Why trust Reddit? With so many new wireless earbud models constantly hitting the market, it’s tough to know which ones truly deliver on sound quality, comfort, and battery life. Reddit offers real user experiences and honest discussions that cut through the marketing noise, helping you make a confident choice.
That’s why we looked beyond flashy ads and tech specs. Instead we dove into real user experiences on Reddit.
In this guide, you’ll find top-rated wireless earbuds recommended by Reddit users, whether you’re after powerful noise cancellation, a secure fit for workouts, or just great value for the price.
Best Daily-driver Earbuds
Best Wireless Earbuds
1
Technics AZ100
The Technics AZ100 earbuds are shaping up to be the premium earbuds of 2025, improving on the already excellent AZ80s in six key areas. First, their Magnetic Fluid Drivers deliver cleaner, more precise sound with improved high-resolution audio. Add Dolby Atmos with head tracking, and these buds create an immersive, spatial audio experience unmatched in this category.
Adaptive Noise Cancelling is another standout now smarter and more seamless, making noisy environments a breeze. For phone calls, the Voice Focus AI mode is a game-changer, filtering noise on both ends so both you and your caller hear crystal clear. Even better, these features are all easily accessible through the Technics Audio Connect app.
The AZ100 also introduces LE audio mode, enabling LC3 codec streaming and future Auracast compatibility. Plus, their smaller, more ergonomic design fits snuglyeven for smaller ears without sacrificing features like three-way multi-point connectivity or high-res certification.
In noisy environments like crowded trains, the mic pickup is stellar. The AZ100 significantly outperforms the AZ80, amplifying voices while filtering background noise efficiently. Active noise canceling is another highlight, offering subtle but effective masking, while the improved transparency mode ensures clear ambient sound pass-through for conversations.
Sound quality? Phenomenal. Bass is textured and deep, soundstaging feels expansive, and separation between tracks is crisp. Vocals are slightly less sharp than the AZ80, but overall, these are a step closer to flagship models like the Bowers & Wilkins PI8.
In short, the AZ100 combines outstanding audio performance, adaptive ANC, top-notch call quality, and sleek design into one impressive package. Whether you’re upgrading from the AZ80 or exploring high-end earbuds for the first time, these are worth every penny.
Sony WF-1000XM5
Best Customizable Earbuds
2
SONY WF-1000XM5
Performance
The Sony WF-1000XM5 truly wireless earbuds impress with their overall performance, building upon the success of their predecessor. The earbuds feature two new processors – the Integrated Processor V2 and the HD Noise Canceling Processor QN2e, elevating the active noise-canceling (ANC) capabilities. With six microphones, including new dual feedback mics for monitoring low-frequency noise, the ANC attenuates over 30dB of low-frequency outside noise, making them an excellent choice for daily commuting and busy environments.
The 8.4mm dynamic drivers, upgraded from the previous 6mm drivers, contribute to a balanced and detailed sound profile. While the emphasis on lower frequencies caters to workouts, the Headphones Connect app allows users to create custom EQ profiles, offering flexibility for various listening preferences. The soundstage is noticeably wider, enhancing the listening experience, especially for genres where instrument separation is crucial.
The touch control improvements, combined with the dedicated pairing button and Bluetooth 5.3 support, provide a seamless and responsive user experience. The ability to connect to two devices simultaneously through Bluetooth multipoint adds convenience for users with multiple devices, ensuring a smooth transition between devices without lag or connection drops.
Noise Cancellation
Sony has significantly improved the active noise-canceling performance in the WF-1000XM5, making them one of the top choices in the market. The combination of advanced processors, six microphones, and enhanced ear tips results in impressive noise reduction. The ANC attenuates over 30dB of low-frequency outside noise, complemented by the updated foam ear tips that provide better isolation, reducing noise by up to 15dB in the low end and up to 50dB for sounds above 1kHz.
A standout feature is the effectiveness in windy conditions. The microphones on the WF-1000XM5 address wind noise, ensuring a distortion-free experience even in breezy outdoor situations. The ability to toggle between ANC and Ambient Sound mode by tapping the left earbud adds versatility, allowing users to stay aware of their surroundings when needed.
The Headphones Connect app further enhances the noise-canceling experience, offering customization options for ambient sound levels.
Battery Life
Sony has maintained a commendable battery life in the WF-1000XM5, ensuring users can enjoy extended listening sessions without frequent charging. The earbuds themselves last up to 8 hours of continuous playback, and with the charging case providing three additional charge cycles, the total battery life extends to an impressive 24 hours. In real-world testing, the WF-1000XM5 surpassed expectations, lasting 9 hours and 32 minutes on a single charge.
Overview
Priced at $299.99, the Sony WF-1000XM5 stands out with enhanced comfort, advanced ANC, and up to 24 hours of battery life. A top-tier choice, the 25% smaller design and 20% weight reduction address comfort concerns. User-friendly controls, customizable EQ, and upgraded 8.4mm drivers enhance the experience.
In a competitive market, the WF-1000XM5 excels in ANC and software support. Upgrading depends on comfort preferences. Compared to AirPods Pro, Sony leads in noise reduction and Android compatibility, while Apple users may prefer AirPods Pro for comfort and seamless integration. The WF-1000XM5 justifies its premium for top-notch features.
Technics AZ80 Earbuds
Best Value Earbuds
3
Technics AZ80
Design
One of the first things you notice with the AZ80 is their clean, minimalist design. The case has a matte finish with a brushed metal lid, which gives it a refined look compared to the previous AZ60 model. The earbuds themselves feature the same vinyl record-like design on the touch surface, a subtle nod to Technics’ audio heritage.
Though they are on the larger side, they offer a more compact vertical profile than their predecessor, improving the fit. I was pleasantly surprised by how securely they stayed in my ears, even during light physical activity. While not the most compact earbuds on the market, the comfort level is decent for extended use. Bulkier than the AirPods but a significant improvement from its predecessor.
Sound Quality
Where the AZ80 truly shines is in its audio performance. Technics is known for delivering high-quality sound, and these earbuds are no exception. The AZ80 offers an open and spacious soundstage, which is perfect for complex tracks with multiple layers. The treble is detailed with a pleasant sparkle, and the bass—especially with the “Super Bass” preset—packs a punch without overwhelming the other frequencies. I personally preferred the dynamic preset, which offers a balanced mix of bass and treble.
Vocals, both male and female, are exceptional on these earbuds, providing clarity and natural tones. Instrument separation is also top-tier, allowing individual elements of tracks to shine.
In terms of sound quality, I’d place these right alongside the Denon Pearl Pro, and perhaps just a notch below the Sennheiser Momentum 4 in terms of treble clarity if the Momentum 4 is customized correctly. Stock Momentum 4 is below par with the Technics at a glance.
Noise Cancellation and Ambient Mode
The ANC on the AZ80 performs admirably but doesn’t quite reach the levels of the AirPods Pro 2 or XM5, much less it barely competes with the Bose QC (Gen 2). It’s effective for daily commutes and office environments, but if you’re seeking absolute silence, there are better options available. The ambient mode is another strong point, offering a natural and customizable sound that can be adjusted through the Technics app. In terms of ANC, the AZ80 is slightly behind the AirPods Pro 2, XM5 and Bose QC Earbuds 2, but ahead of many other mid-range earbuds.
Multi-Point Connection and Connectivity
Allowing you to connect to up to three devices at once, is truly what keeps Technics apart from the competition. While this feature is quite impressive, there are some caveats. If you’re using multi-point with three devices, you lose the ability to use LDAC for high-resolution audio. However, reducing the connection to two devices brings LDAC back into play. I found that switching between devices was smooth, though I had to adopt the habit of pausing and minimizing apps before switching to avoid any issues.
The Sony WF-1000XM5 offers multi-point connection as well, but only for two devices. The ability to connect to three devices with the AZ80 is a rare and convenient feature.
Battery Life
Battery performance on the AZ80 is solid, offering around 7 hours of use on a single charge and up to 24 hours with the case. The fast-charging capability is another bonus, providing 70 minutes of playback after just 15 minutes of charging. The addition of wireless charging is a welcome upgrade over the AZ60 model, making the AZ80 much more convenient for those using wireless charging pads.
Call Quality
For phone calls, the AZ80 performs surprisingly well in some instances. The “Just My Voice” feature isolates your voice and eliminates background noise effectively. A unique feature allows you to record and playback your voice in the app to check microphone quality. The AZ80 also offers a feature that reduces background noise from the caller’s end, which is something I haven’t seen in other earbuds. Can’t seem to pinpoint as the best call quality, but if you love everything about it then this won’t disappoint.
Verdict
If you are looking for earbuds that sound excellent and looking for the perfect balance of audiophile and daily driver earbuds, then Technics will do the trick for you. It performs excellent in its sound signature while balancing out other features overall. If you are in the look out for ANC and call quality as the priority features then options such as AirPods and XM5 will take the lead.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
Best iOS Wireless Earbuds
4
APPLE AIRPODS PRO (2nd Gen)
Design
In terms of design, the Apple AirPods Pro is one of the smoothly designed earbuds with a proper fit as far as earbuds are concerned. The casing of the AirPods now has a built-in speaker, which emits a sound for it to be located via the Find-My app and an alert tone when the battery is low or when paired to the device. You can silence these sounds in the case through iPhone settings.
Compared to the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro the AirPods Pro 2nd Generation comes with a lower IPX4 rating, however, this can withstand normal splashes or small rain. The iconic stem design has been a frustrating element for users who are engaged in an active lifestyle. As masks became the new normal the air buds tend to fling along with the mask when removed accidentally because of the stem.
Other earbuds manufacturers have given a proper fit that snuggles in the ear perfectly without any extruding parts. Much of the fit comes from the silicon tips and if the proper pair of silicone tips are selected then it vastly contributes to ANC.
Performance and sound
The sound is crisp and has great quality. The AirPods Pro 2nd Generation will provide you with quality sound as long as you have a good fit in the ear. The AirPods Pro 2nd Generation has a slight emphasis on the sub-bass frequencies. The lows and mids have not changed in the 2nd generation. Crisp tones are slightly admissible in the air pods and we would’ve liked it if it had a bit more emphasis on this as well.
Noise-cancelling
Noise-canceling has been leveled up from the AirPods Pro and now it’s excellent producing some of the best ANC in the market. The AirPods Pro 2nd Generation can be used in any environment in commute, train, etc. As with most earbuds, the ANC quality depends on the fit of the earbuds. Ear tips may vary for each and the simple test for the fit can be done through an iOS device.
Battery Life
The battery life of the AirPods Pro 2nd Generation is 5 hours and 30 minutes maximum in our test and the charging case provided extra 24 hours of listening time. Recharging remains convenient with plenty of options such as Qi, Magsafe, Apple Watch charging mat, and the lightning cable. However, there can be significant improvements in battery life considering the competition from other manufacturers.
Overview
If you are an iOS user then choosing the AirPods Pro 2nd Generation is an easy decision as the connectivity it offers cannot be matched. In terms of overall quality the earbuds have improved significantly from their predecessor and users can expect great sound quality and top ANC from the AirPods Pro 2nd Generation.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
Best AirPods Alternative
5
Bose QC Ultra
First off, the noise-canceling performance on these earbuds is stellar. Bose continues to catch-up with the XM5 in this department. While testing them in noisy environments like cafes and public transport, the QC Ultra handled background noise with ease. Compared to the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Gen II, the Ultra’s noise-canceling felt on par, but not a significant leap ahead. Both models block out the world around you, but if you’re specifically looking for a noise-canceling powerhouse, either of these will impress.
Where the QC Ultra stands out, though, is the addition of spatial audio with head-tracking, something that’s missing in the Gen II version. Some may not prefer the spatial sound feature in AirPods and may continue to do the same with Bose. However Bose has managed to edge past AirPods when we tested.
Sound Quality
The sound quality of the Bose QC Ultra is excellent, balanced, clean, and detailed. They deliver that typical Bose sound signature, with clear highs and mids. However, I was hoping for a little more punch in the bass, especially for a premium product. Compared to the Sony WF-1000XM5, which delivers a bit more richness in the lower end, I felt the QC Ultra could have offered a little more bass impact, especially for bass-heavy genres like hip-hop or EDM.
Still, they’re great for classical, jazz, and even podcasts, where clarity is more important than thumping bass. For casual and balanced listening, the QC Ultra are a pleasure, but they don’t give you the kind of customizable EQ settings you get with the Sony XM5.
One standout feature is the support for Snapdragon Sound, which promises higher-quality audio streaming on compatible Android devices. If you own an Android phone with Snapdragon Sound, you’ll notice a bump in quality, but for iPhone users, this feature doesn’t add much value. This puts the QC Ultra at an advantage over competitors like the AirPods Pro 2, but only for a specific audience.
Comfort and Design
One area where Bose has really improved is comfort. The QC Ultra has a more ergonomic design than some previous Bose earbuds, fitting snugly without feeling too bulky in the ear. But here’s the catch: the charging case is quite bulky, making it harder to slip into a pocket compared to something sleeker like the AirPods Pro 2 or the Bose QC Earbuds Gen II. The case’s design could definitely be more compact given the price tag of these earbuds.
I also found myself missing swipe controls for volume adjustment, something that would make using them on the go even more convenient. You still have to reach for your phone to adjust the volume, which is a small but noticeable annoyance, especially when you’re paying a premium for these earbuds.
Transparency Mode
The transparency mode on the QC Ultra works well enough but lacks the natural feel you get with competitors like Apple’s AirPods Pro 2. Apple has really nailed the transparency feature, making it feel like you’re not even wearing earbuds, while the QC Ultra still sounds somewhat artificial. Compared to Bose’s own QC Gen II earbuds, the QC Ultra is a bit behind in terms of natural sound passthrough.
Battery Life and Features
The battery life is decent—around 6 hours on a single charge, which is pretty standard but also competitors do have much to offer in this area.
Verdict
Overall, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds deliver great noise-canceling and solid sound quality, with a few standout features like spatial audio and Snapdragon Sound. However, for a product at this price point, there are some trade-offs, like the bulky case, lack of swipe controls, and a less-than-perfect transparency mode. Bose can also be an excellent alternative for AirPods as they have more customizability and spatial audio. Again this may not be the best on ANC and transparency but handles most things pretty well.
Bowers and Wilkins Pi8
Best Alt for Sounds
6
Bowers and Wilkins Pi8
The Bowers & Wilkins PI8 earbuds are an absolute delight for anyone serious about sound quality. After testing them extensively even in noisy environments like a crowded mall I can confidently say they’re among the best-sounding earbuds I’ve ever used. They’re incredibly loud, too. Unlike most earbuds where I hover around 50-60% volume, the PI8 is so powerful that 30-40% is more than enough for me. These might just be the loudest earbuds I’ve tested to date.
B&W has made some significant improvements over their PI7S2 model. For starters, you can now switch to transparency mode directly via the touch controls no app required. They’ve also eliminated the frustrating proximity sensor disconnect issue, meaning both earbuds stay connected, even if your head is on the wider side. Plus, the controls are slightly more customizable, though still a bit limited compared to competitors. For example, you can’t assign ANC toggles to the right earbud, and you have to choose between volume or ANC toggles.
Sound customization is better, thanks to a graphic EQ in the app. However, there are no presets, which might frustrate those unfamiliar with EQ settings. The app experience overall remains restrictive compared to brands like Technics, Denon, or Sony. On the bright side, the case doubles as a wired bridge, letting you connect to analog or digital sources. Interestingly, wired connections (via USB-C or aux) are noticeably louder and offer subtle sound differences compared to Bluetooth.
The microphone pickup is decent in quiet settings but could amplify my voice more. In noisy environments, the noise gating is effective but sometimes over-aggressive, cutting into my voice. The ANC is solid but falls short of the PI7S2 and some rivals, though the transparency mode is surprisingly clear.
When it comes to sound, the PI8 shines. It’s similar to the PI7S2 but with more energetic mids and highs and a slightly gentler bass. Vocals are vibrant, separation is clean, and the overall sound is smooth and relaxed. If sound quality is your top priority, the PI8 won’t disappoint.
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
Best Mic Wireless Earbuds
7
PIXEL BUDS PRO 2
Pixel Buds 2 came with a bang back in 2023 making waves on Ai in wireless earbuds with their promise of comfort, solid audio quality, and smart updates. After reviewing them, here is our opinion on them.
They nailed it. The buds are smaller and lighter than before (27% and 24%, respectively), which means they’re not just easy on the ears but also feel more secure thanks to the nifty micro fin. Whether I was commuting or just lounging, they stayed put without any awkward readjustments.
Battery life is also fantastic. With ANC on, I got a solid 8 hours of listening time, and if I turned ANC off, it stretched to 12 hours. Pair that with the charging case, and you’re looking at up to 30 hours (or a crazy 48 hours with ANC off). For someone who hates constantly charging gadgets, this was a big win.
I was pleasantly surprised by the audio customization options. Google added new EQ settings in the Buds app, making it easier to tweak the sound to my liking. While the audio isn’t studio-grade, it’s more than fine for everyday use. Mic Quality is excellent. Fairly in our testing it exceeded AirPods and Samsung Buds 3 Pro.
Speaking of the case, there are smart upgrades here too. The built-in speaker is great for Google’s Find My Device network, it’s a lifesaver when I misplace them. Plus, it gives off an audible alert when the battery is low, which is pretty handy.
Unfortunately, the ANC is a letdown. It’s good enough for blocking out some noise, but when you compare it to the XM5, Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro or AirPods Pro 2, the difference is noticeable. If you’re a frequent flyer or need stellar noise cancellation, you might find these lacking.
Then there’s the Bluetooth multipoint. In theory, it’s a great feature that lets you switch between devices. In practice? Not so much. I had to manually fiddle with the settings to jump between my phone and laptop, which was frustrating.
Another little quirk—the fit. It’s hard to tell the left earbud from the right at a glance, and I found myself picking up the wrong one more often than I’d like. Small thing, but annoying.
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are a step in the right direction, especially with their improved design, stellar battery life, and thoughtful case updates. But if ANC or seamless device switching is high on your priority list, you might want to explore alternatives. That said, if you’re a fan of Google’s ecosystem or just want a comfortable, reliable pair of earbuds for everyday use, and if you want good mic quality it’s right up there.
For a quick glance at the pros and cons of the all the wireless earbuds you can browse our pros and cons list on Reddit at r/soundnation