Best True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds of 2024: Top Picks for Every Need

Choosing the right pair of earbuds can be overwhelming with so many options available. Whether you’re after the best value, top-notch sound quality, or the most effective noise cancellation, you want to make an informed decision. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the best true wireless Bluetooth earbuds of 2024, covering various categories to help you find the perfect fit for your needs.

Key Takeaways

• Best Value: Nothing Ear 2 offers impressive features at a great price.
• Best for Gaming: JBL Quantum TWS excels with low latency and customizable sound.
• Best for Working Out: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Ultra stay put and handle intense workouts.
• Best Open-Ear Design: Soundcore Aerofit Pros provide a balanced sound without entering the ear canal.
• Best Transparency Mode: Apple AirPods Pro 2 delivers the most natural transparency.
• Best ANC (Active Noise Cancellation): Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Ultra leads the pack.
• Best Sound Quality: Nothing Ear 2 impresses with its clean and balanced sound.
• Overall Best Earbuds: Apple AirPods Pro 2 is the top all-rounder.

Let’s dive into each category to help you make the best choice.

Best Value Earbuds

Nothing Ear 2

If you’re looking for the best value earbuds, the Nothing Ear 2 is your go-to choice. Priced around $150 (often available for $100 on sale), these earbuds offer a surprising blend of features at a budget-friendly price. They deliver decent active noise cancellation (ANC) and transparency modes, along with a sleek design and impressive sound quality. They also support Android’s Fast Pair for easy connection. However, their battery life is on the shorter side, lasting about four hours with ANC enabled. For those seeking a balance between cost and performance, the Nothing Ear 2 is a standout option.

Runner-Up: Google Pixel Buds A Series
Available for around $60, the Pixel Buds A Series provides surprisingly good sound quality, even outperforming the more expensive Pixel Buds Pro in some aspects. They are comfortable, offer decent battery life, and are a solid choice for those on a budget.

Best Earbuds for Gaming

JBL Quantum TWS

For gamers, the JBL Quantum TWS is a top pick. It features a USB-C dongle that ensures low latency across various devices, including PCs, consoles, and smartphones. The sound quality is robust, and the app allows for detailed EQ adjustments, which is a bonus for audio enthusiasts. The JBL Quantum TWS is designed to deliver clear sound and a good soundstage, making it easier to hear in-game details like footsteps.

Runner-Up: Razer Hammerhead Pro Hyperspeed
While it comes with more features, including LEDs, the sound quality of the Razer Hammerhead Pro Hyperspeed doesn’t quite match up to the JBL Quantum TWS. Despite its solid feature set, its sound performance falls short, making it a secondary option for gamers.

Best Earbuds for Working Out

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Ultra

When it comes to working out, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Ultra stand out for their secure fit and comfort. Their design ensures they stay in place even during intense exercise. They offer excellent noise cancellation and sound quality, making them a reliable choice for any workout routine. The earbuds come with various ear tips and stability wings, providing a snug fit that stays put.

Runner-Up: Beats Fit Pro
The Beats Fit Pro is also a great choice for workouts, offering a secure fit and decent sound quality. It includes active noise cancellation and a fast pair feature for easy connectivity. However, its sound profile is not as refined as the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Ultra.

Best Open-Ear Design

Soundcore Aerofit Pros

For those who prefer not to have anything in their ear canal, the Soundcore Aerofit Pros offer a great solution. These open-ear earbuds use bone conduction technology, which is comfortable and allows you to stay aware of your surroundings. They provide a deeper sound than traditional bone conduction earbuds while maintaining a comfortable fit.

Runner-Up: Shocks Open Fit
The Shocks Open Fit is another option in the open-ear category. They are comfortable and provide good sound quality, though they are not quite as advanced as the Soundcore Aerofit Pros in terms of sound depth.

Best Non-In-Ear Earbuds

Apple AirPods 3

If you’re looking for earbuds that don’t enter your ear canal, the Apple AirPods 3 are the best choice. They sit outside the ear canal, offering a comfortable fit without the intrusion of traditional earbuds. They provide surprising sound quality with a good amount of low end. They work seamlessly with Apple devices and can connect to non-Apple devices with a simple button press.

Runner-Up: None
The AirPods 3 are so effective in this category that there are no direct competitors that match their performance in open-ear design.

Best Earbuds for Transparency Mode

Apple AirPods Pro 2

The Apple AirPods Pro 2 lead the market in transparency mode. They offer a natural and seamless experience, allowing you to hear your environment clearly without removing the earbuds. The transparency mode maintains an accurate representation of sounds around you, including lower frequencies, making them ideal for activities where situational awareness is important.

Runner-Up: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Ultra
While the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Ultra also offer good transparency mode, they lack the low-end reproduction that the AirPods Pro 2 provide. They have a slight electronic hiss that detracts from their overall performance in this category.

Best ANC (Active Noise Cancellation)

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Ultra

For the best ANC, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Ultra are unmatched. They provide a high level of noise cancellation across a broad frequency range, surpassing competitors like Sony and Apple. The ANC is so effective that it can make even a noisy environment feel serene. However, be aware of the slight electronic hiss when no audio is playing.

Runner-Up: Sony WF-1000XM5
The Sony WF-1000XM5 offers excellent ANC as well, though it falls slightly short of the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Ultra. They provide good connectivity and sound quality, making them a solid alternative if you need wireless charging and can’t tolerate the Bose hiss.

Best Sound Quality

Nothing Ear 2

For the best sound quality, the Nothing Ear 2 is a surprising contender. They offer a clean, balanced sound profile with a Harman Target tuned sound that ensures a rich listening experience. They also come with customizable EQ settings for those who want to fine-tune their audio preferences. Their sound quality stands out, especially considering their price.

Runner-Up: Sony WF-1000XM5
The Sony WF-1000XM5 also offers great sound quality, particularly after custom EQ adjustments. They provide a more mature sound profile compared to older models, with punchy and clear audio that rivals the Nothing Ear 2.

Overall Best Earbuds

Apple AirPods Pro 2

The Apple AirPods Pro 2 are the best all-around earbuds. They excel in sound quality, transparency mode, and have a solid ANC performance. The integration with Apple’s ecosystem, including MagSafe and Find My features, makes them highly convenient. While they can be frustrating with automatic device switching, their overall performance and features make them the top choice.

Runner-Up: Sony WF-1000XM5
If you need a great alternative, the Sony WF-1000XM5 offers excellent sound quality and ANC without the electronic hiss. They are a balanced choice for those who value high-performance audio and noise cancellation.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right earbuds depends on your specific needs and preferences. Whether you prioritize sound quality, battery life, or fit, there’s an option for you in the list above. Evaluate what features matter most to you, and you’re sure to find a pair that enhances your listening experience.