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Apple may not have invented the first pair of True Wireless headphones. But there’s no denying that as soon as the company announced its first generation AirPods, companies all over the world went into overdrive trying to recreate the magic.
There are now hundreds of different models to choose from. Pricing can start from under $50, but can easily scale up to ten times that amount. You can buy models from high-profile audio brands or cheap, Chinese makers you probably haven’t heard of before.
What’s more, there’s no easy consensus on what the best pair of wireless earbuds is. If you go to the first page of results on Google, you’ll find ten different sites telling you ten different pairs of headphones are the best.
We’re here to help
To help make the decision easy, we’ve analysed the picks from the most highly ranked sites on Google. We rated the products against eachother, reflecting on how highly they were featured and how many times they appeared across different sites.
The end result is this list of the best True Wireless earbuds.
Of course, it’s important to remember that everybody’s needs are different, so what we’ve listed as best here may not suit your needs.
If you haven’t found what’s right for you, check our guide on the best earphones in Australia. If you prefer wireless headphones that go over your head, check our guide to the best Bluetooth headphones.
We’ve also rounded up the best noise cancelling headphones in Australia, and the the best headphones overall.
But hopefully it should give you a clearer insight into where to start shopping if you’re looking for a new pair of Airpods (or AirPod clones).
The seven best pairs of wireless earbuds you can buy today
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation)
Recommended by 90% of review sites
Apple’s second generation of Pro-grade AirPods shot straight to the top of this list when it launched.
That’s because Apple improved on the already-excellent original, improving battery life and noise cancellation features.
The catch is that you need to be invested in the Apple ecosystem to truly get the most out of these, so if you use an Android phone, these may not be the right option for you.
On the flipside, they are perfect no matter which iPhone you buy.
Sony WF-1000XM5
Recommended by 70% of review sites
The WF-1000XM5 true wireless earbuds are the latest in a long line of exceptional products.
Replacing the WF-1000XM4, the XM5 exemplify Sony’s heritage as a high-end audio company.
With exceptional noise cancellation, long battery life and water resistance out of the box, these are the True Wireless earbuds for the people.
What’s more, they work equally well for both iOS and Android device users, making them versatile and powerful.
Beats Fit Pro
Recommended by 70% of review sites
Beats has come a long way since Apple bought it way back in 2014. The fact that Apple now has two brands dominating the True Wireless headphone space is nothing short of incredible.
The Beats Fit Pro specifically target the active market. Fitness enthusiasts will appreciate the secure fit and comfort afforded by these earbuds, which don’t sacrifice audio quality or features.
Interestingly, five out of the 10 sites we referenced for this particular guide thought the Beats Fit Pro were worthy of inclusion, which is why it has also been included here.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
Recommended by 50% of review sites
Samsung is one of the world-leaders when it comes to consumer technology, delivering high quality products day in and day out. So it’s no surprise it has a pair of wireless earbuds featured on this list.
The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are comfortable for extended periods of time, and seamlessly integrate with the Samsung ecosystem of devices.
Like Apple though, if you don’t have Samsung devices, these may not be the best option for you.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
Recommended by 50% of review sites
Bose built its brand on noise cancelling headphones, but it took a little longer for the brand to really master the technology in true wireless form.
The latest generation of true-wireless earphones are the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, which offer an immersive spatial audio experience, combined with Bose’s exceptional noise cancellation.
Bose has also made comfort a priority, with nine combinations of eartip and stability band sizes to find the best fit for your individual ear.
With six hours of battery life, these earbuds are perfect for all-day listening.
Jabra Elite 8 Active
Recommended by 40% of review sites
Jabra has been offering premium true wireless earbuds for a number of years now, specifically designed to help you listen to music while being active. It’s even in the name.
The Elite 8 Active earbuds have a special “ShakeGrip” coating that feels like rubber, but doesn’t really collect dust. This coating helps the earbuds stay in your ear while you workout, even if you’re sweating up a storm.
Jabra takes that a little further with an IP68 rating for the earbuds, plus support for Dolby Atmos for spatial audio, noise cancellation and long-lasting battery life.
These are a great companion to active people looking for a secure pair of wireless earbuds.
Google Pixel Buds Pro
Google Pixel Buds Pro With Active Noise Cancellation Bay/Charcoal/Fog/Porcelain
Recommended by 40% of review sites
A recent software update to the Google Pixel Buds Pro is no doubt behind its return to this list.
These earbuds are a perfect match for Google’s Pixel phones design wise, and thanks to new AI-based software, you get features like Conversation Detection and faster audio transmission for gaming.
Conversation Detection will automatically reduce the audio when you start talking, so you no longer have to remove an earbud to have a conversation.
The earbuds also support Bluetooth Super Wideband with the new Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro phones, making calls even clearer than ever before.
I did find the earbuds a bit hard to get a good fit in my review though.
How we chose the best wireless earbuds
Review sites – including this one – are subjective by nature. Everybody has a different opinion of what is best.
So to try and counter the fact that every best guide on the internet has a different opinion of what is best, we approached our list by combining the results of some of the top sites recommending True Wireless earbuds on the market today.
To determine this list, we followed the same journey most consumers would follow: we went to Google.
We searched for “Best wireless earbuds” and identified 10 of the top results. It’s important to note that Google results can change often, so the full list of sites we referenced is outlined below.
Referenced guides
We then listed out all of the wireless earbuds listed on each site. Any differences in spelling for aligned for consistency.
We calculated the frequency in which each product was mentioned within those 10 guides. The more frequently a product is mentioned, the more agreement there is between experts reviewing these products.
Before we created this page though, we went through the list to tidy it up. Products that are either unavailable or difficult to find in Australia were removed.
We also set a minimum of four mentions across all 10 guides to be eligible for inclusion here.
In some cases, we also leveraged our own experience with products. This is to ensure that we aren’t recommending any product that doesn’t deliver.
What to look for when choosing wireless earphones
Whether you’re after one of the models listed above or something completely different, the decision factors you need to consider when buying wireless earbuds is the same.
Comfort
The earbuds need to fit. Adjustable tips on some models will help with this, but even then sometimes it is hard to fit the earbud perfectly. The last thing you want is to lose an earbud because it falls out randomly.
Sound quality
You want your earbuds to sound good. There’s no point spending the money to get a pair that makes it hard to hear on a call.
Battery life
There’s not a lot of space within those teeny-tiny earbuds, so even the best models are going to have limited battery life. Do your research and make sure it’s enough for your needs. It’s important to consider the additional battery life supplied in the case as well.
Features and functions
This depends entirely on your wants and desires. Do you want noise cancellation in your headphones? Maybe a sweat proof design? Do you want customisable audio through an app? Think about what you want before you make your choice.
Price
This is one of the most important factors there is. Product quality obviously increases the higher the cost, but quite often the right choice for you is not the most expensive model on the market. Consider your budget before buying.
Update history
- 6 December 2022 – First Published
- 9 January 2023 – Updated the number of recommendations for products; added Google Pixel Buds Pro
- 8 March 2023 – Updated the number of recommendations for products.
- 8 May 2023 – Updated the number of recommendations for products.
- 7 August 2023 – Updated the number of recommendations for products. Removed Apple AirPods 3 and Google Pixel Buds Pro.
- 24 November 2023 – Updated the number of recommendations for products. Added the Sony WF-1000XM5 and Google Pixel Buds Pro. Removed Sony WF-1000XM4.
- 23 February 2024 – Update recommendations count. Added Jabra Elite 8 Active.
