Looking for wireless earbuds that can last an entire day or more without charging? We’ve got you covered.
| Name | Battery Life (earbuds) | Total Battery Life with Charging Case | Charging Time | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master & Dynamic MW08 Best Overall | 12 hours | 42 hours | 45 minutes | BUY |
| Lypertek PurePlay Z3 2.0 Strong Runner-Up | 10 hours | 80 hours | Charge 15 minutes for 2 hours playtime | BUY |
| Edifier TWS1 PRO Best Budget | 12 hours | 42 hours | Charge 15 minutes for 2 hours playtime | BUY |
| Back Bay Duet 50 Pro Best Charging Case | 8 hours | 130 hours | 2.5 hours | BUY |
| Oladance OWS Pro Best Battery on Single Charge | 16 hours | 58 hours | Charge 15min for 6 hours playtime | BUY |
| JBL Reflect Flow Best for Sports | 10 hours | 30 hours | Charge 10 minutes for 1 hour playtime | BUY |
| Cambridge Audio Melomania 1+ Best Customizable Sound | 9 hours | 45 hours | 2 hours | BUY |
| Edifier TWS NB2 Pro Best with ANC | 9 hours | 32 hours | Charge 15 minutes for 2 hours playtime | BUY |
| Beats Powerbeats 4 Wireless Best for Continuous Listening | 15 hours | - | Charge 5 minutes for 2 hours playtime | BUY |
| Sony WF-1000XM5 Best Noise Cancellation | 8 hours | 36 hours | Charge 5 minutes for 1 hours playtime | BUY |
| JBL Tour Pro 2 Most Unique | 10 hours | 32 hours | Charge for 15 minuites for 4 hours playtime | BUY |
Wireless earbuds are known for their convenience and portability, making them a popular choice for listening to music on the move.
However, not all earbuds last a long time on a single charge, and having your earbuds suddenly die while you listen to music is a mood-killer.
To help, we have curated a list of the eight best earbuds with really good battery life. Keep reading to find out which ones are right for you!
Master & Dynamic MW08
Key features
- Earbuds battery: Up to 12 hours
- Case battery: 30 hours
- Charging time: 50% in 15 minutes; full in 45 minutes
- Wireless charging: Yes
- ANC: Yes
- IP Rating: IPX5
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.2
- Bluetooth Codec: AptX, AAC
- Companion App: M&D Connect
With up to 10 hours of battery life on a single charge (12 hours with ANC off), premium build quality, and overall excellent sound quality, the Master & Dynamic MW08 are easily our top recommendation for anyone who uses earbuds throughout their day for either music, phone calls, or both.
Compared to their older model, the MW07 Plus, these earbuds are upgraded with an additional 2 hours of battery life, fast charging capability, Bluetooth 5.2, and larger drivers.
Moreover, the MW08 come with a metal charging case that can provide an additional 30 hours of battery life to the earbuds. The metal material adds a premium feel with the heft, finish, and improved durability.
Outside of the case, there are three LED indicators (green, red, and yellow) that act as charging indicators for the earbuds.
These earbuds have 11mm Berylium drivers that deliver excellent sound for most people right off the bat. They also support both AAC and AptX Bluetooth audio codecs.
While there’s no IP rating for the charging case, the earbuds are certified IPX5, which means they are splash and sweatproof from any direction.
Within the M&D Connect app, you can adjust the ANC into Max ANC or All Day ANC. Max ANC gets you deeper noise cancellation but reduces the battery life. All Day ANC reduces the intensity but prolongs the battery life.
You can also set up the earbuds’ in-ear detection and ambient mode configuration from the app.
Unfortunately, there are no custom EQ settings – which may be a deal-breaker if you like to customize the sound profile. But even considering the lack of custom EQ, these earbuds have excellent details for lows and highs, which would cater to the sound preferences of most people.
Lypertek PurePlay Z3 2.0
Key features
- Earbuds battery: Up to 10 hours
- Case battery: 70 hours
- Charging time: 2 hours of use in 15 minutes
- Wireless charging: Yes
- ANC: No
- IP Rating: IPX7
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.2
- Bluetooth Codec: AptX, AAC, SBC
- Companion App: Purecontrol
The Lypertek PurePlay Z3 2.0 are the rebranded and upgraded version of the popular Lypertek TEVI lineup. These wireless earbuds have a whopping 10 hours of battery plus 70 hours on the charging case – which are among the many reasons we put them as a runner-up for this list.
On top of the ridiculous battery life, the PurePlay Z3 2.0 have features that were missing in the TEVI, including wireless charging, Bluetooth 5.2, transparency mode, and LDX audio.
Lypertek equipped the Z3 2.0 have 6mm Graphene-coated dynamic drivers that can deliver high-definition, crisp, and well-defined dynamic sound on all frequencies. Fortunately, the excellent digital signal processor (DSP) in the Qualcomm 3040 chipset also helps the PurePlay Z3 2.0 avoid the harsh and treble-y sound profile that can lead to the dreaded listener fatigue.
But if the bright default sound profile isn’t your favorite, the Purecontrol companion app offers a 7-band EQ that you can customize to find the sound that you like best. The app also lets you activate the LDX audio, customize the button controls, activate the ambient mode, update the firmware, and find your earbuds.
But as great and complete these wireless earbuds are, there’s a reason the PurePlay Z3 2.0 are listed here as runner-up: the lack of ANC. The overall recording quality of Z3’s microphones are also average at best, so you may want to go with other options if you do a lot of phone calls with your earbuds.
Edifier TWS1 Pro
Key features
- Earbuds battery: Up to 12 hours
- Case battery: 30 hours
- Charging time: 1.5 hours (earbuds); 40 minutes (case)
- Wireless charging: No
- ANC: No
- IP Rating: IP65
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.2
- Bluetooth Codec: AptX, SBC
- Companion App: N/A
The Edifier TWS1 Pro introduce a massive upgrade on the sound quality and battery from the original TWS1.
While the non-pro variant had 8 hours of battery, the TWS1 Pro can deliver up to 12 hours of continuous playback with an additional 30 hours on the charging case. But what’s even better is that Edifier offers the all-around upgraded earbuds at an incredibly competitive price.
If you’re ever in a hurry, the TWS1 Pro also support fast charging that can get you to 2 hours of playback time in just 15 minutes. It only also takes 40 minutes to fully charge the case, which is incredible considering the 30 hours of battery life you’ll get.
Edifier has also fine-tuned the drivers and all the audio processing inside the TWS1 Pro to the absolute limit. As a result, the TWS1 Pro can deliver punchy bass and clear highs in the V-shaped sound signature that caters to most people.
If you’re an active person who spends a lot of time outdoors, the TWS1 Pro also have IP65 waterproof and dust resistant. And, the charging case has a carrying handle for better portability.
Unfortunately, there’s no touch control customization or custom EQ since Edifier doesn’t have a companion app for the TWS1 Pro. Also, despite being the upgraded version, the TWS1 Pro have the same exact design as the non-pro version – including the less-than-premium build quality.
Back Bay Duet 50 Pro
Key features
- Earbuds battery: 8 hours
- Case battery: 122 hours
- Charging time: 2.5 hours
- Wireless charging: No
- ANC: No
- IP Rating: IPX5
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0
- Bluetooth Codec: AptX, AAC, SBC
- Companion App: N/A
The Back Bay Duet 50 Pro are excellent earbuds with 8 hours of playback time – which is on-par with most mid-end wireless earbuds. However, that’s not what made us include this pair here.
The Duet 50 Pro’s charging case has a whopping 122 hours of total power onboard that can keep your earbuds fully charged for days before needing to connect to a power outlet.
What’s even more interesting is that you can use the case as a 2600 mAh battery bank for other devices that can charge using USB 5v, like phones and tablets. The case now also comes with USB-C instead of the micro-USB that was in the original version.
But the long battery life on the Duet 50 Pro and their case aren’t all you’ll get. These earbuds use both AptX and AAC to ensure excellent audio quality on a wide range of devices and operating systems.
Included with the earbuds are 6 pairs of silicone ear tips, a USB-C charging cable, a USB-C to USB-A converter for reverse charging.
If you want to use just one earbud, there’s a mono audio mode that lets you use each earbud individually for an even longer listening time.
Compared to the previous version, the original Duet 50 and these Duet 50 Pro are quite identical. Both of them have a similar low-profile design with a snug fit. They also have physical buttons that let you control just about everything. However, the older model only have 40 hours of battery on the charging case.
But the massive battery life comes at a cost. The Duet 50 Pro requires 2.5 hours to fully charge, which might be a deal breaker for power users who need to have constant uptime on their earbuds.
Oladance OWS Pro
Key features
- Earbuds battery: 16 hours
- Charging time: 15 minutes for 6 hours playback
- Wireless charging: No
- ANC: Yes
- IP Rating: IPX4
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0
- Bluetooth Codec: SBC
- Companion App: Oladance App (Android/iOS)
The Oladance OWS Pro stand out with the remarkable 16-hour of the earbuds themselves, which also goes up to 58 hours with the charging case. Plus, a mere 15-minute charge yields an additional 6 hours of usage, making them a great companion for extended trips or busy days.
Not just about battery life, the OWS Pro also excel in comfort and functionality, boasting an IPX4 rating for splash resistance which is perfect for those with an active lifestyle. With an open-ear design, they provide a secure fit while allowing awareness of the surroundings, making them a great companion if you would like to run or take a walk.
Additionally, their intuitive controls and the Oladance App customization offer personalized settings that you can change according to your preferences.
The active noise cancellation feature coupled with 6 MEMs microphones ensures crystal-clear calls and effective external noise reduction. Despite their lightweight design, the OWS Pro delivers impressive audio quality, with decent bass response and clear vocals across various genres.
However, the OWS Pro lacks sound isolation because of their open-ear design, which might be a consideration if audio privacy is important to you. Also, the open-back design limits bass response compared to closed-back alternatives.
JBL Reflect Flow
Key features
- Earbuds battery: 10 hours
- Case battery: 20 hours
- Charging time: 1 hour of use in 10 minutes
- Wireless charging: No
- ANC: No
- IP Rating: IPX7
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0
- Bluetooth Codec: SBC, AAC
- Companion App: N/A
The JBL Reflect Flow offer a pair of excellent workout earbuds that have all the features you’d need in sporting activities, including 10 hours battery, silicone wings, ambient mode, and IPX7 waterproof certification.
Being a product from one of the premium brands, the Reflect Flow come with a robust brushed aluminum case trimmed with rubber that provides a degree of fall resistance.
On the back of the case, there’s a Micro-USB charging port and a LED bar as the battery indicator. The case also provides an additional 20 hours of battery life for your earbuds.
The Reflect Flow use Bluetooth 5.0 with AAC and SBC audio codecs to handle the signal compression. They sound very similar to JBL’s over-ear headphones like the E55bt or 500bt with powerful, yet clean bass that doesn’t roll over to other frequencies.
If you’re an active person, the ambient mode is particularly excellent for outdoor activities where you’ll need to stay aware of your surroundings. The silicone ear wings also improve the fit in your ears for running or other exercises.
You won’t have to worry about wearing these earbuds in the rain or even underwater since they have IPX7 waterproof certification. But despite having the waterproof sealing, the mic quality on the Reflect Flow are still excellent for phone calls.
One main drawback is that these earbuds still use Micro-USB, which may be less compatible with today’s mainstream devices that often use USB-C or Lightning. There’s also no companion app support, so you’re stuck with the stock sound. Lastly, if you want to use a single earbud, you can only use the right one.
Cambridge Audio Melomania 1+
Key features
- Earbuds battery: 9 hours
- Case battery: 36 hours
- Charging time: 2 hours
- Wireless charging: No
- ANC: No
- IP Rating: IPX5
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0
- Bluetooth Codec: AptX, AAC, SBC
- Companion App: Melomania App (Android/iOS)
The Cambridge Audio Melomania 1+ are our strong recommendation for anyone who’s looking for earbuds with a long-lasting battery but wants a certain sound signature from their wireless earbuds. The Melomania app allows you to update the firmware, find your earbuds, and, most importantly, customize the EQ.
These earbuds are the updated version of the Melomania 1, which we have reviewed before. One key upgrade is the Melomania app compatibility, which the original didn’t have.
By default, the Melomania 1+ will give you 9 hours of playback time on the earbuds. But if you prefer better sound quality over battery life, there’s a high-performance mode that will deliver higher quality sound but reduce the battery to about 7.5 hours.
Turning on high-performance mode without tweaking the EQ will boost the bass and create an overall warm sound signature – but the details of the mids and highs are still crystal clear. The good thing is, you can always modify the EQ through the app should you prefer a different sound signature.
The Melomania 1+ use physical buttons with intuitive control for pretty much everything you’d want, like play/pause, skip tracks, and even volume control. There are mic holes at the bottom of each earbud, and since the earbuds are cylindrical, you’d want to make sure these holes are facing down so they can pick up your voice better during phone calls.
Another excellent selling point for the Melomaina 1+ is the abundance of ear tips selection right out of the box. You’ll get four sets of foam ear tips and six silicone ear tips – you’re almost guaranteed to find the ones that fit your ears just right.
But despite having superb customization options, the Melomania 1+ is lacking in the latest features such as ANC, fast charging, and multipoint connection. Cambridge Audio seems to focus its budget solely on audio quality for this product – so if you’re looking for additional features, this pair may not be suitable for you.
Edifier TWS NB2 Pro
Key features
- Earbuds battery: 7 hours (ANC); 9 hours (ANC off)
- Case battery: up to 23 hours
- Charging time: 15 minutes for 2 hours playback
- Wireless charging: No
- ANC: Yes
- IP Rating: IP54
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0
- Bluetooth Codec: AAC, SBC
- Companion App: Edifier Connect
The Edifier TWS NB2 Pro are an upgraded version of Edifier’s well-reviewed NB2 earbuds with overall better ANC, performance, features, and sound quality.
Despite being priced as mid-range wireless earbuds, NB2 Pro have very close ANC performance to flagship models from Sony or Apple.
On top of the improved ANC, the 7 hours of battery life with ANC should be just enough to last an entire day – given that you don’t blast songs at full volume the entire time. Turning off the ANC will give you 9 hours of battery life.
Design-wise, the NB2 Pro are identical to the original NB2. What’s getting upgrades are mostly the internals and features. While the NB2 Pro still have Bluetooth 5.0, they now support AAC and SBC codecs compared to the original, which only support SBC.
The earbuds’ charging ports are also upgraded with quick charge technology that grants 2 hours of battery life with 15 minutes of charging. The upgrade also brings down the time required to fully charge the earbuds to an hour from the original NB2, which require 1.5 hours.
Moreover, the NB2 Pro also comes with Edifier Connect compatibility, which introduces further controls over the features. You can monitor the battery life, control the ANC intensity, and select sound effects to enhance your listening experience from the app.
Unfortunately, the touch controls sometimes fail to register your inputs, so there’s a bit of a learning curve on how to utilize them.
There’s also a voice prompt that pauses the audio playback for around two seconds when you turn ANC on or off – which is a little annoying. You can turn the voice prompt volume down, but it will still pause the playback.
Beats Powerbeats 4 Wireless
Key features
- Earbuds battery: 15 hours
- Charging time: 15 minutes for 2 hours playback
- Wireless charging: No
- ANC: Yes
- IP Rating: IPX4
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0
- Bluetooth Codec: AAC, SBC
- Companion App: Beats app
If you’re looking for a pair of wireless earbuds that just keeps going beyond a typical day – and you are not a fan of truly wireless earbuds – the Powerbeats 4 could be the right choice for you.
These earbuds have a whopping 15 hours of battery life on a single charge, nearly twice as much as their truly wireless sibling, the Powerbeats 4 Pro.
Unlike other products on this list, the Powerbeats 4 still use the old-school wireless earbuds design with a cord connecting the left and right earbuds. There’s also no charging case for the Powerbeats 4 since there’s a built-in Lightning charging port on the right earbud with blazing-fast charging that gives you 2 hours of playback time in 5 minutes.
Despite having Bluetooth 5.0, the Powerbeats 4 support a multipoint connection with up to two devices.
The sound quality is also excellent with the support of SBC and AAC codecs. The bass is super clean and punchy, even at a higher volume. Mids and highs also have clear details and sound separation.
For someone who loves outdoor activities, the Powerbeats 4 are IPX4 certified – meaning they are splash-proof from any direction. If you sweat a lot or take them out on a drizzly run, they should be fine, but you don’t want to soak them completely wet or take them swimming.
The chord connecting the Powerbeats 4 also doesn’t carry too much noise from bumping or scrubbing against your neck, which could distract your listening experience.
Unfortunately, the Powerbeats 4 do not have active noise canceling or ambient mode, which may be important if you do a lot of outdoor activities. Depending on the fit on your ears, the Powerbeats 4 may leak a little bit of sound, especially in a quiet room.
Sony WF-1000XM5
Key features
- Earbuds battery: 8 hours
- Charging time: 5 minutes for 1 hour playback
- Wireless charging: Yes
- ANC: Yes
- IP Rating: IPX5
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0
- Bluetooth Codec: SBC, AAC, LDAC
- Companion App: Sony headphones connect (Android/iOS)
The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds claim the top spot for best noise cancellation, setting a new standard with their exceptional ANC performance. Featuring a noise reduction algorithm powered by Deep Neural Network (DNN) processing and bone conduction sensors, they excel in preserving sound quality and clarity.
The earbud’s mic setup ensures outstanding voice pickup and effective wind noise reduction.
The WF-1000XM5 boasts an impressive battery life, offering up to 8 hours with ANC on or 12 hours with ANC off on a single charge, complemented by an additional 16 hours provided by the charging case.
Sony’s attention to detail is evident in the design enhancements of the WF-1000XM5, featuring a textured hard plastic shell for improved durability and a more comfortable fit. The addition of angled ear tips enhances wearing comfort, making them suitable for extended listening sessions.
The controls, including automatic music pause when removing an earbud and customizable touch sensor functions, further improves the user experience.
In addition to its impressive features, the WF-1000XM5 comes with an IPX4 rating, ensuring protection against minor splashes and water sprays. Furthermore, these earbuds support multiple audio codecs, including SBC, AAC, and LDAC, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of devices and delivering high-quality audio streaming.
To unlock the earbuds’ full potential, users are encouraged to download the Sony Headphones Connect App, allowing for firmware updates and offering a range of customization
However, despite its many strengths, the WF-1000XM5 is not without flaws. Users have reported frustrating connection dropout issues. After regular use, the case lid may become wobbly, unlike that of its predecessor, the WF-1000XM4.
Despite these drawbacks, the WF-1000XM5 excels in microphone performance, rivaling other top-tier products like the Master & Dynamic MW08 and Lypertek PurePlay Z3 2.0.
JBL Tour Pro 2
Key features
- Earbuds battery: 10 hours
- Charging time: 15 minutes for 4 hours playback
- Wireless charging: Yes
- ANC: Yes
- IP Rating: IPX5
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0
- Bluetooth Codec: AAC, LC3, LC3+, SBC
- Companion App: JBL Headphones App (Android/iOS)
The JBL Tour Pro 2 wireless earbuds stand out as the most unique choice on our list. These wireless earbuds potentially initiate a new trend in wireless earbud design through the interactive case display.
The screen offers quick access to earbud settings and convenient extras like timers and a flashlight directly from the case screen. Users can seamlessly manage ANC modes, EQ presets, and other features without needing to access a separate app.
It comes with an outstanding battery life of up to 32 hours (with ANC on). You can charge for 15 minutes for 4 hours of playtime.
Additionally, the durable construction of the case ensures reliability, with no compromise on build quality. Designed for stability and comfort, the Tour Pro 2 earbuds feature capacitive touch control panels and customizable functions via the JBL companion app.
With six dedicated microphones, the earbuds excel in voice pickup, ensuring clear communication even in quiet environments. Their IPX5 rating offers protection against minor splashes and water sprays.
However, despite their many strengths, the transparency/ambient sound mode of the Tour Pro 2 falls short compared to competitors like the Lypertek PurePlay. They exhibit a stuffy sound quality and noticeable lag. Additionally, the all-plastic build may not match the high price tag associated with the product, potentially impacting its overall aesthetic appeal.
How to Choose the Best Wireless Earbuds With Long Battery Life
Choosing the best earbuds with long battery life isn’t as simple as looking for those that offer the longest battery on paper, as real-life performance varies. Plus, you wouldn’t want to be stuck with a pair that lasts long but don’t perform well anywhere else.
Here’s what to consider before making your choice.
Battery life
There’s nothing more annoying than hearing that low battery notification from your wireless earbuds when you’re still in the middle of the day with no sign of getting home anytime soon.
Regular wireless earbuds can put a quite sizable battery in the in-line controllers attached to the cable. But truly wireless earbuds don’t have any cable, and manufacturers have to find clever ways to include a somewhat large enough battery into each earpiece.
Compared to the additional features and improved sound quality, the half-day battery life is considered to be pretty good for today’s market.
If you’re willing to go all-in, premium models like the Master & Dynamic MW08 can last north of 10 hours on a single charge. On top of that, their charging cases can also provide an additional 20+ hours of battery life.
Charging time
It’s no use having wireless earbuds that can last an entire day but take just as much time to charge. That’s why you should consider how fast your earbuds can get back into action. On average, a pair of truly wireless earbuds can fully charge in 1 – 2 hours, depending on the product.
The game-changer is the fast-charging option, though. With this, your earbuds can get up to 50% battery in just 15 minutes and full charge in less than an hour. When you combine the fast-charging technology with how small earbud batteries are, you get incredibly quick and efficient power management.
Will they fit your lifestyle?
To pick up the best wireless earbuds, you should also consider how they fit your lifestyle. While we’re looking at the models with the best battery life, some earbuds excel at specific situations.
Earbuds with ANC can actively negate background noises, making them suitable for people who spend a lot of time in noisy places or during commutes. Some wireless earbuds also have an IP rating (e.g., IPX5 or IP68) that indicates their resistance to moisture and dust, making them suitable for people who spend a lot of time outdoors or working out.
Bluetooth quality
Bluetooth is undeniably the most used connectivity for wireless earbuds, thanks to their small size and compatibility with most modern devices. Whether you’ve got a MacBook, Windows PC, iPhone, or Android device – you’ll probably be able to pair your wireless earbuds to them.
But despite its popularity, Bluetooth still comes with several drawbacks, such as range limitation, latency or delay, and higher risks of interference with other radio waves.
Other than keeping the drawbacks in mind, you should also pay attention to the earbuds’ Bluetooth specs such as:
Bluetooth version
Since the 90’s – there have been multiple Bluetooth versions. Bluetooth 5.0 and later are by far the most advanced, but suffixed versions have areas where they’re superior. For example, Bluetooth 5.1 has better power management, whereas Bluetooth 5.2 introduced faster pairing, lower latency, and better battery life.
While Bluetooth is technically backward-compatible, it’s still a hardware-based technology that uses different chips for their major releases.
Let’s say you’ve got Lypertek PurePlay (Bluetooth 5.2) and an iPhone 7 (Bluetooth 4.2). You can technically still use the earbuds, but you’ll only be getting the features of Bluetooth 4.2 instead of Bluetooth 5.2 that your earbuds have.
To get the best out of your wireless earbuds and improve your experience with them, you should check whether your playback device has the same (or at least close) Bluetooth version as your wireless earbuds.
Bluetooth audio codecs
Bluetooth has limited bandwidth to transfer the audio signal between your device to the earbuds. It uses audio codecs to compress the signal to achieve a smoother data transfer process.
Depending on the audio codec your earbuds use, there will be a varying degree of sound quality and battery consumption. Some of the most highly-recommended audio codecs in connectivity, efficiency, and sound quality are AptX and LDAC.
Audio codecs also rely on hardware processing. Make sure the earbuds’ codecs match the audio source’s. Otherwise, the playback will automatically revert to SBC, the most basic audio codec with the lowest quality.
Comfort and fit
If you want to get the most out of the long battery life that your earbuds have, you should ensure that they fit well in your ears.
It’s no use having wireless earbuds with 10+ hours of battery life if they make your ears sore after only one or two hours. The ear tip’s size, shape, and material can greatly affect how comfortable and well-fitting the earbuds will be for you.
There are four common ear tip materials that you’ll find on the market: foam, silicone, hybrid, and rubber. If you’re unfamiliar with the differences between them, here’s a brief guideline to help you find the best ear tips:
- Foam: Best fit and most comfortable even for long listening sessions, but tends to spoil faster than silicone.
- Silicone: The most durable of the bunch and the most popular, but it can be irritating when worn for an extended period. Silicone ear tips also provide the best seal.
- Hybrid: A combination of silicone and foam, a little less common but the ones from Sony have excellent quality.
- Rubber: Try to avoid this one since it can cause an allergic reaction to the skin.
While the ear tips don’t affect sound quality directly, they may provide better or worse sound isolation. It’s best to get the most comfortable one for you so you can get the most out of their long battery life, especially if you’re planning on wearing them all the time.
Sound quality
Sound quality is a subjective aspect of wireless earbuds that often comes down to what type of sound you like. However, clearer and more accurate sounds are generally perceived as the standard goal.
However, earbuds can only achieve the clarity and accuracy of sound reproduction through precise engineering using high-quality components.
But then again, it’s almost impossible to create a sound profile that suits everyone’s preferences. People who love jazz music will likely prefer having more detail over deeper bass, but other genres like hip-hop and funk tend to emphasize the lows.
There are two factors that you can use to grasp whether a pair of wireless earbuds will have great sound quality:
- Driver units: These are the components responsible for generating the sound. Some drivers have more details, while others offer better power efficiency. Check out our guide on types of headphone drivers to understand the characteristics of different driver units.
- Customizable sound via companion app: Since sound quality is largely subjective, having a customizable EQ via companion app is a great way to ensure you get the sound you want.