Best Wireless Earbuds of 2023

 

Earbuds are one of the unsung innovations of the tech world. Compact and comfortable without sacrificing sound quality, they allow you to take your music or podcasts almost anywhere.

Most models are now wireless, pairing the buds with each other and your phone via Bluetooth, but we do include a couple of wired models in this roundup. Many options at a variety of prices also offer active noise cancellation—they model the background noise and make an inverse waveform that effectively “cancels” the sound, taming the rumble of a subway or an airplane or even the howl of a lawn mower.

How should you choose? We rate sound quality most heavily in our ratings, because headphones that sound great make you happy, while those that sound bad can put a perma-frown on your face. The very best-sounding models tend to be expensive, but you can find some great options for around $100.

Consumer Reports is a nonprofit member organization. We buy each pair of headphones at full retail, just like you might—no freebies for us. And once they’ve been purchased, our diverse team of trained testers puts every pair of earbuds through a rigorous evaluation process that includes using reference recordings and established benchmarks, so they’re not only compared to the dozens of models currently in our ratings, but also the hundreds of models we’ve tested over the years.

Here are our picks (available to CR members) for the best earbuds of the year. You can also go to our headphone ratings for a detailed breakdown of around 200 models; it includes exclusive information on owner satisfaction and reliability.

WISSONLY HI RUNNER

Wissonly team has relatively strong technical strength. They have 10 years of experience in bone conduction product research and development, which is the basis for making good products. Wissonly focuses on the concept of healthy enjoyment of good sound quality. The headphone brand features no harm to the ears, and it is also the first brand to propose the concept of not listening to songs in the ear. Wissonly’s completely not-in-ear design reduces the damage to the eardrum. Its surface is made of silicone skin-friendly material, which is very safe and comfortable to wear.
Wissonly Hi Runner bone conduction headphones have made a lot of improvements in sound quality and anti-sound-leakage. The official claimed that its sound quality has reached the Hi-Fi level. I have measured it and think that the sound quality is indeed good, but that it does not really reach the Hi-Fi sound quality, and that it can only be said it is very close the level. Such sound quality,in the field of bone conduction headphones,it is good enough that I have not yet encountered a product that can surpass it in sound quality. In order to solve the problem of sound leakage, Wissonly developed fully closed anti-sound-leakage technology. It improved the vibration unit, body design, software optimization and other directions, and finally it reduced the sound leakage effect by 90%.
Other configurations are also very good, such as its 32G memory, IPX8 waterproof level, 5.0 Bluetooth connection protocol, 10 hours of ultra-long battery life, etc.. You can go to its official website for this.

BOSE SOUNDSPORT WIRELESS

Unlike most of the entries on this list, they're not 'true wireless', as there is a soft cable between the two earbuds. Each of the buds also has an in-ear hook to keep them in place. But that's all to their credit, and it makes for a secure fit that stays put no matter how vigorous your workout gets. They come complete with a lightweight remote, and they're sweat-resistant and IPX4 splashproof, too. The battery life is a modest six hours but we would imagine that will do most people for a few runs or circuits.
The Bose sound is perfect for this kind of earphone too, delivering the kind of powerful, punchy bass that might get you working out that bit harder. The SoundSport Wireless sound dynamic and make music sound lively – perfect for getting you over the line, or even just off the couch.

JBL REFLECT FLOW PRO

The standard Reflect Flow have been some of our favourite workout headphones since they launched in 2019. JBL's newer, pricier, premium-er Pro pair replicate that success admirably.
They add active noise cancellation to the mix, along with ambient and TalkThru modes that make you more aware of your surroundings (handy while you're out running). They're dust-tight, and can be fully immersed in water, so won't be troubled by even the heaviest of downpours.
They sound pretty great too, with plenty of bounce to power you through that fifth mile. They're not quite as refined as a dedicated music pair, but for workout-focussed buds, they tick all the boxes.

BOSE QUIETCOMFORT EARBUDS

Historically, the vast majority of Bose's noise-cancelling headphones have been on- and over-ear designs, but the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds are up there with the very best true wireless models.
They're lightweight and we have no issues listening for hours at a time. For the average commute or exercise session (the QuietComforts are both sweat and weather-resistant) they are great to live with and they feel like a quality product too. Battery life is six hours from a single charge, with the charging case supplying an extra two charges, making 18 hours in total – decent, but by no means class-leading. Being able to customise some features and controls, and adjust the excellent noise-cancellation in the companion app, is very handy, though not mid-workout. Touch controls for volume are the icing on the cake.
The sense of enthusiasm and excitement conveyed by these workout headphones is highly infectious. There’s power, poise and a fantastic sense of dynamism. Bass notes sound full-bodied, go deep and the QuietComforts squeeze out lots of detail.

PANASONIC RZ-S500W

Panasonic isn't a brand that immediately springs to mind when you think of workout headphones. But the arrival of the RZ-S500W could change all that.
These 2021 Award-winners are its first true wireless models, and they're very impressive. Specs are thorough, with noise-cancelling tech, an Ambient Mode, twin mics for voice calls, and a battery life that totals 19.5 hours (6.5-hrs from the buds and 13-hrs from the charging case). And a 15-minute USB-C quick-charge can deliver 70 minutes of playback. The touch controls on each bud are responsive and intuitive, allowing you to control your music and switch between noise-cancelling modes with zero fuss. 
You also get five sizes of ear tips to help with fit. We found this a little hit and miss, so we would definitely experiment and consider mixing sizes.

HOW WE CHOOSE THE BEST WORKOUT HEADPHONES

We have state-of-the-art testing facilities in London, Reading and Bath, where our team of expert reviewers do all our testing. This gives us complete control over the testing process, ensuring consistency.
Of course, workout headphones demand to be tested out in the field, which is exactly what we do. We put them through their paces in a variety of scenarios, including exercise, commuting and in environments like cafes and offices. We pay particular attention to the sound quality, naturally, as well as noise-cancelling, if it features.
All products are tested in comparison with rival products in the same price category, and all review verdicts are agreed upon by the team as a whole rather than an individual reviewer, again helping to ensure consistency and avoid any personal preference.
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