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Best Earbuds

Disclosure

Best Earbuds

9 ranked based on Reddit community analysis
Data sourced from 44 Reddit threads
Analyzed 5,065 community comments for sentiment
Last Updated January 2026
1
Sony WF-1000XM5
Sony WF-1000XM5

3.8

(5,581)

98.4

Trust Score
What Redditors Say:

The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds seem to be the talk of the town right now. Folks are raving about the fantastic noise cancellation and impressive audio quality. These are shaping up to be a top contender for the best wireless earbuds on the market.

Community Sentiment
โ— 67% positiveโ— 33% neutral
neutral
r/PS5
๐Ÿ‘ 51 upvotes

I have the WF-1000XM5s and theyโ€™re great. Only issue for me is that they seem to short out around radio signals like in streets with lots of taxis.

neutral
r/LinusTechTips
๐Ÿ‘ 26 upvotes

ive tried the samsung buds 2 and 3 pro(recent ones) and didnt like them. the buds 2 pro were better than the 3 pro, but both had one of the earbuds dying. im looking for a new pair rn, since the buds 3 died. ive been checking out reddit vetted, and i found two options, bose quitecomfort and sony WF-1000XM5. just need to choose between these two now, anyone here who's used em before?

positive
r/Earbuds
๐Ÿ‘ 4 upvotes

Sony WF-1000XM5 is my top pick.

positive
r/Earbuds
๐Ÿ‘ 3 upvotes

"best" is really subjective, we all have different needs, but my list would be something like this: 1. **Sony WF-1000XM5**ย - Top Choice 2. **Earfun Air**ย - Best Budget Pick (under $50) 3. **Sony WF-C700N**ย - Best Mid-Range (under $100) 4. **Sony WF-C500**ย - Best Battery Life 5. **AirPods Pro 2**ย - Best For iOS it depends on the budget, your iOS, etc. You can find theย links with the best prices here. I hope this helps with your search for the best earbuds.

positive
r/ROGAlly
๐Ÿ‘ 2 upvotes

I've got Sony WF-1000XM5 for everyday on my phone, and the Arctis are strictly for gaming... it's perfect really only be bluetooth paired to my Ally and plug and play the dongle into my Xbox, ps or switch as needed Especially if space is an issue these seem like a decent all rounder with minimal hassle

2
Shokz
Shokz

4.4

(7,555)

98.1

Trust Score
What Redditors Say:

If you're an athlete or just want to stay safe and aware while listening to audio, the Shokz line of bone conduction headphones seems to be a crowd favorite. People love how they allow you to hear your music while keeping your ears open to your environment.

Community Sentiment
โ— 100% positive
positive
r/runninglifestyle
๐Ÿ‘ 31 upvotes

Shokz are the only answer

positive
r/runninglifestyle
๐Ÿ‘ 24 upvotes

Ditch earbuds and go with some Shokz

positive
r/runninglifestyle
๐Ÿ‘ 2 upvotes

This is the way.

positive
r/runninglifestyle
๐Ÿ‘ 1 upvotes

Shokz OpenDots for me.

positive
r/runninglifestyle
๐Ÿ‘ 1 upvotes

I have Shokz Openfit 2 and I love them. They get pretty loud and i don't tend to have trouble hearing my audiobook.

3
Technics AZ80
Technics AZ80

4.0

(1,155)

95.9

Trust Score
What Redditors Say:

The Technics AZ80 earbuds are frequently recommended for their excellent audio fidelity and premium build quality. However, a few Redditors have reported experiencing some connectivity problems, so it's worth considering that potential downside.

Community Sentiment
โ— 90% positiveโ— 10% negative
positive
r/Earbuds
๐Ÿ‘ 34 upvotes

On just noise canceling Iโ€™d go Bose or XM5. However my Technics AZ80 with comply foam beat both of those.

positive
r/LinusTechTips
๐Ÿ‘ 4 upvotes

I have tried: Sennheiser MTW2 & 3, Technics AZ80, Sony WFahjifbnsdkjdf3, Airpods Pro 2 and Galaxy Buds Pro 2. I've also tried a couple of cheaper brands (Anker) but I can't remember the model names and to me they just sounded much worse than my old wired Soundmagics. I can't really comment on ANC/Mic much as I use them for music, but I can certainly comment on durability. The Sennheisers probably sounded the best out of the box but they lasted just over 1 year before one bud stopped working, so I can never in good faith recommend them. The Sony also only lasted one year before one bud stopped working, they sounded better after some EQ tuning but again can't recommend them for reliability. I sold the free Buds Pro 2 I got with my phone. They were quite good but just sounded worse than my current pair and didn't really fit my ears so well. The Airpods sounded by far the worst of the bunch so I couldn't recommend them if music is a priority, though they're probably best for everything else (mic/calls/ANC). I am currently using the Technics AZ80. They took some EQ tuning and bedding in but they sound amazing across multiple genres and they have lasted me two years. The mic is shit though. I beleive the AZ100 fixed this and a reported battery life issue so it would be worth looking into them if you want a more premium option.

positive
r/Earbuds
๐Ÿ‘ 2 upvotes

Technics AZ80, B&O Beoplay EX, and Sennheiser Momentum 3.

positive
r/Earbuds
๐Ÿ‘ 2 upvotes

I have the AZ80's coming in Tuesday. I also need major noise cancellation. I have iPods pro 2's and Sony XM5's. My old 4's died. I have tried 10 different manufacturers tips with the XM5's. If I get a comfortable set, little to no noise cancellation. The Sonic Foam are very uncomfortable, but have superb sound quality and great noise cancellation. Anything on the XM4's canceled sound way better than the 5's. The AirPods Pro 2's are really good for most of my noise at work, but deep rumble comes in depending on the job. The good news, I have some Comply tips for the XM5's that are comfortable and fairly decent for noise cancellation that may be great when the AZ80's come in. Keeping my fingers crossed.

negative
r/LinusTechTips
๐Ÿ‘ 2 upvotes

Technics AZ80, got them cause they were universally praised by all the reviewers, and now I question the integrity of all those reviewers. So just incase anyone wants to recommend them, don't!

4
Technics AZ100
Technics AZ100

4.2

(967)

95.4

Trust Score
What Redditors Say:

The Technics AZ100 earbuds are another highly-rated option from the brand, with Redditors praising their exceptional sound quality. These seem to be a great choice for audiophiles looking for a premium wireless earbud experience.

Community Sentiment
โ— 89% positiveโ— 11% neutral
positive
r/Earbuds
๐Ÿ‘ 4 upvotes

I agree. Denon Pearl Pro have better sound quality than my Technics AZ80 (and maybe AZ100). Almost same quality as my wired FiiO FH7 with 3 BA and beryllium diaphragm. Using AptX lossless dongle.

positive
r/Earbuds
๐Ÿ‘ 3 upvotes

People here are overly defensive for Denons for some reason that is almost hilarious, try both, what matters is what you enjoyed the most. In my personal opinion, and I tried both, for me the AZ100 is way superior. Again, personal taste. Overall Technics AZ100 is what made me enter the audiophile hobby, since then I bought 2 headphones and an IEM. It was the first time I listened to Hi Res music that made me go WTF! But you need to stream HiFi music using LDAC on Max Bitrate. I also really like their app, it's easy to customize touch commands and switch between EQs.

positive
r/Earbuds
๐Ÿ‘ 1 upvotes

I also really enjoyed the Sennheiser MTW4s when I was trying to get my next pair of truly wireless! Sound was great. Good pick. I ultimately returned them in favor of the Technics AZ80, mainly because the in-call controls are better for me. I also use my ear buds for Teams calls pretty much all day for work, so that was important for me. Both of those are some great sounding earbuds though! I also tested the Technics AZ100 when they came out but ultimately returned those. I greatly prefer the comfort and feel of the AZ80, while the sound quality difference was negligible for me. I also had an easier time finding the right EQ with the 80s than the 100s.

positive
r/Earbuds
๐Ÿ‘ 1 upvotes

From my own experience AZ100 and JBL pro tour 3 much better for around the same price

positive
r/Earbuds
๐Ÿ‘ 1 upvotes

Yeah I've been eyeing them after I lost my technics Az100 haha

5
AirPods Pro
AirPods Pro

4.4

(3,572)

93.0

Trust Score
What Redditors Say:

The AirPods Pro are a common recommendation, with Redditors highlighting their great noise cancellation and seamless integration with Apple devices. However, a small number of users have reported problems with connectivity and durability, so it's worth considering those potential downsides.

Community Sentiment
โ— 78% positiveโ— 22% negative
negative
r/apple
๐Ÿ‘ 66 upvotes

I feel like my noise canceling used to be much better with my AirPods Pro than it is now. Was on an airplane last week and it barely helped the ambient noise.

positive
r/NintendoSwitch
๐Ÿ‘ 38 upvotes

After connecting I disconnect and reconnect immediately. This improves the latency drastically for my AirPods Pro 2s. Donโ€™t know why

positive
r/NintendoSwitch
๐Ÿ‘ 9 upvotes

Yeah I use my AirPods Pro with it all the time and the lag is only slight.

positive
r/iphone
๐Ÿ‘ 7 upvotes

AirPods Pro 2, no question there.

negative
r/iphone
๐Ÿ‘ 3 upvotes

Lucky you. My AirPods Pro 2nd gen started crackling and hissing after the warranty ran out. Now I can only use it in default mode since transparency mode and noise cancelling mode just make hissing noises :(

6
OnePlus Buds Pro 3
OnePlus Buds Pro 3

4.4

(112)

92.0

Trust Score
What Redditors Say:

The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 seem to be generating a lot of buzz as a strong contender in the wireless earbud space. Redditors are praising their impressive features and performance, making them a worth considering if you're in the market for a new pair of earbuds.

Community Sentiment
โ— 100% positive
positive
r/Earbuds
๐Ÿ‘ 18 upvotes

Oneplus Buds Pro 3

positive
r/Earbuds
๐Ÿ‘ 9 upvotes

OnePlus buds 3 pro

positive
r/Earbuds
๐Ÿ‘ 3 upvotes

Yes, the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 has volume slider control. This feature sold me on the pair.

positive
r/LinusTechTips
๐Ÿ‘ 2 upvotes

I've been using the oneplus buds pro 3 and they've been doing great for me

positive
r/Earbuds
๐Ÿ‘ 1 upvotes

Exactly. I heard a youtuber guy yesterday saying its his favourite buds too. For that price tag, and its only a 4 or 5 yo brand. Crazy. Im glad u mentioned the Liberty Pro 4 bc i was hesitating between those 2 when i bought the Nothing a month ago ๐Ÿ˜„ Maybe i'll try the OnePlus 3 Pro.

7
Jabra Elite Active 75t
Jabra Elite Active 75t

3.5

(765)

91.2

Trust Score
What Redditors Say:

The Jabra Elite Active 75t earbuds are a popular recommendation, especially for active users. Redditors highlight their robust build quality, reliable performance, and suitability for workouts and other physical activities.

Community Sentiment
โ— 100% positive
positive
r/Earbuds
๐Ÿ‘ 66 upvotes

If you're looking for gym earbuds, I'd recommend the Jabra Elite Active 75t and Beats Powerbeats Pro.The Jabra earbuds are sweatproof, stay in place during intense workouts, and have solid bass for that extra motivation. They also offer just the right amount of noise isolation without completely blocking out the environment. The Beats Powerbeats Pro are super secure with their over-ear hooks, perfect for weight training. They have great bass, are sweatproof, and have long battery life. Theyโ€™re a bit bulkier but stay put no matter how intense your session gets.

positive
r/dataisbeautiful
๐Ÿ‘ 11 upvotes

Jabra Elite Active not being on there, and Jabra as a Manufacturer only being represented once with the Elite 10 is sheer insanity and goes to show how bad "hive mind" can be. There is some amount of subjective preference that is always going to creep in, but objectively, Air Pods as #1 is absolutely crazy talk, in any context.

positive
r/dataisbeautiful
๐Ÿ‘ 11 upvotes

Jabra Elite Active not being on there, and Jabra as a Manufacturer only being represented once with the Elite 10 is sheer insanity and goes to show how bad "hive mind" can be. There is some amount of subjective preference that is always going to creep in, but objectively, Air Pods as #1 is absolutely crazy talk, in any context.

positive
r/dataisbeautiful
๐Ÿ‘ 9 upvotes

My Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2s are absolutely incredible. Check every box for me. I'm devastated that they've stopped making earbuds.

positive
r/dataisbeautiful
๐Ÿ‘ 9 upvotes

My Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2s are absolutely incredible. Check every box for me. I'm devastated that they've stopped making earbuds.

8
OnePlus Buds 4
OnePlus Buds 4

4.4

(169)

88.8

Trust Score
What Redditors Say:

The OnePlus Buds 4 seem to be emerging as an interesting budget-friendly choice, with Redditors highlighting their promising features and performance at an affordable price point. These could be a great option for those looking for a reliable pair of wireless earbuds without spending too much.

Community Sentiment
โ— 100% positive
positive
r/Earbuds
๐Ÿ‘ 12 upvotes

OnePlus Buds 4.

positive
r/Earbuds
๐Ÿ‘ 2 upvotes

OnePlus bud 4

positive
r/runninglifestyle
๐Ÿ‘ 1 upvotes

Check out the OnePlus Buds 4. Overpaying for workout earbuds can get silly. I know because I have the Bose QC Ultra 2 and love them but they were a gift. Shokz are great for running, I have the OpenRun Pro 2 but I want to block out noise at the gym.

positive
r/Earbuds
๐Ÿ‘ 1 upvotes

OnePlus Buds 4

9
Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro
Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro

4.3

(2,488)

87.5

Trust Score
What Redditors Say:

The Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro earbuds seem to be a hit with Redditors, who are highlighting their excellent audio performance and comprehensive feature set. These appear to be a great choice for those seeking a premium wireless earbud experience.

Community Sentiment
โ— 100% positive
positive
r/galaxybuds
๐Ÿ‘ 4 upvotes

I came from Soundcore's Liberty 4 NC, then the Liberty 4 Pros. And honestly, you just can't beat the noise canceling on those. I haven't found anything that beats those, but I got the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro for $90, and they blow the Liberty 4 NCs and Pros out of the water in literally every other aspect. The transparency is crystal clear, the sound is super well balanced, they feel more comfortable for long periods of time, and overall, they're just way higher tech than Soundcore. I was honestly very bummed out about the noise canceling on these because I've used different eartips, and those didn't do much. I ended up buying Azla's SednaEarfit Max, and they provided the best seal, but it still just doesn't beat Soundcore.

positive
r/Earbuds
๐Ÿ‘ 1 upvotes

Exactly. I heard a youtuber guy yesterday saying its his favourite buds too. For that price tag, and its only a 4 or 5 yo brand. Crazy. Im glad u mentioned the Liberty Pro 4 bc i was hesitating between those 2 when i bought the Nothing a month ago ๐Ÿ˜„ Maybe i'll try the OnePlus 3 Pro.

positive
r/Earbuds
๐Ÿ‘ 1 upvotes

Here are my top 3 at this price point: Bose Quietcomfort (2024) Soundcore liberty 4 pro OnePlus buds 4 I currently have the OnePlus and they are amazing, and I have the bose coming in 2 -3 days

positive
r/Earbuds
๐Ÿ‘ 1 upvotes

I tired both side by side as well, and also went with the Nothing Ear over the Liberty 4 Pros.

How These Rankings Work

We scan Reddit discussions in relevant communities to find what people actually recommend. Products are ranked based on community sentiment, mention frequency, and discussion quality. Each ranking includes real quotes from actual users to support the ranking.

Understanding Trust Scores

The Trust Score reflects overall community sentiment from Reddit discussions. We analyze the ratio of positive to negative mentions, weighing factors like comment quality and discussion depth. Higher scores indicate stronger community approval, while lower scores suggest mixed opinions or concerns raised by users.