• Anne Wang
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Many people are looking for cheap true wireless headphones, but if you're looking for something with top-notch sound, this is the list for you.

It’s now relatively easy to find inexpensive true wireless earbuds that sound pretty decent, and if that’s what you’re looking for, we’ve got a list of the best cheap true wireless earbuds. But alas, many of the best wireless headphones cost a lot. And if sound quality is your top priority, you’re going to have to spend more — and in some instances, a lot more.

The best wireless headphones also tend to be on the bigger side because size does seem to matter when it comes to the sound quality of wireless earbuds. And that’s where the one big caveat to all this comes into play: to get optimal performance, the best wireless headphones need to feel comfortable and fit right — and you have to get a tight seal. If you can’t get a snug fit with in-ear headphones, you’ll think you got ripped off and be sadly disappointed, which is why I suggest buying from a store with a decent return policy — such as Amazon.

Below is a list of the best wireless headphones, with a breakdown of features, including performance, noise cancellation, battery, audio quality and how comfortable they are. I’ll update this list as I test new models (the Anker Soundcore Liberty Pro 2 and Master & Dynamic MW07 Plus have been added as part of the latest update).

Best noise-canceling earbuds
Sony WF-1000XM3

Sony hasn’t been much of a player in the true wireless (AirPods-style) headphone arena, but its new WF-1000XM3 may change that. While this pair of wireless noise-canceling headphones isn’t cheap, at $228 it’s the best-sounding set of truly wireless earbuds at this price, matching and perhaps even exceeding the sound quality and performance of pricier competitors from Sennheiser, Beats, Master & Dynamic and Bang & Olufsen. It also has a feature that those wireless earbuds don’t have: active noise cancellation to reduce ambient noise.

Its only drawback is that it isn’t rated as being sweat- or water-resistant. That said, I’ve used these wireless noise-canceling headphones for light workouts at the gym without a problem.

The Sony WF-1000XM3 active noise-canceling headphones use Bluetooth 5.0 with support for AAC but not aptX.

Water-resistantNo (lacks IPX certification).

Rich, detailed audio
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless

Sennheiser’s Momentum True Wireless earbuds started out at $300, but we’re seeing them on sale for $250.  They’re more expensive than the Bose SoundSport Free and Jabra’s wireless earbuds, but they sound superior to those models, with better bass and cleaner, more detailed audio for a great listening experience. These wireless earbuds also feature good sound quality for making phone calls, with solid ambient noise-reduction capabilities, and offer a generally comfortable fit, though they’re bigger than the Jabras and stick out of your ear a little more. Their only significant downside is that they gradually lose their charge in the charging case and can end up completely dead after about four days if you don’t recharge the case.

I’ve used these wireless earbuds in the gym, but they don’t fit quite securely enough in my ear canal to run with them. Though the touch controls make them easy to use. Battery life is rated at 4 hours, and you get two extra charges from the carrying case. These use Bluetooth 5.0 with support for AAC and aptX and a firmware update has improved their performance slightly.

Water-resistantYes (IPX4 rating — splash-proof).

Value premium sound
Anker Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro

Anker is known more for its value headphones, but it’s trying to step into more premium territory with its Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro earbuds, which carry a list price of $150. From a design standpoint, they share some similarities with Sony’s WF-1000XM3, although this model doesn’t have active noise-cancellation. Anker says they have large 11mm drivers combined with Knowles Balanced Armature, with up to 8 hours of battery life on a single charge (32 total hours of playtime with the case) and noise-cancellation microphones to help reduce ambient sound so callers can hear you better. They charge via USB-C and also support wireless charging.

I’m not sure they sound quite as good as the Sony WF-1000XM3, but they certainly sound like premium true wireless earphones, with rich sound that includes powerful bass performance and lots of detail. Some people may have some quibbles over the fit — I had to supply my own XL tips to get a tight seal and found the Anker’s Soundcore Liberty Air 2 a little more comfortable — but the Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro are a good value.

They use Bluetooth 5.0 with support for AAC and aptX.

Water-resistantIPX4 (splash-proof).

Dynamic sound with powerful bass
Beats Powerbeats Pro

Yes, the Powerbeats Pro’s jumbo charging case with its built-in battery is a notable drawback. But incorporating all the features that make Apple’s AirPods great while delivering richer sound and better battery life in a design that won’t fall out of your ear ultimately is a winning proposition. Just make sure you buy them somewhere with a good return policy in case you’re in the small minority that has ears that aren’t quite a comfortable match for them.

They use Bluetooth 5.0 with support for AAC but not aptX.

Water-resistantYes (IPX4 rating — splash-proof).

Improved design
Jabra Elite 75t

At first glance, the Elite 75t, which was originally supposed to cost $200 but now sells for $180 (£170, AU$299), seems more like an evolutionary upgrade from the highly-rated Elite 65t. But the updates turn out to be a little more substantial than I first thought. The Elite 75t’s smaller size (the buds and case are 20% smaller than the Eilite 65t’s), its boosted battery life and USB-C charging are significant upgrades. And then there are the smaller changes, like the new charging case design with magnets inside it that make it easier to open and close and to keep the buds inside. While the Elite 75t isn’t quite as comfortable to wear as the AirPods Pro and doesn’t have active noise canceling, it does sound better, with clearer overall sound and better bass definition.

While the Elite 75t uses the same drivers as the Elite 65t, the Elite 75t’s sound is a slight step up. Thanks to the smaller design, these should fit more ears better and allow more people to get a tight seal — crucial to maximizing sound quality. These use Bluetooth 5.0 and have support for AAC, but not aptX.

Water-resistantYes (IP55 rating — can withstand heavy sprays of water).

Audiophile pick
Master & Dynamic MW07 Plus

The Master & Dynamic MW07 Plus is the second generation of the company’s MW07. It features greatly increased battery life (10 versus 3.5 hours), Bluetooth 5.0 and active noise-cancellation with two microphones on each bud. It may not fit everyone’s ear equally well, but they certainly have a distinct look, as well as very good sound and a great listening experience if you can get a tight seal. These in-ear headphones are known for more of an audiophile sound profile, with smooth, well-balanced sound and well-defined bass, and the MW07 Plus delivers that kind of sound.

Available in four color options for $300, these wireless earbuds include a swanky chrome charging case that comes with a secondary pouch for safekeeping (yes, the case can get scratched up if you leave it in a bag). The case, with its built-in chargeable battery, gives you an additional three charges (it charges via USB-C). These have support for AAC and aptX and have an extended range of more than 20 meters, according to Master & Dynamic.

Water-resistantYes (IPX5 rating — withstands sustained spray).

Punchy sound for the gym and running
JBL Reflect Flow

The Jaybird Vista is an excellent sports model that fits securely in your ears. It’s arguably slightly more comfortable than the JBL Reflect Flow, but the Flow, which retails for $150, arguably sounds better. It’s very similar to the JBL UA True Wireless Flash but has a more compact case and costs about $20 less.

Water-resistantYes (IPX7 rating — fully waterproof).

Built to rock
Klipsch T5 True Wireless

I was impressed with the Klipsch’s T5 True Wireless’ sound — it’s nicely detailed with natural-sounding mids and punchy, well-defined bass. The only caveat is you really have to jam the tips into your ear to get a tight seal and block out noise, and the design may not be for everyone.

While the Zippo-inspired case is somewhat heavy for its relatively compact size, it’s sleek, sturdy and features USB-C charging. Battery life is also a highlight: The buds themselves can run for up to 8 hours on a single charge at moderate volume levels and the case with its built-in battery provides three additional charges on the go.

The T5 Wireless uses Bluetooth 5.0 and has support for both AAC and aptX.

Water-resistantYes (IPX4 rating — splash-proof).

Aesthetically pleasing
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay E8 2.0 True Wireless Earbuds

The Bang & Olufsen Beoplay E8 2.0 True Wireless Earbuds feature some of those extra design touches that’d you expect — and end up paying for — with Bang & Olufsen products. The charging case for this set of headphones is arguably the most aesthetically pleasing of any charging case out there (like the new AirPods’ wireless charging case, this one also features wireless charging) and feels like a case you’d get at Tiffany’s.

They also sound very good, with clear, well-balanced sound. The bass is well defined but doesn’t have quite as much energy or oomph as the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless’ bass. As a result, I wouldn’t say these are the best wireless headphones for bass audio lovers (look to the Beats for that), but they do sound impressive when listening to well-recorded music. While they’re the most expensive pair of wireless headphones in this roundup — at $350, they’re overpriced — they do come in a variety of color options, some of which are on sale for $100 less or $250.

Note that with version 2.0 of these wireless earbuds, Bang & Olufsen improved the battery life to 4 hours (plus three additional charges from the case with its built-in chargeable battery) and added USB-C and wireless charging. These use Bluetooth 4.2 with support for AAC but not aptX.

Water-resistantYes (they are splash-proof, according to B&O).

Strong sound for less than $100
1More Stylish True Wireless

I don’t really know how stylish the 1More Stylish True Wireless earbuds are (yes, that’s their name), but they do sound good. With a list price of $100, they’re the least expensive of any of the models on this list. 1More made a name for itself with its wired earbuds, the Triple Drivers, which sound great and were a good value when wired headphones were still a thing. The same clear, balanced sound found in that headphone is present in 1More’s first true wireless earbuds (they don’t sound as good as the Triple Drivers, but they sound very good for true wireless).

These have more of an audiophile sound profile, with more “accurate” sound, so bass lovers may be a little disappointed, but I liked them. Of course, it helped that I was able to get a tight seal with one of the included ear tips. However, the stabilizer fin did nothing for me (I just jammed the tip into my ear to get a secure fit).

Their battery life is rated at up 6.5 hours (expect closer to 5 if you’re listening to your music at higher volumes), with an extra 17 hours or so of battery life available from the charging case. With a quick charge of only 15 minutes, you’ll get 3 hours of battery life to listen to your favorite programs and music. These use Bluetooth 5.0 with support for AAC and aptX.

Water-resistanceNo (lacks IPX certification).

Conclusion

There will be hundreds more models and types of wireless headsets to come in the future. But whatever you choose, make sure that it suits your budget and your lifestyle.

You may visit KVD and General Supplies for your wireless headset needs.

Author: Anne Wang