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29 Best Audiophile Wireless Earbuds (Buyer’s Guide)

Wireless earbuds have grown in popularity in recent years, and there are now numerous high quality options available for the audiophile. 

The best audiophile wireless earbuds have high fidelity sound, long battery life, and other desirable features. Popular options such as the Apple AirPods Pro earbuds and the Sony WF-1000XM3 earbuds come with 24-bit depth and stereo sound and are water resistant. 

For this article, I’ve reviewed some of the best wireless earbuds on the market for audiophiles. Read on to learn what you should look for when choosing wireless earbuds and how to find the right ones for you. 

Best audiophile wireless earbuds

What To Look For in Wireless Earbuds

If you’re an audiophile or looking to become one, chances are you want a solid set of headphones that won’t distort sounds or create coloration. To ensure you find a pair that can deliver on this, there are some factors to consider. 

Sound Quality

Sound quality is the number one feature to look for in audiophile headphones, and high fidelity (Hi-Fi) sound is one of the better measures of quality to look for.

Hi-Fi sound is sound that closely replicates the original sound being recorded in every way, from the balance of different frequencies to the amount and type of echoing. 

Some audiophiles argue that Bluetooth can’t be Hi-Fi, but it depends on a few different things, for example, the definition of Hi-Fi.

There are new codecs and other technologies coming out all the time, so even though wired headphones are a better option regarding optimal audio quality, wireless models aren’t too far behind.

In many situations, wired earphones aren’t an option. Because of the super convenient form factor of wireless earbuds, they are extremely popular these days.

And to be honest, most people will not hear a difference between wireless and wired earphones the way they normally use them.

With that said, wireless earbuds can absolutely be something even many audiophiles would use frequently.

Finding high sound quality in an earbud means looking for something with powerful drivers for their size, that doesn’t compromise quality for size.

Drivers are the part of the headphones that convert electricity into sound. Basically, a magnet inside the driver creates a magnetic field, which moves a thin membrane called a diaphragm that converts the signal to sound. 

Historically, wireless earbuds haven’t had the best sound quality, notorious for a weak bass, and thin sound overall. They’ve also had problems with the volume either being distorted at high volumes or not being loud enough in general. 

Thankfully, wireless earbuds have improved in recent years, and now have more powerful drivers that produce a better sound quality.

Bigger drivers tend to produce better bass and greater amplitude, but small drivers can still be powerful overall, and do a better job with high notes.

Some headphones have multiple drivers dedicated to different frequencies, which creates some balance in the representation of high and low notes. 

Size and Comfort

Many overlook comfort as an important factor when choosing audiophile earbuds, as features of product performance tend to take higher precedence.

But if you’re going to be listening intently for long periods of time, you don’t want to be distracted by uncomfortable earbuds that may even hurt your ears

Earbuds should fit snugly in your ears and stay in place when you move. Also, they work better if they create a good seal when put into place, so finding your Goldilocks size is critical. 

Read more: 4 Common Reasons Why Earbuds Are Uncomfortable (+ Solutions)

Battery Life

Wireless earbuds use a considerable amount of battery power, especially those built to be long-lasting.

A typical battery life for wireless earbuds is about 6-8 hours, but it’s also possible to play audio from the portable charging station that comes with them.

Still, if you’re going to spend a long time listening, you might want to opt for a pair with an even longer battery life. 

Best Audiophile Wireless Earbuds on the Market

There are many wireless earbuds on the market, and without knowing what options are out there, you may end up paying much more for a pair when you don’t have to.

To spare you that trouble (and the research time) here are my reviews of some of the top audiophile wireless earbuds available on the market today. 

Jabra Elite Active 75T

The Jabra Elite Active 75T Wireless Earbuds were rated #1 among wireless earbuds by The New York Times in 2021 due to their great sound and comfortable fit.

They’re smaller and lighter than most wireless earbuds, and each earbud comes with playback buttons, volume control, and digital assistant access. 

These earbuds offer optional noise cancellation and a transparency mode that allows you to hear ambient noise as necessary. These earbuds are also water-resistant and long-lasting.

Audio Quality24-bit depth, Hi-Fi standard
Battery Life24-hr with charging case, 6 hr standalone
FeaturesFast-charging mode, noise cancellation technology, Bluetooth connectivity, snug fit

Sony WF-1000XM3

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Wireless Earbuds is a great choice for the audiophile, with 24-bit signal processing and a 24-hour battery life with the included charging case.

It offers noise-cancelling technology, and intuitive touch controls for volume control and playback. This set of earbuds runs on Bluetooth technology.

Audio Quality24-bit depth, Hi-Fi standard
Battery Life24-hr with charging case, 6 hr standalone
FeaturesFast-charging mode, noise cancellation technology, Bluetooth connectivity, snug fit

Cambridge Audio Melomania 

The Cambridge Audio Melomania Earbuds are British-made audiophile headphones, with 9 hours of playback without charging and graphene-enhanced 7mm (0.28in) drivers for extra power.

These earbuds are specifically engineered to play hi-fi music, and were tested by 3,000 people for a good fit.  

Audio Quality24-bit, better bass than average for earbuds
Battery Life45-hr with charging case, 9 hr standalone
FeaturesAbove average Bluetooth connection strength, precise and cohesive soundstage

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2

The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 in-Ear Buds have excellent surround sound and a deep bass for their size, plus active noise cancellation technology.

These earbuds have touch control playback built-in and are very comfortable for long listening sessions.

They’re a perfect option whether walking around a busy city or lounging at home. 

These earbuds are also sweat and water-resistant, which makes them a great choice for runs outside or other workouts. 

Audio Quality24-bit, better bass than average for earbuds
Battery Life28-hr with charging case, 7 hr standalone
FeaturesPrecise and cohesive soundstage, touch control, noise cancellation technology, water-resistant

Bose SoundSport Wireless

The Bose SoundSport Wireless Earbuds offer sweat-resistant stay-in-place technology for use during workouts, and up to 6 hours of battery life per each charge.

The sound is great, with a powerful bass. The controls are easy to use, and these can be connected via Bluetooth or NFC, for Android. 

Audio Quality24-bit, better bass than average for earbuds
Battery Life6 hr standalone
FeaturesStay in place during workouts, even when wet

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds are lightweight and practical, as well as sweat and water-resistant. They have customizable controls and adjustable noise cancellation, all accessible through the Bose companion app.

The bass in these earbuds is full-bodied and impressive for their size. Unfortunately, they are missing a basic volume control function.

These earbuds have extra processors for better sound, although this makes them bulkier than other earbuds. 

Audio Quality24-bit, better bass than average for earbuds
Battery Life18-hr with charging case, 6 hr standalone
FeaturesStay in place during workouts even when wet, adjustable noise-cancelling technology

JBL Reflect Flow

The JBL Reflect Flow Headphones have 30 hours of battery life plus a speed charge function, and come with a hardshell travel case for extra protection.

They’re also completely waterproof, not just water resistant, with an IPX7 rating. These earbuds have a tip and a fin that offer extra stability for active days. 

These earbuds also offer simple touch controls, like a tap on the left earbud that activates ambient mode and decreases the volume. 

Audio Quality24-bit
Battery Life20-hr with charging case, 10 hr standalone
FeaturesStay in place during workouts, completely waterproof, stable fit

JBL True Wireless Flash X

The JBL True Wireless Flash X Earbuds from Under Armour are designed for athletes with a waterproof design and snug fit.

This option comes with two special modes: TalkThru and Ambient Aware. With TalkThru, the music volume is lowered and the sound of speech is amplified so you can chat without taking out your earbuds or stopping your music.

Ambient Aware creates a more immersive music experience using emphasized bass while still picking up ambient sounds from your environment for your safety.

These earbuds can last up to 5 hours per charge, and 20 hours with the charging case. Plus, they come with three different sizes of ear tips and enhancers to ensure a proper fit.

Audio Quality24-bit, bass boosting mode optional
Battery Life20-hr with charging case, 5 hr standalone
FeaturesStay in place during workouts, completely waterproof, stable fit due to three available sizes with each purchase, talking mode for decreased music volume and increased speech volume

1More ColorBuds

The 1More ColorBuds Wireless Earbuds come with noise cancellation technology that can decrease the volume of everything besides speech.

They also come with autoplay and pause functions that pause when the headphones are taken out of the ear and begin playing again when put back in. These are sweat and water-resistant, ready for any workout or adventure. 

Audio Quality24-bit, voice boosting optional
Battery Life16-hr with charging case, 6 hr standalone
FeaturesAutoplay and pause functions, water-resistant, stylish, comfortable

JLab Audio Go Air

These JLab Audio Go Air Earbuds can be used together or independently and come with a microphone. This makes these earbuds great not just for listening to music, but also for making phone calls.

They come with 8mm (0.31in) drivers, bigger than average for earbuds, which results in a stronger bass and a fuller sound. 

These earbuds also have touch control sensors that can be used to set the listening mode, which itself includes a bass boosting mode and a balanced mode.

Or choose the more affordable model, the JLab Audio Go Air earbuds – great for the audiophile on a budget.

Audio QualityStrong bass, full sound due to 8mm (0.31in) drivers
Battery Life15-hr with charging case, 5 hr standalone
FeaturesSmall, water resistant, has different listening modes, touch control

Samsung Galaxy Buds Live

The Samsung Galaxy Buds Live Earbuds come with a 12mm (0.47in) speaker for extra volume and enhanced bass, along with stereo sound.

They also come with optional noise cancellation technology, activated either through touch control or through the accompanying app.

These are sometimes called “Bean Buds,” named for their stylish metallic bean-like design.

Audio QualityFull sound 12mm (0.47in) speakers
Battery Life6 hr standalone
FeaturesStylish design, optional noise cancellation technology, touch control

House of Marley Liberate Air

The House of Marley Liberate Air Earbuds are an eco-friendly choice, made with sustainably-sourced bamboo, sawdust, recycled aluminum, and recycled plastic bottles.

They’re a stylish option, with 9 hours of charge plus 23 more in the charging case. They come with a microphone, too, so you can make phone calls with decent audio quality.

Audio Quality24-bit
Battery Life32 hr with case, 9 hr standalone
FeaturesStylish design, eco-friendly construction

Bose SoundSport Free

The Bose SoundSport Free Wireless Headphones are comfortable to wear and meant to be worn for long periods of time. They’re also water-resistant and rugged, with earbud-mounted controls for easy access while running or otherwise active.

The sound is rich and full, with a weighty bass and clear high notes. 

Audio Quality24-bit, richness across a broad range of frequencies
Battery Life15 hr with case, 5 hr standalone
FeaturesGreat for workouts, in-earbud controls, water resistant

EarFun Air

The EarFun Air Wireless Earbuds are an affordable choice and great-sounding. They’re fully waterproof, and can survive being totally submerged in water for up to 30 minutes.

They can be used for music or phone calls, and have a solid Bluetooth 5.0 connection.

Audio Quality24-bit
Battery Life35 hr with case, 7 hr standalone
FeaturesAffordable, waterproof, high quality Bluetooth connection

Sony WF-SP800N

The Sony WF-SP800N Wireless Headphones come with two types of tips, silicone, and memory foam in three different sizes. The memory foam tips are noise-cancelling, and especially good for intense listening. 

These also come with bass boosting technology, and an ambient sound mode that allows you to hear voices and other major sounds from your environment.

This mode is also adjustable through adaptive sound control, a feature that detects your movement to determine what ambient sound settings are appropriate. 

Audio QualityBoosted bass but slightly coarse
Battery Life18 hr with case 
FeaturesAmbient mode, adaptive sound control, paired application

Apple AirPods Pro

The Apple AirPods Pro produces notably better sound than previous versions of the Apple AirPods, with an equalizer that tunes sound according to the shape of your ear. These are sweat and water resistant and have noise cancellation technology.

They also have transparency mode – a feature that permits strong ambient sounds – plus a microphone, and they allow access to Siri.

These earbuds come with a force sensor, which recognizes a squeeze on the earbud stems. This is used to activate Siri, answer calls, or skip a track. However, your main device must be used to adjust volume. 

Audio Quality24-bit, balanced sound due to high quality equalizer
Battery Life24 hr with case 
FeaturesHigh quality noise-cancelling, equalizer that conforms to the shape of your ear, force sensor, water resistant

Bowers & Wilkins PI3

The Bowers & Wilkins PI3 Wireless Headphones have a full sound with a strong bass, a good fit for any genre of music. These are water-resistant and have a long 8-hr battery life with a quick charge function.

The notable downside to these earbuds, however, is that they do not come with multiple ear tips and are one-size-fits-all. 

Audio QualityFull sound, bass boosted
Battery Life8 hr standalone
FeaturesQuick charge function, water-resistant

Master & Dynamic MW07 Go

These Master & Dynamic MW07 GO Earphones are water resistant with a stable fit, ideal for physical activity. They’re highly durable with a long battery life, and can connect up to 100ft (30.48m) away from the device.

These come with comfortable slotted silicone ear fins that keep them in place even while running and jumping.

Audio Quality24-bit
Battery Life22 hr with case, 10 hr standalone
FeaturesWater resistant, stable fit, volume and playback controls on earbud

Beats Powerbeats Pro

The Beats Powerbeats Pro Earbuds were rated as the top wireless earbuds for Apple users by The New York Times due to their special Apple-pairing benefits.

The sound is excellent, and the battery is long-lasting. These earbuds are also water resistant for easy use while sweating or when caught in the rain. 

Audio Quality24-bit, clearer and fuller than average
Battery Life27 hr with case, 9 hr standalone
FeaturesWater resistant, Apple device pairing, super-secure fit

Creative Outlier Gold

The Creative Outlier Gold Earphones has an exceptionally long, 14-hour battery life, plus another 25 hrs of charge in the charging case.

They have 5.6mm (0.22in) graphene drivers, and the latest Bluetooth 5.0 technology for the best possible connection. Resistant to water, these earbuds are safe to wear in the rain or when you’re working up a sweat. 

Both earbuds are fitted with microphones, giving you the option of talking with just one earbud or with two. 

Audio Quality5.6mm (0.22in) graphene drivers
Battery Life39 hr with case, 14 hr standalone
FeaturesWater resistant, long battery life, Bluetooth 5.0, Use with Siri or Google Assistant

Jaybird Vista

The Jaybird Vista Wireless Earbuds are made for athletics, with a secure fit and waterproofing technology. They come with three sizes of interchangeable ear gels to ensure a good fit. Plus, they feature 6mm (0.24in) drivers and equalizer settings for a powerful listening experience. 

An added bonus of the Jaybird Vista is their “Find My Buds” technology, which allows you to pinpoint the exact location of a missing earbud.

Audio Quality6mm (0.24in) drivers, equalizer settings available through paired app
Battery Life16 hr with case, 6 hr standalone
FeaturesWaterproof, reliable connection, equalizer control

RHA Trueconnect

RHA Trueconnect Wireless Earbuds are a budget-friendly option with a 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz frequency range, as wide as the range of human hearing.

They come with foam and silicone tips for comfort and stability, and are water resistant. The drivers are 6mm (0.24in) in size, and these use Bluetooth 5.0 technology.

The RHA TrueConnect earbuds also come with a microphone and digital assistant control, as well as high quality sound for phone calls. 

Audio Quality20 Hz – 20,000 Hz frequency range, 6mm (0.24in) drivers
Battery Life25 hr with case, 5 hr standalone
FeaturesWater resistant, Bluetooth 5.0 technology

Skullcandy Sesh Evo

The Skullcandy Sesh Evo Wireless Earbuds were rated as the best pair of wireless earbuds under $100 by The New York Times in 2021. They come with a 24-hr battery and a rapid charge. You can also choose different equalization modes for movies, music, and podcasts.

These earbuds are water resistant and stable-fitting, and they can be used either together or solo. 

Audio QualityBass-forward, full sound
Battery Life24 hr with case, 5 hr standalone
FeaturesWater resistant, individual bud use, easy controls, varied equalizer settings for different uses

Technics EAH-AZ70W-S

The Technics EAH-AZ70W-S Wireless Earbuds come with high quality, Hi-Fi sound, with 10mm (0.39in) drivers and a graphene-coated diaphragm. This gives the sound a smooth, full feeling, complete with responsive bass and detailed highs.

These earbuds also have advanced noise cancelling technology and use both analog and digital processing to filter out noise. 

Additionally, they have touch control for volume, playback, and phone call handling. They’re also water resistant and compatible with Alexa. 

Audio QualityHigh fidelity, 10mm (0.39in) drivers
Battery Life20 hr with case, 6.5 hr standalone
FeaturesWater resistant, voice assistant connection, analog and digital noise suppression

Upsides of Wireless Earbuds

With so many kinds of headphones on the market today – and so many being good options -wireless earbuds can easily be overlooked. But this practical technology has some particular benefits to think about.

Wireless Earbuds Are Portable 

Wireless earbuds and their charging cases are both very portable and able to travel with you anywhere.

They’re small and easy to wear around in public places, unlike a hefty pair of over-the-ear headphones. This makes them great to use for active activities like running, too. 

Wireless Earbuds Are Comfortable

In-ear headphones have the added benefit of not relying on heavy headgear. They sit in the ear and stay there, with no cords getting in the way as you move around.

Some earbuds are built to be particularly comfortable, whether you’re using them while working out or for focused listening for long periods of time. 

Downsides of Wireless Earbuds

Although wireless earbuds are extremely convenient and comfortable to use, there are downsides, as there are to everything.

If you’re an audiophile who prefers listening to only the highest quality sound, you might consider headphones that don’t rely heavily on a Bluetooth connection.

Wireless Earbuds Are Dependent on Bluetooth

Almost every pair of wireless headphones on the market seems to boast a Bluetooth connection. While this is convenient (and sometimes necessary), there is some inevitable data loss in the process of transmitting audio over Bluetooth radio waves.

This is because the audio files must be compressed and then sent through the narrow bandwidth of the Bluetooth speaker. 

In contrast, Wi-Fi allows your speakers to access the direct source of the audio online, playing the original lossless files instead of a compressed version.

Lossless files are files that are not compressed, like FLAC or ALAC files. Lossy files, like MP3s, are compressed. Compression is usually for the purpose of saving storage space. 

Read more: 320 KBPS vs. Lossless Audio: The Differences Explained

Wi-Fi will generally give you better results, but it can be hard to find wireless earbuds that connect via the internet; Wi-Fi hubs are also tricky to come by. So unless you’re at home or somewhere with public Wi-Fi, you’re probably going to need Bluetooth. 

Wireless Earbuds Are Easy To Lose

You might think that no one in their right mind would lose an earbud worth a hundred dollars or more, but it’s surprisingly common to lose these small devices.

If you do make the choice to purchase wireless earbuds, be sure to keep them in their case whenever they’re not in use. 

Are Wireless Earbuds Worth the Money?

Wireless earbuds are considered worth the money more by audiophiles than anyone else. For an audiophile on the go, wireless earbuds offer a uniquely useful audio solution.

With high-quality wireless earbuds, you can listen to your favorite music on the go without much loss in audio quality.

Just make sure to purchase a pair with big enough drivers to not lose low bass and to power louder volumes. 

With all that said, if you’re looking for the best headphones designed for an audiophile, and you aren’t concerned about what they’ll be like on the go, it’d be wise to invest in something that connects directly or through wifi, like a set of over-the-ear headphones or a set of speakers.

Related article: Why Do Headphones Sound Better Than Speakers?

With every set of wireless headphones that use Bluetooth, there is some loss in quality.

Conclusion

Some of the best audiophile wireless earbuds include many long-lasting, water resistant models with high fidelity sound.

Although some quality is lost in any Bluetooth transmission, these earbuds still offer great sound and represent the best that Bluetooth-linked earbuds have to offer.