

It has a tadpole-like cable that snaps out from the base. We also weren't impressed with the design of the charging case. Sonically, it is difficult to rave about the sound quality, chiefly because of this treble, which does distort even in relatively easy passages, but that's not really the point here. Listen to Prince's Kiss and while you'll get all of the bass funk in the intro, the artist's inimitable vocal comes off a little harsh. Stream Hootie & the Blowfish's Let Her Cry and the different guitars present themselves to each ear in a relatively expansive, open soundstage too. We put in the time and tested these budget buds and found that the JLab Go Air Pop are actually pretty good generally – and emphatically unbeatable for the money. The big question is: can earbuds this budget-conscious actually do a good job? Fast-forward to now, and JLab is bringing out durable listening gear at rock-bottom prices. The JLab Go Air Pop cost only $20 / £20 / AU$49.95, which is incredibly cheap and would have been unheard of just a few years ago. Design-wise, we found that these earbuds are smaller and lighter than previous models from Sony, like the Sony WF-1000XM3, which means they’re comfy to wear for long periods – though the Sony WF-C700N are much smaller and lighter again.

And when the WF-1000XM4 earbuds sound as good as they do, second-best noise cancelling is no big deal.Īs well as the excellent sound on offer here, Sony’s buds offer great call quality, too, which makes them a solid choice for all kinds of scenarios, from commuting to work calls and everything in-between. Granted, noise cancellation isn't quite the best out there (the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 further down in our list deliver that), but will suit most people looking to drown out background noise. In our tests, the WF-1000XM4 immediately impressed, with tons of detail and an excellent rhythmic handling. That's partly thanks to their specially designed 6mm drivers, which reproduce a dynamic sound despite being so small. These wireless earbuds sound fantastic and offer full-bodied audio at every turn. If you already know you want a pair of the best earbuds but you’re after a more specific kind, do check out our best noise-cancelling earbuds guide or our best workout headphones list too, where we've honed in on just those.

You can even check our best budget wireless earbuds guide if you only have a small amount to spend. While it is still possible to buy earbuds that do away with the wire to your source device but hold onto the wire joining each earpiece, nothing beats the convenience of true wireless, and thanks to competition, the price has been driven down to ever more affordable categories. True wireless earbuds are the most popular types of headphones today. So every pick in our list below is a cut above the competition – several feature in our ultimate best headphones guide – and there is a pair to suit your preferences and your budget here. We test the best wireless earbuds based on factors including battery life, comfort, audio quality and extra smart features, including active noise cancellation.
