This is the top 11 best tested of wireless earbuds with the LHDC codec – TWS и over-ear. In Android 17, the LHDC codec is supported at the system level, just like the LDAC codec. Moreover, the codec will appear after updating the firmware from Android 16 to 17. The only exception is if the phone or tablet manufacturer forcibly blocks the codec in the firmware. In that case, you can use a USB adapter for your phone and PC that supports the codec.
For the codec to work, your mobile device needs to support it. Some phone manufacturers list codec support on their official websites, but the most universal method is to check the codec within the app. Bluetooth Codec Changer. In the app, you can change the codec settings Bluetooth headphones and see a list of supported codecs on different devices from the database.
Learn more about the LHDC codec.
Learn moreLHDC (Low Latency High-Definition Audio Codec) is a Bluetooth codec from Savitech, developed with the Hi-Res Wireless Audio (HWA) association. It’s the main competitor to LDAC and aptX Adaptive codecs.
The LHDC codec was announced in 2017, two years after LDAC. The latest version, LHDC 5.0, offers sound quality up to 1000 kbps and 24 bit/192 kHz.
Which USB adapter should you use with earbuds that support the LHDC codec?
Learn moreAny USB adapter will work, but your earbuds will only connect using the basic AAC and SBC codecs. As of August 2026, only two USB adapters, the LHDC One and another model, can actually run the LHDC codec. QCC Dongle Pro2. It’s better to consider the QCC Dongle Pro2 adapter, as LHDC One works on only 1 out of 10 devices.
What’s most interesting about the QCC Dongle Pro2
- Chip: Qualcomm S5 audio platform, second generation, with claimed Snapdragon Sound support.
- Bluetooth 6.1: The previous Dongle Pro used version 5.4.
- Codecs: LHDC 5.0, LDAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, aptX Lossless; claimed LE Audio and Auracast support.
- Game Mode: Claimed latency as low as 20 ms.
- Driverless: Works with iPhone/iPad, Mac, Windows, Android, Switch, and PS5, according to the brand.
See our ranking for more USB adapters. Best Bluetooth Adapters for PC and Earbuds.
Which codec is better – LDAC or LHDC?
Learn moreLDAC is better in terms of availability, LHDC is better in terms of capabilities.
| Maximum bitrate | Up to 990 kbps | Up to 900 kbps (V 3/4), up to 1000 kbps (v5) |
| Maximum frequency / Bitrate | 24 bit / 96 kHz | 24 bit / 96 kHz (v3/v4), up to 24 bit / 192 kHz (v5) |
| Bitrate control | 330 / 660 / 990 kbps, adaptive bitrate – 330-990 kbps. | 400 / 500 / 900 / 1000 kbps, adaptive bitrate – 128-1000 kbps. |
| Audio latency | ~160–200 ms | ~200 ms (there is an LLAC / LHDC LL low latency mode up to 30 ms |
| Integration into Android | Native support with Android 8.0+ | Basic structure in AOSP with Android 10, native support v5 with Android 17 |
| Lossless mode | No | LHDC 5.0 claims lossless |
The characteristics of both codecs are comparable, with LHDC having an edge. More parameters are available for tuning, higher sampling frequency, and there are LHDC lossless and low latency switches.
However, LDAC is much more common. The codec was integrated into Android version 8.0+, so compatibility isn’t an issue. More earbuds across various price points support LDAC, and more USB adapters offer LDAC support. For comparison, there are only two USB adapters for LHDC, and only one of them works without problems. That said, LHDC might eventually catch up to LDAC in prevalence and even surpass it. More flexible licensing and minimal royalty fees should quickly popularize the LHDC codec among manufacturers.
In terms of signal stability, both codecs are on the same level.
Sonically, both codecs provide the same quality, and you’d have to listen very closely to tell them apart, assuming your earbuds support both LDAC and LHDC. So, you should prioritize the sound system itself, and then consider the codec. Learn more about codecs.
EMMA — Experts + Methodology + MyChoozers + Algorithm.
Every model goes through identical tests; the score is calculated automatically with fixed weights — a spot in the rating cannot be bought.
TOP 11: Best Wireless Headphones with LHDC Codec (2026) – Ranking
1. OnePlus Buds 4 8.47Best wireless headphones with bass sound – new for 2025
Drivers are the drivers in your headphones that are responsible for creating sound.
DD + PM + BA – means that there are several different types of drivers in these headphones.
DD – “Dynamic Driver” dynamic driver (deep bass, natural sound).
PM – “Planar Magnetic Driver” planar driver (wide soundstage and treble response).
BA – “Balanced Armature Driver” armature driver (accuracy and detail retrieval).
BC – “Bone Conduction Driver” or bone-conduction driver, which transmits vibration to the body of the headphones, transmitting sound through the bone/cartilage to the inner ear.
LDAC – treble, high quality, high speed (Sony).
SBC is the basic Bluetooth standard, low quality.
AAC – Apple standard, good quality, low latency.
Codecs are audio compression formats that affect sound quality and latency.
Headphone battery life is the playback time without recharging, measured in hours. Manufacturers measure without active noise cancellation (ANC), at medium volume (50-70%) and usually with ANC codec, as these parameters affect battery consumption. Actual time may vary from 1% to 50%, depending on volume, active noise cancellation features enabled, codec (LDAC or other) and environmental conditions (cold, hot). It is important to consider not only the claimed playback time, but also the charging time and fast charging support.
Bluetooth is a wireless data transmission standard.
Support for new audio technologies.
Improved connection stability.
Reduced power consumption.
OnePlus Buds 4 – the best wireless earbuds with a bass-heavy sound profile in 2026. Key selling point: top-tier bass sound right out of the box that doesn’t need EQ tuning. While they’re slightly behind the Realme Buds Air 7 Pro in sound, they make up for it with features and build quality. The model has no critical flaws. LHDC 5.0 codec support is best experienced with a mobile source on Snapdragon, as the sound is noticeably worse on MediaTek.
The overall sound score is calculated using the formula:
Frequency Balance + Detail + Stage + Naturalness / 4 = overall sound score.
. 8.58 There is an emphasis on pleasant bass and treble. You get top-tier sound that is moderately natural without noticeable artificiality or grain. Detail retrieval is sufficient to discern instrument textures, even in dynamic tracks with complex arrangements. The soundstage is spacious with clear vocal and instrument separation. Downsides include excessive bass filling the soundstage and reducing transparency in the mids. You also get a slight lack of detail and texture in the sound.Learn more.
Microphone — the quality rating of speech transmission. We test the microphone in 2 main usage scenarios: quiet and noisy environments.
Quiet environment — recording indoors with minimal background noise. Noisy environment — recording outside near a 6-lane road with maximum traffic noise.
. 8.50 In quiet environments: 9 In noisy environments: 8 There are no changes from the OnePlus Buds 3 version, which is the same as the Oppo Enco Free 4, plus an additional wind test (3rd) requested in the comments.Overall feature score — this is the overall score for all device features. This score comes from individual feature ratings (battery life, controls, app, connection stability, and others) and shows how easy and smart the device is for daily use.
. 8.33 Noise cancellation effectively suppresses background noise, and you can easily communicate in transparency mode. Earbud battery life in our tests reaches up to 11 hours, and up to 56 hours with the case, considering the codec. You get touch controls offering 5 actions for each earbud, including swipes. The proprietary app is convenient and free of unnecessary functions, featuring a translator for 22 languages for OnePlus phones.Learn more.
Final build quality score is the overall score for build quality and materials: comfort, durability, and design. It shows how nice the device is to hold and use, and how long it will last.
. 8.40 Ears don’t get tired with the included ear tips after 2-3 hours of use. The build is sturdy and reliable, and the earbuds look nice in a matte finish. However, there’s nothing new in the design, and the excitement fades after the second week of use.Learn more.
- You get top-tier bass sound without needing any EQ adjustment.
- Comfortable fit
- There is an improvement in sound when using the golden hearing profile.
- Minor drawbacks include the translator only working on OnePlus phones.
- Desirable LHDC 5.0 codec support
- Sound is worse on devices running MediaTek compared to Snapdragon.
2. Realme Buds Air 7 Pro 8.47Best budget wireless earbuds by SOUND 2025 — up to $300
Drivers are the drivers in your headphones that are responsible for creating sound.
DD + PM + BA – means that there are several different types of drivers in these headphones.
DD – “Dynamic Driver” dynamic driver (deep bass, natural sound).
PM – “Planar Magnetic Driver” planar driver (wide soundstage and treble response).
BA – “Balanced Armature Driver” armature driver (accuracy and detail retrieval).
BC – “Bone Conduction Driver” or bone-conduction driver, which transmits vibration to the body of the headphones, transmitting sound through the bone/cartilage to the inner ear.
Headphone battery life is the playback time without recharging, measured in hours. Manufacturers measure without active noise cancellation (ANC), at medium volume (50-70%) and usually with ANC codec, as these parameters affect battery consumption. Actual time may vary from 1% to 50%, depending on volume, active noise cancellation features enabled, codec (LDAC or other) and environmental conditions (cold, hot). It is important to consider not only the claimed playback time, but also the charging time and fast charging support.
Bluetooth is a wireless data transmission standard.
Support for new audio technologies.
Improved connection stability.
Reduced power consumption.
Realme Buds Air 7 Pro – the best budget wireless headphones for sound. The key selling points are THE BEST sound among TWS under $300, and live, synchronized translation without being tied to the phone manufacturer. Downsides: bulky earbud design and the model might not fit well; we’ve seen many complaints about the model’s reliability on our social media. Although the model is №1 in popularity among our social media users.
The overall sound score is calculated using the formula:
Frequency Balance + Detail + Stage + Naturalness / 4 = overall sound score.
. 9.00 Featuring the LHDC 5.0 codec, which rivals models costing up to $300. The earbuds offer an optimal frequency balance alongside a spacious soundstage with great width and depth. The sound is moderately detailed and natural. Early batches of the Chinese version have an excess of high frequencies, but this issue is absent in the global version.Learn more.
Microphone — the quality rating of speech transmission. We test the microphone in 2 main usage scenarios: quiet and noisy environments.
Quiet environment — recording indoors with minimal background noise. Noisy environment — recording outside near a 6-lane road with maximum traffic noise.
. 8.00 In quiet environments: 9 In noisy environments: 7Overall feature score — this is the overall score for all device features. This score comes from individual feature ratings (battery life, controls, app, connection stability, and others) and shows how easy and smart the device is for daily use.
. 7.75 Noise cancellation and transparency are average. Battery life reaches up to 10 hours in our tests when factoring in the codec. Touch controls handle basic player and call management. The proprietary app is convenient, featuring an equalizer, personalized sound tuning, and a translator.Learn more.
Final build quality score is the overall score for build quality and materials: comfort, durability, and design. It shows how nice the device is to hold and use, and how long it will last.
. 8.20 The earbuds fit well. 2-3 hours of use without discomfort. Build quality and materials are flawless. They look good; I liked the design. Available in 4 colors.Learn more.
- Best sound in true wireless under $300
- Live and synchronous translation
- Battery life on par with the reference
- User complaints about reliability exist
- Medium noise cancellation and transparency
3. Realme Buds Air 8 Pro 8.31Top earbuds with 3-device connection
Drivers are the drivers in your headphones that are responsible for creating sound.
DD + PM + BA – means that there are several different types of drivers in these headphones.
DD – “Dynamic Driver” dynamic driver (deep bass, natural sound).
PM – “Planar Magnetic Driver” planar driver (wide soundstage and treble response).
BA – “Balanced Armature Driver” armature driver (accuracy and detail retrieval).
BC – “Bone Conduction Driver” or bone-conduction driver, which transmits vibration to the body of the headphones, transmitting sound through the bone/cartilage to the inner ear.
Headphone battery life is the playback time without recharging, measured in hours. Manufacturers measure without active noise cancellation (ANC), at medium volume (50-70%) and usually with ANC codec, as these parameters affect battery consumption. Actual time may vary from 1% to 50%, depending on volume, active noise cancellation features enabled, codec (LDAC or other) and environmental conditions (cold, hot). It is important to consider not only the claimed playback time, but also the charging time and fast charging support.
Bluetooth is a wireless data transmission standard.
Support for new audio technologies.
Improved connection stability.
Reduced power consumption.
The main draw: top-tier sound with AAC codec, triple multipoint, a top-tier microphone, translator, and built-in voice assistant. Downsides: LHDC codec might not work reliably before the earbuds’ release, glossy accents attract fingerprints, and the sound is worse than the previous generation.
The overall sound score is calculated using the formula:
Frequency Balance + Detail + Stage + Naturalness / 4 = overall sound score.
. 8.25 Realme Buds Air 8 Pro is a solid pair of earbuds if you look at it completely isolated from the Realme Buds Air lineup. I liked the sound. If you look at the model as a continuation of the 7 Pro lineup, the 8 Pro sounds worse by 0.67 out of 10. On the latest 1.1.0.85 firmware using the LHDC 5.0 codec. The 8 Pro falls short on 4 out of 6 criteria, with 2 being equal. The main drops are the mids, detail retrieval, and soundstage (minus 1 each). For highs, it lacks 0.5 in quantity, while bass and natural timbre are on par with the 7 Pro.The difference in sound is significant when compared back-to-back. If you listen to the 8 Pro in solo mode, it is a great sound that you enjoy and no real flaws stick out. But as soon as you start comparing, it becomes clear within the first 10 seconds that the 7 Pro is better. Ultimately, if you put both models on the table, I would choose the 7 Pro without hesitation. Wider soundstage, closer and more transparent vocals, more detail, and overall the 7 Pro feels like a fresh model while the 8 Pro feels like last year’s.
Learn more.
Microphone — the quality rating of speech transmission. We test the microphone in 2 main usage scenarios: quiet and noisy environments.
Quiet environment — recording indoors with minimal background noise. Noisy environment — recording outside near a 6-lane road with maximum traffic noise.
. 9.50 In quiet environments: 9 In noisy environments: 10 The microphone has improved compared to the 7 Pro and handles noisy conditions admirably.Overall feature score — this is the overall score for all device features. This score comes from individual feature ratings (battery life, controls, app, connection stability, and others) and shows how easy and smart the device is for daily use.
. 8.60 Active noise cancellation muffles light background noise. Transparency mode works at a top-tier level right after turning on, but sharply degrades after 5 seconds. Battery life in our tests is 11.5 hours and 48 hours with the charging case. Touch controls feature 3 actions for each earbud plus volume swipe gestures. The app features sound and control settings, specifically dynamic audio and a golden sound profile.Learn more.
Final build quality score is the overall score for build quality and materials: comfort, durability, and design. It shows how nice the device is to hold and use, and how long it will last.
. 8.00 Comfortable, the default included ear tips fit well. No discomfort after a couple of hours of use. Build quality has no defects, materials are high quality visually and tactically. The impression is only spoiled by the fingerprint-magnet gloss. Effectively, they made a mirror surface that smudges just from thinking about it, and you have to wipe it down every time. I liked the look of the earbuds and the charging case. Choice of white and black colors.Learn more.
- Top-tier and engaging sound
- Live and simultaneous translation, along with a voice assistant.
- Simultaneous connection to three devices.
- LHDC codec not working
- Glossy finish gets dirty quickly
4. OnePlus Buds Pro 3 8.27Best Wireless Earbuds in 2024 – a legendary model
Drivers are the drivers in your headphones that are responsible for creating sound.
DD + PM + BA – means that there are several different types of drivers in these headphones.
DD – “Dynamic Driver” dynamic driver (deep bass, natural sound).
PM – “Planar Magnetic Driver” planar driver (wide soundstage and treble response).
BA – “Balanced Armature Driver” armature driver (accuracy and detail retrieval).
BC – “Bone Conduction Driver” or bone-conduction driver, which transmits vibration to the body of the headphones, transmitting sound through the bone/cartilage to the inner ear.
LDAC – treble, high quality, high speed (Sony).
SBC is the basic Bluetooth standard, low quality.
AAC – Apple standard, good quality, low latency.
Codecs are audio compression formats that affect sound quality and latency.
Headphone battery life is the playback time without recharging, measured in hours. Manufacturers measure without active noise cancellation (ANC), at medium volume (50-70%) and usually with ANC codec, as these parameters affect battery consumption. Actual time may vary from 1% to 50%, depending on volume, active noise cancellation features enabled, codec (LDAC or other) and environmental conditions (cold, hot). It is important to consider not only the claimed playback time, but also the charging time and fast charging support.
Bluetooth is a wireless data transmission standard.
Support for new audio technologies.
Improved connection stability.
Reduced power consumption.
OnePlus Buds Pro 3 — the best true wireless earbuds of 2024. After the release of the OnePlus Buds 4, buying these Pro 3s is pointless because the 4th version offers improved sound. The score, adjusted for sound in the Pro 3, is 8.5/10, which is still very good considering the $120 price. However, I’ve included this model in the ranking to clarify the position of one of my favorite models, which you’ve often asked about and which I’ve recommended to many. And the OnePlus Buds Pro 4, which we’ve all been anticipating this year, hasn’t been released yet, so we’ll see what they bring in 2026.
The overall sound score is calculated using the formula:
Frequency Balance + Detail + Stage + Naturalness / 4 = overall sound score.
. 8.43 The sound has a moderately low-end focus. It’s bright and slightly recessed in the mids, but above all, it has a proper frequency balance. This is the kind of sound where you pick the right-sized ear tips, put them in your ears, and just enjoy your favorite music. The EQ features decent presets, and I recommend trying the clarity preset. Overall, the sound is detailed, natural in timbre, and features a wide soundstage.Learn more.
Microphone — the quality rating of speech transmission. We test the microphone in 2 main usage scenarios: quiet and noisy environments.
Quiet environment — recording indoors with minimal background noise. Noisy environment — recording outside near a 6-lane road with maximum traffic noise.
. 8.40 In quiet environments: 8.8 In noisy environments: 8 The manufacturer claims that the AI Clear Call algorithm protects calls from wind and background noise using three built-in microphones and a wind-noise-resistant design. Surprisingly, this actually works.Overall feature score — this is the overall score for all device features. This score comes from individual feature ratings (battery life, controls, app, connection stability, and others) and shows how easy and smart the device is for daily use.
. 8.05 Active noise cancellation suppresses light background noise, transparency is poor and not suitable for practical use. Playback time is up to 10 hours and 43 hours with the case. Touch controls feature standard actions for calls and playback. The app is convenient and not overloaded with unnecessary features.Learn more.
Final build quality score is the overall score for build quality and materials: comfort, durability, and design. It shows how nice the device is to hold and use, and how long it will last.
. 8.17 The earbuds are comfortable, as long as you pick the right ear tips. Build quality is solid and reliable. I liked the look of both the earbuds and the case. Available in 2 colors: black and white.Learn more.
- Top-tier sound among true wireless earbuds
- It isn’t demanding on mobile platforms like Snapdragon or MTK.
- There is full support for the LHDC 3.0 Bluetooth codec.
- Poor transparency mode
- The OnePlus Buds 4 are available — better and cheaper
5. Realme Buds Air 8 8.25Best Budget True Wireless Earbuds Under $50
Drivers are the drivers in your headphones that are responsible for creating sound.
DD + PM + BA – means that there are several different types of drivers in these headphones.
DD – “Dynamic Driver” dynamic driver (deep bass, natural sound).
PM – “Planar Magnetic Driver” planar driver (wide soundstage and treble response).
BA – “Balanced Armature Driver” armature driver (accuracy and detail retrieval).
BC – “Bone Conduction Driver” or bone-conduction driver, which transmits vibration to the body of the headphones, transmitting sound through the bone/cartilage to the inner ear.
Headphone battery life is the playback time without recharging, measured in hours. Manufacturers measure without active noise cancellation (ANC), at medium volume (50-70%) and usually with ANC codec, as these parameters affect battery consumption. Actual time may vary from 1% to 50%, depending on volume, active noise cancellation features enabled, codec (LDAC or other) and environmental conditions (cold, hot). It is important to consider not only the claimed playback time, but also the charging time and fast charging support.
Bluetooth is a wireless data transmission standard.
Support for new audio technologies.
Improved connection stability.
Reduced power consumption.
The main draw: pleasant bass-heavy sound, and sound quality on par with top-tier and silver-league models. Triple multipoint, translator, and built-in voice assistant. Comfortable fit and attractive appearance. Potential benchmark for battery life. Downsides: average transparency mode and average controls.
The overall sound score is calculated using the formula:
Frequency Balance + Detail + Stage + Naturalness / 4 = overall sound score.
. 8.19 Overall sound presentation – very reminiscent of the Realme Buds 7 Pro. I thought the Realme Buds Air 8 would be a stripped-down 7 Pro, but this is definitely like setting graphics to High when the 7 Pro is Ultra settings in video game terms. The overall quality difference is roughly 0.5 points out of 10. The model has no weak points, and its sound is a major strength. At $43, it is simply MIND-BLOWING—take my money and give me 3 pairs. The model confidently flies into the silver league with 8-9 points, which is nonsense for a $40 product.Learn more.
Microphone — the quality rating of speech transmission. We test the microphone in 2 main usage scenarios: quiet and noisy environments.
Quiet environment — recording indoors with minimal background noise. Noisy environment — recording outside near a 6-lane road with maximum traffic noise.
. 8.50 In quiet environments: 8.5 In noisy environments: 8.5Overall feature score — this is the overall score for all device features. This score comes from individual feature ratings (battery life, controls, app, connection stability, and others) and shows how easy and smart the device is for daily use.
. 8.15 Noise cancellation effectively cuts out background noise. In transparency mode, surroundings can be heard clearly, but chatting is uncomfortable. Battery life in our tests reached 14 hours and 51 hours with the case. Touch controls support 3 actions per earbud without accidental triggers. In the app, you can tweak the sound, enable the LHDC codec, and use the built-in translator and voice assistant.Learn more.
Final build quality score is the overall score for build quality and materials: comfort, durability, and design. It shows how nice the device is to hold and use, and how long it will last.
. 8.57 These earbuds are comfortable, and with the included eartips, I experienced no discomfort after a couple of hours of listening. The build and materials are top-notch. I liked the earbud design, which comes in 3 color options.Learn more.
- Pleasant bass-heavy sound
- Triple multipoint, translator, and voice assistant.
- Comfortable fit and pleasant look.
- Mediocre transparency mode and average noise cancellation.
- Noticeable artificiality in the sound
6. Nothing Ear 2024 7.96Best True Wireless Earbuds Under $100 for Design — with a Good Microphone for Calls
Drivers are the drivers in your headphones that are responsible for creating sound.
DD + PM + BA – means that there are several different types of drivers in these headphones.
DD – “Dynamic Driver” dynamic driver (deep bass, natural sound).
PM – “Planar Magnetic Driver” planar driver (wide soundstage and treble response).
BA – “Balanced Armature Driver” armature driver (accuracy and detail retrieval).
BC – “Bone Conduction Driver” or bone-conduction driver, which transmits vibration to the body of the headphones, transmitting sound through the bone/cartilage to the inner ear.
LDAC – treble, high quality, high speed (Sony).
SBC is the basic Bluetooth standard, low quality.
AAC – Apple standard, good quality, low latency.
Codecs are audio compression formats that affect sound quality and latency.
Headphone battery life is the playback time without recharging, measured in hours. Manufacturers measure without active noise cancellation (ANC), at medium volume (50-70%) and usually with ANC codec, as these parameters affect battery consumption. Actual time may vary from 1% to 50%, depending on volume, active noise cancellation features enabled, codec (LDAC or other) and environmental conditions (cold, hot). It is important to consider not only the claimed playback time, but also the charging time and fast charging support.
Bluetooth is a wireless data transmission standard.
Support for new audio technologies.
Improved connection stability.
Reduced power consumption.
Key selling point: pleasant low-frequency sound, distinctive design, convenient controls, and a reference-quality proprietary app. Includes LHDC 5 and LDAC codecs. Downsides: average active noise cancellation and transparency, and microphone noise cancellation.
The overall sound score is calculated using the formula:
Frequency Balance + Detail + Stage + Naturalness / 4 = overall sound score.
. 8.08 Balanced in specs, yet excessively low-frequency heavy. The main flaw in the sound is a recessed mid-range and a slight veil, creating detachment from the performer, especially when many instruments are playing.Learn more.
Microphone — the quality rating of speech transmission. We test the microphone in 2 main usage scenarios: quiet and noisy environments.
Quiet environment — recording indoors with minimal background noise. Noisy environment — recording outside near a 6-lane road with maximum traffic noise.
. 7.00 In quiet environments: 8 In noisy environments: 6Overall feature score — this is the overall score for all device features. This score comes from individual feature ratings (battery life, controls, app, connection stability, and others) and shows how easy and smart the device is for daily use.
. 7.50 Active noise cancellation works — it slightly suppresses background noise. Transparency mode is uncomfortable and unusable. Battery life in our tests is 1-2 hours less than claimed — up to 7.5 hours for the headphones and up to 38 hours with the charging case. Controls utilize a pinch mechanism — 4 actions per headphone. The companion app is reference-quality — featuring useful functions and nothing extra.Learn more.
Final build quality score is the overall score for build quality and materials: comfort, durability, and design. It shows how nice the device is to hold and use, and how long it will last.
. 8.33 The earbuds are comfortable with the included ear tips, and fatigue sets in after about 2 hours. The build is solid and reliable, with assembly free of defects. The look is great and stands out from competitors. 2 colors to choose from.Learn more.
- Pleasant low-end sound
- Standout design
- Includes LHDC 5 and LDAC codecs
- Reference-quality companion app
- Average active noise cancellation and transparency
- Muffled sound, requires EQ tuning
- Poor microphone noise cancellation
7. OnePlus Buds 3 7.96Best True Wireless Earbuds 2026 Under $100 – for sound, features, and build
Drivers are the drivers in your headphones that are responsible for creating sound.
DD + PM + BA – means that there are several different types of drivers in these headphones.
DD – “Dynamic Driver” dynamic driver (deep bass, natural sound).
PM – “Planar Magnetic Driver” planar driver (wide soundstage and treble response).
BA – “Balanced Armature Driver” armature driver (accuracy and detail retrieval).
BC – “Bone Conduction Driver” or bone-conduction driver, which transmits vibration to the body of the headphones, transmitting sound through the bone/cartilage to the inner ear.
LDAC – treble, high quality, high speed (Sony).
SBC is the basic Bluetooth standard, low quality.
AAC – Apple standard, good quality, low latency.
Codecs are audio compression formats that affect sound quality and latency.
Headphone battery life is the playback time without recharging, measured in hours. Manufacturers measure without active noise cancellation (ANC), at medium volume (50-70%) and usually with ANC codec, as these parameters affect battery consumption. Actual time may vary from 1% to 50%, depending on volume, active noise cancellation features enabled, codec (LDAC or other) and environmental conditions (cold, hot). It is important to consider not only the claimed playback time, but also the charging time and fast charging support.
Bluetooth is a wireless data transmission standard.
Support for new audio technologies.
Improved connection stability.
Reduced power consumption.
OnePlus Buds 3 — best budget wireless earbuds in 2026 under $50. Key selling point: the best balanced sound under $50, a detailed microphone, and no discomfort after three hours of use. With LHDC 3-5 codecs, you get up to a 15% improvement in sound quality. Downsides: average noise cancellation and transparency.
The overall sound score is calculated using the formula:
Frequency Balance + Detail + Stage + Naturalness / 4 = overall sound score.
. 7.68 The earbuds feature pleasant, balanced sound. You get full-bodied, punchy bass without going overboard, transparent mids, and moderately bright highs. The sound is spacious, detailed, and natural. As a result, you can enjoy your music without messing with an EQ on any source.Learn more.
Microphone — the quality rating of speech transmission. We test the microphone in 2 main usage scenarios: quiet and noisy environments.
Quiet environment — recording indoors with minimal background noise. Noisy environment — recording outside near a 6-lane road with maximum traffic noise.
. 8.30 In quiet environments: 8.6 In noisy environments: 8 The manufacturer claims that the AI Clear Call algorithm protects calls from wind and background noise using three built-in microphones and a wind-noise-resistant design. Surprisingly, this actually works.Overall feature score — this is the overall score for all device features. This score comes from individual feature ratings (battery life, controls, app, connection stability, and others) and shows how easy and smart the device is for daily use.
. 8.18 The earbuds offer medium noise cancellation and transparency. In our tests, battery life hit 8 hours 43 minutes, and 35 hours total with the case. The controls are convenient, letting you manage your media player and calls. The companion app matches the reference NothingX: it features sound and control settings, personalized sound tuning, and spatial audio.Learn more.
Final build quality score is the overall score for build quality and materials: comfort, durability, and design. It shows how nice the device is to hold and use, and how long it will last.
. 8.33 The earbuds have a comfortable fit, though the stock ear tips cause ear fatigue after 3+ hours of use. The build is sturdy and reliable, but it’s a fingerprint magnet that easily picks up smudges. The design is nice.Learn more.
- Best balanced sound under $50
- Detailed microphone
- LHDC 3 and 5 codec support
- Medium noise cancellation and transparency
- Fingerprint-attracting finish on earbuds and case
8. VIVO TWS 5 Hi-Fi 7.85Best TWS Noise-Cancelling Headphones Under $200
Drivers are the drivers in your headphones that are responsible for creating sound.
DD + PM + BA – means that there are several different types of drivers in these headphones.
DD – “Dynamic Driver” dynamic driver (deep bass, natural sound).
PM – “Planar Magnetic Driver” planar driver (wide soundstage and treble response).
BA – “Balanced Armature Driver” armature driver (accuracy and detail retrieval).
BC – “Bone Conduction Driver” or bone-conduction driver, which transmits vibration to the body of the headphones, transmitting sound through the bone/cartilage to the inner ear.
Headphone battery life is the playback time without recharging, measured in hours. Manufacturers measure without active noise cancellation (ANC), at medium volume (50-70%) and usually with ANC codec, as these parameters affect battery consumption. Actual time may vary from 1% to 50%, depending on volume, active noise cancellation features enabled, codec (LDAC or other) and environmental conditions (cold, hot). It is important to consider not only the claimed playback time, but also the charging time and fast charging support.
Bluetooth is a wireless data transmission standard.
Support for new audio technologies.
Improved connection stability.
Reduced power consumption.
These headphones are notable for their active noise cancellation and battery life – on par with top manufacturers. The microphone performance in noisy conditions is also on par with reference models. They feature triple multipoint, LHDC, and LDAC codecs. The sound quality is present; it’s advisable to burn them in and fine-tune with an equalizer. However, the headphones have average detail retrieval and a narrow soundstage, which can’t be fixed by sound tuning.
The overall sound score is calculated using the formula:
Frequency Balance + Detail + Stage + Naturalness / 4 = overall sound score.
. 7.56 With an emphasis on lows and highs. The strong point is emphasized highs without noticeable artificiality or grain. Also, close and clear vocals, good naturalness. Weak points include detail retrieval: it lacks clarity, and it’s hard to discern texture. The soundstage is narrow, with sound practically inside your head. Some of these drawbacks can be corrected by the equalizer, allowing you to achieve a pleasant, engaging sound. VIVO TWS 5 Hi-Fi falls into the bronze league, and with sound improvements, approaches the silver league.Learn more.
Microphone — the quality rating of speech transmission. We test the microphone in 2 main usage scenarios: quiet and noisy environments.
Quiet environment — recording indoors with minimal background noise. Noisy environment — recording outside near a 6-lane road with maximum traffic noise.
. 9.40 In quiet environments: 8.8 In noisy environments: 10 In quiet conditions, the voice is well-defined, with slight clicks audible in places. In noisy conditions with a handheld vacuum cleaner, the microphone isolates the voice and does not degrade voice quality. There is a significant improvement in quality compared to the previous generation.Overall feature score — this is the overall score for all device features. This score comes from individual feature ratings (battery life, controls, app, connection stability, and others) and shows how easy and smart the device is for daily use.
. 8.34 A well-rounded and modern set, featuring everything necessary, including 3-device multipoint. The standout feature is active noise cancellation, which outperforms the Sony WF-1000XM5 and Soundcore Liberty 5. The microphone noise cancellation suppresses loud noise without distorting speech, putting it on par with reference models. Battery life is on par with top competitors. The weak points are the transparency mode and controls, which are on the level of sub-$50-60 models.Learn more.
Final build quality score is the overall score for build quality and materials: comfort, durability, and design. It shows how nice the device is to hold and use, and how long it will last.
. 7.83 Just like other earbuds in this price range. Standard design, with no complaints regarding build quality and construction. However, the glossy plastic is excessively prone to fingerprints and slippery.Learn more.
- Low-frequency sound.
- Top-tier noise cancellation and battery life
- Triple multipoint
- Microphone in noisy conditions on par with reference models
- Low detail retrieval and a narrow soundstage
- Poor transparency mode
- Fingerprint-attracting glossy plastic
9. Realme Buds Air 7 7.65Best Affordable Wireless Earbuds Under $30
Drivers are the drivers in your headphones that are responsible for creating sound.
DD + PM + BA – means that there are several different types of drivers in these headphones.
DD – “Dynamic Driver” dynamic driver (deep bass, natural sound).
PM – “Planar Magnetic Driver” planar driver (wide soundstage and treble response).
BA – “Balanced Armature Driver” armature driver (accuracy and detail retrieval).
BC – “Bone Conduction Driver” or bone-conduction driver, which transmits vibration to the body of the headphones, transmitting sound through the bone/cartilage to the inner ear.
LDAC – treble, high quality, high speed (Sony).
SBC is the basic Bluetooth standard, low quality.
AAC – Apple standard, good quality, low latency.
Codecs are audio compression formats that affect sound quality and latency.
Headphone battery life is the playback time without recharging, measured in hours. Manufacturers measure without active noise cancellation (ANC), at medium volume (50-70%) and usually with ANC codec, as these parameters affect battery consumption. Actual time may vary from 1% to 50%, depending on volume, active noise cancellation features enabled, codec (LDAC or other) and environmental conditions (cold, hot). It is important to consider not only the claimed playback time, but also the charging time and fast charging support.
Bluetooth is a wireless data transmission standard.
Support for new audio technologies.
Improved connection stability.
Reduced power consumption.
Realme Buds Air 7 — best affordable wireless earbuds under $30 for sound, build quality, and battery life. The main draw: best sound under $30, includes LHDC 3 codec, a detailed microphone, and working noise cancellation and transparency. With the LHDC 3-5.0 codec, you get a 10-15% quality improvement, noticeable in the highs and lows.
The overall sound score is calculated using the formula:
Frequency Balance + Detail + Stage + Naturalness / 4 = overall sound score.
. 7.21 Balanced, with a slight dip across each frequency range. Specifically, there’s a slight shortage of bass, poor tightness, and some unnaturalness. Still, the sound is a step up from the previous generation. The soundstage extends just past your head. Detail retrieval is good, though you occasionally have to listen closely. Naturalness is solid with minimal artificial timbre.Learn more.
Microphone — the quality rating of speech transmission. We test the microphone in 2 main usage scenarios: quiet and noisy environments.
Quiet environment — recording indoors with minimal background noise. Noisy environment — recording outside near a 6-lane road with maximum traffic noise.
. 7.50 In quiet environments: 8 In noisy environments: 7Overall feature score — this is the overall score for all device features. This score comes from individual feature ratings (battery life, controls, app, connection stability, and others) and shows how easy and smart the device is for daily use.
. 7.67 The active noise cancellation mostly suppresses background low-frequency noise. However, the transparency mode is uncomfortable. Excellent battery life of up to 13 hours using the AAC codec. The controls are convenient, allowing you to perform basic actions except for track skipping. The app is convenient, although the system frequently asks you to log back into your account.Learn more.
Final build quality score is the overall score for build quality and materials: comfort, durability, and design. It shows how nice the device is to hold and use, and how long it will last.
. 8.73 The earbuds are comfortable, allowing for long use without discomfort, easily for 2-3 hours. I liked the materials and build quality with no visible defects. The appearance is pleasant and better than the previous generation.Learn more.
- Best sound under $30
- Comfortable fit, suitable for hours of use.
- Clear microphone
- Uncomfortable to talk in transparency mode.
- Active noise cancellation suppresses only low-frequency noise.
10. Edifier STAX Spirit S5 7.63Best headphones for the number of audio codecs
Drivers are the drivers in your headphones that are responsible for creating sound.
DD + PM + BA – means that there are several different types of drivers in these headphones.
DD – “Dynamic Driver” dynamic driver (deep bass, natural sound).
PM – “Planar Magnetic Driver” planar driver (wide soundstage and treble response).
BA – “Balanced Armature Driver” armature driver (accuracy and detail retrieval).
BC – “Bone Conduction Driver” or bone-conduction driver, which transmits vibration to the body of the headphones, transmitting sound through the bone/cartilage to the inner ear.
Headphone battery life is the playback time without recharging, measured in hours. Manufacturers measure without active noise cancellation (ANC), at medium volume (50-70%) and usually with ANC codec, as these parameters affect battery consumption. Actual time may vary from 1% to 50%, depending on volume, active noise cancellation features enabled, codec (LDAC or other) and environmental conditions (cold, hot). It is important to consider not only the claimed playback time, but also the charging time and fast charging support.
Bluetooth is a wireless data transmission standard.
Support for new audio technologies.
Improved connection stability.
Reduced power consumption.
What to buy: a full set of codecs for wireless connection, a detailed microphone, up to 80 hours of battery life, and a user-friendly app. Downsides: boring sound, no active noise cancellation or transparency mode.
The overall sound score is calculated using the formula:
Frequency Balance + Detail + Stage + Naturalness / 4 = overall sound score.
. 7.67 The sound here is pretty polarizing. On one hand, naturalness, detail, mids, and highs are all handled very well. On the other hand, bass is critically lacking, even for planars. Plus, the soundstage is just plain narrow. These definitely aren’t for everyone.Learn more.
Microphone — the quality rating of speech transmission. We test the microphone in 2 main usage scenarios: quiet and noisy environments.
Quiet environment — recording indoors with minimal background noise. Noisy environment — recording outside near a 6-lane road with maximum traffic noise.
. 8.50 In quiet environments: 9 In noisy environments: 8 This is the first model I’ve tested that features aptX Voice, and the microphone audio is genuinely good.Overall feature score — this is the overall score for all device features. This score comes from individual feature ratings (battery life, controls, app, connection stability, and others) and shows how easy and smart the device is for daily use.
. 7.00 There is no active noise cancellation, leaving you with purely passive noise isolation, and transparency mode isn’t an option either. Battery life is rated at up to 80 hours. Controls rely on standard physical buttons, while the companion app features a 4-band EQ, codec switching, and bitrate selection.Learn more.
Final build quality score is the overall score for build quality and materials: comfort, durability, and design. It shows how nice the device is to hold and use, and how long it will last.
. 8.50 The headphones are comfortable and don’t cause fatigue even after three hours of continuous wear. The build is solid, reliable, and completely unremarkable in terms of flaws, while the overall look is thoroughly ordinary.Learn more.
- Accurate and natural sound
- Microphone – excellent in noise and silence
- Controls – convenient
- App – tolerable
- Battery life – at 80h, excellent
- Design – comfortable with no major complaints.
- Sound with a narrow soundstage and a lack of bass
- ANC and transparency mode – they are absent, passive only
- Non-critical cons: no auto-pause, available in black only.
11. realme Buds T500 Pro 7.29Inexpensive high-quality wireless earbuds
Drivers are the drivers in your headphones that are responsible for creating sound.
DD + PM + BA – means that there are several different types of drivers in these headphones.
DD – “Dynamic Driver” dynamic driver (deep bass, natural sound).
PM – “Planar Magnetic Driver” planar driver (wide soundstage and treble response).
BA – “Balanced Armature Driver” armature driver (accuracy and detail retrieval).
BC – “Bone Conduction Driver” or bone-conduction driver, which transmits vibration to the body of the headphones, transmitting sound through the bone/cartilage to the inner ear.
LDAC – treble, high quality, high speed (Sony).
SBC is the basic Bluetooth standard, low quality.
AAC – Apple standard, good quality, low latency.
Codecs are audio compression formats that affect sound quality and latency.
Headphone battery life is the playback time without recharging, measured in hours. Manufacturers measure without active noise cancellation (ANC), at medium volume (50-70%) and usually with ANC codec, as these parameters affect battery consumption. Actual time may vary from 1% to 50%, depending on volume, active noise cancellation features enabled, codec (LDAC or other) and environmental conditions (cold, hot). It is important to consider not only the claimed playback time, but also the charging time and fast charging support.
Bluetooth is a wireless data transmission standard.
Support for new audio technologies.
Improved connection stability.
Reduced power consumption.
The realme Buds T500 Pro are an improvement over the T310 in every way. Essentially, the T500 is the Air 7 but with a translator, triple multipoint, and battery life close to the Air 8. However, the T500’s out-of-the-box sound balance is worse than the mid-tier models and doesn’t match the Air 7. With the equalizer, the sound is roughly on par, though the Air 7 feels superior due to its more efficient sound system. Functionality, comfort, and design see only minimal increases.
The overall sound score is calculated using the formula:
Frequency Balance + Detail + Stage + Naturalness / 4 = overall sound score.
. 6.92 Out of the box, they’re excessively bassy and feel unbalanced after 5-10 minutes of listening. The bass overwhelms other frequencies, and with such a poor balance, dense mixes turn into a muddy mess. The earbuds barely make it into the MyChooz bronze league even with the LHDC 5.0 codec. However, there’s potential for sound tuning; reducing the bass in the equalizer is enough for pleasant sound. With minimal equalizer adjustments, they can compete with last year’s leader in true wireless earbuds under $30.Learn more.
Microphone — the quality rating of speech transmission. We test the microphone in 2 main usage scenarios: quiet and noisy environments.
Quiet environment — recording indoors with minimal background noise. Noisy environment — recording outside near a 6-lane road with maximum traffic noise.
. 8.25 In quiet environments: 8.5 In noisy environments: 8 The microphone handles both quiet and noisy conditions well. In noisy environments, your voice sounds boomy while remaining clear.Overall feature score — this is the overall score for all device features. This score comes from individual feature ratings (battery life, controls, app, connection stability, and others) and shows how easy and smart the device is for daily use.
. 7.49 Good for the budget segment. Strengths: battery life and connectivity. Features multipoint for 3 devices and a translator. Weaknesses: active noise cancellation, transparency, and controls. Moreover, the transparency mode is unusable.Learn more.
Final build quality score is the overall score for build quality and materials: comfort, durability, and design. It shows how nice the device is to hold and use, and how long it will last.
. 7.93 The earbuds are comfortable and compact. Comfortable with the included ear tips. The charging case is compact, and the build feels solid and reliable in the hands. The earbuds and charging case look nice, I liked them.Learn more.
- Bass-heavy sound.
- Translator and triple multipoint
- Top-tier battery life.
- Top-tier microphone.
- Boomy sound without EQ tuning
- Poor transparency mode
