The best Bluetooth earbuds: top wireless earbuds available today

What if we told you that it’s possible to live in a world where you can listen to all of your favorite music while moving around without annoying cables getting in your way? Well, thanks to the best Bluetooth earbuds, that dream is now a reality – but they may not be for everyone.

The problem is that any pair of wireless headphones obviously needs a battery. Over-ear and on-ear headphones have no trouble fitting one in that's of a decent size. But for earbuds the challenge is a little bigger, as they have a lot less space to work with. 

Thankfully, there’s some good news there. The best Bluetooth earbuds have been steadily improving in all of those facets over the past couple years, and now the differences are less noticeable than ever – they’re now more or less competitive in every way with their wired predecessors. 

These innovations and improvements don’t look like they’re going to slow down anytime soon either – the manufacturers behind some of the best Bluetooth earbuds are tirelessly working on creating Bluetooth earbuds that last longer, sound better and are even more affordable. 

Can't decide which type of headphones to buy? Check out our guide video below!

There are new innovations in the Bluetooth earbud headset game every day and the best true wireless earbuds don’t even have a wire connecting the two ear-pieces. 

The market for the best Bluetooth earbuds is constantly shifting and expanding, and this can make it hard to find the best pair for you. You should try to find earbuds that manage to strike a balance between price and performance – and it’s this mantra that we had in mind when we selected every pair that made it onto this list. 

We here on the TechRadar editorial team have brought together a collection of the best Bluetooth earbuds that we have had the pleasure of testing and reviewing over the last year or so and ranked them here. So, whether you’re looking for that new running companion, or even if you’re an audiophile looking to squeeze the most detail out of your music while being free from the shackles of wires – these are the best Bluetooth earbuds you can buy today.

Not looking for in-ear earbuds? Here's our list of the best wireless headphones! 

Continuing the trend that the original NuForce BE6 started, the Optoma Nuforce BE6i are a minor update to an already great pair of earbuds and remain one of our favorite in-ear wireless headphones for the price. Offering good sound, build quality and battery life in its segment if you're looking for a pair of wireless in-ear headphones that can survive a strenuous work out, the these should be on the top of your list of headphones to try.

Read the full review: Optoma NuForce BE6i

NuForce have really crafted something special here with the BE Sport3 earbuds. They're an unbelievable value for a pair of wireless earbuds that sound great, last all day, have an extremely durable build and sublime noise isolation. They might not be the most dynamic or solid headphones, but NuForce shows us that the future of wireless earbuds is a bright one. 

Read the full review: Optoma NuForce BE Sport3

The Jaybird X3 are a great improvement over an already excellent pair of in-ear headphones with the X2's. 

We liked their slimmer profile, a battery life boost is always welcome, and the new MySound app allows you to find a sound profile that's perfect for you. 

We'd prefer to have a universal USB charger rather than a proprietary charging dock, but this is a minor complaint for a pair of headphones that otherwise tick all the boxes. 

Read the full review: Jaybird X3

There will always be those who are ready to complain about the sound performance of Beats headphones, but the inclusion of Apple's proprietary W1 chip has been a boon for the strength of their wireless connectivity. 

The Beats X hence make up for their slightly bassy sound with a rock solid connection and a pairing process that, on iOS devices at least, is as painless as it's possible to be. 

Functionally that makes these wireless earbuds a joy to use, just don't expect the most detailed or broad soundstage. If you’re shopping for a no-fuss pair of earbuds that charge in 5 minutes and don’t mind spending a little extra money on them, the Beats X are for you.

Read the full review: Beats X

Life is full of compromises, and it's no different with the Bose QuietControl 30s. On the positive side you get a level of noise cancellation that comes close to what's offered by the brand's over-ear headphones, but the concession here is on sound fidelity, which just isn’t on the same level as that of other in-ear or over-ear headphones we’ve tested. 

There's also that neckband which adds an unfortunate level of bulk to what should otherwise be a slimline pair of headphones. 

Read the full review: Bose QuietControl 30

The Jabra Elite Sport headphones are what's known as 'true wireless' headphones, meaning as well as lacking a cable between them and your phone, there's also no cable between the earbuds themselves. 

But these headphones have a lot going for them beyond their hi-tech form factor. They'll track your fitness thanks to built in step-counting and heart-rate monitors, and their battery life is decent alongside good sound quality.

However, issues with the slightly iffy heart rate data at times, and the still-not-quite-automated-enough cross training still grate. Overall, they're good enough, but a touch more expensive than they need to be.

Read the full review: Jabra Elite Sport

There's a lot to love about the second pair of true wireless earbuds on our list The AirPods are the best sounding pair of headphones the company has ever produced, and pair very easily with your phone. 

But, while there are some definite benefits, we just can't give the AirPods the top spot on our list. Ultimately, their lack of in-line remote means that there are easier headphones to use while out and about, and Siri isn’t a good enough replacement. 

They might not fall out as easily as we once feared, but they don’t feel secure enough for their price or strong enough in the performance category to make up for this transgression. Maybe Apple’s AirPods 2 can fix these issues in the near future. That said, diehard Apple fans will not be disappointed by Apple’s first wireless earbuds. 

Read the full review: Apple AirPods

If you're looking for something stylish and don't mind compromising slightly on sound quality, the Jaybird Freedom Wireless is probably your best bet. Comfort and design are definitely high points for the Freedoms, and we especially liked being able to bring the EQ settings we setup on our phone wherever we went. Unfortunately, though, mediocre sound quality and a short battery life keep them from winning top marks.

Read the full review: Jaybird Freedom Wireless

If you don't mind rocking the band, the Moto Surround hits all the high notes in terms of price, performance and battery life. In our tests, the Moto Surround survived 12 hours in between charges and displayed real skill in outputting bass, mid and treble in equal amounts. You can appreciate the balanced sound signature while your wallet appreciates the price.

Read the full review: Moto Surround

Sony has entered the truly wireless earbud game, and they’ve certainly hit the ground running. Not only does the WF-1000XF have a great sound signature, but they also add something new to the table. 

With this set of earbuds, Sony brings active noise-cancellation to the bluetooth earbud game, a feature normally found on wired earphones, and does so without having to add too much bulk or any wires. 

The only downside is the cheap-looking design, and the occasionally iffy wireless connection. But if you have a noisy commute, they’re a great choice.

Read the full review: Sony WF-1000X