Sony WF-1000XM6
Sony's flagship, with a new processor and a bigger microphone array for stronger noise cancelling than the WF-1000XM5.
Check Price on Amazon Read the full reviewThe 10 Best Wireless Earbuds of 2026, Ranked
Our verdict: The best wireless earbuds in 2026 are the Sony WF-1000XM6. It tops our ranking with 9.8 out of 10.
Our wireless earbud picks
Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro
The pick for Galaxy phone owners.
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Soundcore P31i
A budget pair with adaptive noise cancelling, LDAC and a very long claimed battery life, at the lowest price here for ANC.
Check Price on Amazon Read the full reviewAll 10 wireless earbuds, compared
We compared 19 wireless earbuds sold in the UK, then ranked ten of them on what review sites and owners say. They run from flagship noise cancellers for iPhone, Android and Samsung phones to sport hooks, a sound-first pair and two budget pairs with ANC. Every product links to its full review below.
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1
Sony WF-1000XM6Best Choice
9.8 out of 10
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2
Apple AirPods Pro 3
9.7 out of 10
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3
Samsung Galaxy Buds4 ProValue for Money
9.2 out of 10
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4
Powerbeats Pro 2
9.1 out of 10
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5
Bowers & Wilkins Pi8Best Premium
9.1 out of 10
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6
Soundcore P31iBest Budget
8.4 out of 10
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7
Pixel Buds 2a
8.3 out of 10
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8
JBL Wave Beam 2
8.3 out of 10
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9
Technics EAH-AZ100
8.2 out of 10
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10
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)
8.2 out of 10
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Why No. 1 beats No. 2
The Sony WF-1000XM6 (9.8) beats the Apple AirPods Pro 3 (9.7) because it does clearly better with the review sites. No. 2 leaves owners clearly happier, but not by enough to close the gap.
The full wireless earbud reviews
1.Sony WF-1000XM6
Sony's flagship, with a new processor and a bigger microphone array for stronger noise cancelling than the WF-1000XM5. Reviewers rate the sound and ANC at the top of the field, and it supports LDAC for Android.
What makes up the score
- What review sites say1st of 10
- How happy owners are10th of 10
- How new it is1st of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. What the review sites say counts for most of the score.
What the review sites say
- What Hi-Fi? 5/52026
Named in the one best-of list we read: SoundGuys (its top pick).
Why it's here
- Strong adaptive noise cancelling that suits trains and buses
- LDAC and a 10-band EQ in the Sony app for Android listeners
- About 8 hours per charge with ANC on and around 24 hours with the case
- Bluetooth LE Audio and multipoint pairing
Keep in mind
- IPX4 only, so sweat is fine but heavy rain and hard gym use are less certain
- Call quality gets mixed verdicts, especially in wind
- Fit is an issue for some small ears, and the case is chunky
2.Apple AirPods Pro 3
The iPhone pick. The H2 chip brings strong ANC, Adaptive Audio and Find My with Precision Finding, and it adds heart rate sensing and an IP57 rating that suits running.
What makes up the score
- What review sites say2nd of 10
- How happy owners are1st of 10
- How new it is4th of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. What the review sites say counts for most of the score.
What the review sites say
Named in the one best-of list we read: SoundGuys.
Why it's here
- IP57 dust, sweat and water resistance, matched here only by the Samsung
- Up to 8 hours with ANC on, with Hearing Aid and Live Translation features
- Heart rate sensing for workouts through the Apple Fitness apps
- Instant pairing and device switching across Apple kit, plus a case with a speaker for Find My
Keep in mind
- AAC only, with no aptX or LDAC, and the best features need an iPhone
- No multipoint for non-Apple devices, and Android gets little of the extras
- Priced above most Android-friendly rivals, so you pay for features you may not use off an iPhone
3.Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro
The pick for Galaxy phone owners. It adds Galaxy AI features and 24-bit audio when paired with a Samsung phone, and has active noise cancelling.
What makes up the score
- What review sites say3rd of 10
- How happy owners are3rd of 10
- How new it is1st of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. What the review sites say counts for most of the score.
What the review sites say
Named in the one best-of list we read: SoundGuys.
Why it's here
- 24-bit audio and Galaxy AI features with a Galaxy phone
- Adaptive noise cancelling with a transparency mode
- Quick pairing with Samsung phones and tablets
- Large drivers and Samsung's Auracast and Galaxy ecosystem features
Keep in mind
- The 24-bit audio needs a Galaxy phone, so other Android users lose the headline feature
- About 6 hours per charge with ANC on
- The case has no IP rating, only the earbuds are IP57
4.Powerbeats Pro 2
The sport pick. Adjustable earhooks hold the buds in place for running, and it adds ANC and heart rate sensing. It works with both iPhone and Android.
What makes up the score
- What review sites say3rd of 10
- How happy owners are6th of 10
- How new it is7th of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. What the review sites say counts for most of the score.
What the review sites say
Named in the one best-of list we read: SoundGuys.
Why it's here
- Earhooks keep the buds secure during runs and gym sessions
- Heart rate sensing built into the buds
- Active noise cancelling with a transparency mode
- Around 45 hours in total with the case, and fast pairing on iPhone
Keep in mind
- Earbuds are IPX4, so the sweat protection trails the Apple and Samsung pairs
- The case is large for a pocket
- Some features, such as Find My, need an iPhone
5.Bowers & Wilkins Pi8
The audiophile pick. Reviewers praise its detailed, refined sound, and it supports aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless on compatible Android phones. The case doubles as a wireless-audio transmitter for a wired source.
What makes up the score
- What review sites say3rd of 10
- How happy owners are7th of 10
- How new it is10th of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. What the review sites say counts for most of the score.
What the review sites say
Named in the one best-of list we read: SoundGuys.
Why it's here
- Detailed, refined sound that reviewers rank near the top for music
- aptX Lossless support on compatible Android phones
- Effective noise cancelling with a natural transparency mode
- Comfortable fit, with a case that can also act as a transmitter
Keep in mind
- Around 6.5 hours per charge, shorter than most rivals
- IP54 only, a step below the Apple and Samsung pairs for sweaty runs
- The case is bulkier than most, and the price is among the highest here
6.Soundcore P31i
A budget pair with adaptive noise cancelling, LDAC and a very long claimed battery life, at the lowest price here for ANC.
What makes up the score
- What review sites say6th of 10
- How happy owners are2nd of 10
- How new it is3rd of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. What the review sites say counts for most of the score.
What the review sites say
None of the review sites we read has reviewed this model or named it in a best-of list, so it scores below the ones they have.
Why it's here
- Adaptive noise cancelling at a budget price
- LDAC support and a Soundcore app with EQ
- Long battery life with the case, about 50 hours with ANC off and 40 with it on
- Fast pairing over Bluetooth 6.1
Keep in mind
- ANC is below the premium pairs on loud trains
- Plastic build, and IP55 protection is lower than the IP57 of the Apple and Samsung pairs
- Call quality is average on busy streets
7.Pixel Buds 2a
A mid-range pair for Pixel and other Android phones. It has active noise cancelling, Fast Pair setup and Google's Gemini features in a light, compact design.
What makes up the score
- What review sites say6th of 10
- How happy owners are4th of 10
- How new it is5th of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. What the review sites say counts for most of the score.
What the review sites say
None of the review sites we read has reviewed this model or named it in a best-of list, so it scores below the ones they have.
Why it's here
- Active noise cancelling at a mid-range price
- Fast Pair setup and multipoint on Android
- Light, compact buds and case
- Google assistant features through a Pixel or Android phone
Keep in mind
- IP54 only, so not built for the wettest runs
- No wireless charging on the case
- The best features need a Pixel phone, and ANC trails the flagships
8.JBL Wave Beam 2
A budget pair with noise cancelling, JBL's Pure Bass sound and a long claimed battery life. The 40 hours with the case is quoted with ANC off.
What makes up the score
- What review sites say6th of 10
- How happy owners are5th of 10
- How new it is7th of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. What the review sites say counts for most of the score.
What the review sites say
None of the review sites we read has reviewed this model or named it in a best-of list, so it scores below the ones they have.
Why it's here
- Noise cancelling at a budget price
- JBL Pure Bass sound with an app EQ
- Smart Ambient mode
- Around 40 hours with the case claimed with ANC off
Keep in mind
- ANC is mild next to the premium pairs
- Bass-heavy tuning is not to everyone's taste
- IP54 earbuds and a case with only IPX2 protection, and no LDAC
9.Technics EAH-AZ100
The sound-first pick for people who use Android or mixed devices. It supports LDAC, pairs with three devices at once and wins repeated praise for call clarity and detail.
What makes up the score
- What review sites say6th of 10
- How happy owners are8th of 10
- How new it is9th of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. What the review sites say counts for most of the score.
What the review sites say
None of the review sites we read has reviewed this model or named it in a best-of list, so it scores below the ones they have.
Why it's here
- LDAC support and a detailed, well-balanced sound
- Multipoint with up to three devices
- Good call quality, helped by a strong microphone system
- Active noise cancelling with a usable ambient mode
Keep in mind
- IPX4 only, so not the one to take on the wettest runs
- ANC trails Sony and Bose on loud transport
- Pricier than most pairs here, and no heart rate or fitness extras
10.Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)
A comfort-first noise canceller with ear tips and stability bands in the box. Reviewers consistently put its ANC among the best you can buy, and it works with Snapdragon Sound on Android.
What makes up the score
- What review sites say6th of 10
- How happy owners are9th of 10
- How new it is6th of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. What the review sites say counts for most of the score.
What the review sites say
None of the review sites we read has reviewed this model or named it in a best-of list, so it scores below the ones they have.
Why it's here
- Class-leading noise cancelling on commutes
- Three tip sizes and three stability bands for a secure fit
- Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint pairing
- Wireless charging case
Keep in mind
- Only about 6 hours per charge, or 4 hours with Immersive Audio on
- IPX4 only, a step down from the Apple pair for sweaty runs
- Among the most expensive pairs here
Before you buy a wireless earbud
Which wireless earbuds have the best noise cancelling?
The Sony WF-1000XM6 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) are the ones reviewers rate highest for cutting train and bus noise. The Apple AirPods Pro 3 is close if you use an iPhone. Among budget pairs, the Soundcore P31i is the cheapest here with adaptive ANC, but it is weaker on loud transport.
Do I need earbuds that match my phone, iPhone or Android?
No, any of these pair over Bluetooth with any phone. Apple's AirPods Pro 3 are the exception for features: Find My, instant pairing and heart rate sensing need an iPhone. iPhones stream over AAC. Android phones can use LDAC (Sony XM6, Technics AZ100, Soundcore P31i) or aptX on the Bose and Bowers & Wilkins Pi8. Samsung's Buds4 Pro unlock their 24-bit audio on Galaxy phones, and the Pixel Buds 2a pair fastest with Pixel and other Android phones.
How long should the battery last on wireless earbuds?
Look for 6 to 8 hours per charge with ANC on, and 20 to 30 hours in total with the case. The Sony XM6 manages about 8 hours and 24 hours with the case, while the Bose is about 6 hours. Cases that hold extra charges push the total higher: the Powerbeats Pro 2 claims around 45 hours and the Soundcore P31i about 40 with ANC on.
Are cheap wireless earbuds worth buying?
Yes, for the right use. A pair like the Soundcore P31i or JBL Wave Beam 2 gives noise cancelling, an app and long battery life for a small outlay. What you give up is the stronger ANC, better microphones and the best codecs. If you commute daily, the Pixel Buds 2a are a modest step up on Android.
Which wireless earbuds stay in for running and the gym?
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 and Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro are both IP57, the highest protection here. The Powerbeats Pro 2 use earhooks to stay put, and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) include stability bands. The Sony WF-1000XM6 is IPX4 only, so check the fit with the supplied tips.
What does IP rating mean on earbuds, and how much water resistance do I need?
The first digit covers dust and the second covers water. IPX4 handles sweat and light splashes, which is enough for most gym sessions. IPX5 copes with water jets, and IP57 survives dunking in shallow water. The rating covers the earbuds, not always the case, so keep the case dry.
How we ranked these ten wireless earbuds
Every score here comes from our ranking model; no editor sets the order. Most of each score is what the review sites say: the scores their own reviews give each model, and whether their best-of lists name it. For this guide we read SoundGuys and What Hi-Fi?. The rest is how happy owners are, held back where few owners have rated a product, and how new it is. Value for money earns its own badge rather than a higher place. We compared 19 models for this guide before settling on these ten.
Brands can't pay to be included or to move up. We last checked these picks in October 2026.
How we rank, in fullOur No. 1 wireless earbud
Sony WF-1000XM6
Sony's flagship, with a new processor and a bigger microphone array for stronger noise cancelling than the WF-1000XM5. 9.8 out of 10.