Justified or not, Apple’s AirPods have turn out to be the default alternative for many iPhone homeowners out there for brand new wireless earbuds. When you’re looking for an Android cellphone, nonetheless, the highest picks aren’t so apparent. That’s the place we may help: We’ve examined dozens of wi-fi earbuds over time, so we’ve damaged down our prime suggestions for Android customers under. Whether or not you need highly effective noise cancellation, a pair that’ll survive within the health club or simply one thing that works significantly properly with a Galaxy or Pixel cellphone, listed here are our favourite AirPods alternate options for Android.
Desk of contents
Greatest Android earbuds for 2025
Energetic noise cancellation: Sure | Wi-fi charging: Sure | Water resistance: IPX4 | Multipoint connectivity: Sure (2 units) | Put on detection: Sure | Max battery life (rated): 12 hrs, 24 hrs w/ case | Codecs: SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 | Guarantee: 1 12 months
Learn our full Sony WF-1000XM5 review
The Sony WF-1000XM5 hit on nearly all the pieces we would like from a premium set of Bluetooth earbuds. Their small, rounded design ought to really feel comfy and safe in most ears. They’re almost unmatched at muting exterior noise, due to a strong ANC characteristic and reminiscence foam eartips that do a exceptional job of isolating sound passively. They sound nice out of the field, particularly for those who like a hotter profile with elevated bass, however you possibly can simply customise the EQ curve by Sony’s app, they usually do properly to attract out treble-range element both manner. They’re additionally loaded with further options, together with multipoint connectivity, Google Quick Pair, LDAC and spatial audio assist, the flexibility to swap between ANC and ambient sound (or “transparency”) modes mechanically and extra. The wi-fi charging case is conveniently tiny, whereas the eight- to 12-hour battery life provides little to complain about.
Nonetheless, the XM5s nonetheless aren’t a whole slam dunk. The built-in mics aren’t the clearest for cellphone calls. The IPX4 water-resistance ranking may very well be greater. Some individuals may discover the reminiscence foam eartips just a little too full-feeling. In addition they have an inventory worth of $330, which is way from reasonably priced. However no different wi-fi earbuds we’ve examined have managed to tick so many packing containers.
- Sturdy, customizable audio high quality
- Needs to be comfy to most
- A great deal of helpful bonus options
- Stellar noise isolation
- Costly
- Reminiscence foam eartips aren’t for everybody
- No battery life enchancment over predecessor
Photograph by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Energetic noise cancellation: Sure | Wi-fi charging: Sure | Water resistance: IPX4 | Multipoint connectivity: Sure (2 units) | Put on detection: No | Max battery life (rated): 10 hrs, 50 hrs w/ case | Codecs: SBC, AAC, LDAC | Guarantee: 18 months
Learn our information to the best budget wireless earbuds
When you don’t have lots of to spend, our favourite wi-fi earbuds within the finances bracket are the Anker Soundcore Space A40. Ceaselessly priced between $45 and $60, this pair has the form of options we’d count on from earbuds that price twice as a lot: genuinely highly effective ANC, multipoint connectivity, wi-fi charging, a strong eight to 10 hours of battery life, LDAC assist, respectable (if not nice) IPX4 water resistance and a usable ambient sound mode. They don’t have probably the most resolving or detail-rich sound of the field, unsurprisingly, however their heat profile affords nice, thumpy bass with out completely blowing out the low-end. If you wish to add extra treble presence, you possibly can customise the EQ by a clear and easy-to-read companion app. The precise earpieces are small, spherical and cozy as properly.
The primary trade-off is name high quality, because the built-in mic can lose your voice in noisy environments and doesn’t deal with sibilant sounds very properly. There’s no put on detection both, so your music gained’t auto-pause once you take away an earbud. In addition they don’t assist Google’s Quick Pair tech, although the earbuds ought to bear in mind your system and mechanically reconnect after you pair them for the primary time. However for the value level, it’s onerous to complain.
- Glorious ANC for the value
- Heat, nice sound
- Snug and compact
- Good battery life
- No automated put on detection
- Mediocre name high quality
- Would not sound as detailed as higher-end choices (as anticipated)
Billy Steele for Engadget
Energetic noise cancellation: Sure | Wi-fi charging: Sure | Water resistance: No IPX ranking | Multipoint connectivity: Sure (2 units) | Put on detection: No | Max battery life (rated): 7 hrs, 47 hrs w/ case | Codecs: SBC, AAC, LDAC, aptX Adaptive | Guarantee: 1 12 months
Learn our full Noble FoKus Rex5 review
Figuring out which set of headphones has the “greatest” sound high quality is a idiot’s errand — on the finish of the day, it’ll at all times come down to non-public style. But when we needed to choose one pair we’ve significantly loved for music, it’d be the Noble FoKus Rex5. Its distinctive five-driver design helps it draw out a exceptional stage of element and correctly separate the instrumentation in any given monitor. It’s a balanced sound profile, with tight however not overindulgent bass, a natural-sounding midrange and relaxed highs that don’t fatigue over time. The soundstage is wider than most true wi-fi earbuds we’ve examined, whereas assist for LDAC and aptX Adaptive solely help with element retrieval. You’ll be able to set a private EQ for those who want it, however we’ve discovered the inventory tuning to go well with any style properly by default.
The FoKus Rex5 helps ANC and multipoint connectivity, whereas its IEM-style, metal-and-acrylic housing suits comfortably within the ear. However you’d purchase it for the sound high quality firstly: Noise cancellation isn’t on Sony’s stage, the ultra-green end isn’t for everybody, the five- to seven-hour battery life isn’t supreme and there’s no auto-pausing once you take away an earbud. Most prohibitively, this stuff are rattling costly at $449. If you need one thing a little much less dear, the Technics AZ100 and Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 are compelling (if bassier) choices as properly. However for self-proclaimed audiophiles with money to burn, the FoKus Rex5 are a deal with.
- Detailed, immersive sound
- Snug match
- Customized audio profiles that save on to the buds
- Very costly
- Only one coloration and it isn’t for everybody
- Subpar ANC efficiency
Valentina Palladino for Engadget
Energetic noise cancellation: Sure | Wi-fi charging: No | Water resistance: IPX4 | Multipoint connectivity: No | Put on detection: Sure | Max battery life (rated): 6 hrs, 24 hrs w/ case | Codecs: SBC, AAC | Guarantee: 1 12 months
Most of our picks above will work simply tremendous within the health club, however for those who’re shopping for a pair for exercises firstly, attempt the . Sure, we’re recommending a set of Apple-made earbuds in an Android shopping for information. However whereas this pair works greatest with iPhones, most of their AirPods-style options are additionally obtainable on Android by the . You’ll be able to pair them with one faucet by a pop-up card, view a map with their final identified location, swap between ANC and ambient sound modes from the house display screen, remap controls and test their battery stage from the notification tray. There’s no hi-res codec assist, however generally the drop-off from iOS to Android isn’t as nice right here as it’s with a pair of AirPods.
The primary cause we advocate the Powerbeats Match is their light-weight design, which is supplied with flexible silicone fins that hold the earbuds safe in place when you’re transferring round. It’s extraordinarily just like the earlier , although the fins on this new iteration are a bit softer and extra versatile, which makes them just a little comfier. In addition they include an additional small set of ideas within the field. Their IPX4 water-resistance ranking isn’t the very best, nevertheless it ought to be sufficient for all however the sweatiest gymgoers. (Simply don’t use them within the pool.) We additionally like that the Powerbeats Match makes use of bodily buttons to regulate quantity or skip tracks, since contact controls can really feel finicky once you’re making an attempt to maintain up with a exercise. Their punchy sound is well-suited to the health club too, with a noticeable however not overwhelming push within the bass and treble. It’s not one for purists, nevertheless it’s energetic.
When you aren’t particularly searching for exercise earbuds, you possibly can nonetheless do higher. The Powerbeats Match nonetheless lack wi-fi charging and multipoint connectivity, and there’s no solution to customise the EQ for those who don’t just like the default sound. Their built-in mics aren’t something particular for cellphone calls, and the six-hour battery life is simply satisfactory. Plus, whereas the ANC mode is beneficial sufficient for tamping down the noise of a health club, it’s a transparent step down from the very best choices in the marketplace. If you’ll find the older Beats Match Professional at a considerably lower cost, these should still be a greater worth, for the reason that modifications listed here are pretty minimal — although the brand new mannequin does include a smaller charging case alongside the redesigned wingtips.
We’ll additionally be aware the , one other latest Beats mannequin which has an around-the-ear hook design that some may want, a extra superior Apple H2 chip (the Powerbeats Match makes use of the older H1) and a modicum of coronary heart charge monitoring. That one is priced $50 greater, although.
- Safe match for exercises with versatile wingtips
- Punchy sound is well-suited to the health club
- Bodily management buttons
- Smaller charging case than earlier Beats Match Professional
- No wi-fi charging or multipoint connectivity
- Six-hour battery with ANC may very well be higher
- ANC is not tremendous however nothing particular
Photograph by Billy Steele / Engadget
Energetic noise cancellation: Sure | Wi-fi charging: Sure | Water resistance: IP54 (IPX4 for case) | Multipoint connectivity: Sure (2 units) | Put on detection: Sure | Max battery life (rated): 12 hrs, 48 hrs w/ case | Codecs: SBC, AAC | Guarantee: 1 12 months
Learn our full Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 review
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are explicitly designed to work in concord with different Pixel units, in order that they’re value contemplating for those who’re a devoted fan of Google’s telephones. They arrive with a number of helpful bonus options, from remote ringing and a “conversation detection” mode to a customizable EQ and automatic switching between units paired to your Google account. (You additionally get hands-free entry to Google’s Gemini AI bot, although we wouldn’t name that important.) You’ll be able to nonetheless entry many of the Pixel Buds’ perks on different Android units by downloading a separate app, however all the performance is baked into Pixel telephones natively. This implies you possibly can handle the earbuds, test battery standing and the like proper out of your system’s settings menus. It’s just like how Apple integrates AirPods with iOS.
The earbuds themselves are completely competent past that, with a tiny but comfy design, respectable ANC for the value, eight-ish hours of battery life, satisfactory name high quality and an gratifying sound with punchy bass and prolonged treble. That stated, you’ll nonetheless get richer audio high quality and extra sturdy noise cancellation from our Sony and Noble picks above, so those that aren’t all-in on Google {hardware} can be happy to look elsewhere. Extra lately, Google launched the extra reasonably priced — at $129, nevertheless it misses out on a bunch of options included with the Pixel Buds Professional 2, together with wi-fi charging, longer battery life, onboard quantity controls, assist and extra.
- Tight integration with Pixel telephones
- Tiny, cozy design
- Agreeable sound
- Smaller contact panels require precision
- ANC is not on par with Sony WF-1000XM5
Photograph by Billy Steele / Engadget
Energetic noise cancellation: Sure | Wi-fi charging: Sure | Water resistance: IP57 | Multipoint connectivity: No | Put on detection: Sure | Max battery life (rated): 7 hrs, 30 hrs w/ case | Codecs: SBC, AAC, SSC, SSC-UHQ | Guarantee: 1 12 months
Learn our full Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro review
Alongside these traces, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are to Galaxy telephones what the Pixel Buds Professional 2 are to Pixel telephones. Utilizing them with a Samsung handset unlocks a number of ecosystem-specific perks, together with the hi-res Samsung Seamless codec, a real-time translation software and a “Recreation Mode” that reduces latency. That’s on prime of options like spatial audio, a graphic EQ, a misplaced system finder, adaptive ANC, simplified voice instructions and automated switching between Samsung units.
This sort of walled backyard method is irritating; bear in mind when you possibly can plug your headphones into any system and it’d work the identical manner each time? However, as with the Pixel Buds and AirPods, the Galaxy Buds 3 Professional are undeniably handy for those who’ve already purchased into their chosen platform.
The remainder of the package deal will get extra proper than unsuitable, although there are some points value calling out. The stem-style design just about rips off the AirPods Professional — that is significantly evident with the white end — however provides bizarre, pointless LED strips down the stems. It’s comfy, however Samsung isn’t beating the copycat allegations right here. The ANC isn’t on par with the Sony XM5s both, and the six-hour battery life is shorter than many different premium pairs. There’s additionally no hi-res codec assist with non-Samsung telephones. On the plus facet, the ambient sound mode works properly. And most significantly, this stuff sound glorious out of the field, with full, meaty bass complemented by amply detailed highs and upper-mids.
It’s value noting that Samsung froze shipments of the Galaxy Buds 3 Professional proper round launch on account of high quality management considerations (primarily relating to the inventory eartips), however these look to have been resolved, and we haven’t seen something out of the unusual with our evaluation unit.
- Tight integration with Samsung telephones
- Nice audio high quality
- Comfortable match
- Pure ambient sound
- Want a Samsung cellphone to get probably the most out of them
- Battery life is shorter than some rivals
- Copycat design with gimmicky LED lights
What to search for in wi-fi earbuds for Android units
Photograph by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
For probably the most half, the options you need from a set of “Android earbuds” are the identical as what you need from any headphones. Nice sound high quality, a snug match and ample battery life are nonetheless the foundations. Enough water resistance is nice for exercises, and no person desires a crummy mic for making calls. When you method the $100 vary, options like energetic noise cancellation (ANC), wi-fi charging, an ambient sound mode (which helps you to higher hear exterior noise with out turning off your music) and multipoint connectivity (the flexibility to pair with a number of units concurrently) ought to be anticipated.
For Android units particularly, there are a number of extras to contemplate. A devoted app that makes it straightforward to modify sound modes, customise the audio profile, find your earbuds in the event that they ever get misplaced or alter different settings is strongly most well-liked. Options like Google Fast Pair or NFC-based pairing, which may help you keep away from having to dig by your Bluetooth menu to attach your earbuds for the primary time, are additionally good perks. Some Android units can even make the most of higher-quality Bluetooth codecs resembling aptX Adaptive or Sony’s LDAC — these aren’t almost as necessary to audio high quality because the precise structure of your earbuds, however they may help wring out just a little extra element if the buds are succesful sufficient and also you’re streaming lossless information. AptX Adaptive can even assist scale back latency, which is nice for streaming video or gaming.
Range is Android’s best power, nevertheless it additionally signifies that some wi-fi earbuds play nicer with sure units, sometimes these made by the identical firm. Current Samsung earbuds, as an illustration, include a number of perks which might be solely obtainable for those who use a Galaxy cellphone. We have now a few suggestions associated to this concept above.
How we take a look at Android earbuds
Photograph by Billy Steele/Engadget
The easiest way to check earphones is solely to put on them as a lot as doable, in order that’s what we do. We sometimes do that over a one- to two-week interval, although embargo instances sometimes power us to complete our evaluation course of a bit sooner. We hearken to a take a look at playlist that features a number of musical genres and podcasts, paying shut consideration to how every pair approaches the bass, mid and treble frequencies to get an correct sense of its sound profile. We additionally take a look at at excessive and low volumes to test for consistency within the tuning. We shouldn’t have entry to a dummy head to take extra goal measurements, however we’ll typically look to websites like Rtings, SoundGuys and others that just do to make sure our impressions should not wildly off-base. If a mannequin helps customized EQ, we’ll tinker with that and use the obtainable EQ presets to see if one sounds dramatically higher than the others — although generally we base most of our impressions on the inventory tuning every pair makes use of by default.
To evaluate microphone high quality, we report our personal audio samples and take a number of calls with a companion each indoors and outdoors. For battery life, we play our take a look at playlist on a loop with the amount round 75 % and measure how lengthy it takes for every set to empty. The place relevant, we do a radical evaluation of a pair’s companion app and take a look at every obtainable characteristic. Whereas consolation is finally subjective, we be aware of how safe every pair feels whereas we’re on the transfer. We additionally use sure pairs in particularly crowded public areas to get a greater sense of their passive and energetic noise cancellation, in addition to their skill to take care of a constant Bluetooth connection.
Current updates
November 2025: The flippantly up to date Beats Powerbeats Match substitute the older Beats Match Professional as our prime choose for understanding. We’ve additionally famous the brand new Google Pixel Buds 2a as a less expensive various to the Pixel Buds Professional 2, which stay our suggestion for Pixel cellphone customers.
August 2025: We’ve taken one other sweep to make sure our recommendation remains to be up-to-date.
Could 2025: We’ve checked this information to make sure our prime picks nonetheless stand and famous a pair alternate options to the Noble Fokus Rex5, since that pair has had inventory problems with late. We’re additionally keeping track of how the Trump administration’s tariff policy impacts the pricing and inventory of our suggestions (and the patron tech business as a complete). All of our picks are nonetheless obtainable of their regular worth ranges right this moment, however we’ll replace this information if that modifications.
February 2025: The Noble FoKus Rex5 is our new “greatest for sound high quality” choose, changing the Sennheiser Momentum True Wi-fi 4. Our different suggestions stay unchanged.
December 2024: We’ve flippantly edited this information for readability and ensured that our present picks are nonetheless correct.
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