Best Wireless Earbuds 2025: AirPods vs Galaxy Buds vs Sony
Wireless earbuds have become essential tech. But with dozens of options from $30 to $300, choosing the right pair is overwhelming. This guide compares the best earbuds of 2025 across every category.
Quick Recommendations
| Category | Best Pick | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Sony WF-1000XM5 | $279 |
| Best for iPhone | AirPods Pro 2 | $249 |
| Best for Android | Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro | $249 |
| Best Value | Sony WF-C700N | $119 |
| Best Budget | Samsung Galaxy Buds FE | $99 |
| Best for Fitness | Jabra Elite 8 Active | $199 |
| Best Sound | Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 | $299 |
Top Picks Reviewed
Best Overall: Sony WF-1000XM5
Price: $279
Sony's flagship delivers the best combination of sound, ANC, and features.
Pros:
- Best-in-class ANC
- Exceptional sound quality
- Comfortable fit
- LDAC high-res audio support
- Speak-to-Chat feature
- 8-hour battery (24 with case)
- Works great with all devices
Cons:
- Premium price
- No multipoint out of box (update added)
- Case is fingerprint magnet
Sound: Warm, detailed, with excellent bass and clarity. LDAC support for high-res from Android.
ANC: Simply the best. Blocks out planes, trains, and office noise effectively.
Best for: Audio enthusiasts who want top-tier everything regardless of phone platform.
Best for iPhone: AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C)
Price: $249
The seamless Apple experience remains unmatched.
Pros:
- Seamless Apple integration
- Excellent ANC
- Great transparency mode
- Conversation awareness
- Adaptive audio
- Personalized spatial audio
- Find My precision finding
- 6-hour battery (30 with case)
Cons:
- Best with Apple devices
- Less impressive with Android
- Sound quality behind Sony
Sound: Clean, balanced, good but not audiophile-grade. Spatial Audio is impressive.
ANC: Excellent, second only to Sony. Adaptive mode is genuinely useful.
Best for: iPhone users wanting seamless integration. The ecosystem benefits are huge.
Best for Android: Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
Price: $249
Samsung's answer to AirPods Pro, but for Android/Galaxy users.
Pros:
- Excellent Samsung integration
- Great ANC
- Good sound with SSC codec
- Comfortable new design
- Interpreter feature
- 7-hour battery (30 with case)
- Blade light design
Cons:
- Best with Samsung phones
- Some features Galaxy-only
- Design change divisive
Sound: Detailed and crisp with good bass. SSC codec brings high-res to Galaxy phones.
ANC: Very good, competes with AirPods Pro. Adaptive mode works well.
Best for: Samsung Galaxy users. Good for all Android, but Galaxy gets full features.
Best Value: Sony WF-C700N
Price: $119
80% of flagship Sony quality at under half the price.
Pros:
- Great sound for price
- Effective ANC
- Comfortable fit
- Good app with EQ
- 10-hour battery (20 with case)
- Multipoint connection
Cons:
- No wireless charging
- No LDAC support
- Plastic build
Sound: Impressive for the price. Clear mids, punchy bass, detailed highs.
ANC: Not WF-1000XM5 level, but genuinely useful for commuting and office.
Best for: Anyone wanting quality ANC earbuds without paying flagship prices.
Best Budget: Samsung Galaxy Buds FE
Price: $99
Flagship features at budget price.
Pros:
- ANC at $99
- Good sound quality
- Comfortable fit
- IPX2 water resistance
- Samsung integration
- 6-hour battery (21 with case)
Cons:
- No wireless charging
- Average microphone
- Basic features compared to Pro
Best for: Budget buyers wanting ANC, especially Samsung users.
Best for Fitness: Jabra Elite 8 Active
Price: $199
Built for workouts and durability.
Pros:
- IP68 water/dust resistance
- Secure fit for sports
- Great call quality
- Good ANC
- ShakeGrip coating
- 8-hour battery (32 with case)
- Durable build
Cons:
- Sound not class-leading
- App could be better
- No LDAC
Sound: Good, but optimized for fitness use over audiophile listening.
Durability: MIL-STD-810H certified. Can handle sweat, rain, drops.
Best for: Runners, gym-goers, anyone prioritizing durability and secure fit.
Best Sound Quality: Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4
Price: $299
For those who prioritize audio above all.
Pros:
- Exceptional sound quality
- LDAC and aptX Adaptive
- Good ANC
- Premium build
- EQ customization
- 8-hour battery (30 with case)
Cons:
- Expensive
- Larger size
- ANC not best-in-class
Sound: Audiophile-grade. Rich, detailed, with excellent soundstage. Best sound in category.
Best for: Music lovers who prioritize audio quality over everything else.
Feature Comparison
Sound Quality Ranking
- Sennheiser MTW4 - Audiophile-grade
- Sony WF-1000XM5 - Excellent all-around
- Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro - Very good
- AirPods Pro 2 - Good, not leading
- Sony WF-C700N - Great for price
- Jabra Elite 8 Active - Good
ANC Ranking
- Sony WF-1000XM5 - Best in class
- AirPods Pro 2 - Excellent
- Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro - Very good
- Sennheiser MTW4 - Good
- Jabra Elite 8 Active - Good
- Sony WF-C700N - Decent
Battery Life
| Model | Earbuds | With Case |
|---|---|---|
| Jabra Elite 8 Active | 8h | 32h |
| Sony WF-C700N | 10h | 20h |
| Sony WF-1000XM5 | 8h | 24h |
| Samsung Buds 3 Pro | 7h | 30h |
| AirPods Pro 2 | 6h | 30h |
| Sennheiser MTW4 | 8h | 30h |
Call Quality Ranking
- Jabra Elite 8 Active - Excellent
- AirPods Pro 2 - Very good
- Sony WF-1000XM5 - Very good
- Samsung Buds 3 Pro - Good
- Sennheiser MTW4 - Good
- Sony WF-C700N - Decent
By Use Case
For Commuting
Best: Sony WF-1000XM5
Top ANC blocks train/plane noise. Good battery for long trips. Speak-to-Chat for quick interactions.
Budget alternative: Sony WF-C700N
For Work Calls
Best: Jabra Elite 8 Active
Excellent microphones, clear voice pickup, good noise cancellation on calls.
Alternative: AirPods Pro 2 (especially with Mac)
For Gym/Running
Best: Jabra Elite 8 Active
IP68, secure fit, sweat-proof coating, durable build.
Alternative: Beats Fit Pro (iPhone users)
For Music Listening
Best: Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4
Audiophile-grade sound, support for high-res codecs.
Alternative: Sony WF-1000XM5
For Apple Users
Best: AirPods Pro 2
Seamless integration, Spatial Audio, Find My, instant pairing.
No real alternative - ecosystem benefits are huge
For Samsung Users
Best: Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
Full feature access, Galaxy AI features, seamless integration.
Alternative: Sony WF-1000XM5 (if prioritizing sound)
Understanding Specs
Audio Codecs
| Codec | Quality | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| SBC | Basic | Universal |
| AAC | Good | iPhone default |
| LDAC | Excellent | Android, Sony |
| aptX | Good | Some Android |
| SSC | Very Good | Samsung only |
If you care about hi-res audio: Get LDAC-supporting earbuds with Android.
IP Ratings
| Rating | Protection |
|---|---|
| IPX4 | Splash resistant |
| IPX5 | Water jets |
| IP55 | Dust + water jets |
| IP67 | Dust + submersion (1m) |
| IP68 | Dust + deeper submersion |
For workouts: IPX4 minimum, IP55+ recommended
ANC Types
- Active Noise Cancellation (ANC): Uses microphones to cancel external noise
- Transparency Mode: Lets outside sound in
- Adaptive: Adjusts based on environment
Common Mistakes
1. Buying Based on Brand Loyalty
AirPods aren't best for Android users. Galaxy Buds aren't best for iPhone users. Match to your ecosystem.
2. Ignoring Fit
The best-sounding earbuds are useless if they fall out or hurt. Fit is crucial.
3. Overpaying for Features You Won't Use
Don't pay for LDAC if you stream Spotify on iPhone. Don't pay for ANC if you only use them at home.
4. Ignoring Replacement Costs
Lost an earbud? Replacement costs vary significantly.
5. Expecting Headphone Sound
Earbuds have physical limitations. For critical listening, over-ear headphones are still better.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are AirPods worth it for Android? A: No. You lose most integration features. Get Sony or Samsung instead.
Q: How long do wireless earbuds last? A: Battery degrades over 2-3 years. Expect 3-4 years of good use from quality brands.
Q: Are expensive earbuds worth it? A: Diminishing returns above $150. The jump from $50 to $150 is bigger than $150 to $300.
Q: Can I use earbuds for gaming? A: Yes, but latency can be an issue. Look for "gaming mode" or low-latency options.
Q: How do I clean earbuds? A: Soft cloth, occasional isopropyl alcohol on tips. Don't get moisture in speakers.
Q: Wireless charging necessary? A: Nice to have, not essential. Adds $20-50 to price typically.
Quick Decision Guide
iPhone user? → AirPods Pro 2
Samsung user? → Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
Audiophile? → Sennheiser MTW4 or Sony XM5
Gym/Running? → Jabra Elite 8 Active
Best value? → Sony WF-C700N
Budget pick? → Galaxy Buds FE
Conclusion
The "best" earbuds depend on your priorities:
- Best overall quality: Sony WF-1000XM5
- Best iPhone experience: AirPods Pro 2
- Best Android experience: Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
- Best value: Sony WF-C700N
Key principles:
- Match to your phone ecosystem
- Prioritize fit—try before buying if possible
- Know which features you'll actually use
- Don't overspend for marginal gains
Wireless earbuds are daily companions. Invest in a pair that fits your life, sounds great to your ears, and integrates seamlessly with your devices. Happy listening!