Bowers & Wilkins PI7 S2: In 2023, Bowers & Wilkins upgraded its fantastic-sounding PI7 noise-canceling headphones. The new S2 model has better battery life and Bluetooth range, now up to 25 meters (double the previous range). Additionally, the buds now integrate into the new Bowers & Wilkins Music app for iOS and Android and have a much improved setup experience.
JBL Live Pro 2: Over the years, JBL has released some decent, true wireless headphones, but nothing that really excited me. That has finally changed with the arrival of the new Samsung-owned brand Live Pro 2 and Live for free 2 buds. Both sets of buds — the Live Pro 2 have stems while the Live Free 2 have a tablet-shaped design — offer a comfortable fit along with strong noise cancellation, very good sound quality and voice calling performance, plus a robust feature set including pairing with multi-point Bluetooth, IPX5 splash-proof rating and wireless charging.
Master & Dynamic MW09: Master & Dynamic headphones and earphones have always had a unique, eye-catching design that incorporates premium materials such as aluminum, sapphire glass and Kevlar. Its latest MW09 flagship headphones ($349) look pretty similar to its previous MW08 buds, but have some upgrades on the inside that deliver better performance, especially when it comes to noise cancellation. The headphones sound great, but they are mysteriously missing everywhere, so we dropped them from the best list. If they come back in stock we will add them to this list.
Sony LinkBuds S: Unlike the “open” LinkBuds, the LinkBuds S are traditional noise-isolating headphones with tips that stick in your ears. They are more compact and lighter than Sony's former flagship WF-1000XM4, and also feature Sony's V1 processor (Sony has since released the more compact WF-1000XM5). Their audio and noise cancellation doesn't measure up to the XM4 or XM5, but they're still pretty good. They're Sony buds for people who can't afford Sony's flagship headphones but want 80% of the features and performance of those buds for significantly less.
Sony WF-1000XM4: Released in 2021, Sony's WF-1000XM4 earned a CNET Editors' Choice award. They're still great headphones, but Sony has now released the next generation WF-1000XM5. They can be a good option if you find them at a good discount.
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3: The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 were among the best new true wireless headphones of 2022. They're still among the best truly wireless headphones, but Sennheiser has released the upgraded Momentum True Wireless 4. Also, the newer AirPods Pro 2 and Sony Buds WF-1000XM5 are arguably superior, so just look to buy the Momentum True Wireless 3 when they're available. significantly reduced.
JBL Tour Pro 2: JBL's Tour Pro 2 in-ear headphones got a lot of attention to bring something new to true wireless headphones: a full-color touchscreen built into the housing that lets you access key headphone features and control playback, as well as adjust the volume levels. It's a bit of a trick, but also useful. The buds could sound a little better for their asking price, but overall, the JBL Tour Pro 2s are very good headphones that offer a good fit, a robust feature set, strong battery life, plus solid noise cancellation and voice calling performance.
Beyerdynamic Free Byrd: Beyerdynamic may be late to the game, but it's finally unveiled its first truly wireless headphones, which feature active noise cancellation, up to 11 hours of battery life (with noise off), and impressive sound quality.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2: Available in four colors, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 noise-canceling headphones don't have as good sound or noise cancellation as the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, but they're compact (15% smaller and 20% lighter than the previous Buds Plus, barely sticking out of your ears) and cost significantly less. Because they sit more flush with your ears — and have that curved design — they also pick up less wind noise. They are IPX2 sweat resistant, while the upgraded Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are fully waterproof (IPX7).
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX: Bang & Olufsen's $399 Beoplay EX buds are the company's best true wireless earbuds. They feature a comfortable, secure fit (except perhaps for those with really small ears), premium build quality, great sound, good noise cancellation and improved voice calling performance via B&O's EQ buds, with three microphones in each earcup that help reduce background noise while raising your voice. They're out of most people's price range, they're probably the best earbuds out there, and they offer slightly superior sound to the AirPods Pro 2 with better clarity, deeper, more powerful bass, and richer, more accurate sound.
Soundcore by Anker Liberty 4: Their sound isn't quite up to the level of higher end buds Apple's AirPods Pro 2 and on Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 it costs significantly more, but Anker's Liberty 4 Soundcore headphones have a strong feature set, including head-tracking spatial audio mode, Bluetooth multi-point pairing, up to nine hours of battery life, wireless charging, and support for the LDAC audio codec. Sony. which can offer sound enhancements if you have the right setup.
Sennheiser CX Plus: Momentum True Wireless 3 are Sennheiser's flagship true wireless headphones. If you can't afford them, the CX Plus (which has very good sound and decent noise cancellation) is a good alternative for a lot less money. The scaled-down CX, which has no active noise cancellation, costs even less.