1 year ago

10 Best Wireless Earbuds for 2022: Top Recommendations for All Listeners

If you’re on the market for new earbuds, you’re undoubtedly seeking truly wireless earbuds. Those are any Bluetooth earbuds without a cable connecting the two buds. Almost every pair of earphones now available will be entirely wireless, with the exception of a few outliers. And below, we’ve compiled a list of the best true-wireless earbuds now available for purchase.

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2

Not only are the second-generation Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 30% smaller than their predecessors, but their case is also 40% smaller and genuinely pocketable. Bose’s innovative CustomTune sound calibration technology, which personalizes the sound for your ears, provides superior noise cancellation and better sound quality. Voice-calling capability has also substantially enhanced compared to the original QuietComfort Earbuds.

Alterations have also been made to the ear tips. Bose has replaced its one-piece StayEar wing tips with a two-piece Fit Kit system that includes separate ear tips and “stability bands” in three different sizes, allowing for a more snug fit and tighter seal.

The Triple Black color is originally shipped, with the Sandstone color following subsequently in the year.

Earfun Air S

In the past, we have suggested Earfun’s AirPro SV and Air Pro 2 as budget-friendly noise-canceling earbuds (they remain terrific deals). However, the new for 2022 Earfun Air S may be the finest of the three, since it features multipoint Bluetooth connection, the newest Qualcomm QCC3046 SoC (system-on-a-chip), and the AptX audio codec for Android and other devices that support it. It contains the same 10mm wool drivers as the AirPro SV and produces sound that is surprisingly remarkable for its inexpensive price. Additionally, they function effectively as a headset for making phone conversations, with adequate background noise suppression.

The buds have an IPX5 water-resistance certification, which means they can endure a prolonged spray of water and are splashproof.

Apple AirPods Pro 2

According to Apple, the new AirPods Pro (2nd generation) are powered by the H2 processor, which provides increased processing capability while consuming less energy. The combination of the new microprocessor and the new low-distortion speakers produces sound with enhanced clarity and depth. Apple claims that the new AirPods have “twice” the noise-cancelling capabilities of the original AirPods Pro. Additionally, the battery life of the new AirPods has been increased from five to six hours with noise cancellation enabled. In addition, the case contains a speaker that generates a sound that may be used with Find My to locate your headphones if they decide to hide.

Beats Fit Pro

Beats, Apple’s subsidiary audio firm, has released a new pair of earphones, following closely on the heels of the third-generation AirPods. The new Beats Fit Pro ($200) are not technically AirPods, but they share the same tech platform as the AirPods Pro. The Beats Fit Pro have Apple’s H1 processor and majority of the AirPods Pro’s capabilities, including active noise cancellation, spatial audio, and Adaptive EQ, in contrast to Beats’ older and less priced Studio Buds. I would venture to say these are the AirPods for sports you’ve always wanted. And for some individuals, they may be superior to the AirPods Pro.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro

The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro provide enhanced noise cancellation in addition to excellent sound and voice-calling capabilities, as well as compatibility for high-resolution wireless audio streaming for Galaxy smartphone owners with the proper configuration. However, their most significant improvement may be their new shape and lower size, which give them a better fit for a wider variety of ears. In addition to their relatively high price, their sole disadvantage is that several of its essential features are exclusive to Samsung Galaxy smartphones.

Sony WF-1000XM4

Obviously, no earbuds are ideal, and not everyone will enjoy the fit or be able to afford the Sony WF-1000XM4 buds. But if you’re searching for great-sounding earbuds with active noise cancellation, strong voice-calling capabilities, and a long battery life, these earbuds meet all the requirements.

JBL Live Pro 2

JBL has produced several acceptable true-wireless earphones over the years, but none that has particularly intrigued me. This has now changed with the release of the Live Pro 2 and Live Free 2 earbuds by the Samsung-owned company. Both sets of earbuds, the Live Pro 2 with stems and the Live Free 2 with a pill-shaped design, offer a comfortable fit, powerful noise canceling, excellent sound quality and voice-calling performance, and a robust set of features, including multipoint Bluetooth pairing, an IPX5 rating for water resistance, and wireless charging.

Both the Live Pro 2 and Live Free 2 include 11mm drivers, six microphones, oval tubes, and oval silicon tips. The major difference between the two buds, apart from their appearance, is the battery life; the stemless Live Free 2 is claimed for up to seven hours, while the Live Pro 2 is rated for 10 hours. The Live Pro 2 is offered in four different color variations.

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3

The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 earbuds boast superior sound quality, enhanced noise cancellation and voice-calling capabilities, and a smaller, more streamlined design with stabilizing fins (so the earbuds stay in your ears more securely). They are among the greatest true-wireless earbuds released in 2022. In addition, they are one of the best true-wireless earbuds overall, rivaling the Sony WF-1000XM4 in performance.

Google Pixel Buds Pro

Google’s Pixel Buds Pro are the company’s first earphones with active noise cancellation. While it’s good that they now have a function that many true-wireless earbuds have had for a while, what truly sets the Pixel Buds Pro different and makes them worthy of consideration — especially for Android users — is their unique design and comfortable fit. This improves the headphones’ sound quality and noise-canceling capabilities. Although not nearly the best for voice-calling, they served admirably as a headset for making calls. According to Google, two features are absent at launch: spatial audio and a five-band equalization. However, these are expected to emerge later in 2022.

Earfun Air Pro 2

Not only does the Earfun Air Pro 2 have effective active noise cancellation, but its sound is also outstanding for its relatively affordable price, featuring well-balanced sound, adequate clarity, and good bass performance. Some of Earfun’s buds have had a touch too much treble push, sometimes known as “presence boost,” but they manage to avoid that issue. They sound far better than the original Air Pro.

The earbuds contain additional capabilities, such as an ear-detection sensor (your music pauses when you remove the earphones) and a case with USB-C and wireless charging, that are uncommon at this price point. They are equipped with Bluetooth 5.2, are splash-proof with an IPX5 designation, and offer up to seven hours of battery life on a single charge at moderate volume settings; however, with noise cancellation enabled, the battery life will likely be closer to six hours.

There is also a setting that allows ambient sound to enter. It really sounds rather natural and is closer than I anticipated to the great transparency mode of the AirPods Pro. Unfortunately, there is no accompanying app that offers sound customization or firmware updates.

The Air Pro 2’s voice calling capabilities are touted by Earfun; each earbud contains three microphones. I believed call performance was acceptable, but these earbuds did not minimize background noise as well as the $40 Soundpeats T3. However, while the Soundpeats T3 are preferable for calls, the noise-canceling and transparency modes of the Earfun Air Pro 2 are superior, and the Soundpeats lack an ear-detection sensor. Additionally, the sound quality of the Earfun Air Pro 2 earbuds is superior, with a more robust and dynamic sound.