Which Wireless Earbuds Should You Choose?
Wireless earbuds have become essential daily companions, offering convenience, portability, and impressive audio performance. But with so many options available, choosing the right pair can feel overwhelming. In this guide, we present the best Bluetooth earbuds of 2025, meticulously tested and reviewed for various budgets and needs.
Whether you’re after premium audio quality, affordability, or earbuds tailored for sports, this guide covers every category to help you make an informed choice.
What Are the Best Bluetooth Earbuds? Our Top 3 Picks
1. JBL Tour Pro 3
- Pros: Comfortable fit, touchscreen display on the charging case, Hi-Fi audio quality
- Cons: Minor issues with touch controls
- Price: £297
The JBL Tour Pro 3 earbuds excel in design and usability. They offer exceptional comfort for extended use and feature a unique touchscreen charging case for easy access to essential controls. Paired with the JBL Headphones app, users can fine-tune sound profiles and manage noise cancellation settings.
Battery life stands at 7 hours per charge, with additional charges available via the case. The audio experience is enhanced by dual drivers, ensuring high-quality sound reproduction. While noise cancellation is effective, it falls slightly short of Apple’s AirPods Pro 2.
Overall, the JBL Tour Pro 3 earbuds are an excellent choice for audiophiles and casual listeners alike.
2. Apple AirPods Pro 2 (Lightning)
- Pros: Exceptional audio quality, spatial sound, seamless Apple integration
- Cons: No charging cable included
- Price: £279
The AirPods Pro 2 remain a benchmark for wireless earbuds. Featuring Apple’s H2 chip, they deliver top-tier noise cancellation, spatial audio, and an immersive listening experience.
These earbuds excel in clarity across bass, mids, and treble, making them suitable for music, podcasts, and video calls. Apple users benefit from seamless integration with Siri and other ecosystem features.
Battery life clocks in at 5+ hours per charge, with the case supporting wireless charging. While Android users can still enjoy the earbuds, some advanced features (e.g., Spatial Audio) remain exclusive to Apple devices.
If you’re deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem, the AirPods Pro 2 are an unbeatable choice.
3. Nothing Ear (a)
- Pros: Stylish design, dynamic audio, impressive noise cancellation
- Cons: Slightly stiff touch controls
- Price: £69
The Nothing Ear (a) earbuds stand out with their transparent design and exceptional audio quality for their price. They offer a snug and comfortable fit, making them suitable for long listening sessions and even light workouts.
Using the Nothing X app, you can customise sound profiles and activate dynamic bass enhancement. Battery life reaches 5.5 hours per charge, with additional charges provided by the compact case.
For under £100, the Nothing Ear (a) delivers outstanding value, solid noise cancellation, and an impressive overall audio experience.
The Best Wireless Earbuds for Different Needs
Apple AirPods 4
- Pros: ANC and non-ANC versions, excellent Apple integration
- Price: £149
Apple’s AirPods 4 offer two variants: one with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and one without. Both versions feature improved audio drivers and enhanced connectivity with Apple devices. If you’re in the Apple ecosystem but want a slightly more affordable option than the AirPods Pro 2, the AirPods 4 are worth considering.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
- Pros: Superior ANC, ergonomic design, long battery life
- Cons: Slightly bulky charging case
- Price: £249
Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 3 Pro adopt a stem-style design for improved comfort and touch control. They offer dual amplifiers for rich and dynamic sound, alongside effective noise cancellation. Battery life extends up to 6 hours with ANC on and 30 hours with the case.
For Android users, these earbuds are a formidable rival to Apple’s AirPods Pro 2.
Huawei FreeBuds Pro 3
- Pros: Balanced audio, advanced noise cancellation, feature-rich app
- Cons: Shorter battery life with ANC enabled
- Price: £149
The Huawei FreeBuds Pro 3 deliver Hi-Res audio, detailed soundscapes, and advanced noise cancellation. Using the Huawei AI Life app, users can adjust equalisation, codec settings, and ANC levels.
Battery life is around 4 hours with ANC enabled, which is slightly below competitors, but the earbuds excel in overall sound quality and customisation options.
Denon PerL Pro
- Pros: Powerful and clear audio, adjustable spatial sound
- Cons: Bulky design may not suit smaller ears
- Price: £161
The Denon PerL Pro earbuds focus on audio precision, using 10mm titanium drivers to deliver balanced, distortion-free sound. Spatial audio features are customisable, and the 6.5-hour battery life (with ANC) is respectable.
These earbuds are ideal for audiophiles seeking premium sound in a compact form.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
- Pros: Industry-leading noise cancellation, premium comfort
- Cons: Bulky charging case
- Price: £299
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are the gold standard for noise cancellation. They excel in isolating external sounds, even in noisy environments. Audio is rich, with clear vocals and punchy bass.
Battery life is around 6 hours per charge, with the case offering three additional charges. For travellers and frequent commuters, these are the best noise-cancelling earbuds available.
Sony WF-C700N
- Pros: Balanced audio, lightweight design, long battery life
- Cons: No wear detection sensor
- Price: £79
Sony’s WF-C700N earbuds deliver impressive audio performance and up to 7 hours of battery life with ANC enabled. Without ANC, this extends to 10 hours. The lightweight build ensures all-day comfort, while the companion app allows fine-tuning of audio settings.
For under £100, these are an excellent budget-friendly option.
What to Consider When Choosing Wireless Earbuds
- Audio Quality: Look for balanced sound, strong bass, and codec support (e.g., AAC, LDAC).
- Noise Cancellation (ANC): Essential for busy environments or frequent travellers.
- Battery Life: Aim for at least 5–7 hours of playback per charge.
- Comfort and Fit: Multiple ear tip options ensure a snug fit.
- Device Compatibility: Certain features may be exclusive to Apple or Android devices.
- Durability: IPX-rated models are essential for workouts and outdoor use.
Best Wireless Earbuds Under £100
- Nothing Ear (a)
- Sony WF-C700N
Both offer fantastic performance, reliable ANC, and excellent value for money.
Best Noise-Cancelling Earbuds
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
- Apple AirPods Pro 2
These models lead the market with cutting-edge ANC technology and premium audio performance.
Trusted Wireless Earbud Brands
- Apple
- Samsung
- JBL
- Sony
- Bose
- Huawei
- Denon
- Nothing
These brands consistently deliver reliable, high-quality audio products.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re an audiophile, a commuter, or a fitness enthusiast, there’s a perfect pair of wireless earbuds waiting for you. From the Apple AirPods Pro 2 to the budget-friendly Nothing Ear (a), our guide provides a comprehensive overview to help you make the right choice.
For detailed reviews of each product, check out our full tests. Happy listening! 🎧