The best earbuds in 2025 (2025)

If you’re serious about earbuds that deliver the best sound, features, and style — and you don’t mind spending some cash — there’s really only one choice for all-round, best-in-class performance: the Sony WF-1000XM5.

Sony has packed lots of tech inside the buds, with the new V2 processor chip, plus DSEE Extreme and Sony’s LDAC codec for improved, hi-definition sound — even from low bitrate files. The sound blasts in via souped-up 8.4mm drivers, which ensure a listening experience that’s big, nuanced, and layered.

The actual buds fit securely and help you immerse fully into the sound. The outer surface of each bud works as a touch panel to control volume and playback. Other features include Speak to Chat, which stops the music whenever you start a conversation, and automatic pause when you remove the buds from your ears. Be warned, though: These features might prove frustratingly oversensitive for some listeners.

The best feature of all is the Sony Headphones app, which allows you to customise almost every feature. It even tells you if your buds are in properly. There's no such thing as perfection, of course. True audiophiles might prefer something more specialist. But generally these are as good as earbuds get.

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If you’re already an AirPods fan, it’s likely time to upgrade to AirPods Pro 2. They're the latest evolution in the Apple listening experience, with a more refined sound and impressive noise cancellation.

The AirPods Pro 2 are powered by the H2 chip and use smart microphones that scan your ears to ensure the buds fit properly. You can switch between small, medium, and large tips, which are all included. Not only do they fit well, but they live up to the ‘Air’ moniker too. They're so lightweight that you’ll barely notice they’re in.

To activate noise cancellation and playback features, just give the stems a little squeeze. You can swipe up and down to control the volume, though they also have Conversation Awareness, which automatically lowers the volume where you begin talking to someone.

The sound itself has punchy bass and vocals, which are especially good for contemporary pop tunes. It's fair to say that no one buys Apple products expecting the most nuanced, audiophile-quality sound.

Other features include IPX4 water resistance plus Apple's best evert ANC — including transparency mode and adaptive audio — and a charging case that will give your AirPods around 30 hours of juice.That just about makes up for the otherwise average battery life.

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If you want Apple-style tech and function but you’re in the decidedly non-Apple camp, theGoogle Pixel Buds Pro 2could be the buds for you. These are aimed largely at Android and Google phone users (though they work perfectly well with the iPhone) and cost around the same as Apple's AirPods Pro 2.

Anyone who’s used the previous gen Pixel Buds will instantly see and hear the difference. They’re smaller and have a much-improved audio and noise cancellation, along with plenty of great tech powered by Google’s Tensor A1 chip. The ‘silent seal 2.0’ANC is especially good, adapting to your surroundings three million times per second and cancelling out twice as much noise as with previous gen Pixel Bud models.

Features include multipoint pairing — which feels like an absolute must in this device-connected world — plus Google’s Gemini AI voice assistant, which is a bit of a bonus novelty. Reviewers don’t rate the chatbot, though.

We really like the simplicity of the on-ear controls — just tap and swipe to control the playback, volume, and various features — though there’s also the Pixel Buds app. And while the charging case looks a bit clunky it has a speaker built in that will sound off and help you find your buds if and when you misplace them.The case also gives you up to 48 hours battery, though the Pixel Buds' usual 12 hours is impressive enough.

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OK, we admit it, the Cambridge Audio Melomania M100 look bang average. That's mostly based on the price point, which is mid-level. But looks (and prices) can be deceiving. Or in this case, a clue to the true power of the tech.

The Cambridge Audio Melomania M100 are brilliantly simple to use, with intuitive controls — an efficiency of design that’s combined with some of the best, most detailed sounds available in earbuds. Indeed, these earbuds give far more expensive pairs a run for their money when it comes to actual audio.

They have active noise cancellation with three different modes, including a transparency mode. You also have to appreciate the sheer heft of the battery power. Nine hours is impressive for a pair of earbuds around the £120 mark. But 50-plus hours with the charging case is class-leading.

There’s a Melomania app too for adjusting your EQ levels. The app can even help you find a lost bud. Cambridge Audio prides itself on good quality sound — the brand likes to boast that it's "obsessed with music" — and uses impressive mini microphones so you get crystal clear voice calls.

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Beats’ first attempt at running buds were a strong choice but these upgraded Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are the clear winner in the fitness category. If you’re willing to meet the hefty price tag, these really are hard to beat.

The big sell is the combo of that great Beats sound and Apple-powered tech, in this case Apple’s super smart H2 chip. That gives you all the slick performance and synchronicity you expect from an Apple device. They pair seamlessly with your iPhone or Mac — even the Apple Vision Pro for those who have it — and offerspatial audio with head tracking, which is great for Apple Music users.

As for actual fitness, these sweat proof buds stay secure during tough, high-energy workouts and have optical heart rate sensors in each bud, which is a new feature. The app support isn’t perfect at this stage but the heart rate sensors work with Apple Health and some third party apps, such as Strava. Regardless, the Powerbeats Pro 2 were developed by testing with nearly 1,000 athletes. The fitness credentials are legit.

Beats has also integrated its best ever noise cancellation technology, with transparency mode. They have on-ear controls but you can adjust everything in the Beats App, too.

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Bower & Wilkins are always pushing the boundaries of audio tech and the are among the best earbuds ever produced by the British-born brand. These are less an upgrade than a complete rethink.

As usual, they sound sensational and comes via 12mm carbon cone driver units. The audio’s as rich, layered, and nuanced as you’re likely to find. Sure, you’re paying a hefty price for the pleasure but these are high-end buds. The ANC is just as impressive. The ANC also has a Pass Through feature that allows you to hear some ambient sounds, such as when somebody starts a conversation with you.

The actual buds are more minimalist and less ostentatious than other offerings from Bowers & Wilkins. They have on-ear volume controls and a range of customisable EQ and streaming platform options in the app.There are some downsides. There's no spatial audio, for instance, and the app's a bit faffy.

But they do support aptX Adaptive, one of the best, most up-to-date codecs. It has an always-adjusting bitrate, which means low latency, in-sync, glitch-free streaming.The charging case also acts as a unique retransmission system, which can be plugged directly into an audio source and will retransmit the sound to your earbuds. For instance, if you’re on a flight, the case plugs straight into the in-flight system so you can watch movies with these buds.

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If you're shopping for earbuds at the budget end of the scale, you'll be pleasantly surprised at how much you get for your money with the JLab Go Air Pop+. It’s little wonder that these buds have a 4.5-star rating from more than 50,000 reviews on Amazon — for a touch under just £25 they really are fantastic. Just don’t expect all the bells and whistles.

They’re handy and convenient straight out of the box — the small charging case fits right into your pockets while the buds themselves are equipped with Google Fast Pair for detecting and automatically connecting with Android Bluetooth devices. You can connect both earbuds or connect one bud independently. From there, you can also adjust your EQ levels and bass in the JLab app, which is an impressively advanced option for budget buds.

While there’s no active noise cancellation, these do have a transparency Be Aware Mode that allows ambient sounds in. The battery life is also very competitive at this level, with up to 35 hours from the buds when you use the charging case. As an added bonus there’s a great colour seelction, something you almost never get with premium priced earbuds.

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Not everything needs to cost a bomb. And sometimes, if you shop around, you get more for your money than you bargained for.

Take the Soundmagic E11C, for instance. These budget earphones have racked up five-star reviews for their price-performance ratio and crisp, lively sound with plenty of bass. And some people just prefer wired sound.

OK, at this price you have to manage your expectations. Yes, they sound good — very good, in fact, for the money — but there are zero features other than noise isolation, which combinines ergonomic angled sound tubes with an in-ear fit that seals the ear canal. That’s more about the build than actual tech.

They also have a handy three-button remote control. It’s basic but actually much simpler than having to control everything via a phone app, which does happen with some expensive earbuds. And you’ll find they’re pretty robust. Aluminium housing keeps them well protected — they’re more durable that you’d usually expect at this price.

The real downside, of course, is that some up-to-date phones and devices have long since abandoned the headphone jack. That means you’ll have to get one of those little adapters to use them with the latest iPhones. If that’s not a problem for you, the Soundmagic E11C are an absolute steal.

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