If you’re in search of a fresh set of earbuds, there’s some promising news: you have an abundance of options. The downside? The vast array of choices can swiftly become daunting. Do you recall when iPhones included free earbuds?
Although wired earbuds remain on the market (and one is part of this compilation), the industry is currently led by wireless selections. Numerous models provide sophisticated noise cancellation to silence the clamor of busy coffee shops and commuting. An ideal pair should also incorporate a high-quality microphone for taking calls while on the move.
Prices for earbuds range from $10 to $1,000, particularly for professional-grade studio headphones. If noise cancellation is essential, prepare to invest about $300 — the price for tranquility. Today, you can even discover specialized types like sleep earbuds. Our guide also emphasizes the best earbuds for exercising and the most effective open earbuds.
Our top earbud recommendations are the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd gen) and Panasonic Technics AZ100s, both delivering outstanding sound quality, though they each come with a price tag of $299. While we firmly believe in the worth of everything on this list, we recognize that $300 is a considerable expense. That’s why we recommend shopping during the Black Friday period. As sales kick off, the QC Ultra earbuds will be discounted by $50 (their lowest cost since their release in September). As Black Friday on Nov. 28 nears, we expect further reductions on our favorite earbuds.
Prepared to shop? Here are our top earbud recommendations for 2026.
Types of earbuds
There are two categories of earbuds: wireless and wired. While the definitions are straightforward, let’s explore the details.
Wireless
Wireless earbuds link to devices through Bluetooth for a cable-free experience. These range from budget models priced at $20 to premium ones featuring active noise cancellation. Although they don’t require a wire to connect to a device, some wireless earbuds incorporate a neck wire to connect the buds.
While earbuds typically lack the passive noise cancellation found in over-the-ear headphones, wireless varieties frequently come with ANC, which electronically mitigates background sounds. Keep an eye on battery life with wireless headphones; most should endure at least eight hours or longer before requiring a recharge.
Wired
Wired earbuds are the original setup: two buds linked by a cable to your audio source. Once deemed state-of-the-art, they are now relatively basic. Wired earbuds featuring active noise cancellation are almost nonexistent, and none are included in our selection.
The primary benefit of wired headphones is that they don’t necessitate charging. They serve as an excellent backup to stow in your bag in case your wireless headphones or earbuds lose power.
Recent updates to this guide
Following thorough testing, Mashable Lead Shopping Reporter Bethany Allard has curated the finest sleep earbuds. You can explore her complete guide; as of May 2025, we’ve incorporated the Anker Soundcore Sleep A20 into this guide, which Allard deems the best sleep earbuds for most individuals.
As of August 2025, we’ve also refreshed the best earbuds for exercising to include the Powerbeats Pro 2 and introduced the Shokz OpenDots One as the top open earbuds.
What are the finest wireless Bluetooth earbuds?
If you are searching for daily wireless earbuds, nearly every model in this guide meets the criteria. (We’ve also included the Marshall Mode wired earbuds for those who prefer not to think about battery life.) For high-caliber wireless earbuds, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra and Panasonic Technics EAH-AZ100 earbuds, our newest suggestion for 2026, are exceptional picks. Both provide top-tier noise cancellation, remarkable sound quality, long battery life, and a comfortable fit for prolonged use.
This guide also showcases several additional earbuds we endorse. Apple users might choose the AirPods Pro, while budget-savvy shoppers may look at selections from Marshall or Anker Soundcore. If you require assistance in finding the ideal pair, keep reading.