5 Best True Wireless Earbuds 2023

The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds-2, the next contender on our lineup, emerges from a brand renowned for pioneering noise cancellation technology. Although Bose’s initial foray into the realm of true wireless earbuds fell short of the high standards set by its over-ear counterparts, it quickly yielded ground to competitors like Sony and Apple.

Nevertheless, Bose has staged a triumphant return to form with its second-generation QC Earbuds-2, effectively addressing crucial aspects. The design of these earbuds has undergone a significant transformation, with Bose asserting that the new model is 30% smaller than its predecessor. Embracing the ‘dangly stem’ design philosophy, the buds’ brief stem, along with a variety of ear tips and a ‘stability band’ option, assures a comfortable and secure fit. 

Moreover, its CustomTune technology employs a unique chime sent into your ear, which rebounds and is captured by built-in microphones, enabling precise noise cancellation and tailored sound performance for a perfect fit. It also has an IP-X4 rating for resistance against water and sweat.

Sound emanates from dual 9.3-millimeter full-range dynamic drivers, one for each earbud, with Bluetooth 5.3 handling wireless connections. While excelling in active noise cancellation, Bose has also bolstered sound quality in the QC Earbuds-2. The QC Earbuds-2 delivers all the engrossing mid-range and treble detail present in their predecessors while adding more satisfying bass reproduction.

Notably absent is the multipoint connectivity feature, which enables simultaneous pairing with two Bluetooth devices. Although more common in wireless over-ear headphones, this capability has yet to permeate the realm of true wireless models. Support for high-quality wireless audio codecs like LDAC or aptX HD is also lacking.

Battery longevity stands at a maximum of six hours, with the charging case providing three additional charges. A full charge of the QC Earbuds-2 takes an hour, while a brief 20-minute charge offers around two hours of playtime. Notably, the case relies on USB charging, omitting the wireless charging prevalent in competitors and even more affordable alternatives. 

In conclusion, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds-2 marks a triumphant return for the brand, addressing past shortcomings and delivering a refined true wireless earbud experience.

The Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen, our third contender, closely resembles its predecessor in design, with slight enhancements in vent and microphone placement. Though the differences might be subtle at a distance, this continuity is advantageous.

The standout feature of the Pro 2 is its impressive active noise-canceling capabilities. A significant contrast is noticeable between the old and new models, as the new earbuds reportedly block twice as much background noise. This achievement is attributed to the potent H2 chip and strategic adjustments to acoustic vents and microphones.

In real-world usage, the noise-canceling proves highly effective, reducing background noise to a mere whisper. This holds true for office chatter or the rumble of trains during commutes. The result is an immersive listening experience, allowing you to savor your music with minimal external distractions. In comparison to the original AirPods Pro, which were used extensively in our tests, the improvement in noise-cancelling with the 2nd gen version is truly remarkable.

Furthermore, the sound quality is exceptional. Apple’s reputation for delivering clear, tonally neutral audio with a focus on voices continues in the AirPods Pro 2. This time, there’s an added depth, intricate detail, and enhanced dynamic nuances.

The earbuds house custom low-distortion, high-excursion audio drivers, transducers, and high dynamic range amplifiers. Alongside the H2 chip’s advanced audio algorithms, this configuration significantly elevates the sound quality from the original Pro.

Battery life has seen a substantial improvement in the AirPods Pro 2. It now competes well with leading models, offering six hours of playback on a single charge with active noise-canceling on. With the charging case, the total usage extends to up to 30 hours.

One limitation of the original Pro was the absence of on-device volume controls, a standard feature for wireless earbuds. Apple has rectified this by introducing a touch-capacitive layer on the stems. This addition allows users to swipe up or down to adjust the volume, accompanied by reassuring haptic feedback. While it might take some adjustment, the responsiveness of this feature is consistent.

In summary, Apple has achieved its pinnacle in AirPods earbud sound quality with the Pro 2. The improved noise-canceling, coupled with rich and captivating audio, now positions it among the leaders in its category.

The WF-1000XM4, succeeding the WF-1000XM3 and preceding the WF-1000XM5, brings remarkable improvements in both design and performance. Sony has significantly shrunk the case and earbuds for the Mark four models without sacrificing performance.

The XM4 are some of the very best-sounding truly wireless earbuds you can get. Similar to their predecessors, they produce the sort of sparkling, detailed, and rich audio that allows you to hear new things in longtime favorite tracks.

They are well-balanced, producing a full but not overly bass-heavy sound that suits most music genres, although if you crank up the “clear bass” setting, you can certainly feel it. Highs are detailed and precise, mids are strong and warm, and vocals are super-clear. They have excellent separation of instruments and deal with complex overlapping tones very well.

The XM4 has the most effective noise-canceling of any earbuds we have tested, coming very close to the performance of the very best large, over-ear noise-canceling headphones from Bose and Sony. The new V1 chip beats its predecessors, effectively removing or reducing noise across the board, whether the sound of fans, engine rumble, or speech, making it easy to listen to music at lower volumes.

The earbuds have Fast Pair with Android, Swift Pair with Windows PCs or standard pairing with Apple and other devices. They support the universal SBC and AAC Bluetooth audio formats used by most devices. But like Sony’s high-end over-ear headphones, the XM4 support the high-resolution LDAC audio format that is compatible with many Android devices for some of the highest-quality Bluetooth audio available, making them some of the first earbuds to do so.

In terms of battery life, The earbuds last longer than most competitors: just shy of eight hours of music with noise canceling, up to 12 hours without it, or about 5.5 hours of talk time. The case fully charges the earbuds twice for a total of at least 24 hours of listening. That places their battery life from a single charge above all major rivals and has been deemed good enough to carry into the WF-1000XM5.

Overall, While now they are surpassed by the new XM5, the WF-1000XM4 remains a musical all-rounder at a very attractive price.

The Fit Pro sounds really good, particularly for fitness-focused earbuds. They have a well-balanced and fully-rounded sound that suits a variety of genres. They can produce deep notes with a thump when needed but the bass is kept from overriding the good treble and high notes. Vocals are excellent, instrument separation is good and they handle complex tracks well.

The sweat and water-resistant Beats Fit Pro sound is powered by 9.5-millimeter drivers and they come with the same Apple H1 headphone chip that you find in the AirPods Pro. That means you get the same Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode performance found on the AirPods Pro. 

The Beats Fit Pro is the best-sounding wireless earbuds from Apple right now. They sound similar to the AirPods Pro, but they have a more pronounced bass, which gives them a wider range and makes them more fun for working out.

You also get Adaptive equalizers that tailor the sound to your environment and spatial audio support – a clever feature that uses gyroscopes and accelerometers to sense where you’re looking in relation to the audio action. 

The Fit Pro also packs automatic ear detection which uses skin sensors to spot when you’re wearing your buds, preventing them from confusing your pockets with your ears. Though somewhat frustratingly there’s no off switch on the buds, so they leak battery life unless they’re placed back in the case. 

Officially, the Beats Fit Pro can last up to 6 hours with ANC on, and you get an extra three charge cycles from the case for a combined battery life of 24 hours. Our standardized battery test showed this to be pretty accurate, yielding a result of 6 hours, 22 minutes with ANC on. When you place the earbuds in the case for just 5 minutes, you’re rewarded with 60 minutes of playback, a feature we are often grateful for.

Overall, The Beats Fit Pro is an excellent pair of everyday earbuds. In our opinion, they are much more practical than AirPods Pro. They offer the best features of AirPods Pro with a much more secure and comfortable design that is perfectly suited for active lifestyles.