rankedbyReddit

Tech & LifestyleEarbuds

Best Earbuds, according to Reddit

The recommendations, the trade-offs, and the discussions behind them.

44 threads reviewed · Updated January 2026

Ranked picks

1
Best Overall

Sony

WF-1000XM5

67% positive

Our take: 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.

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What people are saying

u/priest2705

r/Earbuds

I've had Sennheiser Momentum TW 2, 3 and 4. In fact, I bought the 3's twice. Sound quality is fantastic, and didn't have any issues until the TW4, when people started complaining that they couldn't hear me. Apparently, was having some mic issues.…

Then, they would disconnect in the middle of a call. So, I finally decided to try something new. Got the Sony XM5,s about 2 weeks ago and couldn't be more happy. They sound good (not Sennheiser good), but the mic quality has been on point, and they don't disconnect. So, for right now, they'll do

1

u/ernests1

r/Earbuds

"best" is really subjective, we all have different needs, but my list would be something like this:

1. Sony WF-1000XM5 - Top Choice 2. Earfun Air - Best Budget Pick (under $50) 3. Sony WF-C700N - Best Mid-Range (under $100) 4. Sony WF-C500 - Best…

Battery Life 5. AirPods Pro 2 - Best For iOS

it depends on the budget, your iOS, etc. You can find the links with the best prices here. I hope this helps with your search for the best earbuds.

3

2

Shokz

100% positive

Our take: 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.

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What people are saying

u/cucumbear3

r/runninglifestyle

Shokz are the only answer

31

u/geoffwilliams336

r/runninglifestyle

Ditch earbuds and go with some Shokz

24

3

Technics

AZ80

90% positive

Our take: 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.

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What people are saying

u/lukekarts

r/LinusTechTips

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.

4

u/Capid1

r/Earbuds

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

34

4

Technics

AZ100

89% positive

Our take: 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.

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What people are saying

u/hungryhummushead

r/Earbuds

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.

1

u/YoshikTK

r/Earbuds

I just got AZ80 and AZ100. Previosly I only had Samsung Buds and some crappy Trust earbuds which I got as replecament until I get new ones, as I was still decideng which one to get.

After couple of minutes of listening to music I was amazed how good…

music could be. I've tried couple of songs I would listen all the time just to discover a whole new world. Listening music is like being in studio. Even my wife was so amazed how good they sound that asked to order ones for her as well. I didnt had the opportunity to check mic or ANC but just the sound is so good that i cant regret the purchase. Plus AZ80s were on sale on Amazon so got them pretty cheap.

1

5

AirPods

Pro

78% positive

Our take: 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.

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What people are saying

u/Eduardboon

r/NintendoSwitch

After connecting I disconnect and reconnect immediately. This improves the latency drastically for my AirPods Pro 2s. Don’t know why

38

u/still_not_famous

r/iphone

I would suggest AirPods Pro 3.

I had been using the Galaxy Buds 2 since 2022 (prior to that Galaxy Buds) because I never liked the design of the AirPods or any earbuds that have a stem.

Recently my Buds 2 had been having issues and now that Samsung…

apes the AirPods design, I decided to just get the AirPods and other than some minor things I don’t like, these are overall fantastic especially for ANC, mic quality and the seamless connectivity if you have multiple Apple devices

1

6

OnePlus Buds

Pro 3

100% positive

Our take: 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.

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What people are saying

u/Joyloon

r/Earbuds

Oneplus Buds Pro 3

18

u/EnvironmentTypical19

r/Earbuds

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…

😄 Maybe i'll try the OnePlus 3 Pro.

1

7

Jabra Elite

Active 75t

100% positive

Our take: 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.

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What people are saying

u/Long-Fold6639

r/Earbuds

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. They’re a bit bulkier but stay put no matter how intense your session gets.

66

u/tmtProdigy

r/dataisbeautiful

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.

11

8

OnePlus Buds

4

100% positive

Our take: 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.

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What people are saying

u/Dapper-Letterhead-76

r/runninglifestyle

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.

1

u/Middle_Spell3586

r/Earbuds

OnePlus Buds 4.

12

9

Soundcore Liberty

4 Pro

100% positive

Our take: 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.

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What people are saying

u/RandomPieceOfToastv2

r/galaxybuds

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.

4

u/EnvironmentTypical19

r/Earbuds

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…

😄 Maybe i'll try the OnePlus 3 Pro.

1

10

Soundcore

Our take: Soundcore earbuds seem to be a go-to recommendation for folks looking for a quality pair of wireless earbuds without breaking the bank. People consistently mention the great value and performance they get from Soundcore products.

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What people are saying

u/Taga-Santinakpan

r/Tech_Philippines

Soundcore. Order ka pag sale. Worth the price.

68

u/PriorQuestion1

r/Earbuds

Soundcore has great options, this post helped me

14

How these rankings work

We scan Reddit discussions in relevant communities and rank products from community sentiment, mention frequency, and discussion quality. Each entry includes real quotes from users. Read the full methodology.

Frequently asked questions

According to our analysis of 44 Reddit threads and 5,065 comments, the #1 ranked earbud is the Sony WF-1000XM5. This ranking is based on community sentiment, mention frequency, and discussion quality across multiple subreddits.

Rankings are based on real Reddit discussions across relevant communities. Products are scored on community sentiment (positive vs. negative mentions), how often they are recommended, and the quality of those discussions. Every ranking includes direct quotes from actual Reddit users.

We analyzed 10 earbuds using data from 44 Reddit threads containing 5,065 comments. Each product was evaluated on real community sentiment and user experiences.

Yes. RankedByReddit continuously re-analyzes Reddit discussions to keep rankings current. The Best Earbuds list was last updated in 2026 to reflect the most recent community recommendations.

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