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BEST Earbuds and Headphones (2026) | ALL Categories

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Alexander Moiseenko

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This is the ultimate ranking of the best headphones and earbuds you can buy right now. Every model is scored across 32 parameters from hands-on reviews — sound quality, call quality, comfort and fit, ANC, battery life, and more. No price limits, no brand bias. The ranking includes true wireless (TWS) earbuds, over-ear headphones, open-ear earbuds, and clip-on designs.

Best Headphones and Earbuds 2026 — Our Ranking

Interactive rating table with filters

1. Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro 9.11Best Wireless Headphones for Phones – Samsung, Android, and iPhone

Drivers ?

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.
11mm DD + 5.5mm PM
Codecs AAC, SBC ?

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.
SSC UHQ, SSC, LC3
Battery life ?

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.
7h, 30h
Bluetooth ?

Bluetooth is a wireless data transmission standard.

Support for new audio technologies.

Improved connection stability.

Reduced power consumption.
6.1
Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro Black Case Opened
Amazon
Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro

$249.99 $287.49 -13%
Buy

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro is a super successful upgrade from the 3 Pro. The main reason to buy them? Reference-quality sound, reference-quality features, and a super comfortable build quality. That’s 3 out of 3. All this works great, not just on flagship Samsung devices. It’s awesome on all Android and Apple devices too. You get reference-quality transparency mode and excellent active noise cancellation. The microphone is great. They’re like AirPods, but with upgraded sound and for all ecosystems.

For the downsides, there are artificial ecosystem limitations for non-Samsung devices. You only get basic codecs, with a 15% drop in quality. There’s no low latency mode, no translator or voice assistant. You also miss out on Spatial Audio, Auracast, and seamless device switching. There are minor sound flaws in the highs. Everything else is just TOP-tier. Read review — Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro.

Sound. 9.38 Wide soundstage, cool punchy bass, and vocals that stand out clearly from every instrument. Gorgeous detail too. The only real weakness is the treble — slightly lacking in both quality and quantity. But everything else? That’s a big plus. The soundstage alone is reference-quality. Ten out of ten.
Read More.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro microphone. 9.50 In quiet environments: 10 In noisy conditions: 9 Fantastic quality, it’s better than the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro. It just barely missed the reference quality of Huawei.
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Features. 9.25 The active noise cancellation is excellent — 9 out of 10. It’s slightly behind the AirPods Pro 3 reference. It handles street noise, laptop fan noise, and PC fans well. Transparency mode is reference-level, with a slight hint of digital processing. In our tests, battery life on basic codecs was 8-10 hours. Controls are touch-based. There’s voice control for the player and calls. The app is user-friendly and only for Android devices. Also, some features are only available on Samsung devices.
More details.
Build quality. 8.25 The earbuds are super comfy, and the charging case is compact. After a couple of hours, I only felt minor fatigue. The build quality is solid and reliable. But the finish is a fingerprint magnet. They come in 3 colors: gray, white, and rose gold. I personally liked the design. But some of our team didn’t. What do you think?
More details.
Reasons to buy:
  • Top-tier sound. It’s reference-quality with the proprietary SSC UHD codec.
  • It has a translator, voice assistant, and spatial audio.
  • Reference-quality transparency mode. It activates when you say its name.
Reasons not to buy:
  • The SSC UHD codec, translator, voice assistant, and spatial audio. These only work on flagship Samsung devices.
  • There’s no dedicated app for Apple.

2. Technics EAH-AZ100 8.88Best Sounding Wireless Earbuds 2026 – best for music!

Drivers ?

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.
10 mm DD
Codecs: SBC, AAC ?

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.
LDAC, and LC3
Battery life: ?

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.
8h, 19h with the charging case
Bluetooth: ?

Bluetooth is a wireless data transmission standard.

Support for new audio technologies.

Improved connection stability.

Reduced power consumption.
5.3
Technics EAH-AZ100
Amazon
Technics Eah-AZ100

Technics Eah-AZ100

$247.99 $299.99 -17%
Buy
AliExpress
Technics Eah-AZ100

Technics Eah-AZ100

$357.78 $368.84 -3%
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
4.7 | 23 bought
Buy

The Technics EAH-AZ100 are the best-sounding wireless earbuds among all TWS models under $350. That’s the main reason to buy them. They rank 2nd for sound among all TWS models. But they’re 1st overall when you combine all parameters: sound, features, and build quality. This model has no critical flaws. Read review — Technics EAH-AZ100.

Sound. 9.31 The sound is reference-quality. The main pros are natural timbre, soundstage, detail retrieval, and highs. The main cons are slightly recessed mids and vocals. There’s also a slight lack of bass quantity and quality.
More details.
Technics EAH-AZ100 microphone. 8.00 It’s better than the AZ80. In quiet conditions: 8 In noisy conditions: 8
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Features. 8.08 The active noise cancellation is enough to suppress road noise. It’s better than average. Transparency mode is excellent. You’ll be comfortable talking to someone with them on. Battery life is great: 10 hours, and 28 hours with the charging case. With LDAC + ANC under the same conditions, it’s 7 and 18 hours, respectively. The touch controls are convenient, but you’ll need to get used to them. The app is excellent. I recommend choosing the LDAC codec and tuning the EQ there.
More details.
Build quality. 9.00 They are comfortable, durable, and look nice. They feel good in your ears, but you’ll still notice them a bit. The charging case is compact. The build quality is solid. They have IPx4 dust and water resistance, but only for the earbuds. The earbuds look pleasant, even if they’re nothing special.
More details.
Reasons to buy:
  • Best sound among ALL TWS earbuds
  • Comfortable and pleasant build quality
Reasons not to buy:
  • Average noise cancellation
  • Minor drawbacks: Vocals could be a bit more intimate. There are small flaws in the app and build quality. The microphone is average.

3. Noble Audio Fokus REX5 8.89Best Wireless TWS Earbuds – #1 for sound quality

Drivers ?

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.
10 mm DD + 6 mm PM + 3 BL
Codecs: ?

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.
aptX Adaptive, LDAC
Battery life: ?

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.
7h, 40h
Bluetooth: ?

Bluetooth is a wireless data transmission standard.

Support for new audio technologies.

Improved connection stability.

Reduced power consumption.
5.4
noble fokus rex 5
Amazon
Noble Audio REX5

Noble Audio REX5

$449.00 $516.35 -13%
Buy

The Noble Audio Fokus REX5 are the best wireless TWS earbuds. They’re #1 for sound quality on MyChooz. The main reason to buy them? Reference-quality sound in key areas: detail retrieval, natural timbre, and soundstage. They even surpassed the Technics EAH-AZ100 in sound. And those 5 drivers in each earbud aren’t just for show. You will need to tweak the sound with the EQ, though. We’ll cover sound tuning and ear tip selection in the full review. For the downsides, the ANC, transparency mode, and microphone are only on par with models under $100.

Overall, this model is for anyone looking for the BEST in-ear TWS earbuds. They deliver uncompromisingly the best sound.

Sound. 9.58 Out of the box, the sound emphasizes mids and especially highs. There’s not enough bass. But it’s easy to add bass or adjust the balance. The app has two EQs: a 10-band one and a variable 3-point one. The soundstage is spacious, with good width and depth. Vocals and instruments sound natural, just like in real life. The detail retrieval brings out tiny nuances you might miss with other earbuds.
Noble FoKus REX5 Microphone. 6.75 In quiet environments: 7.5 In noisy conditions: 6
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Features. 7.68 The ANC suppresses light background noise. The transparency mode is just enough for comfortable conversations. The earbuds’ playback time is 4.5-7.5 hours, depending on the codec. Touch controls handle three actions: pause/play, track skipping, and volume. The app is straightforward. It has two EQs and personal sound tuning.
Build quality. 9.00 It’s important to pick the right ear tips for these earbuds. That’s because the ear tips provide the main secure fit. Otherwise, the earbuds are comfortable. I didn’t feel any discomfort after 2 hours of use. The build quality is metal, with no complaints about assembly or materials. Just be aware that the earbuds cool down quickly in winter. You wouldn’t want to catch a cold in your ears. The design is interesting, bold, and stands out. I liked it.
Reasons to buy:
  • Best sound, reference-quality detail retrieval among TWS
  • Metal charging case and earbud bodies
  • Two EQs, settings can be combined; Audiodo personal sound tuning
Reasons not to buy:
  • Secure fit relies on ear tips. You’ll need to adjust the earbuds if the ear tips aren’t a good fit.
  • Earbuds cool down quickly in cold weather
  • Average features

4. Noble Audio FoKus Apollo 9.22Best-sounding over-ear headphones with a boom microphone

Drivers ?

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.
40 mm DD + 15 mm PM
Codecs: AAC, SBC ?

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.
aptX, aptX HD, LDAC
Battery life: ?

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.
80 h
Bluetooth: ?

Bluetooth is a wireless data transmission standard.

Support for new audio technologies.

Improved connection stability.

Reduced power consumption.
5.3
Noble Audio FoKus Apollo
Amazon
Noble Audio FoKus Apollo

Noble Audio FoKus Apollo

$649.00 $746.35 -13%
Buy

Noble Audio FoKus Apollo are the best over-ear headphones for sound quality, especially for detail retrieval. The main reasons to buy them: reference-quality sound, the earcups don’t press on your ears, and LDAC latency is about 30 ms. They have an external microphone with a switch to quickly turn off all headphone mics. There are no major drawbacks, besides the price. The highs can be a bit harsh, but you can smooth them out with the EQ.

Sound. 9.66 These headphones have the best sound for emotion and detail. The bass is deep and not overpowering. Mids are open with minimal loss in clarity. Reference-quality soundstage, great natural timbre, and solid detail retrieval. Imaging stays stable as instruments come and go. The sound has no noticeable artificial timbre or grain. There’s enough detail to hear tiny nuances in recordings. On the downside, the highs lack some softness. Too much percussion in a track can be fatiguing.
More details.

The microphone isn’t amazing. You can’t really talk in noisy environments. There’s also this detachable microphone. Let’s hear how it sounds.

Features. 8.71 Active noise cancellation (ANC) blocks about 50% of noise. However, transparency mode is minimally suitable for conversations. Controls are button-based. They offer basic playback and call management. The app is user-friendly. It has a 10-band EQ and personalized sound tuning.
More details.
Build Quality. 8.90 The earcups don’t press on your ears. You might feel minor fatigue after 3-4 hours of use. The build quality is flawless, and the materials are premium. The headphones look good; I liked them.
More details.
Reasons to buy:
  • Reference-quality sound
  • Top-tier active noise cancellation
  • Comfortable fit, with a strong and reliable build quality
Reasons not to buy:
  • Minimally convenient transparency mode
  • The fabric finish collects dust and small debris

5. Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless 9.15Best wireless over-ear headphones for sound and features.

Drivers ?

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.
42mm DD
Codecs: SBC, AAC ?

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.
aptX HD, aptX adaptive
Battery life: ?

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.
60 hours
Bluetooth: ?

Bluetooth is a wireless data transmission standard.

Support for new audio technologies.

Improved connection stability.

Reduced power consumption.
5.2
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless
Amazon
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

$229.00 $299.99 -24%
Buy

The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless are the best wireless over-ear headphones. Here are three main reasons to buy them: best sound under $300, top-tier active noise cancellation, and a durable, reliable build. With aptX HD and aptX Adaptive codecs, the sound only improves by 10-15%. That’s because the sound system already delivers maximum performance. A drawback is the clamping force. It’s above average, so you’ll need a break after 1-2 hours of use.

Sound. 9.55 These headphones have the best sound among full-size models under $300. They have a pleasant bass sound with intimate mids and highs that are bright enough. The sound is spacious and full-bodied, without artificial timbre or noticeable grain. Detail retrieval is good enough to catch micro-details. Minor drawbacks include a slight excess of bass, a lack of highs, and a slight lack of transparency.
More details.
Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless microphone. 9.25 In quiet environments: 9.5 In noisy conditions: 9 The headphones have 4 microphones, two on each earcup. Your voice sounds detailed in recordings. In noisy environments, the quality drops, but it remains intelligible.
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Features. 9.04 The active noise cancellation is top-tier and doesn’t affect sound quality. The transparency mode is near reference-quality. And with up to 60 hours of battery life, you get a week of active listening. Controls are a mix, mostly gestures on the right earcup. Navigation is convenient, but you’ll need a couple of days to get used to it. The app is useful: you can enable the aptX codec on Android, tune the EQ, and adjust the ambient mode.
More details.
Build quality. 8.33 The build quality is strong and reliable. The finish is a bit of a fingerprint magnet. The clamping force is above average. This is fine for 1-2 hours of use. After that, you’ll want to take a break. The headphones look good. They are available in 5 colors.
More details.
Reasons to buy:
  • Best sound under $300
  • Top-tier active noise cancellation and transparency. It’s reference-quality.
  • Detailed microphone
  • Strong and reliable build quality
Reasons not to buy:
  • The headphone earcups press

6. Apple Airpods Pro 3 8.64Best wireless earbuds for iPhone and Apple devices.

Drivers ?

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.
10 mm, DD
Codecs: ?

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.
AAC, SBC
Battery life: ?

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.
8h, 24h
Bluetooth: ?

Bluetooth is a wireless data transmission standard.

Support for new audio technologies.

Improved connection stability.

Reduced power consumption.
5.3
Apple AirPods Pro 3
Amazon
Apple Airpods Pro 3

Apple Airpods Pro 3

$199.00 $249.00 -20%
Buy

The Apple AirPods Pro 3 are the best TWS earbuds for Apple devices. The main reasons to buy them: near-flagship sound, a reference-quality microphone, active noise cancellation, transparency mode, and great controls. This model has no critical flaws. The fit might not work for everyone, and some features only work with Apple devices.

Sound. 8.50 With EQ tuning, you can push it to 9. You get excellent sound quality. It’s on par with top models from Sony, Sennheiser, Bose, and others. Its strong points are much-improved detail retrieval, soundstage, and natural timbre. The sound presentation is very similar to the Airpods Pro 2. But it’s like they made the window you’re looking through bigger and cleaned it really well. Finally, this is sound you can be proud of. It’s a huge improvement, +1.5 points, compared to the Pro 2. It’s still not at the level of Realme Buds Air 7 Pro, Huawei FreeBuds 4 Pro, or the reference-quality Technics EAH-AZ100. But it’s getting close.
More details.
🏆 Apple Airpods Pro 3 microphone. 9.00 In quiet environments: 10 In noisy conditions: 8 The microphone quality is simply superb; it’s a new reference. At first, I thought I accidentally recorded the sound through my iPhone. The ‘voice isolation’ feature is available. It improves voice quality in noisy environments by cutting out background sounds.
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Features. 9.00 Active noise cancellation, transparency mode, and controls are all reference-quality. Battery life is up to 8 hours, and up to 24 hours with the charging case without ANC and Spatial Audio. There’s no dedicated app; all features are built into the OS. So, Android users will need to set up the earbuds using third-party apps.
More details.
Build quality. 8.43 The earbuds have a perfect fit. You won’t feel fatigue even after 5 hours of use. However, the design won’t suit everyone. It’s best to try them on before buying. The build quality is flawless, just like previous generations. Only the plastic scratches easily. It’s better to use a case for the charging case right away. The design is minimalistic, with nothing unnecessary.
More details.
Reasons to buy:
  • Sound is near-flagship level — miles better than on the 2 Pro.
  • Microphone — reference-quality
  • Active noise cancellation and transparency mode — reference-quality
  • Controls — reference-quality
  • Battery life increased by 2 hours to 8h with ANC.
  • The build quality is comfortable and good-looking.
Reasons not to buy:
  • Model comfort improved, but not for everyone.
  • The app and other features only work on Apple devices.
  • Minor drawbacks: the charging case scratches very quickly.

7. HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 4 8.65The best wireless earbuds of 2025 — best microphone in quiet and noisy environments.

Drivers ?

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.
11 мм DD + PM
Codecs: AAC, SBC ?

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.
L2HC 4.0, LDAC
Battery life: ?

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.
7h, 33h
Bluetooth: ?

Bluetooth is a wireless data transmission standard.

Support for new audio technologies.

Improved connection stability.

Reduced power consumption.
5.2
Huawei FreeBuds Pro 4
AliExpress
Huawei FreeBuds Pro 4

Huawei FreeBuds Pro 4

$178.36 $495.43 -64%
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
5.0 | 2 bought
Buy

The Huawei Freebuds Pro 4 are the best wireless earbuds overall. They scored highest across 32 test parameters on MyChooz, among all wireless in-ear models under $200. The main reason to buy them: a great balance of sound, features, and build quality, plus a reference-quality microphone. A drawback is that some features only work on Huawei devices with HarmonyOS. These include the L2HC codec, Spatial Audio, translator, and voice assistant. Read review — HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 4.

Sound. 8.46 The earbuds have great mids and transparent vocals. Vocals and instruments sound pretty natural, without distortion or artificial timbre. Detail retrieval is good enough to enjoy live instruments. On the downside, there’s a slight lack of bass. The soundstage is also a bit narrow.
More details.
Microphone. 9.75 In quiet environments: 9.5 In noisy conditions: 10
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Features. 8.94 This is a strong point for the model and the manufacturer in general. The active noise cancellation and transparency mode are sufficient for daily use. In our tests, playback time was up to 6.5 hours, considering the codec. The touch controls are convenient, with taps, swipes, and head gestures. The app isn’t overloaded with unnecessary features. However, on Android, you have to install the app manually after downloading it from the Huawei website.
More details.
Build quality. 8.67 The earbuds have a comfortable fit. There’s no noticeable discomfort. No complaints about the build quality or materials. Only the earbud bodies are fingerprint magnets. Scratches on the charging case show up after a week of use. The earbuds look good. But the gold plating and brand name look a bit excessive. You can choose from 3 colors.
More details.
Reasons to buy:
  • Top-tier sound
  • Reference-quality microphone
  • Top-tier controls
Reasons not to buy:
  • The proprietary L2HC codec, translator, assistant, and other features only work on HarmonyOS devices
  • Not critical: the soundstage lacks width, the highs have grain in some spots

8. Realme Buds Air 7 Pro 8.59Best earbuds for sound quality under $300.

Drivers ?

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.
11mm DD + 6mm PM
Codecs AAC, SBC ?

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.
LHDC 5.0
Battery life ?

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.
12h, 48h
Bluetooth ?

Bluetooth is a wireless data transmission standard.

Support for new audio technologies.

Improved connection stability.

Reduced power consumption.
5.4
realme buds air 7 pro
Amazon
Realme Buds Air 7 Pro

Realme Buds Air 7 Pro

$58.67 $63.79 -8%
Buy
AliExpress
Realme Buds Air 7 Pro

Realme Buds Air 7 Pro

$68.46 $147.06 -53%
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
4.8 | 200+ bought
Buy

The Realme Buds Air 7 Pro are the best affordable wireless earbuds for sound. The main reasons to buy them: BEST sound among TWS earbuds under $300. They also offer live, synchronized translation that works with any phone. Drawbacks include the large earbud design, which might not fit everyone. We’ve also seen many complaints about their reliability on our social media. Despite that, they are the #1 most popular model among our social media users. Read review — Realme Buds Air 7 Pro.

Sound. 9.00 With LHDC 5.0 codec, these are on par with models up to $300. The earbuds have an optimal frequency balance. You get a spacious soundstage with good width and depth. The sound is detailed and natural enough. Early batches of the Chinese version had too much treble. The global version doesn’t have this issue.
More details.
Realme Buds Air 7 Pro Microphone. 8.00 In quiet environments: 9 In noisy conditions: 7
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Features. 8.16 ANC and transparency are average. Battery life in our tests is up to 10 hours, considering the codec. Touch controls handle basic player and call functions. The app is convenient. It has an EQ, personal sound tuning, and a translator.
More details.
Build quality. 8.20 The earbuds fit well. You can use them for 2-3 hours without discomfort. Build quality and materials are solid. They look good; I liked the design. There are 4 colors to choose from.
More details.
Reasons to buy:
  • Best sound in TWS under $300
  • Live and simultaneous translation
  • Reference-level battery life
Reasons not to buy:
  • Users complain about reliability.
  • Average noise cancellation and transparency.

9. OnePlus Buds 4 8.55Best wireless earbuds with bass-heavy sound – new for 2025.

Drivers ?

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.
11 mm DD + 6mm PM
Codecs: AAC, SBC ?

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.
LHDC
Battery life: ?

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.
11 hrs., 45 hrs. with the charging case
Bluetooth: ?

Bluetooth is a wireless data transmission standard.

Support for new audio technologies.

Improved connection stability.

Reduced power consumption.
5.4
OnePlus Buds 4
AliExpress
Oneplus Buds 4

Oneplus Buds 4

$82.44 $229.00 -64%
Buy

The OnePlus Buds 4 are the best wireless earbuds with bass-heavy sound in 2026. The main reason to buy them: top-tier bass sound out of the box. You won’t need to tune the EQ. Their sound is slightly less impressive than the Realme Buds Air 7 Pro. However, they make up for it with features and build quality. This model has no critical flaws. LHDC 5.0 codec support is recommended, along with a Snapdragon mobile platform. The sound is noticeably worse on MediaTek. Read review — OnePlus Buds 4.

Sound. 8.58 They emphasize pleasant bass and highs. The sound is top-notch. It’s natural enough, without noticeable artificial timbre or grainy treble. There’s enough detail to pick out instrument textures. This is true even in dynamic tracks with complex arrangements. The soundstage is spacious. Vocals and instruments are well-separated. On the downside, the abundant bass fills the soundstage too much. It reduces clarity in the mids. There’s also a slight lack of detail and texture in the sound.
More details.
OnePlus Buds 4 Microphone. 8.50 In quiet environments: 9 In noisy conditions: 8 There are no changes from the OnePlus Buds 3 version. It’s the same as in the Oppo Enco Free 4. I did an additional wind test (the 3rd one). Someone requested it in a comment.
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Features. 8.60 The active noise cancellation (ANC) suppresses background noise well. You can also chat in transparency mode. In our tests, the earbuds lasted up to 11 hours. With the charging case, they lasted up to 56 hours, depending on the codec. Controls are touch-based. There are 5 actions for each earbud, including swipes. The app is user-friendly and doesn’t have unnecessary features. It includes a translator for 22 languages for OnePlus phones.
More details.
Build quality. 8.40 Your ears won’t get tired with the included ear tips, even after 2-3 hours. The build quality is solid and reliable. The earbuds look good with their matte finish. But the design isn’t new. So the initial excitement fades after a couple of weeks.
More details.
Reasons to buy:
  • Top-tier bass sound without needing to tune the EQ.
  • Comfortable fit.
  • You get better sound with the golden hearing profile.
Reasons not to buy:
  • Minor drawbacks: The translator only works on OnePlus phones.
  • LHDC 5.0 codec support would be nice.
  • The sound is worse on MediaTek devices compared to Snapdragon.

10. Nothing Ear ( 3 ) 2025 8.44Stylish wireless earbuds for your phone – with a microphone in the charging case.

Drivers ?

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.
12mm DD
Codecs: SBC, AAC ?

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.
LDAC
Battery life: ?

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.
10h, 38h
Bluetooth: ?

Bluetooth is a wireless data transmission standard.

Support for new audio technologies.

Improved connection stability.

Reduced power consumption.
5.4
Nothing Ear ( 3 ) 2025
Amazon
Nothing Ear 3

Nothing Ear 3

$179.00 $205.85 -13%
Buy
AliExpress
Nothing Ear 3

Nothing Ear 3

$177.00 $321.82 -45%
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
5.0 | 14 bought
Buy

The Nothing Ear ( 3 ) 2025 are stylish wireless earbuds with top-tier build quality and features. The main reasons to buy them: top-tier sound. But it’s important to update the firmware. Out of the box, they have a balanced frequency response and a directional microphone in the charging case for calls in noisy places. Drawbacks include average active noise cancellation and transparency mode.

Sound. 8.38 The main plus for the sound is the mids and natural timbre. Vocals are intimate and clear. The sound is slightly unnatural, but it’s also free of artificial timbre. Plus, the bass is good and detailed.
The main downside for the sound is the bright highs. This kind of sound is fatiguing, especially on tracks with lots of percussion. So, it’s important to update the firmware. The sound balance is nicer in the update.
More details.
Nothing Ear ( 3 ) microphone. 8.80 In quiet conditions: 8.6 In noisy conditions: 9 In quiet conditions, the balance fluctuates a bit. Noise cancellation removes background noise. Still, your voice is easy to understand. In noisy conditions, voice isolation is excellent, and noise is completely blocked. Sometimes the voice sounds a bit muffled, but it’s not hard to understand what’s being said.
More details.
Features. 8.28 ANC and transparency mode are minimally suitable for use — this is the earbuds’ weakest point. Battery life in our tests is up to 9.5 hours, and up to 38 hours with the charging case, considering the codec. They have convenient pinch controls on the earbud stem and a reference-quality app for ease of use and features.
More details.
Build quality. 8.83 The earbuds are comfortable, but ear fatigue starts after 2 hours. The build quality is strong and reliable, with no assembly defects. The look is great and stands out from competitors.
More details.
Reasons to buy:
  • Top-tier sound
  • Detailed microphone with excellent voice isolation
  • Reference-quality app
Reasons not to buy:
  • Average active noise cancellation and transparency
  • Bright tuning before the firmware update
  • Overpriced on some marketplaces

Best Over-Ear Wireless Headphones

11. Bowers & Wilkins PX8 S2 8.41Large over-ear Bluetooth headphones – stylish with bright tuning.

Drivers ?

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.
40 mm DD
Codecs: ?

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.
aptX Lossless, aptX™ Adaptive, aptX HD, aptX
Battery life: ?

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.
30 hrs.
Bluetooth: ?

Bluetooth is a wireless data transmission standard.

Support for new audio technologies.

Improved connection stability.

Reduced power consumption.
5.3
Bowers & Wilkins PX8 S2
Amazon
Bowers & Wilkins PX8 S2

Bowers & Wilkins PX8 S2

$799.00 $918.85 -13%
Buy

The Bowers & Wilkins PX8 S2 are large over-ear Bluetooth headphones. They have deep bass and bright tuning. The main reasons to buy them: top-tier sound that’s detailed and natural, premium quality materials, and a durable, reliable build. This model has no critical flaws.

Sound. 8.67 The sound is bright with a cool tint. The bass is precise and detailed. Instruments are distinct by their timbre. High-frequency instruments are clear, but they’re harsh and quickly cause fatigue. This is the biggest drawback in the sound. Also, the soundstage felt a bit small. I liked the mids. The sound is open, and the singer feels like they’re performing right in front of you. There’s just a slight lack of transparency. There’s no noticeable artificial timbre or grain in the sound.
More details.
Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 microphone. 7.75 In quiet conditions: 8.5 In noisy conditions: 7
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Features. 7.98 The active noise cancellation (ANC) suppresses about 40% of noise. You can chat in transparency mode, but the surroundings sound a bit muffled. Button controls handle basic player navigation and call management. In the app, the only useful things are the 5-band EQ and linking music streaming services.
More details.
Build quality. 8.40 The headphones have medium clamping force. You’ll want to take a break after about 2-3 hours of use. They use premium materials like leather and metal. The build quality is flawless. The headphones look nice, and you get 2 colors to choose from.
More details.
Reasons to buy:
  • Top-tier sound: detailed and natural
  • Premium quality materials
  • Durable and reliable build quality
Reasons not to buy:
  • Transparency mode and microphone noise cancellation are above average.

12. Nothing Headphone (1) 8.22Nothing over-ear headphones – their first full-size model.

Drivers ?

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.
40 mm DD
Codecs: AAC, SBC ?

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.
LDAC
Battery life: ?

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.
80 h
Bluetooth: ?

Bluetooth is a wireless data transmission standard.

Support for new audio technologies.

Improved connection stability.

Reduced power consumption.
5.3
Nothing Headphone (1)
Amazon
Nothing Headphone (1)

Nothing Headphone (1)

$211.07 $242.73 -13%
Buy
AliExpress
Nothing Headphone (1)

Nothing Headphone (1)

$298.00 $541.82 -45%
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
5.0 | 20 bought
Buy

The Nothing Headphone (1) are Nothing’s over-ear headphones. This is their first and currently only full-size model. The main reasons to buy them: cool design and reference-quality controls, a detailed microphone, and top-tier active noise cancellation. It’s on par with leaders like Sony and Bose. With the LDAC codec, you get a 10-15% boost in quality. Drawbacks include average comfort. Also, EQ tuning is a must, because out of the box, the sound is only on par with models under $100.

Overall sound rating. 7.33 This is pretty much what I expected. You can tell these headphones have potential; they can definitely play. But the sound tuning is a bit off. I hope they fix the default EQ with firmware updates. EQ adjustment is a must for this model. We’ll get into that a bit later. It’s not hard. You set it once and forget about it.

The main plus for the sound is its natural timbre and how well it responds to EQ. If the EQ couldn’t fix things, these would be a total underdog. With some tuning, you can easily add +1 point out of 10 to the overall score. The main downside is that everything feels a bit lacking: bass, mids, and highs. This makes them lose a lot of detail, and the soundstage feels a bit pushed back. It’s like the sound is coming from behind a wall in the next room. You want it to be right in front of you.
More details.
Nothing Headphone (1) microphone. 8.50 In quiet conditions: 10 In noisy conditions: 7 In noisy conditions, it’s not perfect, but it’s good.
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Features. 9.17 The active noise cancellation is top-tier. It’s in the top 5 among all models. The transparency mode is also excellent. You can easily talk to someone without taking off your headphones. Battery life is great: up to 54 hours with LDAC and up to 80 hours with AAC. The controls are super convenient, reference-quality. Plus, they’re physical buttons and a wheel. The app is also reference-quality, with a user-friendly EQ.
More details.
Build Quality. 9.00 They’re comfortable; you can wear them for 2-3 hours without discomfort. Durability is also great, even though the finish is a fingerprint magnet. The design is unique, but they look WAY better in real life than in photos.
More details.
Reasons to buy:
  • Good and balanced sound with EQ
  • Microphone – top-tier
  • Active noise cancellation and transparency mode – top-tier
  • Controls and app – top-tier!
  • Battery life – top-tier!
  • Build quality – beautiful with some quirks.
Reasons not to buy:
  • The sound needs EQ adjustment. Out of the box, the sound is on par with models under $100.
  • Minor cons: the bass adjustment feature in the app didn’t work.

13. Sony WH-1000XM5 8.14Best wireless over-ear headphones with active noise cancellation 2026.

Drivers ?

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.
30 mm DD
Codecs: SBC, AAC ?

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.
LDAC
Battery life: ?

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.
30 h
Bluetooth: ?

Bluetooth is a wireless data transmission standard.

Support for new audio technologies.

Improved connection stability.

Reduced power consumption.
5.2
Sony WH-1000XM5
Amazon
Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony WH-1000XM5

$248.00 $399.99 -38%
Buy

The Sony WH-1000XM5 are the best wireless over-ear headphones with active noise cancellation among full-size models. The main reasons to buy them: reference-quality active noise cancellation and transparency mode, signature bass-heavy sound, a detailed microphone, and a comfortable fit. With the LDAC codec, you get up to a 15% boost in sound quality. A drawback is that the hinges can’t handle intense use and tend to break.

Sound. 8.13 These headphones have a bass-heavy, enveloping sound. It’s typical for this headphone series. The main strengths are soundstage, natural timbre, and detail retrieval. There’s no artificial timbre or grainy treble. Instruments and effects have good separation in space. The main downside is the lows. There’s a bit too much bass, giving the sound a bassy tint. Bass-heavy tracks sound boomy. Also, vocals lack transparency.
More details.
Sony WH-1000XM5 microphone. 7.00 In quiet environments: 8 In noisy environments: 6 These headphones have 8 microphones. Only 4 of them are used for calls. In quiet environments, the recording is detailed. The first few words are muffled, and you can hear faint clicks. In noisy environments, the recording quality is noticeably worse. But you can still make out the words.
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Features. 8.53 The active noise cancellation and transparency mode are reference-quality. In our tests, the playback time was 33 hours. This is more than the claimed 30 hours. The controls are a mix. They are mainly touch-based on the earcups. There’s an app with clunky navigation. But it has a convenient EQ setup.
More details.
Build quality. 7.60 The headphones are comfortable, and the earcups put minimal pressure on your ears. You’ll want to take a break after about 2 hours. The build quality and materials are solid. But the finish is a fingerprint magnet and needs daily cleaning. The hinges are the weak point in the design. They often break where the earcups swivel. The headphones look good, and you can pick from 5 colors.
More details.
Reasons to buy:
  • Reference-quality noise cancellation and transparency mode
  • Signature bass-forward sound
  • Detailed microphone and comfortable fit
  • Best automatic EQ tuning
Reasons not to buy:
  • Fragile hinges
  • Fingerprint-magnet finish

14. Sony WH-1000XM6 8.11Best wireless headphones with active noise cancellation in 2026.

Drivers ?

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.
30mm DD
Codecs: AAC, SBC ?

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.
LDAC, LC3
Battery life: ?

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.
30 hrs.
Bluetooth: ?

Bluetooth is a wireless data transmission standard.

Support for new audio technologies.

Improved connection stability.

Reduced power consumption.
5.3
Sony WH-1000XM6
Amazon
Sony WH-1000XM6

Sony WH-1000XM6

$398.00 $459.99 -13%
Buy

The Sony WH-1000XM6 are the best wireless headphones with active noise cancellation in 2026. The main reasons to buy them: reference-quality active noise cancellation and transparency mode, bass-heavy sound, and a handy “find my EQ” feature. This feature lets you tune the sound in just a couple of clicks. With the LDAC codec, you get up to a 10-12% boost in overall sound quality. Drawbacks include the earcups pressing on your ears, causing discomfort right away. Also, the hinges aren’t durable and need careful handling.

The Sony WH-1000XM6’s noise cancellation algorithm is more effective. This is compared to in-ear models, which are sensitive to ear tip seal. The mode mainly suppresses low-frequency hum and some mid-frequency noise. When ANC is on, there are no unwanted artifacts or white noise. You also won’t feel pressure on your eardrums. However, with ANC active, the bass gets a slight boost during listening.

Sound. 8.48 The sound is bass-heavy, similar to the WH-1000XM4. Vocals sound intimate. You can distinguish the timbre of low and high-frequency instruments. The soundstage is mostly wide. There’s no noticeable artificial timbre or distortion. The sound is comfortable with no major drawbacks. There’s just a slight bass boost. Mids lack a bit of transparency, and they’re not bright enough. But you can fix this easily in the app’s EQ with just a couple of clicks.
More details.
Features. 8.68 These headphones have reference-quality ANC and transparency among full-size models. Battery life in the series remains unchanged: 30-40 hours with ANC. Controls are mostly touch-based for music playback and calls. The app is useful, but the multi-level menu structure is inconvenient. The “find your EQ” feature makes it easier to tune the sound from 4-5 tonal options. The signal is stable up to 10m with LDAC codec and high-quality bitrate.
More details.
Build quality. 6.33 The fit is uncomfortable. The clamping force is stronger than the previous generation. I can wear these headphones for an hour max. Then I need to take a break. The build quality and materials are solid. The weak point of these headphones is the hinges. They break under heavy use. The design is nice and neat. You can choose from 3 colors.
More details.
Reasons to buy:
  • Reference-quality active noise cancellation and transparency mode
  • Detailed microphone
  • Low-frequency sound without overpowering bass
Reasons not to buy:
  • Headphone earcups press on the ears
  • Hinges need careful handling
  • Low detail retrieval

Best Open-Ear Earbuds

15. Huawei Freebuds 6 8.97Best Open-Fit Earbuds 2026 – For Sound Quality.

Drivers ?

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.
11 мм DD + PM
Codecs AAC, SBC ?

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.
LDAC, L2HC 4.0
Battery life ?

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.
6 hrs / 36 hrs with the charging case
Bluetooth ?

Bluetooth is a wireless data transmission standard.

Support for new audio technologies.

Improved connection stability.

Reduced power consumption.
5.2
Huawei FreeBuds 6
AliExpress
Huawei Freebuds 6

Huawei Freebuds 6

$124.01 $155.01 -20%
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
5.0 | 9 bought
Buy

The Huawei FreeBuds 6 are the best open-fit sports earbuds. The main reasons to buy them: best sound among open-fit earbuds, a reference-quality microphone among TWS models, and a unique design with a comfortable fit. The earbuds are barely noticeable in your ears from the start. Only after 2 hours do you feel minor fatigue. With the LDAC codec, you get up to a 20% boost in sound. A drawback is that some features are only available on Huawei phones with HarmonyOS. These include the L2HC codec, translator, and voice assistant.

Sound. 9.33 The out-of-the-box sound is great. The main plus is the excellent natural timbre and detail retrieval. Instruments and vocals sound clean. They’re almost free of artificial timbre or coloration. The main drawback is the slightly boomy bass. Sometimes it’s lacking in bass-heavy tracks. The soundstage also lacks scale; the sound is pretty intimate. The sound is a bit closed-in. You’ll want more space. In tracks with lots of percussion, the sound can be harsh.
More details.
Microphone. 9.75 In quiet environments: 10 In noisy conditions: 9.5
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Features. 8.33 The active noise cancellation is good for open-fit earbuds. There’s no transparency mode. But you can still talk freely without taking the earbuds off. Battery life is excellent: up to 6 hours of playback. You get up to 36 hours with the charging case. The touch controls are convenient, but you’ll need to get used to them. The app is great. I recommend choosing the LDAC codec and tuning the EQ there.
More details.
Build quality. 9.00 They’re comfortable. You can wear them for 2 hours without discomfort. Durability is also excellent. The design is unique, but it looks better in real life than in photos.
More details.
Reasons to buy:
  • Best sound among open-fit earbuds.
  • Reference-quality microphone.
  • Good noise cancellation for open-fit earbuds.
Reasons not to buy:
  • The sound is too bright on some tracks.
  • Not critical: There’s no transparency mode. Also, the L2HC 4.0 codec and many proprietary features are only available on HarmonyOS 4.3+ and Huawei devices.

16. Apple AirPods 4 ANC 8.86Best Open-Fit Earbuds for iPhone.

Drivers ?

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.
DD
Codecs ?

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.
AAC, SBC
Battery life ?

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.
5 hrs / 30 hrs with the charging case
Bluetooth ?

Bluetooth is a wireless data transmission standard.

Support for new audio technologies.

Improved connection stability.

Reduced power consumption.
5.0
Apple AirPods 4 ANC
Amazon
Apple AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds, Bluetooth Headphones, with Active Noise Cancellation, Adaptive, Transparency Mode, Personalized Spatial Audio, USB-C Charging Case, Wireless Charging, H2 Chip

Apple AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds, Bluetooth Headphones, with Active Noise Cancellation, Adaptive, Transparency Mode, Personalized Spatial Audio, USB-C Charging Case, Wireless Charging, H2 Chip

$149.00 $179.00 -17%
Buy

The Apple AirPods 4 ANC are the best open-fit earbuds for iPhone and Apple devices. You get good sound, Spatial Audio, and an adaptive EQ. The earbuds have good battery life, a decent microphone, and active noise cancellation.

Sound review. 9.08 For open-fit earbuds, this sound is top-notch. It’s soft, full-bodied, immersive, and comfortable. It lets you relax and get lost in your favorite music. I really liked the sound. If we compare it to the reference, like the Huawei FreeBuds 6, those win by a bit. The main plus is the soundstage and overall harmony. The sound is soft and pleasant. It’s non-fatiguing and engaging. The main downside is that the timbre could be better. Also, vocals could be more forward. But it’s not a deal-breaker.
More details.
Apple Airpods 4 ANC Microphone. 9.00 In quiet environments: 10 In noisy conditions: 8
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Features. 8.17 The active noise cancellation is reference-quality for open-fit earbuds. It’s like having in-ear earbuds. The level is INCREDIBLE. There’s no transparency mode. But you can still talk freely without taking the earbuds off. Battery life is great: up to 6 hours of playback and up to 36 hours with the charging case. Controls are convenient and touch-based. But you’ll need to get used to them. The app is excellent. I recommend choosing the LDAC codec and tuning the EQ there.
More details.
Build quality. 9.33 They’re super comfortable. I can wear them for 2-3 hours without discomfort. Durability is fine, but the earbuds scratch VERY easily. The design is Apple-style and looks great. The charging case is the SMALLEST I’ve ever seen. The earbuds themselves are tiny. No issues with the build quality.
More details.

17. Huawei Freebuds 5 7.90Best Open-Fit Earbuds for Android.

Drivers ?

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.
11mm DD
Codecs: AAC, SBC ?

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.
L2HC, LDAC
Battery life: ?

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.
5 hrs, 30 hrs with the charging case
Bluetooth: ?

Bluetooth is a wireless data transmission standard.

Support for new audio technologies.

Improved connection stability.

Reduced power consumption.
5.2
Huawei FreeBuds 5
AliExpress
Huawei Freebuds 5

Huawei Freebuds 5

$88.50 $110.62 -20%
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
5.0
Buy

The Huawei Freebuds 5 are the best open-fit earbuds for Android. With the LDAC codec, you get up to a 30% boost in sound. These earbuds came out in 2023 and are still relevant. The sound and microphone are near reference-quality. Plus, a couple of hours of use won’t cause discomfort.

Sound. 8.01 These earbuds have an emphasis on bass. The mids are slightly recessed, and the highs are muted. I didn’t notice any artificial timbre or much grain. The sound is spacious and full-bodied, with good instrument separation. Detail retrieval is good. But it’s harder to pick out instrument textures compared to top-tier earbuds. The sound lacks expressiveness, a bit of brightness, and airiness. Without that, this kind of sound gets boring fast. Tuning the EQ can fix some of these drawbacks.
More details.
Huawei FreeBuds 5 Microphone. 8.75 In quiet environments: 9.5 In noisy conditions: 8 The recording is clean and detailed without external noise. In noisy conditions, speech remains clear. The noise cancellation doesn’t suppress noise instantly.
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Features. 7.00 The active noise cancellation (ANC) reduces background noise from a PC or laptop. There’s no transparency mode. Playback time in our tests differs slightly from the manufacturer’s claims. The touch sensor on the earbuds responds everywhere. And volume changes by swiping up and down along the earbud. The companion app is convenient and well-designed.
Read more.
Build quality. 9.00 The earbuds have a comfortable fit, but you might feel minor fatigue after a couple of hours of use. The build quality and materials are solid. The earbuds have a unique design, and you can pick from 3 colors.
Read more.
Reasons to buy:
  • Top-tier sound among open-ear earbuds.
  • The microphone is reference-quality.
  • Unique design, and you can use them for 2 hours without discomfort.
Reasons not to buy:
  • The out-of-the-box sound is muffled.
  • You’ll hear a slight white noise with active noise cancellation.

18. Huawei FreeClip 2 7.68Best Clip-On Earbuds.

Drivers ?

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.
Dual dynamic drivers, 10.8 mm
Codecs SBC, AAC ?

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.
L2HC
Battery life ?

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.
9 hours, 38 hours with the charging case
Bluetooth ?

Bluetooth is a wireless data transmission standard.

Support for new audio technologies.

Improved connection stability.

Reduced power consumption.
6.0
Huawei FreeClip 2
AliExpress
Huawei FreeClip 2

Huawei FreeClip 2

$254.35 $317.94 -20%
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
4.9 | 150+ bought
Buy

The Huawei FreeClip 2 are the best clip-on earbuds among open-fit models tested on MyChooz. The main reasons to buy them: best sound among OWS, a comfortable fit, and a natural transparency mode. They are the best alternative to in-ear, open-fit, and ear-hook earbuds. Minor drawbacks include a bit less bass, no active noise cancellation, and the design might not appeal to everyone.

Sound. 7.46 These earbuds have a slight lack of bass. That’s normal for open-fit designs. The focus is more on the mids. But the sound is dynamic enough for hip-hop and electronic music. It’s full-bodied and spacious. The sound is accurate, without obvious artificial timbre. It’s clear with basic codecs. However, in busy tracks, detail retrieval drops, and the sound gets congested.
More details.
Huawei FreeClip 2 microphone. 8.00 In quiet conditions: 9 In noisy conditions: 7
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Features. 7.33 There’s no active noise cancellation or transparency mode. But transparency mode isn’t needed. The open-fit design of the earbuds doesn’t get in the way of conversations. In our tests, battery life was 9 hours for the earbuds and 40 hours with the charging case. The touch controls are convenient and responsive. The app works stably. It has EQ settings, a low latency mode, and control customization.
More details.
Build quality. 8.73 The earbuds are light and comfortable. Your ears might get tired after about 2 hours of use. The build quality is solid, with no defects. The earbuds have IP57 dust and water resistance. This means they are resistant to dust and water. The earbuds look good.
More details.
Reasons to buy:
  • Best sound among clip-on earbuds.
  • Detailed microphone.
  • Comfortable fit among clip-on earbuds.
Reasons not to buy:
  • Open-fit design without active noise cancellation.
  • The form factor might not be for everyone.
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Alexander Moiseenko
Audio Equipment Expert, Smartphones & Peripherals
Responsible for measurements, calibration and testing. Engineering approach to sound.

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