Some of the most sophisticated audio technology on the market can be found in the finest true wireless earbuds available today. Getting rid of cables doesn’t have to mean sacrificing sound quality these days.
Some of these earbuds can compete with the top options in our best over-ear headphones guide in terms of audio quality while being tiny and compact.
The finest true wireless earbuds, also known as TWS earbuds (True Wireless Stereo), aren’t the same as the technology described in our best wireless earbuds article. Instead, truly wireless buds are fully cable-free, with nothing connecting one bud to the next.
Some people prefer this style since it is more handy and flexible, but it is more difficult to lose. If you are interested in these models, keep reading our 3 Best Wireless Earbuds that Work Independently review for more information below.
Our Top Pick: Bose Sport Earbuds
Description: The Bose Sports Earbuds are a cross between the current QuietComfort Earbuds and an earlier set of Bose true wireless earbuds, the SoundSport Free.
Features: The housings are a little smaller and rounder than the ones that come with the QuietComfort, but they still protrude just as far from your ears. They don’t seem ludicrous, though, and are far more modest in appearance than the SoundSport Free, while being nowhere near as compact as a competitor like the Sony LinkBuds S.
The Bose Sport Earbuds have a more affordable feel than their brothers, thanks to the use of a more durable material on the contact surfaces.
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Of course, this is to be anticipated. They’re also a little lighter than the QuietComforts, at 6.75g. As has lately become the norm for Bose wireless buds, you are only given three distinct sizes of silicone ear tips.
We’d generally criticize this selection for being fairly restricted if it weren’t for the fact that we can usually locate a size that works. The combination of big, soft, and malleable silicone pads and similarly soft wing tips enable the headphones to sit firmly in place without having to be entirely pushed into your ear canal.
It also makes people more comfortable during long durations of listening. The isolation afforded by the Bose in-ears is adequate, but we’d be lying if we said we didn’t miss the QuietComfort Earbuds’ efficacy and a layer of noise-canceling.
Yes, they’re more pricey, but noise-canceling earphones at this price point aren’t unheard of. As an example, consider the outstanding JBL Reflect Flow Pro.
The Sport Earbuds have an IP4 classification, which means they’re sweat and weather-resistant, so you shouldn’t have any issues if you’re out on your monthly 5K run and get caught in light rain.
The battery life is an average of five hours per charge, with the carry case offering two additional full charges for a total of 15 hours.
The Bose Sport Earbuds come with a slightly shallower and thinner travel case than the QuietComfort Earbuds. However, due to the way the buds are positioned within, it is somewhat longer.
A bank of five LEDs on the front indicates how much battery life is left in the case, and an interior pairing button must be pressed every time you wish to connect the buds to a new source.
Pros
- Delivery with zeal
- A well-balanced presentation
- Bass with heft and agility
Cons
- Minor connectivity concerns
Runner Up: Sony WF-1000XM3
Description: Wireless earbuds are plentiful, and the Sony WF-1000XM3 makes them easy to justify. The design and comfort are excellent, and the connection strength is reliable.
Features: While the lack of aptX or LDAC compatibility is a significant disadvantage, DSEE HX processing enhances the sound of low-quality audio files. The WF-1000XM3 should be at the top of your choice if you want attractive active noise canceling (ANC) earphones.
To begin, judge a book by its cover: whether you choose the silver or black variant, these earphones exude class. Sony’s confidence in its latest product is reflected in the minimalist design.
The pill-shaped earbuds feature three contact points to distribute pressure pleasantly throughout the outer ear. When combined with the default ear tips, they are by far the comfiest earbuds we’ve ever used.
To combat external noise, the earbuds use a dual-microphone array. This improved solution outperforms the company’s WF-SP800N noise cancelling earphones, although that’s not saying much.
A QN1e processor is also included in the WF-1000XM3. This allows for 24-bit audio signal processing while also functioning as a DAC.
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Sony believes that this enhances energy efficiency, allowing you to listen for longer periods of time. You can engage in a conversation without removing the earphones, much like its over-ear sister.
Holding a finger over the left earbud reduces the loudness while allowing ambient sounds to get through. It works, but it feels more impolite than simply removing an earpiece. After all, the AirPods (3rd generation), Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro, and Beats Powerbeats Pro all offer automated ear identification.
This enables the proximity sensor in each earbud to detect insertion and withdrawal, allowing music to be played and paused accordingly. Touch controls are available on both earbuds. Double-tapping the left earbud toggles between noise canceling and ambient sound modes by default, while double-tapping the right earbud skips tunes.
You may customize the controls to call your preferred speech assistant, such as Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, or Apple’s Siri. You may remap these functionalities with the Sony Headphones Connect app.
The earbuds will work without the Headphones Connect (iOS/Android) software. You’ll need to download it if you want to EQ the sound, alter the settings, or make other changes.
Pros
- Audio quality
- Integration of Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa
- Modern style
- Auto play/pause
- Touch controllers with adaptive sound
Cons
- Expensive
Best for Budget: Samsung Galaxy Buds SAMSM-R170NZWAXAR
Description: Without a doubt, these are an ideal complement to the Samsung Galaxy S10 series. The earbuds’ impressive battery life sets them apart from the pack of truly wireless rivals, while their simple touch controls make fast instructions a snap.
Features: The Samsung Galaxy Buds are still a great pair of true wireless earbuds to go along with the popular Samsung Galaxy smartphone range. The Galaxy Buds are a terrific pick with a few acceptable flaws, whether you’re a casual listener or a committed wireless enthusiast.
Because the Galaxy Buds were a gift for individuals who pre-ordered the Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10+, they are only available to owners of the Samsung Galaxy S10. This does not restrict the earphones from being used with other Android or iPhone devices.
In reality, these genuine wireless earbuds are AAC Bluetooth codec compliant, reducing detectable latency when used with iPhones.
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The Galaxy Buds, like the Jaybird Vista, are made entirely of plastic. The earphones’ edgeless design gives them a whimsical appearance, while the rounded triangle touch screens provide adequate real estate to execute instructions without making frequent errors. The lack of onboard storage distinguishes the Galaxy Buds from the Gear IconX.
Samsung is built in a dual-microphone array that works by alternating between the microphones to reduce background noise and clearly communicate your speech. This worked nicely in practice.
Unfortunately, the earphones still struggle outside in severe gusts, although they can handle background talk in a coffee shop.
The charging case is a simple, oblong piece of plastic that opens hamburger-style. Its inside has only enough space to accommodate the earbud charging inlets. The exterior has a single LED indicator that illuminates red, green, or yellow to warn listeners of the battery level, while the rear has a USB-C charging connector.
If you forget the cable or don’t want to use it, you may set it on top of your Samsung Galaxy S10 version; just make sure the Wireless PowerShare option is enabled in the notification tray first.
Touch panels allow for call and playback controls, virtual assistant access, and the activation of the Ambient Sound mode. The Galaxy Buds, like the Sony WF-1000XM3, allow you to hear your surroundings, keeping you safe.
Pros
- Bluetooth 5.0 with AAC and scalability
- PowerShare and wireless charging are supported
Cons
- There is no aptX support
Buyer’s Guide for 3 Best Wireless Earbuds that Work Independently
If you’ve gotten this far in determining that you actually need genuine wireless earbuds rather to anything over-ear or even corded, you’ve accomplished one important step in the shopping process.
Now that you’ve gotten that far, you need to consider how you want to use them. Some of the earbuds listed above are more suited to wear while working out or exercising, while others are better suited to wearing when commuting or lounging at home.
It’s also a good idea to consider your priorities. Do you want a pair with excellent active noise suppression to help you stay focused while traveling? Or are you more concerned about superb audio quality while you’re sitting at home listening to a new album?
It also depends on how you want to use the extra capabilities, such as voice assistant controls or an app to customize. Not everyone needs to be able to adjust an equalizer for themselves, but if you are, you will be dissatisfied by a lack of customizing options.
Last but not least, consider your budget. Many of the true wireless earbuds described here are priced differently, and it’s critical not to pay more than you can afford, but also not to spend too little.
Only you know how frequently you’ll use them and if it’s worth investing a significant sum of money on new genuine wireless earbuds.
What is the difference between true wireless and wireless?
Wireless headphones are standard over-ear or on-ear headphones that do not have a cable connecting the two earcups – the two earcups are connected by a headband. Visit our best wireless headphones article to learn more.
Wireless earphones have been around for a while since Bluetooth was created. Despite the fact that they are battery-powered and not physically attached to your phone, they feature a cable that connects both buds — and occasionally a band around the neck as well. For more information, see our best wireless earbuds guide.
True wireless earbuds, which are the subject of this tutorial, contain no cable at all. While wireless headphones allow us to wear them a few feet away from our music players, fully wireless eliminates the cable between the earphones, allowing us complete independence.
Why do wireless earbuds last such little time?
If you’ve been looking at over-ear headphones, you may have noticed that they have a far longer battery life than wireless earbuds. It’s simply a matter of proportion. Over-ear headphones are heavier and bulkier, allowing for more space for a strong battery.
Because earbuds are tiny, their batteries are also small. They rely largely on charging cases to guarantee you don’t run out of juice while on the go, which isn’t always handy if you need to use them both according to this 3 Best Wireless Earbuds that Work Independently review.
Fortunately, earbud battery life is continually increasing, so most users will be able to use them even on lengthy travels without needing to recharge as frequently as in the past.
Is it worthwhile to purchase wireless earbuds?
Yes. Wireless earbuds are a significant advance over standard wired earphones, since they eliminate cords and allow for more flexibility of movement while maintaining music quality.
Not only are 3.5mm audio jacks becoming increasingly scarce on phones, but improved earbud designs and adjustable silicon tips allow for a snug fit, ensuring your new earbuds don’t slip out and go missing according to this 3 Best Wireless Earbuds that Work Independently review.
Is it better to buy wireless earbuds or headphones?
That is dependent on how you want to use them. Earbuds offer an advantage over headphones for runners since they are less cumbersome and will not slide off your head as you start to sweat.
Some genuine wireless earbuds, such as the Beats powerbeats pro (£218.97, Johnlewis.com), include flexible winged hooks to keep them in place during vigorous exercises, but you might also pick athletic earbuds connected by a single wire that runs over the back of your neck.
These allow you to remove your earphones without having to pocket or store themaccording to this 3 Best Wireless Earbuds that Work Independently review.
What features should I look for in wireless earbuds?
When purchasing wireless earphones, battery life is a crucial consideration. Although the charging case may have a huge battery capacity, ensure that the earphones themselves can last a day.
If you commute or live in a congested area, noise-canceling headphones are essential. Some earbuds claim to be “noise-isolating,” which basically means they make a tight seal in your ears to filter out some sound.
The finest noise-canceling technology is “active noise-canceling,” which utilizes the microphone on the earbuds to listen to external noise as it enters the ear and then actively disrupts the soundwaves to minimize noise according to this 3 Best Wireless Earbuds that Work Independently review.
Do wireless earbuds feature microphones for taking phone calls while on the go?
True wireless earbuds include a microphone built into the case, with the majority of models having one mic in each earpiece. Wireless headphones typically have a microphone in the connecting band, allowing you to take calls while on the road.
Design of earbuds
Earbuds come in a variety of forms, but the bulk of them should adhere to two fundamental designs: stemmed and stem-less earbuds. The stem of an earbud is the component that hangs outside your ear, generally pointing downwards.
Both systems offer advantages, and it is up to you to choose which one is more appropriate for your use cases according to this 3 Best Wireless Earbuds that Work Independently review.
The main microphone on most stemmed earbuds is located at the tip of the stem. Because the stem allows the microphone to be closer to the lips, these earbuds typically provide a better calling experience.
Non-stemmed earphones are usually always more compact and light, allowing for improved comfort over long periods of usage and making them excellent for the gym.
Case layout
The charging case of the buds is one of the most ignored components when selecting a set of TWS earbuds. However, the case is just as vital to the whole experience. In terms of design and structure, flat-bottom cases, such as the Nothing ear (1), allow you to set the case on most surfaces without it swaying or, worse, dropping.
Curved cases may appear more attractive, but they may be more difficult to store when not in use. You’ll also want a case with the same charging connector as your phone, which is usually a USB Type-C socket these days according to this 3 Best Wireless Earbuds that Work Independently review.
If you’re concerned about aesthetics, choose matte-finish textured cases over casings with a glossy outer layer that is easily scratched. Pay attention to details such as charging indication LEDs and a stable hinge on the casing.
Audio and microphone quality
A variety of low-cost audio equipment might surprise you with excellent audio quality for the price. However, you will have to rely on third-party evaluations to determine which ones deliver on this critical component according to this 3 Best Wireless Earbuds that Work Independently review.
Always read multiple reviews for a product and, if possible, try it out in a store before making a purchase. What you should ideally be searching for are earbuds with a balanced sound profile, meaning they are neither overly heavy on the bass nor the highs (unless that is what you specifically desire).
A well-balanced sound signature will allow you to appreciate music from all genres. Look for earphones that have adjustable sound via a companion app according to this 3 Best Wireless Earbuds that Work Independently review.
Earbuds such as the Dizo Buds Z Pro will allow you to set your sound tuning as well as control other functions like gestures and ANC through an app.
Finally, don’t forget to verify the earbuds’ microphone quality. While strong sound output may be your prime objective, superb sound reception earbuds will allow you to make much better, clearer voice and video calls, particularly during Zoom meetings or other conferences.
Connectivity
Strong, dependable connectivity is another factor you will almost certainly have to test yourself at a store or rely on reviews for. You don’t want to get a set of earbuds that have a lot of functions but constantly disconnect on their own or if there is a single concrete wall between you and the audio source according to this 3 Best Wireless Earbuds that Work Independently review.
Earbuds with strong connectivity will keep your phone connected at all times. While capabilities like dual-device support may be difficult to come by at this price point, there may be outliers.
Noise reduction
Noise cancellation is one of the most desired features today, and budget companies frequently use the noise cancellation hype to offer products with subpar ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) or cheaper solutions like ENC according to this 3 Best Wireless Earbuds that Work Independently review.
You may learn more about the differences between ANC and ENC here, but know that ANC is most likely what you’re searching for when you think of noise cancellation.
Conclusion: 3 Best Wireless Earbuds that Work Independently [2022 Review]
Bose outperformed all competitors with amazing audio, remarkable noise cancellation, and excellent design. However, there are several excellent earbuds on this list, including Sony quiet comfort buds and Samsung’s buds. We hope you liked our 3 Best Wireless Earbuds that Work Independently review and it was helpful.