Looking for wireless noise-canceling earbuds? I've tested dozens of pairs and rounded up the most affordable options on Amazon.
FYI, prices and ratings are accurate as of time of writing.
1. Apple AirPods - Best Overall
Highlight: Easily access Siri just with a ‘Hey, Siri,’ call.
Helpful review: Grabbing the Apple AirPods from Amazon was a piece of cake. I grabbed the 3rd generation. As soon as they arrived, I couldn’t wait to dive into the sound that literally everyone at work has been buzzing about. Straight out of the sleek, modern box, these AirPods came, and ohhh, boy, I knew I hit the jackpot. Seriously top-tier, exactly what you'd expect from Apple.
Pairing them with my device via Bluetooth was a walk in the park—no fuss, just instant connection, and then there was music, speaking to my soul.
The spatial audio feature blew my mind. It created this surround sound experience that makes you feel right in the middle of your music, podcasts, somehow even phone calls. The audio quality is out of this world and it has this crisp, clear, rich, and balanced sound. I didn’t think I’d like these as much as I do.
And I definitely thought they’d end up hurting my ears. Nope. They fit snugly in my ears, staying put without any discomfort, even during long listening sessions. Plus, they’re sweat and water-resistant, which is perfect for workouts, jogs, or even a little stroll in light rain.
The battery life is fantastic, and it lasted me like thirty hours of playback with the lightning charging case. It was like a little musical companion always ready to whisper sweet nothing into my ear. The case is compact and sleek, fitting easily in my pocket, too. And I’m a woman–in other words, my pockets are small haha.
Charging is a breeze with the lightning charger, getting you back to your audio in no time. The touch controls are pretty intuitive and responsive, letting you manage playback, take calls, or activate Siri without any effort. I feel like it works better than just talking directly to my IPhone, too
Overall, the Apple AirPods 3rd Generation are really everything I could want in modern audio gear. They’re easy to use, they’re a pretty good material, and above all, they deliver seriously outstanding sound. They're an everyday essential for me no, whether I’m on the move, working out, or just chilling on a walk to work. I couldn’t be more happy with these things, and the whole purchase was just so smooth, so that was an added perk.
ON TO A FEW WORDS FROM A FRIEND:
These are awesome overall. The sound quality is what you’d expect from Apple, they’re a reputable brand for a reason, and the new spatial audio is a really cool feature, even though it’s not super necessary. Still, it makes the music feel like it’s surrounding you, and that’s just awesome in my opinion. However, the shape doesn’t quite agree with my ears—they don’t fall out, but after a short while, my ears get sore, so I’m not sure what other people are doing differently if they’re complaining of no pain. The AirPods have this, like indent thing, on the stem that you need to squeeze to control them. Personally, I kind of miss the double-tap feature from the Gen 2 AirPods. I’d prefer that control system, but overall, they’re pretty good. I’d buy them again, but I’d compare them to the Gen 2s first. — Jack C. Carroll
Get it from Amazon now: $129.99 & FREE Returns
2. Beats Studio Buds - Best Sweat Resistance
Highlight: Customize your sound with Active Noise Canceling for true silence and transparency mode to filter in extra sound.
Helpful review: At first, I rated these earbuds 4 stars, but then I realized I was unfairly comparing them to the much pricier AirPod Pros. They’re different, and I have to admit that first. That being said, for their price, these Beats Studio Buds are spot-on.
FEEL:
These buds are a bit slippery in my fingers, and their short design makes them kind of tricky to grab. But they fit snugly in my ears, so I don’t have to handle them much, which I like. It takes a bit of practice to put them back in the case correctly, but you get the hang of it after some time.
LOOKS:
I love how they have a variety of different color options to pick from. I chose these because I lost my tiny white AirPod Pro case, and this red case is bigger but still manageable.
INTERACTION:
I’m not a fan of the button on the outside of the buds, but it is what it is and might be a more personal preference. It’s awkward because you have to push the bud deeper into your ear to click it. Lying down with them is annoying since the button gets pressed accidentally against the pillow. A button on the bottom or top would’ve been more convenient, and kind of makes more sense, not sure who thought that would have worked well.
SOUND QUALITY AND CONNECTION:
They work well for me. Calls are clear enough, and the music sounds good—crisp enough and not overly bass-heavy.
ANC/OCCLUSION:
The occlusion effect is slightly worse than the AirPod Pros but so much better than other brands I’ve tried. The noise canceling thing blocks out my air conditioning noise but it lets through voices, which is handy, even though I think it’s supposed to do more than that, but whatever.
I mainly use these for working out, headphones make all the difference with that. The Beats Studio Buds are designed with fitness obsessed peeps like me. The sweat and water resistance is a must-have for anyone who likes to break a sweat, and that’s the main reason I wanted these. It doesn’t matter, whether you’re hitting the gym, going for a run, or just taking a quick little walk, these earbuds can keep up with you, and that’s why I really like them.
After playing around some more, I think I figured out more about the two distinct listening modes. Active Noise Cancelling (the ANC features) is perfect for those times when you want to block out the world and focus on your workout. It blocks out the noise of the gym and the sounds of the city on my walk there ANC. It’s like a little bubble of silence so you can concentrate on your thoughts or pretty much whatever you want. On the flip side, Transparency mode is great for staying aware of your surroundings. It’s definitely helpful if you’re running outside and need to stay alert to traffic and other potential hazards.
Battery life seems decent, though I haven’t fully tested it. For the price, these are solid earbuds. The charging case is compact and easy to carry, ensuring that you can keep your buds powered up no matter where you’re going. There’s hiccups, but that’s what you’re gonna get when you don’t spend the bucks for the higher quality stuff. You get what you pay for, and these prioritize what matters to me without the hefty price tag.
I really think they’re worth it! And mainly the sound quality is what I’m talking about. Beats is known for its emphasis on bass, and these buds don’t disappoint. The sound is rich and full, and it really makes my music come to life. They don’t always fit just right, but I like that they come with multiple ear tip options, so you can find the perfect fit for your ears. This is really important for comfort and sound quality, mainly ‘cause a good seal keeps them in place when I’m running on the treadmill.
For the most part, the Beats are a great combination of everything I’m looking for, they fit that nice balance between performance and value. And honestly, they’re designed for people who live active lifestyles and need earbuds that can keep up. And that’s what they do. I’d definitely recommend them to all my work out friends, because they do what they’re supposed to do and they don’t break the bank. I’m in. And now they’re a regular part of my workout attire. Love them. — Christine Jean Adams
Get it from Amazon now: $149.95 & FREE Returns
3. JBL Tune 125 - Best Bass Sound
Highlight: Dual Connect lets you enjoy music while also making calls–with only one ear bud or both!
Helpful review: I bought these to be my work earbuds, saving my fancier Cambridge Audio pair from the wear and tear that comes with living life, you know? After reading all the reviews, the brand, price, sound quality, and battery life all looked good and initially drew me in. The verdict? They don't disappoint.
Straight outta the box, they sound good, but I’d definitely recommend tweaking the sound settings when you connect them to your phone. They have excellent mids and lows, but the highs? Yeah, they need some adjustment. The music and video content are honestly fantastic, and especially when I’m binging all the Marvel movies one after the other for the fortieth time—I’m a nerd haha–the lows and mids really just hit it where it needs to.
Call quality is solid, and the mic works fine. Good enough, but it’s not the main reason I bought it. People on the other end had no issues hearing me clearly, so that’s enough for me.
The battery life is Impressive–with a capital I! It works awesome with phones and tablets but it’s not really as great with other Bluetooth transmitters, mainly my dongle on my PS4. Might be an issue with my gear, not the earbuds, but time will tell on that front.
They fit well in my ears, and these are the first earbuds that fit perfectly without changing the ear tips, and my favorite part? I can wear them all day without any discomfort.
The physical buttons work well, and it's a nice change from touch controls, so that’s cool. Just grip them slightly with two fingers and use a third to press the buttons to avoid pushing them deeper into your ear.
The earbuds connect quickly and switch so easily between devices you don’t even notice it. Really a refreshing change from my old Cambridge pair.
The charge case is great, exactly what I wanted. Now maybe I’m being picky, but maybe not, but the hinge spring on the case is a bit weak, so the case closes easily, almost too easily. However, the magnet is strong, keeping everything in place, even when dropped, and I’m clumsy so that’s a sweet addition..
A big gripe is that JBL doesn't support this model in their audio app, so no extra features or customizations. Kinda dumb if you ask me. But, these earbuds work fine out of the box, and no software updates mean no potential issues down the line, so there’s that, which is cool.
My final thoughts? Again, time will tell to know for sure, but for the time being, I like ‘em. These aren't your high-end, feature-packed earbuds, but they are solid, well-made, and and they get the job done. I got them for $60 bucks on sale, but they'd be worth the full $99 to anyone looking for a good pair of earbuds. If anyone’s interested, here are the features I noticed that are missing:
- No noise canceling, only noise isolation due to the ear tip design.
- No app support, so no firmware updates.
- No ear wings to keep them in place, but they stayed in well for me.
- No transparency mode. Take one or both out to hear your surroundings, kinda odd, but it works.
- No noise cancellation for phone calls, which is what it is.
These missing features didn't bother me, but it's good to know before buying. There are other cheaper earbuds with more features, but they often lack in sound quality, how they fit, and if they connect.
Overall, they’re really a great option for bass lovers. If you’re a fan of deep, thumping bass, these are the earbuds for you, and that’s one of the main things I wanted. The lows are powerful and punchy, while the mids are clear and balanced. The highs might need a biiiiit of tweaking, but once you get them dialed in, they hit it right on the head, or should I say ear. You’re getting a well rounded audio experience, that’s for sure.
One thing I really appreciate about these earbuds is the physical buttons. Touch controls are great in theory, but they can be soooo finicky in practice. With physical buttons, you get a reliable, tactile response every time, which is freaking awesome. Just be careful when pressing them. iT can push the earbuds deeper into your ear canal, and yeah, my anxiety doesn’t want to imagine would could happen there.
It’s really the connectivity that hits home for me. They pair so easily with multiple devices, meaning that switching between devices is so seamless. This is a big plus if you’re like me and you use multiple gadgets throughout the day.
So there you have it. A pretty solid choice for anyone looking for reliable, bass-heavy earbuds. They’re not the most feature-packed option on the market, but they offer great sound quality, a comfortable fit, and impressive battery life, and if you’re looking for all the goods without breaking the bank, then these are the earbuds for you. — David Gagnon
Get it from Amazon now: $85.95 & FREE Returns
4. SAMSUNG Galaxy Buds - Best Wireless Charging
Highlight: Case doubles as a wireless charger offering up to eight hours of listening.
Helpful review: I was ready to give these things a one star, but then I wondered if maybe I was missing something. After reading some reviews and watching some YouTube videos, I figured I’d just do the obvious…shove them deeper into my ears. Well wouldn’t you know? Sure enough, that did the trick.
CLARITY:
Excellent for music. When I test called to a friend, it sounded great on my end and he actually said it was clearer then normal. Crystal clear were his exact words actually haha.
COMFORT:
These feel better than the original buds. They rest comfortably without that weird suction cup feeling. I shook my head violently, and they didn't budge, so that’s cool.
BATTERY:
They're rated to have a shorter life than the original buds, and they dropped to almost twenty percent in under an hour of minimal use, which is kind of annoying. But the case offers extra charge, and you only need to pop them in for like five minutes and then you get an hour of playtime, so that’s awesome.
BUILD QUALITY:
Excellent. Despite the kinda odd shape, they're smaller than the regular buds, and so is the case. The new case feels more top level.
NOISE CANCELLATION:
Hard to say if it's good or bad honestly. I usually have the audio at full blast, and I can't hear anything anyway haha. If nothing is playing, though, I hear better than with the regular buds due to the lack of suction cups.
PAIRING:
Instant! Amazing. As soon as I flip open the case, it immediately connects them to my Galaxy device. From then on, they pair instantly when put in my ears. You can also use one at a time, which I freaking love.
If you have the money and want to try them, you'll definitely enjoy them. If you're hesitant about the one seventy price tag, regular buds or a cheaper product are good, but only if you don’t really care about the specifics. Actually, refurbished buds can be found for as low as sixty bucks and work as good as new.
Even so, the Samsung Galaxy Buds are a great example of how far wireless earbud technology has come. These buds offer a lot of features that make them stand out in a crowded market. The wireless charging case is just a game-changer, and I love how they’re built. Samsung has done a great job with the design, making these buds smaller and more comfortable than their predecessors. And despite their small size, they just sound great and handle a wide range of music genres with ease.
OVERALL:
The Samsung Galaxy Buds are giving you a lot of value, even if they’re on the pricier side, but if you’re looking for something quality, consider this an investment that’s worth it to look into! I give it a five out of five! — Rita & Garry Mills
Get it from Amazon now: $89.99 & FREE Returns
5. Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 - Best Auto Switch Audio
Highlight: Three microphones with noise reduction technology promises clear voice transmission, regardless of who you’re talking to–and how many people.
Helpful review: I've had the Galaxy Buds for a couple of years, and whoa, man, these are definitely an upgrade. I use them for working out at the gym and taking my morning walks. Those are really the main times I spend listening to music and audiobooks. The noise cancellation is so incredible, it’s the main reason I’m even writing this. It somehow blocks out most road noise. The app works with my Pixel, and it even tests the fit. Changing the ear tips up a size made a big difference.
They are a bit slippery and tricky to fit well without pressing all the touch buttons, but I'm getting the hang of it. Overall, they make a great backup pair. I can lower the volume because I don't need to drown out outside noise. I've set the left touch-and-hold to activate Google Assistant and the right to ambient noise. The rest of the time, it's all that freaking awesome noise cancellation. Double-tap left for volume down and right for volume up. You need the app to set these settings and do firmware updates.
I had a lengthy journey finding good wireless earbuds, trying different cheap ones and even the Google Pixel Buds 2, which sounded great but had hardware issues. These Galaxy Buds 2 fit well, sound great, and haven’t given me any trouble. It allows for complex sounds that I love. They do kinda sometimes slip a bit, but they’re also super light and small, the smallest and lightest I've tried, actually, so I think that’s why. I actually really like that about them, though.
The case feels sturdy but can spill the earbuds if dropped, so also be careful. With that. Oh, and with the wireless charging, you can use one earbud while the other is in the case, and that’s really cool. Honestly, they’re a great choice, and I don’t regret the buy! Doubt you will either. — Nathan Bremer
Get it from Amazon now: $99.99