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 should you’re one of many tens of millions who’ve an Android smartphone, determining which set to seize isn’t as apparent. For those who want a hand, permit us to level you in the appropriate 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 utilize a Galaxy or a Pixel telephone, and whether or not you need one thing for the health club or your morning commute, listed here are one of the best AirPods alternate options for Android.
Desk of contents
Finest Android earbuds for 2025
Lively noise cancellation: Sure | Wi-fi charging: Sure | Water resistance: IPX4 | Multipoint connectivity: Sure (2 units) | Put on detection: Sure | Max battery life (rated): 12 hrs, 24 hrs w/ case | Codecs: SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 | Guarantee: 1 12 months
Learn our full Sony WF-1000XM5 review
The Sony WF-1000XM5 hit on nearly all the things we wish from a premium set of Bluetooth earbuds. Their small, rounded design ought to really feel snug and safe in most ears. They’re almost unmatched at muting exterior noise, because of a strong ANC characteristic and reminiscence foam eartips that do a outstanding job of isolating sound passively. They sound nice out of the field, particularly should you like a hotter profile with elevated bass, however you possibly can simply customise the EQ curve by means of Sony’s app, they usually do properly to attract out treble-range element both manner. They’re additionally loaded with further options, together with multipoint connectivity, Google Quick Pair, LDAC and spatial audio assist, the power 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 offers 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 ranking might be larger. Some individuals would possibly discover the reminiscence foam eartips somewhat too full-feeling. Additionally they have an inventory value of $330, which is much from reasonably priced. However no different wi-fi earbuds we’ve examined have managed to tick so many containers.
- Sturdy, customizable audio high quality
- Ought to be snug 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
Lively noise cancellation: Sure | Wi-fi charging: Sure | Water resistance: IPX4 | Multipoint connectivity: Sure (2 units) | 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
For those who don’t have a whole lot to spend, our favourite wi-fi earbuds within the price range bracket are the Anker Soundcore Space A40. Steadily priced between $45 and $60, this pair has the sort of options we’d count on 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 assist, first rate (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 provides 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 means of a clear and easy-to-read companion app. The precise earpieces are small, spherical and cozy as properly.
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 properly. There’s no put on detection both, so your music gained’t auto-pause once you take away an earbud. Additionally they don’t assist 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 worth level, it’s arduous to complain.
- Wonderful ANC for the worth
- 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)
Lively noise cancellation: Sure | Wi-fi charging: Sure | Water resistance: No IPX ranking | Multipoint connectivity: Sure (2 units) | Put on detection: No | Max battery life (rated): 7 hrs, 47 hrs w/ case | Codecs: SBC, AAC, LDAC, aptX Adaptive | Guarantee: 1 12 months
Learn our full Noble FoKus Rex5 review
Figuring out which set of headphones has the “greatest” sound high quality is a idiot’s errand — on the finish of the day, it’ll at all times come down to private style. But when we needed to choose one pair we’ve notably loved for music, it’d be the Noble FoKus Rex5. Its distinctive five-driver design helps it draw out a outstanding degree of element and correctly separate the instrumentation in any given observe. 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 assist for LDAC and aptX Adaptive solely help with element retrieval. You may set a private EQ should you want it, however we’ve discovered the inventory tuning to swimsuit any style properly by default.
The FoKus Rex5 helps ANC and multipoint connectivity, whereas its IEM-style, metal-and-acrylic housing matches comfortably within the ear. However you’d purchase it for the sound high quality in the beginning: Noise cancellation isn’t on Sony’s degree, the ultra-green end isn’t for everybody, the five- to seven-hour battery life isn’t superb and there’s no auto-pausing once you take away an earbud. Most prohibitively, these items are rattling costly at $449. If you’d like one thing a little much less expensive, the Technics AZ100 and Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 are compelling (if bassier) choices as properly. 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 coloration and it isn’t for everybody
- Subpar ANC efficiency
Lively 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 12 months
Learn our full Beats Fit Pro review
Most of our picks above will work simply high quality within the health club, however should you’re shopping for a pair for exercises in the beginning, strive the Beats Fit Pro. Sure, we’re recommending a set of Apple-made earbuds in an Android shopping for information. However whereas they work greatest with iPhones, most of their AirPods-style options are additionally obtainable on Android by means of the Beats app. You may pair them with one faucet by means of 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 test their battery degree from the notification tray. There’s no hi-res codec assist, however normally the drop-off from iOS to Android isn’t almost as nice right here as it’s with AirPods.
The principle cause we advocate the Match Professional is their light-weight design, which is supplied with flexible silicone fins that maintain the earbuds safe in place whilst you’re transferring round. Their IPX4 water-resistance ranking isn’t one of the best, nevertheless it needs 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 once you’re making an attempt to maintain up with a exercise. Their punchy sound is well-suited to the health club as properly, with a noticeable however not overwhelming push within the bass and treble. It’s not one for purists, nevertheless it’s energetic.
For those who 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 option to customise the EQ should 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 properly. Plus, whereas the ANC mode is beneficial sufficient for tamping down the noise of a health club, it’s a transparent step down from one of the best choices available on the market.
- Safe match for exercises
- Punchy sound is well-suited to the health club
- Bodily management buttons
- No wi-fi charging or multipoint connectivity
- Battery life is simply OK
- ANC is not high quality however nothing particular
Lively noise cancellation: Sure | Wi-fi charging: Sure | Water resistance: IP54 (IPX4 for case) | Multipoint connectivity: Sure (2 units) | Put on detection: Sure | Max battery life (rated): 12 hrs, 48 hrs w/ case | Codecs: SBC, AAC | Guarantee: 1 12 months
Learn our full Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 review
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are explicitly designed to work in concord with different Pixel units, in order that they’re price contemplating should 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 units 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 may nonetheless entry a lot of the Pixel Buds’ perks on different Android units by downloading a separate app, however all the performance is baked into Pixel telephones natively. This implies you possibly can handle the earbuds, test battery standing and the like proper out of your system’s settings menus. It’s just like how Apple integrates AirPods with iOS.
The earbuds themselves are completely competent past that, with a tiny but snug design, first rate ANC for the worth, eight-ish hours of battery life, ample name high quality and an fulfilling sound with punchy bass and prolonged treble. That stated, you’ll nonetheless get richer audio high quality and extra sturdy noise cancellation from our Sony and Noble picks above, so those that aren’t all-in on Google {hardware} can be happy to look elsewhere.
- Tight integration with Pixel telephones
- Tiny, cozy design
- Agreeable sound
- Smaller contact panels require precision
- ANC is not on par with Sony WF-1000XM5
Lively 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 12 months
Learn our full Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro review
Alongside these traces, 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 instrument and a “Recreation 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 units.
This sort of walled backyard method is irritating; bear in mind when you might plug your headphones into any system and it’d work the identical manner each time? However, as with the Pixel Buds and AirPods, the Galaxy Buds 3 Professional are undeniably handy should you’ve already purchased into their chosen platform.
The remainder of the package deal will get extra proper than fallacious, although there are some points price calling out. The stem-style design just about rips off the AirPods Professional — that is notably evident with the white end — however provides bizarre, pointless LED strips down the stems. It’s snug, 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 assist with non-Samsung telephones. On the plus facet, the ambient sound mode works properly. And most significantly, these items 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 on account of 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 abnormal with our evaluation 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 units
A collection 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 cushty match and enough battery life are nonetheless the foundations. Satisfactory water resistance is nice for exercises, and no one desires a crummy mic for making calls. When you method the $100 vary, options like energetic noise cancellation (ANC), wi-fi charging, an ambient sound mode (which helps you to higher hear exterior noise with out turning off your music) and multipoint connectivity (the power to pair with a number of units concurrently) needs to be anticipated.
For Android units particularly, there are just a few extras to contemplate. A devoted app that makes it straightforward to modify sound modes, customise the audio profile, find your earbuds in the event that they ever get misplaced or regulate 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 means of your Bluetooth menu to attach your earbuds for the primary time, are additionally good perks. Some Android units may also make the most of higher-quality Bluetooth codecs akin to aptX Adaptive or Sony’s LDAC — these aren’t almost as necessary to audio high quality because the precise structure of your earbuds, however they might help wring out somewhat extra element if the buds are succesful sufficient and also you’re streaming lossless recordsdata. AptX Adaptive may also assist scale back latency, which is nice for streaming video or gaming.
Variety is Android’s biggest power, nevertheless it additionally implies that some wi-fi earbuds play nicer with sure units, usually these made by the identical firm. Latest Samsung earbuds, as an illustration, include just a few perks which might be solely obtainable should you use a Galaxy telephone. Now we have a few suggestions associated to this concept above.
How we check Android earbuds
Sony WF-1000XM5 evaluation
(Picture by Billy Steele/Engadget)
One of the best ways to check earphones is just to put on them as a lot as potential, in order that’s what we do. We usually do that over a one- to two-week interval, although embargo instances sometimes power us to complete our evaluation course of a bit sooner. We hearken 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 test for consistency within the tuning. We don’t have entry to a dummy head to take extra goal measurements, however we’ll generally look to websites like Rtings, SoundGuys and others that just do to make sure our impressions usually are not 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 report our personal audio samples and take a number of calls with a accomplice each indoors and out of doors. For battery life, we play our check playlist on a loop with the amount round 75 % and measure how lengthy it takes for every set to empty. The place relevant, we do a radical evaluation 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 energetic noise cancellation, in addition to their potential to take care of a constant Bluetooth connection.
Latest 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 alternate 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 right now, however we’ll replace this information if that modifications.
February 2025: The Noble FoKus Rex5 is our new “greatest for sound high quality” choose, changing the Sennheiser Momentum True Wi-fi 4. Our different suggestions stay unchanged.
December 2024: We’ve evenly edited this information for readability and ensured that our present picks are nonetheless correct.
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