweak Your Sound: Play around with the EQ settings in the app to get the sound just how you like it.
Battery Life That Lasts: With up to 7.5 hours on a single charge and 30 hours with the case, you’re set for the day.
Tough Enough: They come with an IP54 rating, so a little dust or water won’t hurt them.
Clear Calls: Six mics working with some smart tech mean people can actually hear you clearly, even in noisy places.

Apple AirPods Pro 2: Best wireless earbuds for Apple

APPLE

COOLBLUE

These earbuds maintain the brand’s iconic design while packing a punch with new features and improvements.

Key Features:

Design:
- Iconic drop-stem silhouette.
- USB-C port on the charging case.
- Handy lanyard loop and built-in speaker for added convenience.
Comfort and Fit:
- Multiple ear tip sizes for a secure and personalized fit.
- Comfortable and secure even during active use.
Durability:
- IP54 rating, ensuring protection against dust and water.
Adaptive Audio thanks to the iOS 17 update, including:
- Conversational Awareness automatically lowers volume during conversations.
- Adaptive EQ adjusts noise cancellation based on surroundings.
Ear Detection Sensors: Pause playback when a bud is removed; resumes when it’s put back in.
Automatic Single-Bud Use: Allows playback with just one bud.
Advanced Noise Cancellation: Known for excellent ANC, creating an immersive sound environment.
Battery Life:
- About 5.5 hours of playtime with ANC on.
- Charging case provides an additional 30 hours.
- Supports wireless charging, MagSafe, and Apple Watch chargers for flexible recharging options.

Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro

SAMSUNG

COOLBLUE

The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro wireless earbuds provide an immersive audio experience with state-of-the-art features that elevate both sound quality and user convenience, making them a top choice for both casual listeners and audiophiles.

Key Features:

1. Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) with Ambient Mode

Feature: Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro offer powerful Active Noise Cancelling and Ambient Sound modes, allowing users to seamlessly control the amount of surrounding noise.
Advantage: With ANC on, external noise is drastically reduced, making it ideal for noisy environments or focused listening. Ambient Mode enables awareness of surroundings without pausing the music.
Benefit: Stay fully immersed in your audio experience whether you’re on a crowded commute, at the gym, or in a bustling office. Easily switch to hear important announcements or conversations with a single tap.

2. 360 Audio with Spatial Sound Technology

Feature: 360 Audio and Spatial Sound bring a surround-sound experience that dynamically adjusts to head movement.
Advantage: Provides a rich, multidimensional listening experience where instruments and vocals are distinctly positioned, similar to a live performance.
Benefit: Enjoy a more lifelike sound experience, which makes you feel like you’re right there in the studio or concert hall, adding a new depth to music, movies, and calls.

3. IP57 Water Resistance

Feature: The Galaxy Buds3 Pro has an IP57 rating, making it water- and sweat-resistant.
Advantage: Ideal for workouts and outdoor activities, these earbuds withstand rain and sweat, ensuring longevity and durability.
Benefit: Keep your rhythm going in all weather conditions or during intense workouts without worrying about damage from moisture or dust.

4. Advanced Bluetooth 5.4 with Multipoint Pairing

Feature: Equipped with Bluetooth 5.4, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro supports multipoint pairing for seamless switching between devices.
Advantage: Enjoy a stronger, more stable connection with lower latency, and easily switch between your smartphone, tablet, and computer.
Benefit: Avoid the hassle of constantly disconnecting and reconnecting, keeping you focused on what matters—whether it’s work, calls, or music.

5. Long Battery Life with Fast Charging Case

Feature: Offers up to 6 hours of playback on a single charge, with an additional 20 hours provided by the charging case.
Advantage: Fast-charging capabilities allow you to gain a significant amount of listening time in just a few minutes of charging.
Benefit: Enjoy longer sessions without interruption, perfect for travel, workdays, or extended listening experiences.

6. Compatibility with Voice Assistants

Benefit: Effortlessly manage your tasks and stay hands-free for a seamless listening and functional experience.

Feature: Compatible with Google Assistant and Siri for hands-free control.

Advantage: Access various functions and controls without touching your phone.

Bose – QuietComfort Ultra True Wireless Noise Cancelling In-Ear Earbuds

BOSE

BESTBUY

COOLBLUE

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are a premium audio solution designed to deliver high-quality sound and unparalleled noise cancellation, perfect for those who refuse to compromise on their listening experience.

Pros

Exceptional sound
Top-notch noise cancelling
Great tutorials in the app
Comfortable
Detects when you’re wearing them

Cons

Lacks a printed guide for setup or use
Missing wireless charging for the case and multipoint connectivity
Limited customization for touch controls
App could be better

Key Features:

The touch controls are simple and intuitive, allowing for easy play/pause, track skipping, and volume adjustments with a slide of the finger. Customization options for these controls are limited, which can be a bit frustrating if you’re prone to accidental touches.
Regarding durability, the IPX4 rating means they’re resistant to sweat and splashes, though a dip in a pool might be problematic, which is pretty standard for earbuds of this caliber.
Sound Quality and Experience – they deliver a rich, well-balanced sound profile.
- The spatial audio feature, or Immersive Audio as Bose calls it, is a standout. It enhances the listening experience for both music and movies. It’s especially noticeable when you turn your head, with the audio focal point remaining fixed.
- Bose’s active noise-canceling feature might just be the best in the game. Whether it’s drowning out office chatter or airport noise, these earbuds let you immerse yourself in your music.
- Call quality is decent, with clear audio on both ends, though the mics could do better with loud background noises.

Despite their strengths, there are a few areas where the Ultras could use some tweaking. The app’s interface and some hardware limitations, like the absence of wireless case charging and multipoint connectivity, feel like missed opportunities for a product at this price point. The touch controls and app interface could be more user-friendly, offering more customization and clearer settings.

Final Take: Bose nails the essentials like fit, sound, and noise cancelling, but misses on some nice-to-have features and pairs it with a less-than-stellar app.

Sony WF-1000XM5 Wireless Earbuds: Best wireless earbuds for battery life

SONY

COOLBLUE

The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds represent Sony’s commitment to audio excellence, combining state-of-the-art technology with seamless functionality to deliver an outstanding listening experience.

Key Features:

A remarkable feature of the WF-1000XM5 is its support for wireless Hi-Res audio. This feature, powered by specially designed 6 mm drivers, ensures you enjoy your favourite tracks with exceptional clarity and depth. Every beat, note, and lyric is presented with remarkable fidelity, immersing you in a sound landscape that feels authentic and engaging.
The integrated V1 processor further enhances the sound quality. This advanced audio processing unit ensures the audio output is clean, clear, and devoid of any distortions or noise, making your listening experience truly immersive.
The earbuds also feature 360 Reality Audio. This innovative technology recreates the experience of live sound, placing you at the heart of the performance. Whether it’s a live concert, a studio session, or an orchestral performance, the 360 Reality Audio creates an immersive soundscape that transports you to the venue.
The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds are designed with an IPX4 water-resistant rating, providing protection from water splashes from any direction. Whether you’re out for a jog in the rain or sweating it out at the gym, these earbuds can handle it all.
For easy recharging, the earbuds support wireless charging with Qi technology. This means you can simply place your earbuds on a Qi-compatible charging pad to recharge them, eliminating the need for cables and plugs. The earbuds also come with a USB-C charging cable (A to C) for more traditional recharging methods.

AVIOT TE-ZX1: 5-Driver Wireless Earbuds

AVIOT TE-ZX1

AVIOT TE-ZX1 five-driver wireless earbuds

AMAZON

The AVIOT TE-ZX1 wireless earbuds distinguish themselves in the audio gear landscape with their unique five-driver setup in each earbud. This innovative design aims to deliver an exceptional and nuanced audio experience. With a retail price below $300, they offer advanced sound technology accessible to a wider audience.

Key Features:

Five-Driver Configuration: Central to the TE-ZX1’s superior audio output is its five-driver system in each earbud. This system is meticulously engineered to cover the full audio spectrum with unparalleled precision.
- Planar Magnetic Driver: Offers expansive soundstage and detailed audio across all frequencies, ensuring a natural and lifelike listening experience.
- Three Balanced Armature Drivers: Specialized for targeting specific frequency ranges, these drivers enhance the clarity and detail of mid to high frequencies.
- Dynamic Driver: At 10mm, this driver is crafted to produce deep, resonant bass and rich low-end tones, providing a solid foundation to the sound profile without any distortion.
Design and Comfort: Inspired by the sleek aesthetics of the ‘Swordfish II’ from ‘Cowboy Bebop,’ the TE-ZX1 not only looks futuristic but is also designed for comfort and a secure fit, making them suitable for extended listening sessions.
Extended Battery Life: Enjoy up to 8 hours of continuous playback with the earbuds, and carry a case that offers an extra 20 hours of battery life. Plus, a quick 10-minute charge can give you an additional 60 minutes of playtime.
High-Resolution Audio with LDAC: The TE-ZX1 earbuds support LDAC technology, allowing for the transmission of High-Resolution Audio content over Bluetooth without compromising on sound quality. This means you can enjoy the finest details of your music wirelessly.

EarFun Air Pro: Best budget noise cancelling wireless earbuds

EarFun

EARFUN

The EarFun Air Pro 3 emerges as a noteworthy entrant in the budget wireless earbuds segment, offering an array of features usually found in more expensive counterparts. Retailing under $100/£100, these earbuds are not only aesthetically more refined than their predecessors but also provide a comfortable fit, ensuring they stay in place throughout daily usage. While the active noise cancellation (ANC) may not rival that of premium earbuds, it delivers a decent level of noise reduction conducive for work or travel, especially impressive given its price point.

Key Features:

Among the standout features is the exemplary battery life, providing nine hours of playtime from the buds and an additional 36 hours from the case, summing up to a robust 45 hours of total playtime. This is particularly notable when compared to some mid-range favorites like the JBL Live Pro 2, which offers 40 hours in total, showcasing that the EarFun Air Pro 3, despite its budget-friendly tag, doesn’t skimp on battery longevity.
The addition of multipoint pairing is a handy feature, allowing a seamless switch between devices, say from a laptop to a phone, which worked flawlessly during testing.
Adding to the modernity of these earbuds is the support for next-gen Bluetooth LE Audio technology, promising an enhanced audio experience and better battery efficiency, although the real-world benefit remains to be seen as no smartphones are compatible yet.
The EarFun Air Pro 3 also boasts Qualcomm’s apt-X Adaptive audio codec support, ensuring a high-quality audio output with CD-quality 16-bit.44.1kHz audio over Bluetooth, and low-latency performance when streaming from devices that support the Qualcomm standard.

Technics EAH-AZ80 Wireless Earbuds: Best premium wireless earbuds

TECHNICS

TECHNICS

As a professional who values sound quality and practical design, I was instantly captivated by the Technics EAH-AZ80. This model offers an unparalleled wireless audio experience, coupling the convenience of portability with premium audio technology. It brings the crystal-clear sound you expect from Technics, now without any wires to tie you down.

Key Features:

At the heart of these earbuds are 10mm aluminium drivers that deliver a detailed, rich sound for an exceptional audio experience. The unique acoustic technology embedded in these earbuds enhances the low-distortion bass response achieved with large 10mm free-edge aluminium alloy diaphragms.
Intricately designed, the EAH-AZ80 features an acoustic control chamber with a natural mid-range and powerful bass. Further enhancing the sound quality, it supports LDAC™ high-res wireless audio, ensuring you get the most out of your listening experience.
These earbuds are not just about sound; they’re also about convenience. They offer seamless switching for up to three devices, enabling you to transition between your PC, smartphone, and tablet easily.
With the JustMyVoice™ Technology, eight separate mics work together with advanced wind noise reduction to isolate and amplify speech while minimizing background noise, providing crystal-clear call clarity.
Moreover, you have the option to use a single earphone conveniently. You can keep one ear open, or charge one earphone while using the other, giving you flexibility for multitasking or simply taking a break.
The EAH-AZ80 also gives you the power to control the sound around you. Natural Ambient Mode allows you to select how much background sound to hear, while Attention Mode focuses on speech, ensuring you never miss an important conversation or sound.
Longevity is another highlight of this model. You get up to 7 hours of playback with ANC on, and the charging case provides 24 hours of backup. A quick charge feature offers 70 minutes of playback, perfect for when you’re on the go and need a quick power boost.
Charging is also a breeze with the EAH-AZ80. It offers easy Qi wireless charging; simply place the earphone case on a compatible charger and let it do the work. The Technics Audio Connect App complements these features by providing easy set-up, battery level check, selection of EQ sound modes, adjustment of noise canceling levels, and customization of touch sensors.
Built for the real world, the EAH-AZ80 boasts IPX4 water resistance, so you won’t have to worry about rain or intensive workouts in the gym. The earbuds are designed to fit comfortably and securely in your ear with a natural concha fit.

FAQs: Spotlight on Best Wireless Earbuds

How does the noise cancellation feature of the BOSE QuietComfort ultra Earbuds compare to that of the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro earbuds?

While both earbuds offer ANC, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds lead in noise cancellation effectiveness. If top-tier noise cancellation is a priority, Bose’s offering is the superior choice. However, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro still provides commendable noise reduction and may appeal to users seeking a balance between performance and other features.

How does the battery life of the SAMSUNG Galaxy Buds 3 Pro compare with other earbuds in the same category?

The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro offers solid battery life but falls slightly below some models, such as the Apple AirPods Pro 2 and Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4, which extend up to 30 hours. However, the Buds3 Pro does provide competitive quick charging and sufficient playback time for most daily uses, especially for users who value ANC without needing to recharge frequently.

How comfortable are the LG TONE Earbuds T90 for prolonged usage?

The LG TONE Earbuds T90 are designed with ergonomics in mind. They come with several different sizes of ear tips to ensure a secure and comfortable fit for all ear sizes. Moreover, they are sleek and lightweight, making them ideal for prolonged usage. However, as comfort can be subjective, trying them on before purchasing is recommended.

What unique features do the Technics EAH-AZ80 Wireless Earbuds offer?

One unique feature that sets the TECHNICS EAH-AZ80 Wireless Earbuds apart is their proprietary JustMyVoice™ Technology. This cutting-edge feature uses eight separate microphones in conjunction with advanced wind noise reduction to isolate and amplify speech while minimizing background noise. It ensures crystal-clear call clarity and creates a personalized listening experience that focuses on the wearer’s voice. This level of attention to voice clarity is rarely seen in the true wireless earbuds market and speaks to Technics’ commitment to delivering superior audio experiences for all facets of use, from music listening to phone calls.

How do these earbuds perform in terms of sound quality?

All these earbuds offer high-quality sound reproduction. FOR INSTANCE, the BOSE QuietComfort Earbuds II are praised for their balanced soundstage and clear, detailed audio. The Sony WF-1000XM4 earbuds offer LDAC coding technology, which enables high-resolution audio streaming. The JBL Tour Pro 2 earbuds feature JBL Pro Sound for a professional audio experience.

Conclusion

The earbuds market is a dynamic competitive space with technological innovation, shifts in consumer preferences and marketing strategies.

The big brands are leading but the market is open for new entrants who can respond to consumer needs and trends. As technology and consumer expectations evolve brands will need to keep adapting and innovating to stay ahead.