Once thought of as an expensive alternative to wired headphones, wireless earbuds have become a mainstream option for many consumers. While AirPods remain the best wireless earbuds on the Apple ecosystem, Android users have a lot more options to play with.

Wireless earbuds are a convenient way to listen to music, join meetings, and in general enjoy audio-based content without the hassle of having to plug them into your devices.

Here are the best wireless earbuds available for Android today.

The Galaxy Buds Live are a great option for Android users, and they have one the most unique-looking bean-shaped designs. Instead of resting on the inside of your ear canal, these earbuds rest on top of your concha (the groove above your ear canal). For long-term use, these earbuds are light, unintrusive, and comfortable.

The Galaxy Buds Live pair with the Samsung Wearables app that allows users to change EQ settings, set up gestures, and receive firmware updates. If you have a Samsung device, these buds pair very easily with Samsung's quick pair, but the process is quite simple for other Android users as well.

These wireless earbuds have ANC, which blocks out low-frequency noises, but since they are an open-ear design, you will still have sounds leaking through. That said, these earbuds sound very good, and are equipped to handle most music genres. Depending on your style, you can choose between four different colors of earbuds, including their wireless charging case.

Key Features
  • Ergonomic design
  • Case charges via USB-C or wirelessly
  • Adjustable sound profile via the Samsung Wearables app
Specifications
  • Brand: Samsung
  • Battery Life: Up to 6 hours
  • Noise Cancellation: Yes
  • Mono Listening: Yes
  • Bluetooth : Bluetooth 5.0
Pros
  • Comfortable to wear
  • Decent battery life
  • Samsung's Wearables app allows you to easily tweak the sound profile
Cons
  • Getting adjusted to the new design will take some time
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Samsung Galaxy Buds Live
Editors choice

2. Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro

9.00 / 10
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The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro is one of the best choices for Android users looking for truly wireless earbuds. They offer true ANC support that blocks out 99% of outside noise, and with its smart gestures, you can quickly switch between ANC and Ambient sound to talk to people while still having your earbuds in your ears.

Features like multi-device support allow you to seamlessly switch between your phone and other devices with ease. Unfortunately, this quick switching feature only works with Samsung smartphones and tablets at the moment. The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro is IPX7 water-resistant meaning they won't get damaged if you get them wet or want to use them while exercising.

Using the Samsung's Wearables app, you can fine-tune the earbuds to your preferred sound profile. These Android earbuds support Dolby Atmos, allowing you to immerse yourself fully with a surround sound experience. Overall, the Galaxy Buds Pro from Samsung is one of the best pairs of premium wireless earbuds on the market, and if you're an Android user, these will undoubtedly give you a great listening experience.

Key Features
  • Active Noise Cancellation
  • Ergonomic in-ear design
  • IPX7 water resistance
Specifications
  • Brand: Samsung
  • Battery Life: Up to 8 hours
  • Noise Cancellation: Yes
  • Mono Listening: Yes
  • Bluetooth : Bluetooth 5.0
Pros
  • Multi-device support
  • Active Noise Cancellation and Ambient Sound modes work great
  • 360 audio
Cons
  • Some features are Samsung-exclusive
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Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro
Best value

3. Huawei Freebuds 4i

8.00 / 10
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The Huawei Freebuds 4i features a typical earbud shape and are available in various colors. The small egg-shaped case looks stylish but due to its glossy design can be somewhat awkward to hold. On the side of each bud are the touch controls that allow users to play/pause and change the ANC mode.

The 10mm dynamic coil drivers produce decent sound quality for these entry-level earbuds. They feature Bluetooth 5.2, allowing them to be paired easily with Android devices with the easy-to-use pairing button. While there isn't an option to adjust the level of ANC, the noise cancellation is decent and offers Aware mode which allows you to have conversations with other people without removing your earbuds.

At an affordable price, the Huawei Freebuds 4i comes with decent battery life and basic features. The overall performance is good, but the controls can be a little frustrating and the app is overly complex. On the other hand, if you're not fussed about customizing your controls, the app isn't required for the earbuds to work.

Key Features
  • Lightweight design
  • Ergonomic fit
  • IP54 water and dust resistance
Specifications
  • Brand: Huawei
  • Battery Life: Up to 10 hours
  • Noise Cancellation: Yes
  • Mono Listening: Yes
  • Bluetooth : Bluetooth 5.2
Pros
  • Great battery life
  • Excellent Active Noise Cancellation
  • Affordable
Cons
  • Finnicky gesture controls
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Huawei Freebuds 4i

The Huawei Freebuds Pro offers Active Noise Cancellation, which is able to cut back on outside noise by up to 40dB. The Freebuds Pro has 11mm drivers that deliver excellent sound quality and separation. With the dual antenna design and the three microphone systems of these earbuds, these are one of the best options for work calls and meetings.

The Feebuds Pro also includes a sizeable battery life that can last a total of 36 hours with the charging case. The Freebuds Pro support multiple devices. However, this feature is limited to Huawei devices and isn't compatible with other Android devices.

While some features are exclusive to Huawei, the Huawei Freebuds Pro is a fine choice for users who value simplicity and ease of use. With a simple pinch and finger movement, it's incredibly straightforward to answer calls and change the volume on these earbuds.

Key Features
  • Active Noise Cancellation
  • Pairs with the Huawei AI Life app
  • Supports Bluetooth 5.2
Specifications
  • Brand: Huawei
  • Battery Life: Up to 7 hours
  • Noise Cancellation: Yes
  • Mono Listening: Yes
  • Bluetooth : Yes
Pros
  • Ergonomic design that's meant for long listening sessions
  • ANC capabilities that block out sound up to 40 DB
  • Decent battery life
Cons
  • Some features are Huawei exclusive
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Huawei Freebuds Pro

The Microsoft Surface Earbuds are an excellent choice for the workplace. They deliver Omnisonic sound, which Microsoft claims do a great job of delivering a rich and clear audio experience. The earbuds also have two microphones that are designed for picking up on calls and voice recognition.

While these wireless earbuds do not support Active Noise Cancellation, they do boast many integrations with Microsoft Office that make them ideal for productivity. The Microsoft Surface Earbuds are compatible with Microsoft Powerpoint and let you present your slides with swipe gestures for getting to the next slide.

The Microsoft Surface Earbuds have excellent speech-to-text capabilities within Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Powerpoint for drafting up documents, emails, and slides without having to type. The earbuds are rated for IPX4 meaning they will work fine at the gym, and won't be ruined by sweat. Overall, these Surface Earbuds are a great option for people wanting to get step up their productivity in the workplace.

Key Features
  • IPX4 water resistant
  • Connects via the Microsoft Surface Audio app
  • Pairs with Windows Swift Pair and Android Fast Pair
Specifications
  • Brand: Microsoft
  • Battery Life: Up to 24 hours
  • Noise Cancellation: No
  • Mono Listening: Yes
  • Bluetooth : Yes
Pros
  • Microsoft Office Integration
  • Microsoft Teams compatible
  • Easy to use
Cons
  • No ANC
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Microsoft Surface Earbuds

The Bose QuietComfort Noise Cancelling Earbuds feature Bose's signature sound, making them perfect for listening to music while leveraging the Active Noise Cancellation to block out outdoor distractions. Full Transparency Mode lets you listen to the outside world when you want to talk to others without taking out your earbuds.

The earbuds have a microphone system designed for cutting out background noise, only picking up on your voice during calls. These Android earbuds connect via the Bose Music app, but unfortunately do not have an adjustable sound profile. That said, these are one of the best sounding and isolating earbuds on the market.

The Bose QuietComfort Noise Cancelling Earbuds are IPX4-rated, meaning they will withstand sweat and water, making them a great option if you enjoy listening to music while exercising. Using Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity, these earbuds connect easily to your Android device and can reach up to 30-feet without interruption.

Key Features
  • Full Transparency Mode
  • Bluetooth 5.1 capable
  • Ergonomic in-ear design
Specifications
  • Brand: Bose
  • Battery Life: Up to 6 hours
  • Noise Cancellation: Yes
  • Mono Listening: Yes
  • Bluetooth : Yes
Pros
  • Sweat resistant
  • Excellent Noise Cancelling capabilities
  • Available in multiple colors
Cons
  • Sound profile profile not adjustable
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Bose QuietComfort Noise Cancelling Earbuds

The Sony WF-1000XM3 earbuds are one of the most intriguing and well-put-together devices. These earbuds live alongside Sony's highly-rated over-ear WH-X1000 series headphones, and the WF-1000XM3 lives up to them in a smaller, more compact design, while still delivering on sound quality. The WF-1000XM3's offer incredible sound quality, and have an adjustable EQ built into the Sony Companion app.

The earbuds also have smart features like its Quick Attention mode that temporarily turns off your music when you hold an earbud to listen to the outside world. The earbuds can intelligently increase or decrease the active noise cancellation depending on your environment. The WF-1000XM3's have Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa built-in allowing you to take advantage of smart assistants on the go.

The only gripe with these earbuds is the lack of sweat or water resistance, meaning they are not ideal for the gym. That said, the Sony WF-1000XM3 earbuds are a great option for Android users who want to get a complete package when it comes to sound quality, active noise cancellation, and customization.

Key Features
  • Google Assistant and Alexa enabled
  • Quick-charge lets you get 90 minutes of playback with 10 minutes of charging
  • One-touch controls
Specifications
  • Brand: Sony
  • Battery Life: Up to 24 hours
  • Noise Cancellation: Yes
  • Mono Listening: Yes
  • Bluetooth : Yes
Pros
  • Adequate battery life
  • Excellent Noise Cancellation
  • Customizable sound profile
Cons
  • No water or sweat resistance
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Sony WF-1000XM3

FAQ

Q: What is ANC?

ANC is the abbreviation of Active Noise Cancellation. It is the process of reducing sound from the outside world so that you can cancel out unwanted distractions. The way most earbuds and headphones achieve ANC is by listening to the background using their microphone system and actively pumping in noise that neutralizes the sounds to cancel it out before it heads into the ear.

Most earbuds and headphones do a great job of cancelling out low-frequency sounds like cars moving or fan noise, but some are better than others at cancelling out higher frequency sounds.

Q: Do I need Water Resistance on my Earbuds?

While most earbuds today are rated to handle sweat and light moisture exposure, many do not, and it depends on the environment you want to use your earbuds in. If you're a light user, and typically listen to your earbuds within your home, water and sweat resistance most likely shouldn't be a factor when choosing earbuds. If you want to use your earbuds at the gym, where you are likely to sweat while wearing them, you might want to consider getting earbuds that have sweat resistance. Most sweat-resistant earbuds are rated for IPX4 or IPX5, and this just means they can handle the moisture of light rain and sweat.

Q: Is Music Quality Affected with Wireless Audio?

Generally, audio quality is not an issue. Most of the new earbuds today are designed to deliver excellent audio quality and depending on your earbud model or your music service provider, you may be able to stream higher fidelity audio. Music streaming services like Tidal, and soon Apple Music and Spotify have lossless audio streaming that lets you enjoy every detail of your music. You can check which earbuds work best with these services to deliver higher fidelity.