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The 6 best wireless earbuds for 2024

By Jason R. Rich

Edited By Leslie Gornstein, Nina Bradley

Updated on: August 23, 2024 / 10:39 AM PDT / Essentials

CBS Essentials is created independently of the CBS News editorial staff. We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms.

When it comes to audio on the go, nothing can beat the lightweight and discreet look of wireless earbuds. And with many of the best models now offering CD quality lossless audio, the authenticity and clarity is almost like being in a concert hall or studio with your favorite artists.

Some of the best wireless earbuds are waterproof and ideal for working out. Some offer enhanced spatial audio and Dolby Atmos support and are designed to drown out ambient noise with active noise cancellation. Some even work with the latest smart TVs, in addition to computers and mobile devices. If you're shopping for a high-quality and great-sounding pair of wireless earbuds, you've come to the right place.

What are the best wireless earbuds in 2024?

Our in-house team of tech experts has been testing many of the latest and most popular wireless earbuds -- from a variety of well-known brands -- and has curated this round-up of your best options.

Best wireless earbuds: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
Best wireless earbuds for Apple users: Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)
Best wireless earbuds for Android fans: Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
Best wireless earbuds for everyday use: Sony WF-1000XM5
Best wireless earbuds for working out: Jabra Elite 8 Active
Best premium wireless earbuds: Bowers & Wilkins Pi8

The very best wireless earbuds are waterproof (or at least water resistant), easy to pair, offer spatial audio, provide noise cancellation, have a long battery life, come with a wireless charging case, and are comfortable to wear. They also offer multiple microphones to enhance noise cancellation and make hands-free calls sound great.

If you're looking to buy one of the best noise canceling headphones currently available, we recommend checking out our coverage of the best noise cancelling headphones for 2024.

Best wireless earbuds overall: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds — Bose

The most feature-packed and highest-end wireless earbuds offered by Bose right now are the QuietComfort Ultras. They offer the superior active noise cancellation that the company is known for. However, this version of the earbuds also introduce spatial audio support, which is something older models don't feature.

Customize your listening experience using the onboard controls or Bose Music app. Instead of just turning active noice cancellation on or off, you can adjust the level of ANC, as well as choose a specialized audio pre-set based on what you're listening to. We love the sound quality from the QuietComfort earbuds. What's missing, however, is wireless charging via the included case.

While providing luxurious comfort, these earbuds do a remarkable job generating high-quality and clear audio while making full use of ANC and supporting spatial audio. They work particularly well in loud settings.

$249 at Amazon

Best wireless earbuds for Apple users: Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) are the top-of-the-line wireless earbuds in Apple's lineup. You get A-level features like adaptive audio, active noise cancellation, a transparency mode, a conversation awareness feature and onboard touch controls.

The most impressive feature offered by these AirPods is the active noise cancellation. It does a really good job fighting ambient noise, even when you're not listening to audio. Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking helps deliver lossless sound with ultra-low latency, so the audio is far more robust and lifelike than other AirPod models or many competitors.

Use a special mode to have a conversation with someone nearby, while the noise cancellation still reduces unwanted loud sounds. These earbuds also adapt to your preferences, so you'll enjoy customized audio without having to tinker with the controls too much.

Another feature we really like: Touch controls that let you tap or slide your finger along the stem of an earbud. Let Siri read incoming text messages or emails to you, or alert you of urgent notifications. At the time of purchase, you can choose between a wireless charging case with a USB Type-C or Lightning port.

The suggested retail price is $249, but we've seen them regularly on sale. If you're wondering what the difference is between AirPod models, we've got you covered with a comprehensive buyer's guide that explains the pros and cons of each type.

$190 at Walmart

Best wireless earbuds for Android: Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro

For this third generation of the Galaxy Buds Pro wireless earbuds, Samsung has made some impressive improvements, like an enhanced battery life, a new earbud shape that's more comfortable, integrated AI, and a higher waterproof rating.

These latest earbuds also provide a new dual amp feature; an enhanced wind shield; the ability to produce ambient sound with dynamic head tracking; customizable EQ via the SmartThings app; adaptive noise control; on-device touch, swipe and pinch controls; and more. Between using the integrated AI features and SmartThings app, you can now personalize almost every aspect of the audio you hear.

When you use the earbuds with a Samsung Galaxy smartphone, you get access to live, AI-driven, face-to-face language translations. Meanwhile, the built in driver, woofer and planar tweeter in each earbud do a truly impressive job providing crystal-clear and authentic sounding audio -- whether you're listening to music or enjoying a hands-free phone call. And the improved adaptive noise cancellation removes unwanted sounds better than ever.

One feature we love is that the on-board touch controls (built into the steams) are customizable. The earbuds also seamlessly switch between your mobile devices, computers and Samsung smart TV. Based on how the earbuds sit in your ears, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro use AI to adapt and enhance audio. The enhanced AI also gives you access to more voice commands when controlling the earbuds anytime they're paired with your Galaxy smartphone.

People with hearing difficulties can pair multiple sets of Galaxy earbuds with a Samsung TV, so each person can adjust audio settings independently. There's also a new Calm feature that's powered by Samsung Health on the Galaxy smartphone. With the press of a button, the earbuds play peaceful melodies inspired by nature; white noise; or ASMR.

$250 at Amazon

$250 at Samsung

Best wireless earbuds for everyday use: Sony WF-1000XM5

The WF-1000XM5s are Sony's highest-end Bluetooth earbuds, and they offer tremendous versatility. Use them for crystal-clear, hands-free calls or just to drown out noise so you can better concentrate. They even adapt based on your real-time head movements.

Thanks to Sony's proprietary QN2e chip, the WF-1000XM5s offer some of the best noise cancelling technology you'll find in any wireless earbuds. Combined with Sony's V2 integrated processor, you get 24-bit audio processing with hi-res audio wireless, DSEE Extreme and LDAC support. This means that the earbuds produce audio that's clearer, richer and more authentic versus many competitors.

The WF-1000XM5s can enhance audio that would otherwise get lost in compression. Multipoint Bluetooth connectivity, with Google Fast Pair compatibility and on-board tap controls, make these earbuds a pleasure to use. And with the Sony Headphones Connect app, you get plenty of control over your listening.

$248 at Amazon

Best wireless earbuds for working out: Jabra Elite 8 Active

For anyone who leads an active lifestyle, we highly recommend the Jabra Elite 8 Active. What sets these earbuds apart is their durability and waterproof rating.

These earbuds are waterproof and sweat proof (IP68 rated). They take advantage of what the company calls a "SnakeGrip" coating (a proprietary liquid silicone rubber) to hold the earbuds firmly in your ears in a way that also makes them very comfortable. After a few minutes, you'll likely forget you're wearing them.

In addition to making audio sound clear and rich, these earbuds do a nice job handling hands-free calls. Using the Jabra Sound+ app, you gain a lot of control over your listening experience. The buds support Fast Pair with Android devices. With Siri and Google Assistant support, you can use voice commands to control audio or calls. What we like most about these earbuds is their sleek, durable and comfortable design -- but the audio quality is also on the higher-end.

$150 at Amazon

$130 with the code JABRASAVE at Jabra

Best premium wireless earbuds: Bowers & Wilkins Pi8

A new design, enhanced technology and Bowers & Wilkins' audio expertise combine once again to offer premium, ergonomically designed wireless earbuds that are able to provide better high-frequency detail and capture every detail in your music. And just about every aspect of your listening experience is controllable using the Bowers & Wilkins Music app.

Three standout features include the 12 millimeter Carbon Cone drive units now integrated into each earbud, support for aptX lossless sound quality, and a longer battery life. These earbuds also provide 32-bit digital signal processing (DSP) with five band EQ, along with wireless audio retransmission.

The new wireless audio transmission feature allows you to take any analog or digital audio input, such as in-flight entertainment or USB-C smart devices, and retransmit the audio in aptX Adaptive at up to 24-bit / 96 kHz. You also get multipoint connectivity and almost instant pairing with two devices. Google Fast Pair and Made for iPhone pairing technologies are both offered.

The Pi8 earbuds and matching wireless charging case are now available in your choice of four colors -- anthracite black, midnight blue, dove white, or jade green. Yes, these earbuds have a premium price, but if you want to experience superior and authentic sound quality, the Pi8 earbuds are worth every penny.

$399 at Amazon

$399 at Bowers & Wilkins

How to pick the best wireless earbuds

Higher-end earbuds have wireless charging cases and a longer battery life; generate better audio; offer more extensive controls; take advantage of a mobile app; are waterproof (or at least water resistant) -- and, of course, they're comfy.

As you're shopping for best wireless earbuds to meet your needs, here are some useful features and functions to seek out:

Battery life: Each wireless earbud has its own internal battery, which will last anywhere from four to eight hours. Use a wireless charging case to juice them back up a couple of times without requiring an external power source. Many earbuds also offer a quick-charge option.

Case and charging: All wireless earbuds come with a charging case. Consider is the size and weight of the case (since you'll likely be carrying it in your pocket), and how many times it can recharge the earbuds before needing an external power source, and whether the case offers Qi wireless charging.

Microphones: The number of microphones in each earbud, which can range from between one and three, impacts the quality of noice cancellation, as well as clarity of your voice in phone calls. Some of the better wireless earbuds even have microphones with integrated wind reduction.

Multipoint pairing: This is a convenient feature that allows one pair of wireless earbuds to be paired with multiple devices at the same time. So, as you switch between using your smartphone, smartwatch, tablet and computer, the earbuds will automatically pair with the equipment you're using. Some earbuds can also establish a connection to a smart TV to offer a private listening experience.

Noise cancellation: This reduces or flat-out eliminates ambient sounds, so you can focus on your listening. We really like the noise cancellation offered by Bose, Sony and Apple -- each of which uses different technology to achieve the same objective.

Price: You should be able to get your hands on a high-quality pair of noise cancelling, Bluetooth earbuds from a well-known brand for around $200.

Spatial audio: This makes audio sound three-dimensional -- like it's originating from all around you. Spatial audio (or Dolby Atmos support) adds a sense of immersion.

Waterproof rating: Not all Bluetooth earbuds are waterproof or even water-resistant. And even those that are waterproof are not designed to be used when swimming or underwater fun. Waterproof earbuds, like the Jabra Elite 8 Active, can be fully submerged in water.

For even more advice on choosing the best wireless earbuds with spatial audio in 2024 or best noise-canceling headphones of 2024, be sure to check out our extensive and continuously updated tech coverage. We also offer a comprehensive Apple AirPods 2024 buyer's guide.

Jason R. Rich

Jason R. Rich (www.JasonRich.com) is an internationally recognized consumer technology expert with more than 30 years' writing experience. He's also an accomplished author and photographer. One of his most recently published books, The Remote Worker's Handbook: How to Effectively Work From Anywhere ($24.99, Entrepreneur Books) is now available from Amazon and wherever books are sold.

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