Comfort is subjective, but rest assured that our reviewers have worn the buds being tested for hours at a time and in all manner of situations, be that in a quiet room at home, running in the gym or on a busy commute. This ensures we’re able to give an informed opinion on how comfortable they are to wear, how secure the fit is and how well they withstand rain and sweat. These Sennheiser in-ears are now available for significantly less than their original price, which means you can get excellent audio performance for not a lot of money. The pair offers Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity, plus supports both the AAC and AptX Bluetooth codecs. And their companion app's EQ lets you reasonably adjust the sound to taste, even if it would benefit from a more user-friendly design. Who It’s For Press and hold 3+ seconds on each earbud. Blinking blue and white light on one earbud will indicate ready to pair to your device.

Select Device Name in your device's Bluetooth menu settings to connect. Make sure you turn on bluetooth. Voice prompt "You're connected" followed by blinking white lights will indicate you are connected. Such features make the Buds2 Pro our number-one choice if you’re already invested in the Galaxy ecosystem but if you don’t fall into that category, you’ll find better value elsewhere on this list. And if you do lose the entire case, several manufacturers build in either location- or audio-based detection features to help you locate it.The Shure Aonic 215 earbuds are chunky and perhaps not the most stylish, but we can't deny the versatility of their drivers. The Shure app provides a fantastic, adjustable EQ and you can easily hear how changes affect the sound—something that's not always a guarantee with competitors. Another cool feature is that you can use a cable accessory to turn the Aonic 215s into wired earphones. That makes them one of the most innovative options on our list. Who It’s For JBuds Air & JBuds Air ANC (Active Noise Cancelling)• Auto-Connecting Earbuds: Press and hold the power button both buttons 3+ seconds to power ON. One earbud blinks blue/white indicating ready to pair to your device. Battery life: Earbuds will always have a stated battery life, as will the case used to charge them. Between 15 and 20 hours of total listening time is around average, though your mileage will vary depending on the volume at which you play your audio. Having advanced features such as ANC active will also drain your battery faster.

Our keen-eared reviewers listen to a huge variety of musical genres from a range of sources during testing, including Spotify, Tidal and locally stored audio files. We’ll also put earbuds through their paces across whichever Bluetooth codecs they support using a compatible device and feed them high-resolution content if they have Hi-res capabilities. They do omit a couple of helpful features – active noise cancellation and control customisation – but access to an impactful graphic equaliser in the Sony Headphones Connect companion app allows you to tune audio to your tastes, which is very welcome. The WF-C500 will also prove a popular choice for those who aren’t fans of touch controls, as they use depressible buttons that take away any guesswork from controlling them. Touch controls are employed strategically to maximise functionality – adjusting volume, for instance, is achieved by sliding a finger up or down either earbud rather than using double or triple taps. Rounding out an impressive list of features are effective wear detection and active noise cancellation. The latter, in particular, is very good for the price and puts a significant dent in external sound.

Value for Money

Select "Epic Air Sport ANC" in your device settings. Voice prompt "Bluetooth connected" followed by solid white lights will indicate you are connected. Sporting an IPX7 waterproof rating, the Drsaec J52 Wireless Earbuds can easily withstand the sweatiest workouts and even accidental submersion in water. Rain or shine, you can wear them worry-free.

Active noise cancellation: We’re seeing more and more wireless earbuds incorporating active noise cancellation technology to reduce the impact of external sound on your audio. If you want the most immersive listening experience, ANC should be high on your priority list. Codecs determine how Bluetooth transmits information to your device. The SBC codec is pretty much universal across all devices and works just fine, though you’ll open up the possibility to listen to higher resolution audio with more advanced codecs such as AAC, which is favoured by Apple, or Qualcomm’s aptX, aptX HD or aptX Adaptive codecs. Bear in mind that your output device must also support the codec: iPhones don’t support aptX so even if you own the very best wireless earbuds money can buy, you won’t be able to make use of it. Can I make and receive phone and video calls? Beyond their hardy credentials, they offer excellent noise cancellation, solid sound quality (including support for Dolby Atmos Spatial audio), extensive battery life and one of the most comfortable fits around. Microphone clarity and a charging time of four hours are underwhelming but by striking a fine balance between robustness and performance, the Elite 8 Active aren’t only an appealing option for those living a lifestyle, but cater to more sedentary types as well. Wireless earbuds are the latest and greatest when it comes to audio technology, and with good reason. The best wireless earbuds will keep you tangle-free when it comes to cords and offer easy use and a sleek look.

One earbud will blink blue/white indicating ready to pair to your device. Select "JLab JBuds Air Pro" in your device's bluetooth settings. Connecting to Bluetooth: Select "JLab JBuds Air Sport" in your device settings. Voice prompt "Bluetooth connected" followed by solid white lights will indicate you are connected. A significant proportion of buds now favour the use of silicone tips, which seal off your ear canals and secure the buds in your ears far better. They also have the advantage of providing improved passive noise cancellation. Manufacturers typically provide a range of different-sized tips to help ensure you get the most comfortable and stable fit possible. With 4 built-in mics, the Drsaec J52 earbuds effectively reduce ambient noise, from chatter to public transit rumble. Customers confirm the noise cancelling effect is impressive for budget earbuds, allowing them to focus entirely on their music or shows without cranking the volume to dangerous levels. The reduction isn’t as profound as premium brands, but gets the job done.

Despite being significantly cheaper than Sony’s flagship WF-1000XM5, the WF-C700N offer a lot of the same functionality. Crucially, they support Adaptive Sound Control via the Sony Headphones Connect app, which lets you manually adjust the active noise cancellation settings or have the buds adjust it automatically depending on where you are and what you’re doing.

True Wireless Apps and Noise Cancellation

With ANC on you’re looking at roughly four and a half hours of in-ear battery life, which is below average, but despite this, the FreeBuds Pro 2 remain a great-sounding choice with plenty of well-implemented features.