Best Wireless Earbuds
Your phone decides most of this: AirPods Pro 3 for iPhone, Galaxy Buds4 Pro for Samsung. Sony and Bose lead on sound and noise cancelling, and you can spend under $100 and still get ANC.
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How this page was made: this is a research-based guide built from manufacturer spec pages, official prices and published lab measurements from the outlets we name and link. We haven’t tested these products ourselves, and we don’t invent scores. Our methodology.
Quick answer
Your phone decides most of this: AirPods Pro 3 for iPhone, Galaxy Buds4 Pro for Samsung. Sony and Bose lead on sound and noise cancelling, and you can spend under $100 and still get ANC. Best for iPhone: Apple AirPods Pro 3, $249. Best for sound (Android): Sony WF-1000XM6, $329.99. Best budget ANC: soundcore Liberty 4 NC, $50.
Last updated Prices checked Oct 2026
Key facts at a glance
| Pick | Product | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for iPhone | Apple AirPods Pro 3 | iPhone owners | $249 (often about $190) |
| Best for sound (Android) | Sony WF-1000XM6 | sound quality | $329.99 (Sony) |
| Best budget ANC | soundcore Liberty 4 NC | ANC on a budget | About $50–$90 |
We built this list from Apple’s, Sony’s and Samsung’s spec pages and from What Hi-Fi?[5], SoundGuys[3] and TechRadar reviews, with prices checked October 2026. If noise cancelling is your main priority, also see best noise-cancelling earbuds.
Which should you buy? Our quick picks
How do they compare?
| Earbuds | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| AirPods Pro 3 | $249 (often about $190) | iPhone owners |
| Sony WF-1000XM6 | $329.99 ($279.99 at Walmart per TechRadar) | Sound quality, LDAC on Android |
| Bose QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd gen) | $299 | Strongest noise cancelling |
| Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro | $249 | Samsung phones |
| AirPods 5 | $129; $149 with wireless charging case | Open-fit comfort |
| Soundcore Liberty 4 NC | About $50–$90 | Budget ANC |
| Sony WF-C510 | About $60–$70 | Cheap and simple |
The picks in detail
1. Apple AirPods Pro 3
Best for: iPhone ownersAirPods Pro 3 add a heart rate sensor and IP57 dust and water resistance, and they keep Apple’s easy iPhone pairing. They list at $249 and often sell for about $190. See best earbuds for iPhone.
Price (Oct 2026): $249 (often about $190) Source
Pros
- Seamless with iPhone
- Heart rate sensing
- IP57
Cons
- Fewer features on Android
2. Sony WF-1000XM6
Best for: sound qualitySony’s flagship supports LDAC on Android and is rated for 8 hours per charge (24 with the case). It’s IPX4. Sony lists it at $329.99, and TechRadar spotted it at $279.99 at Walmart. Compare it in Sony WF-1000XM6 vs AirPods Pro 3.
Price (Oct 2026): $329.99 (Sony) Source
Pros
- LDAC hi-res Bluetooth
- Strong ANC
Cons
- Most expensive here
- Only IPX4
3. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)
Best for: noise cancellingWhat Hi-Fi?[5] picks the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd gen) for the strongest noise cancelling. They cost $299. See Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Bose QC Ultra Earbuds 2.
Price (Oct 2026): $299 Source
Pros
- Class-leading ANC
Cons
- No LDAC
- $50 more than AirPods Pro 3
4. Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro
Best for: Samsung phonesSamsung’s $249 flagship earbuds work best with Galaxy phones. See AirPods Pro 3 vs Galaxy Buds4 Pro.
Price (Oct 2026): $249 Source
Pros
- Galaxy ecosystem features
Cons
- Less useful with non-Samsung phones
5. Apple AirPods 5
Best for: people who hate ear tipsAirPods 5 have an open fit with no silicone tips. They cost $129, or $149 with the wireless charging case.
Price (Oct 2026): $129 / $149 Source
Pros
- Open-fit comfort
- Low price for AirPods
Cons
- Open fit seals less than tipped earbuds
6. soundcore Liberty 4 NC
Best for: ANC on a budgetA long-running budget favorite with noise cancelling for about $50–$90. More cheap options are in best Android earbuds under $100.
Price (Oct 2026): About $50–$90 Source
Pros
- ANC at a low price
Cons
- Not as refined as the flagships
7. Sony WF-C510
Best for: basic listeningSmall, light and cheap at about $60–$70, but with no noise cancelling.
Price (Oct 2026): About $60–$70 Source
Pros
- Compact
- Inexpensive
Cons
- No ANC
Also considered
For workouts, see best earbuds for running (Powerbeats Pro 2 is $249.99). For over-ear headphones, see best noise-cancelling headphones under $200.
Match your phone
AirPods get automatic iCloud pairing and spatial audio features on iPhone, and Galaxy Buds work best with Samsung phones. Sony earbuds work well on any phone, and LDAC is supported on most Android phones but not on iPhone.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best wireless earbuds?
What are the best cheap earbuds with ANC?
Which earbuds have the best noise cancelling?
Sources
Pricing and plan details were checked on the official pages below as of Oct 2026. Vendors change prices, credits and plan names often, and some show regional pricing at checkout, so confirm on the vendor’s site before you buy.
- Apple AirPods Pro 3 specs (apple.com)
- Apple AirPods (apple.com)
- SoundGuys: Sony WF-1000XM6 vs WF-1000XM5 (soundguys.com)
- Samsung: Galaxy Buds4 series announcement (news.samsung.com)
- What Hi-Fi?: Best iPhone headphones (whathifi.com)
Related
AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods 5
The decision comes down to ear tips. The $249 AirPods Pro 3 seal your ears for much stronger noise cancellation, more bass and 8 hours of battery. The AirPods 5 ($129, or $149 with the wireless case) keep an open, tip-free fit.
best ofThe Best Noise-Cancelling Earbuds in 2026
AirPods Pro 3 win for Apple users. Bose and Sony fight for best ANC/Android flexibility — pick by phone ecosystem and fit.
best ofBest earbuds for iPhone
AirPods get the deepest iPhone integration, but they aren’t the only good choice. Here’s what to buy at each budget, including Apple’s new AirPods 5.
best ofThe Best Android Earbuds Under $100
Under $100 you can get real ANC. Liberty 4 NC and CMF Buds Pro 2 lead on features-per-dollar; Buds FE win for Samsung phones.
comparisonSony WF-1000XM6 vs AirPods Pro 3
Sony’s newest flagship earbuds cost $80 more than AirPods Pro 3. Which one fits depends mostly on your phone.
best ofThe Best Headphones in 2026
Wirecutter’s best noise-cancelling headphones are the Sony WH-1000XM6 ($458). The Soundcore Space One ($100) is its budget pick. In its ANC measurements, AirPods Max 2 (27 dB) and Bose QC Ultra 2nd Gen (26.9 dB) edge the Sony (26.2 dB).
comparisonSamsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro vs Sony WF-1000XM6
Sony’s WF-1000XM6 wins on noise cancelling, tested battery life and true multipoint for any phone. Samsung’s Galaxy Buds4 Pro cost less, are IP57-rated and are the better buy if you own a Galaxy phone.
best ofBest Earbuds for Running and Workouts
Secure-fit and open-ear picks for road running and the gym. We compared official IP ratings, battery claims and prices from the brands and The Verge—research-based, not a lab test.