Deserved or not, Apple has turned AirPods into the default alternative for many iPhone house owners available in the market for brand new wireless earbuds. However in case you’re one of many hundreds of thousands who’ve an Android smartphone, determining which set to seize isn’t as apparent. In the event you want a hand, permit us to level you in the fitting course. We’ve examined and reviewed dozens of wi-fi earbuds through the years and damaged down our favourite choices for Android customers beneath. Whether or not you employ a Galaxy or a Pixel telephone, and whether or not you need one thing for the fitness center or your morning commute, listed below are one of the best AirPods options for Android.
Desk of contents
Greatest Android earbuds for 2025
Energetic noise cancellation: Sure | Wi-fi charging: Sure | Water resistance: IPX4 | Multipoint connectivity: Sure (2 gadgets) | Put on detection: Sure | Max battery life (rated): 12 hrs, 24 hrs w/ case | Codecs: SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 | Guarantee: 1 yr
Learn our full Sony WF-1000XM5 review
The Sony WF-1000XM5 hit on nearly every part we would like from a premium set of Bluetooth earbuds. Their small, rounded design ought to really feel comfy and safe in most ears. They’re practically unmatched at muting outdoors noise, due to a robust ANC characteristic and reminiscence foam eartips that do a exceptional job of isolating sound passively. They sound nice out of the field, particularly in case you like a hotter profile with elevated bass, however you possibly can simply customise the EQ curve by Sony’s app, and so they do effectively to attract out treble-range element both means. They’re additionally loaded with additional options, together with multipoint connectivity, Google Quick Pair, LDAC and spatial audio help, the flexibility to swap between ANC and ambient sound (or “transparency”) modes robotically and extra. The wi-fi charging case is conveniently tiny, whereas the eight- to 12-hour battery life provides little to complain about.
Nonetheless, the XM5s nonetheless aren’t a complete slam dunk. The built-in mics aren’t the clearest for telephone calls. The IPX4 water-resistance score could possibly be larger. Some folks may discover the reminiscence foam eartips just a little too full-feeling. Additionally they have a listing value of $330, which is way from reasonably priced. However no different wi-fi earbuds we’ve examined have managed to tick so many containers.
- Sturdy, customizable audio high quality
- Must be comfy to most
- A great deal of useful bonus options
- Stellar noise isolation
- Costly
- Reminiscence foam eartips aren’t for everybody
- No battery life enchancment over predecessor
Picture by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Energetic noise cancellation: Sure | Wi-fi charging: Sure | Water resistance: IPX4 | Multipoint connectivity: Sure (2 gadgets) | Put on detection: No | Max battery life (rated): 10 hrs, 50 hrs w/ case | Codecs: SBC, AAC, LDAC | Guarantee: 18 months
Learn our information to the best budget wireless earbuds
In the event you don’t have tons of to spend, our favourite wi-fi earbuds within the price range bracket are the Anker Soundcore Space A40. Incessantly priced between $45 and $60, this pair has the type of options we’d anticipate from earbuds that price twice as a lot: genuinely highly effective ANC, multipoint connectivity, wi-fi charging, a stable eight to 10 hours of battery life, LDAC help, respectable (if not nice) IPX4 water resistance and a usable ambient sound mode. They don’t have essentially the most resolving or detail-rich sound of the field, unsurprisingly, however their heat profile gives nice, thumpy bass with out completely blowing out the low-end. If you wish to add extra treble presence, you possibly can customise the EQ by a clear and easy-to-read companion app. The precise earpieces are small, spherical and cozy as effectively.
The principle trade-off is name high quality, because the built-in mic can lose your voice in noisy environments and doesn’t deal with sibilant sounds very effectively. There’s no put on detection both, so your music received’t auto-pause whenever you take away an earbud. Additionally they don’t help Google’s Quick Pair tech, although the earbuds ought to bear in mind your system and robotically reconnect after you pair them for the primary time. However for the value level, it’s onerous to complain.
- Wonderful ANC for the value
- Heat, nice sound
- Snug and compact
- Good battery life
- No computerized put on detection
- Mediocre name high quality
- Does not sound as detailed as higher-end choices (as anticipated)
Billy Steele for Engadget
Energetic noise cancellation: Sure | Wi-fi charging: Sure | Water resistance: No IPX score | Multipoint connectivity: Sure (2 gadgets) | Put on detection: No | Max battery life (rated): 7 hrs, 47 hrs w/ case | Codecs: SBC, AAC, LDAC, aptX Adaptive | Guarantee: 1 yr
Learn our full Noble FoKus Rex5 review
Figuring out which set of headphones has the “finest” sound high quality is a idiot’s errand — on the finish of the day, it’ll all the time come down to non-public style. But when we needed to choose one pair we’ve significantly loved for music, it’d be the Noble FoKus Rex5. Its distinctive five-driver design helps it draw out a exceptional stage of element and correctly separate the instrumentation in any given monitor. It’s a balanced sound profile, with tight however not overindulgent bass, a natural-sounding midrange and relaxed highs that don’t fatigue over time. The soundstage is wider than most true wi-fi earbuds we’ve examined, whereas help for LDAC and aptX Adaptive solely help with element retrieval. You’ll be able to set a private EQ in case you want it, however we’ve discovered the inventory tuning to go well with any style effectively by default.
The FoKus Rex5 helps ANC and multipoint connectivity, whereas its IEM-style, metal-and-acrylic housing suits comfortably within the ear. However you’d purchase it for the sound high quality at the start: Noise cancellation isn’t on Sony’s stage, the ultra-green end isn’t for everybody, the five- to seven-hour battery life isn’t very best and there’s no auto-pausing whenever you take away an earbud. Most prohibitively, this stuff are rattling costly at $449. If you need one thing a little much less expensive, the Technics AZ100 and Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 are compelling (if bassier) choices as effectively. However for self-proclaimed audiophiles with money to burn, the FoKus Rex5 are a deal with.
- Detailed, immersive sound
- Snug match
- Customized audio profiles that save on to the buds
- Very costly
- Only one colour and it isn’t for everybody
- Subpar ANC efficiency
Picture by Billy Steele / Engadget
Energetic noise cancellation: Sure | Wi-fi charging: No | Water resistance: IPX4 | Multipoint connectivity: No | Put on detection: Sure | Max battery life (rated): 6 hrs, 24 hrs w/ case | Codecs: SBC, AAC | Guarantee: 1 yr
Learn our full Beats Fit Pro review
Most of our picks above will work simply nice within the fitness center, however in case you’re shopping for a pair for exercises at the start, attempt the Beats Fit Pro. Sure, we’re recommending a set of Apple-made earbuds in an Android shopping for information. However whereas they work finest with iPhones, most of their AirPods-style options are additionally obtainable on Android by the Beats app. You’ll be able to pair them with one faucet by a pop-up card, view a map with their final identified location, swap between ANC and ambient sound modes from the house display screen, remap controls and verify their battery stage from the notification tray. There’s no hi-res codec help, however normally the drop-off from iOS to Android isn’t practically as nice right here as it’s with AirPods.
The principle motive we suggest the Match Professional is their light-weight design, which is provided with flexible silicone fins that hold the earbuds safe in place whilst you’re shifting round. Their IPX4 water-resistance score isn’t one of the best, nevertheless it ought to be sufficient for all however the sweatiest gymgoers. (Simply don’t use them within the pool.) We additionally like that the Match Professional makes use of bodily buttons to regulate quantity or skip tracks, since contact controls can really feel finicky whenever you’re attempting to maintain up with a exercise. Their punchy sound is well-suited to the fitness center as effectively, with a noticeable however not overwhelming push within the bass and treble. It’s not one for purists, nevertheless it’s energetic.
In the event you aren’t particularly searching for exercise earbuds, you possibly can nonetheless do higher. The Match Professional lack wi-fi charging and multipoint connectivity, and there’s no method to customise the EQ in case you don’t just like the default sound. Their built-in mics aren’t something particular for telephone calls, and the five- to six-hour battery life is on the sting of satisfactory. The charging case is considerably massive as effectively. Plus, whereas the ANC mode is beneficial sufficient for tamping down the noise of a fitness center, it’s a transparent step down from one of the best choices in the marketplace.
- Safe match for exercises
- Punchy sound is well-suited to the fitness center
- Bodily management buttons
- No wi-fi charging or multipoint connectivity
- Battery life is simply OK
- ANC is not nice however nothing particular
Picture by Billy Steele / Engadget
Energetic noise cancellation: Sure | Wi-fi charging: Sure | Water resistance: IP54 (IPX4 for case) | Multipoint connectivity: Sure (2 gadgets) | Put on detection: Sure | Max battery life (rated): 12 hrs, 48 hrs w/ case | Codecs: SBC, AAC | Guarantee: 1 yr
Learn our full Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 review
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are explicitly designed to work in concord with different Pixel gadgets, so that they’re price contemplating in case you’re a devoted fan of Google’s telephones. They arrive with a bunch of helpful bonus options, from remote ringing and a “conversation detection” mode to a customizable EQ and automatic switching between gadgets paired to your Google account. (You additionally get hands-free entry to Google’s Gemini AI bot, although we wouldn’t name that important.) You’ll be able to nonetheless entry a lot of the Pixel Buds’ perks on different Android gadgets by downloading a separate app, however the entire performance is baked into Pixel telephones natively. This implies you possibly can handle the earbuds, verify battery standing and the like proper out of your system’s settings menus. It’s much like how Apple integrates AirPods with iOS.
The earbuds themselves are completely competent past that, with a tiny but comfy design, respectable ANC for the value, eight-ish hours of battery life, satisfactory name high quality and an fulfilling sound with punchy bass and prolonged treble. That mentioned, you’ll nonetheless get richer audio high quality and extra strong noise cancellation from our Sony and Noble picks above, so those that aren’t all-in on Google {hardware} can be at liberty to look elsewhere.
- Tight integration with Pixel telephones
- Tiny, comfortable design
- Agreeable sound
- Smaller contact panels require precision
- ANC is not on par with Sony WF-1000XM5
Picture by Billy Steele / Engadget
Energetic noise cancellation: Sure | Wi-fi charging: Sure | Water resistance: IP57 | Multipoint connectivity: No | Put on detection: Sure | Max battery life (rated): 7 hrs, 30 hrs w/ case | Codecs: SBC, AAC, SSC, SSC-UHQ | Guarantee: 1 yr
Learn our full Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro review
Alongside these strains, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are to Galaxy telephones what the Pixel Buds Professional 2 are to Pixel telephones. Utilizing them with a Samsung handset unlocks just a few ecosystem-specific perks, together with the hi-res Samsung Seamless codec, a real-time translation device and a “Sport Mode” that reduces latency. That’s on high of options like spatial audio, a graphic EQ, a misplaced system finder, adaptive ANC, simplified voice instructions and computerized switching between Samsung gadgets.
This sort of walled backyard method is irritating; bear in mind when you could possibly plug your headphones into any system and it’d work the identical means each time? However, as with the Pixel Buds and AirPods, the Galaxy Buds 3 Professional are undeniably handy in case you’ve already purchased into their chosen platform.
The remainder of the package deal will get extra proper than unsuitable, although there are some points price calling out. The stem-style design just about rips off the AirPods Professional — that is significantly evident with the white end — however provides bizarre, pointless LED strips down the stems. It’s comfy, however Samsung isn’t beating the copycat allegations right here. The ANC isn’t on par with the Sony XM5s both, and the six-hour battery life is shorter than many different premium pairs. There’s additionally no hi-res codec help with non-Samsung telephones. On the plus facet, the ambient sound mode works effectively. And most significantly, this stuff sound wonderful out of the field, with full, meaty bass complemented by amply detailed highs and upper-mids.
It’s price noting that Samsung froze shipments of the Galaxy Buds 3 Professional proper round launch resulting from high quality management considerations (primarily relating to the inventory eartips), however these look to have been resolved, and we haven’t seen something out of the peculiar with our evaluate unit.
- Tight integration with Samsung telephones
- Nice audio high quality
- Comfortable match
- Pure ambient sound
- Want a Samsung telephone to get essentially the most out of them
- Battery life is shorter than some rivals
- Copycat design with gimmicky LED lights
What to search for in wi-fi earbuds for Android gadgets
A number of wi-fi earbuds sit organized in rows on a granite background.
(Picture by Jeff Dunn / Engadget)
For essentially the most half, the options you need from a set of “Android earbuds” are the identical as what you need from any headphones. Nice sound high quality, a snug match and adequate battery life are nonetheless the foundations. Ample water resistance is sweet for exercises, and no one desires a crummy mic for making calls. When you method the $100 vary, options like lively noise cancellation (ANC), wi-fi charging, an ambient sound mode (which helps you to higher hear outdoors noise with out turning off your music) and multipoint connectivity (the flexibility to pair with a number of gadgets concurrently) ought to be anticipated.
For Android gadgets particularly, there are just a few extras to contemplate. A devoted app that makes it simple to change sound modes, customise the audio profile, find your earbuds in the event that they ever get misplaced or alter different settings is strongly most popular. Options like Google Fast Pair or NFC-based pairing, which might help you keep away from having to dig by your Bluetooth menu to attach your earbuds for the primary time, are additionally good perks. Some Android gadgets also can make the most of higher-quality Bluetooth codecs corresponding to aptX Adaptive or Sony’s LDAC — these aren’t practically as vital to audio high quality because the precise structure of your earbuds, however they might help wring out just a little extra element if the buds are succesful sufficient and also you’re streaming lossless information. AptX Adaptive also can assist cut back latency, which is sweet for streaming video or gaming.
Variety is Android’s biggest energy, nevertheless it additionally signifies that some wi-fi earbuds play nicer with sure gadgets, sometimes these made by the identical firm. Current Samsung earbuds, as an example, include just a few perks which are solely obtainable in case you use a Galaxy telephone. We’ve a few suggestions associated to this concept above.
How we check Android earbuds
Sony WF-1000XM5 evaluate
(Picture by Billy Steele/Engadget)
The easiest way to check earphones is solely to put on them as a lot as attainable, in order that’s what we do. We sometimes do that over a one- to two-week interval, although embargo instances sometimes pressure us to complete our evaluate course of a bit quicker. We take heed to a check playlist that features a number of musical genres and podcasts, paying shut consideration to how every pair approaches the bass, mid and treble frequencies to get an correct sense of its sound profile. We additionally check at excessive and low volumes to verify for consistency within the tuning. We do not need entry to a dummy head to take extra goal measurements, however we’ll typically look to websites like Rtings, SoundGuys and others that do exactly to make sure our impressions will not be wildly off-base. If a mannequin helps customized EQ, we’ll tinker with that and use the obtainable EQ presets to see if one sounds dramatically higher than the others — although normally we base most of our impressions on the inventory tuning every pair makes use of by default.
To evaluate microphone high quality, we document our personal audio samples and take a number of calls with a associate each indoors and out of doors. For battery life, we play our check playlist on a loop with the amount round 75 p.c and measure how lengthy it takes for every set to empty. The place relevant, we do a radical evaluate of a pair’s companion app and check every obtainable characteristic. Whereas consolation is in the end subjective, we pay attention to how safe every pair feels whereas we’re on the transfer. We additionally use sure pairs in particularly crowded public areas to get a greater sense of their passive and lively noise cancellation, in addition to their means to take care of a constant Bluetooth connection.
Current updates
August 2025: We’ve taken one other sweep to make sure our recommendation remains to be up-to-date.
Might 2025: We’ve checked this information to make sure our high picks nonetheless stand and famous a pair options to the Noble Fokus Rex5, since that pair has had inventory problems with late. We’re additionally keeping track of how the Trump administration’s tariff policy impacts the pricing and inventory of our suggestions (and the buyer tech trade as a complete). All of our picks are nonetheless obtainable of their regular value ranges immediately, however we’ll replace this information if that adjustments.
February 2025: The Noble FoKus Rex5 is our new “finest for sound high quality” choose, changing the Sennheiser Momentum True Wi-fi 4. Our different suggestions stay unchanged.
December 2024: We’ve flippantly edited this information for readability and ensured that our present picks are nonetheless correct.
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