The world of earbuds continues to evolve, bringing us incredible sound quality, noise cancellation, and innovative features. Whether you’re an audiophile, a fitness enthusiast, or someone who simply loves immersive sound, there’s a pair of earbuds for you in 2024. In this guide, we’ll explore the best earbuds of 2024, catering to various budgets and needs.
| Earbuds | Price | Noise Cancellation | Battery Life | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony WF-1000XM5 | $299 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 24 hours | Overall performance |
| Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) | $249 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 30 hours | Apple users |
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra | $299 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 24 hours | Noise cancellation |
| Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro | $229 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 18 hours | Android users |
| Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2 | $279 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 27 hours | Fitness enthusiasts |
| Nothing Ear (2) | $149 | ⭐⭐⭐ | 36 hours | Unique design |
| Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 | $229 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 30 hours | Best for Pixel phone |
Sony WF-1000XM5
Price: $299
Why We Love It: The Sony WF-1000XM5 takes the top spot for 2024, offering unmatched sound quality, industry-leading noise cancellation, and a sleek, lightweight design. Featuring Sony’s new Integrated Processor V2, these earbuds provide rich, detailed audio and support LDAC for high-res audio streaming.
Reasons to Buy:
- Ideal for travel and noisy environments.
- High-Resolution Audio Support.
- Lightweight with memory foam tips for extended wear.
- 8 hours per charge with ANC, 24 hours total with the case.
- EQ adjustments via Sony’s app.
Reasons To Avoid:
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)
Price: $249
Why We Love It: With the latest H2 chip, the AirPods Pro 2 deliver improved sound quality and noise cancellation over their predecessor. Their seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem makes them the best choice for iPhone users.
Reasons To Buy:
- Works flawlessly within the Apple ecosystem.
- Personalized 3D sound enhances the listening experience.
- Built-in speaker in the case makes it easy to locate.
- Ideal for portability and all-day use.
Reasons To Avoid:
- Sound settings lack advanced tweaking options.
- 6 hours on a charge is decent but not industry-leading.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
Price: $349
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds take noise cancellation to the next level, offering advanced personalized ANC that adapts to your environment for a completely immersive experience. With Spatial Audio, these earbuds create a 3D soundstage, making them perfect for audiophiles and movie lovers. The sound quality is rich and detailed, with deep bass and crisp highs, while the secure fit ensures comfort during extended wear.
They are also water- and sweat-resistant, making them versatile for various activities. However, the high price tag and the relatively large charging case might be drawbacks for those prioritizing value or portability. Despite these minor setbacks, they remain an excellent choice for those seeking the best in noise-canceling technology and audio performance.
Reasons To Buy:
- Enhanced ANC with advanced personalization for unparalleled sound isolation.
- Delivers a lifelike, 3D audio experience for movies and music.
- Secure fit with multiple ear tips and stability bands for all-day use.
- Rich, detailed sound with deep bass and crisp highs.
- Water- and sweat-resistant (IPX4), making them ideal for workouts or commutes.
Reasons To Avoid:
- One of the most premium-priced earbuds on the market.
- Bulkier than most competitors, which may affect portability.
- 6 hours per charge with ANC, which lags behind some competitors.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
Price: $250
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are the latest addition to Samsung’s premium wireless earbuds lineup. These earbuds have a sleek design with silicone ear tips and an LED light bar along the stem, offering a comfortable and secure fit. They deliver high-resolution audio with support for 24-bit sound, providing an immersive listening experience. The adaptive noise cancellation effectively reduces ambient noise, making them ideal for various environments. Additionally, the Buds 3 Pro integrate seamlessly with Samsung devices, offering features like Auto Switch for effortless connectivity across multiple gadgets.
Reasons To Buy:
- Supports 24-bit sound for superior audio quality.
- Effectively minimizes ambient noise for an immersive experience.
- Works smoothly with Samsung devices, enhancing the user experience.
- Silicone ear tips and lightweight build ensure prolonged comfort
Reasons To Avoid:
- At $249, they are on the higher end of the price spectrum.
- Some features may not be as advanced as those in competitors like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra.
- While adequate, the battery life may not surpass some competitors
Nothing Ear Earbuds
Price: $149
Why We Love It: The Nothing Ear (2) stands out for its transparent design and great audio performance. They feature LHDC 5.0 for high-resolution sound and a customizable equalizer to suit your preferences.
Reasons To Buy:
- Transparent case and earbuds stand out (unique design)
- Excellent value for money.
- Personalize your listening experience.
- Ideal for extended use.
Reasons To Avoid:
- Noise Cancellation Isn’t Top-Tier: Decent but not on par with premium options.
- 6 hours per charge may fall short for some.
Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2
Price: $279 – (on sale $199)
The Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2 earbuds build upon their predecessors with notable enhancements. They offer advanced active noise cancellation (ANC) and a comfortable, ergonomic design suitable for extended use. The earbuds deliver a balanced sound profile, catering to various music genres and preferences. A standout feature is the innovative charging case, which can transmit audio to the earbuds from virtually any source, adding a layer of versatility.
Reasons To Buy:
- Advanced Noise Cancellation.
- Ergonomic design ensures comfort during prolonged use.
- IP57 rating for dust and water resistance, suitable for various environments.
Reasons To Avoid:
- At $279, they are among the more expensive options available.
- Battery performance is decent but doesn’t lead the industry.
- As Jabra plans to exit the consumer earbuds market, future software updates may be limited
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
Price: $229
Google’s redesigned its Pixel Buds Pro 2 to fit more ears better. Not only are the Pixel Buds Pro 2 smaller than their predecessor but Google’s equipped them with its new Tensor A1 chip, which offers more processing power and enables its new “hands-free, eyes-free” Gemini virtual AI assistant. So long as you get a snug fit and tight seal (yes, that’s critical for sound quality and noise-canceling performance), these buds deliver excellent sound, strong noise-muffling capabilities and a robust feature set, particularly for Android and Google Pixel phone users.
Reasons To Buy:
- Smaller design
- Improved sound and noise-canceling
- New, more powerful Tensor A1 chip
- Excellent battery life
- Good voice-calling performance
- Hands-free Google Assistant for Android users
- Spatial audio
Reasons To Avoid:
- Ear tips may not allow some people to get a tight seal
- No support for AptX or LDAC audio codecs for Android users
- A few features not available for Apple users