Headphone Reviews | The Verge

The Nothing Ear 3A look great… and sound good enough

2026-07-29T09:02:00-04:00

Nothing has had a strong visual identity since the Ear 1 were released in 2021 for $99 and challenged the notion that a highly featured headset requires a high price. The Ear 3A have the same transparent look as Nothing's previous earbuds, with a clear case and stem design accented by a solid-colored body - this time adding a striking pink alongside yellow, black, and white options. And Nothing continues to improve both ANC and audio performance. But the Ear 3A also share the buggy performance that has plagued Nothing earbuds. While $99 is an attractive price for them, be ready to deal with some minor adaptive ANC and call quality issues.

No …

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The three sets of earbuds I reach for

2026-06-09T18:21:07-04:00

I listen to a lot of earbuds, but these three I actually use all the time. | Photo: John Higgins / The Verge

I have been an audio reviewer for 20 years. My time as a freelance headphones panelist at Wirecutter, and the multitude of reviews I’ve written for sites like Reviewed, Digital Trends, IGN, and now The Verge, have given me the chance to listen to hundreds of earbuds. Some were truly excellent, and some were pretty hideous. Honestly, they tend to blur together as I move from new earbud to new earbud. But when something worthwhile comes around, it gets and holds my attention. These are the three sets that I reach for most often right now.

Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro

Score: 8

Pros	Cons
Incredible call quality Great ANC Useful case screen	Default sound profile needs tweaking

Where to Buy:

For ages I relied on the Apple AirPods Pro — first the Pro 2 and then the Pro 3. But the new $170 Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro have been my go-to earbuds for the past month. I’m using them to listen to Lofi Girl as I write this. Their sound quality is really good after you use the Soundcore app to fine-tune the frequency response (out of the box the bass is too high, which causes vocals to get muddy and snare hits to be muffled). They fit my ears securely, and since they have an IP55 rating, I could see myself using them on a run in a pinch — though I prefer running with my Powerbeats Fit buds (see below). And they also support the LDAC high-res audio codec with supported devices (sorry, iPhone users).

Noise cancellation is also top-notch and comparable to more expensive earbuds like the Apple AirPods Pro 3 (which we’ll get to in a few paragraphs). The Soundcore buds let in a little more midrange, but handle low-end drone with no problem.

But call quality is the Liberty 5 Pro’s greatest strength. I’ve never heard earbuds that block out as much ambient noise, allowing me to sound clear on my calls and in meetings. Whether it’s a squawk from the family parrot that’s a couple feet to the left of my desk or the Los Angeles traffic as I walk around my neighborhood, nothing distracts my conversation partners from what I’m saying. And many don’t even believe it when I tell them the amount of noise around me.

The Liberty 5 Pro have some nice extra features, including voice controls, AI translation (with the Soundcore app), and a case with a 0.96-inch TFT touchscreen and wireless charging. For $60 more, the Liberty 5 Pro Max’s case adds recording with an AI transcription and summary, but they cost $230 and the earbuds are exactly the same as the 5 Pro. I wouldn’t bother with the upgrade unless you really need to record and transcribe things regularly.

Battery life with ANC on is below average, listed as only 6.5 hours (or a total of 28 hours with the case), and that number goes down if you’re using features like hi-res audio. I find myself needing to charge the case every couple days.

It also takes some finagling to switch the earbuds between paired devices. I regularly use my work MacBook, my iPhone, and my iPad during the day, and the earbuds can only be connected to two at a time. So I find myself regularly needing to disconnect from one to allow them to work on another.

AirPods Pro 3

Score: 9

Pros	Cons
Improved ANC and sound Longer battery Standalone workout tracking Live translation Same price IP57 Better fit Camera remote control is handy!	If you’re hoping for traditional foam ear tips, this isn’t that

Where to Buy:

In those cases I fall back to my Apple AirPods Pro 3. When I’m using Apple products, I don’t have to think about them. I just take them out of their case and they work. When I open my iPad to watch a show on HBO Max or the Dropout app, the AirPods will seamlessly switch over to the new device and alert me with a pop-up notification.

The AirPods sound a bit better than the Soundcore, although it’s not a drastic difference. And they still deliver some of the best noise-canceling performance available.

They also have a plethora of features that only work within the Apple ecosystem. Live translation on supported iPhones works decently, and their case supports magnetic wireless charging. They have Find My for if (when) you lose them, and even a hearing test. There’s also a heart rate sensor that integrates with the iOS Fitness app, and the buds are now IP57 (the Soundcore are IP55, so their water protection isn’t as strong). Although, even with the heart rate sensor and IP rating, I don’t like using the AirPods as workout earbuds for one specific reason.

Even though fit has been improved on the AirPods Pro 3 compared to the Pro 2, I still have issues with it. It’s not a concern as I sit at my desk, but a light jog or run and they start to work their way out of my ears. Earbuds fit is such a personal thing, since everyone’s ears are shaped differently, but for me, Apple has never nailed it. I also don’t like the stem design, to put it mildly. It’s iconic, sure, but also exceedingly frustrating to use when I’m running. I’m constantly jostling them loose as I try to change the track, adjust volume, or switch to a different ANC mode.

Beats Powerbeats Fit

Score: 8

Pros	Cons
Excellent, secure fit Solid sound Good ANC and transparency	H1 chip limits Apple features No wireless charging on case

Where to Buy:

That’s where the Beats Powerbeats Fit come in. Because of their wingtip design, I never worry about them coming out of my ears, and yet they’re comfortable throughout my workout. The in-ear design also keeps out of the way of sunglasses, which is one reason I prefer them over the ear hooks of the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2. And even though Beats are owned by Apple, the earbuds are not locked into the Apple ecosystem. They can connect to Android phones and still offer the same functionality with the Beats app.

There’s still a drawback to the Fit as workout earbuds: their IPX4 rating. I don’t sweat profusely near my ears when I work out, and I live in the dry Los Angeles climate, so humidity and rain aren’t huge issues for me. I’d be cautious about running in heavy rain, but they should still be okay in most situations.

The past year has seen an influx of open earbuds. They offer great environmental awareness since they don’t go fully into your ears — but they don’t sound as good as in-ears because they don’t go fully into your ears. It affects the bass response in particular, but also the overall balance. I don’t think the tradeoff is worth it, and the Powerbeats Fit have a fine transparency mode when I need to pay attention to my surroundings. If you don’t like putting things in your ear holes though, something like the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 are a good option.

Most people don’t have earbuds coming into and out of their lives as I do, and most people don’t need or want three different sets of $200-ish earbuds. If I had to pick one, I’d choose the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro. Not only are they the cheapest of the bunch, they’re versatile, sound great, and have incredible call quality. With their IP55 rating, you could even use them for workouts. All three are excellent earbuds, and if you feel the need to stay within the Apple ecosystem, the AirPods Pro 3 are a good choice. But to me, the Soundcore Liberty Pro 5 are the standout.

Anker’s new earbuds have the best call quality I’ve ever heard

2026-05-21T19:07:50-04:00

The Liberty 5 Pro series are Soundcore’s most ambitious earbuds yet.

Soundcore, Anker's audio brand, has mostly lived in the budget-to-midrange world, but with its new Liberty 5 Pro earbuds, it's aiming at the big guys. The two new earbuds - the Liberty 5 Pro and Liberty 5 Pro Max - use Anker's new Thus chip, which has more processing power than previous Soundcore earbuds to try and compete with the chips found in Apple, Sony, and Bose products. And that extra processing power gives the Liberty 5 Pro the best in-call noise canceling I've heard in any earbuds.

Previously, the highest-priced Soundcore earbuds (not counting the sleep buds) were the Liberty 4 Pro at $150, but the Liberty 5 Pro are $170 and the L …

Read the full story at The Verge.

Sony’s 1000X The Collexion are a luxurious and expensive celebration of its iconic headphones

2026-05-19T11:16:25-04:00

Ten years ago Sony introduced the MDR-1000X headphones. They combined noise canceling, good sound, design, and comfort in a way that we hadn't quite seen before in a set of wireless headphones. (At the time, the Bose QC35 were the closest competitor, but I wasn't a huge fan of their sound tuning.) The 1000X set off a line of consistently excellent wireless noise-canceling headphones that became the go-to for comparisons - I still have a pair of WH-1000XM4s that hang on the side of my desk. To celebrate the launch of the original, Sony is releasing the 1000X The Collexion. (The X in "collexion" refers to the headphones' 10 years and is a part …

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The AirPods Max 2 are a great sequel, but not an ambitious one

2026-03-30T19:35:34-04:00

The AirPods Max 2 have some updates on the inside, but look identical to the original AirPods Max. | Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

It's been over five years since the original AirPods Max came out. A minor hardware update in 2024 brought new colors and changed the Lightning port to USB-C (to meet EU regulations), and an update last year added lossless audio and ultra-low latency. But a new version was still well overdue.

The $549 AirPods Max 2 sound incredible thanks to a new built-in amp, the internal chip has been upped from the H1 to the H2, and noise-canceling performance competes against the best Sony and Bose have to offer.

But the AirPods Max 2 are an upgrade, not a reimagining. They look identical to the first-gen AirPods Max, and have many of the same problem …

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Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are the choice — if you have a Galaxy phone

2026-03-16T11:06:54-04:00

The Galaxy Buds Pro 4 are a nice improvement over the Buds 3, but still require a Galaxy device to use all their features.

Samsung promised "more than a design refresh" for its new top-end Galaxy Buds - it added upgraded woofers for improved, dual-amped hi-fi sound, a new blade design, clearer call performance, and better noise cancellation. Ultimately, while the $249.99 Galaxy Buds 4 aren't a huge leap forward over the previous model, they keep what was good about the Buds 3 and improve on most of what wasn't - as long as you use Samsung Galaxy devices.

That's because, much like the AirPods Pro 3 with Apple gear, the Buds 4 Pro still work best when paired with another Galaxy device. This unlocks all of the functionality of the Buds 4 Pro, including hi-res audi …

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Nothing’s Headphone A are something worth considering

2026-05-18T14:50:26-04:00

The Headphone A keep the shape and style of Nothing’s over-ear design, but with an opaque instead of transparent case. | Photo by John Higgins / The Verge

After the release of the Headphone 1 last year - Nothing's first over-ear headphones - the company is back with the Headphone A. They're a slimmed-down over-ear option that keep the Nothing design aesthetic and excellent controls while decreasing the weight and bumping battery life up to a maximum of 135 hours. There are some concessions - middling call quality and a carrying bag instead of a case - but they're also cheaper at $199. The Headphone A makes more sense to me than the Headphone 1 ever did, and are a great second offering from Nothing.

The Headphone A's design is incredibly similar to the Headphone 1's. Each earpiece has the same …

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The best earbuds we’ve tested for 2026

2026-04-13T18:57:04-04:00

It’s hard to buy a bad pair of wireless earbuds these days, and with constant discounts and deals wherever you look, now is as good a time as any to splurge on the pair you’ve been eyeing. The market has come a long way since the early era of true wireless earbuds, when we had to deal with mediocre sound quality and unreliable performance, all for the sake of ditching cables. Things are much different now. After several product generations, companies like Sony, Apple, Bose, and others are releasing their most impressive earbuds to date.

You can get phenomenal noise cancellation and sound quality in the premium tier of earbuds if you’re willing to spend big. But those aren’t always the most important criteria for everyone: maybe you’re looking for the perfect fitness earbuds or for a set that works just as well for Zoom calls as for playing your favorite playlists and podcasts.

Tech companies are increasingly making their earbuds work best with their own products through exclusive features and functionality, so that’s another thing to consider as you shop around. If you want a perk like head-tracking spatial audio, you’ll need to use AirPods with an iPhone, Samsung buds with a Samsung phone, and so on.

The best wireless earbuds for most people

Sony WF-1000XM5

Score: 8

Pros	Cons
Smaller, more comfortable design Upgrades to ANC and sound quality Much clearer voice call performance	Glossy texture can make them harder to remove from case Sony’s bonus features aren’t as seamless as those of its competitors

Where to Buy:

Noise cancellation: Yes / Battery life: 8 hours (ANC on) / Water resistance: IPX4 / Bluetooth codecs: LDAC, AAC, SBC / Multipoint: Yes / Works best with: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS / Ear tips: Foam (XS, S, M, L)

Despite the recent arrival of Sony’s WF-1000XM6 earbuds, the last-gen WF-1000XM5 remain our top recommendation for the best noise-canceling earbuds overall. Thanks to their larger drivers, audio quality is more detailed and dynamic than before while still retaining the warmth and clarity that made the WF-1000XM4 so enjoyable. They also deliver fantastic active noise cancellation, even if it’s not quite as impressive as it is on the newer XM6 or Bose’s Ultra Earbuds gen 2. The XM5 do a terrific job of eliminating background noise, and battery life can stretch to eight hours with ANC turned on.

Some people found the XM4 bulky and uncomfortable, but Sony has managed to shrink the XM5 by 25 percent (the XM6 are longer and narrower). Like before, the company includes foam-style tips that expand in your ears to create an excellent seal — and there’s even a fourth (extra small) set of tips in the box.

The last-gen WF-1000XM5 are shorter than the newer XM6, making them less obtrusive. | Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge" data-portal-copyright="Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge" />

On Android phones, the 1000XM5 support Sony’s LDAC codec for higher-quality music playback. And they’re capable of dynamic head tracking spatial audio through supported video apps like Netflix. But even if you’re not using LDAC (or have an iPhone), these are up there with the very best audio-focused premium earbuds — including Sennheiser’s Momentum True Wireless 4, only with substantially better noise cancellation. They’re also capable of multipoint Bluetooth connectivity, so you can pair them with two devices at the same time.

None of that to say the newer XM6 are a bad choice — quite the contrary, actually. Sony’s latest flagships offer improved sound, handle ambient noise better during calls, and deliver some of the best ANC you can get in a pair of wireless earbuds. But they’re also bulkier and pricier than the XM5 given the latter can often be found on sale for around $250, making the last-gen model a better option for most people.

Read our full WF-1000XM5 review.

The best budget earbuds under $100

Nothing Ear (a)

Nothing’s Ear (a) earbuds have the same stylish, semi-transparent design as the company’s other earbuds — but these come in a snazzy yellow. They combine decent ANC, enjoyable sound, and other features like multipoint for under $100.

Score: 7

Pros	Cons
Standout color and design Very compact carrying case Great performer for the price	Limited retail availability Plastic case can show scuffs

Where to Buy:

Noise cancellation: Yes / Battery life: 5.5 hours (ANC on) / Water resistance: IP54 / Bluetooth codecs: LDAC, AAC, SBC / Multipoint: Yes / Works best with: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS / Ear tips: Silicone (S, M, L)

When looking at Nothing’s Ear (a) earbuds, it’s easy to focus all your attention on the catchy yellow color or their fun, super compact carrying case. But at their $99 price, the company’s entry-level earbuds provide a ton of features, including active noise cancellation, a low-latency mode for gaming, multipoint Bluetooth pairing, and a decent IP54 dust and water resistance rating.

The Ear (a) are Nothing’s first earbuds that aren’t only offered black or white. | Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge" data-portal-copyright="Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge" />

And the sound quality you get outperforms my usual expectations for this price point, especially since they often can be found for as little as $60. They’re not quite on par with Nothing’s higher-end Ear 3, but you do get expressive, very enjoyable audio — and you can customize the EQ further in Nothing’s mobile app.

Read my Nothing Ear (a) hands-on impressions.

The best noise-canceling earbuds

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)

The second generation of the Bose Ultra Earbuds carry over the chunky design from the previous gen, with improved ANC and call quality.

Score: 8

Pros	Cons
Exceptional ANC Secure fit Wireless charging case	Bulky design Merely average battery life

Where to Buy:

Noise cancellation: Yes / Battery life: 6 hours (ANC on) / Water resistance: IPX4 / Bluetooth codecs: AAC, SBC, aptX Adaptive / Multipoint: Yes / Works best with: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS / Ear tips: Silicone (S, M, L)

The name Bose has been synonymous with noise cancellation for decades, and it’s again proven why with the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2). They offer the best noise-canceling performance available in a set of earbuds, delivering the peace and isolation many of us crave throughout the day. The second-gen model bring some much-needed improvements to call quality, too, and while they don’t match the performance of our best call quality picks, the AirPods 4 or Samsung Galaxy Buds, the Bose handle noisy environments far better and allow you to sound like you in conversations.

Bose has again delivered top-notch noise-canceling performance with the second-gen Ultra earbuds. | Photo by John Higgins / The Verge" data-portal-copyright="Photo by John Higgins / The Verge" />

Although Bose added wireless charging and there’s now a little screen in the ear tips to keep earwax out of the earbuds, there’s no visual upgrade to speak of. The second-gen earbuds maintain a chunky look that’s identical to the first-gen QC Ultra Earbuds, which were already extremely similar to 2022’s QC Earbuds II. They come with three ear tips and three stabilizer sizes, providing a variety of combinations and a secure fit for different ear shapes.

As with the design, the QC Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2) sound nearly identical to their first-gen counterpart. The bass and treble are boosted, providing more bass than competitors and a lively high-end — although it can get to be a bit much on some tracks. Bose continues to stick with its three-band EQ in the app, which doesn’t allow much meaningful adjustment, but most people will appreciate the stock sound. Bose also continues to offer Immersive Audio, first introduced with the Ultra Earbuds, which is similar to Apple’s spatial audio.

Read our full QC Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2) review.

The best earbuds for sports and working out

Beats Powerbeats Pro 2

Score: 8

Pros	Cons
Huzzah! Wireless charging! Adds ANC, transparency modes, spatial audio Slimmer ear hook, smaller case Adds heart rate Great sound No price hike	Case is still a chonker Heart rate is not that useful for iOS users

Where to Buy:

Noise cancellation: Yes / Battery life: 8 hours (ANC on) / Water resistance: IPX4 / Bluetooth codecs: AAC, SBC / Multipoint: No / Works best with: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS / Ear tips: Silicone (XS, S, M, L, XL)

After a long wait, Beats finally introduced the Powerbeats Pro 2 in early 2025. They carry forward the signature ear hook design of past Powerbeats earbuds, but improve upon the original Powerbeats Pro in several key ways. Beats added active noise cancellation and a natural-sounding transparency mode to the Pro 2; the first-gen pair lacked both. The earbuds themselves are lighter, too, and the charging case is noticeably smaller.

The Powerbeats Pro 2 also feature heart rate monitoring thanks to built-in sensors on each earbud. You might already have a fitness tracker, chest strap, or smartwatch for this purpose, but if not, you can use these with compatible apps like Nike Run Club, Runna, Ladder, Slopes, Open, Peloton, and YaoYao. The downside is that they can’t simultaneously play music and broadcast heart rate to gym equipment when paired to an iOS device, rendering the Pro 2 a better heart rate monitoring alternative for Android users than iPhone users.

The Powerbeats Pro 2 have an ear-hook design for maximum stability. | Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge" data-portal-copyright="Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge" />

The Powerbeats Pro 2 remain rated IPX4 for water resistance. While that’s not as robust as some other fitness-focused buds, it should be sufficient to survive sweat and outdoor runs in various conditions. The earbuds still offer easy-to-use physical buttons and a dedicated volume rocker, so it’s easy to control them in the middle of a workout.

If you’re an iPhone owner, the Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds include Apple-only features like dynamic head tracking for spatial audio, auto device switching, Find My integration, and more. For Android users, Beats has an app that packs in a smaller subset of these functions.

Read our full Powerbeats Pro 2 review.

The best earbuds for iPhone owners

AirPods Pro 3

Score: 9

Pros	Cons
Improved ANC and sound Longer battery Standalone workout tracking Live translation Same price IP57 Better fit Camera remote control is handy!	If you’re hoping for traditional foam ear tips, this isn’t that

Where to Buy:

Noise cancellation: Yes / Battery life: 8 hours (ANC on) / Water resistance: IP57 / Bluetooth codecs: AAC, SBC / Multipoint: No / Works best with: iOS, macOS / Ear tips: Silicone (XXS, XS, S, M, L)

Apple continually adds to the features of the AirPods Pro line — either with a new product like the second-gen AirPods Pro, or with a software update, such as the one that introduced the hearing health features at the end of 2024. The AirPods Pro 3 continue the trend, with improved noise-canceling performance, heart rate sensing, newly designed ear tips with an extra XXS size, and longer battery life. The splashiest update is Live Translation, which, unlike the other improvements, still needs some time to develop into a more streamlined experience.

The new foam-infused earbuds improve passive isolation and, when combined with better ANC performance, deliver the best overall noise cancellation in a pair of Apple earbuds yet. ANC performance is nearly identical to that of the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2), but the AirPods have a slight high-end hiss (though some people might not notice it). A redesign of the acoustic architecture gives the AirPods Pro 3 improved bass performance over the second-gen model, and its spatial audio delivers a wider, richer listening experience.

Apple’s AirPods Pro 3. | Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge" data-portal-copyright="Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge" />

But what’s important for many Apple users is how well the AirPods Pro 3 fit into the Apple ecosystem. A new heart sensor, first seen with the Powerbeats Pro 2, enables heart rate tracking for 50 workout types from directly within the iOS Fitness app. And unlike the Powerbeats Pro 2, the AirPods can work in conjunction with the Apple Watch, providing a secondary heart rate stream to ensure you always have the most accurate data.

Read our full AirPods Pro 3 review.

The best earbuds for Samsung Galaxy phone owners

Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro

The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are Samsung’s best-sounding wireless earbuds yet. They have a stemmed design similar to the AirPods Pro, but even if their design is a little bland, the Buds 3 Pro make up for it with great call quality, useful voice commands, and more.

Score: 8

Pros	Cons
Terrific sound quality Crisp, natural transparency / passthrough mode Voice commands are simple and so useful Good voice calls	Uninspired design Midtier noise cancellation performance No true multipoint

Where to Buy:

Noise cancellation: Yes / Battery life: 6 hours (ANC on) / Water resistance: IP57 / Bluetooth codecs: Samsung seamless, AAC, SBC / Multipoint: No / Works best with: Android, Windows, macOS / Ear tips: Silicone (S, M, L)

Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 3 Pro ditch the company’s more discreet designs of the past for a stemmed style that’s similar to AirPods and any number of other wireless earbuds. Boring? Maybe, but thanks to that change, we’ve found them to be more comfortable and provide better stability than the Buds 2 Pro. The sound quality is even better than before — and it was already excellent. These are right up there with Sennheiser and Technics from an audio fidelity standpoint.

The Buds 3 Pro are an ideal match for Samsung’s latest phones. | Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge" data-portal-copyright="Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge" />

The Buds 3 Pro are also a standout performer when it comes to call quality. And our favorite thing about these earbuds are the hands-free voice commands that don’t require you to say any specific wake phrase beforehand. You can just say “volume up” and / or “next song,” and it happens.

But they’re not perfect: the Buds 3 Pro lack multipoint connectivity, so they can’t connect to two devices at the same time. Just like Apple, Samsung prefers to automatically hop between products within its own walled garden ecosystem. Some people might consider this a dealbreaker, but we’ve still enjoyed the earbuds plenty without it.

Read our full Galaxy Buds 3 Pro review.

The best earbuds for Google Pixel phone owners

Google Pixel Buds Pro 2

Score: 9

Pros	Cons
Smaller and lighter design is supremely comfortable More powerful noise cancellation Crystal-clear transparency mode Very pleasant and detailed sound quality	ANC can’t quite match Bose Google still refuses to add higher-quality Bluetooth codecs, limiting overall fidelity Gemini Live feels more feeble than futuristic

Where to Buy:

Noise cancellation: Yes / Battery life: 8 hours (ANC on) / Water resistance: IP54 / Bluetooth codecs: AAC, SBC / Multipoint: Yes / Works best with: Android, Windows, macOS / Ear tips: Silicone (XS, S, M, L)

With the Pixel Buds Pro 2, Google has addressed most of the downsides of the original pair. They’re far smaller and lighter than the chunky first-gen Pixel Buds Pro. And there’s a small nub on the buds to help keep them in place while performing various activities, including running and other forms of intensive exercise.

Google’s active noise cancellation still isn’t on the same tier as Bose, but the transparency mode on the Buds Pro 2 is among the very best you’ll find. It offers a crisp, natural passthrough for the outside world when needed. Multipoint support is included, and Google’s latest pair of premium earbuds eke out impressive battery life that surpasses most competitors.

Google really downsized the Pixel Buds Pro 2 (bottom) compared to the original pair (top). | Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge" data-portal-copyright="Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge" />

Got a Pixel phone? With the Pixel Buds Pro 2, you can have lengthy conversations with Google’s Gemini AI while your phone stays in your pocket. Features like head-tracking spatial audio and Clear Calling are also exclusive to those within the Pixel ecosystem. If that’s you, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are a big step up from the previous buds in a much smaller package.

Read our full Pixel Buds Pro 2 review.

The best earbuds if you own both Apple and Android devices

Beats Studio Buds Plus

Score: 8

Pros	Cons
Better sound, ANC, and battery life than Studio Buds Standout translucent case option Improved voice call performance	ANC and transparency fall short of the AirPods Pro 3 Doesn’t offer all Apple ecosystem tricks No wireless charging or in-ear detection

Where to Buy:

Noise cancellation: Yes / Battery life: 6 hours (ANC on) / Water resistance: IPX4 / Bluetooth codecs: AAC, SBC / Multipoint: No / Works best with: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS / Ear tips: Silicone (XS, S, M, L)

Beats’ Studio Buds Plus are an upgraded, better-performing revision of the Studio Buds released in 2021. This time, the company has made the noise cancellation more powerful while also improving the quality of the transparency mode and extending battery life. If you’re going for style points, it doesn’t get much cooler than the translucent color option. These earbuds are very tiny and rank among the best in terms of overall comfort.

The translucent color option has a very ‘90s vibe. | Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge" data-portal-copyright="Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge" />

What’s interesting about the Studio Buds Plus is that they use a proprietary chip that allows them to support native software features on both iOS and Android. Plenty of earbuds offer companion apps on each platform, but in the case of the Beats, they work with both Apple’s Find My and Google’s Find Hub networks. You also get simple one-tap pairing, no matter which operating system you’re using.

The drawback to this dual-ecosystem life is that Apple customers don’t get all the usual bells and whistles that come with AirPods or even the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2; you lose out on audio sharing, head tracking spatial audio, and other tricks. Wireless charging and an ear detection sensor (for auto-pause when a bud is removed) are also MIA, which stings a bit considering the price.

Read our full Beats Studio Buds Plus review.

The best earbuds for sound quality

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4

Score: 8

Pros	Cons
Fantastic sound quality Improved day-to-day reliability Auracast-enabled	Too pricey for some Noise cancellation does the job, but isn’t anything special Long-term durability remains to be seen

Where to Buy:

Noise cancellation: Yes / Battery life: 7.5 hours (ANC on) / Water resistance: IP54 / Bluetooth codecs: AptX Adaptive, AptX, AAC, SBC / Multipoint: Yes / Works best with: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS / Ear tips: Silicone (XS, S, M, L)

Sennheiser’s Momentum True Wireless earbuds have always sounded fantastic; that’s never been the issue. But previous models in the series have been tainted a bit by bugs, unsteady performance, and battery reliability problems. The fourth-gen pair finally gets that part right while continuing to offer tremendous, detailed sound quality that stands above nearly all competitors. They’re a joy to listen to. The active noise cancellation can’t compete with the likes of Apple, Sony, and Bose, but if you care more about lush, intricate sound, the MTW4 won’t disappoint in the slightest.

That copper finish is pretty nice. | Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge" data-portal-copyright="Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge" />

These earbuds come with optional wing tips to help keep them securely locked in your ears. That could prove helpful for running or when hitting the gym. Sennheiser allows for plenty of EQ customization using its mobile app, and the Momentum True Wireless 4 support a range of Bluetooth codecs, including AAC, SBC, AptX, and AptX Adaptive. They’re even LE Audio and Auracast-ready for when those features become more widespread.

Read our full Momentum True Wireless 4 review.

The best earbuds for voice calls on iPhone

Apple AirPods 4

Score: 7

Pros	Cons
Upgraded sound quality Voice isolation can noticeably improve call clarity Deep Apple ecosystem integration	No wireless charging No built-in speaker on the case No proper multipoint

Where to Buy:

Noise cancellation: Optional / Battery life: 5 hours / Water resistance: IP54 / Bluetooth codecs: AAC, SBC / Multipoint: No / Works best with: iOS, Windows, macOS / Ear tips: None

Apple’s AirPods 4 come in two different versions, with a higher-priced option that includes active noise cancellation and wireless charging. But sound quality is identical on both sets, and equally as important in this case is that the same can be said of voice call clarity.

On the AirPods 4, there’s a new “voice isolation” feature — enabled by default — that uses machine learning both on the earbuds and your iPhone to eliminate distracting background noise on your end so that you come through clearly to whoever you’re speaking with.

Both iterations of the AirPods 4 deliver a thicker bass layer than previous models. | Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge" data-portal-copyright="Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge" />

Overall call quality is excellent with the AirPods 4. And beyond that, compared to the third-gen model, you can expect upgraded audio quality (with richer bass), new ways of interacting with Siri through head movements, and yes… there’s a USB-C connector on the included charging case, as opposed to a Lightning port.

The AirPods still have a one-size-fits-most hard plastic form factor, so we recommend trying them before committing to a purchase. However, Apple says it used more than 50 million data points to further refine the contours and overall stability of its latest earbuds. So, if previous models worked well for you, these seem like a safe bet. The only question is whether you feel like spending a little more to gain ANC, a transparency mode, wireless charging, and a built-in speaker for Find My location tracking.

Read our full AirPods 4 review.

The best earbuds for voice calls on Android

Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro

Score: 8

Pros	Cons
Terrific sound quality Crisp, natural transparency / passthrough mode Voice commands are simple and so useful Good voice calls	Uninspired design Midtier noise cancellation performance No true multipoint

Where to Buy:

Sony’s unconventional LinkBuds were our longtime pick for the clearest voice calls on Android, but we still haven’t had the chance to review their successors. For now, the aforementioned Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are an easy-to-recommend choice. The built-in “voice pickup unit” detects the movement of your mouth to help isolate your voice from background noise and keep conversations clear.

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The Buds 3 Pro have proven dependable for us during video chats on Google Meet and Zoom, and people have been able to hear us without issue, even when answering a quick call on the street.

Read our full Galaxy Buds 3 Pro review.

Update, February 19th: Updated to reflect current pricing / availability and mention Sony’s newer WF-1000XM6 earbuds. Brandon Widder also contributed to this post.

The Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds reclaim the noise-canceling crown

2026-02-13T04:31:27-05:00

The sound is better and the case is…edgier. | Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

Apple, Bose, and Sony are in a running battle for the best noise-canceling earbuds, and the Sony WF-1000XM6 put Sony back in first place - if you can get a good fit with the included foam tips.

With each iteration of the XM series, Sony has aimed for - and delivered - incredible noise-canceling performance with a pleasing and balanced sound profile, and features that work equally well with iOS and Android. The XM6 push even further by adding additional noise-canceling mics (for a total of 8), a new chip, newly designed drivers, and a new shape that's supposed to better fit a wider selection of ears. That's a lot of promises, and the Sony W …

Read the full story at The Verge.

Sony’s first clip earbuds don’t quite hit the mark

2026-01-28T11:51:44-05:00

The Sony LinkBuds Clip can be customized with different colored covers for the case.

The Sony LinkBuds Clip are the company's first clip earbuds. They follow the innovative donut-hole LinkBuds and LinkBuds Open and, like their predecessors, allow you to listen to music or podcasts, make phone calls, or be active outdoors while still maintaining awareness of your surroundings. The clip design has become more popular over the past couple of years, and while the LinkBuds Clip have a solid design and good sound, there's nothing significant that sets them apart from competitors, especially at their $229.99 price.

Like other open earbuds, the LinkBuds Clip wrap around your ear helix like an ear cuff. The small spherical speaker e …

Read the full story at The Verge.