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The best wireless earbuds (2022)

It’s gonna be a great year for your ears.

audeze lcdi3 iems
Image: Joe Rice-Jones / KnowTechie

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The best wireless earbuds have a trifecta of qualities – audio quality, solid connectivity, and comfort.

Once those are satisfied, you can add other features, like active noise canceling, stylish exteriors, and charging cases for times you’re away from a charger.

And thanks to advances in Bluetooth protocols, you can get great sound out of wireless earbuds. Sure, there are other options, but nobody likes jogging in bulky over-ear headphones.

But with so many options out there, what are the best earbuds? Well, that’s where we come in, and we’ll give you plenty of options to sift through.

The best-sounding wireless earbuds

bowers and wilkins pi7 earbuds on a rock
Image: Joe Rice-Jones / KnowTechie

We’ve included both true wireless (TWS) earbuds and some with wires. Which type suits you is a matter of preference.

While some prefer the size of TWS, others like that the wire will catch the earbud if it falls out of their ear. Regardless of your preference, we have a solid list lined up.

We’ll keep revising this list as the year progresses, but here are the best wireless earbuds.

PaMu Z1 ($69)

pamu z1 wireless earbuds
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For a really nice price, you get a lot of sonic performance from the PaMu Z1 wireless earbuds.

They’ve got hybrid Active Noise Canceling, Bluetooth 5.2 for solid wireless connection, 6.5 hours of playback from a single charge, and a total of 24hrs due to the charging case.

That case charges via USB-C or Qi wireless, and the 10mm titanium drivers give a powerful sound.


Apple AirPods Pro 2 ($249)

airpods pro 2nd gen in case
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Apple upgraded the internals of its AirPods Pro for the second time around. The new H2 chipset improved active noise cancelation and transparency modes, and the stems now have swipe gestures for volume control.

The charging case works with Find My and has a small speaker for battery notifications and to play sound if you lose them.

You also get a more balanced sound signature, punchy low end, clear mids, and treble. Battery life is improved to six hours on a charge, with a total of 30 hours with the battery in the charging case.


Oddict Twig Pro ($149)

oddict twig pro wireless earbuds
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These aptX Adaptive capable TWS earbuds from Oddict sound as good as they look.

Powered by 12mm dual layered carbon drivers, you get active noise canceling, 5.5 hours of playback in the buds, and another 1.5 charges in the case.

That’s less than many TWS sets, but the Twig Pro’s charging case is much easier to pocket.


Master & Dynamic MW08 Sport ($249)

master and dynamic mw08 sport wireless earbuds
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We’re big fans of anything Master & Dynamic puts out, and for good reason.

Every pair we’ve used has stellar sound quality, intuitive physical controls, and a style that just won’t quit.

The MW08 Sport comes with a Kevlar charging case for a little less weight to carry around, and it recharges via Qi-compatible charging pads.

The active noise canceling is decent, and they have a transparency mode, so you don’t feel cut off from your surroundings.


Gravastar Sirius Pro ($130)

gravastar sirius pro earbuds
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Sometimes you want your earbuds to look different. The Gravastar Sirius Pro comes in an alloy charging case that’s literally out of this world.

They come IPX5 rated for sweat and rain protection and give you 4hrs of listening, with another three charges in the case.

The neat thing is its Gaming/Music/Movie modes, which tweak sound and latency to suit the content. Oh, and that metal case is handy as a bottle opener for those warm, lazy summer nights.

Read our review of Gravastar’s Sirius Pro here.


Bose QuietComfort Earbuds ($279)

bose quietcomfort earbuds
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Bose has been shutting out the world for decades with some of the best active noise canceling around. The QuietComfort Earbuds continue in that proud tradition, with rich sound and a comfortable fit.

The six-hour battery life is bolstered by two more full charges in the case, which also has fast charging to top you back up in no time.


Sony WF-1000XM4 ($278)

sony wf-1000xm4 wireless earbuds
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If the main thing you want from your wireless earbuds is active noise canceling, the Sony WF-1000XM4 should be the first thing on your list.

They are better than anything else on the market, with ANC that doesn’t affect the full-bodied sound signature when on.

If satisfied Amazon customers are anything to go by, they’re also comfortable to wear and have great on-call quality.


Audeze LCDi3 ($899)

audeze lcdi3 iems
Image: Joe Rice-Jones / KnowTechie

What’s as good as over-ear headphones but fits inside your ear?

Audeze’s LCDi3 wireless earbuds are one of the best-sounding IEMs that also comes with a wireless option.

You have to deal with a cable running behind your neck to use them wirelessly, but that’s worth it when you hear the expansive sound.

They’re also tweakable with the Audeze app so that you can turn the reference sound into something closer to your preferences.


1MORE EVO ($169.99)

1more evo earbuds on purple background
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1MORE has long been a favorite of KnowTechie, and EVO is no exception.

Two drivers give you solid performance across the frequency band with clean, deep bass. LDAC support means high-quality source material.

Bluetooth 5.2 means rock-solid connectivity.

That’s just for starters. You also get four ANC modes, two transparency modes, and sensitive touch controls.

With ANC off, get 8 hours of playback (based on playback at 50% volume), with 2.5 more charges in the case. Oh, and IPX4 rating, so they’re great to use when getting your sweat on.


Nura NuraTrue ($200)

nura nuratrue iems
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Nura’s true wireless IEMs, the NuraTrue, customize their sound signature to your ears, just like on the larger NuraPhone. They sound excellent even before tweaking, and that’s the beginning.

You also get active noise cancelation, IPX4 waterproofing, fast charging, and Hi-Res audio support.


Google Pixel Buds Pro ($200)

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Google Pixel owners are going to want to pick up a pair of Pixel Buds Pro. They come with Pixel-specific bonuses like easier settings, and Spatial Audio is planned for early 2023.

Multipoint Bluetooth support is a big feature, as is active noise cancellation. They also have quality sound, long battery life, and are comfortable to wear for long periods.



Beyerdynamic Free Byrd ($249)

beyerdynamic free byrd earbuds on purple background
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Beyerdynamic’s first pair of TWS earbuds is a heavy hitter.

Quality sound, ANC that removes background noise without fatiguing, and up to 11 hours of playback combined in a tidy little package.

The carrying case has another 19 hours’ worth of charge in it. You get aptX Adaptive and AAC, IPX4 waterproofing, and a ton of ear tips to find your best fit.

The best part? Mimi Sound Personalization, which tweaks the EQ from a two-minute listening test, so the sound quality is personal to you.


The best wireless earbuds don’t have to break the bank

As you can see from the list above, there are plenty of great options for in-ear headphones that don’t break the bank.

For example, the PaMu Z1 in-ear headphones cost about the same price as a new video game.

But, if you have the ability to splurge, there are also great options that provide amazing sound clarity and features.

At the end of the day, any of these options will treat you right, so look through the guide to find the perfect fit (both literally and figuratively) for you.

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Editors’ Recommendations:

How we made our picks

Finding the best-sounding earbuds can be a daunting task. There are so many options; it can take a long time to find the best one for your specific needs.

Our recommendations for the best wireless earbuds result from hands-on testing and extensive research.

Additionally, we spent countless hours reviewing user reviews, Reddit posts, and YouTube videos to create a comprehensive list.

But mainly, our first-hand experience is ultimately how we made our picks.

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

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