Deserved or not, Apple has turned AirPods into the default alternative for many iPhone homeowners available in the market for brand new wireless earbuds. However for those who’re one of many hundreds of thousands who’ve an Android smartphone, determining which set to seize isn’t as apparent. Should you want a hand, permit us to level you in the precise route. We’ve examined and reviewed dozens of wi-fi earbuds over time and damaged down our favourite choices for Android customers under. Whether or not you utilize a Galaxy or a Pixel telephone, and whether or not you need one thing for the health club or your morning commute, listed below are one of the best AirPods options for Android.
Desk of contents
Greatest Android earbuds for 2025
Lively noise cancellation: Sure | Wi-fi charging: Sure | Water resistance: IPX4 | Multipoint connectivity: Sure (2 units) | Put on detection: Sure | Max battery life (rated): 12 hrs, 24 hrs w/ case | Codecs: SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 | Guarantee: 1 12 months
Learn our full Sony WF-1000XM5 review
The Sony WF-1000XM5 hit on nearly every little thing we wish from a premium set of Bluetooth earbuds. Their small, rounded design ought to really feel comfy and safe in most ears. They’re practically unmatched at muting exterior noise, because of a robust ANC function and reminiscence foam eartips that do a exceptional job of isolating sound passively. They sound nice out of the field, particularly for those who like a hotter profile with elevated bass, however you possibly can simply customise the EQ curve by Sony’s app, they usually do properly to attract out treble-range element both method. They’re additionally loaded with further options, together with multipoint connectivity, Google Quick Pair, LDAC and spatial audio help, the flexibility to swap between ANC and ambient sound (or “transparency”) modes mechanically and extra. The wi-fi charging case is conveniently tiny, whereas the eight- to 12-hour battery life provides little to complain about.
Nonetheless, the XM5s nonetheless aren’t a complete slam dunk. The built-in mics aren’t the clearest for telephone calls. The IPX4 water-resistance ranking might be larger. Some folks would possibly discover the reminiscence foam eartips just a little too full-feeling. Additionally they have a listing worth of $330, which is much from inexpensive. However no different wi-fi earbuds we’ve examined have managed to tick so many containers.
- Sturdy, customizable audio high quality
- Must be comfy to most
- A great deal of helpful bonus options
- Stellar noise isolation
- Costly
- Reminiscence foam eartips aren’t for everybody
- No battery life enchancment over predecessor
Lively noise cancellation: Sure | Wi-fi charging: Sure | Water resistance: IPX4 | Multipoint connectivity: Sure (2 units) | Put on detection: No | Max battery life (rated): 10 hrs, 50 hrs w/ case | Codecs: SBC, AAC, LDAC | Guarantee: 18 months
Learn our information to the best budget wireless earbuds
Should you don’t have a whole bunch to spend, our favourite wi-fi earbuds within the price range bracket are the Anker Soundcore Space A40. Often priced between $45 and $60, this pair has the sort of options we’d count on from earbuds that price twice as a lot: genuinely highly effective ANC, multipoint connectivity, wi-fi charging, a strong eight to 10 hours of battery life, LDAC help, respectable (if not nice) IPX4 water resistance and a usable ambient sound mode. They don’t have essentially the most resolving or detail-rich sound of the field, unsurprisingly, however their heat profile presents nice, thumpy bass with out completely blowing out the low-end. If you wish to add extra treble presence, you possibly can customise the EQ by a clear and easy-to-read companion app. The precise earpieces are small, spherical and comfy as properly.
The primary trade-off is name high quality, because the built-in mic can lose your voice in noisy environments and doesn’t deal with sibilant sounds very properly. There’s no put on detection both, so your music gained’t auto-pause while you take away an earbud. Additionally they don’t help Google’s Quick Pair tech, although the earbuds ought to keep in mind your gadget and mechanically reconnect after you pair them for the primary time. However for the worth level, it’s exhausting to complain.
- Glorious ANC for the worth
- Heat, nice sound
- Snug and compact
- Good battery life
- No automated put on detection
- Mediocre name high quality
- Does not sound as detailed as higher-end choices (as anticipated)
Lively noise cancellation: Sure | Wi-fi charging: Sure | Water resistance: No IPX ranking | Multipoint connectivity: Sure (2 units) | Put on detection: No | Max battery life (rated): 7 hrs, 47 hrs w/ case | Codecs: SBC, AAC, LDAC, aptX Adaptive | Guarantee: 1 12 months
Learn our full Noble FoKus Rex5 review
Figuring out which set of headphones has the “greatest” sound high quality is a idiot’s errand — on the finish of the day, it’ll at all times come down to private style. But when we needed to decide one pair we’ve significantly loved for music, it’d be the Noble FoKus Rex5. Its distinctive five-driver design helps it draw out a exceptional stage of element and correctly separate the instrumentation in any given monitor. It’s a balanced sound profile, with tight however not overindulgent bass, a natural-sounding midrange and relaxed highs that don’t fatigue over time. The soundstage is wider than most true wi-fi earbuds we’ve examined, whereas help for LDAC and aptX Adaptive solely help with element retrieval. You may set a private EQ for those who want it, however we’ve discovered the inventory tuning to swimsuit any style properly by default.
The FoKus Rex5 helps ANC and multipoint connectivity, whereas its IEM-style, metal-and-acrylic housing suits comfortably within the ear. However you’d purchase it for the sound high quality firstly: Noise cancellation isn’t on Sony’s stage, the ultra-green end isn’t for everybody, the five- to seven-hour battery life isn’t perfect and there’s no auto-pausing while you take away an earbud. Most prohibitively, these items are rattling costly at $449. If you would like one thing a little much less dear, the Technics AZ100 and Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 are compelling (if bassier) choices as properly. However for self-proclaimed audiophiles with money to burn, the FoKus Rex5 are a deal with.
- Detailed, immersive sound
- Snug match
- Customized audio profiles that save on to the buds
- Very costly
- Only one colour and it isn’t for everybody
- Subpar ANC efficiency
Lively noise cancellation: Sure | Wi-fi charging: No | Water resistance: IPX4 | Multipoint connectivity: No | Put on detection: Sure | Max battery life (rated): 6 hrs, 24 hrs w/ case | Codecs: SBC, AAC | Guarantee: 1 12 months
Learn our full Beats Fit Pro review
Most of our picks above will work simply nice within the health club, however for those who’re shopping for a pair for exercises firstly, strive the Beats Fit Pro. Sure, we’re recommending a set of Apple-made earbuds in an Android shopping for information. However whereas they work greatest with iPhones, most of their AirPods-style options are additionally obtainable on Android by the Beats app. You may pair them with one faucet by a pop-up card, view a map with their final recognized location, swap between ANC and ambient sound modes from the house display screen, remap controls and test their battery stage from the notification tray. There’s no hi-res codec help, however normally the drop-off from iOS to Android isn’t practically as nice right here as it’s with AirPods.
The primary purpose we suggest the Match Professional is their light-weight design, which is supplied with flexible silicone fins that preserve the earbuds safe in place whilst you’re transferring round. Their IPX4 water-resistance ranking isn’t one of the best, nevertheless it ought to be sufficient for all however the sweatiest gymgoers. (Simply don’t use them within the pool.) We additionally like that the Match Professional makes use of bodily buttons to regulate quantity or skip tracks, since contact controls can really feel finicky while you’re attempting to maintain up with a exercise. Their punchy sound is well-suited to the health club as properly, with a noticeable however not overwhelming push within the bass and treble. It’s not one for purists, nevertheless it’s energetic.
Should you aren’t particularly searching for exercise earbuds, you possibly can nonetheless do higher. The Match Professional lack wi-fi charging and multipoint connectivity, and there’s no approach to customise the EQ for those who don’t just like the default sound. Their built-in mics aren’t something particular for telephone calls, and the five- to six-hour battery life is on the sting of satisfactory. The charging case is considerably giant as properly. Plus, whereas the ANC mode is beneficial sufficient for tamping down the noise of a health club, it’s a transparent step down from one of the best choices in the marketplace.
- Safe match for exercises
- Punchy sound is well-suited to the health club
- Bodily management buttons
- No wi-fi charging or multipoint connectivity
- Battery life is simply OK
- ANC is not nice however nothing particular
Lively noise cancellation: Sure | Wi-fi charging: Sure | Water resistance: IP54 (IPX4 for case) | Multipoint connectivity: Sure (2 units) | Put on detection: Sure | Max battery life (rated): 12 hrs, 48 hrs w/ case | Codecs: SBC, AAC | Guarantee: 1 12 months
Learn our full Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 review
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are explicitly designed to work in concord with different Pixel units, in order that they’re value contemplating for those who’re a devoted fan of Google’s telephones. They arrive with a number of helpful bonus options, from remote ringing and a “conversation detection” mode to a customizable EQ and automatic switching between units paired to your Google account. (You additionally get hands-free entry to Google’s Gemini AI bot, although we wouldn’t name that important.) You may nonetheless entry a lot of the Pixel Buds’ perks on different Android units by downloading a separate app, however all the performance is baked into Pixel telephones natively. This implies you possibly can handle the earbuds, test battery standing and the like proper out of your gadget’s settings menus. It’s just like how Apple integrates AirPods with iOS.
The earbuds themselves are completely competent past that, with a tiny but comfy design, respectable ANC for the worth, eight-ish hours of battery life, sufficient name high quality and an fulfilling sound with punchy bass and prolonged treble. That mentioned, you’ll nonetheless get richer audio high quality and extra sturdy noise cancellation from our Sony and Noble picks above, so those that aren’t all-in on Google {hardware} can be at liberty to look elsewhere.
- Tight integration with Pixel telephones
- Tiny, cozy design
- Agreeable sound
- Smaller contact panels require precision
- ANC is not on par with Sony WF-1000XM5
Lively noise cancellation: Sure | Wi-fi charging: Sure | Water resistance: IP57 | Multipoint connectivity: No | Put on detection: Sure | Max battery life (rated): 7 hrs, 30 hrs w/ case | Codecs: SBC, AAC, SSC, SSC-UHQ | Guarantee: 1 12 months
Learn our full Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro review
Alongside these traces, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are to Galaxy telephones what the Pixel Buds Professional 2 are to Pixel telephones. Utilizing them with a Samsung handset unlocks a couple of ecosystem-specific perks, together with the hi-res Samsung Seamless codec, a real-time translation device and a “Recreation Mode” that reduces latency. That’s on high of options like spatial audio, a graphic EQ, a misplaced gadget finder, adaptive ANC, simplified voice instructions and automated switching between Samsung units.
This type of walled backyard method is irritating; keep in mind when you can plug your headphones into any gadget and it’d work the identical method each time? However, as with the Pixel Buds and AirPods, the Galaxy Buds 3 Professional are undeniably handy for those who’ve already purchased into their chosen platform.
The remainder of the package deal will get extra proper than unsuitable, although there are some points value calling out. The stem-style design just about rips off the AirPods Professional — that is significantly evident with the white end — however provides bizarre, pointless LED strips down the stems. It’s comfy, however Samsung isn’t beating the copycat allegations right here. The ANC isn’t on par with the Sony XM5s both, and the six-hour battery life is shorter than many different premium pairs. There’s additionally no hi-res codec help with non-Samsung telephones. On the plus aspect, the ambient sound mode works properly. And most significantly, these items sound wonderful out of the field, with full, meaty bass complemented by amply detailed highs and upper-mids.
It’s value noting that Samsung froze shipments of the Galaxy Buds 3 Professional proper round launch because of high quality management considerations (primarily relating to the inventory eartips), however these look to have been resolved, and we haven’t seen something out of the bizarre with our overview unit.
- Tight integration with Samsung telephones
- Nice audio high quality
- Comfortable match
- Pure ambient sound
- Want a Samsung telephone to get essentially the most out of them
- Battery life is shorter than some rivals
- Copycat design with gimmicky LED lights
What to search for in wi-fi earbuds for Android units
A choice of wi-fi earbuds sit organized in rows on a granite background.
(Picture by Jeff Dunn / Engadget)
For essentially the most half, the options you need from a set of “Android earbuds” are the identical as what you need from any headphones. Nice sound high quality, a snug match and enough battery life are nonetheless the foundations. Satisfactory water resistance is sweet for exercises, and no person needs a crummy mic for making calls. When you method the $100 vary, options like lively noise cancellation (ANC), wi-fi charging, an ambient sound mode (which helps you to higher hear exterior noise with out turning off your music) and multipoint connectivity (the flexibility to pair with a number of units concurrently) ought to be anticipated.
For Android units particularly, there are a couple of extras to think about. A devoted app that makes it straightforward to change sound modes, customise the audio profile, find your earbuds in the event that they ever get misplaced or modify different settings is strongly most popular. Options like Google Fast Pair or NFC-based pairing, which may also help you keep away from having to dig by your Bluetooth menu to attach your earbuds for the primary time, are additionally good perks. Some Android units may also make the most of higher-quality Bluetooth codecs equivalent to aptX Adaptive or Sony’s LDAC — these aren’t practically as essential to audio high quality because the precise structure of your earbuds, however they may also help wring out just a little extra element if the buds are succesful sufficient and also you’re streaming lossless information. AptX Adaptive may also assist cut back latency, which is sweet for streaming video or gaming.
Range is Android’s best power, nevertheless it additionally signifies that some wi-fi earbuds play nicer with sure units, sometimes these made by the identical firm. Latest Samsung earbuds, as an example, include a couple of perks which can be solely obtainable for those who use a Galaxy telephone. We’ve a few suggestions associated to this concept above.
How we check Android earbuds
Sony WF-1000XM5 overview
(Picture by Billy Steele/Engadget)
The easiest way to check earphones is just to put on them as a lot as attainable, in order that’s what we do. We sometimes do that over a one- to two-week interval, although embargo occasions sometimes drive us to complete our overview course of a bit sooner. We take heed to a check playlist that features a number of musical genres and podcasts, paying shut consideration to how every pair approaches the bass, mid and treble frequencies to get an correct sense of its sound profile. We additionally check at excessive and low volumes to test for consistency within the tuning. We wouldn’t have entry to a dummy head to take extra goal measurements, however we’ll typically look to websites like Rtings, SoundGuys and others that do exactly to make sure our impressions are usually not wildly off-base. If a mannequin helps customized EQ, we’ll tinker with that and use the obtainable EQ presets to see if one sounds dramatically higher than the others — although normally we base most of our impressions on the inventory tuning every pair makes use of by default.
To evaluate microphone high quality, we report our personal audio samples and take a number of calls with a companion each indoors and out of doors. For battery life, we play our check playlist on a loop with the amount round 75 p.c and measure how lengthy it takes for every set to empty. The place relevant, we do an intensive overview of a pair’s companion app and check every obtainable function. Whereas consolation is in the end subjective, we be aware of how safe every pair feels whereas we’re on the transfer. We additionally use sure pairs in particularly crowded public areas to get a greater sense of their passive and lively noise cancellation, in addition to their capacity to keep up a constant Bluetooth connection.
Latest updates
August 2025: We’ve taken one other sweep to make sure our recommendation continues to be up-to-date.
Might 2025: We’ve checked this information to make sure our high picks nonetheless stand and famous a pair options to the Noble Fokus Rex5, since that pair has had inventory problems with late. We’re additionally maintaining a tally of how the Trump administration’s tariff policy impacts the pricing and inventory of our suggestions (and the buyer tech business as an entire). All of our picks are nonetheless obtainable of their regular worth ranges at the moment, however we’ll replace this information if that modifications.
February 2025: The Noble FoKus Rex5 is our new “greatest for sound high quality” decide, changing the Sennheiser Momentum True Wi-fi 4. Our different suggestions stay unchanged.
December 2024: We’ve evenly edited this information for readability and ensured that our present picks are nonetheless correct.
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